Carmel California golf
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A genuine golfer's paradise, Monterey County is home to some of the most impressive fairways in the world, boasting more than 20 private and public courses throughout Carmel Valley and along the scenic coast of Monterey Bay. The iconic Pebble Beach network alone includes seven world-renowned golf courses speckled along a segment of the California coast highlighted by dramatic jagged cliffs, rocky coves, and thriving forests. Monterey County's finest courses consistently rank among the best in the nation, with accolades rising from the likes of Golf Magazine, Golf Digest, and Zagat's year after year.
Securing a tee time at some of the most popular golf courses in the country can be challenging. Walk-ons are rare, but not impossible. We have some secrets to share that can increase your odds of getting a walk-on spot. Let’s take a look at some of our guests’ favorite golf courses in the area (all of which are located just a short drive from your cottage in Carmel-by-the-Sea). Golf reservations can be made for any course in the Pebble Beach network by calling the main reservations line at (800) 877‑0597. Individual course contact information is provided below.
Golfer’s Choice: Top Tee-Offs Near Your Carmel Retreats Cottage
Pebble Beach Golf Links
1700 17 Mile Dr, Pebble Beach, CA 93953 • (831) 574-5609 • Website
Pebble Beach Golf Links
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Part of the Pebble Beach network, Pebble Beach Golf Links is considered the #1 rated golf course in the country and it has been home to the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, part of the PGA tour, every February since 1947. Not only has the U.S. Open been hosted at Pebble Beach, a record setting six times since 2019, a seventh U.S. Open will be held here in 2027. In addition, the very first Women's U.S. Open will take place on the famed course in 2023.
Throughout its 100 year history, Pebble Beach Golf Links has hosted world-renowned golfers including Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods, as well as countless celebrities and athletes such as Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, and Tom Brady. With a pedigree like this. It's no wonder golfers from around the world travel to Pebble Beach for the “round of a lifetime”.
The course features 18 of the most challenging holes to be found anywhere, with the 18th hole considered to be the most famous finishing hole in golf. Visiting Pebble Beach Golf Links is almost a rite of passage for any golfer, offering the quintessential day out on the links. With fantastic views, world-class dining options, and one of the finest clubhouses anywhere, a day at Pebble Beach Golf Links will be something to remember forever.
Spyglass Hill Golf Course
3206 Stevenson Dr, Pebble Beach, CA 93953 • (831) 574-5608 • Website
Spyglass Hill Golf Course
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Part of the Pebble Beach Golf Links System, Spyglass Hill Golf Course is themed after characters and places found in the novel Treasure Island, with the opening hole actually named after the literary classic. Samuel F.B. Morse, the owner and developer of Pebble Beach, fancied himself a local historian, choosing the theming due to rumors that while seeking inspiration for Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson would spend extensive time exploring the sandy dunes that would one day become the world-renowned Spyglass Hill Golf Course.
To say Spyglass Hill Golf Course is challenging is a massive understatement. Six years of planning and design went into the formation of the course before its opening in 1966. Only one year later, the course became part of the Bing Crosby National Pro-Am rotation and Crosby considered the course so challenging that he bet Jack Nicklaus that he wouldn’t break par in his first round. Nicklaus shot 2 under 70 in his first round and was the proud recipient of a five dollar bill signed by Bing Crosby himself.
Like other courses in the Pebble Beach LInks System, Spyglass Hill is considered legendary among golfers and fans alike. The holes may be challenging but the payoff is knowing you’ve walked in the footsteps of some of the finest golfers the game has ever known.
The Links at Spanish Bay
2700 17 Mile Dr, Pebble Beach, CA 93953 • (831) 574-5607 • Website
The Links at Spanish Bay
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Another part of the famed Pebble Beach Links System, The Links at Spanish Bay offers more than just a great round of golf. The views at Spanish Bay are considered among the finest in all of Pebble Beach. Designed to protect the fragile dunes habitat, Spanish Bay is one of the first and certainly the most extensive projects that integrate design and environmental protection into the formation of the course itself. With over 100,000 native plant species, artificial dunes surrounding the course, and a classic golf links design, Spanish Bay is guaranteed to provide a day to remember.
