GOLF get swinging. Locals refer to this one-time military course simply as “The Pines.” 5,856 yards. Driving range. 350 Fairground Road at Garden Road, Monterey. (831) 656-2167, montereypeninsulagolf.com PACIFIC GROVE Pacific Grove Golf Links Public Local golf patriarch Sam Morse sold this spectacular piece of real estate for close to nothing, strongly suggesting someone develop a golf course on it. Pacific Grove followed Morse’s advice, and the result is a beautiful public course—the “Poor Man’s Pebble Beach”—and the best bargain on the Peninsula. The front nine weaves its way through cypress trees and the back nine is similar to a Scottish links course, playing like two completely different courses for the low price of one. 5,727 yards. Restaurant (outdoor and indoor seating), driving range. 77 Asilomar Blvd., Pacific Grove. (831) 648-5775, playpacificgrove.com PEBBLE BEACH Links at Spanish Bay Public Nestled among impressive sand dunes near Asilomar State Beach, the Links are patterned after an authentic Scottish course, requiring a low punch shot to counter the high winds. “You can almost hear the bagpipes,” says golf great Tom Watson, who helped design the course. And you can, literally. A bagpiper finishes the day with a tune to follow Scottish tradition. Watch out for stirring coastal views— and treacherous ice plant. Rated 54 on the Golf Digest top 100 public courses list. 6,754 yards. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., Tom Watson and Frank Sandy Tatum. Restaurants and bar (outdoor and indoor seating). 2700 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach. (800) 877-0597, pebblebeach.com Pebble Beach Golf Links Public This legendary golf course is among the most scenic and demanding in the world, and has been ranked the best public course in the U.S. 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. Site of 1972, ’82, ’92, 2000, 2010 and 2019 U.S. Opens, as well as the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open, and home to names like Nicklaus and Woods. Three of the sport’s greatest shots in its long history took place here: Nicklaus’ 1-iron, Watson’s impossible chip, Spieth’s cliffhanger. The greens are like postage stamps, even from chipping distance—and they can play fast. Much of the figure-eight design exposes shots to wind on days when the Pacific acts up. This is why golf is both fun and frustrating. 6,828 yards. Designed by Jack Neville and Douglas Grant. Restaurants and bar (outdoor and indoor seating), driving range. 1700 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach. (800) 877-0597, pebblebeach.com Poppy Hills Golf Course Public Located in the heart of the Del Monte Forest, Poppy Hills is another of Pebble Beach’s championship courses that will challenge even the best. Golf Digest ranks it as 92 on its list of the Top 100 American courses open to the public. Poppy Hills is host to Quail Lodge & Golf Club COURTESY QUAIL LODGE 46 The Best of Monterey Bay ® 2023-2024 Tee Times are always recommended! For tee times and more information call (831) 656-1087 1250 Garden Road, Monterey (next to the fairgrounds) One Of The Best Golf Experiences On The Peninsula Reasonable rates, a friendly staff with a fully stocked pro shop, plus a great restaurant with a full bar and banquet room, Monterey Pines has become one of the most popular courses for the daily fee golfer. • Golf Pass Specials • 10-Play Specials • Food and Beverage Specials • Merchandise Specials • E-Range Special Purchase $100 of Golf Merchandise and receive $100 E-range credit. Monterey Pines Also Offers Mty-Pines-Golf_1-3h_VG23_gk.indd 1 6/2/23 12:26 PM
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