17-Mile Drive

The Links at Spanish Bay (17-Mile Dr., north end. 831/624-3811, 831/624-6611, or 800/654-9300), which hugs a choice stretch of shoreline, is designed in the rugged manner of a traditional Scottish course, with sand dunes and coastal marshes interspersed among the greens. Greens fees are $250, plus $30 per person for cart rental (cart is included for resort guests); nonguests can reserve tee times up to two months in advance.

Pebble Beach Golf Links (17-Mile Dr., near Lodge at Pebble Beach. 831/624-3811, 831/624-6611, or 800/654-9300) attracts golfers from around the world, despite greens fees of $475, plus $30 per person for an optional cart (complimentary cart for guests of the Pebble Beach and Spanish Bay resorts). Nonguests can reserve a tee time only one day in advance on a space-available basis (up to a year for groups); resort guests can reserve up to 18 months in advance.

Peter Hay (17-Mile Dr. 831/625-8518 or 831/624-6611), a 9-hole, par-3 course, charges $20 per person, no reservations necessary. Poppy Hills (3200 Lopez Rd., at 17-Mile Dr. 831/625-2035), a splendid 18-hole course designed in 1986 by Robert Trent Jones Jr., has greens fees of $195; an optional cart costs $34. Individuals may reserve up to one month in advance, groups up to a year.

Spyglass Hill (Stevenson Dr. and Spyglass Hill Rd. 831/624-3811, 831/624-6611, or 800/654-9300) is among the most challenging Pebble Beach courses. With the first five holes bordering on the Pacific and the other 18 reaching deep into the Del Monte Forest, the views offer some consolation. Greens fees are $315, and an optional cart costs $30 (the cart is complimentary for resort guests). Reservations are essential and may be made up to one month in advance (18 months for guests).

Carmel Valley

The Golf Club at Quail Lodge (8000 Valley Greens Dr. 831/624-2770) incorporates several lakes into its course. Depending on the season and day of the week, greens fees range from $115 to $140 for guests and $125 to $175 for nonguests, including cart rental. Rancho Cañada Golf Club (4860 Carmel Valley Rd., 1 mi east of Hwy. 1. 831/624-0111 or 800/536-9459) is a public course with 36 holes, some of them overlooking the Carmel River. Fees range from $35 to $80, plus $36 for cart rental, depending on course and tee time.

Monterey

Greens fees at the 18-hole Del Monte Golf Course (1300 Sylvan Rd. 831/373-2700) are $110, plus $25 per person for an optional cart. The $25 twilight special (plus cart rental) begins two hours before sunset.

Pacific Grove

Greens fees at the 18-hole Pacific Grove Municipal Golf Links (77 Asilomar Blvd. 831/648-5777. www.ci.pg.ca.us/golf) run between $35 and $40 (you can play 9 holes for $20-$23), with an after-2 PM twilight rate of $20. Optional carts cost $34 ($20 for 9 holes). The course has spectacular ocean views on its back nine. Tee times may be reserved up to seven days in advance.

Santa Cruz

Tee off at woodsy DeLaveaga Golf Course (401 Upper Park Rd. 831/423-7212. www.delaveagagolf.com), an 18-hole, par-72 public course in a hilly park setting overlooking the town and bay. Greens fees are $50 to $65, and an optional electric cart costs $18 per rider.

Designed by famed golf architect Dr. Alister MacKenzie in 1929, semi-private Pasatiempo Golf Club (20 Clubhouse Rd. 831/459-9155. www.pasatiempo.com), set amid undulating hills just above the city, often ranks among the nation's top championship courses in annual polls. Golfers rave about the spectacular views and challenging terrain. Greens fees are $175 to $195; an electric cart is $25 per player.