Monterey County Wine Country / About Wine, Food, and and Wine Country Living

Posted June 2006

Get out on the Greens – Golfing in Monterey

photo by Joann Dost

MONTEREY—Next to pounding surf and screeching seagulls, one of the most common sounds of the Monterey Coast is, "Fore!" Home to dozens of world-class golf courses, including the unparalleled Pebble Beach links, Monterey is a haven for putters, chippers and slicers of all levels.

With many of the courses reaching their 40th, 50th and even 100-plus year of play, Monterey has a rich history of being a playground for the rich, famous…and golf-minded. Looking to enjoy the cool ocean breezes and scenery, the peninsula has attracted resort-seekers in need of a rest, relaxation and a few hours on the green for more than a century. Built in 1897, Del Monte golf course has the singular honor of being the oldest course in continuous play west of the Mississippi. Other courses, including Bayonet, Pebble Beach and Spyglass have similarly impressive histories.

Now known as the Golf Capital of the World, Monterey hosts some of the biggest names and events in golfing: the Pro-Am, US Open, Callaway Golf Invitational and many others each year. Recent updates to many of the historic courses have made them faster and better than ever. Just keep in mind that many of the courses have long waiting lists and high green fees that might keep you waiting in the clubhouse if you don't plan ahead.

Here are some of the best courses in the Monterey Peninsula:

Bayonet and Black Horse
1 McClure Way, Seaside
Designed with military precision, Bayonet and Black Horse golf courses were built on the base of Fort Ord in the mid-1900s—to the exacting needs of two of its most prominent generals. Bayonet, named after the Army's 7th Infantry Division - the first major unit to occupy Fort Ord—was the dream course of General Robert B. McClure. An avid golfer who happened to be left-handed, the course was specifically designed in 1954 to fit his game. Among the most challenging holes, "Combat Corner," (holes #11 through #15), which requires golfers to deal with five blind dogleg fairways in a row. Black Horse, which is known as the more scenic of the two courses, with breath-taking views of the Monterey Bay, was designed in 1964. Hillier and shorter than Bayonet, the course was redesigned in the 1980's to bring it up to par with Bayonet. Green Fee: Monday–Friday, $64; Weekends & Holidays, $84. For more information, call 831.899.7271.

Pacific Grove Links
77 Asilomar Ave., Pacific Grove
Recently rated by Zagat as one of America's Best Golf Courses, this 18-hole course (known to locals as PG Muni), offers some of the most spectacular views of the ocean—at one of the best prices. Originally designed by Chandler Egan in 1932, the first nine holes are done in Old World style, winding through forested groves and inland terrain. The back nine, which are the most spectacular, were designed by Jack Neville, of Pebble Beach fame. Green Fee: Monday-Thursday, $35; Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Holidays, $40. For more information, call 831.648-5777.

Pebble Beach Golf Links
1700 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach
If you can afford it, and get can get a tee-time (not often easy) this golf course is the Holiest of Holy Grails for golfers. Ranked as the top US course by, well, just about everyone, Pebble Beach hosts many of the sport's most prestigious tournaments, including the National Pro-Am, and US Open. Built in 1919, it hugs the rugged coastline, providing wide-open vistas, cliffside fairways and sloping greens—a serious challenge for any player. But, at $450 per player, the price is just as steep as the nearby cliffs. Then again, this is Pebble Beach, where names like Nicklaus and Woods have made their names. Resort guests get first crack at tee-times, so if you're splurging, you may consider breaking the bank and staying at the Lodge. Green Fees: $450. For more information, call 800.654.9300.

Spyglass Hill Golf Course
Spyglass Hill Road, Pebble Beach
Taking its name from Robert Louis Stevenson's classic novel, Treasure Island, local legend claims that Stevenson once wandered the Spyglass area gathering ideas for his novels. In deference to the author, several holes are named for characters in the novel, including "Black Dog" and "Billy Bones." Rated one of the most difficult courses in the world, the last 13 holes cut deep into the Del Monte pine forest, where players may want to watch for plundering pirates…or at the very least, buried treasure. Green fees: $300. For more information, call 800.654.9300.

Links at Spanish Bay
2700 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach
Players have been known to say that this course is so much like Scotland that you can almost hear the bagpipes. And, in fact, you can each night at dusk. Inspired by the rugged, sandy, cliff-hugging courses that were the birth-place of golf nearly 500 years ago, designers Robert Trent Jones Jr., Tom Watson and Sandy Tatum took full advantage of the natural similarities between Scotland and Monterey. With bristling grasses, cool ocean breezes, and spectacular vistas, Spanish Bay has the advantage of a price-tag that's a wee bit easier on the wallet than a trip to Edinburgh. Though, not much. Green Fees: $230. For more information, call 800.654.9300.

Del Monte Golf Course
1300 Sylvan Road, Monterey
Opened in 1897, Del Monte Golf Course is the oldest course in continuous operation west of the Mississippi. Designed by golf and polo enthusiast Charles Maud, this inland course boasts a meandering layout that has challenged golfers for more than a century. Green Fees: $105. For more information, call 831.373.2700.

More Golf Destinations
Laguna Seca Golf Club
10520 York Road, Monterey Green Fees: $60
831.373.3701

Poppy Hills Golf Course
3200 Lopez Road, Pebble Beach
Green Fees: $52 to $130
831.625.2035

Here's a more complete listing of Monterey golfing resources and course information.