Spyglass Hill Golf Course
Golf Course Review Spyglass Hill Golf Course Pebble Beach California
ALERT: Aeration
Will be aerating the greens 3/9 & 3/10.
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Reviewed by: mpisarski01, Costa Mesa
Played on 2/29/20 With Greg, Alex P, and Alex326 at 8:30 am. Huge shout out to Alex326 for playing with us and providing the dukes club price which was large discount off-rack. I have always dreamed of the day I would be able to play here and after 2 months of planning, we settled on leap day 2020.
We kept watching the weather up to the 7 day cancellation notice to give the final go/no go. We were rewarded with a solid morning partly cloudy day and about 55° with some 10-15 mph gusts but mostly after we played the unprotected ocean holes 2-5.
Three of us walked the course. Greg paid the extra $45 to ride due to a torn ligament in his foot (FYI it is always CPO). If you don’t normally walk courses this course will take some energy on the up hill holes. I had a few moments where I was huffing and puffing but they provide benches at all tee boxes. Overall I walked around 7 miles with a push cart and it takes a toll but the views and walk through the trees make it worth it — 100%.
The Golf Course Review
As for the course and its conditions from the moment you arrive you are treated with world class service. There was a bag man who greeted us at the car and gave us all of the information of where to go. The club house is small but practical. Per Alex326 Spyglass was meant to focus on the golf not a flashy monstrosity of a clubhouse. This was a simply one story maybe 2000 sq. ft. building.
Range balls were included and I was surprised to see they were Taylormade TP5’s. Today the range was on the mats which was a slight bummer but they were nice to hit from. The practice green was large and provided the exact conditions found on the course.
We walked off the first tee right on time and our wonderful round was underway. The conditions looked spectacular from the first tee as all tee boxes had plenty of level and lush grass. We chose the white tee’s due to difficulty of the course compared to our handicap and I think they were the right ones to play from. From the elevated tee’s you were presented a two tone fairway with the grass mowed in one direction on the left and the other on the right providing amazing pictures. It also helps you follow the middle of the fairway if you just follow the line.
The Rough was penal and around 3″ thick and I sure had issues on the first two holes judging how hard I needed to hit in order to pick my shots clean.
Sand traps were very nice and I found a lot of the green side versions however I did find two that had a hard clay layer about 1.5 inches down which made floppy sand shots difficult.
As for the greens I don’t think I have ever given a 10 out of 10 but I could not find a single issue on the course. They were slightly firm, quick, and rolled perfect. I honestly think they were the best I have ever played.
The Final Word
After the round the staff is waiting for you so they can clean you clubs and they air blast the grass off you shoes and for those with ticklish feet they put the nozzle in the shoe and blast away too which feels amazing but odd at the same time. They offer you bottled water and they give you a nice heavy metal bag tag as a souvenir.
I put this course at number 1 all time over the likes of Wolf Creek, Cascata, grizzly ranch and the 175 other courses I have played. I would honestly pay the full rack rate in a heart beat to play here again and I can see why everyone loves this course.
One down side to the course is the rates for refreshments including alcohol. A jack and coke is $17, powerade’s were $7 and cokes are $4. A hot dog and fries costs 11.50 after pre-added gratuity. It is expected but very expensive for booze. If you have not played spyglass don’t hesitate if given the opportunity I’ll be back!
