Beautiful but bittersweet: Cypress Point's finishing hole.
Securing a tee time at Pebble Beach Golf Course is a piece of cake compared to playing Cypress Point, the ultra-exclusive and ultra-private course considered one of the five best in the country.
Unless you know a member who is willing to take you out or write a letter on your behalf, any effort to get on this Alister Mackenzie-designed shrine is often a complete waste of time, something to be avoided on a precious Pebble Beach Golf Vacation.
“There are no variations to that policy,” is what the weary voice on the phone in the Cypress Point golf shop will likely say if you call (as we experienced firsthand), responding to what must be dozens of inquiries each day asking how outsiders might be admitted.
The truly golf crazed often show up anyway, satisfied to peek through the gates, which neatly but unfortunately summarizes the situation: you can look, but you can’t touch.
Unlike other golf grounds that are more hype than hallowed, Cypress Point is the genuine article. In fact, some say that playing its classically designed holes, which are highlighted by gnarled cypress trees, natural sand dunes and heroic, ocean-crossing shots, is like a religious experience.
We wouldn’t go that far, but if our Pebble Beach golf vacation included a round here, we’d at least pray for sunny skies.
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