Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay

best links course in Ca. When it is overcast you fell as if you are in Ireland.

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.

Started the year off with a new course that I've been trying to get out to for 2 years now. Course did not disappoint. Weather was sunny (but chilly) with a 12-15 mph wind. Conditions of the track were excellent as expected. Greens were a solid 9. Rolled true at a medium fast pace. Greens were the perfect speed, size and offered jus the right amount of undulations to be challenging but not overwhelming.

Fairways ranged from a 9.5 down to a "low" 8. The only exception was number 18 which had some thin areas. Rough was manageable. With rain a week or so ago followed by a few sunny days, my guess is the rough had recently been mowed down to a respectable height.

Tee boxes were level semi-lush and divot free. I somehow managed to avoid the sand traps all day.

Layout of the track is spectacular. Several views of the ocean throughout the course along with some forced carries over a couple of ponds/lakes. There is just enough elevation change (albeit slight) to keep the track from being completely flat. None of the holes have any real severe dog legs and a few of the tee boxes look down double fairways. I was with my buddy who's a member so he knew the layout which helped a ton. Otherwise it would be very easy to hit (purposely) onto the wrong fairway.

Overall, it's a great course, with both views and conditions being in the excellent category. Probably a new Top 10 course, though it's getting harder and harder to knock courses out of the top 10 when a new one comes in.

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.

It's one of those courses I'd like to play a few times but not every day. This course is all about the Pacific Ocean views. It has amazing vista's I'm mean breath taking views. But the course doesn't offer more than than that. Unlike Pebble Beach where the ocean is part of the story, the ocean is the story. The rest of the course plays up and down the hills and valley's. Take extra club on approaches up some steep hills. Pick out distant targets to find your line. Fairways are well wide and generous...classic resort style layout.

Greens were just coming out of aeration and basically just better than Fred Flintstone's bowling alley. The course was wet from heavy rain. It's still in pristine shape at an amazing resort. It's a perfect birthday cake,,,but who wants birthday cake every day?

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.

Yes the layout, course condition, and staff were all top notch.

But, all I remember from the day was #17 and #18. Besides Pebble, these two finishing holes are the best around!

If you haven't played the Old Course at HMB, put on your must play list!

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!

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.

Ocean Course

Beautiful view (nearly every hole has a view of the ocean. Course was in very nice condition. Not a super difficult course but very easy to lose balls if you don't hit it in the fairway.

The carts were disappointing for this level of course (no GPS or ice chests)

Played front 9 in about 1.5 hours, then got to the 10th tee with three groups waiting (I was the fourth). Back 9 was probably 3.5 hours. They could really improve the overall experience by having marshals on the course to keep people moving and to help spot for lost balls (especially on the nastier holes). It really lessened the overall experience having two or three groups waiting on every tee box.

I got to play first thing on a weekday morning. The staff were very friendly and offered tips about playing the course. The course was in perfect condition. The greens were a little slick but rolled true. They have a warm up area for chipping and putting but no range. If you have time, stop by Oceanview Driving Range over on nearby Kelly Ave before arriving at the course. The greens fee included a cart and I wanted to play another 18 that afternoon so I rode, but the course is very walkable.

Worth every penny. I was told that the views and coastal golf were similar to that of Pebble. Every hole I had to stop and take it in.

Course was in fantastic shape. From tee to green it was immaculate. I am used to Texas fairways and was loving the softness of the turf. I was able to take pro 8 inch divots while shaping my ball flight in the wind. The greens were quick as expected, but rolled perfect. You really have to hit it close or risk a 3 putt. The course is not long so I played from the tips. I tend to hit my drive 280 on average. The longest par 3 was ~205 from the tips and most par 5s I was within 50 yds for my third shot. No range at the course. They do have a small chipping and putting area. Go play it!

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 didn't realize just how close Half Moon Bay was to San Francisco until I made the drive from SFO down to the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay. It can be done in 40 minutes flat and it's certainly a scenic drive, to boot.

So maybe the Monterey Peninsula is a little too far away for a quick city escape, but Half Moon Bay is certainly worth the detour from all the city splendor that is SF. There are two very different courses at 36-hole Half Moon Bay and I think I curry favor by the slightest of margins to the Ocean Course (possibly because I played it twice - familiarity seems to breed favorability in golf travel, I've found).

The course certainly looks like a links, especially with the morning fog and brisk breeze. The turf is a little too spongy to call it a "true links," but the fairways and in perfect shape and the greens are wonderful to putt. There are a lot of neat holes here, but the par-4 16th is the real deal. It's a wonderful elevated tee shot overlooking the beach. 17 and 18 play alongside the cliffs as well.

I view this course as a kind of 4.51 overall rating, and considering they allow walking and it's a good walk, pushed it up to 5. The folks here are great too, and while your most avid architecture buff might wish for firmer turf, I don't think anyone walks off the 18th at Half Moon Bay unhappy. It certainly warrants consideration in any Top 10 public NoCal experiences. And I was actually pretty surprised to see that tee times are dynamic and usually in the $100-175 range, which probably doesn't get you a meal for four in Fisherman's Wharf these days.

Speaking of, the restaurant here, Mullins (named after their former head pro of 30 years) is fabulous. They even have lawn games and tons of spots to watch games. Doesn't get much better. We even ran into Robert Trent Jones Jr. and his family one night.

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.

A disclaimer - we golfed on a discount so the cost factor made this course (Ocean) exceptional.

We also had a picturesque day. In a way, I wish it was cold, windy and miserable so I can experience Scottish troon golf. Well, maybe not.

The course was in great shape and the layout is excellent. My only mistake was playing the white tees (6052 yds) instead of the blue tees. The fairways are generous so just freely swinging the club made it more fun. There are few holes where you can actually hit a ball through the fairway so accuracy is your friend. I can see how this course would bite if the wind picked up. Overall a fantastic experience.

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!