Half Moon Bay Old Course

Apr 27th, 2011

The Old Course plays through an upscale housing community which can come into play if you really spray the ball. Fairly straight forward and traditional and most cases you can see the pin and what you're up against - no trick, or gimmicks. It's no walk in the park and can test your game, lots of out of bounds if you spray the ball, trees, plenty of bunkering, blind shots, risk reward opportunities, sharp dog legs, water hazards, contoured fairways, and challenging green complexes. The finish is the best, at the 17th the hole emerges from the tree and house lined fairways to a wide open par 3 with the "Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay" and tennis courts off to the left and the Pacific straight in front of you. The 18th is a cliff-hanging 412 yard downhill par 4 that from tee to green run along side a the sea cliff dropping off to the beach with the surf crashing on the sand and rocky outcroppings, you'd think you were at Pebble Beach. Don't miss the Conservatory for a drink and views post round. The fairways and rough were in very good condition. The greens are average size (some are huge) with gentle slope and some undulation, a little slow and bumpy, but ran true, were easy to read, and held the ball well. Overall fair and forgiving and won't beat you up