Northern California Golf Course Reviews
Half Moon Bay Old Golf Course Review
Half Moon Bay, CA
75.2 rating; 135 slope |
Half Moon Bay Old Golf Course Overview: The first course at the Half Moon Bay coastal area is designed by Arnold Palmer (The other is the Ocean Course). It is mostly a tree-lined affair surrounded by the large houses of those lucky enough to own real estate in Half Moon Bay. The golf holes are generally long and difficult with trees ready to cause problems. However, the spaces are relatively wide enough to avoid hitting houses and going OB on most of the holes, which is nice. The course then undergoes its major reconstructive surgery on hole 17 when the trees are forsaken for two holes along the Pacific Ocean, which, although a little out of place with the remainder of the course, are pretty great golf holes. The best overall holes are reviewed below:
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Half Moon Bay Old Course Hole 3: This first par three of the day is guarded by a lake short and left, although there is heavy rough surrounding the green, which provides a little "help" in avoiding the water. The sand traps also increase the difficulty of hitting this green and staring down a birdie putt.
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Other San Francisco & Monterey Area
Golf Course Reviews: - TPC Harding Park - Crystal Springs Golf Course - Presidio Golf Course - Pebble Beach Golf Links - Spyglass Hill Golf - Spanish Bay Golf - Half Moon Bay, Ocean Course |
Half Moon Bay Old Course Hole 5: The classic short par five has a dogleg left that can clear a bunker and leave a chance at going for the green. Of course, there is a devilish little pond short and right of the green and the natural counters of the fairway and prevailing wind will both coax shots to the right, into the water, so some discretion is required for the normally aggressive golfer.
Half Moon Bay Old Course Hole 12: One of many long par fours, this one is fairly wide open but the penalty for going right is to find the reed-filled waters that dominate the landscape of this hole and the excellent, water surrounded, short par 3 to follow (unfortunately not pictured).
Half Moon Bay Old Course Hole 15: This long par five begins a good stretch of four finishing holes that are unique from each other entirely, but which test all aspects of the game. This one requires a drive right of the first lake. The second shot must then also stay right of the 2nd lake and left of the trees and houses. The final shot must then remain right of the final lake to find the putting surface.
Half Moon Bay Old Course Hole 16: The final tree lined drive of the day must avoid the hazard to the right and the very thick row of trees to the left. The approach is a difficult one across a steep hill / hazard to a relatively shallow and very undulating, wide green.
Half Moon Bay Old Course Hole 17: The first of two "ocean" holes has no chance of going in the ocean as there is 100 yards behind the green. However, the views on this short, but usually into the wind, par three are great.
Half Moon Bay Old Course Hole 18: The clear signature hole is often photographed, especially in Ritz-Carlton brochures. Also, those fans of the American Pie movie series will note this golf hole has also seen its share of movie cameras as well. Beyond being picturesque, the obvious danger is going right on either shot, but less obvious is that the player can actually drive through the fairway into the trouble. The approach is relatively open, but the true fear is created by the large number of people watching you from their lounge chairs at the Ritz and the little voice in the golfer's head that says: "if I blade this, someone may die."