Affordable Golf on the Monterey Peninsula, CA

Affordable Golf on the Monterey Peninsula

Since I’m an Average Joe Golfer (AJG) who understand the magnetic draw that the Monterey Peninsula has on golfers, I’m going to rate Pacific Grove Municipal Golf Course as a premium course. It’s got a new pro-shop/clubhouse, a view of the Pacific Ocean that can be breathtaking (the views are very similar to Pebble Beach’s – well hell, it’s the same damn ocean!) and a historic working lighthouse (Pt. Pinos Lightstation).

The Front Nine

The course features a front nine played within a forest and residential area. Not a lot of character or thought provoking holes here, but there are some challenges – a couple holes feature semi-blind tee shots or approaches depending on length. There is also a need to hit the ball straight because of fairly narrow fairways and fairway-hugging houses. And always in the back one’s mind is that the back nine – the ocean side – is looming…And that’s where the fun is!

The Back Nine

The tenth hole tee box is at the back door of the lighthouse. If you’re prone to jitters on the first hole tee then be brave and calm here. Visitors to the lighthouse often stop and watch players teeing off – usually into the wind – on the short uphill par three. Don’t go right – you’ll end up in Coast Guard property (the lighthouse) or beach sand or ice plant (more about the evil ice plant later!). Hit it left and you’ll end up bouncing down a road toward a cemetery. Too long a drive will put you amongst twisted and gnarly Monterey Pine Trees and unkempt rough. Oh c’mon… just put it on the green and put for birdie… par… bogey… whatever! Then proceed to the 11th tee box and some of the most beautiful, challenging, rewarding, frustrating and FUN final 8 holes you’ll ever play.

For an “ocean course” water doesn’t really come into play until the 16th and 17th holes and even then it’s a fresh water reclaiming pond. But the ocean does affect one’s focus. How can one not steal glances at the breaking surf, barking seals and occasional whale spouting before shanking their next shot into… the sand hills and ice plant!

Shots from anywhere off the fairways are lethal to us AJG’s and spell doom. Try and keep your introduction to Monterey sand at a minimum. Fluffy, white and tough to get out of, each fairway on the back nine is surrounded by the stuff (along with the usual bunkers). Just remember to swing steeply, hit about an inch behind the ball and let the sand carry your ball out. Be strong in your commitment. And hit away from the ice plant! After a couple attempts, just pick up the damn ball and toss it back into the fairway.

As tough as the sand is, the ice plant has fingers that literally grab and hold your ball. I’ve tried to hit out of the same spot several times only to have the ball fly out ten feet and land in another tentacle of ice plant! I played with a guy once who traipsed over sandy hill over sandy hill to play his ball from the evil ice plant and I never saw him again! For all I know he’s still out there swinging away! Of course, that was ten years ago, but…

Don’t mind the deer, ducks and seagulls that seem to take great pleasure in grouping near your ideal landing area. They’ve become so use to golfers that they won’t move even if you’re hitting as close as ten feet from them. It’s very interesting and somewhat intimidating to have to make a shot with a couple does and their fawns only twenty feet in front of you. Yeah… you KNOW that stagg is around somewhere… and he’s watching!

Overall, Pacific Grove Muni is not particularly difficult or long. While it lacks character on the front nine, the back nine makes up for it in bunches. And it’s the back nine that you’ll remember for a long time. Hey, you’re playing only a few miles from where Tiger roared to a 15 stroke win at the US Open in 2000 at Pebble Beach. You’re looking at basically the same ocean views that Hogan said he never looked at. And you’re doing it for a fraction of the cost!

Make your tee time up to a month in advance of your play date. Out of towners pay a little extra, but it’s worth the cost.

Distances: From California’s Central Valley about 2:30 hours. San Francisco Bay Area about 1:30 hours. Southern California maybe 5-6 hours.

Range: Very small, but drivers are permitted. You hit uphill toward the lighthouse. Adequate practice green.

Pro Shop: Full pro shop and restaurant. Riding carts and pull carts. Clubs for rent.

Five (or less) Word Description: Quaint, memorable, enjoyable, ocean views.

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