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Spyglass Hill Golf Course
Rating Details »
Spyglass Hill Rd & Stevenson
Carmel, CA 93953
(831) 625-8563
Carmel, CA 93953
(831) 625-8563
- Good for Kids:
- No
16 reviews for Spyglass Hill Golf Course
This is my favorite course I have ever had the pleasure of playing. Better than Olympic, better than SFGC, better than Couer d'Alene.
The "Sunset Six" (holes 1-6) are unbelievable. They have a beachy sand dune flavor, and it is very unique. The back nine is carved through the cypress trees and offers an equally stunning backdrop.
All in all, a true gem. You can't be disappointed. Worth every penny.
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I had a round this past Sunday at Spyglass Hill. What can I say about the 5th most beautiful golf course in the country...
The View! The view of the first 5 holes were stunning but as soon as we meandered in-land, the disappointment became apparent. Are we spoiled with the some of the best courses in Northern California has to offer, ABSOLUTELY!!! But then again, this is Spyglass Hill, let me repeat, SPYGLASS HILL! The staff/service is top notch.
The layout can be challenging and tricky at time but it sorely lacks the WOW! factor of say, The Ranch. NCGA members, you will love the discounted green fee.
Next up will be Spanish Bay and Poppy Hills!
=)
Maybe I just had a rotten day compared to others reviewing here. But there is one reviewer below that I can relate to in my review. I decided to just walk on as I was not sure of my schedule (when/if I can play today). Oddly, there was no one during the 2:00 hr and they would not let me play alone. Luckily, there was a 2-some they paired me with. Else, Spyglass would actually make me wait almost 2+ hours just so I don't play alone (I arrived around 12:40pm). Bogus!
Now I'm not that great of a player. But mind you, I can keep pace. I actually walked as a 2-some (with a 50+ year old lady!) in 90F+ degree weather in 3:15. And I walked as single at Poppy Ridge during winter of the same duration. But Spyglass?!? So much for the "we play a 4:30 pace, so please make sure you keep up" says the starter. The first 2 holes alone almost took 30 mins! It was so infuriating that when it was past 2:30 mid-way the 7th hole, I picked up my cel, called the pro-shop and complained! We had not seen a single marshall at all during this time. When the marshall came in, she even defended the group ahead saying there's a group ahead of them. Why? Well duh, we're at the turn. The group ahead of them took a short break, got food/drinks and then went on to the 10th tee as the group ahead of us seemed like they're on pace. She did not check what's up ahead of the group on the 10th.
For the price I pay for, I do not want to play 5 hour rounds! It was so bad the guys from middle USA said "they should have a club where there are no women allowed! This why it's so slow." Come one now... No one makes such disparaging remarks just like that. But this 2-pairs of couple was just silly. We probably would have played a 6hr round if the couples pair ahead of us didn't let us go ahead at the turn. If any, they were behind 2 holes behind us mid-way of the back-9
Other cons:
* Greens were aerated but no mention at all on the website or the pro shop (I called 3x trying to see if walking on was OK for other days). No discount when the greens are aerated when other nice courses I played did.
* cart path only... ALL THE FREAKING WAY! I suspect this adds to the slow pace of play when people are dumb enough not to bring more than 1 club (+/-1 or even +/-2 clubs you think you'd use!) when going to their ball. They end up running back and forth. If any, the couple pair would have 1 person go out in the fairway or jail, the others stay in the cart, and would not go out and hit until the other is done. Plain stupid!
* no free driving range. Jeez, Poppy Hills gives it. Other nice places where I paid 150+ for green fees do. This place.. nada
* No GPS when neighboring Poppy Hills does. For the price you pay for, they'd rather you pay $10 for a yardage booklet. Which mind you, can also slow play even more with analysis paralysis.
* no lockers or shower even.
Now there are some good things here (I won't completely rip them a new one).
- Customer service was good up to when you tee off. Very professional. They'll call you at the snack bar if you're waiting (like me trying to walk on)
- Prices on memorabilia (logo-clothing) was actually not bad. Maybe it's "down economy" pricing, but still I was surprised a little. (I did almost return the $200 worth of logo-clothing I bought because I was just that pissed. But I had to leave and boy, I was aching to just get away from this place). I didn't want to have to test the "professionalism" of the staff on returns.
- Scenic views, when you actually see the sun. Wildlife (deers), just like Poppy Hills, seem comfortable around golfers. Heck, they screw up my concentration since I don't want to hit them. But the scenic views end once you go more in-land in the course.
- difficulty is really just on length. It's not "that hard" based on narrow fairways, lots of "jail", etc. Heck I thought Bayonet and Black Horse was much harder as they're narrower. The greens are pretty small and challenging, with extremely deep bunkers (I was in the beach a few times). Sand was not as soft as I would expect from a course this advocated and since it's used by the AT&T pro-am. Harding Park in SF had softer sand in its bunkers I think.
