Monarch Beach Golf Links
A sunset view of a green at Monarch Beach Golf Links.
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Rating Index Rating
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4.3
263 Reviews (263)
5 Stars
156
4 Stars
64
3 Stars
28
2 Stars
11
1 Stars
4
Conditions
4.3
Value
3.9
Layout
4.6
Friendliness
4.8
Pace
4.0
Amenities
4.7
88.2%
Recommend this course
226 out of 263 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.9
9 Reviews (9)
5 Stars
4
4 Stars
3
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.3
Value
3.9
Layout
4.6
Pace
3.6
Amenities
4.9
StaffFriendliness
4.9
88.9%
Recommend this course
8 out of 9 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.3
16 Reviews (16)
5 Stars
10
4 Stars
4
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.1
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.9
StaffFriendliness
4.9
93.8%
Recommend this course
15 out of 16 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
Exceptionally friendly staff and a beautifully maintained layout with challenging, undulating greens consistently impress recent golfers. Rounds regularly finish in under four hours, making this course a rewarding and well-paced experience.

About

Holes 18
Type Resort
Style Links
Par 70
Length 6645 yards
Slope 143
Rating 78.2

Playing at Monarch Beach Golf Links will bring to mind the great traditions of Scottish links golf. The seaside course offers sweeping views of the oceanfront as well as a challenging and diverse layout. Robert Trent Jones, Jr. designed the golf course, fully utilizing the dramatic bluffs and natural beauty of the landscape. The course offers small, rolling greens and tight fairways that are both kept in excellent condition. Strategically placed bunkers wait treacherously throughout the course and there are a number of tricky doglegs to watch out for. The course is on the shorter side but it is an excellent place to work on your iron game. Monarch Beach Golf Links' par-4 third hole is one of the most difficult. It plays along the ocean but don't let the views distract from the challenging green that is dramatically undulated.

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Monarch Beach Golf Links
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Course Details

Year Built 1983
Golf Season Year round

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
GPS Yes
Pull-carts Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf Simulator Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Indoor Practice Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Fivesomes Allowed No
Single Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes
Dress code Proper golf attire.

Food & Beverage

Food & Beverage

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Locker Rooms

Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Golfers' Choice (2025 #6)
  • Golf Advisor: Top 25 Off-course amenities in the U.S. (2025 #15)
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Reviews

4.3
263 Reviews (263)

What Golfers Are Saying

Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 7
Undulating Greens 7
Water Hazards 6
This course/club is great for:
A Weekend Splurge 7
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 7
Advanced Golfers 6
This Course's Location is:
At a Resort 7

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 25
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Tremendous for the golfnow price.

I'm an east coast golfer and this was just the trick to get me through the difficult winter. Conditions were excellent (played in Feb), and I got a great rate. What an amazing view on #3, worth half the price on its own. Staff couldn't have been friendlier. Played with a former collegiate player who plays there a lot, showed me around the course. The only thing I didn't really like was the warm up cages instead of a driving range, it's a little deceptive online, kinda looks like they have a range, but definitely not. Minor quibble in an otherwise great experience (even the lunch was great!).

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 15
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

OUTSTANDING!!!!!

This is not a course that I would have played had it not been for Golfnow.com. The price was amazing for what this course has to offer. It is everything and more! Even in the dead of Southern California's winter, the grass is only mildly dormant and the greens are perhaps the most challenging I have encountered. Breath taking views with the signature hole right on the beach. The staff was extremely welcoming and helpful. Pace of play made us feel like we were the only group on the course. Not something that generally happens in these parts.
Thank You Monarch Beach!
We will be back very soon.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Best in the area

We played 6 courses in a week and we all liked this course the best [over La Costa, Torrey Pines and Trump National].

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Awesome course

I love playing this course! I have played it over 10 times now and it never gets old. The new owners are bringing it back to its former glory. Conditions are excellent and the customer service is top notch! Can't wait to come back.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Really enjoyable and challenging but pricey unless you get a discount

Played the back tees, and the course offers a good blend of long par 4's, par 3's. Only a few holes where you can get pelted from the other fairway.

Greens are difficult and were running 10 -11, and in best shape I have seen in the area.

Carts have GPS, which is more of a nuisance, constantly offering up advertising. ARE YOU HUNGRY.

