Is Pebble Beach Worth $495 (or $550 in 2019)?

[k-troop]

Originally Posted by 65withatriple

I just booked a trip to Pebble. We are playing Pasatiempo, Pebble, Spy Glass, Spanish Bay, and Corde Valle.

Slightly off topic, but that is one seriously awesome week of golf.  Kudos to you, bro--a week to never forget.  I wish you great weather.

[zipazoid]

It's Pebble Beach , Money is no object. If it is, play Half Moon Bay - the Pebble Experience for a fraction of the cost.

Don't get me wrong, $500 is a lot for a round of golf but I would do it for Pebble. Once.

[LuciusWooding]

Hell no. I live 12 miles from Bethpage Black, and could play there 6 times for that price. Both are legendary courses, both have the same level of upkeep and fame, and should cost the same. The only reason Pebble costs 6 times more is because people will pay it. I read an article about an outside company charging 300$ or so to book tee times for people at Bethpage, since there's apparently a process involved and a lot of demand. They call the booking lines hundreds of times to ensure they get through, in the process making it harder for people to do it legitimately. The ability of rich people to monopolize the game ruins it IMO. I prefer courses like Tallgrass and Spring Lake, both are local, cost a max of 50$ to play, and highly maintained. Plus they are a lot less crowded.

I'd maybe pay a few hundred for St Andrews, since they have a hotel and are in Scotland as it is. But I'd never pay 500 for greens fees unless I won the lottery, and even then it'd be a one off.

[iPutt]

Is Pebble its self worth $495? Probably not. It's a golf course like any other number of great golf courses. Would I spend the money to travel there and play it if I ever get the opportunity? In a heart beat. Like many others here have said, the experiences and memories are priceless.

The question is though, "is it worth it?", not "would you do it?"

[mymizunosrock]

With that amount of public traffic, how do they keep it in the condition they do?? Between people digging up the fairways and leaving pitch makes in the greens, the ground staff must be extremely busy. Surely they close it for a month or 2 leading up to a major event to let it recover.

I'd pay it, but Id have to factor it into the budget for the trip. After all, I would be coming from Australia. I was in SanFran 2 years ago but really didnt have the time for golf. My wife being American, I get to make the trip back there every 2 years. She goes nearly every 12 months. A day will come where I will make the journey to Pebble, but in the mean time, I'll probably play one of the better courses in LA on my next trip in a couple months.

[saevel25]

Its not just $495, you got to stay in there condos to gaurentee advance tee times. If not then you have to fight for first come first serve, day in advance tee times. Its nuts. So for me, in Ohio, its 500-700 plane ticket (god knows the cost to ship my clubs), then i have to spend a on there condo, plus 495. Its crazy, and honestly, i think there might be some better golf courses near there anyways. I think its a bit hyped up.

Though the best is to go for a golf package, play like three golf courses on the peninsula plus pebble. i think they go for like 3 grand, but in includes everything, so you probably save a bit..

[zipazoid]

Originally Posted by iPutt

Is Pebble its self worth $495? Probably not. It's a golf course like any other number of great golf courses. Would I spend the money to travel there and play it if I ever get the opportunity? In a heart beat. Like many others here have said, the experiences and memories are priceless.

The question is though, "is it worth it?", not "would you do it?"

Good point. In that context, no, it's not worth it. But I would do it. I do a lot of things that aren't worth doing.

[ghalfaire]

Not to be picky but aren't these the same question just worded different? For me they are.

Originally Posted by iPutt

The question is though, "is it worth it?", not "would you do it?"

[Mr. Desmond]

Many say Bandon Dunes is the better experience. I think people play Pebble because it's name is Pebble.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by Mr. Desmond

Many say Bandon Dunes is the better experience. I think people play Pebble because it's name is Pebble.

Can you imagine how much people would shell out for "Pebble Dunes"?

[mvmac]

Originally Posted by mymizunosrock

With that amount of public traffic, how do they keep it in the condition they do?? Between people digging up the fairways and leaving pitch makes in the greens, the ground staff must be extremely busy. Surely they close it for a month or 2 leading up to a major event to let it recover.

I'd pay it, but Id have to factor it into the budget for the trip. After all, I would be coming from Australia. I was in SanFran 2 years ago but really didnt have the time for golf. My wife being American, I get to make the trip back there every 2 years. She goes nearly every 12 months. A day will come where I will make the journey to Pebble, but in the mean time, I'll probably play one of the better courses in LA on my next trip in a couple months.

I grew up in the Bay Area, I would recommend TPC Harding Park if you want to stay in the area.

Originally Posted by Mr. Desmond

Many say Bandon Dunes is the better experience. I think people play Pebble because it's name is Pebble.

I haven't made the trip yet but heard nothing but great things.  Gotta plan a boys trip.

In terms of Pebble, I agree, it's Pebble, you're playing some of the best holes (8 &9) or at least most recognizable holes in golf (18), along with the history of the place.  I can see paying the $495 but don't like that you have to stay at the Lodge, so with caddy you're looking at prob over a grad.  They might have changed that aspect due to the economic climate.

[GlobalGolf]

If you have the money, absolutely. If you have to sell your kid's toys to pay for it, probably not.

[DevilDog21]

I can't speak from experience and say that I know it's worth it but I'm planning a trip for 12 people (6 golfers and our wives) to go in October. My father in law has wanted to play it for decades and I've wanted to play it since I first picked up a club. I'm viewing it as the the only chance I'll have to play it considering the costs and the fact that I've yet to have children which will obviously make a trip of this magnitude near impossible. The trip will be paid in cash, not credit, and I'm looking to spend around 4-5k when it's all said and done.

Yes that amount hurt to type!

[Snakey]

After posting a few photo's of Pebble Beach on another thread I got to wondering about how much I would pay for green fees....Pebble Beach $495 with cart for guests ,$360 at Spyglass .Which begs the question what's the most you have paid for a round you have played and what you would be willing to pay....my limit would be $50 but that's just my Scottish heritage kicking in.

[darkhunter139]

If I had the extra cash I think I would pay the $495 to play pebble. Playing a course that's only real to me through a TV screen would be an unforgettable experience and it is such a beautiful course.

I hope I get to play there someday.

[MSchott]

Interesting older thread. I get a kick out of those who said there are a lot of better courses with better scenery. I think many don't really know what makes a great course. Pebble is great not just because it's on the ocean but because of how well it uses the land.

[ditchparrot19]

I played Pebble Beach in April of 2000. I was still in the newspaper business and it was media day for the 2000 U.S. Open, so it was free. I remember I had a difficult time getting through the gate in my Ford F-250 with hunting-themed stickers all over it. They don't see many vehicles like that.

Lord, what a glorious day! The weather (a real crapshoot there in the springtime or any other time of year) was absolutely perfect. They'd just started to let the rough grow and it was already brutal.

The thing that was most surprising to me was just how short No. 7 really is. There was just a slight breeze coming off the ocean, so it was a piece of cake to reach with a PW. Of course, my ball went through the green, split those two bunkers in the back and ended up in the rough. I think I got a double-bogey, but I don't remember for sure.

I was about a 13-handicapper at the time and I shot a 95, but I really didn't care about my score.

I think I'd pay 5 big ones to go back one time if I could be assured of weather like that. If not, I'd probably pass just because I've done it once.

[onesome]

Since I live in N. Ca I can say that it probably has kept me from playing pebble more than the price, it's always been I can do it anytime mentality since it's only a couple hours drive.