Is Half Moon Bay the best piece of property Art Hills had to design a golf course on? It’s hard to argue otherwise. The final three holes along the cliffs are simply spectacular. The reveal at #1 green; the grand tee shot on #2; the panoramic view from the #13 tee box; the graceful curving uphill par five #14; all are special moments one experiences during the round.
The Ocean course was designed in 1997 and is located 20 minutes south of San Francisco. While it gets high remarks from the majority of golfers, it surprisingly fails to crack the Top 100 public list in any publication. I believe the reason is most of the course plays in a field away from the water. Art Hills kept to his style of building a simple playable course, and that decision roils many who fancy an elaborate, over shaped version that could be mistaken for Scotland. It’s not a coincidence that every public course that plays along the coast from Torrey Pines to Sandpiper to Half Moon Bay all endure the same criticisms.
(The opening hole doglegs right with the green tied between two ridges. A swale stymies any ground game options from running onto the putting surface…
…as you walk up to the green this gorgeous reveal instantly captures your attention. Golf by the ocean is truly a wonderful feeling. 394/376/360)
(The short par four second plays over a wide gully that requires a 160 yard carry from the white tees. The golfer can drive the ball as far as he’d like towards the green. Note the fence below the tee box. A coastal path winds through course, allowing the general public access to the coastline and beach. 344/332/297)
(Water from the golf course was not allowed to infiltrate the ocean so Hills built a retention pond and the lovely par three seventh makes good use of it. The texture of the trees and backdrop of the hills add to the setting. 172/155/143)
(Look at this view from sixteen tee! I doubt very much we’ll see a property like this be developed into a golf course in the foreseeable future. It’s a downhill par four with a dry wash fronting the green. 403/381/360)
(The par three seventeenth is the showstopper at Half Moon Bay’s Ocean Course. Anything hit left is down on the beach. The coastal path is out of view on the right, but it is not uncommon to have a half dozen or more onlookers watching you hit. 184/149/129)
(The uphill par five eighteenth begins with a grand tee shot over the baranca and finishes up with a pedestal green backdropped by the Ritz Carlton. That pesky coastal path is only several yards to the left so once again expect an audience. It’s a good birdie opportunity to end the round. 533/527/527…
…this is the view looking back. Half Moon Bay is one of the best coastlines you can golf on.)
I had to make a decision between Half Moon Bay or Harding Park, and while I’d love to play the four major munis (Torrey Pines, Bethpage Black, Chambers Bay, Harding Park) I’m very pleased that I choose to play here. The opportunity to play along the ocean with views like this is few and far between. I give it a 6 (very good)(worth driving 1-2 hours to play). It may very well be the best public golf option in the San Francisco area.
(I played the white tees at 6,081 yards. I was armed with two new clubs, my Ping 440 Max driver and 56 degree S- grind 10 bounce Vokey wedge. The wedge was awesome! The shots and spin I was able to generate on 40-60 yards pitches saved me four strokes. It took most of the front nine to get my driver going but the bomb I hit on eighteen reassured me that I made a good choice. Btw, the greens fee was only $180! That’s a steal considering courses like Pasatiempo and Poppy Hills are both double in price.)
(I captured this cool picture as a small mist moved across the course.)
(This is the par five tenth green. The little ridge my ball is on blocks you from getting a complete view of the green.)
(This is the view from thirteen tee overlooking the golf course. The ocean is a constant companion sans the 7-9 trio.)
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