For any golfer—from weekend duffers to the pros—the Monterey Peninsula is unmatched. After all, this area is the home of Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill, two world-renowned courses that draw top pros and celebrities for the annual AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Playing these courses tends to be a splurge—even if you’re a guest at the Lodge at Pebble Beach—but unforgettable, having tried the patience and skills of Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods.
They’re not the only options, either. Outstanding fairways dot the region, with price points and styles of greens for all, from the coastline to sunny Carmel Valley. Check out these courses on the Monterey Peninsula that every golfer should experience at least once.
Pebble Beach Golf Links
If you have one round to play on the Monterey Peninsula, make it Pebble Beach. The cliff-edge routing delivers repeated ocean panoramas, tiny, wind-washed greens, and shot-making that rewards nerve as much as skill. Expect premium green fees and book well ahead—especially during peak months—but public access is a central part of Pebble’s legacy. Practice facilities and caddie services help first-timers navigate the course’s angles, while stay-and-play packages at nearby resorts can ease tee-time logistics.
Spyglass Hill Golf Course
A study in contrasts, Spyglass Hill Golf Course opens across sandy dunes with coastal vistas before turning into the Del Monte Forest for a demanding parkland finish. It’s a favorite for players who relish precise iron play and challenging putting. Advance reservations are essential; many golfers pair a Spyglass round with a trip to Pebble Beach for a complete Monterey Peninsula experience.
Del Monte Golf Course
Often referred to as the oldest continuously operating course west of the Mississippi, Del Monte Golf Course seamlessly blends history with playability. Managed by the Pebble Beach Company, it’s typically the most approachable gateway to Monterey golf, with kinder pricing and tee-time availability that works for spontaneous rounds or a warm-up before tackling the coastal heavyweights.
Bayonet Black Horse
Born on the former Fort Ord military base, these sister courses are now fully public, modernized, and unapologetically tough. Bayonet is long with a famous, grinding stretch of par-4s, while Black Horse unfurls broader vistas, bold bunkering, and elevated greens that play fast. Afternoon winds add bite; morning tee times provide softer conditions.
Quail Lodge & Golf Club
Set in sun-splashed Carmel Valley, Quail Lodge & Golf Club offers a walkable, parkland-style layout framed by oaks and lakes, with friendly landing areas off the tee and plenty of variation around the greens. Plentiful short-game areas invite an unhurried tune-up. It’s an ideal choice for players seeking a relaxed round within easy reach of Carmel-by-the-Sea’s dining and the peninsula’s marquee courses.
Carmel Valley Ranch
Tucked farther up the valley, the course at Carmel Valley Ranch trades ocean wind for warmer skies and rolling, vineyard-dotted hills. Elevation changes keep club selection interesting, and fairways encourage confident drivers. Tee-time access varies—resort guests generally receive priority—so plan ahead if you’re visiting. Paired with nearby Quail Lodge, it makes a rewarding two-course day that showcases the calmer, inland side of Carmel golf.