Pebble Beach

[tjy355]

Pebble has been running a promotional rate of $375 with cart for the past several months. It used to be for NCGA members, recently they've opened it up to anyone in California. The same deal gives you half off at Spyglass and Spanish Bay.

Just an FYI... For $25, the NCGA offers an "Association Membership" to those who are members of other state or regional golf associations. Same benefits as normal members except no handicap. Could be worthwhile to get the discounts.

http://www.ncga.org/ncga-services/join/?id=ac

[Awsi Dooger]

I played Pebble once, about ten days after college graduation in 1982. It was a surprise present from my dad. We took off on a month long camping trip, and on that morning he didn't even mention our destination until it was obvious. We showed up before 7 AM to get on the course. It was $75. A previous poster said $300 greens fees in 1983 but that seems way off to me. I distinctly remember $75 in May 1982 when we played, about 3 weeks before the famous Watson/Nicklaus Open. My dad walked to the first tee box after paying and asked my guess. I think I said 50 bucks. He said $75 in a low shocked tone and I almost flipped that my dad had paid that much for a round of golf, regardless of the site. We had paid 4 pounds apiece to play St. Andrews in summer 1974.

Anyway, Pebble was particularly brutal on the eve of a US Open. I had barely played in months and my first shot with my graduation present Hogan persimmon woods was on the first tee at Pebble Beach. I pulled it into deep rough. That trend played out over the first 5 or 6 holes. I was hacking out.

The primary memory of those early holes is my dad chewed out when he left the cart path on #2. They emphasized to keep it on the path but he didn't believe anyone would be watching or caring at that hour.

I finally got in gear on the famous holes. My drive on the 8th was too perfect, very close to the edge and deep. It looked like a 6 iron but my dad freaked out over the required carry. He said, "Take a 3 wood and give it everything you've got." I told him that was nuts, considering it was a par 4, but he influenced me to switch to a 4 iron. That flush 4 iron flew the green and ended up on a severe bank behind the left bunkering, in heavy rough. I've always been irritated that I didn't trust my judgment of a 6 iron.

My best stretch was coming home, pars on 13-16 then a bogey out of the front bunker on 17. Luckily I saved by far the best for last, an excellent drive on #18 slightly past the tree and line drive 3 wood into a cross wind, stopping near the ocean about 40 yards short of the green. Not so much bunkering along the ocean in those days. A mower guy pulled up behind me and wouldn't take the hint to shut off his darn engine. I couldn't believe my one round at Pebble was being treated so rudely. Somehow I overcame the jerk and managed a half sand wedge pitch to about 6 feet right of the hole, which was in the center left. That putt looked like it could run off the green if I missed the cup. I played ideal right to left break and it was never in doubt. Most nervous and memorable shot of my life. For the past quarter century+ I allow a private chuckle when my birdie on #18 equals or surpasses the result of top pros.

[flap]

I have played quite a few really A courses withthe Mrs over the years but spending 800.00 to play golf anywhere short of Augusta ain't happening

[DevilDog21]

I know this is an old thread, but I leave in 6 days to go play DelMonte, Spyglass, and Pebble. Since it's been a while since anyone ahs posted here about playing PB, I'll give my thoughts upon my return. I doubt much has changed regarding the service or experience.

[MSchott]

Originally Posted by DevilDog21

I know this is an old thread, but I leave in 6 days to go play DelMonte, Spyglass, and Pebble. Since it's been a while since anyone ahs posted here about playing PB, I'll give my thoughts upon my return. I doubt much has changed regarding the service or experience.

There are far more recent threads on the Monterey Peninsula courses and specifically Pebble Beach. Here's the most recent. Scroll down the page for more threads.

http://thesandtrap.com/t/61976/played-pebble-beach-links-and-spanish-bay-on-labor-day-weekend

[Golfingdad]

Originally Posted by DevilDog21

I know this is an old thread, but I leave in 6 days to go play DelMonte, Spyglass, and Pebble. Since it's been a while since anyone ahs posted here about playing PB, I'll give my thoughts upon my return. I doubt much has changed regarding the service or experience.

Originally Posted by MSchott

There are far more recent threads on the Monterey Peninsula courses and specifically Pebble Beach. Here's the most recent. Scroll down the page for more threads.

http://thesandtrap.com/t/61976/played-pebble-beach-links-and-spanish-bay-on-labor-day-weekend

However, do not let that discourage you from sharing after your trip.  I never get tired of reading first hand accounts of golf at Pebble.