Opened in 1987, The Links at Spanish Bay has hosted countless tournaments and has been co-host of the PGA, LPGA, and Champions tours during the TaylorMade Pebble Beach Invitational presented by Dell Technologies since 2015. On opening day, November 5 1987, Tom Watson shot a 67, and claimed the course felt so much like Scotland he could almost hear the bagpipes playing as he walked off the course. Since that time Bagpipes are played each day, just before sunset, as the final holes of the day are being shot.
Spanish Bay, like its fellow Pebble Beach counterparts, offers far more than just a day out on the links. While all the golf courses found in Pebble Beach offer expansive views and challenging holes, Spanish Bay stands out among its peers and is considered one of the top golf courses anywhere in the world.
How To Get A Tee Time
The courses we have selected are all a part of the Pebble Beach Golf Resort network but these tips will work just as well at any public course. Naturally, the best bet for assuring your chosen golf experience is to reserve a tee time in advance at your location of choice. Different courses have different rules regarding reservations, and those rules are subject to change, so it is important to check the golf course website or call their reservations number to make sure you have the most up-to-date information. It’s always a best practice to call and ask about reserving a tee time. Even if the website shows nothing available, that may not account for cancellations, last minute scheduling updates, and the like. If you can’t find an opening within the reservation window, it may still be possible to secure a walk-on spot at a legendary Pebble Beach course.
The courses found in Pebble Beach are without a doubt the most highly sought after courses in the country, so getting a walk-on spot isn't always going to happen... but if you follow these steps, you will increase your odds considerably.
Spanish Bay $295/person (July 2021)
800-877-0597 for reservations
This one will be the easiest for non-resort guests to get a T time
Non-resort guests can book up to 6 months in advance by calling 800-877-0597, then option 4 for new golf-only reservations, then option 2 for a live agent
Even if it's showing no reservations online, it’s best to call at least 24 hours in advance anyway
They say the online reservation calendar is not always up to date and doesn't show T times
If you're unable to get an advance reservation, you might be able to get a same day walk on by calling the Pro Shop directly on the day of play
The Pro Shop opens at 6am and their direct number is 831-622-8723. The early bird gets the worm!
You can also show up directly at the Pro Shop, but they claim that showing up in person is no better than calling the Pro Shop directly and talk directly with the Starter - not sure if this is true, since it's only possible to hand the Starter a cash tip in person ;)
Spyglass $415/person (July 2021)
800-877-0597 for reservations
This one is a bit harder to get onto than Spanish Bay, but easier than Pebble
Non-resort guests can book up to 3 months in advance by calling 800-877-0597, then option 4 for new golf-only reservations, then option 2 for a live agent
Even if it's showing no reservations online, it’s best to call at least 24 hours in advance anyway
They say the online reservation calendar is not always up to date and doesn't show T times
If you're unable to get an advance reservation, you might be able to get a same day walk on by calling the Pro Shop directly on the day of play
The Pro Shop opens at 6am and their direct number is 831-622-8723. The early bird gets the worm!
You can also show up directly at the Pro Shop, but they claim that showing up in person is no better than calling the Pro Shop directly and talk directly with the Starter - not sure if this is true, since it's only possible to hand the Starter a cash tip in person ;)
Pebble $575/person (July 2021)
800-877-0597 for reservations
This one will be the most difficult to book of the three course in the Pebble Beach Golf Links network
Non-resort guests can book up to 24 hours in advance - essentially the day prior - by calling 800-877-0597, then option 4 for new golf-only reservations, then option 2 for a live agent
Even if it's showing no reservations online, it’s best to call the day prior anyway
They say the online reservation calendar is not always up to date and doesn't show T times
If you're unable to get an advance reservation, you might be able to get a same day walk on by calling the Pro Shop directly on the day of play
The Pro Shop opens at 6am and their direct number is 831-622-8723. The early bird gets the worm!
