Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay

A disclaimer - we golfed on a discount so the cost factor made this course (Ocean) exceptional.

We also had a picturesque day. In a way, I wish it was cold, windy and miserable so I can experience Scottish troon golf. Well, maybe not.

The course was in great shape and the layout is excellent. My only mistake was playing the white tees (6052 yds) instead of the blue tees. The fairways are generous so just freely swinging the club made it more fun. There are few holes where you can actually hit a ball through the fairway so accuracy is your friend. I can see how this course would bite if the wind picked up. Overall a fantastic experience.

The Old Course plays 16 holes through residential areas and is parkland golf. Fairways and greens are well maintained. Approach shot accuracy is a must as pin placements are well thought out by the greens crew. The Par 3's are challenging with the high winds, especially Hole 17. We have a high, mid, and low handicapper in our group and the course was a treat for all of us. Hole 18 is so breathtaking it is almost gaudy. What a finishing hole. Long drive downhill with the Pacific on the right, then an approach shot uphill to an elevated green. Walk tall as there over 200 hotel guests enjoying the view from the patio overlooking the green. They are watching you!

Always intrigued me to play a course aligning the Ocean. The first couple of holes and the last couple will have you quenching that thirst. The others in between, eh! If you would have dropped me off blindfolded on number 4, i could have mistaken it for being a local course in Virginia and not the one showcased on must plays in San Fran area. Maybe because it was a weekday, but i did not feel any wow factor from bag drop off to check in, to hitting on the range, but wait, there is no range, and this i discovered after i carried my own bags to the cart, and then after i felt hurried to pay my green fee and get moving, ummm okay. Course is okay, played it after some rain, so very very wet. My pants were gray but at the end, mixed in with lots of black. Pedestrians walking all over the place, and cart path only which made for a long round as this place is hilly which is not shown on pictures. Again, being an out of towner it was a must do, but possibly again, i dont know.

The Old course or the Ocean? I still haven't decided what's my favorite course at Half Moon Bay. They're both high four-star/almost five-star experiences that are entirely unique. It's too bad the land for the Ocean course wasn't given to someone with a better links pedigree than Arthur Hills. I can only imagine what Tom Doak or David McLay Kidd might have created. Hills cooked up too many elevated greens for my liking. Some greens accept bouncing approaches but not enough. Several contrived humps, like the one fronting the first green, actually repel shots. I am a big fan of the five par-5s/five par-3s routing, though, and the vistas from several elevated tees - no. 2, no. 13, no. 16 - are what make playing along the coastal cliffs so much fun.

For 16 holes, the Old course at Half Moon Bay winds its way through a neighborhood without much in the way of visual fireworks. Only the ninth hole - with the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay in the background - is aesthetically pleasing. That all changes at no. 17, a par 3 that provides a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean in the backdrop. Then BAM! The view from the 18th tee will floor you with the force of a Mike Tyson punch. The cliffs along the right side of the fairway fall to a beach on the Pacific Ocean. The imposing Ritz towers left of the green. It's a glorious moment. The Ocean course on the other side of the hotel might boast more water views throughout the round, but the shock-and-awe value of No. 18 erases any advantage the Ocean course might have in attracting visitors. Arnold Palmer built plenty of good golf holes on the Old course - the par-4 eighth, the par-3 13th, the par-5 15th and par-4 16th, for example. It's the finishing hole, however, that burns the longest lasting impression that stays with you years after the round.

First time playing at the old course, pro shop did not tell us about green condition. Most of the back nine greens were destroyed by fungus. You simply cannot put on this. Very disappointing. Layout of course was good and spectacular view on #18.

Very disappointing.

We went to the course basically because of a decent offer that they made us in december. But it was worth it. The course was in a good shape. Playing just at the ocean front was great. Would recommend it.

Incredible location and a very, very good design. Course conditions were excellent given drought and overloaded play on day I chose to play Ocean course. Poa greens get tired later in the day (footprints).

Expected for the price a higher end experience ....10-15 min tee times.... not every 8 min. Place was packed so felt like a golf factory at times.
Pro shop and restaurant were dirty and loud. Again overcrowded. No driving range!!!!! Really? trying to sell as 5-star w/o a place to warm-up?

Many well dressed, well equipped and truely awful golfers on the course slowed play dramatically. No ranger to move folks along. Not a place for beginner golfers.

I had been told the Old Course is more of a challenge and better golf course. I was told the views weren't quite as nice but numbers 17 and 18 have the best views I've seen on a course. Playing number 18 may be the best golf experience I've had. The other 16 holes are great too. Course is in great shape. Besides a mix up with where my car was parked by Valet and car alarms going off at the Ritz while playing 17 and 18 this was amazing. If you play near sunset the Bagpipes send chills down your spine. Play this course.

Several times, but every time you come back satisfied and personally prefers the ocean course