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Spyglass Hill, USA |
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“Spyglass Hill is possibly the hardest of the courses on the Monterey Peninsula. The hilly land tumbles down towards the sea, leaving fairways lined with cypress trees and Californian pines liberally laced with areas of brilliant white sand.
The course designed by Robert Trent Jones and opened in 1966, makes heavy demands on both the mental and physical resources of those who play. On a windy day it can become almost impossible and in fact is rarely played at its fully championship length of 6,810 yards.
The opening holes are a fearsome introduction to the course’s difficulties. The 1st is an enormous 600 yards that needs thunderous stroke play even to approach par. The next four holes are at the mercy of the wind, which often plays havoc with even the very best of shots. The course returns inland at the 6th, but trees now compound the problems set by the wind. The short 12th is played across a pond to a small, undulating green wedged between the water and a steep bunkered rise. Over-clubbing can plug the ball in a trap or bounce it off the slope to roll back across the green and into the water.”
Taken from the brilliant New World Atlas of Golf. | |
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 |  | | Average Reviewers Score: |   | | | For some reason known only to the golf gods my driver which goes 275+ everywhere else in the world, including pebble beach, goes 250 max at spyglass. All of the driving holes are uphill and into the wind. This is the toughest test of "fair" golf on the planet. And my favorite course in the world. I would love the 7:55 tee time 7 days a week. |
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| 09 May 2013
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| | Not worth the price of $360 unless you can't afford $500 for Pebble. Very good course but after the 5th hole there is no more wow factor, major let down as you go into the trees. Certainly rated way too high! It is only cool because of where it is which means it's isn't worth it. |
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| 27 October 2011
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| Response: | | | JAS | 29 December 2011 | | Have to completely disagree. Spyglass gives a superb challenge through-out, not just the ocean holes. Both inland par 3s are delightful. 8 & 16 are extremely challenging par 4's and 14, the long par 5 with the pond front right, terrific hole. I can accept that many find 6960 yards (if you played it off the tips) mostly narrow and tree-lined quite intimidating. I'd say there was plenty of wow factor there if you appreciate clever design and use of local topography. Was it really the price or was it your score that turned you off it? |
| | Although I played this course the same day I played Cypress Point but in the afternoon, I can say I was delighted by it.  It is a masterpiece, every hole is excellent but what I found not good is to have such a bigh change from 1-5 and then 6-18. The first 5 are very similar to Cypress Point, very nice and with breathtaking views, and you can see holes 1, 2, 13 and 14 of Cypress plus Club House from holes 2 to 5 here. Then in 6 you get into the woods and they say is one of the most similar courses to Augusta not being Augusta that you can play. I found very special holes 11-12 and 14-18 in the woods, but my real favourite is number 2 with an elevated tee to a green downhill towards the sea. It is a real must, if you are there it is not to be missed, despite the u$360 cost for the green fee. Unluckily I played not good, losing a match against friend Juampi De Bary 6/5!! But we played a re match on final 5 and at least a won a hat scoring even par. Amigos, if you play it enjoy one of the nicest courses to walk on earth. |
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| 08 June 2011
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| | 'Woburn by the sea' is not a bad description. The first five holes have views of the ocean (and we could clearly hear the very active seals) and the remaining 13 are tree lined. The first was my favourite hole - a downhill dogleg-left par 5. The third (par 3) and fourth (par 4) are shortish but very memorable, but do not miss your target otherwise you will probably lose your ball. The tree lined part of the course comprises mainly of long uphill par 4s - I think the par 3s may have all been sharply downhill. A course that is well worth playing but not, as some have suggested, as a substitute for Pebble Beach. |
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| 03 June 2011
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| | What a course. Played here the day after playing Pebble Beach and the contrast is huge. The pro shop staff were extremely welcoming and very helpful and the range facilities were close to the shop no transport required. The starter was keen to explain the nuances of the course and explained that it played on average 400 yards longer due to the slope and elevation changes than the card suggested he was not wrong. The course is spectacular great views, wonderful greens and boy is it tough. You really need your A game to master this course but even if you haven't brought your best game you will thoroughly enjoy the challenge on the stunning tree lined fairways. |
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| 22 August 2010
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| | Spyglass Hill is an awesome course and demands you to think through shot selection very thoroughly. The opening 5 holes are particularly tough and generally regarded as the most difficult stretch of the Monterey Bay courses. There are opportunities to make up some shots on the back nine, but only if your approaches are pinpoint accurate. A really classy course. |
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| 25 May 2010
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| | I played this course 3 times over 5 years in the late 90's and I renamed it Woburn by the sea. The tall pines being the link to the Bedfordshire course. Without doubt this is the best course in 17 mile drive with the changing room, bar and restaurant facilities also in the top ten worldwide. Don't waste a fortune on Pebble Beach when this is only a mile away and is an excellent challenge. |
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| 19 January 2010
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| I was warned: Spyglass Hill is one of the toughest courses you will play! It was tough, but the challenges the course threw at me did not diminish the pleasure I experienced playing it - on the contrary. The first five holes are in the dunes; here, one needs to use a variety of clubs off the tee for positioning. There are two great par threes in the first five holes with a great difference in distance between them. This section also features perhaps the smallest and most sliver-like green I have ever played on the 370-yard par-four # 4. I was lucky to hit the green in two, but when I got up to my put I realized how little of a landing area it actually was. The course then changes complexion as it turns into the Del Monte tree-lined fairways from #6 on. There is a premium on hitting accurate tee-shots, and avoiding the many well-placed fairway bunkers that really shape the course. If the tee-shot is well negotiated, than you are faced with well-guarded greens on your approach. Another set of great par-threes on the back nine is highlighted by the downhill 178-yard, #12. There is water in front and left of the putting surface, with bunkers and a hill on the right side and behind the green. The high difficulty of the holes makes the reward for a good shot that mush sweeter. Each hole is solid and will test you on every shot from tee to green.
Spyglass Hill was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., and opened in 1966. Spyglass has received high acclaims, and presents a tough test with a championship course rating of 75.5 and a slope of 147. This course is a must play for any golf enthusiast, and is as solid a challenge as one can face from start to finish. It offers a variety of views, perhaps not as consistent as Spanish Bay or as dramatic as Pebble Beach, but still very enjoyable. If I had to have a membership at a course that I would want to play every day, Spyglass Hill would be very close to the top of the list. |
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| 17 January 2010
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| | The best course in the US to never host a major. Most locals believe it superior to Pebble Beach and they are right. |
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| 03 May 2007
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| | Played in summer 2006 on a relatively calm day so the wind was not a major factor.
The first 5 holes are magnificant particularly the superb 4th.
The rest of the course is in amongst the forest and is really challenging. Every hole appears to be uphill!!
A wonderful golfing experience and thoroughly recommended. |
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| 29 August 2006
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| | Played this golf course in 2002 and it is such a great place to play. The first five or six holes in particular are truly epic as they wind down to the coast and the setting is so awe inspiring. The rest of the course meanders into forest and has some wonderful holes. The toughest course on the AT&T pro am tourney and the pros rank it very high indeed. Some very fine holes indeed and a pleasure to play. Try and play it once! |
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| 11 July 2006
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