Pebble Beach Golf Links

When I first played Pebble Beach back in 2004, it had just overtaken Pine Valley as the No. 1 course in the United States. I remembered the course being beautiful, with breathtaking scenery of the Pacific Ocean, especially on holes four through 10, then 17 and 18. What had bothered me the first time I played the course had a lot to do with conditioning, attitude and cost. The tees, fairways and greens were immaculate and the rough was very thick, but fair. The putting surfaces are not filled with spines or hogbacks down the center, they are simply tilted in each direction. The greens are surprisingly small at 3,500 square feet, veritable postage stamps! One incredibly distinct difference, in the changes in the course since the last time I played was the eworking of the bunkers, it now gives the course that old-time feel. Whispy grass surrounds most of the traps, a touch of Scotland and Ireland. Service was excellent, attentive, and receptive, as it should be, since the cost for a round of golf at Pebble Beach has increased to $495 and a two-night stay is required. If you're a golfer, this is the one place you have to play, start now, save a $1 a day for 4 years, and make plans! Flag Content

It only took a few holes to understand why, even in this economy, people have been playing Pebble Beach all year. Nearly every hole there would be the signature hole on any other course; some overlooking the ocean, others winding back inland. Holes 6-8 were particularly impressive in person. The par-5 6th was 500 yards and doglegged right up and over a hill and out onto a peninsula that sat several stories above the water. The 6th was where Tiger hit one of his most famous shots, a 7-iron he hoisted from the thick rough on the right onto the fringe that give him an eagle putt as part of his ludicrous 15-stroke victory at the 2000 U.S. Open. The 7th, one of the most unique holes in major championship golf, is a downhill par-3 measuring just over 100 yards and playing much shorter. The tee points out toward the postage-stamp green with nothing but the surf of the Pacific in the background. Arguably even more impressive, though, is the 8th. A tee shot that carries too far can fall into the sea’s inlet that cuts across the fairway, setting up a long iron approach shot to another small green that seems even smaller given its ring of surrounding bunkers.We played 17—a gorgeous 180-yard par-3 headed directly toward the ocean—and 18—a par-5 wrapping around 550 yards of rugged coastline—with some speed to try and finish in time to avoid the impending rain, cold, and darkness which seemed to be closing in from all sides. Wonderful experience overall, a must play if only once Flag Content