The Links at Spanish Bay- bunkers rear of hole 8The Links at Spanish Bay- bunkers rear of hole 8

History

Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jnr with Sandy Tatum and Tom Watson, the course is sited on perfect golfing terrain in an old sand mining area on the Monterey coast just north of Cypress Point and Pebble Beach.

The site contains vast expanses of exposed sand, a spectacular coastline, undulating sandy terrain, and tracts of pine trees as well.

It was formerly a sand mine and as part of the redevelopment the Pebble Beach Company had to reconstruct the dunesland, bringing in truckloads of sand.

They did a good job- it looks the real deal!

The Course

  

The Links at Spanish Bay- hole 6The Links at Spanish Bay- hole 6- Photo courtesy of Pebble Beach Company.

 

I originally played Spanish Bay in 1996 and came away with favourable impressions which have stayed with me over the years...

I have been fortunate to stay and play there a number of times since

 

The course routing is inspired, taking you directly to the coast to start, with a succession of links holes.

It then heads into marshland, then the mighty Monterey Pines- negotiating dips and gullies, before moving back to the coastal linksland to finish.

Not too many courses around the world offer such a diverse experience!

 

Clearly the architectural team aimed to provide for the running ball.

It is not the target golf we are used to seeing in the USA.

The greens and surrounds are firm and fast, reminscent of the great links courses in Scotland.

If I were to be critical I would argue that the greens have a little too much movement in places, given their firmness.

And when the wind blows- as it is prone to do- it can provide a stern test indeed...

 

Notable holes include:

 

- the par 3 third hole- nestled in the dunes, with the Inn as a backdrop.

- the par 3 eighth hole- you need an accurate iron over the marsh to a heavily bunkered green.

 

The Links at Spanish Bay- a birdie at the third?The Links at Spanish Bay- a birdie at the third?

The Links at Spanish Bay- hole 8The Links at Spanish Bay- hole 8

 

 

- the par 5 tenth hole- a hole to suit the thinking golfer! Framed by the Monterey Pines, and strategically bunkered, staying on the fairway is not as easy as it first appears..

- the par 4 twelfth hole- requires a long accurate tee shot, and then a longish accurate approach over a gully.

- the short par 3, thirteenth hole is Spanish Bay's 'postage stamp'

- the par 5 fourteenth hole- a nice par 5 which takes you back to the sea, and has a wonderful skyline green to welcome you

 

The Links at Spanish Bay- hole 13The Links at Spanish Bay- hole 13

The Inn at Spanish Bay- hole 14The Inn at Spanish Bay- hole 14

 

 

I have always enjoyed Spanish Bay.

As part of the Pebble Beach Resort, The Inn at Spanish Bay is a lovely place to stay and a great base for a golfing trip to the Monterey Peninsula.

 

The Links at Spanish Bay is a beautifully maintained course in a gorgeous setting.

It is a good course, if not a great one- but it makes for a nice warm up to the main event- playing Pebble Beach!

 

 Other Courses in the Area

 

Pebble Beach- hole 18Pebble Beach- hole 18- Photo courtesy of Pebble Beach Company


The Monterey Peninsula is famous for the quality and beauty of it's golf and has a mixture of wonderful private courses and popular resort and public access courses.

While the private Cypress Point Club and Monterey Peninsula Country Club are played by the fortunate few, travellers staying in the Pebble Beach Resort can pre book games at Pebble BeachSpyglass Hill as well asThe Links at Spanish Bay.

Also available to the public is the ever popular Poppy Hills designed by Robert Trent Jones Jnr.

Golf Tours 

The Travelling Golfer can tailor a Golf Trip to Pebble Beach Resort to suit your group.

Suggested add on destinations include: Bandon Dunes Resort, Pelican Beach Resort, Las Vegas & Hawaii

Enquiries

For further information on Golf Tours to Pebble Beach Resort please enquire here:

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