Half Moon Bay Old Course Vs Ocean Course Vs Other Option

[CBearse]

Planning an upcoming golf trip that starts in San Francisco for a few days then migrates to Pebble for the remainder. On the day we travel from San Francisco to Pebble I was planning on playing Pasatiempo but they will have either the front or back 9 colsed due to renovation (can't remember which). I am debating playing Half Moon Bay instead of Pasa now, but can't decide if I should play the Old Course or Ocean Course there?

 

I also debated playing HMB, then traveling to pasatiempo to play the 9 that is open, but I feel that is too much travel and golf in one day.

 

Thoughts? Any other suggestions are appreciated.

[Mullenboy]

you have several responses on the main page....

 

here's mine:

 

I wouldn't give up on Pasatiempo.  They are scheduled to close the back nine for renovation in the spring, but if they do this like they did when the restored the front 9, they will offer a deal to play the open 9 twice, at a greatly reduced price.  Right now it's $385 to play the full 18; last year the deal for back 9 twice was $225.  They put two holes in each green...I did it and it was really fun.  I also didn't feel raped by the price.  🙂

 

In any case I will die on the hill of the front 9 twice at Pasa being far better than either full 18 at HMB.

 

[mark174ace]

I definitely prefer the Ocean Course over the Old Course. When the wind is blowing the back nine of the Ocean is real challenging. I have played Pasa 3 times on Thanksgiving Day when the rates were reduced and it is an architectural gem, but I have not played in some time since the rates went up. I definitely will get back there sometime. Maybe do a Pebble, Spyglass, Pasa run in the Spring.

[carrera]

Agree with @Mullenboy.  Try two rounds on the front nine at Pasatiempo. While "slightly" worse than the back nine, it is still a terrific nine with only one so-so hole (the 7th). 

 

If you decide to go to HMB, play the Ocean course for sure.  The Old course is an Arnold Palmer real estate course that winds through houses with one "signature" hole (beautiful but not a great hole)...the 18th.  The Ocean course is perfect for a buddies trip in that it is wide open and low stress to play with a bunch of fun holes.

[callawayjay]

Pasa is all 18 until after the western collegiate in April. Then 9 2x on the front. 
 

the front 9 is fully restored. 

[achun88]

I've seen a number of people fill this spot on their trip with TPC Harding Park.  Personally I think the day to day conditions of Harding are a bit underwhelming to justify the out of town green fee.  If you're looking for something a bit more unique i would check out Presidio and where you can play in a national park. 

[CBearse]

1 hour ago, achun88 said:

I've seen a number of people fill this spot on their trip with TPC Harding Park.  Personally I think the day to day conditions of Harding are a bit underwhelming to justify the out of town green fee.  If you're looking for something a bit more unique i would check out Presidio and where you can play in a national park. 

Playing both Harding park and presidio the two days prior to this. Half moon bay is a stop on our way to pebble so it made sense…

[mlwenzlick]

Don’t overlook Spanish bay. I really enjoyed it, and wouldn’t have a problem playing it again. Sure it’s not pebble but most of it is in sight of the ocean in the dunes, and half the price 😅

Edited January 30 by mlwenzlick

[CBearse]

12 minutes ago, mlwenzlick said:

Don’t overlook Spanish bay. I really enjoyed it, and wouldn’t have a problem playing it again. Sure it’s not pebble but most of it is in sight of the ocean in the dunes, and half the price 😅

 

Current course list:

• Day 1 - Arrive in San Francisco, may try and wing something if we have time.
• Day 2 - Presidio
• Day 3 - TPC Harding Park
• Day 4 -  Drive to Half Moon Bay Ocean Course, then drive to Pebble Resort afterwards (all on HWY 1).
• Day 5 - Poppy Hills
• Day 6 - Pacific Grove in AM, Pebble Beach in afternoon
• Day 7 - Spyglass
• Day 8 - Pebble Beach
• Day 9 - Spanish Bay
• Day 10 - Depart.

[falken19150]

CB - Doesnt get much better than that itinerary. Nice work.

[CBearse]

33 minutes ago, falken19150 said:

CB - Doesnt get much better than that itinerary. Nice work.

 

Thanks. We took a trip to Scotland last year and used a golf travel company. While we all agreed the trip was amazing and they did an excellent job, we also felt like we could have done it ourselves and saved some money. This year I'm planning the entire thing on my own, albeit this is not an international trip. Fingers crossed it all goes well...

[falken19150]

Well if you have questions please let me know. I'm local to Monterey area and its courses.

[CobraKat]

On 1/30/2024 at 6:05 AM, CBearse said:

 

Current course list:

• Day 1 - Arrive in San Francisco, may try and wing something if we have time.
• Day 2 - Presidio
• Day 3 - TPC Harding Park
• Day 4 -  Drive to Half Moon Bay Ocean Course, then drive to Pebble Resort afterwards (all on HWY 1).
• Day 5 - Poppy Hills
• Day 6 - Pacific Grove in AM, Pebble Beach in afternoon
• Day 7 - Spyglass
• Day 8 - Pebble Beach
• Day 9 - Spanish Bay
• Day 10 - Depart.

