3 Pebble Beach Golf Courses You'll Fall In Love With (even if you don't golf)
93953 is arguably one of the greatest zip codes in golf—Pebble Beach features an array of the most scenic links in the world. The courses we were lucky enough to play were The Links at Spanish Bay, Poppy Hills and Pebble Beach Golf Links; all three courses cater to both beginner and expert golfers and even if you don’t golf, the views alone are worth tagging along.
Before we stepped onto one of Golf Digest’s America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses, we made sure to study the Hole-By-Hole feature on the website. This is a fantastic way to preview the course and get excited about your round. Built along the scenic 17-Mile Drive, panoramic views of sea scape, dunes and even coastal forest take you on a fantastic journey before concluding at Spanish Bay Beach for a coastal finish.
Specifics + Highlights:
18 Holes: Green fees $290/person + cart fee
Because course is across from ocean, be sure to layer up
Golf-specific highlights: hilly course, patience test, negotiating sand dunes, pot bunkers, challenging greens. Robert Trent Jones, Jr., Tom Watson and Sandy Tatum teamed up to artfully craft a distinctly Scottish look, blending green and golden hues against a spectacular beachside backdrop to produce a memorable experience unlike any other in Pebble Beach.
Spanish Bay Bagpiper: The Spanish Bay Bagpiper plays every day, rain or shine. The bagpiper begins on the first tee at The Links at Spanish Bay in front of STICKS bar and restaurant and finishes 45 minutes later at the Spanish Bay fire pits by the second green. During Daylight Saving Time, the bagpiper begins at approximately 5:45 p.m. During Standard Time, the bagpiper begins a half hour before sunset.
The course is located in the Del Monte Forest in Pebble Beach and sits 207 feet above sea level, giving it spectacular views of the Monterey Peninsula Coastline. With a state of the art, eco-friendly watering system, the course boasts some of the most consistent greens in Pebble Beach. There is a laid back, casual feel to the course that helped take the pressure off my game, and some say playing this course is as close as you’ll get to golfing in a national forest.
Specifics + Highlights
18 holes: Green Fees $250/person
The course was renovated in 2013 and reopened in 2014. Updates focused on water conservation, primarily improving irrigation and drainage. The ultra-efficient watering system is designed to promote firm-and-fast play conditions and the new design lends itself to creative shot-making coming into the greens, so, you may be better off landing the ball short and playing the bounces.
Porter’s in the Forest is Poppy Hills’ dining room overlooking the course. Enjoy everything from a traditional Caesar Salad and gourmet burgers to find dining entrees of Seared Pork Chop or Seafood Fettuccini paired with local wines. (Bonus: Bring in your Pebble Beach gate voucher/receipt and receive a house glass of wine or draft beer for only $0.50. If food is what your looking for, get a $5 Calamari)
There’s a reason this course has been voted the #1 Public Golf Course in America year after year by Golf Digest. The signature hole, number 7, is in fact as spectacular in person as it is in pictures. Although very short, it can be treacherous depending on the wind. Walking Pebble Beach Golf Links course on a beautiful days is like walking inside of a fantastic photograph. With a smile and an easy swing, playing the course completes a most satisfying day and leads to tall tales at the 19th hole. Be sure to enjoy the views (but not too much!); there are breathtaking distractions at each hole.
Specifics + Highlights
18 holes: Green Fees $525/person + cart fee (we highly recommend walking)
Pebble Beach will host it’s 6th U.S. Open June 13-16, 2018
This course is one of the most iconic in American golf history. For all of you golf buffs out there, click here for an historic timeline and highlights at Pebble Beach.
For more information on these and other golf courses in Pebble Beach, click here.