Pebble Beach Golf Links & Spyglass Hill: Playing (and Photographing) Golf's Most Iconic Coastline
Few stretches of coastline mean more to golfers than the Monterey Peninsula. Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course sit just minutes apart, yet each delivers a completely different test of your game. Whether you're crossing a round off your bucket list or returning for your tenth visit, this guide covers what makes each course special and how to make sure the moment lasts with professional golf course photography from TeeTimePhotos.
Pebble Beach Golf Links: Where Legends Tee Off
Since opening in 1919, Pebble Beach Golf Links has become one of the most famous public golf courses in the world. Designed by amateurs Jack Neville and Douglas Grant, the layout follows the rugged edge of Carmel Bay, with cliff-top fairways, small undulating greens, and ocean views on nearly every turn.
Championship History
Pebble Beach has hosted six U.S. Open Championships (1972, 1982, 1992, 2000, 2010, and 2019), plus the annual AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Tiger Woods won the 2000 U.S. Open here by a record 15 strokes, and the course is set to host the U.S. Open again in 2027. Walking the same fairways as Nicklaus, Watson, and Woods is a big part of the draw.
Unforgettable Scenery
The par-5 18th hole curls along the seawall with Carmel Bay crashing on your left, one of the most photographed finishing holes in golf. The tiny par-3 7th, played downhill toward the Pacific, is just as iconic. These are the shots golfers frame and hang on the wall, which is why many players book a Pebble Beach golf photographer to capture their round.
A Demanding Layout
Pebble rewards precision over power. Coastal wind changes club selection hole to hole, and the stretch from 6 through 10 along the cliffs can make or break a scorecard. Every hole has a story, and every shot feels like a new chapter.
The Ultimate Bucket-List Round
Scratch golfer or weekend warrior, playing Pebble Beach is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for most golfers. The memories linger long after the final putt drops, and action shots from your round make sure you can relive them for years.
Spyglass Hill Golf Course: Nature's Masterpiece
If Pebble Beach is the "Greatest Meeting of Land and Sea," Spyglass Hill is where sand meets forest. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and opened in 1966, it's widely considered one of the toughest courses on the Monterey Peninsula, and every hole is named after a character or place from Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island.
Dramatic Contrasts
The opening five holes wind through open sand dunes with sweeping ocean views. Then the course turns inland into the Del Monte Forest, where towering pines frame every fairway for the rest of your round.
Championship Pedigree
Spyglass Hill co-hosts the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and has served as a stroke-play venue for the U.S. Amateur Championship. The best players in the world have been tested here, and many leave with a higher score than they expected.
Signature Holes
Treasure Island (Hole 1): A sweeping downhill par 5 that drops from the forest toward the dunes and the Pacific.
Billy Bones (Hole 2): A short par 4 with a diagonal green cut into the hillside that demands a precise approach.
The Black Spot (Hole 3): A downhill par 3 into the ocean breeze, where putts tend to race toward the sea.
Blind Pew (Hole 4): A narrow green sunken between sand dunes. Pay close attention to the pin position.
Bird Rock (Hole 5): The final oceanside hole, a par 3 with a green ringed by dunes.
The dunes stretch on holes 1 through 5 is a favorite backdrop for golf course portraits and on-course photography, especially in the soft light of late afternoon.
Pine Valley Meets Augusta
Golfers often describe Spyglass Hill as a blend of Pine Valley's raw, sandy wildness and Augusta National's tree-lined elegance. It's a golfing adventure unlike anything else on the peninsula.
Capture Your Round: Why Golf Photography Matters at Pebble Beach
A round at Pebble Beach or Spyglass Hill is the kind of day you'll want to remember in detail, not just through a blurry phone snapshot from the cart. Most golfers are too focused on their game, and their group, to get great photos of themselves on the course.
That's where TeeTimePhotos.com comes in. A dedicated golf photographer can capture:
Your swing in action on signature holes like Pebble's 7th and 18th
Group and buddy-trip photos with the Pacific as your backdrop
Candid moments like celebrating a birdie or sinking the final putt
Corporate outings and special events, from client golf days to milestone birthdays
If you're planning a golf trip, a bachelor party, or a company outing on the Monterey Peninsula, book a golf photographer through TeeTimePhotos ahead of your tee time so your bucket-list round is documented from first tee to final green.
Plan Your Monterey Peninsula Golf Getaway
Both Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill are waiting for your tee time. Whether you're chasing history or seeking natural beauty, these two courses promise unforgettable rounds.
A few tips for planning:
Stay on property. Guests at The Lodge at Pebble Beach, The Inn at Spanish Bay, and Casa Palmero can book tee times further in advance than the general public.
Play both courses. Pair the coastal drama of Pebble with the forest-and-dunes challenge of Spyglass for a well-rounded trip.
Plan for the weather. Morning fog and afternoon wind are common, so pack layers.
Lock in your photographer early. Schedule your on-course golf photography session when you book your tee times, so every shot of your trip is covered.
Ready to make memories at golf's most iconic coastline? Book your stay, reserve your tee times, and let TeeTimePhotos.com capture the round of a lifetime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the public play Pebble Beach Golf Links?
Yes. Pebble Beach is a public course, though tee times are limited and in high demand. Resort guests get priority booking windows.
How many U.S. Opens has Pebble Beach hosted?
Six: 1972, 1982, 1992, 2000, 2010, and 2019. The U.S. Open is scheduled to return in 2027.
Who designed Spyglass Hill?
Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed Spyglass Hill, which opened in 1966. Each hole is named after a character or place from Treasure Island.
Can I hire a photographer for my round at Pebble Beach?
Yes. TeeTimePhotos.com offers on-course golf photography for individuals, groups, and corporate events, so you can focus on your game while a pro captures the moments.