In conclusion, this is the type of scenario why I would never play Pebble Beach golf course. This is the often heard complaint I get, and that place is almost 2x of Spyglass these days I think (with a 6-month lead-time last I heard). I can say, I'm glad I got Spyglass off my course-to-play list as I doubt I'll ever play this course again. My gut feel tells me they don't want to rush people who pay bucko bucks at this place, even if it's 5+hr rounds. Don't care much for it, I'd rather play Poppy Hills next door for a fraction of the price with just as much difficulty and keep pace of play!
Definitely a golfer's course, great to play if you're playing Pebble Beach on another day. Interesting and challenging layout. Caddy recommended.
Phenomenal, second only to...nope, not Pebble Beach, no one. This is the best course in the world in my humble opinion. I hear Cypress Point is up there, but I've only played two holes there before being discovered and kicked off the course immediately - hey I was only 16 and it was Cypress Point. I digress.
"The Glass" as it is lovingly called by locals is a golfer's heaven, you get surf, turf, incredible views, meticulously maintained fairways, bunkers, greens, tees, etc. This course is as challenging as it is beautiful so make sure you warm up prior and a quick tune up lesson wouldn't hurt.
Advice: Avoid the iceplant at all costs, it may look playable, but a 10 doesn't look very good on a scorecard. Do not replace your divots! You read correctly, the local wildlife (crows) will flip over all divots you replace searching for worms so it is futile to replace your divot, instead use the sand/seed mixture provided to fill in your pebble beach pot holes. Take a caddie and walk with the gods. When the wind is blowing at the par 3 third, you may consider taking 2-4 extra clubs, no joke!
I should note, I've played here a dozed times or so and only in competition, so I haven't paid the green fees. I'm not sure the current cost, but I would imagine it is worth every penny.
If you are reading this, then you don't mind investing in golf and should also check out: Old Del Monte, Pasatiempo, and The Links at Spanish Bay. If you know people in the area try to get out to private clubs: MPCC, Carmel Valley, and Cypress Point.
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The most beautful and hardest golf course that I have ever played. The first 5 holes are breathtaking as they wind along the coastline. So hard too as they slink through the ice plant and sand. If you can stay par here, you are doing great.
Then you start back into the forest with all of the trees and thin fairways. It just gets harder and harder as you go hole to hole until you get to the hardest hole on the course, #16. It is just a bear. 470 yards of par four.
The driving range is beautiful, the pros in the pro shop friendly but not overly friendly. The food is limited and expensive but you are not here for that, you are here for the golf. And it will be slow because the course is full of average golfers trying to not lose their balls and failing so expect a long day. But a long day in paradise.
Bring your layers too because it will be hot, then cold, then windy, then hot, then cold, then damp.
It's expensive but you won't forget it. Think about this, in 1966, when they built the course, lifetime memberships were only $6,000. What a steal. Today that's about 20 rounds.
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Living off the 17th green for a year in a dorm, was one of the best experiences of my adolescence. I only played golf on the course once (got my ass kicked), but after it got dark, my girlfriend and I would come out here and "play" all night. Oh...those were the days!
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This place tore me a new one - big time. But it was really my fault.
Stayed at the Lodge the night before the big round. Stayed out late drinking plenty of fine wine. Even ended up on the putting green at the lodge at about 12:30 am. All this before a 7:15 tee time. So yes, I was still feeling the effects on the first tee.
This was a long day.
Have you even lost your balance while standing over a putt? Some of the greens here are wicked - cut short and strongly sloped. Not where you want to be after a long night of drinking.
Other than that?
- Tough course, especially midweek with fast greens and tough pin placements - one of the toughest I have ever played
- beautiful setting - 5 holes on the coast and 13 through the forest (some with ocean views)
- constantly reviewed as one of the 100 best courses in the US, and I agree
- Service is good at the clubhouse and range
- play can be slow, particularly on the weekends. Most people don't realize how tough the course is and struggle.
Prices have gone up - now $315.
Blue Rating: 75.5/Slope 147; Yardage - 6,953
Gold Rating: 73.2/Slope 144; Yardage - 6,534
White Rating: 71.4/Slope 137; Yardage - 6,123
Red Rating: 72.9/Slope 133; Yardage - 5,379
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Man, I've only played Spyglass once in all my days, and it was epic. For a boat load of reasons:
* First or second group off the tee on a weekday morning.
* Played with a bunch of great dudes
* One of the dude's (who i just met) picked up my green's fees. The baller.
