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By VW
In the golfing world, there are just a few sacred names. One is St. Andrews, the very birthplace of golf. The mention of Augusta National elicits images that have only been seen on CBS and described by Mr. James Nantz. And then there is Pebble Beach. Two words could not hold more meaning to a golfer who has had the unique opportunity to play this course or even dreamed of playing it. Located south of San Francisco on the Monterey Peninsula, Pebble Beach is the golfing Mecca in North America. Nothing in golf is as recognizable as the lone Cypress Tree on the cliff. And in truth, no course that we have played has ever delivered in such a momentous fashion. To attempt to review this course could never do it justice, so below are simply our impressions and some tips for making the most of what could be, the round of your lifetime.
| #1 |
How would you like to start your round with Tom Lehman on the tee box giving pointers? That was our luck when we approached the box. Handshakes were exchanged and autographs granted. House might have even made a mild romantic advance to Tom that signaled the start of our round and the end of our conversation. Play the smart play off the tee; a long iron (funny, I know) or fairway wood to the middle of the fairway. Cutting the slight dogleg right only ends in misery. Be grateful for par and satisfied with bogey as you work the lump out of your throat. |
| #2 |
Let your driver loose on this short par 5. The green is easily reachable in two, but holding the green may be another story. A deep bunker that runs the width of the green makes laying up a difficult option. |
| #3 |
If you have the ability to draw the ball, play the driver just to the right of the tree line on the left that blocks the vast majority of the fairway. Careful on the approach because the hedge behind the green is in play. |
| #4 |
This par 4 can be reached in one, if not for the bottlenecking bunkers on the front and the constantly shifting wind off of Stillwater Cove. Keep in mind that the wind will move your ball from right to left, but overcompensating will take you over the bluff for your first great view of the Pacific. |
| #5 |
This short par 3 affords fantastic views of Stillwater Cove and the encroaching bluff. As always, the wind will affect shot selection, but the safe play is to the left of center, regardless of pin position. |
| #6 |
This par 5 begins a stretch of three of the most famous holes in golf. You could hit two drivers and still not make it to the second tier fairway and green. You will be playing into the wind the entire hole, so the 466 yards feels like 566. However, play a full driver to the end of the first fairway and take at least one extra club the balance of way to reach the green. Good luck concentrating on your putt as your mind and eyes wander to the 7th. |
| #7 |
Here it is. The holiest of holes. Countless men and women have approached this tee box with visions of the ace of all aces. We were no different. However, on this day, a small Asian man with the outing in front of us, with we could only assume were rented clubs, drained his first ace right in front of us. Being superstitious characters, we knew our chances were almost entirely diminished by this random act of fate. Nevertheless, pose for a picture with the tree and the coastline, and then gauge the wind and play a knockdown short iron. Savor this surreal moment and proceed on so as not to interfere with the next group of tourists. |
| #8 |
This par 4 takes full advantage of the geography with a forced layup at the edge of the bluff (or maybe it is a canyon in California). This was the first time that I played House's Hogan Hybrid. Perfection! 200 yards to the edge of the fairway gives you a reasonable shot at clearing the chasm and sticking the green, which sits between a hillside on the left and the ocean on the right. Plus, there are bunkers if these two obstacles weren't enough. |
| #9 |
The entire fairway runs left to right, so the sensible shot would be down the left side. However, the prevailing wind off the ocean will push your ball left, so we suggest taking aim at the center of the fairway, keeping in mind that the fairway bunker is in play. A deep bunker guards the front left and the ocean edges up to the right. So, pick your poison (you can always attempt a sandy, while the ocean is less accommodating). |
| #10 |
We met up with Tom Lehman again at the 10th. He offered to take the tee shot for the foursome in front of us. When our opportunity came, we opted to play our own drives. Unless mistaken, Tom gave an audible stamp of approval on our drives. This par 4, which mirrors the 9th, will always be the Hitchcock Hole for us. Our random third, Robert, picked up lunch at the turn and was forewarned that the birds at Pebble Beach were extremely aggressive. Picture a golf cart swarmed by sea gulls and Robert screaming for the birds to drop his Fritos. Same strategy on this hole as the previous. Always be on the lookout for sand or water. |
| #11 |
This par 4 is cleverly designed to nearly hide the change in elevation. You barely notice it until you smash your drive and are left with a long iron to the green. Again, never judge the book by its cover. This hole is a challenge to play, from tee to green. |
| #12 |
A long par 3 playing roughly 180 yards. Fairly routine by Pebble Beach standards. |
| #13 |
Ignore the yardage book on this par 4. Going uphill the entire way, this hole plays closer to 400 yards. The key to your approach is the knowledge that everything falls to the left, and severely so. |
| #14 |
This par 5 is the hardest hole on the course and deservedly so. It is a legitimate three-shot par 5, beginning with a long iron, hybrid, or utility wood to the dogleg right. This will leave a second shot over 250 yards to green tucked in and elevated with greenside bunkers front right and left. Par is an excellent score on this hole. |
| #15 |
In our opinion, this par 4 is probably the throw-away hole on the course. There is nothing extraordinary in the design or scenery. Accurate tee shots put you a short iron away from a green that runs predominantly to the ocean. |
| #16 |
Take aim over the fairway bunker dead center. The fairway slopes downhill so there is a significant roll to take into account for yardage. A 3-wood or equivalent will take you to far edge of the fairway. Your approach shot should favor the right side because all will play back to the left. |
| #17 |
On this final par 3, the wind can have a dramatic effect on the distance and contour of your shot. Marked as 166 yards, this hole runs directly into a headwind that can add 15 to 25 yards off the tee and change the ball flight (yeah, it's definitely the wind doing that). |
| #18 |
This par 5 is the greatest of all finishing holes that we have played. The 18th is legendary and is vulnerable to low scores. The green can be reached in two and is accommodating to golfers that may not excel in reading putts. Everything will go to the ocean. |
| Looking back, our round at Pebble Beach, more than any other, sealed our fate as lifelong friends and served as the impetus for WeekendWarriorGolfer.com. It was a perfect day on a perfect course. We have been to the peak of Everest and constantly look back in fascination. A round here comes with a steep price tag but is a priceless experience. |
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| 1) |
Fee Factor
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15
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| Call it $500 for the round when it is all settled. We got $50 gift cards because the course had been aerated, which took some of the sting out. But say it to yourself and see how it resonates. "$500? Really?" |
| 2) |
Friendliness Factor
|
20
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| Given the location and prestige, there is a certain amount of justification for snobbery. However, the price of admission earns you first class service. |
| 3) |
Fringe Factor
|
20
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| I am sure there were amenities that we missed. However, we were so caught up in the sheer joy of it all that we never stopped to consider maybe loosening up. However, there is a golf academy on-site, so a practice facility is certainly available. And due to the complexity of the resort, more formal dining was never located. Nice eatery at the turn to refresh and replenish. |
| 4) |
From 1st Tee to Handshake Factor
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20
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| Even though the course was in maintenance mode during our round, we found the fairways and greens in excellent condition. Yardage markers were adequate without being intrusive. |
| 5) |
Fun Factor
|
20
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| Take the fee factor out of the discussion and this was, by far, one of the most thrilling rounds we have played together. Being greeted by Mr. Tom Lehman (or Tommy, as House would say), seeing these famous golfing scenes, and constantly looking around for Clint Eastwood made for a near-perfect day. |
Website: http://www.pebblebeach.com
Check out the Where to section: For places around Monterey, Carmel, and San Francisco.
Read House's recount of the Pebble Beach Golf Links experience.
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