The short answer
Yes, Pebble Beach is worth the green fee if it's a once-in-a-lifetime round and you plan it to be remembered. It costs $695 per player in 2026 (or $755 with the required cart fee if you're not a resort guest), and for most golfers it's the most expensive round they will ever play.
If that number is out of reach, the Monterey Peninsula has more than half a dozen public courses with ocean or forest views, starting under $70.
We photograph rounds at Pebble Beach Golf Links every week at Tee Time Photos. Here's our honest take on the cost, plus every Monterey course you can actually book.
Is Pebble Beach worth the green fee?
Pebble Beach Golf Links has hosted six U.S. Opens and sits on the cliffs of Carmel Bay. Unlike Cypress Point or Augusta, anyone can play it. That access is what you're paying for.
What a round actually costs in 2026
Cost per player
Green fee, resort guest
$695
Green fee + cart, non-resort guest
$755
Single-bag caddie (plus tip)
$175
Double-bag caddie
$250
Forecaddie (3-player minimum)
$62.50
Club rental
$120 + tax
Rates run April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027, per Top 100 Golf Courses. Confirm with Pebble Beach Resorts before booking.
The catch: getting a tee time
Only resort guests can book more than 24 hours ahead, and that requires a two-night minimum stay at The Lodge, The Inn at Spanish Bay, or Casa Palmero. Some dates require three nights. Non-guests can call the day before and try for an open slot, which is a gamble if you're flying in.
Why it's worth it
Holes 7 through 10. The tiny downhill 7th and the cliffside 8th, 9th, and 10th are among the most famous stretches in golf.
The 18th. Finishing along the seawall is a moment golfers talk about for decades.
It's public. Very few courses of this stature let anyone book a round.
It's a trip, not a round. Most groups pair it with Spyglass Hill, Carmel dinners, and 17-Mile Drive.
Why it might not be
Pace of play. Pebble is busy year-round, so plan on a long day rather than a quick 18.
Weather. Fog and wind can hide the views you paid for, especially in summer.
Total cost. With lodging, a caddie, and tip, a single round can run well past $2,000 per golfer.
Our take
If you're going to play Pebble once, the green fee is only worth it if you remember the round. Pick a date with flexibility, take a caddie, and have someone capture it. A professional photo caddie walks with your group so you can play while every swing on the 7th and every high-five on 18 gets photographed.
Which Monterey courses can the public play?
Nine courses on and around the Monterey Peninsula take public tee times, from $695 Pebble Beach down to under $70 at Laguna Seca and Pacific Grove. Cypress Point, Monterey Peninsula Country Club, and The Preserve are private.
Course
Town
2026 green fee (approx.)
Best for
Pebble Beach
$695 resort / $755 non-resort
The bucket-list round
Pebble Beach
$550 resort / $610 non-resort
The toughest test on the peninsula; bookable 3 months out
Pebble Beach
about $350
Forest golf inside the Del Monte Forest, no resort stay needed
Carmel Valley
about $195
Sunnier valley golf with mountain views
Monterey
about $110 to $145
History: open since 1897, oldest course west of the Mississippi
Seaside
from $99
36 holes of championship golf with bay views
Pacific Grove
from $66
Oceanfront dunes on the back nine, "the poor man's Pebble"
Monterey
$58 weekday / $78 weekend
Budget round, walking allowed
Monterey
under $50
Short, friendly par 69 popular with locals
Heads up: The Links at Spanish Bay closed on March 18, 2026 for renovation and is set to reopen in spring 2027.
Fees change by season and time of day. Always confirm directly with the course before you book.
How to build a Monterey golf trip
Splurge once. Play Pebble Beach for the experience, then balance the budget with Pacific Grove or Bayonet.
Add Spyglass. Many locals rate it the better golf course, and it's far easier to book.
Stay off-resort for value rounds. Poppy Hills, Bayonet, and Del Monte don't require a resort stay.
How to make your Pebble Beach round worth every dollar
The green fee buys a few hours on the course. What you bring home is up to you.
Book your room and tee time together. Pebble Beach recommends requesting your tee time when you reserve your room, up to 18 months ahead at The Lodge.
Take a caddie. You'll learn the greens faster and hear the stories behind each hole.
Plan for layers. Coastal fog and afternoon wind are common, even in summer.
Get the whole group in the photos. On most golf trips, one person ends up behind the phone and missing from every picture. A Pebble Beach golf photographer fixes that.
Capture the signature holes. Ask for shots on the 7th green, along the cliffs on 8, and walking up 18 with the ocean behind you.
Let a photo caddie capture your round
Tee Time Photos brings 20 years of professional golf photography experience to Pebble Beach Golf Links. Our photo caddie walks with your group and stays out of the way of play.
Front Nine: front or back nine, at least 100 photos, 2-player minimum
Full Round: all 18 holes, at least 200 photos, 2-player minimum
Both include the spectator fee and a curated online gallery. See our Pebble Beach portfolio, read the FAQ, or book a photographer for your round. Larger group or corporate outing? Contact us for custom pricing.
For more trip ideas, browse the Tee Time Photos blog.
Tee Time Photos is an independent photography service, not affiliated with Pebble Beach Golf Links, and does not arrange tee times.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the green fee at Pebble Beach in 2026? $695 per player for resort guests, or $755 including the cart fee for non-resort guests, from April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027.
Can the public play Pebble Beach? Yes. Resort guests can book well in advance with a two-night minimum stay. Everyone else can try for a tee time 24 hours ahead.
What is the cheapest public golf course on the Monterey Peninsula? Laguna Seca Golf Ranch ($58 weekday) and Pacific Grove Golf Links (from $66) are the best budget options. Pacific Grove's back nine runs along the ocean.
Is Spyglass Hill easier to book than Pebble Beach? Yes. Non-resort guests can book Spyglass Hill up to three months in advance.
Is The Links at Spanish Bay open? Not in 2026. It closed for renovation in March 2026 and is scheduled to reopen in spring 2027.
Can I hire a photographer for my round at Pebble Beach? Yes. Tee Time Photos offers nine-hole and 18-hole photo caddie packages at Pebble Beach Golf Links, with 100 to 200+ photos in an online gallery.