How Can I Play Spyglass Hill?

We look at your options for playing the beautiful Californian course

How Can I Play Spyglass Hill?
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Spyglass Hill may have the same owners as Pebble Beach Links, but while its near neighbour is renowned for its superb ocean vistas, the former is better known for its holes that wind through the lush Del Monte forest. That’s not to say Spyglass Hill doesn’t have its share of Pacific Ocean views, too. Indeed, they dominate the first five holes of the course. However, from the sixth, players are surrounded by the natural beauty of the forest’s dense greenery.

Like Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill features in the popular Tiger Woods PGA Tour video games. Meanwhile, it co-hosts the Pebble Beach Pro-Am with the Monterey Peninsula Country Club’s Shore Course. Spyglass Hill has had an association with the tournament since 1967, and it was in the 2005 event where Phil Mickelson set the course record of 62. He didn’t have it to himself for long, though. In the following year's tournament, Luke Donald matched the feat.

With its juxtaposition of a dramatic, dune-laded links giving way to a lush forest setting, Spyglass Hill is on many a golfer’s bucket lists, but how can you play it? Thankfully, playing a round at Spyglass Hill is far easier than its Pebble Beach Pro-Am co-host the Monterey Peninsula Country Club. However, that doesn’t mean it’s cheap.

How Can I Play Spyglass Hill?

(Image credit: Getty Images)

If you’re a guest at the Pebble Beach Resort, a round will cost between $415 and $435, and you can book your slot between 12 and 18 months in advance, depending on which accommodation you choose (within 18 months if you’re staying at The Lodge at Pebble Beach or The Inn at Spanish Bay, and within 12 months if you’re staying at the Casa Palmero hotel). Staying at the resort is costly, too, with rates ranging from $870 to $7980 per night. However, if that idea appeals to you, you can make a reservation inquiry over the phone or via a form on the Pebble Beach website.

If you’re not staying at the resort, all is not lost. You’ll pay the same green fee as the resort guests but will incur an additional $45 cart fee. You can make your booking 24 hours in advance of your tee time via a phone call. The resort’s busiest months are April through November, so if you’re not a guest, the best time to try to reserve a tee-time is during the off-season.

How much does it cost to play Spyglass Hill?

The green fees for Spyglass Hill are between $415 and $435 dollars. If you're staying at the Pebble Beach Resort, your round won't incur a cart fee. However, if you're not a resort guest, this will cost an additional $45.

Is Spyglass a hard course?

Spyglass Hill is widely considered to be one of the most challenging course layouts in the US. The 72-par course measures almost 7,000 yards from the championship tees. The course rating is 75.5 with a slope rating of 147.

Do you need a caddie at Spyglass Hill?

Caddies are not obligatory. However, you likely enhance your experience if you use one. Anyone wishing to request a caddie should phone Pebble Beach Resort's Caddie Services at least 72 hours in advance of their round.

Mike Hall
Writer

Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories. 


He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game. 


Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course. 


Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.