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Breathtaking scenery, history, and the opportunity to golf on the same courses PGA Tour professionals play combine to make golfing on the Monterey Peninsula a special experience. From oceanfront holes at Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove to Monterey pines along the fairways of Poppy Hills and Spyglass, the surroundings inspire players to new heights.
The history is equally rich, with moments such as Tom Watson’s birdie on the 71st hole to beat Jack Nicklaus in the 1982 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. Monterey’s Del Monte Golf Course, built in 1897, remains the oldest continuously operating golf course this side of the Mississippi. These incredible courses — played by PGA Tour, LPGA Tour, and Champions Tour professionals — are open to the public.
As a PGA teaching professional, I have worked with everyone from beginners to Tour pros. I have found through the years that the better the player, the more I have to get back to the fundamentals. This is one thing a beginner has in common with a pro: the need to focus on the fundamentals of golf. It is the only sport in which the player is not reacting to the ball. Instead, the ball is stationary and the player moves.
That is why it is so important to get a good start and not get frustrated. Working on fundamentals such as grip, stance, balance, and tempo is essential to having success and, ultimately, enjoying the game. One of my most memorable experiences as an instructor was working with a 10-year-old. Through the years, he not only developed golf skills, but also a career: He now works for the USGA.
To me, golf is more than just trying to hit a ball into a cup in as few strokes as possible; it is also an experience. The course, the scenery, and the camaraderie with playing partners are part of it, but the experience doesn’t have to end when you finish the 18th hole.
Here on the peninsula, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy golf. One of my favorites is sitting on the patio at The Inn at Spanish Bay in front of the outdoor fire pits while watching the sunset and listening to the Scottish bagpiper playing “Amazing Grace.” You can listen to golfers tell their tales of humility and triumph.
Or you can go to The Lodge at Pebble Beach, sit on the deck overlooking the world-famous 18th hole, and experience the ocean crashing against the rocks and the pines blowing in the wind while sipping a glass of Monterey County wine.
This year, the U.S. Open returns to Pebble Beach. It’s been 10 years since Tiger Woods put on his amazing performance, winning by 15 strokes over his next closest competitor.
There has never been a better time to enjoy the majesty and beauty of golf at Pebble Beach. The course has been reconfigured for the U.S. Open. Give it a try and share the same experience as a pro. If you can’t play the course, just walking along the 18th hole will still give you a sense of wonder. That’s what is so amazing about golf on the Monterey Peninsula.
Ben Alexander, a certified PGA Teaching Professional at Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach, was a nominee for the 2008 National Teacher of the Year Award.
