Knock on Spanish Bay?

[JLaws_2929]

Looking to do a trip to play a couple rounds of Golf in Monterey Peninsula  this Christmas Time.   The plan is to play one cheaper round (likely Pacific Grove) and then one of the Pebble Beach Resort Courses. 

 

We wont be staying on the resort so first hope is to call 24 hrs and play Pebble Beach.  If that doesn't work out I'd like to have a back up plan.

 

I've read all the threads and the consensus seams to be Spanish Bay seems to be a distant 3rd behind Pebble and Spyglass.   To me it seems like it has the most holes that are right there near the water with ocean views. 

 

Is it just a distant third because the other two are so great?   Curious for any feedback as it regards to Spanish Bay, and what any knocks on it might be.

 

Would there be another course in the area that's better than Spanish Bay for a similar price? ($300)

[I3erto]

Pasatiempo is the best "course" in that area you can get on for that money.  The Spainish Bay links course is very scenic, but its not the best design.  It is more like target golf in the dunes than true links golf.  That said it is a beautiful course and still plenty fun to play.  Spyglass is a better design, but it is much much harder.  A true players course.  Really depends on what kind of experience you are looking for.  Also, just FYI Spainish Bay is the only Pebble course that isn't cart path only.  Not sure what you are looking for.

 

If you do end up playing Spainish Bay hang out on the back patio firepits till sunset and have some drinks and watch the bag piper play.  It is a great way to end a golfing day

Edited July 26, 2021 by I3erto

[JLaws_2929]

This is great info thank you.  My thought is if I can play Pebble I will and gladly fork up the money to do so.  If not I would prefer to play a course with the better views and have more of a relaxing type of round.

 

Good info on the cart path, do you know if they allow/rent push carts at PB, Spyglass and Spanish Bay?

[I3erto]

sure thing!  All of the courses allow push carts and they are available at all 3 courses.  Happy to answer any other questions you might have.  Cheers!

[aloha b.]

20 hours ago, I3erto said:

Pasatiempo is the best "course" in that area you can get on for that money.  The Spainish Bay links course is very scenic, but its not the best design.  It is more like target golf in the dunes than true links golf.  That said it is a beautiful course and still plenty fun to play.  Spyglass is a better design, but it is much much harder.  A true players course.  Really depends on what kind of experience you are looking for.  Also, just FYI Spainish Bay is the only Pebble course that isn't cart path only.  Not sure what you are looking for.

 

If you do end up playing Spainish Bay hang out on the back patio firepits till sunset and have some drinks and watch the bag piper play.  It is a great way to end a golfing day

Pasa is a great course if you don't mind the short drive from the Monterey Peninsula and I'm one of the ones that doesn't mind Spanish Bay, it is scenic and  I've played it many times and I3erto is right about Spyglass and it play much longer than the yardage guide states. The back patio firepits next to Roy's is a great place to have drinks and to watch the bagpiper. Here's a pic of a bag piper and of SB

Edited July 27, 2021 by aloha b.