Image courtesy of USGA/John Mummert

Nestled along the rugged coastline of California’s Monterey Peninsula, Cypress Point Club stands as one of the most celebrated golf courses in the world. Frequently ranked among the top three by golf publications and adored by players fortunate enough to experience it, this exclusive private course is often described as the ultimate blend of artistry, challenge, and natural beauty.

Cypress Point’s reputation is not built solely on difficulty or championship prestige. Unlike courses that host annual tournaments, Cypress Point thrives on its mystique, its architectural brilliance, and its setting, which many golfers consider unrivaled. To this day, it continues to captivate players and critics alike as a rare masterpiece that elevates golf from a sport into an art form.

Cypress Point Club was founded in 1928 and designed by the legendary golf course architect Alister MacKenzie, whose other works include Augusta National and Royal Melbourne. Collaborating with noted amateur golfer Robert Hunter, MacKenzie set out to design a course that would harmonize with the land rather than fight against it.

The Monterey Peninsula provided the perfect canvas: sandy dunes, cypress trees twisting in the coastal wind, and dramatic cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. MacKenzie’s design philosophy emphasized natural landscapes and strategic play, and at Cypress Point, his vision reached its pinnacle. Each hole feels like a discovery, blending seamlessly into its environment, offering both strategic puzzles and awe-inspiring scenery.

Several factors distinguish Cypress Point from other world-class golf courses:

Breathtaking Scenery. Few courses can rival Cypress Point’s visual splendor. The round begins inland among pine forests and dunes, but as players advance, the course dramatically opens up to the Pacific coastline. The back nine offers jaw-dropping views, especially the holes carved into seaside cliffs, where waves crash below and seals bask on rocky outcroppings.

The Iconic Par-3 16th Hole. Perhaps the most famous hole in golf, the par-3 16th requires players to carry their tee shot over the ocean to a green perched on a rocky peninsula. At 231 yards from the championship tees, it is as intimidating as it is beautiful. For many, just standing on the tee is a bucket-list moment. Even seasoned professionals admit to being awestruck by its challenge and sheer drama.

Architectural Genius. MacKenzie’s design emphasizes variety and strategy. The course demands thoughtful shot-making, not just raw power. Greens are subtly contoured, bunkers are both aesthetic and penal, and fairways often force players to choose between safe routes and daring lines. No two holes feel alike, and the transitions from forest to dunes to ocean create a journey unlike any other.

Exclusivity and Prestige. Cypress Point is one of the most private clubs in the world. With a membership capped around 250 and an invitation-only policy, access is rare. This exclusivity has only fueled its mystique, as few golfers can boast of having played it. Unlike Pebble Beach—its famous neighbor just down the road—Cypress Point does not host major tournaments or open its doors to the public, making it a place of near-mythical allure.

A Course That Defines Rankings

Cypress Point is a constant in global golf rankings. It often sits within the top three on Golf Digest’s “America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses” and Golf Magazine’s “Top 100 in the World.” Its position is not merely due to beauty or exclusivity but because it embodies the spirit of golf course design.

Many golf experts argue that Cypress Point is the ultimate test of fairness and enjoyment. Unlike some championship courses that rely on length or punishing rough to defend par, Cypress Point emphasizes creativity. It challenges the golfer’s mind as much as their swing. Players leave the course not only tested but also inspired, having experienced golf in its purest and most poetic form.

Front Nine – The Inland Journey

Hole 1 – Par 4, 420 yards - A welcoming start framed by Monterey pines. The fairway is generous, but bunkers guard the right side. The green slopes subtly, rewarding precise approaches rather than brute strength.

Hole 2 – Par 5, 530 yards - A reachable par 5 with a wide landing area. The challenge comes with the second shot—players must decide whether to lay up or attack a green tucked among dunes and guarded by deep bunkers.

Hole 3 – Par 4, 405 yards - A classic dogleg left. Trees press on both sides, forcing accuracy off the tee. The approach is uphill to a narrow green, making club selection critical.

Hole 4 – Par 3, 170 yards - The first par 3, set among dunes with a green perched on a plateau. Surrounded by sand and rough, any miss here leads to a tricky recovery.

Hole 5 – Par 5, 475 yards - Short by modern standards, but deceptive. The fairway twists through dunes, requiring careful positioning. Longer hitters may reach in two, but the green is well-defended with bunkers and run-offs.

Hole 6 – Par 4, 345 yards - A short par 4 that tempts aggression. Many players go for the green, but thick rough, dunes, and clever bunkering punish misses. A perfect example of risk-reward design.

Hole 7 – Par 3, 170 yards - Played over a natural dune ridge to a slightly elevated green. The wind often swirls here, making club choice difficult despite the modest yardage.

Hole 8 – Par 4, 370 yards - A visually striking hole with a tee shot framed by cypress trees. The fairway slopes toward trouble on the right. The small green demands precision with the short iron approach.

Hole 9 – Par 4, 290 yards - One of the great short par 4s in the world. At under 300 yards, many players attempt to drive the green. But with dunes, rough, and tricky bunkering, the risk is immense. A well-placed iron off the tee can leave an easy wedge and birdie chance.

Back Nine – The Coastal Drama

Hole 10 – Par 5, 525 yards - The transition hole that begins the march toward the ocean. The fairway moves downhill, but approach shots into the green must navigate deep bunkers and rolling terrain.

