Quail Lodge Golf Club

Robert Muir Graves designed the course, which opened in July 1964 as his first 18-hole layout. Todd Eckenrode later renovated the routing, bunkers and green surrounds. The resort accepts public tee-time bookings, so an overnight stay or club membership is not required to play.

Design and setting

The routing runs through the lodge grounds rather than along the oceanfront. Eckenrode added short-grass swales to the opening three holes, reshaped the par-4 16th, and replaced the pond beside the par-3 17th with a grass swale. The club describes the course as one of the Monterey Peninsula’s more walkable layouts. Its golf operation also includes a practice range, a golf shop and an academy for lessons. The separate nine-hole Lodge putting course is a resort activity, not part of the 18-hole scorecard.

How the course changed

Graves laid the course out across a former dairy farm, with several holes bordering the Carmel River and well-drained sandy ground underfoot. In the later renovation, Eckenrode recut bunkers and green surrounds across the course, added close-mown approaches and chipping areas, and revised the teeing grounds. The work opened more ways to play a recovery shot from just off a green.

Eckenrode’s team removed four lakes and reduced maintained turf by nearly 25 acres. On the opening three holes, new grass swales bring contour to formerly flatter ground while helping drainage. The former pond by the 17th became a deep grass swale, changing the strategy on that par 3. The par-4 16th also gained contour on its approach. These changes give the present routing more varied approaches and recovery shots.

The architect’s project account documents the renovation and its individual-hole changes.

Golf and practice

The 18-hole golf club is semi-private: members have club privileges, while nonmembers can use the public tee-time link. The club has a practice range and golf academy, with lessons scheduled through the golf shop. The separate Lodge putting course is a nine-hole resort activity and does not count toward the 18-hole golf card.

The golf academy page gives lesson-booking details; the resort golf page provides the course tee-time link and current dress rules.

Before you book

• Reserve a tee time through the public booking link on the resort’s golf page.

• The golf shop is at 8000 Valley Greens Drive; call (831) 620-8808 for golf questions.

• The dress code applies to both the course and practice range: no denim, T-shirts or sweats; collared shirts and Bermuda-length shorts are preferred.

Course details and tee-time access: The Quail Golf Club. Golf-shop address and telephone: Quail Lodge Golf Club. The resort also describes its Lodge putting course. Opening and renovation history: Origins Golf Design.