Golf Course Grasses on the Monterey Peninsula

Monterey Peninsula golf courses are famous not only for their breathtaking views and challenging layouts but also for their unique turf conditions. The coastal climate and variety of microclimates influence the types of grass used on different courses. Below, we’ll explore which grasses are found on several prominent Monterey Peninsula courses and how they impact the game. These grasses vary in climate tolerance, growth patterns, and how they affect play, so it’s helpful to know what’s underfoot.

Bermuda Grass

Climate: Warm-season grass.

Characteristics: Bermuda grass is known for its durability and heat tolerance, thriving in warm temperatures. It has a fine texture, grows dense, and is often used for fairways, tees, and roughs. The grass provides a good, firm surface that makes the ball sit up well for shots. However, it doesn’t tolerate cold temperatures, which means it’s generally used in warmer climates.

Effect on Play: Bermuda grass produces a firm, fast surface, especially in the summer. The ball tends to roll out more compared to other grasses, and the rough can be dense, making it harder to escape.

Bentgrass

Climate: Cool-season grass.

Characteristics: Bentgrass is a favorite for putting greens because of its smooth, dense surface. It thrives in cooler climates and is often used on greens in northern regions. The grass has a fine texture and produces a fast, smooth putting surface when properly maintained.

Effect on Play: Bentgrass greens tend to be fast, offering a challenging putting experience. The ball will roll true, but it can be more difficult to stop on firm greens due to the low-growing, dense nature of the grass.

Poa Annua (Annual Bluegrass)

Climate: Cool-season grass.

Characteristics: Poa Annua is often considered a weed by golfers, but it’s commonly found on greens, especially in coastal and temperate climates. It grows rapidly and can create an uneven surface when not properly maintained. It’s often mixed with other grass types on greens to help keep them vibrant and playable.

Effect on Play: Poa Annua greens are often less consistent than bentgrass greens, with ball rolls that can vary from day to day. On coastal courses, it’s common for the Poa Annua to thrive, creating a more unpredictable putting experience.

Fescue

Climate: Cool-season grass.

Characteristics: Fescue grass is used in roughs, fairways, and tees on many golf courses, especially in northern climates. It’s known for its ability to grow well in a variety of soil types and its tolerance to drought. Fescue has a fine texture and a dense, thick growth habit that can make recovery shots challenging.

Effect on Play: The thick, wiry nature of fescue roughs can make it difficult to play from, adding a level of difficulty to the game. It is less common on greens but can be found in the rough or fairways of some courses.

Zoysia Grass

Climate: Warm-season grass.

Characteristics: Zoysia is another warm-season grass, similar to Bermuda, but it has a finer texture and tends to form a very dense, carpet-like surface. It’s slow to establish but very durable once it does. Zoysia is often used on fairways, tees, and roughs in warm climates.

Effect on Play: Zoysia’s dense, low-growing nature makes for a smooth but firm surface. It can make for good lies on fairways but tricky shots from the rough, where it can be more difficult to get under the ball.

Course Information

Pebble Beach Golf Links

Grass Type: Primarily Poa Annua on the greens, with Bermuda grass on fairways and roughs.

Impact on Play: Pebble Beach’s coastal location and proximity to the Pacific Ocean make Poa Annua a natural choice for the greens. Poa greens can be challenging, offering inconsistent ball roll depending on the weather. The fairways are lined with Bermuda grass, which can produce firmer surfaces, especially in the warmer months. The coastal winds and humidity can also affect the ball’s behavior.

Spyglass Hill Golf Course

Grass Type: Poa Annua greens, with Bermuda and Fescue in fairways and roughs.

Impact on Play: Spyglass Hill features the same coastal Poa Annua greens as Pebble Beach, which adds a layer of unpredictability to putting. The fairways and roughs are primarily Bermuda and fescue, offering a mix of firm conditions and dense, challenging roughs. Spyglass's positioning in a variety of landscapes, including coastal and forested areas, means different grasses will interact with the ball differently depending on the section of the course.

The Preserve Golf Club

Grass Type: Bentgrass greens, with Fescue and Bermuda in fairways and roughs.

Impact on Play: The Preserve is a more inland course with higher elevation, making it a perfect spot for cool-season grasses like bentgrass. The greens here are smooth and fast, providing a more predictable putting surface. The fairways feature Bermuda and fescue, making them firm and smooth, though the fescue rough can be a challenge for recovery shots.

Monterey Peninsula Country Club (Shore Course)

Grass Type: Poa Annua greens, with Bermuda grass on fairways and roughs.

Impact on Play: Similar to Pebble Beach, Monterey Peninsula Country Club’s Shore Course benefits from Poa Annua greens, which are ideal for coastal climates. The Bermuda grass fairways provide firm, fast conditions, especially in the summer, making it essential for golfers to adjust their game to the hard, fast surfaces.

Quail Lodge Golf Club

Grass Type: Bentgrass greens, with Bermuda and Fescue fairways and roughs.

Impact on Play: Quail Lodge is another inland course, which is perfect for bentgrass greens, offering a consistent, smooth putting surface. The Bermuda grass fairways provide a firm surface, while the fescue roughs create tough conditions, challenging golfers to play accurately.

Carmel Valley Ranch

Grass Type: Bentgrass greens, with Fescue and Bermuda fairways and roughs.

Impact on Play: Carmel Valley Ranch, nestled in a more protected inland location, offers bentgrass greens that are smooth and fast, especially during the cooler months. The fescue roughs can be punishing, making it essential for golfers to avoid errant shots. The Bermuda fairways provide a smooth, firm surface for better ball striking.

Understanding the Grass Beneath Your Feet

The type of grass on a golf course can have a significant impact on your game, influencing everything from your ball's roll to the difficulty of escaping the rough. Monterey Peninsula courses offer a range of turf conditions, from the coastal Poa Annua greens at Pebble Beach to the inland bentgrass at Carmel Valley Ranch. By understanding the grasses found at these iconic courses, you can better prepare for your round and adjust your game accordingly.

Next time you tee off at Pebble Beach or Quail Lodge, take a moment to consider the grass underfoot—it might just change the way you approach your shots!