The Monterey Peninsula in California is home to some of the most beautiful golf courses, and it’s easy to see why. Between the tall pines, cypress trees and the ocean, geographically it is stunning.
Then add pristine fairways and perfectly mowed greens and set them right along the jagged coast of the Pacific. Of course, we are talking about world renowned tracks like Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill, Cypress Point Club – you get the idea.
If they aren’t on your bucket list already, they should be. Here are 10 visually great holes on the Monterey Peninsula.
7th Hole – Pebble Beach
One of the most famous par-3’s in the world, the 7th hole at Pebble Beach is as perfect as is gets. At only 106-yards at its max, this downhill tee shot to a small, protected green will be fully dictated by the wind coming off the Pacific Ocean. Depending on the day, you can hit anything from a sand wedge to as much as a 4-iron. Soak in the views as it really doesn’t get any better than this.
14th Hole – Spyglass Hill
The 14th hole at Spyglass Hill is one of its signatures. This 560 yard par-5 is a double dogleg that runs first to the right and then swings back to the left. There’s a pond that guards the front right of a very shallow, yet wide green. Anything long will be a tough up and down.
16th Hole – Cypress Point
One of the best holes on earth is the 16th at Cypress Point Club. It’s a 233 yard par-3 with 200 of those yards over the Pacific Ocean to a peninsula green framed by bunkers and rocks. There is a fairway left of the green for bail-out purposes just in case. It’s been said that standing on this tee will change your world.
18th Hole – Pebble Beach
One of the most iconic finishing holes in golf, the 18th at Pebble Beach is a 543-yard par-5 dogleg left that runs along the Pacific Ocean. On the tee, be sure to take a seat on the wood fence just like Jack Nicklaus, and then stripe a drive down the left center of the fairway avoiding the tree on the right. If you can go for it great, if not, lay up and wedge one close to the heavily protected green.
15th Hole – Spyglass Hill
The picturesque 15th hole at Spyglass Hill is the shortest on the course, but it’s far from the easiest. At only 130 yards, this downhill par-3’s green is framed by bunkers in the back and another pond in front. Be careful, though. Balls are known to spin back into it.
9th Hole – Cypress Point
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The ninth hole at Cypress Point Club is your classic risk-reward downhill par-4. At just 289 yards, it makes up for its length with trouble everywhere. Dunes and native grass line the fairway wth the left side of the green perched on top of a cavernous bunker. Plus it’s spectacular looking.
8th Hole – Pebble Beach
The 427-yard par-4 eighth hole at Pebble Beach is one of those holes you won’t find anywhere else in the world. First, you start with a blind uphill tee shot with a white rock as your only aiming point. Then your approach shot goes over a chasm of the Pacific Ocean to a postage stamp green that slopes severely from back to front. In fact, Jack Nicklaus calls this his favorite approach shot in golf. Mind the cliffs!
11th Hole – Spyglass Hill
The 11th hole at Spyglass Hill is a beautifully designed 528-yard uphill dogleg-right par-5. The distinctive feature on this hole bunkering protecting the right side of the green. Sure, they are beautiful to look at from a distance, but you don’t want to play from them. Trust us.
13th Hole – Cypress Point
The 13th hole at Cypress Point Club is a beautiful downhill 366-yard par-4. The entire hole has beautiful views of the Pacific. Hit your tee shot over the dunes, leaving a short iron to a visually stunning green surrounded by massive bunkers.
6th Hole – Pebble Beach
One of the more famous par-5s in the world, this 506-yard uphill beauty plays much longer than the yardage. The ideal tee shot is left-center of the fairway leaving you with a severely uphill second. Once you’re up there you’ll find that iconic cypress tree that sits behind the green, next to the seventh hole, as well as some of the best views you’ll find anywhere.