 

I dunno. If I was going to the Monterrey area, I'd definitely play Cypress.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wondering how many people will think I'm serious.

[Mullenboy]

If you have time on arrival day... go play Gleneagles GC in San Francisco.  It is a very fun place with a cool down to earth vibe (you pay your green fees in the bar) and the course is very very good.  It's only 9 holes but that might be just the ticket on arrival day.  It's quite close to SFO also.  Check it out.

 

https://www.gleneaglesgolfsf.com/

[carrera]

Great call on Gleneagles.  Perfect "arrival day" relaxed nine on arrival at SFO.  Great "nineteenth" hole.  Especially if you are staying somewhere south of city and taking advice to have dinner at Westlake Joe's.

[CBearse]

10 minutes ago, carrera said:

Great call on Gleneagles.  Perfect "arrival day" relaxed nine on arrival at SFO.  Great "nineteenth" hole.  Especially if you are staying somewhere south of city and taking advice to have dinner at Westlake Joe's.

Never heard of Westlake Joe's, but I'll give it a look. Any other food recommendations near San Francisco or Monterey?

 

Updated Golf Itinerary:

• Day 1 - Arrive at SFO - Play Gleneagles GC
• Day 2 - Presidio
• Day 3 - TPC Harding Park
• Day 4 - Leave San Francisco and drive HWY 1 to Half Moon Bay Ocean Course, then Pasatiempo Front 9 (only 9 open), then to Pebble Beach Resort.
• Day 5 - Poppy Hills
• Day 6 - Pacific Grove in AM, Pebble Beach in PM
• Day 7 - The Hay in AM, Spyglass in PM
• Day 8 - Pebble Beach
• Day 9 - Spanish Bay in AM, The Hay in PM
• Day 10 - Go home...

Lots of golf, but hey that's why we are going. I threw in a couple rounds at The Hay because I think it will be a fun way to warm up one morning and a great way to close out the trip...

[carrera]

Sorry, I thought I gave you that recommendation in another thread. 

 

Either Day 1 or Day 2 have dinner at Joe's of Westlake.  Near Harding Park.  An absolute no-brainer great experience.

 

Can't go wrong with dinner another night in North Beach at Original Joes.  Then drinks after at Gino & Carlos or any number of other places in North Beach.

 

If playing Gleneagles (great call by @Mullenboy ), DM me the date and my buddy who runs it will make sure things are great for you.

Edited February 15 by carrera

[jzkhockey]

5 hours ago, carrera said:

Can't go wrong with dinner another night in North Beach at Original Joes.  Then drinks after at Gino & Carlos or any number of other places in North Beach.

 

 

Recommending Firenze By Night in North Beach depending on how many people you have if you want to switch it up.

 

Also House of Nanking if you want american chinese food and have a big group. They usually give up having you order off the menu at 5 or 6 people and just start bringing food out until you tell them to stop.

 

Edited February 16 by jzkhockey

[CBearse]

4 hours ago, carrera said:

Sorry, I thought I gave you that recommendation in another thread. 

 

Either Day 1 or Day 2 have dinner at Joe's of Westlake.  Near Harding Park.  An absolute no-brainer great experience.

 

Can't go wrong with dinner another night in North Beach at Original Joes.  Then drinks after at Gino & Carlos or any number of other places in North Beach.

 

If playing Gleneagles (great call by @Mullenboy ), DM me the date and my buddy who runs it will make sure things are great for you.

You probably did recommend it, I have a few threads on here getting information on different aspects of this trip. Appreciate the insight on dinner recommendations, we’ll have to check them out!

[carrera]

14 hours ago, jzkhockey said:

 

Recommending Firenze By Night in North Beach depending on how many people you have if you want to switch it up.

 

Also House of Nanking if you want american chinese food and have a big group. They usually give up having you order off the menu at 5 or 6 people and just start bringing food out until you tell them to stop.

 

Great calls for both.  I have been at Firenze with a big group of guys (10+) so they can handle it, it believe.

[jzkhockey]

@CBearse when are you coming? A lot of courses are flooded right now so you may want to cater your itinerary to that?

 

Also, while not a challenging course, Golden Gate Park Par 3 Golf Course reopens today and should be a great way to experience some of San Francisco while playing a little golf. If you have never been to Golden Gate Park it is well worth the trip. It's larger than central park and features museums, a par 3 course, gardens, a bison padock, polo fields etc. Just a great place for a walk.

Edited February 16 by jzkhockey

[CBearse]

21 minutes ago, jzkhockey said:

@CBearse when are you coming? A lot of courses are flooded right now so you may want to cater your itinerary to that?

 

Also, while not a challenging course, Golden Gate Park Par 3 Golf Course reopens today and should be a great way to experience some of San Francisco while playing a little golf. If you have never been to Golden Gate Park it is well worth the trip. It's larger than central park and features museums, a par 3 course, gardens, a bison padock, polo fields etc. Just a great place for a walk.

 

Not until May... 

[jzkhockey]

Should be fine then. It only rains here from December to early April.

[CBearse]

 

6 minutes ago, jzkhockey said:

Should be fine then. It only rains here from December to early April.

 

Man, I hope you didn't just jynx it for me lol...