Pelican Hill - The World's Best Golf Resort? - 19th Hole Golf Blog by Your Golf Travel

As golfers, we all have a dream golf course we would pick to play above all others. Augusta National, the St Andrews Old Course and Royal Melbourne are all popular choices but sometimes the golf course is just a small part of a luxury golf holiday.

All encompassing golf resorts combine world class golf courses with luxury accommodation, top class leisure facilities and, in many cases, a bevy of local attractions that can be enjoyed by golfers and non golfers alike. From Mission Hills in China to the Fancourt Hotel & Country Estate in South Africa, there are a select few that can be considered among the very best on the planet.

So which resort can lay claim to the top spot?

Well, according to the readers of luxury travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler, The Resort at Pelican Hill was the world’s Top Golf Resort in 2011.

There are few golf courses in the world that can boast a location as spectacular as that of the courses at Pelican.

Newport Beach is one of the most desirable parcels of real estate in the USA and a prestigious destination for golf and leisure visitors to California, and the deluxe Pelican Hill Resort is the finest way to experience it.

Boasting a stunning hillside location, Pelican Hill is home to is home to a world class golf complex which includes two outstanding golf courses designed by Tom Fazio which have garnered considerable praise since their inception. Carved into the arroyos and coastal scrub of the breathtaking natural landscape, the courses are truly as beautiful as they are enjoyable to play. In fact in the ‘Course Design & Access’ and ‘Golf Staff & Services’ categories, Condé Nast Traveler readers gave it perfect scores.

The Ocean South Course is the original Fazio layout at Pelican Hill. This wonderful par-70 course is best known for its iconic 13^th; a unique short hole that features two greens. Although the Ocean South Course would have been perfectly adequate, such is its quality, Pelican Hill unveiled a second course, the Ocean North Course, two years later.

While many may have expected the Ocean North to struggle in its sibling’s shadow, it has blossomed into a genuine championship layout and in its current form is every bit as good as the Ocean South. Spectacular ocean views from every tee help to create a magical golfing environment while the course itself is maintained to the very highest standard to ensure maximum enjoyment for the player.

Pelican Hill’s hillside location allowed Fazio to carve out some truly spectacular holes.

“Re-perfecting Pelican Hill is one of the great memories of my life. The beauty of Pelican Hill’s coastal setting can be distracting for golfers, so I framed each hole to help keep their focus on the game,” said the course’s architect, Tom Fazio.

An insight into the service received by golfers comes in the form of the resort’s “forecaddies”, who accompany each group around the golf course, providing local knowledge, ball-spotting services and general assistance. With club collection, drop off and cleaning standard in may top class resorts these days, it seems as if Pelican Hill has taken service to the next level.

As if two world class golf courses weren’t enough, Pelican Hill also offers its guests the very best in accommodation, gastronomy and leisure facilities, all of which culminates to provide each guest with the very best luxury experience possible.

Built into the resort’s terraced hillside are a collection of charming bungalows which serve to provide intimate, high quality accommodation for golf and leisure visitors to Pelican Hill. The unique layout offers fantastic privacy, while every bungalow is blessed with phenomenal views across the golf courses to the ocean.

The bungalows, in-keeping with the resort’s style throughout, are distinctly Italian in construction and décor, complete with limestone fireplaces, travertine flooring and vaulted beam ceilings. Deluxe bathrooms are standard, as are granite wet bars, 42″ plasma screen televisions, high speed internet access, plush linen and bedding while private terraces allow guests to enjoy the stunning sun sets that California is so famous for.

Not a bad view to savour while sipping a refreshing drink after a round of golf eh?

Pelican Hill is also home to a luxurious spa centre which just might be the perfect place to head after a round or two of golf. The mission here is pure relaxation. European in style, the spa complex offers an extensive treatment list, with specialties in body and facial therapy, all set in the most desirable surroundings. This is the perfect place to banish any aches and pains picked up on the golf course and to simply recharge the batteries and escape from the stresses and strains of everyday life.

If you thought that’s where the charms if Pelican Hill ended then think again. Dining at Pelican Hill is a sublime experience; fortunate guests have the luxury of choosing from a wide range of restaurants, all supervised by renowned chef Jean-Pierre Dubray. The northern Italian cuisine in Andrea and the excellent Pelican Grill in the clubhouse are particular highlights.

All in all this outstanding resort earned an overall score of 96.6 and for those considering a luxury golf holiday on the USA, or anywhere else for that matter, it seems as if Pelican Hill will take some beating!

Click here for information on Pelican Hill golf breaks.