The Ocean Course
A Wind-Swept, Scottish-Inspired
Coastal Gem
Opening in 1997, this unique course was designed by renowned golf architect Arthur Hills in traditional “Links style” design.
The Course
You’ll find firm, wide open fairways bordered by wispy native grasses and seasonal wildflowers. The changes in elevation add drama, as does the prevailing on-shore winds, coastal fog and jaw-dropping sunsets. Many large bunker complexes are shared by opposing holes and the undulating greens provide plenty of short-game challenges. As is traditional in Links golf, you’ll leave the clubhouse on the first hole and not return until hole 18. While views of the Pacific can be found on nearly every hole, it is the final three holes that truly set the course apart. From an elevated perch, the 16th hole kicks off the oceanside homestretch with magnificent views in all directions. This challenging par-four leads to the blufftop 17th, which some compare to Pebble Beach’s famous 7th. Take a moment to enjoy the surroundings before hitting to an elegantly placed green just steps from one of the Bay Area’s most beautiful beaches. Finally, after teeing off over Cañada Verde Creek canyon, you’ll finish on the oceanside 18th hole to the base of the incomparable Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay. Time it right and you’ll hear the sound of traditional Scottish bagpipes lead you to the clubhouse as the sun sets.
Your Guide to Playing at
Half Moon Bay Golf Links
Practice Green & Warm-Up Area
Two putting greens, a 50-yard chipping area, and practice bunker area are available for warm up.
Please note: no full driving range. There is an independent driving range located in Half Moon Bay.
Golf Dress Code & Course Etiquette
- Proper golf attire required (no denim pants or shorts, cut-offs, or t-shirts please)
- Outside alcohol is not permitted on the course
- No pets allowed on the course
- If you enjoy music on the course, please keep the volume to a minimum.
- 2 person limit per cart
Fall 2025 Course Maintenance Alerts
- Old Course Aeration: October 27–29, 2025
- Ocean Course Aeration: November 1-3, 2025
Advance Tee Time Booking
Half Moon Bay Golf Links allows guests to make reservations up to 120 days in advance. Reservations for tee times more than 30 days out must be made by phoning the golf shop at (650) 726-1800. Advanced reservations will include an additional non refundable booking fee.
Hole 1
The first hole fairway and 18th hole fairway are joined together in true links form. Your tee shot can be played aggressively along the right corner of the second bunker. Keep in mind, there is a third bunker that is not visible from the tee. The green complex is perhaps the most undulating of all on the golf course. A good play is the middle of the green.
Hole 2
After taking in the view, your tee shot will appear to be much narrower than the first hole; however, there is plenty of fairway to land your tee shot. A fairway wood or iron may be all that is needed to carry the barranca and reach the fairway. Your second shot is typically a short iron or wedge to a fairly flat putting surface. A great hole to score.
Hole 3
This short par three often plays into the wind and will require more club than the yardage indicates. There is an undulation on the left third of the green that will carry your tee shot to the fringe or into the bunker on faster days. Keep your tee shot just right of the flag and pay special attention to the depth of the flag stick location. This green is deeper than most, especially into the prevailing wind.
Hole 4
Arthur Hills, renowned architect of the Ocean Course, referred to the 4th hole and 5th hole together as a par 9. Depending on wind direction, the 4th hole is typically a short par five that can be reached easily with two well executed shots. Play your drive down the right center of the fairway. The left side will narrow for longer hitters. Your second shot can be played aggressively to a fairly receptive and flat putting surface.
Hole 5
The 5th hole typically plays into a prevailing wind. There is plenty of fairway on the left side or right side; however, the fairway slopes a bit to the right and tends to be firm on the left side favoring a left center tee shot. Your second shot is often a long iron or fairway wood to a green complex that features a large knob on the left side. In certain conditions, this is a three shot hole for better players.
Hole 6
The wind is typically to your back, which could bring the native grass into play along the deep right side of the fairway for the long hitters. Play your tee shot center to center right. Your second shot could be impacted by a ridge that runs along the left third of the green from front to back. There is also a significant slope on the back third of the green that can be used to draw a second shot from the back of the green toward the middle of the green for a center flagstick.
Hole 7
The 7th hole is defended by a large pond that requires your tee shot to fully carry the hazard. A shot played to the left side of the green will require a longer carry. A good play to this green is center of the green to right center and add a half of club to your shot. The tee shot plays the distance.
