Spyglass Hill - California - USA

14th California - Best in Area
Spyglass Hill Golf Course,
Spyglass Hill Rd,
Pebble Beach,
California (CA) 93953,
USA

  • +1 831 625 8563

Championships hosted: Pebble Beach Pro-Am

One of four famous 18-hole layouts operated by the Pebble Beach Company, Spyglass Hill Golf Course has been on the rota for the PGA Tour’s AT & T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am since 1967, the year after it was first unveiled. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Snr, it’s well known as a tough track and at least one commentator has termed it one of the best courses to have never staged a major.

It was originally called Pebble Beach Pines Golf Club but was renamed very soon after it opened by Samuel Morse, founder of the Pebble Beach Company, and he labelled all the holes on the course after characters and places from the 1883 novel Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, who spent time in the Monterey area before the book was first published.

Occupying a fabulous tract of coastal land between Cypress Point and Monterey Peninsula Country Club, Spyglass Hill is regarded by many as a more demanding test than its more celebrated near neighbours, with it bearing more than a passing resemblance to another couple of iconic world-class American courses, as intimated by its esteemed designer.

“The first five holes, starting from deep in the woods and heading immediately to the sea, demand target golf through sandy wastes, deliberately reminiscent of Pine Valley, but with water in the background and buffeted by ocean winds,” commented Robert Trent Jones Snr. “The rest of the course winds through towering Monterey Pines and Cypress in the Del Monte Forest, and is deliberately reminiscent of Augusta National.”

Feature holes include the 370-yard 4th (“Blind Pew”), where the 55-yard long green is surrounded by ice plant vegetation, the 399-yard uphill 8th (“Signal Hill”), with a reverse cambered fairway, and both the two par threes on the back nine; the 178-yard 12th (“Skeleton Island”) which plays downhill to a pond-protected green and the 130-yard 15th (“Jim Hawkins”) with its putting surface bounded by water, sand and a falloff to the left.

Since its inception in 1966, Spyglass Hill has of course been modified, indeed ahead of the 2020 AT&T Pebble Beach ProAm the par fives at #7 and #11 were lengthened, the 17th green renovated and 25 yards added to the 18th to give the home hole extra teeth.

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Reviews for Spyglass Hill

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Description: Spyglass Hill is possibly the hardest golf course on the Monterey Peninsula. The hilly land tumbles down towards the sea, leaving fairways lined with cypress and pines, laced with areas of brilliant white sand. Rating: 8.1 out of 10 Reviews: 28
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'Woburn by the sea' is not a bad description. The first five holes have views of the ocean (and we could clearly hear the very active seals) and the remaining 13 are tree lined. The first was my favourite hole - a downhill dogleg-left par 5. The third (par 3) and fourth (par 4) are shortish but very memorable, but do not miss your target otherwise you will probably lose your ball. The tree lined part of the course comprises mainly of long uphill par 4s - I think the par 3s may have all been sharply downhill. A course that is well worth playing but not, as some have suggested, as a substitute for Pebble Beach.
June 02, 2011
6 / 10
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Andrew
What a course. Played here the day after playing Pebble Beach and the contrast is huge. The pro shop staff were extremely welcoming and very helpful and the range facilities were close to the shop no transport required. The starter was keen to explain the nuances of the course and explained that it played on average 400 yards longer due to the slope and elevation changes than the card suggested he was not wrong. The course is spectacular great views, wonderful greens and boy is it tough. You really need your A game to master this course but even if you haven't brought your best game you will thoroughly enjoy the challenge on the stunning tree lined fairways.
August 22, 2010
10 / 10
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David Wilkinson
Spyglass Hill is an awesome course and demands you to think through shot selection very thoroughly. The opening 5 holes are particularly tough and generally regarded as the most difficult stretch of the Monterey Bay courses. There are opportunities to make up some shots on the back nine, but only if your approaches are pinpoint accurate. A really classy course.
May 24, 2010
10 / 10
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John Garrett
I played this course 3 times over 5 years in the late 90's and I renamed it Woburn by the sea. The tall pines being the link to the Bedfordshire course. Without doubt this is the best course in 17 mile drive with the changing room, bar and restaurant facilities also in the top ten worldwide. Don't waste a fortune on Pebble Beach when this is only a mile away and is an excellent challenge.
January 19, 2010
10 / 10
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Mike Stefan
I was warned: Spyglass Hill is one of the toughest courses you will play! It was tough, but the challenges the course threw at me did not diminish the pleasure I experienced playing it - on the contrary. The first five holes are in the dunes; here, one needs to use a variety of clubs off the tee for positioning. There are two great par threes in the first five holes with a great difference in distance between them. This section also features perhaps the smallest and most sliver-like green I have ever played on the 370-yard par-four # 4. I was lucky to hit the green in two, but when I got up to my put I realized how little of a landing area it actually was. The course then changes complexion as it turns into the Del Monte tree-lined fairways from #6 on. There is a premium on hitting accurate tee-shots, and avoiding the many well-placed fairway bunkers that really shape the course. If the tee-shot is well negotiated, than you are faced with well-guarded greens on your approach. Another set of great par-threes on the back nine is highlighted by the downhill 178-yard, #12. There is water in front and left of the putting surface, with bunkers and a hill on the right side and behind the green. The high difficulty of the holes makes the reward for a good shot that mush sweeter. Each hole is solid and will test you on every shot from tee to green.

Spyglass Hill was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., and opened in 1966. Spyglass has received high acclaims, and presents a tough test with a championship course rating of 75.5 and a slope of 147. This course is a must play for any golf enthusiast, and is as solid a challenge as one can face from start to finish. It offers a variety of views, perhaps not as consistent as Spanish Bay or as dramatic as Pebble Beach, but still very enjoyable. If I had to have a membership at a course that I would want to play every day, Spyglass Hill would be very close to the top of the list.
January 17, 2010
10 / 10
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John McPheson
The best course in the US to never host a major. Most locals believe it superior to Pebble Beach and they are right.
May 02, 2007
10 / 10
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kevin oconnor
Played in summer 2006 on a relatively calm day so the wind was not a major factor.The first 5 holes are magnificant particularly the superb 4th. The rest of the course is in amongst the forest and is really challenging. Every hole appears to be uphill!!A wonderful golfing experience and thoroughly recommended.
August 28, 2006
10 / 10
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Edward
Played this golf course in 2002 and it is such a great place to play. The first five or six holes in particular are truly epic as they wind down to the coast and the setting is so awe inspiring. The rest of the course meanders into forest and has some wonderful holes. The toughest course on the AT&T pro am tourney and the pros rank it very high indeed. Some very fine holes indeed and a pleasure to play. Try and play it once!
July 10, 2006
8 / 10
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