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Monterey Bay & Pebble Beach Golf Courses: Top Places to Play in this World Class Golf Destination
by Jill Loeffler •
The best places to golf in the Monterey Bay area are at the Pebble Beach Golf Courses. These premier establishments offer luscious green fairways, challenging holes and everything else you would want from a course.
There are five public courses in total. All offer a slightly different experience and are priced accordingly.
Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.
1. Pebble Beach Golf Links
Holes: 18
Par: 72
The fame of the Pebble Beach golf courses comes from this popular course. The Pebble Beach Golf Links sits right on the waterfront and has been named the #1 public golf course in America by Golf Digest.
It has also been the site of many of golf's greatest tournaments including the annual AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and five US Open Championships.
Golfers love the challenge and beauty of this course, but it comes at a price.
2. Spyglass Hill Golf Course
Holes: 18
Par: 72
Spyglass Hill is another one of the fun Pebble Beach Golf Courses. This one is themed after the classic book Treasure Island publishes in 1883. Locals claim that Robert Louis Stevenson, the book's author, roamed around in this area for a number of years. Due to this story, the course designer, Robert Trent Jones Sr., made it his mission to create a course that feeds into this local legend.
It opened in 1966.
This unique course sits on two entirely different terrains. The first five holes take you through sandy seaside dunes. The last thirteen holes walk you through wooded area with elevated greens and a few well-placed lakes and bunkers.
This course is also rated as one of the toughest courses in the world. Watch out for holes 6, 8, and 16. The PGA TOUR lists them as some of the toughest holes on their tour.
3. The Links at Spanish Bay
Holes: 18
Par: 72
This is a true links golf course, which recreates the original Scottish ideal of how a course should be. The word links in Scottish refers to courses with a sandy wasteland, near the sea, with flowing grass and continual winds.
On this course, you can use your regular shot or a low, running shot, which allows you to control your ball in the wind.
To keep with Scottish tradition, this course closes at night with a bagpiper.
4. Del Monte Golf Course
Holes: 18
Par: 72
Del Monte Golf Course is one of the oldest continually operated course to the west of the Mississippi. This challenging inland course opened in 1897.
It hosted the very first California State Amateur Tournament. Today, it is still one of three Pebble Beach golf courses to host the Callaway Golf Pebble Beach Invitational.
On this course, you can expect wide fairways lined with trees. You can also expect the most challenge from the 13th, which is a par-5, 512-yard hole. Other challenging holes on this course are the 5th and the 9th.
5. Peter Hay Golf Course
Holes: 9
Par: 27
This nine-hole course is for players at all levels. Originally opened in 1957, it is still the only 9-hole, par-3 golf course open to the public in the area.
It's the perfect place to improve your game or teach your friends how to play. The prices are reasonable too.
This is the only one of the Pebble Beach golf courses where the green fee allows you to play all day.
Other Courses in the Monterey Bay Area
In addition to the Pebble Beach golf courses, this world-class golf destination also offers several other gorgeous, yet challenging places to play in Monterey, Carmel and Pacific Grove. The area has almost 300 days of sunshine a year, so you can play all year long.
Here are some of the other great public courses to check out during your stay.
Monterey Golf Courses
Laguna Seca Golf Ranch
10520 York Rd
Monterey, CA 93940
- Par: 71
Monterey Pines Golf Course
Fairgrounds & Garden Road
Monterey, CA 93940
- Par: 70
Carmel Golf Courses
Carmel Valley Ranch Golf Course
One Old Ranch Road
Carmel, CA 93923
- Par: 70
Rancho Canada, East Golf Course
4860 Carmel Valley Road
Carmel, CA 93923
- Par: 71
Rancho Canada, West Golf Course
4860 Carmel Valley Road
Carmel, CA 93923
Par: 71
Pacific Grove Courses
Pacific Grove Golf Links
77 Asilomar Boulevard
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
- Par: 70
Top Places to Stay
It's easy to get around the Monterey Bay area, so you can stay in any of its small towns. Pebble Beach offers the most luxurious options with five-star hotels that feature every amenity you need. If you want to stay right in the golfing action, this is the place to stay.
However, if you don't want to shell out that kind of dough for your room, you can also find several great options in Monterey, Carmel and Pacific Grove. These are also great options if you plan on doing something other than golfing during your stay.
Here are the top three options in Pebble Beach:
1. The Inn at Spanish Bay
2700 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach, CA
- Five-star luxury resort
- Set within The Links at Spanish Bay Golf Course
- All guests receive preferred tee times at both the Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course
- 269 room resort sits on the beautiful waterfront
- Five restaurants on-site
- Rooms start at around $550 a night and fill up quickly so book your room as soon as you know your arrival dates
>> Find all the best information, reviews, rooms and rates for The Inn at Spanish Bay.
2. The Lodge at Pebble Beach
1700 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach, CA
- Five-star luxury resort
- Sits within the gorgeous Pebble Beach Golf Links course
- 161 room resort also sits just steps away from the waterfront
- Six on-site restaurants
- Features 12-court tennis center, thirteen retail shops and a relaxing spa
- All guests receive preferred tee times for Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course, The Links at Spanish Bay and Del Monte Golf Course
- Rooms start at around $650 and they also fill up quickly
>> Read reviews and find the best rooms and suites for your stay at The Lodge at Pebble Beach.
3. Casa Palmero at Pebble Beach
1518 Cypress Drive, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
- Picturesque Mediterranean accommodation with 24 rooms and suites
- Set on the first and second fairways of the famous Pebble Beach Golf Links course
- Next to The Lodge at Pebble Beach so you can take advantage of their restaurants, shops and other services
- Guests receive priority access to Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course, The Links at Spanish Bay and Del Monte Golf Course
- Rooms start at around $900 a night and fill up quickly
- Learn all about the rooms, views, rates, and more for your stay at Casa Palmero at Pebble Beach.
Click on the links below to find the top recommendations in Monterey, Carmel and Pacific Grove.
Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
I would love for you to join me in my private Facebook group!
It's a great place to interact with me and others who know the area well.
You can ask questions, get advice for your upcoming stay, and then share your photos and advice with others when you return home. It's a great community and the fastest way to get answers to those nagging questions about your visit!
