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Pebble Beach, USA |
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Cypress Point is the course you can’t play at Pebble Beach, but thankfully Pebble Beach Golf Links is one you can. “If I had only one more round to play, I would choose to play at Pebble Beach. I loved this course from the first time I saw it. It’s possibly the best in the world.” Jack Nicklaus knows a good course when he sees one, so who could argue with him?
| Dating back to the 1930s and originally known as the Bing Crosby National Pro-Am, the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am – as it is now called – is a 72-hole PGA Tour event which is typically held on three Californian, Monterey Peninsula courses. Pebble Beach, Cypress Point, Monterey Peninsula Country Club, Spyglass Hill and Poppy Hills have all been among the trio of host courses. The cut is made after Saturday’s play and the 60 leading pros and 25 pro-am teams play Pebble Beach for the tournament and the multi-million $ purse. However, back in 1937, Sam Snead picked up a relatively modest $500 first prize. | Pebble Beach is Mecca for so many golfers and it’s such a joy that everyone can play here if they can afford it. At more than $400 per round, it’s not the cheapest green fee on the planet, but where else can you soak up so much history? The course opened its tees for play in 1919 and Jack Neville laid it out with a little help from Douglas Grant, but the course we play today is primarily with thanks to Henry Chandler Egan who remodelled the course ahead of the 1929 U.S. Amateur Championship. The culmination of their combined efforts, with a little help from the “Golden Bear”, had probably resulted in the most spectacular and memorable golf course in the world.
“If Pine Valley is the most dramatically beautiful pine-and-lakeland course in this country,” wrote Robert Trent Jones in the Complete Golfer, “Pebble Beach is its unrivalled counterpart among our oceanside courses. I say “oceanside” and not “seaside,” because “seaside has come to imply low-lying linksland, and Pebble Beach is quite the reverse. It is routed along the craggy headlands that drop abruptly into Carmel Bay.
While the architects of Pebble Beach deserve acclaim for the intrepidity with which they seized the opportunities the headlands afforded, it remains an enigma to me why the did not invoke the same shot values for the interior holes. The interior holes could not have been bequeathed the gorgeous excitement of the holes along Carmel Bay, but the same grandeur of design could easily have been sustained.”
Pebble Beach is a classically simple out-and-back affair but it makes the adrenaline pump. If you can ignore the beauty of the surroundings and keep your mind focused on the game, you might card a decent score. If you can’t ignore the thundering Pacific, just take a deep breath and enjoy yourself. With so many great holes to mention we’ll keep it brief. Holes 7 to 10 comprise of probably the greatest sequence of holes on the planet.
Take a deep breath and get your wallet ready for the rollercoaster golfing ride of its life. | |
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 |  | | Average Reviewers Score: |   | | | I went to Pebble with super high expectations...and they were exceeded. The service was phenomenal. The course was better than I ever imagined. The only downside was the huge fee. That being said, play this course once in your life if you can afford it. 6 balls easy. |
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| 01 August 2011
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| | I played this course May 24th 2011 after a rush trip invited by my friend Javier Pintos which included playing Black Horse, Pasatiempo, Cypress Point, Spyglass and Pebble Beach all in 4 days!!!! The day before playing here I was lucky to play Cypress Point (and score even par 72) and Spyglass in the afternoon for a decent 77 from the tips. And on the morning of the 24th on a glorious sunny day I accomplished one of my golfing dreams and played Pebble .... TREMENDOUS!!!! The course is perfect from 1 to 18, even the inland holes are very creative in design. I played some of my best golf scoring birdies on 7 and 8 but only 2 missed shots cost me a lot more that I thought. My favourite hole? Impossible to decide, but the run 6 to 10 and 18 are breathtaking. The most difficult one? here it is between 8 and 17, these two holes will really penalize you if you miss the correct path. My best shot? An unforgetable 6 iron towards 4ft in hole 8th for maybe my best birdie of the year. One more thing: the cost of green fee is $495 including cart, but carts cannot go into fairways, so my advice is do spend u$100 more and use a caddie, walk the course and enjoy every step of it, the experience will last in your memory for all your life. |
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| 08 June 2011
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| | Eagerly anticipated events all too often fall short of expectations, probably because those expectations were unrealistically high. I had been looking forward to playing Pebble Beach for about ten months and my expectations were pretty high...and I think the course surpassed everything I had hoped for. I have played many of the top 50 courses in GB and Ireland and I have no doubt that Pebble Beach is my new number 1, by a l-o-n-g l-o-n-g way.