[atxpkrgolf]

Played there in '96 Monday after the tourney and it was rainy, windy foggy and the only reason I got on (walked up) was bc I was a single :))))   was a 8-12 at time and shot 82  46-36. I paid 295 and 25 for the cart for 320 total. best part of my honeymoon obviously. Doubt I would pay what they are asking nowadays, I'd rather go to Wis and play Whistling again and River and Meadows for that amount or take trip and play 5 times for that amount

[inthehole]

Guys - I don't mean to be a wisecracker (I spent my whole adult life as a non-golfer ... only been playing 3 years) - what is the mystique with Pebble Beach - I don't have the background ?      I imagine it has to do with the history of it over the years ... but if you could summarize it in a sentence or two, I'd really like to know why it's so revered ... almost seems on par with St. Andrews in terms of allure ?

[atxpkrgolf]

Guys - I don't mean to be a wisecracker (I spent my whole adult life as a non-golfer ... only been playing 3 years) - what is the mystique with Pebble Beach - I don't have the background ?      I imagine it has to do with the history of it over the years ... but if you could summarize it in a sentence or two, I'd really like to know why it's so revered ... almost seems on par with St. Andrews in terms of allure ?

I'll just speak for myself .  First of all, it's on a stretch of land on the Monterey Peninsula that is just some of the most beautiful land ever. What's not to love about teeing off basically over the Ocean on some holes. It's also  a place where the pro-am is full of stars from a long time ago til today. Couple that with the layout and tradition of Championship golf and that's where the mystique comes from.

[WUTiger]

I got to play Pebble Beach in March 1978 for $39. It was a week before "spring" rates started, and a friend who had played college golf got me a discount coupon.

I hit the driver great that day - hit 11 of 14 fairways - but hooked iron shots like crazy. Playing the back tees, I had 4 pars and 7 bogies and shot 101.

Most frustrating hole was No. 8, the par 4 along the cliff. I looked out and saw the fairway marker stake, and hit a driver pretty well dead on it. But as I walked toward the ball, the guy running the fairway mower walked up and moved the stake 15 yards to the left. I had hit my drive over the cliff! I ended up with a 7 on the hole.

[atxpkrgolf]

I got to play Pebble Beach in March 1978 for $39. It was a week before "spring" rates started, and a friend who had played college golf got me a discount coupon.

I hit the driver great that day - hit 11 of 14 fairways - but hooked iron shots like crazy. Playing the back tees, I had 4 pars and 7 bogies and shot 101.

Most frustrating hole was No. 8, the par 4 along the cliff. I looked out and saw the fairway marker stake, and hit a driver pretty well dead on it. But as I walked toward the ball, the guy running the fairway mower walked up and moved the stake 15 yards to the left. I had hit my drive over the cliff! I ended up with a 7 on the hole.

My favorite hole n the course by far. Hit 3 wood to edge of FW and hit nice high cut to back right pin placement to about 15 feet. I missed the putt but I didn't care. Par there is good by me any day. I tripled the next hole to shoot 46 on front before shooting 36 on the back

[rkim291968]

My wife and I will be playing at Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill in a few weeks on an "aeration" special offered to NCGA members.   We've not asked for caddy service (yet).   It's $80 per player + tips.  For those who used caddy service on these courses, do you think it'd be worth the money?

[RonTheSavage]

My wife and I will be playing at Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill in a few weeks on an "aeration" special offered to NCGA members.   We've not asked for caddy service (yet).   It's $80 per player + tips.  For those who used caddy service on these courses, do you think it'd be worth the money?

Im going to be in the area with my wife and in laws in 2 weeks myself. I was all set to book 18 at Pacific Grove Golf Links but Im gonna have to look into this before I nail anything down. I'll be spending around $65 at PG anyway.......

