You've probably seen the drone footage. That iconic, twisted pine tree leaning out over the Pacific, the mist rolling in off the La Jolla cliffs, and the pristine greens that look like they were cut with a pair of surgical scissors. It’s the dream. But then you start looking at torrey pines golf rates and realize that navigating the pricing here is sort of like trying to hit a 3-iron out of the thickest rough on the South Course. It's complicated.
Honestly, the price you pay depends almost entirely on where you live and how much sleep you’re willing to sacrifice to snag a tee time. If you’re a San Diego resident with a valid City Golf ID card, you’re basically playing the greatest municipal course in the world for the price of a decent steak dinner. If you’re visiting from out of town? Well, you’re paying for the privilege of walking in Tiger’s footsteps, and the bill reflects that.
The Brutal Reality of the 2026 Price List
Let’s talk numbers. For 2026, the City of San Diego has bumped things up a bit. It’s not a massive hike, but it’s enough to notice.
If you want to tackle the South Course—the big, scary one that hosts the U.S. Open—and you’re a non-resident, you’re looking at $258 for a weekday round. If you decide to play on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, that number jumps to $322.
Kinda steep? Maybe. But compare that to Pebble Beach, where you're dropping over $600 just to step onto the first tee.
The North Course is the "value" play, though many locals actually prefer it for the views. Non-residents will pay $163 during the week and $204 on weekends. It’s shorter, a bit more forgiving, and arguably more scenic because so many holes run right along the bluff.
The Resident Secret Sauce
If you live within the City of San Diego limits, you are the luckiest golfer on the planet. For a measly $25 annual fee for a resident card, your green fees drop off a cliff.
- South Course (Resident): $73 (Mon-Thu) / $90 (Fri-Sun)
- North Course (Resident): $51 (Mon-Thu) / $68 (Fri-Sun)
It’s almost unfair. But hey, that's the perk of paying local taxes.
Hidden Costs Nobody Warns You About
The green fee is just the beginning. Most people forget that Torrey Pines is a muni, but it operates with the logistical complexity of a major airport.
First off, there’s the Advanced Booking Fee. Unless you’re planning to show up at 5:00 AM and sit in the parking lot hoping for a cancellation (which people actually do), you’re going to book in advance. For non-residents, that’s a non-refundable $50 per player. Residents get a slight break at $32.
Then there’s the gear.
- Cart Rental: $48 per cart.
- Club Rentals: $75 for a standard set.
- Range Balls: About $10–$15 depending on the bucket size.
If you’re a non-resident playing the South Course on a Saturday with a cart and rented clubs, you’re easily clearing $500 before you’ve even bought a sleeve of balls or a hot dog at the turn.
South vs. North: Which One is Worth the Cash?
This is the eternal debate.
The South Course is the beast. It’s long—nearly 7,800 yards from the tips—and the rough is notoriously thick. If you want to test your mettle and see how you’d fare in a Major, this is it. It’s a grind. It’s exhausting. And if the wind picks up, it can be downright soul-crushing.
The North Course, redesigned by Tom Weiskopf a few years back, is the "fun" course. The greens are larger, the views of the glider port and the ocean are more frequent, and you won't lose as many balls.
Pro Tip: If you’re only playing once and you aren't a single-digit handicap, play the North. You'll actually enjoy your vacation instead of spending five hours looking for your ball in four-inch-deep kikuya grass.
Navigating the Twilight Times
If you want the best version of torrey pines golf rates, you play Twilight.
Twilight starts at different times throughout the year—as early as 12:00 PM in the winter and as late as 3:30 PM in the height of summer. On the South Course, a non-resident can get on for $156 (weekday) or $194 (weekend).
The risk? You might not finish all 18 holes. But honestly, watching the sunset over the Pacific from the 15th green is worth more than finishing the round anyway.
The 2026 Twilight Schedule (Rough Guide)
- Winter (Jan-Feb): Starts around 12:00 PM or 1:00 PM.
- Spring (April-May): Starts around 2:30 PM.
- Summer (June-August): Starts around 3:30 PM.
- Fall (Sept-Oct): Starts around 2:00 PM.
Why the Booking System is a Nightmare
Accessing these rates is the hard part. The city's reservation system is legendary for being difficult.
Tee times for the "general public" (those without a resident card) open up at 7:00 PM exactly 7 days in advance. They are gone in seconds. Literally. If you aren't hitting the refresh button the moment your phone clock flips to 7:00:00, you’re probably not getting a spot.
There are third-party booking services that charge a "coordination fee" (usually around $60 per player). While it adds to the cost, for a once-in-a-lifetime trip, it’s often the only way to guarantee you actually get to play.
Practical Steps for Your Trip
Don't just show up and hope for the best.
- Get the Resident Card Early: If you just moved to San Diego, do this online immediately. You cannot buy it at the course.
- Walk, Don't Ride: Both courses are walkable, though the South is a hike. You’ll save $48 and get the full experience.
- Watch the Maintenance Calendar: They aerate the greens twice a year. Playing on "punched" greens is a bummer when you’re paying $300. Check the city’s maintenance schedule before booking.
- Check for Tournament Closures: Every January, the Farmers Insurance Open takes over. The weeks leading up to it mean the rough is tournament-height (translation: impossible) and certain areas are restricted.
If you’re looking to save money, aim for a Tuesday or Wednesday on the North Course. You’ll get the same coastal breeze and the same world-class conditioning for nearly $100 less than a Sunday morning on the South.
Whether you’re a local or a tourist, Torrey Pines is one of those rare places that actually lives up to the hype. Just make sure your credit card is ready for the "non-resident" shock if you're coming from out of state.
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Your Next Steps:
Check the official San Diego City Golf website to verify the current month's "Twilight" start time, as these shift every few weeks. If you are planning a 2026 trip, create your booking profile on the portal at least two weeks before your desired date to ensure your payment info is saved for the 7:00 PM "reservation sprint."