Pebble Beach Trip Do's and Dont's

[65withatriple]

Booked a trip to Pebbel beach in April. I will be playing Pasatiempo, Pebble, Spy Glass, Spanish Bay, and Corde Valle. I would love any advice on things people have done or wished they have done while they were there that could make this trip better. I know we are missing out on Poppy Hills, may try to squeeze 36 in one day to play it as well. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Ohhhh.....we are a party of 8 guys if that makes a difference.

[underparnv]

Booked a trip to Pebbel beach in April. I will be playing Pasatiempo, Pebble, Spy Glass, Spanish Bay, and Corde Valle. I would love any advice on things people have done or wished they have done while they were there that could make this trip better. I know we are missing out on Poppy Hills, may try to squeeze 36 in one day to play it as well. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Rule #1: Take me with you (duh)

Rule #2: Take lots of pictures (duh) Rule #3: Squeeze in Poppy Hills (duh) Is there really anything you could do wrong there?!?!?!

[Tiger Spuds]

Is there really anything you could do wrong there?!?!?!

Running around the course in your underpants perhaps?

[underparnv]

Even then, that may be a little bit fun...as long as you have your clubs with ya...

[Big_M]

Running around the course in your underpants perhaps?

ehhh... Henrick Stenson does it all the time... as long as he's got his stick's with him and "starts" in the proper attire.

If you need a ninth just let me know... 867-5309, ask for Mike. Not joking either... you know golf trips are best with nine people, then whoever parties too late and won't get up just gets left back at the condo.

[OCdude12]

Now that is one hellavu golf trip right there! Did you book all the tee times seperately or were you able to get a special deal for Pebble, Spyglass and Spanish since they're all owned by The Pebble Beach Company? Couple good places for dinner after your rounds you might consider Roy's at Spanish Bay - great food, great atmosphere with the bagpiper at sunset every night - and the Beach Club at PB right along the 17th hole with views of the bay.

If you get the opportunity, Poppy would be worth trying to get onto. I know it always get a bad reputation from the Tour guys when they used to play it for the Pro-Am, because of some of the funky holes I'm guessing, but its actually one of my favorite courses I've ever played. As an NCGA member it's our home course so the price is definitely right for $65 or so considering the course is always in awesome shape. I like the course a lot because there are lots of risk/reward dogleg shots that can really make a round if you're hitting it well off the tee.

I don't know if you're a walker or rider, but I've always been puzzled by the people that pay so much money to play Pebble and then ride in a cart. Pebble is one of the most beautiful walks on the Peninsula, soak in every minute of it. Spyglass is the most challenging I would say of the list, Spanish is the most funky (all target golf) and have to say I really wasnt too impressed with it. Pasa's greens might be the most challenging as the undulations of the greens combined with the speed can make for a long day if you're not on with your putting.

If you want to take a peak at Cypress, I've done this a few times at dusk after playing Poppy, drive down the hill past the Lodge at Pebble and continue on 17 Mile Drive for about 10 minutes until you pass by the sign for Cypress Point Golf Club. Theres a small parking lot on the left overlooking the ocean, but if you grab a 7 iron and walk back along the road towards the clubhouse, hop over the fence real quick and walk through the trees and you'll find yourself hidden on the 15th tee. Make sure to do it right when it starts to get dark so no one sees you though. I've done it by myself so it was pretty easy, might not be able to do it with all your buddies. But I will say, I walked up to the green after hitting my shot and almost felt guilty just for walking on the green cause they were so nice and every grain of sand in the bunkers looked like they were hand placed. You can then walk through the trees to the famous 16th, par 3 over the water, but be careful cause the clubhouse is right up the hill to your left and I'm sure someone could spot you if they were trying. You'll be awestruck from the beauty of this hole and its safe to say my 7 iron was not enough club to get it there. Enjoy your trip, I'm extremely jealous.

[dmccrory]

1. Join the Northern California Golf Association ( http://www.ncga.org/ncga-services/join/?from=hometop ). If you belong to a golf club in your home state, you can get the "Association Membership" for $60. Pasatiempo, Pebble, Spy Glass, and Spanish Bay all have NCGA discounts and you will easily save the $60...probably on your first round. See the Special Offers and Member Advantage pages on the NCGA.org website for more information on the discounts.

2. Get a Caddy when you're at Pebble. It adds so much to the experience. If you're looking for a good one, ask for Chris Driels. He carried my bag twice last August.

3. Definitely play Poppy Hills when you're there. It also has the advantage of being the NCGA home course. Your membership will get you approximately 40% off greens fees there.

