Average Golfer May Not Reign at Monarch Beach

Robert Trent Jones Jr. says he likes to “reward the bold and punish the timid” on the golf courses he designs.

But on some of those courses, such as the Links at Monarch Beach in South County--or more notably at Spanish Bay adjacent to Pebble Beach--boldness by itself doesn’t wash.

It takes long drives, pinpoint irons and precision putting--and being on pretty good terms with your maker.

Jones sees himself as the protector of the land and the golfer as the invader, so don’t expect any favors from the man.

Expect instead what he calls “gathering bunkers” behind greens that leave you blasting out to greens sloping downhill away from the pins. Also expect fairway bunkers at just about the distance of an average drive.

And expect undulating greens, lots of water and one extremely treacherous hole that can demolish the best of rounds.

At Monarch Beach, that hole is the 16th, a 602-yard par 5 they call the “double cross” because it spans Salt Creek twice.

The drive at 16 must go over the creek the first time to a narrow, heavily bunkered landing area; then you need a straight and hefty fairway wood to get into position to cross the creek again toward the green.

There’s no way out of the creek, incidentally, should you land there (“It’s like a plane crash,” Jones once said. “You’re not supposed to survive.”).

On the flip side, there is the spectacularly beautiful 12th hole, a relatively easy (unless the wind is blowing) 315-yard par 4 perched directly above the beach.

The sheer splendor of this one hole makes any round at Monarch Beach worthwhile.

Unlike many local courses that have suffered from the weird summer heat and humidity, Monarch Beach is in superb condition, its Bermuda fairways and bent grass greens as lush as they can be.

And, relatively speaking anyway, the greens fees aren’t all that bad--$65 Monday through Thursday and $85 Friday through Sun day, including a motorized cart. Compare that with the $95 to $125 fees at Pelican Hill, the other South County privately-owned-but-open-to-the-public ocean course.

The PGA rating for the par 70 course is 67.2, but head pro Chris Herald (and anyone else who has played the course with even a mild wind coming off the ocean, for that matter) figures the rating was done on the calmest day of the year.

It is a fairly short (5,655 yards from the men’s tees) course, but not for long. An extension of three holes is about to begin and will add considerable yardage.

And, after nine years of operation, the Links at Monarch Beach still has no clubhouse, although plans for one were approved along with the expansion of the course. When finished, you can expect the ante to go up too.

The Good: Picture-perfect greens, spectacular views of the ocean.

The Bad: The timid need not apply, especially for No. 16.

The Ugly: Not here.

A Matter of Course

The Links at Monarch Beach, 33080 Niguel Road, Monarch Beach, 92629. (714) 240-8247.

Distance: 5,655 yards.

Par: 70.

Greens fees: Monday through Thursday: $65. Friday through Sunday: $85. Twilight, Monday through Thursday: $45. Twilight, Friday through Sunday: $55.

Carts: Motorized carts included with greens fees.

Driving range: No range, but hitting cages available.

Reservations: Taken seven days prior to round. Pre-booking is also available eight to 30 days out but costs an additional $15 per person.

Lessons: $30 for half-hour private lesson. No group lessons.

Los Angeles Times