Famed California golf resort Pebble Beach has announced the opening of The Hay, a stunning new nine-hole course designed by Tiger Woods. Let’s take a look.
The 670-yard short course overlooks Pebble Beach Golf Links along the Pacific Coast, one of the world’s most beautiful courses and host of Woods’ first US Open triumph in 2000.
The resort, also home to Del Monte Golf Course, Spyglass Hill, and The Links at Spanish Bay, is arguably the crown jewel of American golf – and now Woods and his TGR Design firm has redesigned its historic Peter Hay short course, which originally opened in 1957. Woods’ overhaul also includes the resort’s first ever putting course which covers 20,000 square feet.
The Hay officially debuts April 16, with an ocean-view restaurant behind the 9th green opening later in 2021.
Tiger’s inspiration
Hay was the long-time head pro at Del Monte and Pebble Beach and a huge advocate of junior golf, and his original design was one of the first par-3 courses built in the US. Woods’ own experience learning the game as a junior inspired his redesign.
“I grew up playing a par-3 course in Long Beach. I always thought it’s the easiest way to learn. It can attract the youth to play our sport,” Woods said.
The Hay will be complimentary for all golfers 12 and under and it has been designed to be fun, with eight holes able to be played with any club in the bag and one that is an exact replica of the famed 106-yard No. 7 at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Each hole can be set up for beginners or experts.
“Everyone who plays this course is going to enjoy the playability,” Woods added. “I want to be able to bump the ball around the golf course. Eight out of the nine holes, you can putt, or you can throw it straight up in the air.”
The holes range from 47 to 106 yards and descend and climb over 70 feet in elevation. Great views abound with some holes nestled cozily among historic oaks, while others shoot straight at the sparking Stillwater Cove. Great variety comes in the form of undulating greens, biarritz gullies, swales and swirling bowls, as well as false fronts and feeding slopes.
The 15-times major winner has also paired the yardage of each hole with a significant year in Pebble Beach history, with nods to victories by Jack Nicklaus among others, with plaques on each tee telling the story.
Pebble Beach Resort
To get to Pebble Beach you can fly direct into San Francisco or San Jose International Airport, both less than two hours away. Visitors can pre-book tee times at Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill, Del Monte Golf Course and The Links at Spanish Bay by staying at The Lodge at Pebble Beach or The Inn at Spanish Bay, both fantastic accommodation options.
The Lodge has luxurious rooms, excellent dining options, an award-winning spa, tennis courts and fitness centre. The Inn at Spanish Bay boasts stylish rooms, several restaurants and bars, a spa, fitness centre, tennis courts and a retail arcade.
Guests at either hotel can explore the spectacular Monterey countryside and beaches, as well as nearby world-class golf courses such as Poppy Hills Golf Club and Pacific Grove Golf Links.