* That dude, became my playing partner, and proceeded to smoke no less than 1/2 a box of 8" Montecristo cigars over 36 holes of play. Those are like 40 bucks a pop. The baller.
* I shot +1 on the back including two birds right after the $50 round of breakfast burritos at the turn (on me)
* After the round, we packed up and drove straight to Pasatiempo for another 18.
Epic.
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This is my first Pebble Beach Company golf experience and it certainly did not disappoint. Soon after pulling into the parking lot the top notch service aspect of this level of course kicks in and is a nice bonus for a crappy muni guy like me. I was expecting the practice area to be a bit more spectacular, but overall it was fine. The deer grazing at about 120 yards out at the driving range was interesting.
The customers I was playing with elected to play the white tees which definitely made the course manageable. Overall fantastic shape as one would imagine though the green on 9 looked like corduroy.
I real enjoyed the holes up in the hills and of course hearing Sea Lions barking while you play a tip top course is sweet.
This place is crazy expensive but a unique experience for those who love the game.
Awesome. Best golf course I've played. Better than Pebble Beach for pure golf. The conditions are much better than Pebble. Driving range is right there too, so you don't need to take the shuttle as w/ Pebble.
I finally got out here. The regular price will most likely prevent me from getting out here again, but given that we were able to get a 1/2 price tee time, I would gladly come out here again.
The course is nothing short of spectacular as it starts out meandering through some of the easier holes all located along the beautiful Monterey coastline. On the 5th hole you begin making your way back up into the forest, which is where all Hell begins to break loose.
At an ego-crushing 147 from the tips, only a PGA pro should even think about taking on the course at it's full length. We moved all the way up to the Whites no less, and STILL had a challenging day. It's really not the length that will get you, it's almost always the approach shot that wracks you with pain. Uphill, endless bunkers, water, blind shot...you name it and you'll find it out here.
One major downside was the lack of a restaurant/bar on the course. The only thing they have is a very small grill where you can buy insanely priced burgers and the like along with a small selection of beers and alcohol. If you really want to have a couple drinks with your buds after your round, head to the Lodge at Pebble Beach. However, the staff was incredibly helpful all the way from the Pro Shop to the cart attendants. I can see how someone with a bazillion dollars would want to play out here everyday.
This course is gorgeous, long, and breathtaking. The front 9 takes you along the coast and the back 9 in the forest making for two different types of elements to play in. Difficult and challenging course.
The only downside is the high price, but you get what you pay for. The employees at Pebble beach company treat you like royalty and they definitely lived up to their creed, to provide a once in a lifetime experience every time. This is my favorite course that I have played thus far, although I haven't played the Pebble links yet.
If you have the money, play here. Also, free buckets of balls to hit the day of your tee time and if you're staying at the Lodge.
You've got to love this course, perhaps the finest course that RTJ ever built. The first 7 holes run along the Pacific Ocean, and the only complaint I have is that after you finish these spectacular holes, it's a little anticlimactic. But only a little...the entire course is great. It's also one of the most difficult courses in the whole area, tougher than it's famous neighbor Pebble Beach.
When you're at Spyglass, you're in the center of perhaps the best concentrate of public available golf in the US -- 3 of the top 12 courses, according to Golf Digest. Pebble is a must, even though it's very expensive. And down the road about 45 minutes away is semi-private Pasatiempo, Alister MacKenzie's home course, that's a must for real lovers of the game. Del Monte is nearby as well, and while not in the league of the "Big 3," it's a good course for a bargain price.
Love it. Love it and I just love it. A true test of golf and a place that always beats me up but I return for more. Home of my hole-in-one so I have to rate 5 stars. One word of caution...find out when they are going to aerate the greens because they will not tell you prior to your arrival at the course. I had friends and family visit from a land far away only to find out the greens had been aerated upon arriving at the course. The golf pro and me were not friends that day!
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Scenery of front nine is nice with an ocean view. Back nine is in the forest. Lots of tees facing the setting sun so it's hard to see your tee shot late in the afternoon. Just like Poppy Hills and Pacific Grove, the play is painfully slow. 5.5 hrs to for 2 people to play 18 holes. The group in front of us had a caddie who finally let us play through after 12 holes (duh). When you are paying top dollar the pace of play should only be 4 to 4.5 hrs (the course is not difficult). Greed and poor management allow rounds greater than 4.5 hrs to happen. Range balls are free but you have to hit off mats. They dole out carts 10 minutes before your tee time. If you brought extra gear for the weather (rain coat, sweater, jacket) you have extra lug it around with you until it's your turn to get a cart, a major pain. No lockers either. The players in the groups in front of us were mediocre at best. I would say this is a place for slow, mediocre players with bank. I wouldn't play here again. Service was about as helpful as Home Depot.
