Spanish Bay Golf: Coastal Challenges, Oceanic Beauty
A trip to Pebble Beach without a visit to Spanish Bay is like heading to Disney World and missing out on Epcot. It's an opportunity you wouldn't want to pass up. In my book, it's an often overlooked gem compared to its more famous siblings. Spanish Bay means business with its tight fairways, abundant sand, and a generous dose of that coastal wind. This course is a true test, no doubt.
One thing to keep in mind is that Spanish Bay doesn't boast a driving range, only a chipping and putting area. So, to warm up, you'll have to make your way to Pebble or Spyglass. Pebble Beach, naturally, offers the most impressive practice facility. But don't fret; there's a shuttle service that makes life a breeze, efficiently shuttling you between Pebble, Spyglass, and Spanish Bay.
If possible, make Spanish Bay your first round. Opened in 1987, it's a true links-style beauty, right on the ocean, and designed by the trio of Robert Trent Jones Jr., Tom Watson, and Sandy Tatum. Visually, it's nothing short of breathtaking and wouldn't be out of place along Scotland's Firth of Forth.
The opening hole, a par-5, extends a warm golfing welcome. It's tempting to go for the green in two, but let me tell you, there's absolutely no room for error. It's all about hitting and holding the green; otherwise, you're in for a world of trouble.
Spanish Bay has a few tricks up its sleeve, boasting plenty of blind tee shots. But as long as you keep your shots on the fairway, the course is more than manageable. I found myself cruising through the front nine, one over at the turn. However, here's the catch: the back nine is a different beast. It insists you keep it on the fairway and not miss those greens. Regrettably, I didn't heed this advice and ended up with a handful of double bogeys I'd rather forget.
Two holes, in particular, will test your mettle. The par-3 13th, deceptively short but with a deep ravine that spells trouble if you're long and misery if you're short. The 14th, a long par-5 heading back toward the ocean, offers very little room for error. Miss left off the tee, and you're in a tight spot. Miss right on the approach, and you're in for a headache.
Spanish Bay is a genuine challenge for golfers, demanding precision and patience, all set against the backdrop of the stunning California coast. It's the kind of challenge that can leave you with both frustration and a profound sense of accomplishment.
