How do you top a day at Pebble? Go to Spyglass.

If you are staying at any of the resort properties, take the shuttle. Note, the shuttles run on the 1/2 hour so plan accordingly. We had another... Continue »

How do you top a day at Pebble? Go to Spyglass.

If you are staying at any of the resort properties, take the shuttle. Note, the shuttles run on the 1/2 hour so plan accordingly. We had another 8:30 tee time so we took the 6:30 shuttle and arrived before anything opened. Once that got settled, all was fine. To me, seemed much more relaxed here, just the starter (small pro shop) and coffee shop. Not a lot of hustle and bustle and tourists. Just golf baby!


Range is nice but much smaller than PB. Also just a short little walk down from the 1st tee. As was PB, you meet your caddy on the tee box about 15 minutes prior to teeing off. Give yourself this time to be early, especially if you need to switch bags.


On the course itself, I found this to be more scenic. I suppose it depends on what suits your eye; I tend to prefer courses with tall trees that "frame' the hole. I love hearing the crack (or thwack for those not so perfect shots) and echo that you only get when teeing off with trees surrounding you. Like my PB review, it's really challenging to focus when surrounded by such magnificent beauty.

I felt there was more rough here but didn't have difficulty locating balls. I think the rough at my country club is deeper so this wasn't bad, for me. Fortunately, I also found a lot of fairways. And when you do, the greens were receptive.

Isn't the green on #4 crazy? Pin location was in the middle, at perhaps the narrowest part. After an errant tee shot to the right, I still had a good angle to the green from 156. Dave (senior caddy) didn't really give me the description of the green or the precision that was required (he did on all other holes though). He said to be a little right of the pin. I hit a good shot, a little left however but I play a fade, that almost holed out! Upon walking up to the green, I don't know how my ball got that close but I'll take birdie any day of the week!

So after this hole, we start entering the forest. And this is where I felt, the real beauty is. Every hole is like a picture. It's like being in your own world; this is way and these are the types of holes (and courses) that I love. Pure, still and silent. Take it all in and look around you. Deer all over the place. Woodpeckers pecking away somewhere. We even saw an eagle; no it wasn't on one of our shots unfortunately!


After making a disappointing par on 12, there's a short walk up a hill to the teeing area for 13. As I approached the tee, whatever disappointment I had for missing my putt was gone for when I looked up and beyond, all I thought was OMG. Jaw dropping view of the next hole; it kind of looked reminiscent of Augusta. My phone was in my bag so I yelled back at my friend, picture, picture!

I think the final stretch from 13 on were some of the most beautiful golf holes I have ever played in succession. Everything here was so tranquil, so perfect. Fairways that looked like carpet with the rough there to catch an errant shot. Greens framed by tall trees with bustling leaves in the wind. Birds chirping, deer grazing and us four golfers hacking away. What could be better?


We've all said, life is about experiences and for golfers, this is certainly one of them. Thank you to PB Resorts for fulfilling a one of my golfer bucket list items!

made it up to monterey this past weekend to play spyglass and pebble as part of a birthday trip, the centennial package they were offering for their 100th anniversary sealed the deal. started off the... Continue »

