Pebble Beach vs. Spyglass Hill: Which Should You Play First?
Golfers planning a trip to the Monterey Peninsula almost always face the same question: if you can only fit in one round before Pebble Beach Golf Links, should it be Spyglass Hill — or should you save your legs and your swing for the big one first? Here's an honest, hole-by-hole breakdown to help you plan your trip.
The Case for Playing Spyglass Hill First
Spyglass Hill is widely regarded by touring professionals as the harder of the two courses, and there's a strategic argument for playing it before Pebble Beach:
It sharpens your course management. Spyglass's tight, tree-lined back thirteen holes force precise iron play and smart decision-making off the tee — skills that translate directly to Pebble's smaller, firmer greens.
It's easier to book. Unlike Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill doesn't require a resort stay to reserve a tee time, and you can book up to three months out. That flexibility makes it a natural "warm-up round" earlier in your trip.
It takes the nerves out of day one. Walking onto Pebble's first tee cold, with the ocean and the history weighing on you, can rattle even good players. A round at Spyglass the day before settles you into Peninsula golf — the wind, the greens, the pace — before the pressure round.
The Case for Playing Pebble Beach First
There's a counterargument, and plenty of golfers swear by it:
Tee time availability is unpredictable for non-resort guests. If you're not staying on property, you may only get 24–48 hours' notice for a Pebble Beach tee time. In that case, you take the round when it's offered, regardless of what else is on your itinerary.
Fresh legs, fresh focus. Some golfers would rather play their best-conditioned round on the course that matters most to them, rather than risk fatigue or a tweaked back from ambitious par-5s at Spyglass the day before.
The AT&T rotation logic. Since Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill, and Spanish Bay make up the Pro-Am rotation, playing them in tournament order (Spyglass, Spanish Bay, Pebble) is how some golfers like to "complete the set" chronologically.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Pebble Beach Golf LinksSpyglass Hill Golf CoursePar7272Signature stretchHoles 4–10 along Carmel BayHoles 1–5 through coastal dunesDifficultyDemanding but manageable off the teeConsistently ranked among the toughest in the U.S.Booking accessResort-guest priority; non-guests book 24–48 hrs outOpen to all, bookable up to 3 months aheadGreen fee~$675–$695~$495–$525Best forThe bucket-list, once-in-a-lifetime roundTesting your game against a true championship layout
Our Recommendation: Play Both, In This Order
If your itinerary allows it, play Spyglass Hill first. You'll get a feel for Peninsula wind and green speeds without the added weight of playing "the" Pebble Beach round, and you'll walk onto Pebble's first tee a day later already dialed in. If Pebble Beach tee time availability forces your hand, don't stress about the order — both courses reward golfers who show up ready to adapt.
Make Sure the Round Doesn't Just Live in Your Memory
Whichever order you choose, one thing is easy to overlook until it's too late: getting real photo evidence of the round. Scorecards fade and phone photos from a playing partner rarely do these courses justice.
That's where TeeTimePhotos.com comes in. Their photographers work directly around tee time schedules at Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill, positioning themselves at the holes worth remembering — Pebble's cliffside par-3 7th, Spyglass's dune-framed opening holes — so you leave with images that actually match the experience.
A few practical tips if you want photos from both rounds:
Reserve early. Since TeeTimePhotos.com coordinates around your actual tee times, book their service as soon as your Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill tee times are confirmed.
Ask for both courses. If you're playing the comparison trip described above, request coverage for both rounds so you have a complete before-and-after set.
Combine with your scorecard. Golfers who order prints often pair their photos from TeeTimePhotos.com with their signed scorecards for a framed keepsake of the trip.
Bottom Line
There's no wrong answer between Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill — both are must-plays if you're on the Monterey Peninsula. Plan your order around tee time availability and your own game, and make sure you've got a plan in place with TeeTimePhotos.com to capture whichever round you play first (and second).
Green fees, booking windows, and course availability are subject to change. Confirm current details directly with Pebble Beach Resorts before finalizing your trip.