Hole 11 – Par 4, 390 yards - A downhill par 4 with the Pacific just starting to appear in the background. A well-placed drive opens up a wedge approach to a tight green that falls off sharply on the sides.

Hole 12 – Par 3, 200 yards - Played against the backdrop of the ocean, this hole requires a long, accurate iron to a green surrounded by bunkers. Any miss here leads to a demanding recovery shot.

Hole 13 – Par 4, 405 yards - A tough dogleg right with the coastline now in full view. The green is perched on a rise with bunkers left and right, demanding accuracy on both tee and approach.

Hole 14 – Par 4, 350 yards - Short but treacherous. The fairway angles toward the sea, and the green sits on a ledge overlooking the ocean. A poor drive brings bogey or worse into play quickly.

Hole 15 – Par 5, 550 yards - The beginning of Cypress Point’s legendary closing stretch. This par 5 plays along the coastline, with the fairway hugging the cliffs. The second shot is dramatic, requiring either a daring carry or a careful lay-up short of the ocean.

Hole 16 – Par 3, 231 yards - The signature hole and one of the most famous in golf. A long iron or fairway wood must carry across an ocean cove to a green perched on a cliff. The Pacific roars below, making this shot as intimidating as it is beautiful.

Hole 17 – Par 4, 370 yards - Another seaside masterpiece. The tee shot must carry the ocean to a fairway that clings to the cliffside. The approach is uphill to a narrow green set against rocky coastline, one of the toughest second shots on the course.

Hole 18 – Par 4, 365 yards - The closing hole moves back inland. Though modest in length, its uphill fairway and elevated green create a fittingly tricky finish. Surrounded by tall pines, it’s a quieter ending after the drama of 15–17, but it reflects MacKenzie’s philosophy of balance.

Cypress Point’s front nine begins gently in the pines and dunes, offering a journey that builds anticipation. By the back nine, the course explodes into the Pacific coastline, delivering perhaps the most spectacular stretch of holes in the world (15–17). The routing feels like a story, climaxing with the ocean holes before returning to the serenity of the trees.

This balance of variety, beauty, and strategy is why Cypress Point is considered golf course design at its absolute peak.

Cypress Point and Golfing Legends

Though Cypress Point rarely hosts professional tournaments today, its history is intertwined with the game’s greats. The club was once part of the “Crosby Clambake,” the pro-am event that evolved into the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Legends like Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, and Sam Snead all walked its fairways.

For many professionals, an invitation to play Cypress Point remains one of the highest honors in golf. Even Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson have spoken with reverence about the course. It is not about winning trophies here—it is about standing on historic ground and confronting the game at its most beautiful and unforgiving.

five top professional golfers who have played Cypress Point Club, adding to its legendary status:

1.       Ben Hogan – One of the greatest ball strikers in history, Hogan competed at Cypress Point during the early years of the Crosby Pro-Am (the event that later became the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am).

2.       Byron Nelson – Another giant of golf’s golden era, Nelson also played Cypress Point during the Crosby Clambake, showcasing his precision on the famous coastal holes.

3.       Sam Snead – Known for his smooth swing, Snead brought his game to Cypress Point as part of the same historic pro-am tournaments.

4.       Tiger Woods – Though Cypress Point is highly exclusive, Tiger played it early in his career and has spoken about the beauty and challenge of its ocean holes.

5.       Phil Mickelson – A California native, Mickelson has had the privilege of teeing it up at Cypress Point, praising it as one of the most spectacular courses he’s ever experienced.

Honorable mentions: Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, and Arnold Palmer also walked Cypress Point’s fairways, especially during the Crosby Pro-Am era when it was part of the tournament rotation.

The Spirit of Preservation

Part of what makes Cypress Point so special is its commitment to preserving the natural environment. The course flows with the land, respecting its ecological setting. The dramatic cypress trees that give the course its name have been protected, and the layout still feels timeless, as though it was always meant to exist in harmony with the Monterey coastline.

While many modern courses undergo renovations and redesigns, Cypress Point remains true to MacKenzie’s original vision. This sense of preservation enhances its aura, allowing golfers to experience the game much as it was nearly a century ago.

Golfers and critics consistently call Cypress Point the best for several reasons:

·       Unparalleled Beauty – Nowhere else does golf feel so immersed in nature’s grandeur.

·       Architectural Perfection – Every hole feels thoughtfully crafted and strategically sound.

·       Dramatic Challenge – From the demanding par-3s to the breathtaking finishing stretch, the course tests every aspect of the game.

·       Exclusivity – Its rarity makes playing it not just a round of golf, but a lifelong memory.

In a world where golf courses often compete for prestige by hosting tournaments or boasting length records, Cypress Point stands apart by being itself—authentic, artistic, and awe-inspiring.

Cypress Point Club is more than a golf course; it is an experience that transcends the game. It represents the perfect balance of natural beauty, architectural genius, and exclusivity. For golfers, it is both a dream and a legend—a reminder of why the sport captivates hearts around the globe.

To play Cypress Point is to walk through one of golf’s greatest works of art. For those fortunate enough to step onto its fairways, the memories linger forever, a testament to why Cypress Point Club is celebrated as one of the top golf courses in the world.