Half Moon Bay (Old)

Opened in 1973 and designed by Arnold Palmer with Francis Duane, the 18-hole course winds through meadows and stands of Monterey cypress before delivering one of golf's most celebrated finishes: a par-4 18th that plays straight along the rocky shoreline with the ocean on the right and the resort hotel towering in the background. Open to the public and part of a coastal resort, it pairs a genuine championship test with unforgettable scenery.

Course History

The Old Course opened in 1973 as the original layout at what would grow into the Half Moon Bay Golf Links resort. It holds a notable place in golf design history: Arnold Palmer, in the early days of his architecture career, teamed with veteran designer Francis Duane to create the course, one of Palmer's earliest design efforts.

Over the decades the course has become a fixture of coastal California golf, later joined by a second layout, the Ocean Course, and the adjacent resort hotel. The Old Course remains the resort's original and most established test.

The Design & Architecture

The Palmer-Duane design is a classic American parklands-style layout that routes inland through rolling meadows and mature stands of Monterey cypress before turning toward the sea for its dramatic conclusion. Playing 7,001 yards to a par of 72 from the tips, it presents a genuine championship challenge, reflected in a course rating of 74.3 and a slope of 135. The tree-lined corridors and shaped fairways demand accuracy off the tee before the routing opens up to the coastline for a memorable finish.

Playing the Course

The round builds toward one of the most celebrated finishing holes in golf. The par-4 18th plays straight south along the rocky shoreline, with the Pacific Ocean framing the right side and the resort hotel rising behind the green, making for an approach shot players remember long after the round. Coastal conditions, including wind and the Poa Annua putting surfaces, add to the challenge and reward thoughtful course management.

Know Before You Go

• The Old Course is open to the public as part of the Half Moon Bay Golf Links resort; tee times are recommended in advance.

• Located at 2 Miramontes Point Rd, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019, about 30 miles south of San Francisco.

• Coastal weather brings wind, fog, and cool temperatures year-round; pack layers and prepare for changing conditions.

• Save something for the finish: the oceanfront 18th is regularly ranked among the best closing holes in golf.