Every Day Pebble Beach: The Hay
Over the years Pebble Beach Golf Links has not only become one of the most recognizable golf courses in the United States it has also becomes one of the most expensive public tee times. The resort recently decided they would provide a option for guests to experience Pebble Beach without the $650 greens fee. Opening in 2021, The Hay is the latest resort par three short course to be built following suit to places like The Cradle at Pinehurst and Bandon Reserve at Bandon Dunes. Designed by none other than Tiger Woods and his company TGR Design, The Hay is the only short course on the Monterrey Peninsula. The course is named after long time Pebble Beach Golf Professional Peter Hay who developed one of the first short courses in the states in 1957 which sat on the same piece of property where The Hay is today.
The Hay was built to give everyone a chance to experience golf at Pebble Beach
The course sits perched on a hill on the front part of the property just a short walk from The Pebble Beach lodge and the first hole of Pebble Beach Golf Links. On a clear day, which we did not get when we played, the course provides expansive views of the crystal blue water of Carmel Bay and Stillwater Cove. Tee times are taken in advance by phone like all other Pebble Beach Resort courses. The primary difference being this nine hole trek and Pebble Beach’s three course is The Hay only puts you out $75 for a quick nine holes and you can jump on the loop again for half off. Upon checking stand, their is a a large putting course, which is free to the public, a nice unique option that The Hay brings to the property. Right next to the putting green sits a Mexican restaurant, Hay’s Place. It’s clear right away that the vibe at The Hay is laid back and relaxed. Woods and TGR design really did a nice job of capturing Hay’s vision of creating a place that everyone of all ages and skill levels could enjoy.
Every hole at The Hay has multiple ties to Pebble Beach golf links in its design and yardages which is one of the great parts of this course design; pictured here the fourth hole named after Bing Crosby.
The longest hole at The Hay is number two maxing out at 106 yards and the shortest hole plays 47 yards. Each hole yardage has a meaning behind it tying to Pebble Beach history which I did not realize until after the round and I started my research and writing. Many of the holes are simply a long pitch or a half swing. I only took a full swing on two of the nine holes. Like most short courses, The Hay is a great place to work on your short game. Each hole has a name as well, the first being ‘Hay’ after Petter Hay and the second being ‘Seven’. ‘Seven’ is definitely the crown jewel of The Hay and is modeled after the famous par three 7th hole at Pebble Beach with an exact bunkering and green replica.
Number 7 is the highlight of the round playing as a replica to the famous par 3 seventh at Pebble Beach Golf Links
Number 9 is 100 yards and named ‘Tiger’. Tigers blew the field away at 100th U.S. open in one of the more impressive major victories of all time winning by an incredible 15 shot margin. If there is an intimidating shot on the course and has it is number nine as its a full shot back uphill towards Hay’s Place. Hit one thin hear and you may be cleaning cheese dip off your ball to finish the round. The greens at The Hay were fast which was nice and not expected. They were not as fast Pebble Beach Golf Links greens, but were a nice speed for a short course. The only downside I saw from the experience was hitting off mats on the tee boxes which I am sure is due to the constant play and traffic they get on the course. I carded my only two birdies of the trip at The Hay so it will always have a special place in my Pebble Beach memory bank.
The finishing hole at The Hay is a uphill tee shot with a funnel feature in the center of the green
The Hay is a fun add to any Pebble Beach itinerary. Even with constant play and traffic, It can be played in under an hour and can easily be fit in after a round or as a cocktail hour nine holes before dinner. Pebble Beach did not need The Hay with it's world class golf courses but it is certainly a nice add providing the opportunity to tee it up at Pebble Beach for all those passing through.