Del Monte™ Golf Course

Del Monte - the oldest course in continuous operation west of the Mississippi - often gets left off the rotation when golfers visit Pebble Beach Resorts. It isn't located on the resort's main footprint, and therefore, isn't on the water like Pebble Beach, Spanish Bay and Spyglass Hill. But it also costs half as much to play and is kept in good condition. It's a hoot to play, roaming through a neighborhood adjacent to a Hyatt hotel. Since the routing maxes out at 6,300 yards, it's a more relaxing round that takes less time to play. It's not easy, by any means. The bunkers have steep edges. Many of the holes feature a subtle charm. Maybe there's a nice dogleg or elevated green or semi-blind tee shot to keep things interesting. It's hard to walk off Del Monte without smiling.

Go back in time and play a course the way golf was meant to be played - fast and enjoyable. Del Monte Golf Course, built in 1897, is a hidden gem in downtown Monterey that I have been playing since 1994 when I moved to the area. The staff is always friendly, course always in great shape and pace of play is phenomenal. I would recommend playing Del Monte on any trip to the Monterey Peninsula.