Pacific Grove Golf Links

Tucked onto the northern tip of the Monterey Peninsula, Pacific Grove Golf Links is the seaside municipal course affectionately known as the "Poor Man's Pebble Beach." Located just a few miles from its world-famous neighbor, this 18-hole layout delivers genuine Monterey coastline golf at a fraction of the price, and it has become one of the most beloved value rounds in all of California golf.

The course is a tale of two nines. The front nine winds through a forested, inland setting of Monterey pines and cypress, while the back nine breaks free onto open, links-style ground along the water, wrapping around the historic Point Pinos Lighthouse where the Pacific Ocean meets Monterey Bay. Owned and operated by the City of Pacific Grove, it remains a true public muni that welcomes locals and traveling golfers alike.

Quick Facts

Course History

Pacific Grove Golf Links was established on May 9, 1932, when the original nine holes were laid out through the pine and cypress woodland by amateur champion and golf architect H. Chandler Egan. For nearly three decades the course played as a nine-hole layout on this inland ground.

In 1960 the course was completed to a full 18 holes when a second nine was added on the open dunesland out toward the ocean. That back nine was designed by Jack Neville, the co-designer of nearby Pebble Beach Golf Links, giving the humble muni a direct link to one of the most celebrated courses in the game. To this day the course is owned and operated by the City of Pacific Grove as a municipal facility.

The Design & Architecture

The defining feature of Pacific Grove is the striking contrast between its two nines. Egan's front nine plays through a sheltered, tree-lined corridor of Monterey pines with a more traditional, parkland character. The holes are tighter and more protected, rewarding position and control off the tee.

The back nine is a different world entirely. Neville's oceanfront holes open onto true links terrain, with firm ground, coastal scrub, exposed wind, and sweeping views of the water. The nine wraps around the historic Point Pinos Lighthouse, the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the West Coast, which is visible from across this stretch of the course. It is here, where the Pacific Ocean meets Monterey Bay, that the round earns its "Poor Man's Pebble Beach" reputation.

Playing the Course

At 5,727 yards from the back tees to a par of 70, Pacific Grove is not a long course by modern standards, and that is precisely part of its charm. The scorecard rewards accuracy, short-game touch, and the ability to handle wind rather than raw distance. Multiple tee sets make the course approachable for players of every level.

The real test arrives on the back nine, where ocean breezes off Monterey Bay can turn short holes into genuine challenges. Firm, links-style turf, unpredictable bounces, and the ever-present wind demand creativity and a lower, controlled ball flight. Pair that with the panoramic coastal scenery and the round becomes as memorable as it is affordable.

Know Before You Go

• Address: 77 Asilomar Blvd, Pacific Grove, CA 93950. Phone: (831) 648-5775.

• This is a public, city-owned municipal course; tee times are available to the general public and can be booked through the official course website.

• The back nine is fully exposed to coastal wind, so bring an extra layer and plan for cooler, breezier conditions than the sheltered front nine.

• The course is widely regarded as one of the best value rounds on the Monterey Peninsula, offering seaside golf near Pebble Beach at a small fraction of the cost.

• Look for the historic Point Pinos Lighthouse alongside the back nine, and pack a camera for the views where Monterey Bay meets the Pacific.