made it up to monterey this past weekend to play spyglass and pebble as part of a birthday trip, the centennial package they were offering for their 100th anniversary sealed the deal. started off the first day with spyglass, which in general i've heard is the superior and tougher track. the clubhouse and grill are very small, don't expect any amenities here like at the lodge, just golf. staying on property, i grabbed the shuttle here and i don't think it really mattered to them either day that i checked in at the front desk. they just said to grab a bag of balls and the range was a few steps down the way, see the starter about 15 minutes before my time. range that day was artificial turf. course conditions were excellent, one of the best i've played. the tee boxes were in excellent condition, mown down perfectly and flat. fairways were more lush, just a few divots here and there but excellent and carpet like. i played at 830am, so it was still moist and got little roll off drives. many uneven lies in the fairway, so a good drive was not always rewarded well. rough was thick and lush, grabbed your club so you would be lucky to get a mid iron out, even a hybrid was dicey. if you could find your ball sitting down there in the first place. i was only in 1 or 2 bunkers, this course really isn't bunkered that heavily. sand was soft, white, and excellent to hit out of. the greens though. running fast and with tricky contours, i had a tough time lagging my putts anywhere near the hole. it felt like if your approach wasn't close, it was a 3 putt. the course itself was indeed tough, starting with the 5 'ocean' holes, of which i found #2 (fairway) and #4 (green) kind of gimmicky but still enjoyed the spectacular views. the sand dunes and the structures stand in stark contrast to pebble's ocean holes which are perched directly on the cliffs of the peninsula. if you like true parkland courses though, you will love the rest of spyglass hill. running in and out of the del monte forest, each subsequent hole is framed by monterey pines and generally isolated from structures or road. hit the ball straight and take an extra club into the green seems to be par for most of this course. and par will be a good score on any hole here as there are challenging doglegs. strategically placed trees and water, and greens that can punish even the best hit approach shots. only nitpick was that i felt the par 3s to be a bit of a weakness here, as they felt particularly less challenging compared to the rest of the course. all four play short, 3 of them severely downhill (though #3 is an awesome hole). the two on the back 9 felt like mirror images of one another and felt like an afterthought. Nothing like #5 or #17 at pebble. though many say this is a superior course to pebble and it probably is, as a recreational golfer i would rather play pebble again. after my round at spyglass, i felt exhausted as if i had been through a battle. had to manage the rough when my drive went astray, or a long uphill approach, and then had to handle the quick, undulating greens. shot about 12 or 13 shots above my usual round. i will make it back again, for sure, perhaps when my game is worthy of the test of golf that is course is.

Played here on Saturday, December 22, first group out at 7:30 a.m. I played with the guy I was paired with the previous day and we both had our caddies from that round at Pebble. We were paired with a... Continue »

Played here on Saturday, December 22, first group out at 7:30 a.m. I played with the guy I was paired with the previous day and we both had our caddies from that round at Pebble. We were paired with another twosome; both okay golfers, but one of them was SLOW. Everybody hated him, lol. He also stepped all over my line and on my ball marker on one green. No biggie, but everyone noticed.

I have to agree with weeman68's previous review. One of the best conditioned courses on the property. Everything was immaculate.

If you can play a good tee shot, you should be able to score well here. The fairways seemed generous enough and the rough was deep and wet enough to be penal, but not overly so.

As with Pebble Beach, the bunkers here were pristine with nice white, soft sand that was easy to hit from.

Pace of play was around 4.5 hours, mostly due to the one guy in our group who takes at least a full minute to hit a shot.

This is such a fine golf course, I think I may join The Dukes Club and come back a few times. Anyone want to go in with me?

2nd bucket list round on a Pebble Beach property earlier this week. Shorter take: best course on the whole plot and toughest/finest course I think I have ever played. It's easily as stern a test as ... Continue »

