The Monterey Peninsula is known as a mecca for incredible golf. Some of the best courses will cost you a pretty penny for the right to play, but they are on your bucket list for a reason. Still, there are a few good deals that can be found in this region that covers Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties.
These rankings are based on my impressions of the overall design, scenery and relative value combined with more measurable elements such as conditioning, facilities and customer service (taking into account my personal experience(s) at the course and general word-of-mouth from Greenskeeper.org reviews/ratings).
Keep in mind when clicking on any active review links below that often I review multiple courses in the same article, so sometimes you have to scroll down in the story to find the course listed here.
PUBLIC REGULATION COURSES:
- Pasatiempo Golf Club • Santa Cruz, CA
- The Links at Spanish Bay • Pebble Beach, CA
- Pebble Beach Golf Links • Pebble Beach, CA
- Spyglass Hill Golf Course • Pebble Beach, CA
- Poppy Hills Golf Course • Pebble Beach, CA
- Bayonet & Black Horse (Black Horse Golf Course) • Seaside, CA
- Carmel Valley Ranch Resort • Carmel, CA
- Bayonet & Black Horse (Bayonet Golf Course) • Seaside, CA
- Quail Lodge & Golf Club • Carmel, CA
- Pacific Grove Golf Course • Pacific Grove, CA
- The Club at Crazy Horse Ranch • Salinas, CA
- Laguna Seca Golf Ranch • Monterey, CA
- Del Monte Golf Course • Monterey, CA
- Spring Hills Golf Course • Watsonville, CA
- DeLaveaga Golf Course • Santa Cruz, CA
- Seascape Golf Club • Aptos, CA
- Pajaro Valley Golf Club • Watsonville, CA
- Salinas Fairways Golf Course • Salinas, CA
- *Rancho Cañada Golf Club (East) • Carmel, CA (*CLOSED)
- *Rancho Cañada Golf Club (West) • Carmel, CA (*CLOSED)
PRIVATE CLUBS:
- Cypress Point Club • Pebble Beach, CA
- The Preserve Golf Club • Carmel, CA
- Corral de Tierra Country Club • Corral de Tierra, CA
- The Club at Pasadera (formerly Nicklaus Club – Monterey) • Monterey, CA
PUBLIC SHORT COURSES:
- Boulder Creek Golf & Country Club • Boulder Creek, CA
- Monterey Pines Golf Club • Monterey, CA
- Twin Creeks Golf Course (The First Tee of Monterey County) • Salinas, CA
- Peter Hay Golf Course • Pebble Beach, CA
- King City Golf Course • King City, CA
- Casserly Par 3 Golf Course • Watsonville, CA
- *Valley Gardens Golf Course • Scotts Valley, CA (*CLOSED)