best golf courses in monterey peninsula

You likely already know: our Peninsula is a world renowned golf destination! Beautiful and dramatic settings, a great climate, and world-class courses all contribute to our golfing reputation. There are so many courses literally right in our backyard that we’ve only gathered up a few of the best golf courses in Monterey for you, making it easy to see them at a glance, click or tap, and review.

Best Golf Courses in Monterey Peninsula

Monterey

  1. Del Monte Golf Course

This public, 18-hole course was designed by Charles Maud. It is a par 72, with a slope of 127. The fee is $135, whether on weekdays or weekends.

Del Monte is the oldest course in operation west of the Mississippi. It’s described as having “a classic feel with a fairly tight layout.” This course is owned by the Pebble Beach Company, so you know you can expect a well-maintained facility, and top shelf customer service.

  1. Laguna Seca Golf Ranch

This is also a public course, with a par 71 and the same slope as Del Monte. It was designed by the Robert Trent Jones’, both Sr. and Jr. Fees range from $35-$40 for twilight golfing, to $60-$70 for weekdays or weekends.

The signature hole is #15; a 548-yard par 5. You don’t have to imagine oak-studded hills: they’re here. The course will challenge any golfer. “The hilly typography of this layout will force you to use creativity on your approaches.”

  1. Monterey Pines Golf Course

This is a course for the public, and the military. It’s an 18-hole, par 69 course with a slope of 114. Originally designed by Robert Muir Graves, it underwent a re-design by Marc Messier in in 2009. Fees run from $18-$24 on weekdays, and $20-$37 on weekends.

Many of you know this as the Navy Course. The layout’s short, so it’s great for the beginning golfer. The back-nine was added in 1972. The course is right beside Monterey County Fairgrounds, with the airport close by as well, so be prepared for unanticipated disruptions.

  1. Nicklaus Club – Monterey

Many of you will know this by its former name: the Pasadera Country Club. This is an 18-hole private non-equity course, with a par 71, a rating of 73, and a slope of 139. You already know the designer…

The club’s rebranding took place in the fall of 2013. It’s the only Nicklaus signature course on the Peninsula. You’ll recognize the front-9 as having that signature Jack Nicklaus feel, while the back-9 offers extreme elevation changes. It’s a demanding layout “even for the most proficient golfers.”

 

Carmel

  1. Carmel Valley Ranch Golf Course

This public, 18-hole course features a rating of 70.5, with a par 70, and a slope of 134. Designed by Pete Dye, fees are $120 for twilight, $200 on weekdays, and $215 on the weekend.

This course is called “a wonderful golf adventure”! It is also the only one in the Peninsula designed by Dye. It’s challenging due to varied raised and sunken greens through the hills. The front-9 is alongside the Carmel River, while the back-9 is 350 feet above the valley floor. Golf here, and you’re going to see some wildlife.

  1. Quail Lodge Golf Club

This resort course has 18 holes, par 71, and a slope of 128. It’s another course designed by Robert Muir Graves. Greens, tees, and fairways are Poa Annua. Twilight fees are $75-$100, winter fees $100-$150, and in the summer, fees run from $160-$185.

This Lodge is host to the Women’s State Amateur Championship. It’s adjacent to the Carmel River and has 830 acres of amazing valley vistas. There’s a range of holes, and here, accuracy is more important than length. During most rounds, you’ll catch a glimpse of quail (of course), hawks, turkeys, and many other wildlife species.

  1. Rancho Canada Golf Club, West Course

This public 18-hole, par 71 course has a slope of 125. It was designed by Nick Lombardo and Robert Dean Putnam in 1970. Fees run $35-$40 for twilight golfing, and $65-$70 for weekdays or weekends.

There are actually two 18-hole courses here, weaving their way across the Carmel River. Sitting on 270 acres, it has hosted more tournaments than any other course in the Peninsula.

 

Pebble Beach

  1. Monterey Peninsula Country Club, Dunes Course

This 18-hole course is private equity, with a 72 par, slope of 126, and a rating of 71.9. Originally designed in the 1920s by Seth Raynor and Robert Hunter, it was reconstructed in 1997 by Rees Jones.

The rolling typography of the course goes through the Del Monte forest, way down into the Pacific coastline. There are remarkable holes to be played by the ocean, while inland, you weave through the pine forest.

  1. Pebble Beach Golf Links

This is an 18-hole public course. It’s a par 72, with a slope of 144. It was designed by Jack Neville and Douglas Grant. The fees are the same for weekends and weekdays: $495.

The course opened in 1919. In 1992, just prior to the U.S. Open, Jack Nicklaus made some alternations. He made more changes in 1998 by designing a replacement for the par 3, 5th. You may already know the following: this #1 ranked course is possibly the best golf course in the world, let alone one the best golf courses in Monterey Peninsula.

  1. The Links at Spanish Bay

This is a public course as well. It’s an 18-hole course, par 72, with a rating of 74.1, and a slope of 146. It was originally designed in 1987 by Robert Trent Jones Jr., Tom Watson, and Sandy Tatum. Fees of $260 are the same whether for weekdays or weekends.

This course was modeled after an authentic Scottish one. You get that Scottish feel of the game when you golf here. Most of the front-9 is played among sloping dunes. Some of the links include endangered vegetation, and are protected. When winds are high, you’ll have a challenging round.

 

Pacific Grove

  1. Pacific Grove Golf Links

This course was originally designed as 9-hole in 1932, by former U.S. Amateur champion Chandler Egan. Now an 18-hole public municipal course, it’s a par 70 with a slope of 119. Re-designed by Jack Neville in 1960, the fees are $46 on weekdays and $52 on the weekend.

This course is well-maintained. It has old world charm. The front-9 weaves through a tree-lined residential area of Pacific Grove. Natural terrain seems untouched in the back-9. The 16th hole is particularly amazing, as it offers views of the rugged coastline.

We couldn’t cover all of the best golf courses in Monterey in this article in Carmel or Pebble Beach, as there are just too many good ones. For further reading, we suggest you have a look at this link. If we missed what you think are the best golf courses in Monterey Peninsula please leave a comment below.

 

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