Why Play

Few courses offer such a complete sense of place. Cypress Point combines MacKenzie’s strategic imagination with a landscape of Monterey cypress, coastal dunes, exposed rock and the Pacific Ocean. The experience is intimate rather than commercial, and its extreme privacy has helped preserve the atmosphere of a private sporting retreat.

Course Character

The opening holes move through quiet woodland before the course loosens into sandy, rumpled terrain. The routing then gathers pace towards the sea, culminating in the celebrated coastal sequence. Greens invite imagination, angles matter more than brute force and many hazards are visually persuasive before they become physically punishing.

MacKenzie’s central idea is visible throughout: the preferred line is often the more demanding one, yet golfers who accept a longer or less direct route can usually keep the ball in play.

Playing Intelligence

• Play for position: modest yardage does not make Cypress Point easy; approach angles govern scoring.
• Respect the wind: conditions can change sharply when the routing reaches the exposed coastline.
• Use the ground: firm turf and contours reward controlled trajectories and imaginative recovery shots.
• Do not chase heroic carries: the Pacific holes are visually intoxicating, but disciplined club selection remains essential.
• Protect the experience: pace, etiquette and awareness of club customs matter as much as the score.

Signature Holes

15th — Par 3

A short but exacting shot over a rocky inlet to a green set against the ocean. Distance control becomes difficult when the breeze rises.

16th — Par 3

The defining image of Cypress Point: a long carry across the Pacific to a green cut into the headland. The correct decision depends entirely on wind, temperature and the player’s genuine carry distance.

17th

The drama continues along the coast, with the land and shoreline shaping both strategy and perspective. It is a demanding transition from the spectacle of the 16th towards the closing hole.

Visitor Information

Cypress Point Club is private and does not offer public tee times. Play is normally possible only as the guest of a member, and visitors should confirm all arrangements, dress requirements and arrival details directly with their host. Public access should never be assumed.

Stay • Play • Recover

Stay: Pebble Beach and Carmel-by-the-Sea provide the most convenient luxury bases, with coastal hotels, historic inns and resort accommodation.

Play: A Monterey Peninsula itinerary can also include Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill and other leading courses where visitor access is available.

Recover: Build in a lighter afternoon after the round: mobility work, hydration, a coastal walk and a treatment at a nearby resort spa are more useful than immediately adding another 18 holes.

Clubhouse & Dining

The clubhouse experience is private, understated and governed by club tradition. Guests should follow their host’s guidance on dining, dress, mobile-phone use and photography. This is not a resort-style hospitality operation; discretion is part of the appeal.

Practice Facilities

Practice arrangements are intended primarily for members and invited guests. Arrive with enough time to settle in, but avoid assuming that extensive pre-round access or resort-style coaching facilities will be available. Your host or the club should confirm the day’s arrangements.

Nearby Luxury Accommodation

• The Lodge at Pebble Beach: the classic base for golf on the Monterey Peninsula.
• Casa Palmero: an intimate, high-end option within the Pebble Beach resort environment.
• Post Ranch Inn: a dramatic Big Sur retreat suited to a longer luxury itinerary.
• Carmel-by-the-Sea: ideal for boutique hotels, restaurants and a more relaxed evening atmosphere.

Availability, seasonal pricing and package terms should be checked directly before travel.