Golf Course Reviews Archives

October 9, 2021 Off By BBF

Stanford Golf Course

It’s a tenant of Big Ball First that we only review public golf courses. We figure the whole point of the blog is to ensure people who are planning a bucket list golf trip can learn the pitfalls of the big bucket list or buddies golf trips and avoid them. Well, everyone will be surprised to know that Stanford Golf Course is actually a public golf course. The trick is you have to be a Stanford student, a Stanford alumni or work or associate with Stanford University in some way. So we managed to sidestep our rule by recommending that you look at your Linkedin network and start pinging all the people you know who graduated from Stanford to get them to get you a tee time.

July 10, 2021 Off By BBF

Pebble Beach Resort: The Definitive Trip Guide

Five Buckets Pebble Beach United States: California

Pebble Beach is undoubtedly the crown jewel of public golf in the jewel festooned necklace that comprises the public golf scene on the Monterey Peninsula. For many, this once in a lifetime trip to Pebble Beach Resort will create memories for years to come.

May 1, 2021 Off By BBF

“The Hay” at Pebble Beach Resort

Four Buckets

One of our favorite recent trends in golf resorts is the addition of golf playing areas that are not a full 18 hole course. Maybe a short course or a putting course.Think of the Preserve and PunchBowl at Bandon Dunes as well as the Sand Box at Sand Valley. These challenging “featurettes” give golfers a place to socialize, compete and have a fun time after playing 18 without having to do a full 36. Sometimes, the best memories of a golf trip can be had in these “real golf” adjacent areas.

February 1, 2021 Off By BBF

Pebble Beach Golf Links

Five Buckets

There is no way to overstate it: Pebble Beach Golf Links is the very yardstick by which all other bucket list golf courses should be measured. There are better golf courses in the world, for sure, (hell there are better golf courses in the Del Monte Forest), and there are courses with more history. But when it comes right down to it Pebble is the pinnacle of the public Bucket List Golf. The only other course that comes close? The Old Course St. Andrews.

January 12, 2021 Off By BBF

Spyglass Hill Golf Course

Five Buckets

It’s very possible that the first five holes of “Spyglass” golf course are the best consecutive opening holes on any public golf course, period. It’s after the opening 5 when you take a right turn and head into the Del Monte Forest that things take a more ominous turn.

Opened in 1966 the Robert Trent Jones course design was developed under the name Pebble Beach Pines Golf Club, but was re-monikered Spyglass Hill Golf Course by the founder of the Pebble Beach company.

December 22, 2020 Off By BBF

Bayonet Golf Course

Two Buckets

High in the hills above Seaside, California sits a pair of golf courses that tower over the bay below… sentinels protecting the entrance to one of the best golf Mecca’s in the world. The complex is called Bayonet and Black Horse. Originally built as military golf courses on Fort Ord, this complex was handed off to the local municipality in 1997 and thus they became public golf courses.

December 7, 2020 Off By BBF

Black Horse Golf Course

Three Buckets United States: California

When planning your bucket list trip to Pebble Beach it’s easy to overlook all the world class golf in the area. Because there is so much of it. Of course, you have some of the most magnificent courses in the world in Cypress Point, Monterey Peninsula Country Club and of course Pebble Beach Golf Links. However, there are robust choices in local public golf that you can use to flesh out a comprehensive bucket list golf trip without having to open a home equity line of credit in order to finance it.

November 23, 2020 Off By BBF

Pacific Grove Golf Links

Two Buckets

Pacific Grove Golf Links is a municipal course in the center of some controversy. It has unique features that makes this a near demigod among giants (and gods of golf) on the Monterey Peninsula— at literally a small fraction of the price. So that drives the debate, when doing a bucket list golf trip to Pebble Beach, should Pacific Grove, (or the Poor Man’s Pebble) be in the mix?

October 26, 2020 Off By BBF

Pasatiempo Golf Course

Five Buckets United States: California

The significance and history of Pasatiempo golf course simply cannot be overstated. When you visit and play the course, the morsels of history (and impact on golf) will be discovered while you stroll along the Santa Cruz hills routing like carefully placed Easter eggs. We understand that you might be somewhat confused as to why we are writing about a Santa Cruz golf course when we are in the middle of a series on Pebble Beach. However, the answer is somewhat simple. This is one of the only (well maintained) examples of any Alastair MacKenzie designed golf courses that the public can readily play. Yes, that Alastair MacKenzie, the one that designed Cypress Point and Augusta. Probably the most influential golf course designer since Old Tom Morris. Since most people headed to their bucket list Pebble Beach trip will be landing in the Bay Area, this golf course will literally be on the way. Given the history and significance of it, you should seriously consider adding it the mix.

October 6, 2020 Off By BBF

The Links at Spanish Bay

Two Buckets

A visit to Pebble Beach without a visit to Spanish Bay is like traveling to Disney World and not going to Epcot. A wasted opportunity. There are so many wonderful things about Spanish Bay that have absolutely nothing to do with golf. The accommodations are fantastic; it’s a lovely property with amazing views and an amazing patio, the drinks are second to none, and it’s a must visit during sunset when the bagpiper is playing. It’s also home to arguably the best restaurant in the Pebble complex… Roys.