public golf courses
The Monterey Peninsula is synonymous with world-class golfing, but you don’t have to be a pro or overly concerned with your handicap to enjoy the area’s superb golf links. There are numerous courses to choose from that are well-suited to all levels of play.
Bayonet and Black Horse
Set amid the fragrant chaparral of what was once Fort Ord, these two courses offer challenges for all levels of play. Bayonet, whose front nine just received a gorgeous remodel, is the tougher of the two. Tight doglegs and tricky elevated greens provide a challenge on both courses. Black Horse offers more scenic views and is more open generally, with more live oaks surrounding the fairways than daunting Cypress trees.
Bayonet, 7094 yards, 18 holes. Designed by General Glen McClure and Robert Trent Jones, Jr. Slope 139. PGA tour qualification course.
Black Horse, 7009 yards, 18 holes. Slope 135. Restaurant. Driving range. 1 McClure Way, Seaside, 899-7271.
Del Monte Golf Course
The Monterey Peninsula is home to a rich golfing tradition, and this is where it all started back in 1897. The Del Monte Golf Course may also have been the first in the world to feature year-round green fairways. A pretty course, and more forgiving than most. 6365 yards, 18 holes. Designed by Charles Maud in 1897. Slope 127. Full-service restaurant and bar. 1300 Sylvan Rd., Monterey, 373-2700.
Laguna Seca Golf Ranch
A challenging course noted for its majestic oaks, numerous bunkers and elevated tees. Its generous inland microclimate inspires locals to call it “The Sunshine Course.” Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Jr. teamed up to design Laguna Seca. 6157 yards, 18 holes. Slope 127. Breakfast and lunch six days a week; natural grass practice facility. 10520 York Rd., off Highway 68, Monterey, 373-3701.
Links at Spanish Bay
Nestled among impressive sand dunes near Asilomar State Beach, the Links are patterned after an authentic Scottish links course. “You can almost hear the bagpipes,” says golf great Tom Watson, who helped design the course. Patches of endangered dunes vegetation have been carefully nurtured and are “off limits.” Local rules allow for a free drop for any ball hit into them. The northwest coastal winds can play havoc with your drives, and watch out for that treacherous ice plant. 6821 yards, 18 holes. Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., Tom Watson, and Frank Sandy Tatum. Slope 146. Full-service restaurant. 2700 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach, 647-7495.
Monterey Pines Golf Course
Located next to the Monterey Fairgrounds, the Monterey Pines offers narrow fairways, an abundance of trees, four small lakes and affordable greens fees. Locals refer to this one-time military course simply as the “Navy Course.” 5629 yards and a slope 114 make it another great place to play for beginners. Driving range. 18 holes. Garden Road and Fairgrounds Road, Monterey, 656-2167.
Pacific Grove Golf Links
Local golf patriarch Sam Morse sold this spectacular hunk of real estate for a song to the city of Pacific Grove, suggesting they develop a golf course on it. Pacific Grove followed Morse’s advice, and the result is a great public course. The “Poor Man’s Pebble Beach” is perhaps the best golf bargain on the Monterey Peninsula. Located by the Pacific Ocean, the back nine is unparalleled. 5553 yards, 18 holes. Slope 117. Full-service restaurant. Driving range. 77 Asilomar, Pacific Grove, 648-5775.
Pebble Beach Golf Links
This legendary golf course is one of the most scenic and demanding in the world and was recently ranked the best public course in the US by Golf Digest. Pebble Beach is expensive, and it plays slow because every golfer seems to look over every shot twice, but it’s well worth the time and money. 6828 yards, 18 holes. Designed by Jack Neville. Slope 144. Site of 1972, ’82, ’92, 2000 US Opens. Full-service restaurant. Driving range. 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach, 624-3811, 622-8723.
Peter Hay Par-3 Golf Course
You can tune-up your short game on this charming nine-hole near the Pebble Beach Lodge. Great for beginners and golfers on a budget “ for an all-day fee of $20 ($5 for golfers age 13-17), you can tell your friends you played Pebble Beach! It’s a walk-on course, so call ahead to make sure a clinic isn’t in progress. 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach, 622-8723.
