Cypress Point Club Golf Course

— About

About Cypress Point Club Golf Course

Cypress Point Club sits beside Pebble Beach on the Monterey Peninsula and is routinely cited by golf architects and playing professionals as the most naturally beautiful golf course in the world. Alister MacKenzie — who also designed Augusta National and Royal Melbourne — built the course in 1928 around a spectacular stretch of Pacific coastline, using every landform at his disposal: dense cypress groves, rolling sand dunes, rocky headlands, and crashing surf. The result is a design of extraordinary variety, where inland holes through the trees alternate with exposed coastal holes and then, at the climax of the round, three consecutive holes along the sheer Pacific cliffs that have no equal anywhere in golf. The par-3 16th is the most photographed hole in the game: a 219-yard carry entirely over Pacific breakers to a green defended by a natural cypress windbreak. Bing Crosby, Marion Hollins, and the Morse family shaped the club's early identity, and it remains one of the most exclusive — and least accessible — private clubs in the United States. Membership invitations are extraordinarily rare.

— History

History of Cypress Point Club

Alister MacKenzie was commissioned by Marion Hollins, the women's amateur champion who had acquired the Cypress Point land, to design the course in 1928. MacKenzie later wrote that the site was the finest he had ever seen and that his only challenge was to avoid spoiling what nature had provided. The club was established as a retreat for Pebble Beach regulars and became famous in the post-war period through the Crosby Clambake Pro-Am, which moved away from Cypress Point in 1991 after the club's membership policy caused controversy.

— Signature Holes

Signature Holes at Cypress Point Club

The three consecutive clifftop holes from 15 through 17 have no equal in golf — the par-3 15th and par-3 16th both require ocean carries, with the 16th's 219-yard shot across Pacific breakers to a tiny green defended by a cypress windbreak being the most daunting par-3 in the game. The par-4 17th runs along the cliff edge before turning inland to a sheltered green. Even the inland holes through the cypress groves and dunes are magnificent, creating extraordinary variety across 18 holes that alternates between forest golf and exposed oceanside drama.

— Best Time to Visit

Best Time to Visit Cypress Point Club

The Monterey Peninsula has a consistent mild climate year-round, with May through October generally offering the calmest conditions. Morning fog is common and typically lifts by midday. Given the members-only access, the time of visit is determined by when a member extends an invitation rather than seasonal preference.

— Practical Tips

Tips for Playing Cypress Point Club

Cypress Point is accessible only by member invitation — it is among the most exclusive private clubs in the United States. Visitors fortunate enough to receive an invitation should arrange to walk the course with a caddie, as the routing through dunes and forest is complex and the caddies' knowledge of the course adds immensely to the experience.

— Highlights

Why Play Cypress Point Club

• ▸ Alister MacKenzie's 1928 masterpiece — widely called the most beautiful golf course in the world
• ▸ Par-3 16th: 219-yard carry over Pacific breakers — the most photographed hole in golf
• ▸ Three consecutive clifftop holes (15, 16, 17) with uninterrupted Pacific Ocean views
• ▸ Extraordinary variety: cypress forest, dunes, open heathland, and coastal clifftops in one round
• ▸ Ultra-exclusive private club — one of the most coveted invitations in American golf

— FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Cypress Point Club

Can visitors play Cypress Point Club?

No — Cypress Point is one of the most exclusive private clubs in America and accessible only by member invitation. There are no public tee times or green fees.

Who designed Cypress Point?

Alister MacKenzie designed the course in 1928, commissioned by Marion Hollins. MacKenzie regarded the site as the finest he had ever worked with.

What makes the 16th hole at Cypress Point famous?

The par-3 16th requires a 219-yard carry entirely over Pacific Ocean breakers to a small green defended by a cypress grove — it is the most photographed hole in golf.

Is Cypress Point near Pebble Beach?

Yes — Cypress Point is located on the same Monterey Peninsula as Pebble Beach, approximately one mile north along the 17-Mile Drive.