Half Moon Bay Golf Links - Old Course

Lets get this out of the way first... the reason you come, and pay, to play Half Moon Bay is the 18th hole; and, to be clear, in my opinion it's worth it. The view is truly breathtaking, the golf itself is inspired, and the experience (including an entire terrace watching you finish up your round) is terrific.

I had arguably my worst round of my (6 round) trip, but I got par on #18 and was perfectly happy walking off the course... it's that cool. Speaking of walking off the green, we finished around sunset and to complete the mood they have a bagpipe player melodiously escorting you off the course.

None of this is to imply that the rest of the course is bad, because it's not. However, it is a residential course and looking at random picture of Half Moon Bay might inspire you to think you are getting the Pebble Beach experience. And, while #18 is right up there with what Pebble has to offer, the rest of the way around is just a nice golf course.

I thought both the routing and conditions were good. I wouldn't call it the toughest course I've played, but I think it stands up to its 73.1/132 (from the blue tees) and at 6610 is long enough to stretch you out and narrow enough to keep you honest while doing so. It's not heavily bunkered, but the traps are well placed in my opinion.. occupying landing areas so as to effect your score on a wayward shot.

Other than a couple holes I wouldn't say there is anything about this course that will over-penalize poor play and the going is quite fair in general. I didn't wind up in any traps so I can't speak to them, but the rest of the course was well maintained.

the service in the pro-shop was good and in the lot outside was actually terrific. We were stuck in traffic coming down from playing TPC Harding Park that morning in San Francisco and running late. The folks at the bag drop/valet parking area were all over this for us and made sure that we got checked in and off to our tee time in time. It was the most pro-active effort I've ever seen at a golf course... especially when it was in no way their fault we were coming in hot.

I will absolutely play at Half Moon Bay again, although I do think the linksy Ocean course will be more to my personal taste.

I played this course after a few days of heavy rain. The ball plugged and had little roll. I opted to play from the white tees. It's a course with lots of rolling hills and great vistas. It's through a housing subdivision but only a few times are there houses where they seemed to interfere with my sight line. The greens were almost fully recovered from being aerated too. Despite all these things, I totally loved this course. It was a quiet Saturday mid day and nearly had the course to my self due to the rain from the previous days. I found the greens to be challenging and just a bit bumpy from nearly healing.

It's got the great finishing holes. When you arrive at 17, it reminded my of the same walk coming to 17 at Pebble. Stunning par 3, (but an easier green) and then an amazing downhill par 4 to finish at the hotel. 18 is more downhill than you think..in fact, there are several holes, you need to add 10 - 15 yards from the fairway....Visually it's a tough course due to the hills, so trust your yardages from your scope. There's often a lot of space between the green and the background so it looks further.

I got a lot of sidehill and downhill lies as the ball simply would not roll out.

I would love to come back here when it's a bit drier.

Service was not good. Parking situation was confusing and they seemed under staffed. Greens had recently been punched. View on 18 is just as good as anything I have played and left me feeling better about the place. Not overly tough. Front 9 on the OC is pretty wide open. No cart service all day and bathrooms on the course were disgusting for a $200 course.

I love both courses here at HMB and just decided to review. Anytime I play somewhere else in the Bay Area I ask myself why am I not playing in Half Moon Bay. With the legends club the price is certainly better than if you are just paying the standard rate. The course is impeccably maintained, good pace if you play early and love the restaurant after the round.

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience on the Ocean Course. The course was in great condition and the staff was very professional, hospitable, and friendly. Kristy Kump on the Beverage Cart was in particular very impressive. She's one of the most professional and friendly beverage cart persons I've met. I highly recommend Half Moon Bay as a golf destination. Ask when Kristy is working and book your tee time!

It was a tough call between the Ocean Course and the Old Course. I really like links style golf, but all the reviews talked about how great the view on 18 at the Old Course was so I had to see what it was all about. And now here's another one... cause wow!

The whole course is a nice layout. The holes have character and you won't get bored. Some of the holes are a little tight to the house line, which can be troubling if you're off your game. All the same, the entire back 9 is a gem. The finishing 3 holes are particularly fun and beautiful.

18 tee is super cool. The approach shot is daunting and beautiful. To make it even more interesting you get a gallery of folks at the restaurant right by the green. No pressure!

