Perched high above the Pacific Ocean in Newport Coast, California, Pelican Hill Golf Club has long been regarded as one of the most visually striking golf destinations in the United States. With panoramic views of the Pacific, rugged coastal terrain, and pristine course conditions, the resort offers a golf experience that feels both luxurious and uniquely connected to Southern California’s natural beauty.
The club features 36 holes of championship golf, split between the Ocean North and Ocean South courses. Designed by renowned architect Tom Fazio, the courses wind through coastal canyons, eucalyptus groves, and ocean-facing bluffs that make nearly every hole feel like a signature moment. According to the resort, the layout was carefully crafted so that each shot complements the surrounding landscape, with sweeping vistas that often compete for a golfer’s attention as much as the fairways themselves.
Pelican Hill’s setting above Newport Beach also makes it a year-round golf destination. The region enjoys abundant sunshine and mild temperatures, which allows the course to maintain strong playing conditions throughout the year. For golfers and visitors alike, the combination of dramatic scenery and thoughtful design is what has elevated Pelican Hill into one of California’s most recognizable resort courses.
Two Courses, Two Distinct Experiences
Pelican Hill’s golf offering is defined by its two distinct layouts: the Ocean North Course and the Ocean South Course. Both provide ocean views, but each offers its own personality and challenges.
The Ocean North Course sits slightly higher along the coastline and provides sweeping panoramic views, including glimpses of Catalina Island on clear days. The course stretches to nearly 7,000 yards from the back tees and features dramatic elevation changes, canyon carries, and sloping greens that require precise approach shots. For many players, the scenery alone makes the experience unforgettable, with ocean views visible from every hole.
The Ocean South Course offers a different kind of beauty, weaving closer to the ocean’s edge through sage-covered terrain and coastal vegetation. Several holes play alongside the cliffs overlooking the Pacific, and the course includes unique design features like the famous 13th hole, which offers two separate greens that change the strategy of the hole depending on the day’s pin placement.
Genesis Brings Media to Pelican Hill
Recently, Pelican Hill also played host to a media golf day organized by Genesis, giving journalists and industry insiders a chance to experience the course firsthand.
Events like these allow brands to connect directly with the golf media community while showcasing destinations that embody the sport’s lifestyle and culture. For many attendees, playing Pelican Hill offered a rare opportunity to experience one of California’s premier courses while also seeing how brands like Genesis are engaging with golf beyond traditional sponsorships.
Genesis also leaned into the details that golfers appreciate. Participants were provided Genesis-branded Pro V1 golf balls and Genesis tees, reinforcing the brand’s presence throughout the round. To add a competitive element to the day, the event also featured on-course contests, including a longest drive challenge and a closest-to-the-pin competition, giving media members a chance to test their skills while enjoying the dramatic oceanfront setting.
Genesis’ Growing Presence in Golf
Genesis has become one of the most active corporate partners in professional golf in recent years. The luxury automotive brand currently serves as a global official vehicle of the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions, a partnership designed to bring fans closer to the game through on-site activations and exclusive experiences at tournaments around the world.
Beyond that, Genesis is widely recognized as the title sponsor of The Genesis Invitational, one of the PGA Tour’s Signature Events hosted by Tiger Woods. The company has continued to deepen its commitment to the tournament, extending its title sponsorship through 2030 and reinforcing its role as one of golf’s most prominent brand partners.
At The Genesis Invitational this year, the brand also used the tournament stage to showcase one of its vehicles (GV60) in the bold Magma color. Positioned near the 10th hole, the striking finish drew attention from fans and attendees as Genesis highlighted the evolving performance-inspired direction of its luxury lineup.
Beyond tournaments, Genesis has leaned into storytelling and fan engagement within golf, working with players and media partners to create content that brings fans closer to the personalities and moments that define the game. Through these efforts, the brand has positioned itself not just as a sponsor, but as an active participant in the culture and community surrounding professional golf.
Renovations Set to Refresh Both Pelican Hill Courses
Pelican Hill is also preparing for a significant update to its two championship layouts. In October 2025, the resort announced that renowned golf course architect Brian Curley of Curley-Wagner Golf Design will oversee a major renovation of both the Ocean North and Ocean South courses.
The upcoming project will mark the first major refresh at the property since a “two-year re-perfection” effort led by Fazio in 2005. The renovation will focus primarily on bunker restoration and realignment, expanded and leveled tee boxes, and improvements to green surrounds, all aimed at maintaining the courses’ playability and visual appeal.
Curley, a veteran architect and former protégé of legendary designer Pete Dye, brings decades of experience to the project. Over nearly 40 years in the industry, he has worked on more than 150 golf courses around the world, including recent work on Shura Links in Saudi Arabia. Curley said the goal at Pelican Hill is not to drastically alter the courses, but to refresh their features while preserving the character that has made them a destination for golfers.
“These are two fantastic, expertly designed courses that have aged gracefully,” Curley said in a statement. “This renovation will refresh the features and ensure the best possible playing experience for years to come.”
Construction on the project began in November 2025 and is expected to span roughly 50 weeks. To minimize disruption for guests, renovations are being carried out in phases, with nine holes closed at a time so that 27 holes remain available for play throughout the process. Work started on the South Course before shifting to the North Course, with completion anticipated in late 2026.
Once finished, the updates are expected to enhance both the visual presentation and strategic elements of the layouts while preserving the dramatic coastal setting that has defined Pelican Hill for decades.
Pelican Hill Delivers Luxury Golf Experience on California’s Coast