Cypress Point — Pebble Beach, Calif. (1928)
Introduction
Set in the stunning scenery of Pebble Beach, California, Cypress Point Club is held in high regard as one of the most legendary golf courses in the world. Founded in 1928, this brilliant layout was designed in concert with Alister MacKenzie and Robert Hunter. Cypress Point golf course, located on the scenic Monterey Peninsula on the Pacific Coast, is known for its dramatic views, topography and routing that flows naturally with the surrounding environment. The course, known for its exclusivity and timeless beauty, is regarded as one of the finest golfing establishments in the world, with its strategic layout earning it accolades as a top destination for avid golfers.
Data for Cypress Point Golf Course
| Coordinates |  36.58°N 121.974°W |
|---|---|
| Location | Pebble Beach, California |
| Elevation | 80 feet (24 m) |
| Established | 1928; 97 years ago |
| Type | Private |
| Total holes | 18 |
| Designed by | Alister MacKenzie and Robert Hunter |
| Par | 72 |
| Length | 6,554 yards (5,993 m) |
| Course rating | 73.1 |
| Slope rating | 141 [1] |
History and Legacy
Cypress Point Club, which opened in 1928, is a golf course designer’s dream. It was created by the architect Alister MacKenzie, and its peers are Robert Hunter. Fresh to land, MacKenzie, famed for his idiosyncratic methods and his knack of fitting a course to its surroundings, fashioned a layout that would soon become one of the most lauded in the game. The jagged beauty of the Monterey coastline became the palette for that genius, yielding a course that is both humbling and musical.
Cypress Point was immediately hailed as a beacon of the game, with spectacular scenery and a layout that will test players at any skill level. And historically, it is cemented among the crème de la crème of the world’s top-ranked courses, frequently hailed as one of the most artistic and memorable, with holes like the par-3 16th over the build-it-and-they-will-come Pacific Ocean.
Part of what gives Cypress Point its distinction is exclusivity. Essentially, there’s just no better way to describe the place—so coveted is membership, reserved for but a handful of (largely male) devotees who have ever savoured its storied fairways; so clouded resides its mystique and prestige. It has earned a reputation over the decades as a timeless paragon of elegance and an aspirational destination for those among the world’s best to play a contest of the highest quality in the game.
Course Design and Layout
Architectural Brilliance
Alister MacKenzie, the visionary architect behind Cypress Point, created a masterwork of golf course architecture. His design philosophy focused on making courses that test players but fit naturally to the land. At Cypress Point, however, MacKenzie made full use of the spectacular Monterey Peninsula location, weaving the rocky coastline, swaying cypress trees and rolling dunes into the layout. Every hole feels like it’s been chiselled out of its surroundings, as opposed to thrust upon them.
That gave MacKenzie an idea: He believed in making courses that would challenge skill but also be visually pleasing to players. That ethos shows itself in Cypress Point’s sweeping vistas, dramatic elevation changes and well-placed hazards. Each hole has its unique personality, and each will require creativity and strategy to tackle. MacKenzie’s timeless design of the course embodies a dedication to blending artistry with functionality, creating an experience that is both challenging and awe-inspiring.
Signature Holes
Many of Cypress Point’s signature holes characterize the combination of breathtaking beauty and strategic tests the course offers. Of these, one of the more iconic holes in golf is no doubt the par-3 16th hole. Spanning the Pacific Ocean, this hole requires accuracy and nerve, as players must carry their tee shots over crashing waves to a small, terribly guarded green. It is a memorable moment in any round, the paradox of natural beauty and the challenge it presents.
The back nine includes the scintillating par-4 15th and par-4 17th, which scythe through the rugged coastline and require strategic play. These holes, with awe-inspiring views and clever layout, capture the spirit of what Cypress Point is all about — blending natural beauty with a tough but fair test of golf. Combined, they leave golfers breathless and solidify the course’s status among the best in the world.
Natural Setting and Scenic Beauty
The unparalleled scenic beauty at Cypress Point is a testament to the club’s harmonious integration into the stunning landscape of the Monterey Peninsula. The course winds past rugged coastal cliffs, sparkling shorelines and natural dunes that create a dramatic but peaceful backdrop to each hole. As golfers play, they’re offered sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, where waves crash against the rocky shoreline, providing a majestic yet serene atmosphere. The holes are uniquely suited to the land, making the course seem as though it were a natural extension of the land instead of a built one.
Cypress Point is also home to an abundance of wildlife that adds to its allure. Players frequently find deer grazing adjacent to the fairways, sea otters frolicking in the surf, and seabirds flying overhead, not to mention the growing sense of oneness with nature. The tranquillity is then heightened because, of course, it is set away from the grinding pace of our busy daily lives. This careful marriage of nature and design enhances the golf experience at Cypress Point. It makes a round here a matter of as much absorbing the scenery as absorbing the challenges of the game. It’s a unique refuge where golf and nature play nice.
