Above Par

While the Monterey Peninsula is known worldwide for its stunning and challenging golf courses that host international tournaments, the region also offers many other facilities throughout the entire region. Varying in terrain, weather patterns and difficulty and scope, there is something for the most skilled golfer as well as the brand-new player.

If you want to test your skills and play against the backdrop of the Paciﬁc on the most famous courses in the world, Pebble Beach Golf Links, as well as several other high-proﬁle Pebble Beach courses, is open to the public. However, the best way to guarantee a tee time is by booking a stay at one of the resorts.

If something more low-key is your style, we’ve assembled a few of our favorite local public courses with options for almost everyone.

Bayonet Black Horse

Bayonet Golf Course was created in 1954 by Gen. Robert B. McClure at the Fort Ord military base in Seaside. It was so popular that 10 years later, the military added Black Horse Golf Course in honor of the 11th Calvary Regiment at the Presidio of Monterey. With views of the Monterey Bay, the two 18-hole courses have been played by golf legends like Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson as well as by various United States Presidents and foreign dignitaries.

Highly ranked by Golf Advisor and the public, Bayonet, a par 72, 7,104-yard course, is known to be one if not the most challenging courses on the Monterey Peninsula, with narrow, manicured fairways lined by oak and cypress trees. Black Horse, at 7,024 yards with a par 72, serves as a perfect complement to Bayonet at 7,024 yards with a par 72.

Besides tournaments, special events and regular rounds, teenagers and adults can learn to play at the Justin Russo Golf Academy, while the Bayonet Bar & Grill serves breakfast and lunch. Golfweek consistently ranks Bayonet as one of the top courses in California and the U.S.

Monterey Pines Golf Club

Monterey Pines Golf Club, or the “Navy Course” as it’s known by locals, borders the Monterey County Fairgrounds and the Monterey Airport. Originally designed in 1963 as a 9-hole facility , by 2009 the par 69, 18-hole course was redesigned by golf architect Marc Messier. Today, the course offers bent grass greens for the perfect ball roll and two lakes for water hazards

Managed by The Navy Golf Program, the public/military facility is the perfect course to learn the game or practice your swing. After a round, the Monterey Pines Grill & Bar oﬀers breakfast, lunch and early dinner. Discounts are oﬀered to active and retired military and Department of Defense staﬀ.

Laguna Seca Golf Ranch

Created by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Jr., this Monterey course has a championship slope rating of 129 and promises that “you will have to play every club in your bag in order to conquer this challenging course!” The18 championship holes feature elevated tees and bunkers around almost every green of the par 71, 6,226-yard course. The hilly landscape at Laguna Seca Golf Ranch requires thoughtfulness to make your shots against uphill, dogleg holes and water hazards.

Breakfast, lunch, snacks and draft beer on tap are available at the typically sunny location set amongst the oak trees. They also oﬀer women’s and men’s clubs to provide camaraderie on the course.

Poppy Hills Golf Course

Owned by the Northern California Golf Association, this Pebble Beach course promises it’s the place to “not only test yourself but enjoy yourself!” Golf Digest named it one of the Top 100 Courses You Can Play, but it promises fun for all skill levels.

Located on 17 Mile Drive, the course was designed in 1986 by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and oﬀers a par 71, 7,002-yard course that winds through the Del Monte Forest. For its renovation in 2014 to reduce water consumption and extend layout, the course won “Best Renovation” awards by top golf publications. Poppy Hills also hosted the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Tournament from 1991-2009.

Porter’s Grill & Pub located on the premises has also received warm reviews even from those who couldn’t tell a 9-iron from a putter. They feature contemporary American cuisine adjacent to the course.

Carmel Valley Ranch Golf Course

Designed by the one-and-only Pete Dye, Carmel Valley Ranch’s Golf Course has been ranked with the top resort golf courses in the country by Travel + Leisure.

Located in the typically sunny microclimate of beautiful Carmel Valley, the holes weave through the resort’s vineyards and lavender ﬁelds. The par 70, 6,234-yard course has a slope of 132. It also features a driving range, short-game area and a putting green to practice.

The Clubhouse has ﬁrepits with views of the Santa Lucia Mountains and oﬀers great food and drinks alongside regular events. A strong children’s program integrates youth into the course, while those vacationing at Carmel Valley Ranch can spend the weekend playing 18 holes, swimming, enjoying tennis, pickleball, archery, axe throwing and relaxing in the organic garden.

Del Monte Golf Course

The oldest continuously operating course west of the Mississippi, the Del Monte was designed in 1897 by Charles E. Maud as a nine-hole course. Now, the course is credited with establishing golf in the west with the creation of the California State Amateur. With its “small, sloping old-school greens,” the course attracted the top players of the sport. To win at the Del Monte championship was to be known as the best golf player in California.

Today, the best golfers are still challenged by the par 72, 6,365-yard course with a slope of 127. Pine, oak and cypress trees dot the fairways, challenging golfers planning their shots amongst the tricky bunkers. The Monterey City Amateur has been hosted at the course since 1953 along with the Monterey Open Championship which began in 1926.

Owned by Pebble Beach Company and located in Monterey adjacent to The Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa, the course oﬀers delicious refreshments at Del Monte Bar & Grill.

Be sure to join the Marina Station interest list for news and updates. And don’t forget to follow on Instagram and Facebook to stay in the know.