-Dave

[clubchamp]

Def play Poppy!!!! Keep in mind if you are going to try to play 36 in a day to have an early tee time and probably won't be able to pull off 36 if try to do it with pebble. I played 5+ hour rounds at every course and pebble was a 6 hour round. Then again it could have been the time of year I was there and the days I played each course I'm sure you can pull off 36 I would just be on the safe side. Have fun!!!

[Lefty-Golfer]

Why only 18 holes a day?? I am pretty sure it is a man rule to play at least 27...

[65withatriple]

Thanks for all the advice. Will definitely come in handy. .

[msd3075]

If you want a recommendation on a place to eat, you for sure need to go to Casanova in Carmel ( http://www.casanovarestaurant.com ). Their food is some of the best I've ever had, and the atmosphere is "nice" while still being relaxed and easy-going. If you get a chance, ask if you can take a peek at their wine cellar; we didn't get a chance to, but one of my wife's friends did and said it's a sight to be seen.

[Fat Slice]

Monterey Fish House.

[BlackBeltGolfCoach]

Definately don't miss the bag piper at Spanish Bay. Check out Stix there too - awesome food! At Pebble, be prepared for spectacular views and some killer holes and have some fun.

GO FOR THE CADDY! The best thing I ever did, they are seriously worth the money. My favorite is Barney, and if you see him tell him Ryan and Genevieve say hi (we met him when we were there the first time, getting engaged and then again on our honeymoon so I think he'll remember us). He is a lot of fun. But even if you can't get him, it was definately worth having the caddy for the Pebble course. And don't forget your camera!

[Clambake]

If you want a recommendation on a place to eat, you for sure need to go to Casanova in Carmel (

I've got to give a huge agreement on Casanova. The wine seller is amazing, over 50k bottles all in a hand dug cellar under the restaurant that was dug out by the owners and their friends; if you love wine, you'll enjoy just peeking at some of the little treasures they have stashed away down there. Also, they have a lot of half bottles in the selection, so it makes it much easier to pair different wines with different courses. And although the name is "Casanova", don't think of it as a romantic restaurant not suited to a "buddy's trip". It is really just a nice restaurant with great food, good service, and a nice atmosphere.

I'll also second other's recommendation of getting a caddy, especially at Pebble. If you can, get one of the older guys who have been there a long time. There are some young guys who are really good players themselves and can offer good advice, but some of the old guys are full of fun stories about the course, its history, and the great players they've seen. I didn't take a caddy at Spyglass and frankly didn't feel they would have been as helpful there; I'm sure they could help reading the greens, but otherwise I personally didn't feel they would add that much there. But at Pebble it is a different situation - just walking up the 18th with a caddy carrying your bag gives a feeling that is truly priceless - I still have goosebumps just thinking about it. One last tip for your trip - make sure you've got some decent rain gear. While you will hopefully have good weather, that time of year is very unpredictable and you don't want to be miserable. I had a couple friends who played there years ago and got hit by quite a bit of rain and wind, and one of them was prepared and the other wasn't. The one who wasn't ended up quiting after about 15 holes and then likened the experience to standing in a cold shower tearing up hundred dollar bills. The friend who was prepared had a great time and shot the round of his life. Have a great time - it is an awesome experience!

[tweaky]

Now that is one hellavu golf trip right there! Did you book all the tee times seperately or were you able to get a special deal for Pebble, Spyglass and Spanish since they're all owned by The Pebble Beach Company? Couple good places for dinner after your rounds you might consider Roy's at Spanish Bay - great food, great atmosphere with the bagpiper at sunset every night - and the Beach Club at PB right along the 17th hole with views of the bay.

And while you're at Cypress stop in and say hi to Paul Schlossberg for me. He caddies there and got me on 4 times. Free golf is the best! btw- Tiger was kicked off this course by security. did you know?

Ask for JT at Pebble and tell him Brad sent ya. Tip the caddies well, they deserve it! Check out Pacific Grove Golf Links known as "the poor man's Pebble Beach". Beautiful course that winds inland then along the coast at Point Pinos. The Fishwife on Sunset Blvd. in Pacific Grove is popular for food. Don't feed the squirrels, raccoons, or deer. Definitely do Poppy Hills. Spanish Bay at dusk with the piper. Pull/draw your drive past the trees on #1 at Spyglass (fade/push for the lefties), the hill will give you extra roll. Practice your lob shot before you go. Golfmart in Seaside is the only place for clubwork since I left two years ago. Three is a guy at Pebble Beach (ClubTech) who does club work but I've been told by many a client that they wouldn't go back to him. Gary Janikula (Village Golf in Carmel Valley Village) is 12 miles away in the Valley but he won't pick up and deliver. Nevada Bob's closed down in Monterey. Relax..breathe...