2nd bucket list round on a Pebble Beach property earlier this week. Shorter take: best course on the whole plot and toughest/finest course I think I have ever played. It's easily as stern a test as TPC Stadium at PGA West or the dreaded Lost Canyons Sky track. But unlike those two that seem to get much of their toughness through tricked out layouts, Spyglass was also tough - but fair - and had a traditional, majestic quality that belies its relatively short 50 year history. It felt like it had been here for ever and was destined just to be so. No iota of artificiality or the heavy hand of a designer was visible anywhere. Course starts with a truly awesome par 5 that sweeps way downhill about 100 feet while dog-legging hard to the left. You stand on tee #1 and have no clue where the hole goes, which somehow in this case seems just right. The last 75 yards of fairway are just festooned with bunkers that protect a big, undulating green - with its wide fairway and generous landing zones, it sets up the whole grandeur of what awaits you in the rest of the course. Unlike a lot of comments I have read about this course, I was less of a fan of the next four holes that play through a primordial dune-scape by the ocean. They are certainly interesting and memorable, but are totally out of character with the other 14 that play exclusively through the majestic forest up the hill. The course - if it is ever guilty of this - is perhaps most gimmicky down at the waterfront (I am thinking especially of #4 with it's minutely narrow green that is about 6 or 7 paces wide but 35 yards deep and tucked in between 2 considerable sand dunes). But, from 6 through 18 you then play away from the ocean back up the hill and through the Del Monte forest in a layout that I can only characterize in its lushness and hilliness as being 'Augusta-like' - especially in how each hole is framed by massive pines that give a sense of awesome scale to most holes. Truly spectacular stuff. Water - as it does at Augusta - also makes an appearance here and there, but subtly and in good measure (just like at the Masters). Most memorably IMO, it adds vivid character to 2 of the par threes (12 and 15) which are almost hidden from view inside deep little valleys so much so that you don't see them or even know they are there until you step up to the tee box. With the winter sun filtering in at a low angle through the forest, it is a completely captivating experience that is seared into my mind. Incorrectly, the pro-shop told me it's not a hilly course and easy to walk (which you should do anyway as the cart path only rule renders driving a waste of time); but it contains lots of elevation changes so be prepared for a serious (although well-worth it) hike. If I had to split hairs, it would be that the closing hole is, strangely enough, one of the most standard ones on the course! Otherwise, each hole - like at Augusta - has it's own character formed into a complete whole by the integration with the natural forest it cuts through. Have I raved enough yet? Conditions: better than Pebble, and less crowded overall means the fairways were lusher with less divot damage, although the rough was perhaps even healthier and more penal. Tee boxes (I know - you don't spend much time here) were the best I have ever seen. Billiard-table flat and perfectly cut, they were the perfect start to every hole. I played golds again (one step down from the tips - and that was PLENTY of golf course at 6450. Sand was perfect and although the greens were once again lightly sanded (moderately sanded in one or two cases) they ran faster and truer than at Pebble. Many holes feature raised greens heavily guarded by bunkering that you are playing up to from uphill lies, so the course plays longer as many approaches have to be deep through the air (which combined with the relative heaviness of the ocean atmosphere in the shady forest meant the ball did not fly nearly as much as usual). Nice range and grill near the pro shop and if you play the same day as Pebble you get about 40% off the rack rate. After finishing at Pebble around 12, we drove over here, had some lunch and got out as a walk-on 2some at 1 PM, finishing in the twilight around 5. I will play here again for sure and would recommend this 101% to all. If Pebble is on your list then do yourself a favor and make sure to play here too. I think it's actually, overall, the superior course.

Played on an overcast and fairly windy day (July 1). Greens were in excellent shape, ran pretty fast but very true if you could read them. Greens were firm; needed to play short of flag if possible. M... Continue »

Played on an overcast and fairly windy day (July 1). Greens were in excellent shape, ran pretty fast but very true if you could read them. Greens were firm; needed to play short of flag if possible. Must liberally club for wind or you will be disappointed. Fairways well defined and thick rough. Great treatment from staff and consistent pace once we got through the first couple of holes. Outstanding views and well-conditioned venue! Expensive but worth it...at least once.

I finally played Spyglass! Teed it up at 4:45 and finished around 8:15pm. Played with GK’ers sixpez and Alex326. Alex is a member of the Dukes Club so it was only $100. What a steal. Alex had an extra... Continue »

I finally played Spyglass! Teed it up at 4:45 and finished around 8:15pm. Played with GK’ers sixpez and Alex326. Alex is a member of the Dukes Club so it was only $100. What a steal. Alex had an extra pull cart for me to use and I’m very glad to have had my first experience there walking because it’s simply one of the most beautiful walks I’ve ever had on a golf course. I found out on the 6th fairway climb why it’s called Spyglass “Hill” although. Be prepared for some exercise.

Spyglass Hill met all the hype. It is a really special golf course. I was told by a fellow GK'er that the best part of the golf course is when it heads into the woods, not when it’s by the beach, I did not believe him at first because I love ocean golf, but he was right. From holes 7-18 I was treated to a surreal tranquil golf experience I will never forget. Helped that we were basically the only ones on the course at the time as well. I posted a bunch of photos so please check them out rather than me trying to describe the layout of Spyglass. Words do not do it justice.

