What are the best public golf courses in Monterey, California?

An introduction to Monterey

The Monterey Peninsula is a golf lover’s paradise with arguably one of the best golf courses in the world located here. 

The peninsula is half-way up California’s Pacific coastline and about a two-hour drive south of San Francisco. Three main cities form the bulk of the peninsula; Carmel by the Sea, Monterey and Pacific Grove, with some other smaller towns dotted here and there.

The northern part of the peninsula, which comprises Pacific Grove and Monterey, is far more residential and built up, versus the southern part which is far greener.

There are two superb beaches, one just to the north, Del Monte Beach, and the other just to the south, Carmel Beach. Aside from those two sizable options and the wee Asilomar State Beach, there really aren’t any other beaches on the peninsula itself as the coastline is so rugged. 

But it is this rugged coastline that houses some of the most magnificent golf courses known to mankind.

And the quality of public golf courses is what makes Monterey Peninsula a popular destination for golfers.

See also: What are the best public golf courses in San Francisco, California?

The best golf public courses in Monterey California

1. Pebble Beach Golf Links

After the sensational Cypress Point Golf Club, is arguably the second best golf course in Monterey, the superb Pebble Beach Golf Links. Unlike Cypress Point, Pebble Beach is open to the public, assuming you can get a tee time that is.

Literally less than a mile away from Cypress Point, Pebble Beach also hugs the dramatic and wild Monterey coastline. Designed by the relatively unknown Jack Neville, the course opened in 1919 and is one of the oldest within the state of California.

Over the ensuing years there was design input from Henry Chandler Egan, Alister MacKenzie and many others. Even the Golden Bear himself, Mr Jack Nicklaus, left his mark on the design.

When we talk about coastal golf, Pebble Beach Golf Links is as good as it gets. The course has notoriety worldwide due to having hosted the U.S. Open. It’s also hosted a number of other golf tournaments including PGA Championships and the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

This is without doubt one of the best golf courses in the world, let alone Monterey or California.  

2. Spyglass Hill Golf Course

Tucked away between the strictly private Monterey Peninsula Golf Club and the world-class Cypress Point, is yet another out-of-this-world golf course, Spyglass Hill.

The owners here clearly had a special plot of land, so when looking to route the course, it was decided there was a need to bring in a heavy-weight golf course architect. And that they did with the hiring of Robert Trent Jones Sr.

Spyglass Hill eventually opened for play in 1966 and not only did it receive a huge amount of recognition for being a great layout, but it was also acknowledged as being ridiculously difficult. 

The first five holes play through dense pine woodland. Yet from the 6th hole onwards, there is the ultimate in target golf. Narrow rolling fairways with large sandy run-offs as well as small greens surrounded by bunkers.

So special is this course it was ranked in America’s Top 10 best public golf courses and it is operated by the same management company who run Pebble Beach Golf Links.

See also: What are the best public golf courses in Santa Cruz, California?

3. The Links at Spanish Bay

Another course owned and managed by the Pebble Beach management group, The Links at Spanish Bay is a spectacular example of seaside golf. 

This time it is the work of Robert Trent Jones Jr, who admired the work his father had done down the coast at Spyglass Hill. So in 1987, this was his opportunity to put a marker down on a links style layout in Monterey, just like his father.

Spanish Bay is partly reminiscent of the finest British and Irish golf links. The fairways meander through windswept sand dunes all the time enjoying eye-catching ocean views. 

If the course isn’t running through the gorgeous dunescape, it is instead weaving and rolling amongst towering Monterey pine trees. There is no wonder all these courses are so highly regarded – this stretch of coastline is simply stunning.

The collection of par 3s at The Links at Spanish Bay are really exceptional. 

For example, the 4th hole called ‘Shepherd’s Haven’ has a green tucked away into the sand dune and surrounded by pines. 

The 8th hole is just under 160 yards, but has an exposed green surrounded by glorious white sand bunkers. And the 13th is called ‘Wee Precipice’, where golfers need to tee off over a ravine to reach the green. Fortunately it is just 130 yards, but boy does it feel longer than that when on the tee!

This is a fantastic course and all the more enjoyable that it is open to the public. Trent Jones Sr would no doubt be proud of the work his son did.

4. Bayonet & Black Horse (Bayonet & Black Horse)

Just north of the Monterey peninsula outside of the city of Seaside, lies the ever-popular Bayonet & Black Horse. 

The history of this club goes right back to the early twentieth century when the U.S. Army purchased a huge tract of land to be used as a training facility. 

Fast forward a few decades and the decision was taken in 1954, by General Robert B.McClure, to create the first of two 18-hole championship courses, Bayonet.

So well received was this course, as well as the positive impact it had on morale, the second 18-hole course was created in 1964 named Black Horse.

