Spyglass Hill Golf Course

Incroyable golf entre terre et mer, impressionnant techniquement et magnifiquement entretenu!

I have written about my experience at the Pebble Beach Resort quite extensively in my, review of the PB Golf Links, therefore, since this golf course is part of the same resort and they share most of the facilities, except the clubhouse, that is unique to all courses at the resort, I will not mention the practice facilities or accommodation, if you wish, fell free to read my opinion of them in the other review.

The course is located within the resort itself (Del Monte FG for instance is not) and a short shuttle bus drive away from the main facilities. It does have it’s own driving range apart from the one at Pebble Beach Golf links, it’s a bit smaller, but it still provides you with all the facilities you would need to warm up (long & short game, putting), the balls are complimentary as well and you can spend some time there.

The clubhouse is a basically a small Proshop meant more or less to buy branded memorabilia, not really to do any serious club shopping, but you would not do that in such locations in any case, I would assume at least. Across the street there is also a halfway house where you can buy some snacks and drinks and they do have a nice sitting area where you can enjoy your coffee. One note, and it goes for all three courses with the exception of The Links at the Spanish Bay, there are no shower facilities at any of them, you can usually utilize the resorts SPA if you wish to shower after the round, but it is not adjacent to the course, just a side note if you would require them.

As per the course itself, from the four I have played at the resort, this one was my favorite one, by a distance I’d say. While PBGL has the history and most of the fame from being featured in various publications and usually hosting the biggest events, Spyglass Hills is in my opinion like the silent younger brother waiting for a real chance to shine, saying that, I do realize that it is still ranked very high on most rankings.

The design of the course and the layout is, in my opinion, better than most I have played in the US and as far as my preferences go, the best one at the resort. It offers you everything you want from a course, long par fives, stunning par three-holes, interesting dogleg holes, beautiful views of the ocean at some holes, shade from old threes in the forest (most of the holes) etc… The design of the course is such that you start a bit above the sea level, go down to it and then work your way up a hill with dense vegetation. For the better part you do not get the wide-open views like at PBGL but you are rewarded with the sight of old threes and deer on virtually every hole. As far as I’m concerned, the use of the natural landscape is so good that it looks even better than a lot of “open view” courses. The biggest benefit in my opinion is however the fact that the architect got a chance to play with the dynamic landscape and incorporate it beautifully. Combine that with the excellent condition the course is in and you have a winning formula, especially if you’re lucky enough to avoid the fog that is very common and frequent in this area. As far as I’m concerned, if you are in the area and you don’t play this course, you are missing out big time.

Two weeks ago since I was there... I've already decided that I will go back... The ocean holes are just as stunning as Pebble Beach. More trees on the rest of the holes. But what I really liked about Spyglass Hill were the par 3's! They were all short and extremely difficult unless you put the ball at the correct spot on the greens. I love short par 3's! Ok from the backtees they are between 130-197 yards but that's still short for the pro's;) To go to Pebble Beach and just play Pebble is a mistake... Spyglass Hill is a must! Just one bad thing about Spyglass Hill and Pebble Beach Golf Links, they are resort courses without any members... which means any one can play them. We ended up behind a corporate competition were some players played their first golf round ever! I'm sorry but Spyglass Hill is to difficult for the average hacker so why let complete beginners out? Oh yes money talks.. But if we disregard that it's totally worth it!

Après avoir joué Pebble Beach la veille, j’ai porté mon dévolu sur l’autre parcours connu du complex. La encore sans réservation, j’ai pu jouer sans trop attendre un parcours que j’ai beaucoup aimé.

Le parcours est vraiment divisé en 2. Les 5 1ers trous offrent une vue imprenable sur l’océan pacifique et puis ensuite on remonte vers la forêt et l’atmosphère change complètement mais... pour le mieux. Les grands pins et les pièces d’eau jalonnent les fairways et les greens pour des trous subliment. Le parcours est classé dans les 5 plus difficiles américains mais avec des bons drives il est possible de bien scorer.

Alors oui, ce parcours est aussi cher 390$ mais je l’ai beaucoup aimé. Ensuite reprenez votre voiture, jetez un oeil sur votre gauche (CPC) et allez dej à Pebble pour un WE dont vous vous souviendrez toute votre vie!

Spyglass Hill behoort tot de wereldtop. Een meesterwerk van Robert Trend Jones. Prachtige kronkelende baan met enkele holes dichtbij de zee. Elke hole moet met de nodige voorzichtigheid gespeeld worden. Steeds opnieuw een uitdaging in lengte, hoogteverschil, bunkerplaatsing en knappe doglegs. Enkele korte par 3s naar beneden die makkelijk lijken maar het niet zijn. Als je hier je handicap speelt heb je een topdag gehad. De reis waard. In combinatie met de andere banen van Pebble Beach, Monterey, Californie te spelen.