A Monterey local's take

[jmhunter]

Hey all:
I live in beautiful Salinas, CA, about a 20 minute drive to Monterey.

I would say if you come to the area, forget pebble beach. You have to play Pacific Grove Municipal. The back 9 are designed by the same designer as PB, and are right on the ocean like PB. Locally we call it "poor mans pebble beach". It's about $35 for a tee time during peak hours. You're going to need to reserve it in advance during summer.As a crow flies you're looking at maybe a physical mile between those two courses.

The courses I play regularly are:
Twin Creeks, Salinas: The base of First Tee in Monterey, a good course very family friendly, and only 9 bucks to play all 9 after 5.

Monterey pines, Monterey: Navy golf. This is located off base right at the end of the airport runway. It's a good course but they could take MUCH better care of it. $17 for 18 after 3 pm is hard to beat in Monterey

Pajaro Valley Golf Club: This I believe is soon to become my home golf course. A beautiful setting, landscape in perfect condition, and the generous sundown time, makes for a $20 - 8 hole game. I fell in love with this course tonight, it isn't to be missed.

I stay away from everything else thus far. Salinas Fairways, Spring Hills, San Jose Muni, Delaveaga are all on my list to play.

[sonicblue]

A few years ago, a friend of mine was working in Monterey and I went out to visit him. His boss had some kind of playing card and we played Spanish Bay for "only" $95 each. That course was flat beautiful, nicest I've ever stepped foot on to date.

Two days later, we had the bug to play again but couldn't foot the $95 again, so we played PGM. $11 for a twilight round, with lush grass, good conditions, views of the ocean, and even a few deer spectating about 15 feet from a couple greens. That bang-for-your-buck will never be matched again!

[jmhunter]

There is definitely lots of good golf here, on the cheap. I would personally not waste my money on a pebble beach co course, instead i'd play every other course in the area.

[oneil003]

wow, today i played pacific grove muni, as i was deciding between playing that or poppy hills. i decided to go with what i have heard about pacific grove- it is similar to all the other courses in the area, but for a lot cheaper. all i can say is that i loved it, the back nine is the most amazing golf i have every played. i shot a 40 on the back nine, and i am still stoked from how much fun i had. im hoping to go back soon, and i definetely agree with jmhunter