It is magnificent. The cost is horrendous but I don’t mind that any more. The ‘good’ holes cannot be bettered – their condition and the scenery combine to create the perfect holes. The ‘weak’ holes are all good holes in their own right – three of my fourball were caught out by the speed and slopes on the first green, the carry to the third fairway (we played from the black tees) is daunting, and many of the greens are so small that hitting them requires better precision that I could muster.
Picking a favourite hole is akin to picking a favourite child. The obvious holes were my favourites – 6 to 10, 17 and 18. I figured playing Pebble Beach would be a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience, but I now know I will go back there again one day...maybe more than once. It is fantastic.
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| 03 June 2011
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| Pebble Beach – I had arrived at the home of the 2010 US Open and the chance to walk in the footsteps of all he legends of golf who have played here in this courses great history. The first thing you notice on arrival at the Pro Shop is the number of tourists just wandering around to take photographs and buy merchandise at all the shops around the practice putting green. The Pro Shop staff was very welcoming although I suppose they should be at $495 for a round. The practice ground is a short distance away and the course provides a shuttle bus to take you there and back (about a 5 minute drive). Practice balls are plentiful and the chipping green is one of the best I have ever seen.
The starter welcomes you to the first tee and spends a short time explaining the layout of the course for the day and that carts are not allowed on the course (65000 rounds a year), a caddy will cost $100 + tip. He introduces you to your fellow players and you decide which tee to play off there is a sign which suggests the best tee for your handicap. Now the tingling really starts you are teeing up on the first a 400 yard dog leg to a tiny green but then all the greens are tiny which along with the thick rough which just grabs your club are what makes the course so tough.
The fairways are surprisingly wide so if you keep it straight a good score is quite within your grasp (unlike Spyglass Hill)! The 5th and 7th are just as amazing as they look on the TV spectacular views and a helpful marshal on the 7th to tell you just how long it is playing that day (80 yards) and what a tricky 80 yards it is. Finally 5 hours later, do not expect a quick round, you come to the 18th just as good as it looks on the TV, the drive over the ocean aiming at the twin Cypress trees on the fairway then either a careful layup or a big 2nd to the green for the low handicapper. Hit into the green and then put out in front of all those people just there to watch and take a photo of those who a lucky enough to play this wonderful course. My highlights were the stunning views and the blind uphill second aiming at that lone Cypress tree at the back of the 5th a truly intimidating shot but so rewarding. |
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| 22 August 2010
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| | Recently played as part of a RTWorld Trip. Stayed at lodge overlooking 18th only made this more of an enjoyable experience. Can't wait to see how the big guns cope come June and the US Open. For most golfers playing here would i think eclipse Cypress Point because you are walkng in he footsteps of your heroes. |
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| 19 April 2010
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| | I was very fortunate to get the half price rate of $250 this past summer at Pebble Beach. and I have to say the course is absolutely amazing. I had goose bumps the entire with all the history and scenic views. The hospitality is second to none all the way from the pro shop, caddies and transportation to and from the driving range. If you love golf this is a must play, |
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| 18 March 2010
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| Pebble Beach! I was going to golf the famous Pebble Beach! What history and drama both in the spectacular view and the great golfers involved. To walk the same ground as Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson really heightened the excitement to play. I was nervous, and I started planning my first tee shot long before arriving. If I could hit just one good shot, I was hoping it would be that one. What a feeling to see that ball soar through the air straight down the fairway, and the confident pose that would follow. How should I approach the round? Should I not care about the score and just enjoy the moment, or try really hard to play well so I can boast to my friends, or just learn from the experience and history of the course? I decided to do all of the above, but maintain a smile on my face for the entire day.
This year Pebble Beach is hosting another US Open Championship – the fifth in its history. Previous winners were Nicklaus in 1972, Tom Watson in 1982, Tom Kite in 1992 and Tiger Woods’s 15 stroke victory in 2000. The course went through significant changes since its last championship. It had four greens and sixteen bunkers rebuilt, altered or installed; eleven tees have benefited from enhancements, and six holes have seen the addition or adjustment of trees. The total length of the course has also been lengthened to 7,040 yards, but it’s still playing to a par 71.
The fairways have also been cut to force players to hit toward more trouble spots on a number of holes that border the Pacific Ocean’s cliffs. The increased precision required and higher difficulty is showcased on hole #8, a 428-yard hole that requires a lay-up to about 195 yards out. The tee shot will force the player to challenge the right side of the fairway as the rough has been grown along the entire left side of what used to be fairway. Then the player is faced with an extremely challenging long iron shot over a gorge to a small and undulating green. Drop a ball at the two hundred yard marker, and I would guess that the average golfer has about a one in twenty chance of hitting the green. One more thing: the prevailing winds are usually in your face making an extremely tough shot even tougher. That approach shot was one of my favourites of all time.
