Golf Guide: Pebble Beach - CA

Two courses on most golfers' bucket lists are the Old Course in Scotland and Pebble Beach in California. Peopled by ghosts of legends like Bobby Jones, Bob Hope, Sam Snead, Ben Hogan as well as Sir Winston Churchill and Teddy Roosevelt, "Pebble" rolls along the Carmel Bay coast and through the Del Monte Forest in Monterey County.

Owned by an investor group led by Clint Eastwood since 1999, The Pebble Beach Company has seven courses: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Cypress Point, Monterey Peninsula Country Club's two courses, Spyglass Hill, Poppy Hills and the Links at Spanish Bay. All but Cypress and Monterey's Dunes and Shore, are public.

The most famous, and second most expensive course to play in the country ($495), Pebble Beach Golf Links has served as the venue for several US Opens and it's one of three courses played in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am (formerly known as the Crosby Clambake). Even people who don't play the game tune in to watch both pros and celebs like Ray Romano, Kenny G and Bill Murray ham it up on the tees and greens.

Spyglass Hill and Monterrey Peninsula also host this prestigious tournament while Cypress Point and Poppy Hills have been used in the past. Rounding out The Pebble Beach Company is the 9 hole, par 3 Peter Hay Golf Course and Del Monte Golf Course a few miles away.

With gigantic outcroppings along the coast, waves crashing against rocks and dramatic carries over the ocean, Pebble's golf courses create great theater for viewers, great golf challenges for players.

You can stay on site at the classy Inn at Spanish Bay, the rooms all creamy perfection, the clubby-style Pebble Beach Lodge, where those who stay here don't have to ask the room rate or Casa Palmero.

Off course, drive, bike or jog along arguably the most scenic length of road in the country, 17-Mile Drive running through Pacific Grove to Pebble Beach, from the Pacific coastline to the Del Monte forest. Pass the Lone Cypress and lush fairways and stop at several ocean lookouts. After golf unwind in the Pebble Beach Spa.