Half Moon Bay Golf Links: The Old Course

Like it’s younger sibling Half Moon Bay Golf Links — Ocean Course, The Old Course lies on the property surrounding the Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay. It might be tempting to skip this golf course for the newer Ocean Course and the vistas that accompany it. However, that would be a mistake. Half Moon Bay Old Course is, by most measures, the better golf course.

Unlike the Ocean Course which sprawls out by the ocean, the Old Course heads inland and winds through a housing complex until you come to the last few holes… more on that in a bit. In fact, like a true sibling rivalry, I’m not sure these two golf courses could be more different.

Built in 1973 the Arnold Palmer design pre-dated the Ritz Carlton resort that now resides here. It was a well known golf club for almost 30 years before the second golf course and hotel were built. For the life of us we can’t find out what the original name was, as it surely could not have been “The Old Course”. The course was refurbished in 1999 under the eye of Arthur Hills (who did the Ocean Course). The diverse Parkland layout will challenge your shot making ability. Unlike the Ocean Course where you only need to deal with water hazards on one hole there are a number of holes with water on them on The Old Course. Step lively.

You continue to wind through the golf course, and stop back at the clubhouse for the turn. That’s when you need to buckle up for the ride. When you make it to the 16 tee box you can start to see Mr. Palmer’s grand plan start to unfold. You play out toward the ocean for the subsequent holes, until you turn left through ‘Palmers Corner’ to the 18th tee box high on the cliffs above the Pacific ocean below. You begin to understand how every golf hole up to this point has been preparing you for this tee shot. It’s a spectacular finishing hole on the bluffs with the Ritz Carlton in the distance behind the 18 green literally cantilevered out over the cliffs.

Make sure you keep your wits about you on your approach shot on 18 as there is bound to be a gallery of people enjoying a cocktail and watching the approaching golfers…ready to point and snicker at the poorly duffed shot or bladed wedge. Be sure to get your selfie on the hole, as it is one of the most photographed finishing holes in golf.

Best Buddies Golf Trip Ratings:

• Bucket list rank (from 1 to 5 buckets): 3. Buckets
• Location: 8
• Spectacle/ visual: 8
• History: 4
• New/ancient: Modern
• Playability : 6
• Memorability : 7
• Service/etc: 8
• Value: 8
• Shopping: 8
• Warm up facilities/Range: 2. No driving range, just a comprehensive short game area.
• Food & Drink: 8