Poppy Hills Golf Course
Though not as well known as its glittering Pebble Beach neighbors, this hidden gem is located deep in the heart of the Del Monte Forest and is the home of the Northern California Golf Association. It’s a long course that places a premium on accuracy. Despite its distinct lack of sand dunes and ocean views, Poppy Hills is a world-class course that is well worth a visit. 6833 yards, 18 holes. Practice range. Bar and grill. Golf Shop. 3200 Lopez, Pebble Beach, 622-8239.
Rancho Cañada Golf Club
Pastoral Carmel Valley presents the rolling hills and majestic oaks of Carmel Valley. In the summer, the fog line creeps up and sometimes over the courses, but can give way to some of the Peninsula’s sunniest weather, which provides a great setting for these two narrow but dramatic courses. Be careful not to hook a drive into the nearby Carmel River. West Course, 6357 yards. 18 holes. Slope 125. East Course, 6125 yards. 18 holes. Slope 122. Driving range, putting and chipping greens, restaurant, Pro shop. Designed by Robert Dean Putnam. 4860 Carmel Valley, 624-0111 or (800) 536-9459.
Salinas Fairways Golf Course
This mostly level course is well-maintained and features lots of trees. Par isn’t too hard to reach at the Salinas Fairways due to its large and fair greens. If you happen to be flying into Salinas, this course is located right next to the municipal airport. 6479 yards, 18 holes. Slope 115. Snack bar. Driving range. Salinas Airport, 45 Skyway, Salinas, 758-7300.
Spyglass Hill Golf Course
The toughest course on the Monterey Peninsula and arguably one of the most difficult to play on the planet, this challenging course humbles even the best golfers, who keep coming back for more, if only for the breathtaking views. 6938 yards, 18 holes. Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. Slope 147. Restaurant. Driving range. Spyglass Hill and Stevenson, Pebble Beach, 625-8563.
Oceans 18 Black Light Miniature Golf
OK, so it’s not what most people have in mind when they think of a public course. But this is such a great idea for the kids, and so perfect for a rainy day “ it is inside, under black lights “ that we couldn’t resist including this fanciful nautical-themed miniature golf course in among the giants. And that hole with the fluorescent orange octopus looks pretty tough... American Tin Cannery, 125 Ocean Drive, Pacific Grove, 643-9215.
private and semi-private golf courses
Unlike most private golf clubs, Carmel Valley Ranch and Quail Lodge offer public access.
Carmel Valley Ranch
A newly renovated course that meanders along the Carmel River and climbs through forested elevation changes offers stunning panoramas, fog-free weather and glimpses of local wildlife. Carts required (you’ll see why). 6117 yards, 18 holes. Designed by Pete Dye. Slope unrated. Open to members of any private club. Full-service refurbished restaurant. Driving range. 1 Old Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel, 626-2510.
Quail Lodge Golf Course
This course wanders along the lush banks of the Carmel River, where fast greens, fog-free summer weather, sunny meadows, and numerous lakes combine to create an alluring golf setting. It’s a pretty course, with hawks flying overhead and great Carmel Valley vistas. The course isn’t as difficult as many on the Peninsula, but watch out for the water hazards. Driving range. 8000 Valley Greens, Carmel Valley, 624-2888, (888) 828-8787.
driving ranges
Many courses have ranges, including Bayonet and Black Horse, Rancho Cañada, Spyglass, Laguna Seca, and Pacific Grove Municipal.
Del Rey Oaks Golf Center
Located just a few blocks from the Weekly’s offices, this is the place where our staff goes to fine-tune our driving skills or simply blow off a little deadline-induced steam. 899 Rosita Rd., Del Rey Oaks, 394-8660.
golf stuff
The golf courses listed above have their own pro shops that carry equipment, accessories and apparel. Listed below are a few local businesses that cater to the golfing community, including discount golf stores and custom club designers.
