The front nine is inland and offers nice green fairways, a few towering pines and oaks, and an achievable par on a solid day of driving and putting. But then it's time to cross Asilomar Boulevard and face the often-brutal coastal back nine. The 10th hole teases you with a short and easy par 3, but then 11 heads directly seaward toward sand dunes, ice plant, thin fairways, and, if you're really lucky, howling gusts off the Pacific. You battle the bare elements of Point Pinos through the 16th and then have the pleasure of teeing off on the 17th over a small lake to a sloped green framed by thick cypress trees. A gently uphill par 4 finishes the course as you head back to the clubhouse.
Carts are optional.
The course pro is Peter Vitarisi, and the pro shop and snack bar are conveniently situated between the 1st and 9th holes. The 5563-yard, par 70 course is situated in the usually sunny Carmel Valley. Then you have to guide your approach shot to a small green protected by a pair of nasty bunkers. The short 138-yard, par 3 13th also has an elevated tee, but this time it's a blind tee shot to a green hidden below a grove of oak trees. Carts are required and included in the greens fee.