Challenges and Playability
For skilled golfers, Cypress Point Golf Course is a bold yet fulfilling test. It is a course that is famous for its strategic design, with each hole presenting its very own test of precision and decision-making. Coastal winds blowing in from the Pacific Ocean introduce an element of unpredictability that can force players to modify their strategy and shot selection on the fly. Undulating ground with gently descending fairways to raised greens means approaches have to be precise and shape-arrayed with a sense of elevation changes. Natural hazards like bunkers, thick rough, and ocean-side cliffs add to the degree of difficulty, punishing wayward shots while rewarding strategic planning and execution. Maybe the most famous test is the par-3 16th hole, which demands a nerve-shredding tee shot over an epic stretch of water. A combination of beauty and complexity at Cypress Point makes each round as mentally demanding as physically punishing.
A Guide to Getting on at Cypress Point
Course Strategy
(For strategies on how to take Cypress Point, read Planning for Cypress Point.) Be mindful of the wind because ocean breezes can dramatically alter the flight of the ball, especially on holes that are out in the open closer to the ocean. Use a little more club than usual, and if conditions warrant, play your shots lower and more controlled to combat strong gusts. Made the same way, elevation changes can be a significant factor on the golf course—you must pay close attention to slopes both when you’re grip-it-and-rip-it off the tee and when you’re hitting approach shots, as they affect distance and accuracy. Choosing shorter clubs off the tee and playing conservatively is often a way to avoid hazards and set yourself up for second shots into the green.
Must-Play Holes
Although every hole is a work of art, a few rise above the others. The stunning par-3 16th, which carries over the Pacific Ocean, epitomizes the beauty and challenge of the course. On this course, the scenic par-4 8th hole, sporting a dogleg with jaw-dropping views, also rewards you for strategic shot placement. And finally, the short par-3 15th, set alongside the rugged coastline, is a test of precision that golfers will never forget. Every hole is a story, but make sure to play these highlights on this memorable course.
Tournaments and Events
Despite its exclusivity, Cypress Point Club has been the site of a handful of tournaments that secured its spot in golfing history. Among the most prestigious events held here was the Walker Cup in 1981, which features the best amateur golfers from either side of the pond. Cypress Point was not on the regular tour, but it was also in the rotation for the Bing Crosby National Pro-Am — now the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am — in its early days, providing the broader golf community with a rare look at the layout.
Cypress Point has been elevated in the sport partly thanks to such events. This surge in top-tier talent and display of the course’s exceptional beauty made an indelible mark on the illustrious history of golf. Cypress Point doesn’t get nearly as much exposure as other famed layouts. Still, every time a tournament is held there, it only reinforces the unbeatable design and timeless beauty of the course.
Exclusivity and Membership
Few places are as beautiful or as exclusive as Cypress Point Club. Membership is by invitation only and limited to less than 300 members who are committed to the club’s ideals of privacy and discretion. Such exclusiveness gives rise to an intimacy and status that golfers from all corners of the Earth wish to bask in. But without a connection, getting in as a non-member is virtually impossible. Joining also requires a considerable financial investment, with an initiation fee believed to be about $250,000 and annual dues reportedly in the ballpark of $10,000. These costs make membership a genuine status symbol, one enjoyed by the tiny elite who can afford it. However, even aside from the cost barriers, the club’s appeal is its mythical status and unique golf experience. For many, the peak bucket-list course, Cypress Point, blends scenery, exclusivity and prestige like no other. It’s more than a golf club — it’s a manifestation of tradition, luxury and the heights of the sport.
Influence on Golf and Culture
When it opened, Cypress Point would have a lasting impact on golf course design by encouraging architects to work in harmony with the natural terrain. Alister MacKenzie created a layout that marries not only the rugged Monterey coastline but also every strategic, every picturesque hole to set a gold standard in the aesthetics of a layout. Its pioneering look has enhanced the value of marrying the scenery of nature with the enjoyment of the game, setting a precedent for contemporary golf design. Cypress Point’s legacy is also furthered by its regular ranking among the best golf courses in the world and in coveted lists like Golf Digest. Their giving in accordance with its gift is important because it further reinforces its cultural significance, as it represents the best in the sport and inspiration to golfers and designers worldwide.
Conclusion
Cypress Point is, in a way, the ultimate golf course, a perfect marriage of stunning scenery and elite design. Its legacy is a beacon to golfers and architects alike, the apex of the game. To truly appreciate its charm, you can delve into its storied history or set yourself a goal to experience its unrivalled beauty and challenge it first-hand.