Category: 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.

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?

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.

Del Monte is definitely the “runt of the litter” when it comes to golf at Pebble Beach. Even though it’s officially a “Pebble Beach Company” golf course, I’m not sure it even makes the “must play list” when staying at Pebble for your bucket list golf trip. For sure- if you are playing only 3 rounds it’s not the third round to be played. After Pebble and Spyglass the plan of attack would be to play Poppy Hills, Spanish Bay, Black Horse or even Pacific Grove before you play Del Monte. Another approach would be to have your round number 3 be at Pasatiempo on your way from the Bay Area to the Monterey Peninsula.