Nothing but good things to say about the course. You should check it out! My only word of caution is about the parking situation. I was lucky enough to get the last spot in the tiny lot by the course. There is a parking garage nearby, but it's also available for parking to access the beach so it was already full when I arrived. Last resort would have been to valet. That was a minor issue though, and the rest of the experience was great.

Let me see if this makes sense: I think the Ocean is more of a "destination" play, but if I had to play one of the Half Moon Bay courses everyday, it'd probably be the Old Course. The Old has a very pleasant, walkable and traditional vibe with doglegs and fairways dotted with cypress trees. I'm a big fan of the downhill par-4 8th, which reveals a very neat green setting once you turn the corner.

Of course, there is no comparison to the back nine's grand reveal. Once you finish the 16th, you trudge up a hill to reveal the 17th and an ocean backdrop. It just gets better on the 18th hole, which hugs the cliffs from tee-to-green and is bar-none one of the best tee shots on a course not-named-Pebble in California.

Off-course amenities only gets three stars because there is no range and the short game area needs a refresh, but the clubhouse is second-to-none, so be sure to stick around for lunch or dinner after your round.

I'm probably in the minority here, but I enjoyed the Old Course at Half Moon Bay a lot more than the Ocean Course. Yes, until the 17th, the backdrop isn't as stunning; in fact, you may not even know you're on the ocean. However, most holes are memorable and offer a unique challenge. Course was in good shape, bunkering was very nice, and pin placements combined with thick rough just off the green made for some very challenging short shots.

I will be back, though the price is too high. HMB lacks a driving range, and there's no justifying the rack greens fees. Too many good courses in the area - the fact that the course is at a Ritz Carlton doesn't make it worth $197. I paid $89 and felt that was about right.

The Old Course plays 16 holes through residential areas and is parkland golf. Fairways and greens are well maintained. Approach shot accuracy is a must as pin placements are well thought out by the greens crew. The Par 3's are challenging with the high winds, especially Hole 17. We have a high, mid, and low handicapper in our group and the course was a treat for all of us. Hole 18 is so breathtaking it is almost gaudy. What a finishing hole. Long drive downhill with the Pacific on the right, then an approach shot uphill to an elevated green. Walk tall as there over 200 hotel guests enjoying the view from the patio overlooking the green. They are watching you!

For 16 holes, the Old course at Half Moon Bay winds its way through a neighborhood without much in the way of visual fireworks. Only the ninth hole - with the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay in the background - is aesthetically pleasing. That all changes at no. 17, a par 3 that provides a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean in the backdrop. Then BAM! The view from the 18th tee will floor you with the force of a Mike Tyson punch. The cliffs along the right side of the fairway fall to a beach on the Pacific Ocean. The imposing Ritz towers left of the green. It's a glorious moment. The Ocean course on the other side of the hotel might boast more water views throughout the round, but the shock-and-awe value of No. 18 erases any advantage the Ocean course might have in attracting visitors. Arnold Palmer built plenty of good golf holes on the Old course - the par-4 eighth, the par-3 13th, the par-5 15th and par-4 16th, for example. It's the finishing hole, however, that burns the longest lasting impression that stays with you years after the round.

First time playing at the old course, pro shop did not tell us about green condition. Most of the back nine greens were destroyed by fungus. You simply cannot put on this. Very disappointing. Layout of course was good and spectacular view on #18.

Very disappointing.

Incredible location and a very, very good design. Course conditions were excellent given drought and overloaded play on day I chose to play Ocean course. Poa greens get tired later in the day (footprints).

Expected for the price a higher end experience ....10-15 min tee times.... not every 8 min. Place was packed so felt like a golf factory at times.
Pro shop and restaurant were dirty and loud. Again overcrowded. No driving range!!!!! Really? trying to sell as 5-star w/o a place to warm-up?

Many well dressed, well equipped and truely awful golfers on the course slowed play dramatically. No ranger to move folks along. Not a place for beginner golfers.

I had been told the Old Course is more of a challenge and better golf course. I was told the views weren't quite as nice but numbers 17 and 18 have the best views I've seen on a course. Playing number 18 may be the best golf experience I've had. The other 16 holes are great too. Course is in great shape. Besides a mix up with where my car was parked by Valet and car alarms going off at the Ritz while playing 17 and 18 this was amazing. If you play near sunset the Bagpipes send chills down your spine. Play this course.

Several times, but every time you come back satisfied and personally prefers the ocean course