All staff was great

Not worth the big bucks unless all you care about are the ocean views. Get a discount before you go.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Good course for the money

If you're getting the GolfNow deal of $79 at peak hour on a weekday, this is a great course. I wouldn't pay the full price of $185, but it's definitely worth the $79. Beautiful views, greens were in great shape, and a solid, challenging layout.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

slick greens

Overall course condition was very good. Greens were super slick. Combined with the amount of undulation made for a difficult day for many golfers around the green, this frustration was directly related to the players shortgame skill. I saw one golfer 5 putt and then pick up. I'm a 7 hndcp and had five 3 putts. A couple of the pin locations were questionable with the speed of the greens. However, the greens rolled smooth and consistant. Pace of play was slow mainly because of how nice the greens were. Staff was great except for the oldest of the outside help, maybe he's more friendly in the afternoons. Price at $94 was fair. Being a resort course, the concession prices were very high as can be anticipated.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 25+
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Beautiful course, great staff, bird problems

Monarch Beach is a beautiful course with plenty of challenging holes, especially for a novice like me. Anytime you can hear the thunder of waves crashing as you play through a couple of holes is a bonus. The staff are incredibly professional and attentive from the pro shop out to the parking lot.

The only complaint was that there were large flocks of migratory waterfowl that made a mess of where ever they decided to hang out, especially noticeable on the greens. This is a seasonal issue and they are looking for a solution. Being from Texas I offered a couple of suggestions that may not fly here in California.

I would recommend this course to a friend and would play it again, assuming I can get a similar deal. The GolfNow price was lower by $5.00 than the specials that my partners paid.

Make sure to check-in with your FourSquare app for a buy one get one special for MBGC logo-ed hats.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Great time

Anytime you can get out on Monarch for $90 you have to do it.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

It was a great golfing experience

The course was challenging but can manage. Since rain was expected but didn't there was no crowd. The only drawback is there is no driving range but have given driving cages which was adequate.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 41
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Worth the while. Look for bargain greens' fees

Enjoyable course, The rack rate is obnoxious but thanks to Golfnow.com, I received a reasonable price on greens' fee. Don't be misled and think that this is an ocean course. Only two holes are near the beach. But on a sunny day, the views are still wonderful. And even though it's not the most challenging course, it's design will appeal to the strategic thinking golfer.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser

Coot Alert!

Two holes unplayable including #18, so it is 'fresh' in my memory. The amount of droppings from 100 yards in, but especially on the green, made the hole -again- unplayable.

Glad I got a 1/2 price deal for a last minute round.. The other 16 presented a fun round. Good true rolling greens. Local Knowledge Required on reading greens!

Solving the Coot droppings problem would make this a return venue.

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 76
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Beautifully maintained with a couple of nice photo opps of the ocean

Pace was average but we did play on Sunday with an $80 savings for twilight start around noon. Enjoyed the day and the course very much. It sure made my bunker shot better....had enough practice!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 13
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Mo @ Monarch

From complimentary valet parking o check in, to tee time, to finish, and to picking up the car, it was 5 star treatment. Everyone was very attentive both before and after the round. Despite five days of rain, the course was in excellent condition although it was soggy around the edges. Bunkers and greens were top notch and no problems with putting.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Staff at corse was extremely helpful and friendly. Purchasing tee time thru golf now saved us over 50%.

The views of the ocean hole were worth the price of the green fees. The corse required all clubs in the bag. When I am in the area again I will for sure try to play this track again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Perfect Conditions

Played Monarch Beach Golf Links on 11/19/12 and the course could not have been in better shape. The greens were perfect! Great weather and great golf course. I know the regular price is steep, but deals can be found. Teed off at 7:10 AM and only 4 golfers were on the course ahead of us. Will be back there again!

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 17
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Great course and great GolfNow value.

Last minute find! Pace of play was slower than necessary.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

terrific

everything was really enjoyable, easy, if they could do one thing, maybe a sign or two from the PCH when actually pulling off the freeway, unless you know where it is, can be a little tricky finding it exactly, but really enjoyable.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Nice experience.

The course was in very good shape. Greens were a little soft but that was due to the dry weather we have been having and the fact that they were keeping them watered. The fairways were in nice shape as well and the pace of play was around 4 hours or so. I will definitely play the course again. Some of the ocean views are spectacular! The new owners seem to have a handle on taking care of the course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser

Good course if you can get a discounted rate.

We played Sept. 3, and the course was being prepared for overseeding. The fairway grass was completely dead, but it was still very playable. It was very disappointing because this a very nice couse, but it loses its appeal when it is in this condition. It would be nice if the course would provide this type of info when booking on Golf Now.

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Difficulty Moderate
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