Playing conditions were fantastic even those we had just completed playing immaculate lush green Quail Lodge & Golf Club so the bar was set high. While Spyglass was not as green and lush, it certainly was lush and played beautifully. Greens were moderately fast, held shots and smooth. Fairways lush. Rough not that punishing, cut low but lush as well. Bunker all containing excellent sand and groomed. Tee boxes in great shape besides the ones being re-soded (white tees). We played the white tees with the majority of the tee boxes pushed forward and an only a few pushed back.

Spyglass Hill Golf Course immediately becomes one of my top 5 golf courses I’ve ever played. Highly Recommended.

This was our late twilight round on Tuesday. Special thanks to Alex326 for setting up the tee time and getting us a good deal with his Duke's Club membership ($100!) Even though I kind of consider it ... Continue »

This was our late twilight round on Tuesday. Special thanks to Alex326 for setting up the tee time and getting us a good deal with his Duke's Club membership ($100!) Even though I kind of consider it sacrilegious to take a cart on any Pebble course, there was no way I could walk and carry Spyglass after what I put my body through in Tahoe. The $40 per rider cart fee here is ridiculous, plus it's cart path only, so I ended up walking just as much as a solo rider (though it was still quite nice to have a place to sit down between shots and also not lug my clubs around). Otherwise, I highly recommend walking if you can to properly immerse yourself in this special experience.

As Alex noted, the course was in great shape. It's not the lush deep green look like Quail because they just don't get as much sun and you have more salt in the air, but it plays perfectly from tee to green. Tee boxes, fairways and rough all great. Bunkers fantastic with the white sand. Greens firm-ish and rolling well at medium-fast speeds, just a tick faster than Quail (though the natural slopes here affect a lot if you are putting uphill vs. downhill).

Other than the insane cart fee, this was a long-awaited redemption round for me at Spyglass. My only other visit was back in 2007 and I had kind of a bad service experience despite paying the full rack rate ($350 at the time). To play it again at a great price and experience the course as it is supposed to be experienced was a real treat. Didn't hurt that I was putting lights out on these greens! Obviously, this is a bucket list level course along with the rest of Pebble Beach, and you'll be glad you made the effort to play it. I still personally rank Pebble and Spanish higher based on personal experiences. However, this visit helped remind me why Spyglass is considered by most as one of the best courses in the world.

After some fun in the sun at Quail we headed to Spyglass to test our skills. A quick change of clothes into the "winter pants" helped prepped for the cool damp foggy conditions which are always prev... Continue »

After some fun in the sun at Quail we headed to Spyglass to test our skills. A quick change of clothes into the "winter pants" helped prepped for the cool damp foggy conditions which are always prevelant at Spyglass. Make no mistake The Glass is a golfers golf course. No fancy hotel or over the top clubhouse. It's pure 100% GOLF. As expected, conditions are beyond great. Perfect fairways and ultra smooth greens. The greens aren't as tricky as Spanish, Blackhorse/Bayonet, or Pebble but they are super fast. And to think that the pro shop attendant said they were rolling a little slower than normal!! The breaks are predictable at The Glass, but dialing in the speed can be tricky. Bunkers are a top notch. Naturally the holes on the ocean are a highlight but I also enjoy being back in the forest hearing the waves crashing on the rocks below. One of the reasons I rate this course so high on my top ten list is because it has everything I enjoy in a course. Ocean front holes, elevation changes, several water hazards, short par 3's (with a forced carry over water), Loooooong par 4's reachable par 5's in two and of course excellent, excellent conditions. Conditions are so perfect that they don't repair divots on tee boxes, they lay down brand new sod!!

Hooked up with an old bud and his wife at Spyglass on 6/12. Expensive but it's nice to spurge once in a while, after all you can't take it with you :-)

The course is in phenomenal shape as it shou... Continue »

Hooked up with an old bud and his wife at Spyglass on 6/12. Expensive but it's nice to spurge once in a while, after all you can't take it with you :-)

The course is in phenomenal shape as it should be. Fairways like perfect, rough penal, and greens that rolled like glass. As quick as any I've ever played ... ever.

Words are tough to pick to describe this course and the challenge that awaits. We played the Gold tees and the slope was around 140. Just the most difficult test of golf I've encountered ... took 9 holes to get used to the speed. I'd rate the course a 10 but I did see a few blades of grass out of place.

Shall I say "recommended".