Other features of Pebble Beach that one can't appreciate on TV are the size and undulation of the greens. There are some shots where one sees very little of the putting surface with bunkers and mounds hiding them. The greens at Pebble Beach are the smallest on tour putting a premium on hitting the right club to the right spot. This is another difference that the amateur playing the course will experience. You really have to trust your club selection and be confident over your shot. You can really get stuck on where not to go instead of where you want to be. The most forgiving part of the course, especially when the rough is down, are the tee shots. There is an opportunity to spray the ball on a few holes and still have decent approach shots. However, with the rough grown out, tees moved back, slick postage stamp greens and the unpredictable Monterey weather, Pebble Beach is sure to test the pros at this year’s US Open Championship.
Pebble Beach was amazing in all its facets. The golf was one aspect, but there was much more. The shopping, restaurants, spa and equestrian center and the history and glamour of the place are as advertised. The resort is also a great destination for water sports, surfing, walking, food and wine and is even host to a huge car show every August. There were a number of non-golfing tourists enjoying the area and taking pictures of the many unbelievable views. When at Pebble Beach, you feel like you are somewhere significant, and you are constantly reminded of its rich history and glamour. One more thing: I recommend getting a caddy, especially if you never had one. I met a gentleman named Steve, an eleven-year veteran with over 3600 rounds caddied at Pebble Beach. He was extremely helpful, and provided a guided tour of the course and its rich history. I relied heavily on his ability to read greens and recommendations on aiming spots and yardage. He played a role in my mental approach as he always stayed positive and encouraged me to trust my swing. Steve's dream is to eventually get a bag for the US Open, and I believe he would do a tremendous job with any golfers that would utilize his tremendous knowledge of the course.
Overall, Pebble Beach was something I will always remember and not just for the golfing. The Monterey Peninsula is spectacular, and it offers a wide variety of experiences for all. I would strongly encourage any golf enthusiast to enjoy the walk on #18 at Pebble Beach. What a way to finish a round at a historical place in golf history! The three and a half footer I made for par will always stand in my mind as one of my happiest moments in golf. |
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| 17 January 2010
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| Can’t believe anyone would give this less than top marks purely from a golf perspective. There’s a magic about this place and a history that to me places it above any of the ‘Members only’ institutions rated above it. I fear that some wallets have had more than quite a bit of influence on the more negative reviews. Having said that it is outrageously expensive but that does NOT and should not detract from it’s appeal. It is the only course in the US top 10 generally open to the public so it’s not surprising they can charge a premium and get away with it. If the other top courses opened their doors, Pebble would perhaps have to price itself more competitively although I don’t see that happening anytime soon. Contrast the U.S. top 10 with the U.K. top 10. In the UK, all of the top 10 are open to the public so even the very top courses are priced significantly more competitively.
Anyway, to the course... I was lucky enough to experience it on a benign and sunny day in December. I had been playing and scoring well before travelling to the States and I played well for the rest of the vacation too after I left Pebble. Even at Pebble I was striking the ball well but somehow I never even got close to my handicap. The course ever so subtely beat me to pieces and I’m still working out what happened (shot 91 off 9). It seemed like the slightest mistake resulted in double bogey. Managed to birdie 7 after stiffing it close off the tee which pleased me greatly although par at the 8th after pulling my approach back left and leaving the downhill chip from hell was probably the better achievement. I then proceeded to double the 9th out of nowhere. As others have said the stretch from 6 thru 10 (I would say 4 thru 10) is awesome. I’m trying to think of a 7 hole stretch anywhere to match it... possibly the seaside stretch at Turnberry of 4 thru 10. The 17th/18th are also awesome golf holes. Like St Andrews the 18th quite often has an impromptu gallery as busloads of Japanese & Korean tourists pass through.
To be honest if I was asked to name the weak holes, I’d struggle... 1,11,12,13 possibly, even so I’d be happy playing those holes every day. The pick of the inland holes from a difficulty point of view would have to be 14, after 570 dogleg yards a green to make even the best look completely foolish. The pro’s however might say 2 as they play it as a Par 4 rather than a 5 As I write it’s 3 weeks since I played it and I can still recall for each hole whether I hit the fairway and whether I hit the green in regulation. I can replay the vast majority of the round in my head. I don’t get that everywhere I play so that to me is my signal that I’d played a very memorable course. Alas, I cant remember every drink I had in the Tap Room afterwards. All in all I think it’s an awesome place that every golfer should experience at least once. |
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| 09 January 2010
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| Response: | | | Simon | 15 January 2010 | | Great review! Sounds awesome and I agree money shouldn't even be a factor when playing these courses, the history and beauty of the place should override the fact it costs £300+ to play, I hope to play it myself some day soon. |
| | | I feel that I should write an up to date review for this golf course.