[RayG]

Yeah- about that "$300" in 1983 or whatever... I played in 1986 while in the area for my sisters wedding. I couldn't make an advance time as a single so I had to call the day before. This was in April, BTW. I had no issues getting a time that was "semi-convenient". Around 9:30am. Driving down from Mountain View early on a weekday wasn't too bad. I paid my $5 toll for the 17 Mile Drive and drove to the Clubhouse. Oh, I was driving the BIL's Porsche..('79 944- not too shabby driving those roads in THAT car!). I got their early, around 8am and checked in. The fee was $125.. but they would refund the $5 toll. That's nice... "Would you like a Yardage Book?... it's $5... oh, well.) When I mentioned to my Mother how much it was, she nearly fainted. I proceeded to find an open bar and oiled my swing with a Bloody Mary or two. No caddies at the time. I was paired up with 3 gentlemen who were playing and their wives who weren't- just driving. So we had the 4 carts- cart path only for most of the holes, with 'rough riding' okay on several others. Banged off to a great start- birdie, eagle, birdie- 4 under after 3 holes! Then the real world came into play and I played more to my ability and finished up with a birdie on 18 for an 80. Two of the most nerve wracking shots in the game of golf. Teeing off at #1 with what seemed like hundreds of people watching- both those who play and the tourists who don't. The second is the approach to 18 with all those people who were watching from the tee have now migrated to the porch overlooking 18 green. "don't clank, don't clank, don't clank...." I didn't, dropped one about 12 ft above the hole and then curled in the putt to a smattering of applause from the "gallery". The weather was probably typical for the season- a bit of light fog with a marine layer for a few holes and no wind. Then it brightened up with the full sun and a light breeze around the 9th hole for the rest of the round. Pace of play wasn't 'glacial', but probably just over 5 hours. This didn't bother me because at least we were MOVING. A photo-op here, a picture there- not an issue since EVERYONE was working at the same pace. We did not have to wait on anyone ahead for very long if at all. At the time, as mentioned by nearly EVERYONE- the only hole that out of step with the rest of the course was the par 3 5th, an awkward, near 'dogleg' thru a VERY narrow slot and uphill. Kind of a "time out" hole in the middle of all this majesty. The course itself isn't a terribly difficult course from the right tees. What gets you is where you are- you'd be walking to the 6th green and all of a sudden "Holy crap, I'm playing Pebble Beach!" And again when walking to your ball on 8 and look out over that corner towards Carmel and the holes laid out along the coast at that end.

[Yukari]

Played Pebble Beach Links, Spanish Bay and Poppy Hill last summer.  Shot 85, 88 and 87, respectively.

Unless you are one of the first to tee off, expect 5+ hours for Pebble.  We walked ourselves at Pebble because we knew (having heard many stories) that it was going to be a slow round.  Birdied par 3 5th hole and the famous 17th hole.  Made my round that much more enjoyable birdieing the 17th.

[rkim291968]

Played Pebble Beach Links, Spanish Bay and Poppy Hill last summer.  Shot 85, 88 and 87, respectively.

Unless you are one of the first to tee off, expect 5+ hours for Pebble.  We walked ourselves at Pebble because we knew (having heard many stories) that it was going to be a slow round.  Birdied par 3 5th hole and the famous 17th hole.  Made my round that much more enjoyable birdieing the 17th.

Hey, those are pretty good scores for the first timer (if it was for you).

I don't mind the slow round.   Playing at PB is a bucket list item for me and I might as well soak it all in.  The long round will give my wife time to take pictures.

[Yukari]

Hey, those are pretty good scores for the first timer (if it was for you).

I don't mind the slow round.   Playing at PB is a bucket list item for me and I might as well soak it all in.  The long round will give my wife time to take pictures.

Yes, it was the first and the only time (so far, knock on wood) I've played there.

We had a really nice weather playing PB.  Fantastic views.  But I am not sure the price is worth a second time around.

[rkim291968]

Darn.  Today at Pebble Beach, it rained for more than 1/2 of round, and was very windy throughout.   I played from white tee but wind made it much longer.

Decided to go with caddy service for myself.  I am not sure if it was absolutely needed other than 1 or 2 holes (blind shots that can get you into trouble).

Greens were aerated and played very slow,   It probably cost me a few strokes.  One thing about the greens, they were consistently small.   I had 0 GIRs.

The view ... absolutely gorgeous even without sun. The view alone made the trip (and $$$) worthwhile.

The course design was superb with every hole having its own unique character.

Service was awesome.

Considering steady & cold rain, strong wind, aeration, no warm up (arrive too late), I did OK (only 2 points over my handicap).

If you are in the neighborhood and can afford it, play it.  It's worth it.