Both names were inspired by different army divisions. The 7th Infantry “Light Fighter” Division nicknamed the “Bayonet Division”. And the 11th Cavalry Regiment nicknamed the “Black Horse”.

Again we jump forward to 1997 when the Fort Ord Military Base was ordered closed. Subsequently, all the land was sold to the local municipality, with the City of Seaside now the proud owner of these outstanding courses.

There is no known designer to either of the courses. But one man who has dutifully renovated and improved both layouts, is the talented and award-winning Gene Bates. 

Bayonet & Black Horse Golf Courses

What we have today are two outstanding public golf courses north of Monterey. 

Where previously both courses were quite similar in design and style, following Bates’ renovation, there is now an even more clear distinction between the two. 

Bayonet retains much of its ingrained challenge, with its classic tree-lined fairways penalizing inaccurate tee shots. Likewise, even if you do find the fairway, you’ll need precise approach play to find the right landing area. 

In contrast, Black Horse has been completely opened up by Bates and plays far easier than it used to. Gone are the tight tree-lined fairways and instead expansive fairways free up play.

Throughout both courses you’ll get to enjoy the superb sculpted bunkers Bates is well known for. Whilst many of the green surfaces were completely renovated and roll fast and true. 

Neither of these first-class layouts run immediately alongside the ocean. But you can rest assured, if they did, they would get much higher acclaim than they do. Hidden gems and half the price you’ll find elsewhere!

See also: What are the best private golf courses in Monterey, California?

5. Poppy Hills Golf Course

One of Golf Digest’s ‘Top 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses’, Poppy Hills is a superb course a stone’s throw from Spyglass, Pebble Beach and Cypress Point. 

Poppy Hills opened for play in 1986 under its original name Hilltop Course. Apt considering this is a layout over dramatic undulating hills hidden amongst the dense forest of the SFB Morse Botanical Reserve. 

The course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr, that man again, and over the years has hosted a number of tour events. These include co-hosting the PGA Tour’s AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am as well as being the host venue for the Spalding Pebble Beach Invitational. 

In 2013 through to 2014, the course underwent significant remodeling with Trent Jones again involved under the guise of his architectural firm. 

All eighteen greens were rebuilt and expansive areas of rough were removed and replaced instead by native waste areas.

This is a superb course and a popular option for groups staying in the Monterey area as the price is slightly more appealing.

6. Pacific Grove Golf Links

One of the most historic golf courses on the Monterey Peninsula, Pacific Grove Golf Links is also one of the most popular. 

The construction of Pacific Grove happened in stages, with the first nine-holes opening back in 1932. It is these breathtaking nine-holes which hold most appeal to visiting golfers. 

True links holes routed alongside the dramatic coastline, offering sensational views back across to Monterey Bay. This was the work of Chandler Egan, who had worked with the great Alister Mackenzie renovating the nearby Pebble Beach some years earlier.

In 1960, Jack Neville who was one of the original designers of Pebble Beach, returned to design the final nine holes. With no free land running alongside the coast, Neville routed the final holes through the vast sand dunes that wind inland past the Point Pinos Lighthouse.

For visiting golfers, this layout offers the best of both worlds. You enjoy the windswept fairways meandering through vast sand dunes dotted with the iconic cypress pines. 

Whilst you also get some prime oceanside holes, reminiscent of some of Monterey’s finest and most exclusive golf courses. And the best bit, it’s a fraction of the price!

See also: What are the best golf resorts in California?

7. Del Monte Golf Course

The oldest golf course still in operation west of the Mississippi, Del Monte is a fabulous course incredibly popular with the locals. 

The first 9-holes were built way back in 1897 for the use of the Hotel Del Monte guests, one of the grandest hotels of its time. 

In 1903, after the turn of the century, the second 9-holes were added. It is thought, although not officially confirmed, they were designed by the Englishman Charles E. Maud.

Over the years, the design has changed somewhat from its original design, with Herbert Fowler making a number of dramatic changes in the 1920s. 

Today the golf course is still actually in the same spot and is one of four 18-hole championship golf courses owned and operated under the Pebble Beach Golf banner. 

The course has a huge amount of classic charm and is true with numerous ‘what you see is what you get’ drives. Even if you spray it a little off the tee, you shouldn’t have too many issues. But it is the small, sloping, classic greens which are the main challenge at Del Monte.

What is the best public golf course in Monterey Peninsula?

The best golf public course to play on the Monterey Peninsula, is without doubt Pebble Beach Golf Links. It was designed by the relatively unknown Jack Neville albeit renovated by none other than Alister Mackenzie and Chandler Egan. Host of many major tournaments including the U.S. Open and the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am.