Jackson Reid
The Cypress Point Club is one of the world's most exclusive golf courses. Located on the Monterey Peninsula, California, the course is consistently ranked in the top 3 of Golf Magazine's list of Top 100 Golf Courses in the World. Regarded as a masterpiece of golf course design, Cypress Point is known for its natural beauty and the way the course blends seamlessly into the surrounding coastal dunes, pine forest, and ocean cliffs. The course is divided into three parts: holes 1-6 are set in the forest, holes 6-12 wind through the dunes, and holes 13-18 play along the ocean, with the famous back-to-back par threes of holes 15 and 16 offering breathtaking views of the Pacific Coast.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Monterey Peninsula, California |
| Designer | Alister MacKenzie |
| Year opened | 1928 |
| Par | 3, 4, and 5 |
| Holes | 15, 16, 17, and 18 |
| Course length | 243 yards |
| Tee shot | 231 yards |
| Notable features | Ocean views, coastal dunes, pine forest, natural terrain |
| Clubhouse | None |
| Restaurant | None |
| Entrance | None |
| Learning centre | None |
| Accessibility | Exclusive, private, members-only |
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What You'll Learn
- Cypress Point is a very exclusive, private members club, so you'll need an invite from a member
- The course is renowned for its natural beauty, with ocean views, sand dunes, pine forests, and wildlife
- The course is divided into three parts: forest (holes 1-6), dunes (6-12), and ocean (13-18)
- The signature hole #16 is a 231-yard tee shot over the Pacific Ocean, offering a majestic oceanfront par three
- The course is about the golf and nothing else—it's stripped back to the essentials so you can appreciate the game in its purest form
Cypress Point is a very exclusive, private members club, so you'll need an invite from a member
Cypress Point Club is widely considered one of the best golf courses in the world. Located on the Monterey Peninsula in California, the course is known for its natural beauty, meandering through coastal dunes and the Del Monte forest, and its challenging design by renowned architect Alister Mackenzie.
However, Cypress Point is a very exclusive, private members club, and gaining access to play the course can be extremely difficult. The club is very private, and it is virtually impossible to play a round unless you are invited by a member. The level of exclusivity is such that even those who have played the course describe it as a "longshot" to gain access.
To golf at Cypress Point, one must receive an invitation from a member. Befriending a member is the key to securing an invite, as members have the privilege of inviting guests to play. It is worth noting that the cost of yearly membership fees is determined by equally dividing the total operating expenses among all members.
The course itself offers a unique and memorable experience. The front nine takes players through the forest, while the back nine features the famous back-to-back par-threes of holes 15 and 16, which offer stunning ocean views and the sound of waves crashing against the rocks. The course design, landscape, and wildlife, including seabirds, deer, and squirrels, create an unparalleled golfing experience.
While the club may lack some of the fancy amenities found at other courses, Cypress Point is all about the golf. It strips everything back to the essentials, allowing players to appreciate the game in its purest form and fully immerse themselves in the surrounding natural beauty.
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The course is renowned for its natural beauty, with ocean views, sand dunes, pine forests, and wildlife
Cypress Point Club is a private members' club located on the 17-mile drive on the Monterey Peninsula, not far from Pebble Beach Golf Links and the town of Carmel. It is considered one of the world's best and most exclusive golf courses. The course is renowned for its natural beauty, with ocean views, sand dunes, pine forests, and wildlife.
The course offers a perfect combination of great strategic design and a wonderful variety of golfing terrain. The course takes golfers through sand dunes, pine forests, and along the coast, with gorgeous ocean backdrops. The sound of the waves hitting the rocks and the calls of the wild—seals and seabirds—create a unique atmosphere.
The 16th hole, a 200-metre par 3, is particularly famous, with an ocean carry from tee to green. The 17th tee is nearly surrounded by the ocean, and golfers must carry their shot over the ocean and coastal rocks. The course is clearly divided into three parts: holes 1-6 take golfers through the forest, 6-12 through the dunes, and 13-18 along the ocean.
The natural beauty and variety of the course, along with the challenging design, make Cypress Point a unique and memorable golfing experience. The course is very private, and access is considered an enormous privilege, usually requiring an invitation from a member.
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The course is divided into three parts: forest (holes 1-6), dunes (6-12), and ocean (13-18)
The Cypress Point Club is a private members' club located on 17-Mile Drive on the Monterey Peninsula, California. It is consistently ranked as one of the best golf courses in the world. The course is divided into three parts: forest (holes 1-6), dunes (6-12), and ocean (13-18).
The front nine meanders through the coastal dunes and into the Del Monte forest, offering a variety of challenges for golfers. The course then re-emerges onto the rocky coastline for the final holes, providing breathtaking views and a unique golfing experience. The transition from ocean cliffs to dunes and finally to the forest gives golfers a glimpse of the ocean at the start, with the course whispering how far you are from the ocean as you progress.