I have just returned from a trip state side and can honestly say that Pebble Beach has gone straight to my No1 spot of golf courses played.
I can only presume that the feedback posted below is from golfers that have been chewed up and spat out by this truly magnificent golf course.
Whilst it's not a true links course, it certainly plays like one, especially on the front nine, OK, it's not fast running and as you turn for home on 11 you play into some trees but every single hole on the golf course has a clever feature that tricks the eye and every tee shot demands full commitment if you are to avoid the punishing rough/sand/sea. The greens are tiny, surrounded by ankle high club grabbing rough and quick. The par 3's are particularly difficult, I played from the blue tees which were well back and apart from the flick into the 7th every short hole required a long shot.
The course is designed to test the best in the world but open for us all to enjoy, yes it's expensive but so are all the best things in life. |
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| 30 August 2009
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| Response: | | | David | 21 February 2010 | | Sorry, I simply can't agree. I played it in the summer and it simply does not play as a links course - it's a parkland course by the sea. Great views of the water yes but that doesn't make it links. Oh yes, and several holes are in the middle of a housing estate. A nice housing estate, an expensive housing estate - but a housing estate all the same. And no, I didn't get chewed up by the course - I played exactly to my handicap off the medal tees. It was very good but over-rated at 6 balls for me. |
| | | The 6th to 10th hole stretch is remarkable. This and the finish to the course are sufficient to counter a few average holes. A universal golf icon. |
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| 30 December 2008
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| | Played Pebble in April this year. This course is far too expensive for what it delivers. Some good holes, but lots of average holes. All in all, if you're in the area, better have two rounds at Spyglass/poppy hills than at pebble. A huge disappointment! |
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| 11 August 2008
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| | Imagine if Pebble was the ultra private club and Cypress was the resort track. With this added "BS mystique" Pebble would be ranked the best course in the world into perpetuity. Holes 6,7 and 8 is one of the best stretches on the planet. They should place the clubhouse out where the 10th green is now. Holes 4 to 10 would become holes 12 to 18 and represent the best finishing sequence in the history of golf - just a thought |
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| 05 July 2007
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| Response: | | | Nick | 04 June 2008 | | Pebble Beach is the greatst course in the world. this course takes my breath away from the moment i saw the first tee. till the moment i saw the U.S Open Cup in the Club House. It is the best course in the World. |
| | Played Pebble Beach for the first time a couple of days ago - middle of June. We were not staying at the resort so had expected to have to phone up everyday to see if there were lots for the 2 of us. On the offchance we called reservations on Sunday and were offered a tee time for Wednesday afternoon. A good start. We decided to take caddies to make the most of the experience. One slightly annoying feature was that as there were two of us we had to share a caddy between us for the same price as getting one each. They seemed a bit surprised when we asked if we could have one each and the answer came back no. Fortunately we were both hitting to similar areas and no wild slices and hooks - could have been an even longer round if that had been the case.
The practice putting green was running fast and true so expectations were high on the first tee. The caddy tried to point me (18 handicapper) to the gold tees and my friend (4) to the blues but we decided to both play the back tees. The first hole was a massive disappointment. The fairway was massively sanded - and the first green was a temporary! Bear in mind we had paid $450 each for this. No-one had told us about the condition of the course when booking or before - ludicrous. I would suggest anyone considering playing asks beforehand!
The first few holes are nondescript and really do feel like any American Country Club course. Cart paths, roads and houses making up the most notable features. From there though the holes on the water are clearly special. the par 5 6th is intimidating on the tee but actually quite playable. By the time we got to the signature par 3 7th the wind was up and yardages were not really much use. A punchy knock down was the order of the day which my partner managed. I put a gap wedge in the air and paid the price as the wind brought it back into the sand. 8 is a fantastic hole - the approach shot over a canyon truly spectacular and the par I got there will stay with me for a long time. 9 and 10 both are great holes, mainly because of the setting, before going back inland. This stretch is probably better than the first few inland holes Although the green on the par 5 14th is a bit ridiculous - after coming 572 yards is is pretty small and very angled. 17 and 18 are simply a great finishing 2 holes. The wind was up and 17 was playing a rescue for me. My partner parred it well. 18 is just a great walk up. Spolit for me by a 4 putt to shoot 92. Still, 2 over handicap from the back tees at Pebble was satisfactory!
