Spyglass Hill Golf Course
On the Monterey Peninsula, between Cypress Point and the forest, Robert Trent Jones Sr set out to build one of the hardest courses in the world. Opened in 1966 and named for a place in Treasure Island, Spyglass Hill begins with five holes through Pacific dunes before climbing into the pines, a par 72 that has tested the best in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am since 1967.
Photo: Spyglass Hill Golf Course via Google.
The verdict
Spyglass Hill is the connoisseur's round on the Monterey Peninsula, and many who play all three Pebble Beach resort courses leave calling it the toughest and the best. Robert Trent Jones Sr, working with his son, gave it a famous two part personality. The opening five holes tumble through exposed coastal dunes in the spirit of links golf, then the course turns inland and climbs into the dense Del Monte forest of pine and cypress for a stern, tree lined finish.
For the travelling golfer it is the essential companion to Pebble Beach Golf Links. The two sit minutes apart, both in the AT&T Pro-Am rotation, and a Monterey trip that pairs them is one of the great golf weeks in America. Spyglass asks for your sharpest ball striking, from the dunes of the opener to the forested closing holes, and it rewards the round with scenery and a sense of occasion that few courses can match.
Spyglass Hill Golf Course at a glance
- Opened
- 1966
- Designer
- Robert Trent Jones Sr (with R.T. Jones Jr)
- Type
- Dunes and forest
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- approx 6,960 yds
- Green fee
- 525 dollars (2025)
Opening year, designer, par and length verified June 2026: Spyglass Hill opened in 1966 to a Robert Trent Jones Sr design, with his son Robert Trent Jones Jr assisting, and plays par 72 at around 6,960 yards, with a tips rating of 75.5 and slope of 148. It has been in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am rotation since 1967. The 2025 green fee was 525 dollars for resort and non resort guests, plus a cart fee. Always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Spyglass Hill is really two courses in one round. The first five holes play through tumbling Pacific dunes, exposed to the wind off the bay, with the par 5 first sweeping down toward the ocean and the short fifth perched among the sand. It is links inspired golf at the edge of the continent, demanding and beautiful, and it sets a tone that the rest of the round more than sustains.
From the sixth the course climbs into the Del Monte forest, and the character changes entirely. Tall Monterey pines and cypress line tight corridors, the greens are firm and Trent Jones tough, and the premium shifts from wind play to precision and patience among the trees. This is where the course earns its fearsome reputation, with a slope of 148 from the tips that puts it among the sternest resort tests in the country.
Throughout, the conditioning and the setting justify the price. The greens run true and quick, the Del Monte forest is a spectacular backdrop, and the sense of playing a course built to test tour professionals is constant. Many golfers rank a good round here above any score they post at the more famous Links down the road.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | A resort course at Pebble Beach, open to the public, with priority and preferred rates for guests of the Pebble Beach resorts |
| Green fee | 525 dollars in 2025 for resort and non resort guests, plus a per player cart fee; resort guests get booking priority (indicative) |
| Booking | Staying at a Pebble Beach resort is the surest way to secure a tee time; non guests can book closer in subject to availability |
| On the day | Carts and caddies are available; the course has practice facilities and sits within the Pebble Beach resort complex |
| Getting there | On the Monterey Peninsula off 17 Mile Drive, around 15 minutes from Monterey and 2 hours south of San Francisco |
| Best months | Spring through autumn for the most settled weather, though the peninsula plays year round in its mild coastal climate |
Access and indicative green fees verified June 2026; rates change by season and year, so always confirm directly before booking with Pebble Beach Resorts or your trip planner. Check tee time availability.
Where to stay nearby
The natural base is a Pebble Beach resort, where staying as a guest unlocks priority tee times across the courses, including Spyglass Hill and the Links. The Lodge at Pebble Beach and the Inn at Spanish Bay put you inside the gates, on 17 Mile Drive, with the golf, dining and the coast on your doorstep.
For a wider choice, the towns of Monterey, Carmel by the Sea and Pacific Grove sit minutes away with hotels, restaurants and galleries, and a more relaxed pace. Either way the peninsula packs Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill and more into a tight, walkable cluster, so a long weekend delivers a lifetime golf trip.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts around Pebble Beach, Monterey and Carmel.
Plan a Monterey golf trip with Spyglass Hill
We build the Monterey Peninsula week around Spyglass Hill and Pebble Beach Golf Links, secure resort tee times, and sort a base on 17 Mile Drive or in Carmel. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Spyglass Hill Golf Course questions
Who designed Spyglass Hill?
Spyglass Hill was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr, with his son Robert Trent Jones Jr assisting, and opened in 1966. It was conceived to be one of the toughest courses in the world and was named after a place in Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island.
What is the par and yardage of Spyglass Hill?
Spyglass Hill plays as a par 72 at around 6,960 yards. From the tips it carries a course rating of 75.5 and a slope of 148, placing it among the sternest resort tests in the United States.
How much does it cost to play Spyglass Hill?
The 2025 green fee was 525 dollars for both resort and non resort guests, plus a per player cart fee. Fees change by season and year, so always confirm current rates directly before booking.
Can the public play Spyglass Hill?
Yes. Spyglass Hill is open to the public, but guests of the Pebble Beach resorts receive booking priority and the surest access to tee times. Non guests can usually book closer to the date subject to availability.
Has Spyglass Hill hosted professional golf?
Yes. Spyglass Hill has been part of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am rotation on the PGA Tour since 1967, and is widely regarded by tour players as the toughest course in the event.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Opening year, designer, par and length verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.