The forest section of the course (holes 1-6) takes golfers through the pine trees, with the sound of the nearby ocean providing a tranquil backdrop. This section offers a strategic design that challenges golfers to navigate their way through the trees, setting the tone for the rest of the course.
The dunes section (holes 6-12) presents a different set of obstacles, with sand dunes and changing terrain. Golfers need to adapt to the shifting landscape, using their skills to navigate the course effectively. This section offers a unique contrast between the stability of the forest and the ever-changing nature of the dunes.
The ocean section (holes 13-18) is where the course truly shines, with the famous back-to-back par threes of holes 15 and 16 providing a spectacular finish. Hole 15 offers a breathtaking view of the ocean, with cliffs and crashing waves creating an unforgettable golfing experience. Hole 16, known as the "signature hole", requires a 231-yard tee shot over the Pacific to a green guarded by bunkers. The sound of the waves and the calls of wild seals and seabirds create a unique atmosphere that golfers will remember long after their round.
Playing at Cypress Point is a privilege due to its exclusivity and natural beauty. The course offers a perfect combination of strategic design and variety, with each section providing a distinct experience that challenges and inspires golfers.
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The signature hole #16 is a 231-yard tee shot over the Pacific Ocean, offering a majestic oceanfront par three
The Cypress Point Club is located on the 17-Mile Drive on the Monterey Peninsula, not far from Pebble Beach Golf Links and the town of Carmel. It is considered one of the world's best and most exclusive golf courses. Access to the club is highly restricted, and one must be a member or know a member to gain entry. The course combines great strategic design, a wonderful variety of golfing terrain, and gorgeous ocean backdrops.
The 16th hole is part of the stretch of holes from 15 to 17 that many consider the most exciting and striking golf experience in California, if not the entire nation. The 15th hole, a 143-yard par 3, sets the stage with a stunning approach through the pines and around coastal dunes, offering your first close-up with the sea. Then, as you walk from the 14th green to the 15th tee, the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks and the calls of wild seals and seabirds will fill your ears.
The 17th hole continues the thrilling experience, with the tee sitting nearly surrounded by the ocean. Here, you have two options: a safer line away from the sea that requires less carry but leaves a longer approach over a pine tree, or a longer and more daring tee shot hugging the coast. The course designer, Alister MacKenzie, originally envisioned the tee positioned on a rock off the coast, reached by a swing bridge, which would have been a memorable finish.
The Cypress Point Club offers a unique and unforgettable golfing experience, with hole #16 as its crown jewel. The combination of the challenging tee shot, the breathtaking oceanfront setting, and the surrounding natural beauty will leave you with a magical golf story to tell for years to come.
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The course is about the golf and nothing else—it's stripped back to the essentials so you can appreciate the game in its purest form
Cypress Point Club is a private members' golf club located on 17-Mile Drive on the Monterey Peninsula in California, not far from Pebble Beach Golf Links and the town of Carmel. It is consistently ranked as one of the top three golf courses in the world and is considered a must-play by many golfers.
The course was designed by renowned golf course architect Alister Mackenzie and opened in 1928. Mackenzie's design philosophy was to work with the natural terrain rather than overpower it, allowing the course to take shape organically. The result is a course that meanders through coastal dunes and the Del Monte forest, offering stunning ocean views and a variety of terrains, including sand dunes, pine forests, and coastline.
The course is known for its simplicity and focus on the game of golf itself, stripping everything back to the essentials so that golfers can appreciate the game in its purest form. There are no fancy clubhouses, restaurants, or state-of-the-art learning centres. Instead, golfers are treated to a back-to-basics experience that lets the game take centre stage.
The course is divided into three distinct parts: holes 1-6 take golfers through the forest, holes 6-12 wind through the dunes, and holes 13-18 bring golfers along the oceanfront. This variety ensures that golfers are constantly challenged and engaged by the changing landscapes and conditions.
The back nine at Cypress Point is considered the "Holy Grail" of golf, with the famous back-to-back par threes of holes 15 and 16, and the spectacular par-four 17th, offering breathtaking views and challenging play along the cliffs and coastline. These final holes are awe-inspiring and provide an unforgettable golfing experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Cypress Point is a very exclusive golf club, and it is virtually impossible to play a round unless you are invited by a member.
The course is divided into three parts: forest (holes 1-6), sand dunes (6-12), and ocean (13-18). The signature hole #16, which requires a 231-yard tee shot over the Pacific Ocean, is considered one of the most beautiful pieces of land in the world.
The course was created by the renowned designer Alister Mackenzie and opened in 1928. Mackenzie's design philosophy was to work with the natural terrain, allowing the course to take shape organically.
