At Half Moon Bay Golf Links, the Old Course is where dreams live and die on the cliff's edge. Carved into the windswept bluffs of the Northern California coast, the links-style layout demands a strategic ground game, especially when the sea breeze howls off the Pacific. Errant tee shots are punished not just by thick fescue, but by the very real prospect of a watery grave. Designed by Arthur Hills, the Old Course doesn't whisper, it roars. Broad fairways encourage aggression, but cunningly placed bunkers and undulating greens keep even the longest hitters honest. Favors a player who can manage the wind and flight their ball. Blind shots and doglegs force players to trust their instincts and commit to lines, especially on the inward nine where the ocean looms on nearly every hole. While never having hosted a major championship, the Old Course holds a certain prestige amongst Northern California golfers. It’s a proving ground where local club pros and ambitious amateurs test their mettle against the elements. Post-round, many head inside to savor the club’s signature clam chowder, a steaming reward for battling the ocean winds – and perhaps a consolation prize for those who found the water one too many times.