Overall we didn't have problems with the staff that others have indicated. Everyone was friendly and the caddy pretty good. The day was slightly spolit by the sanded fairways and very inconsistent greens. Some were slow, some were fast and it was a question of having a guess when you got there. Overall though glad we did it, enjoyed the views and the history but there may not be a next time. |
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| 22 June 2007
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| | All in all a real disappointment for me. Obviously Cypress Point is a must play if you can get on but I would rate Spanish Bay and Spyglass above this course. Yes there are three or so good holes along the coast line but the rest are mediocre. On these holes I found the designs predictable and unimaginative, and the “wild” areas to look scruffy and artificial. The marshals are unusually aggressive and unfriendly, and are obviously there to squeeze maximal revenue from the punters (the caddies call them cash flow managers). Even the starter was unusually pompous telling us that “Arnold Palmer has requested no mulligans on the first”. As every green has bunkers completely surrounding it, and most are on the small side, the greens were often covered in sand. The practice green was immaculate though. To top it all, there was no spike bar to enjoy a drink with a view of the 18th. The bar overlooking the course was spikeless and full. Overall way too expensive, and over-rated. |
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| 30 May 2007
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| Response: | | | Rob G | 14 August 2010 | | Whoa my boy! I have played it twice and each time it was a truly religious experience. First time: 1982 day after final round of US Open. (Watched from 18th stands as Watson chipped in on 17th and Nicklaus walking down 18 never turned nor batted an eye {he knew}). I was glorious hacking through 6 inch rough (when I had to) to see the promised land, and on Seven I dreamed of acing 7 as I watched Weiskopf do on Saturday's third round (though I chipped in for birdie out of the land side bunker for a thrill ...lucky shot)... and finished with an 85 from the original tips. Fast forward to 1998 and the return to my baptism. Parred 14 through 18 in and finished with an 83 and cried walking off 18 knowing it may be my last visit... Spent $300 on the logo'ed fleece wind shirt and still drag it out of the bag when it counts. Let's all be honest, If you complain your a "sandbagger" anyways... | | | Steven | 27 June 2011 | | Way over-rated? Then way has it hosted so many championships and why is it that nearly everyone in the world, including most leading golf course experts rate it as the best by far, and it's not just the ocean holes, it's the whole course design, 1 through 18, uh? |
| | | No doubt Cypress is better than Pebble but I'm not sure that a ride around the course in a cart constitutes a fair hearing. Yes there are number of average holes at Pebble, yes there are a number of great holes at Pebble and yes there are a number of good holes at Pebble. Basically there's a mix and it seems that Pebble comes in for criticism due to the hefty fee. Perhaps it's overpriced, but so are plenty of courses that you won't remember playing. One thing is for sure, play Pebble once and you'll remember it forever. |
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| 04 December 2006
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| | Ok, the course has 6-7 great holes but all the others are just average which doesn't add up to greatness in my opinion. It certainly isn't worth $450/round to play it plus caddy fee. |
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| 12 September 2006
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| | Well I’m surprised to be the first to post a review for Pebble Beach… surely tens of thousands have played here judging by the number of people who were out on the course when I last played here in fall 2004. This is a religious experience without a doubt but surely beyond the means of ordinary folk. I think the fee is close to $2,000 per tee time and that’s a hefty fee in anyone’s book. No doubt this is a stunning course and the Oceanside holes, like Turnberry are terrific but the inland holes are not in mind great and the rangers seemingly come at you from all angles encouraging you to speed up play, even when there is nowhere to go and you are hard up against the group in front. It’s too much of a commercial merry-go-round for me. I’d rather play my golf in more relaxed surroundings. It’s a must play once course just to tick the box but it’s not a patch on the truly outstanding Cypress Point. |
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| 31 August 2006
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| Response: | | | Keith | 13 September 2006 | | Just to clarify. The current cost (as at Sept 2006) per single green fee for Resort Guests is $450 incl. cart. For Non-Resort Guests price is $450 + cart. Therefore the minimum standard cost for a fourball is $1,800. | | | Ross Lumsden | 09 April 2007 | | Hold on hold on. Pebble beach is far from ordinary this course is excellent after playing both pebble and Cypress in the summer of 06 i can safely say that i could not pick a favourite. Pebble's top holes top cypress's while the points other holes are better than pebbles. so it comes down to the history for me. Watson chipping in and running around the green doing god knows. and tiger destroying the field |
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