Bay vs Pines (South)
Our #1 and #2 picks from Best America’s 20 Best Municipal Golf Courses, compared spec-by-spec with clear pros, cons, and a verdict.
The full head-to-head write-up is generating and will appear here shortly. In the meantime, here's the editorial summary for each pick from the Top 10.
Bay
Chambers
Chambers Bay is built for golfers who want an authentic, wind-swept coastal links experience without traveling to Scotland. Located on the shores of Puget Sound in University Place, Washington, this Pierce County-owned property transformed a former sand-and-gravel quarry into a sprawling, dramatic municipal playground. Designed by Robert Trent Jones II, it served as the venue for the 2015 U.S. Open and remains one of the boldest public golf developments in American history. The layout plays firm and fast over massive, tumbling dunes, demanding a ground-game approach where players use slopes and feeder banks to direct the ball. Fairways are exceptionally wide, but massive elevation shifts, deep sandy blowouts, and gusting maritime winds introduce serious strategic complexity. Walking is mandatory—traditional motorized carts are not permitted—which makes playing here an authentic, athletic trek across steep coastal inclines. The primary trade-off is the physical and financial investment. Between mandatory walking across steep climbs and premium non-resident peak green fees that can easily exceed two hundred dollars, it is not a casual weekend round. However, for sheer visual drama, open panoramic views of the Olympic Mountains, and pure links architecture, few municipal tracks in the world can match it. **Highlights** - Authentic links layout with sweeping Puget Sound and mountain vistas - Distinctive ground-game design utilizing massive mounds and slopes - Robert Trent Jones II design that hosted the 2015 U.S. Open - Fine fescue turf creating firm, fast running conditions - True walking-only environment with caddie programs available **Watch-outs** - Demanding physical walk with intense vertical elevation gains - Premium non-resident peak fees push into resort territory
Find it on AmazonPines (South)
Torrey
Torrey Pines South is designed for players who relish brute-force tournament conditions and dramatic coastal settings. Perched high above the Pacific Ocean on the bluffs of La Jolla, California, this City of San Diego facility has hosted multiple U.S. Opens and serves as an annual stop on the PGA Tour. Originally laid out by William F. Bell and later overhauled by Rees Jones, the South Course is an absolute powerhouse of modern championship golf. Stretching over 7,600 yards from the championship tees, the course demands relentless driving accuracy and high, soft-landing long-iron approaches. Thick kikuyu rough catches errant drives, making recovery shots notoriously penal, while afternoon ocean breezes and deep marine fog layers frequently add extra club lengths to already long holes. The greens feature subtle poa annua undulations that require precise speed control, particularly late in the day. The trade-offs here stem from its fame and ownership structure. San Diego residents enjoy heavily subsidized rates, but visiting golfers face stiff green fees and a competitive booking system that requires planning months in advance. Rounds can also stretch toward five hours during peak tourist season, but walking the rim of the ocean bluffs remains a bucket-list public golf rite. **Highlights** - Iconic clifftop setting overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Torrey Pines State Reserve - Host venue of legendary major championships and annual tour events - Rees Jones renovation delivering true tournament-caliber length and penal rough - Well-maintained public facility with comprehensive practice areas - Classic parkland routing mixed with oceanfront drama **Watch-outs** - High non-resident pricing and aggressive booking competition - Extremely penal rough and yardage can overwhelm mid-to-high handicappers
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