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 Some of California’s most breathtaking coastal scenery runs along the courses at Half Moon Bay. Its cliff-etched seaside view rivals that of any finishing hole, in the same breath as the jaw-dropping par-5 18th at Pebble Beach Golf Links in the nearby Monterey Peninsula. Golf Digest readers voted it as one of the top 18 holes in the country. It’s even been featured in a TV commercial for Mexican beer giant Corona, fittingly inviting consumers to picture themselves relaxing at their favorite figurative beach. Half Moon Bay Golf Links, a 36-hole facility located next to The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, will always be best known for No. 18 on the Old Course. The Arnold Palmer-designed track progresses as a traditional parkland test before its tree-lined fairways give way to breathtaking coastal views down the stretch. The climax is a downhill par 4 that skims the edge of the Pacific Ocean which serves as backdrop to the stunning exterior of the Ritz-Carlton. To say it’s been the site of hundreds of thousands Kodak moments for golf travelers from all over the world might be too conservative an estimate. But that gem is merely a microcosm of the experience at Half Moon Bay, which can claim the pedigree of being one of the premier golf destinations on the West Coast. Getting there Located in the quaint town of Half Moon Bay — known for its cozy, tourist-friendly vibe as well as famous surf spots like Mavericks — the resort is located less than an hour from both San Francisco and San Jose. I flew into SFO and needed less than a half hour to arrive at the Ritz-Carlton. The Ocean Course: Newer course, older feel The Old Course opened in 1973 and has a legacy enhanced by the aforementioned 18th hole, but its younger brother, the Ocean Course, is a fitting links-style complement. The Arthur Hills-designed Ocealaout debuted in 1997 and is reminiscent of the oldest Scottish layouts because there are no trees, rolling terrain and an abutting body of water. Plus, prevailing costal breezes and hard, fast turf conditions encourage players to utilize the contours of the earth to run approach shots into the large greens and strategically shape tee shots onto the fairway. Arguably the best example of links essence is the par-4 437-yard 13th, with a landing area off the tee pinched by a large complex of four rustic bunkers on the left and three more traps guarding the front edge of the green — nevertheless, there is an ample opening to play the ball low and run it toward the flagstick. A few years ago, Half Moon Bay actually instituted a “Links Enhancement” transition project on the Ocean Course. Grasses immediately around bunkers and greens were shaved down, while the presence of fescue grasses was increased to further promote a traditional feel. Still, this remains a course with a predominant resort ambience, suiting a wide range of players thanks to five sets of tees with a strong variance (black tees top out at 6,649 yards, while shorter women’s tees measure 4,872 yards). The Ocean has been recognized as one of the nation’s stop upscale resort venues and hosted the LPGA Tour’s elite Samsung World Championship in 2008. The Old Course: Looks can be deceiving Not to take anything away from the amazing 18th hole, but the design of this wide-open par 4 is in stark contrast to the Old Course’s first 16 holes. That’s far from a detriment, though. From the moment players tee off on the par-5 first — a zig-zag 529-yard test with plenty of trees poised to complicate errant shots all the way up to the green — they are consistently greeted by a veritable arboretum that includes Monterey Creek, Monterey pines and New Zealand Christmas trees. There are few straightaway holes, as dog-legs routinely bend players’ eyes to get them focused on not only avoiding hazardous fairway sand traps but also the more advantageous side of the short grass from which to approach the green. This is especially true on the par-4 14th. A 424-yard challenge veering sharply from left-to-right, a canopy of trees shortly off the tee makes for an intimidating sight line to the fairway, which has a wall of trees guarding the right and more trees posing trouble for tee balls hit too conservatively to the left. The parkland style is fantastic, but the grand finale is still likely the biggest takeaway — especially the tee shot. Once the giddiness of the setting wears off, there arises the task of deciding on strategy. Depending on the wind and tee box, players can decide to drive it over the barranca for a short approach and a birdie opportunity on the hole, which can stretch as along as 413 yards. The more prudent play is to lay up with a 3-wood or hybrid to the downhill-sloped fairway, leaving a short- to mid-iron approach. Stay and Play: Legends Golf Package Synonymous with luxury and comfort, The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, sets an incredibly high standard for golf course lodging. With 261 guest rooms, a trio of sumptuous restaurants highlighted by the exquisite fare at Navio and the eclectic treatments at the Spa, the resort is a memorable experience regardless of the length of stay. From now until December 31 visitors can take advantage of the Legends Golf Package. This stay-and-play option begins at $475 for one player or $615 for two players per night, during the week. Plus, book a group of 10 packages and the 11th package is complimentary (only applies to new booking). For more information or to make a reservation, call (650) 712-2228 or visit hmbgolflinks.com. |
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