Pacific Grove Golf Links
77 Asilomar Blvd., Pacific Grove (831) 648-5775, playpacificgrove.com
With such world-renowned candidates like Pebble Beach Golf Links and Poppy Hills in contention, how does a course in staid Pacific Grove win? Before you go suggesting a bit of gerrymandering might be involved, consider a few more substantial talking points. First, the obvious: Cost. Pebble Beach will set you back something like $550. P.G. is more deficit-friendly, under $100 much of the time – sometimes as little as $51. Second, P.G. and Pebble Beach share the same platform when it comes to scenery, which is stunning. As golfers at P.G. emerge from the trees, they get panoramic views of the point where the vast Pacific Ocean meets Monterey Bay. Under those conditions, it can be difficult to keep your eye on the ball at all times.