Pebble Beach Golf Links

 

International Magazine Ratings

 

Stopping at Monterey to catch-up with friends on the way to Los Angeles, the temptation to play Pebble Beach was too hard to resist.  Having played the course so many times on the PC, it was time to step into the real world and physically play a round at this iconic golf course. Suffering a severe case of the flu, I thought it would be a wise decision to hire a cart, one I wouldn’t regret.

This public course is one of the most expensive in the world, at $495.  If you want a cart, clubs and caddie it will be an easy $800.  The closest I’ve had to this was the Serapong Course on Sentosa Island, home to the Singapore Open, at $425.  Having said that it is worth every cent and should be played at least once by the keen golfer.  I’ve heard by many that other courses in the Monterey Peninsula area are more challenging, but none are as famous, with the exception of Cypress Point.

The practice green is quite large and will help you deal with almost any putt

With the objective of placing as many holes as possible along the coast line, Pebble Beach Golf course was designed by Jack Neville and Douglas Grant. To enable as much of the coastline to be used, the designed incorporated a figure eight layout. It opened on the 22nd February in 1919. Annually the course hosts the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, with many celebrities taking part. It has also hosted the US Open on five occasions, most recently in 2010.

Course map of Pebble Beach Golf Links

 

Scorecard for Pebble Beach Golf Links

The start of the coastline holes is the 6th. This 462 meter par 5, requires a tee shot to be up the centre to a narrowing fairway, avoiding the sea and the numerous bunkers on the left. A difficult second shot is to a raised fairway sloping to the right, with the sea coming into play. Hit the top fairway and par is a real possibility. The green slopes from back to front and is relatively flat, with only a slight undulation to the centre right.

Fairway of the 6th, an extremely tricky par 5

The next hole is a stark contrast to the 6th. Hole 7 is a short 96 meter par 3. Playing downhill, you must be confident to fully hit your club. A bunker is short of the green whilst long is the Pacific Ocean.

The famous 7th hole – a short par 3

The green slopes from the back and slightly left to right. Take time to get a photo before leaving the tee area as this is one of the most scenic holes on the course.

Looking back to the tee on the 7th

Hole 8, a long par 4 with the ocean running the entire right hand side. The tee shot has to be precisely placed, hitting at the aiming rock will help safely hit the fairway, but beware as there is a run out area around 220-240 meters from the tee.

Tee shot from the 8th – 390 meter par 4 – don’t go too long

The second shot is breath taking and regarded as the best approach shot ever by Jack Nicklaus. Having to carry the chasm you will potentially be hitting any where from 170-210 meters. The green almost looks a postage stamp, but there is plenty of area to layup to the left. Well guarded by bunkers, this green can be tricky dependent on the pin position.  My putt did an almost Augusta like turn to run off further than the original length for what should have been par.

The approach shot is very intimidating to the 8th green

One thing for sure, if you are not playing well you will at least enjoy the scenery along the coast. The ninth and tenth holes have beach running along there length, but also present other issues with thick rough and large fairway bunkers, almost guaranteeing you will not see the green with your second. After completing the eleventh we start heading back inland.

Deep bunker on the 9th hole – a collection point for a lot of balls

Scenic view of the 10th and 11th holes along the coast

They are not the most exciting holes in the world, but the 14th does get your attention once you reach the green. This monster 523 meter par 5 can certainly show its teeth on the putting surface. It is critical to approach as close as possible to the pin, especially if at the back of the green behind a huge bunker.

Approach to the 14th green – the difficult 523 meter par 5

The front right has a huge hill leading up to the back plateau. If the ball lands in this area there is no guarantee of staying on the green. There is also a dilemma as the bunker encroaches on the line and there is the temptation to chip on the green (always impressive for the green keeper). This was one of the most difficult greens in the last US Open at Pebble Beach, with some of the pros struggling to keep the ball on the putting surface, especially if they had played long.

Putting on the 14th green is extremely difficult with its large undulations

 

Plenty of traps on the 15th – 362 meter par 4

Heading back towards the sea is the 17th. From the tee you can see the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean, so some of natures elements can effect the tee shot. This 161 meter par 3 becomes difficult due to the narrowness of the green. Angled a 45 degrees to the tee, there is a large mound through the middle which would be lucky to be 3-4 meters in width. This breaks the green into two distinct portions. There are also 4 bunkers protecting the green, one at the front, the left and two behind to catch any shot not holding the putting surface. A par here is well earn’t.

A very tight green on the 17th – a 161 meter par 3

Great finishing hole, the 18th is a 496 meter par 5 with a slight dogleg left. From the tee you can see rocks and water running the entire left side, whilst right is out of bounds. A carry over some of this is required to hit the fairway which is an achievement with the potential danger around.

A great scenic shot from the 18th tee – 496 meter par 5

The second will need to carry a couple of trees located in the centre of the fairway. But ensure you also avoid the 100+ meter bunker located on the left, separating the fairway from the water. You will quite possible still have to carry some of this bunker depending on length of the second.

The bunker runs the last 150 meters of the 18th

Approaching the green there are numerous things to distract you. A large tree to the right protects against some layup shots. Further bunkers protecting the sides and front of the green, whilst for the happy hooker (if your right handed), there is still the Pacific to avoid on the left. The green slopes generally from back to front, with a slight ridge towards the middle. A large green where two putts for par will allow that ice cold drink on the 19th to taste even better.

Looking back on the last spectacular hole of this fantastic golf course

The course was in excellent condition when I played. Tee boxes were generally flat and consistent, fairways were well manicured. The rough was quite thick in places so best avoided if possible. Bunkers were fairly soft but well maintained, so it was not a major issue to be playing out of the sand. Lastly greens were in excellent condition, consistent speeds and well covered in grass. There was a slight breeze most of the day, and remained very overcast for most of the day. I would not want to play in extreme conditions on the course as it would be extremely difficult being exposed to the sea.

Pebble Beach Golf Links is a public course, but the only way to guarantee a tee time is to stay at the Pebble Beach Resort for two nights (around $1300). This enables you to book in advance. I took the chance and showed up on the day, managing to get a late morning tee time and saving a wad of cash. If the green fees are a bit too much, you can walk along some of the course and take in the beautiful scenery.