Half Moon Bay come for the ocean stay for the golf

Half Moon Bay Golf Links
Memorable golf on coastal bluffs
less than an hour from San Francisco

I am back at that “city by the bay,” as Tony Bennett would sing. Well, almost. I’m actually at Half Moon Bay golf links, just 45 minutes south on Highway 1, but a world away from San Francisco with its soaring pyramid and urban feel. A couple of the holes at Half Moon Bay even run next to a farm.

On bluffs overlooking the Pacific, historic mansions with expansive ocean views line the highway. Surfers come to test their skills at Maverick Point, and the town of Half Moon Bay offers up a cultural hodgepodge of old hippies, good restaurants, coffee houses and eclectic shopping. In the right season, there is even whale watching.

Oh, yes, the golf. Half Moon Bay Golf Links has two courses—the Old course designed by Arnold Palmer, and the Ocean course by Arthur Hills. I played the Ocean Course, a links style layout with stunning sweeping vistas of the ocean and many other holes, which are separated by costal mounding and native fescue. On thirteen tee, I could see so many holes that I had to pay close attention to make sure I aimed at the correct fairway. The greens are poa annua, which most golf courses try to get rid of, but these babies putt straight, true and quick.

Number four is a 481-yard par five that usually plays down wind. It is followed by a 465-yard par four that usually plays into the wind. That made no sense to me till the pro explained that Arthur Hills’ strategy was to make four an easy birdie and five a tough bogie. He was trying to get a birdie-bogie sequence. That was a new one on me, but the more I thought about it, the more I liked it.

The great holes on the Ocean course are the signature finishing holes—16,17 and 18— that play along a bluff high above the ocean. If you hit it left, reload— you’re probably on the beach, at least a hundred feet straight down the cliff.

I stayed at the Half Moon Bay Lodge, a Best Western that is affiliated with the golf links. The Ritz Carlton down the road is the luxury spot, but it is the Lodge that offers the bargain “stay and play package.” My room was cozy and comfortable. A fire crackled in the real fireplace as I wrote this review. They put an easy to use Duraflame log in every fireplace. Add in the pool and fitness room, and this is a very nice Best Western.

February may not be the best month here. It was chilly and the course was soaked from previous rains, but come fall, spring or summer, it should be fabulous. Half Moon Bay Links hosts about 250 golf events a year—more than any other course on the west coast. All the staff I met were wonderfully helpful, including Al the ranger, who made a point of coming by when I was about halfway around to see if there was anything he could help with. Since he could not, help me with my swing, I declined with a smile.

If you go:
www.hmbgolflinks.com
Rates: $180 weekdays and $205 weekends
Pro shop: 650-726-1800
To organize an event, contact Brett Armstrong, tournament director
Stay and play: www.halfmoonbaylodge.com