You can also show up directly at the Pro Shop, but they claim that showing up in person is no better than calling the Pro Shop directly and talk directly with the Starter - not sure if this is true, since it's only possible to hand the Starter a cash tip in person ;)
Bonus Tips - Improve Your Odds
So now that you know the best way to get a walk-on spot at any of these world renowned golf courses we want to share some tips to help you increase your odds of getting a last minute spot on your course of choice. While these tips won’t guarantee a tee time they will make securing a spot much easier.
Single Player
One may be the loneliest number, but if you are trying to get a walk-on spot at a golf course, one can be your best friend. While it is certainly possible to slip in doubles or even a foursome from time to time, the absolute best odds of getting 18 holes in for the day will be for single players.
Timing Is Everything
Just because these courses are busy most of the year doesn’t mean there aren’t slower periods that you can take advantage of. Holidays and winter months tend to be slower and most of the courses in Pebble Beach offer twilight rounds which tend to not fill up as quickly as morning and afternoon time slots. If getting out on your favorite course is on your to-do list, it may be beneficial to consider planning your trip during one of these slower times.
Check The Weather
Nobody is happy when it rains on their vacation, but if you are looking to walk-on to a legendary golf course, a little rain may be just what you need. While certainly not ideal for the best day out on the fairway, a little rain can cause cancellations, giving you a chance to fill that spot.
When All Else Fails: Have A Back-Up Plan
If you are unable to get a walk-on at your chosen course - don't fret. You can always try again tomorrow. Additionally, there are many other notable golf courses nearby. Be advised that if you're a seasoned golfer of discernible taste, the elevated Pebble Beach standard is hard to meet. Not all courses hit the mark, but if you can't manage to find an opening at your first choice the following options are all highly rated and worthy of a little research for your consideration.
Poppy Hills Golf Course - 3200 Lopez Rd, Pebble Beach, CA 93953 (18 holes, par-71, 7,002 yards)
After almost a decade of planning, Poppy Hills opened to much fanfare in 1986 and has since co-hosted the PGA Tour’s AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, the Spalding Pebble Beach Invitational, as well as an NCAA Men’s Championship.Carmel Valley Ranch Golf Course - 1 Old Ranch Rd, Carmel, CA 93923 (18 holes, par-70, 6,117 yards)
Situated across 500 acres on the Monterey Peninsula against the Santa Lucia Preserve, this is the only Pete Dye-designed championship course in Northern California. Voted one of the Top 100 Women-Friendly Courses in the country by Golf for Women Magazine, and repeatedly named one of the Top Courses in California by Golf Advisor.Quail Lodge & Golf Club - 8205 Valley Greens Dr, Carmel, CA 93923 (18 holes, par-71, 6,500 yards)
Set among mature forests of willows and oaks, along the Carmel River, this course was built in 1964 by Robert Muir Graves. Quail Lodge has received numerous honors from Golf Advisor, acknowledging top course conditions, layout, and quality of play.Del Monte Golf Course - 1300 Sylvan Rd, Monterey, CA 93940 (18 holes, par-72, 6,365 yards)
Opened in 1897, this is the oldest golf course in continuous operation west of the Mississippi. Del Monte served as the inaugural (and continuing) host of the California State Amateur, cementing its place as a first-class tournament site.Bayonet and Black Horse - 1 McClure Way, Seaside, CA 93955
With a combined 36 holes, the dual par-72 Bayonet and Black Horse courses each provide more than 7,000 yards of epic golf framed by remarkable Pacific Ocean vistas. These courses have challenged PGA Tour legends like Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, as well as several U.S. Presidents.Pacific Grove Golf Links - 77 Asilomar Blvd., Pacific Grove, CA 93950 (18 holes, par-70, 5,732 yards)
Flanked by a mixture of Cypress and Monterey pines, coastal cliffs, and stark dunes, this course rests on the tip of the Monterey Peninsula. The back-nine surrounds the Point Pinos Lighthouse. Ranked by Zagat Survey as one of America's Best Golf Courses.