Hole 8
An aggressive tee shot played along the left side can set up an opportunity to reach the par five 8th hole in two. A conservative play down the middle or to the right center of the fairway could bring a slope into play, providing for a more difficult play to the green. Your second shot can be played a number of ways. The right side of this fairway is very flat, and sets up nicely for a short wedge to the green. A shot played directly to the green must carry to the front 10 feet of the putting surface or it may draw backward to the collection area short of the green, requiring a difficult wedge to the flagstick. The green complex is one of the largest on the course, sloping left to right. Good hole to make four.
Hole 9
The last of the outward nine, the 9th hole finishes at the furthest point from the clubhouse and often is played in weather conditions different from the coastal holes. The green complex slopes right to left and requires a longer carry to play to the right side of the green. This short par three plays uphill and typically requires more club to carry the intended distance and avoid the large bunker that protects the hole.
Hole 10
The tee shot is typically into a prevailing wind making this a three shot par five for most players. Your second shot must be kept left of the fairway bunker to avoid a blind approach shot into the green. Laying up to 120 yards short of the green will avoid a deep grass bunker left of the fairway. The approach shot plays into a deep and slightly elevated green. A prevailing wind often requires more club than the yardage indicates.
Hole 11
This strong par four requires a well struck tee shot ideally placed to the left center of the fairway to provide the best angle for your approach shot. This deep green slopes front to back/right to left and will release more than most greens on the Ocean Course. Keep your approach toward the center of the green to avoid a collection area right of the green. A formidable right to left sloping green makes recovery difficult from the right side.
Hole 12
The par three 12th hole provides classic links-golf options for the tee shot. In a formidable wind, players can use the slope left of the green to move the ball onto the green, effectively expanding the landing area. The green complex is very deep and requires careful consideration to reach the back third of the surface. Overall, the putting surface is fairly flat, allowing a good opportunity to score after a successful tee shot.
Hole 13
Enjoy the view! The fairway slopes left to right, favoring a tee shot played left center. This elevated green features two tiers and slopes formidably from back to front and left to right, placing a premium on both distance and direction of the approach shot. As you approach the ocean side holes, you will notice level putts tend to break toward the ocean.
Hole 14
Although the hole routes uphill, the tee shot tends to play down wind, making this a par five that can be reached with two well played shots. The fairway slopes right to left and tends to reward a tee shot played in the middle the same as a tee shot played more aggressively down the left side. This green slopes right to left and is receptive to an approach shot from the right side. There is a false front on the right third of the green that will send a short approach several yards back off the green.
Hole 15
The first of four ocean-side finishing holes, the 15th fairway is tightly guarded by out-of-bounds on the left side and requires an accurate tee shot favoring the left center of the fairway to avoid both the OB and fairway bunker along the right side. A severe slope before the green and just right of the green combined with a prevailing wind in the player’s face make club selection critical to avoid coming up short. There is a ridge that travels along the center of the green from front to back that makes this one of the more difficult greens to putt. It is best to stay to the right of the flagstick on your second shot.
Hole 16
The 16th hole has been the stage for numerous commercials including Callaway Golf and Corona, and may be one of the most popular places to take a photo or enjoy a fine Scotch! A generous fairway provides the player an option to play their favorite tee shot with success; however, the best angle to the green is from the center of the fairway or slightly right. There is a barranca stretching left to right in front of the green requiring a full carry of the approach shot to the green. A ridge on the back right of the green running from back to front must be considered on the approach shot to avoid a difficult putt.
Hole 17
This stunning ocean-side par three is heavily guarded by the Pacific Ocean, a ravine short of the green and a collection area right of the green. Shot selection is critical, and will be heavily influenced by the direction and intensity of the on-shore wind. The green complex features a subtle ridge running along the middle of the green from back to front. Another great place to take a photo!
Hole 18
A well-played tee shot favoring the left side of the fairway sets up the best opportunity to reach this impressive par five finishing hole in two. The green complex is narrow from front to back, stretching right to left with the far left side of the green playing longer than a flagstick located on the right side. For players not attempting to reach the green in two, the second shot is best played to the right center of the fairway and beyond the fairway bunker on the right side of the fairway to allow a short lob wedge to any flagstick position on the green.
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