Laguna Seca Golf Club

Laguna Seca Golf Club occupies land adjacent to the famous Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California, a region known for its dramatic coastal topography and military history. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and opened in 1970, the course was built on former Fort Ord property and reflects Jones's characteristic approach to strategic design from that era. The layout features the rolling, oak-dotted terrain typical of inland Monterey County, distinct from the oceanfront courses along the peninsula but sharing the same Mediterranean climate and natural landscape character. Jones routed the course across varied elevation changes, incorporating natural arroyos and native vegetation into the playing corridors. The design emphasizes target golf with generous landing areas balanced by strategically placed bunkers and water hazards that require thoughtful club selection and course management. Several holes play through groves of mature oaks, while others open to views of the surrounding hills and the distant Santa Lucia Range. The course serves as a public facility operated by the City of Monterey, making it an accessible option in a region otherwise dominated by private clubs and resort courses. Its location near the raceway and Fort Ord creates a distinctive setting where the sounds of motorsports occasionally punctuate rounds during race weekends. The layout provides a solid test of golf that showcases Jones's design principles without the severe difficulty or extensive bunkering found in some of his more famous championship venues.