The Links at Spanish Bay

The Links at Spanish Bay is California's truest homage to the birthplace of golf. When Tom Watson first played it on opening day in 1987, he shot 67 and declared it so authentically Scottish you could almost hear the bagpipes — and Pebble Beach took him literally. Ever since, a lone piper has serenaded the course at sunset, marching down the first fairway as golfers gather around fire pits with drinks in hand, watching the Pacific swallow the sun. It's pure magic.

Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., Tom Watson, and Sandy Tatum on the site of a former sand mine, Spanish Bay rolls through sweeping dunes and natural sandy wasteland that could've been plucked straight from the coast of Scotland. The first eight holes and closing five weave through dramatic dunescape right along the ocean, where pot bunkers, firm turf, and relentless coastal winds demand strategic, creative golf. The middle stretch dips inland through towering Monterey pines, offering a visual breather before returning to the windswept coast for a spectacular finish. The greens are large, undulating, and devilishly contoured — you'll need imagination and touch to navigate them.

This is a course that rewards the ground game. Bump-and-runs are not just an option; they're often the smart play. The layout encourages you to think your way around rather than overpower it, and when the wind kicks up (which it will), club selection becomes an art form. Environmentally sensitive dune areas are scattered throughout, but course rules allow free drops, keeping play moving. While it's the third wheel in the Pebble Beach family behind its more famous siblings, Spanish Bay offers something they don't: a walking-friendly, links-style experience with equally jaw-dropping ocean views and far fewer crowds.

For a group trip, Spanish Bay is a dream. The vibe is more relaxed than Pebble's see-and-be-seen intensity, the pace is better, and the challenge is fair but engaging for all skill levels. Plus, The Inn at Spanish Bay sits steps from the first tee, and the post-round scene — bagpiper, fire pits, ocean views, cold beers — is as memorable as any shot you'll hit all day.