PEBBLE BEACH GOLF LINKS
Course Architects: Jack Neville and Douglas Grant (1918).
Redesign/Renovation Work: Arthur H. Vincent (1919), William Herbert Fowler
(1922), Alister MacKenzie (1926), Henry Chandler
Egan, Robert Hunter and Roger Lapham (1928), Jack
Nicklaus and Ed Conner (1990-91), Nicklaus (1998),
Arnold Palmer (2001-09).
Year Opened: February 22, 1919
Location: Pebble Beach, California
Slope: 149. Rating: 76.3
Par: 72 (Par 71 for the 2010 U.S. Open)
Yardage: 7,040
Hole-by-Hole: 1 - Par 4 380 Yds 10 - Par 4 495 Yds
2 - Par 5 502 Yds 11 - Par 4 390 Yds
3 - Par 4 404 Yds 12 - Par 3 202 Yds
4 - Par 4 331 Yds 13 - Par 4 445 Yds
5 - Par 3 195 Yds 14 - Par 5 580 Yds
6 - Par 5 523 Yds 15 - Par 4 397 Yds
7 - Par 3 109 Yds 16 - Par 4 403 Yds
8 - Par 4 428 Yds 17 - Par 3 208 Yds
9 - Par 4 505 Yds 18 - Par 5 543 Yds
Par 36 3,377 Yds Par 36 3,663 Yds
Key Events Held: U.S. Open (1972, 1982, 1992, 2000, 2010, 2019, 2027),
U.S. Amateur (1929, 1947, 1961, 1999, 2018),
U.S. Women's Amateur (1940, 1948), U.S. Women’s Open (2023, 2035, 2040),
PGA Championship (1977), Nabisco Championships of Golf (1988),
AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am (1947-Present),
TaylorMade Pebble Beach Invitational (1974-88, 1990-Present),
PURE Insurance Championship (2004-Present), California Open (1935-36, 1948), Weathervane Women’s Open (1950-51).
Awards Won: #1 by Golf Digest-America's 100 Greatest Public Courses (2009-10),
#1 by GolfWeek - Best Courses You Can Play by State (2010),
#2 by Golf Digest - Best in State, California (2009-10),
#5 by Golf Magazine - Top 100 U.S. Courses (2009),
#6 by Golf Digest - America's 100 Great Golf Courses (2009-10),
#7 by Golf Magazine - Top 100 World Courses (2009),
#8 by GolfWeek - Top 100 U.S. Classic Courses (2009-10).
Website: pebblebeach.com.
HISTORY: Pebble Beach founder Samuel F.B. Morse, nephew of the inventor of the telegraph and Morse code, had a vision to create a one-of-a-kind course with unsurpassed scenic beauty and an element of difficulty that would always be challenged but never conquered. Morse, the captain of the 1906 national champion Yale football team, hired two amateur golfers who had never before
designed a golf course, Jack Neville and Douglas Grant, to lay out his dream tract. Both players were accomplished, having each won the California Amateur Championship title, but course design was another matter. Despite their lack of experience, Morse charged Neville and Grant with creating a seaside course to salvage a failing real estate development.
For roughly $100,000 in construction costs, the amateur duo routed the famed seaside links, which now features nine holes along the water. Originally, only eight holes (4, 6-10, 17-18) were strung along the Pacific Ocean, but in 1998, Pebble Beach purchased additional land to create a new par-three fifth hole along Stillwater Cove. Another early change was the design of the closing hole, which originally played as a par four. Prior to the 1929 U.S. Amateur, Henry Chandler Egan, a two-time winner of this title, changed the 18th into a par-five.
Pebble Beach has been host to some amazing events, including five U.S. Opens, a PGA Championship and five U.S. Amateurs, and since 1947 has been the main venue for the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, formerly called the Crosby Pro-Am and named after legendary entertainer Bing Crosby.
It was the 1929 U.S. Amateur Championship that put Pebble Beach on the map, as the USGA made its first ever trip to California for that event. It also marked the first appearance of heralded amateur Bobby Jones in the Golden State. After tying for medalist honors, Jones was surprisingly ousted in the first round by Johnny Goodman, 1-up. Jones would never lose another significant match, and just one year later captured the "Grand Slam" of golf. Harrison Johnston won the '29 U.S. Amateur, defeating O.F. Willing, 4 & 3. The field also included Francis Ouimet, H. Chandler Egan and Lawson Little, Jr.
The USGA returned in 1940 for the U.S. Women's Amateur Championship, as Betty Jameson defeated Jane Cothran, 6 & 5 for the title, the first of her back-to-back Amateur titles.
Following World War II, Pebble Beach Golf Links was awarded several key events, and over a 20-month stretch hosted the U.S. Men's and Women's Amateur Championships, two California State Amateurs and two Bing Crosby National Pro-Ams.
The 1947 U.S. Amateur title was captured by Robert Henry "Skee" Riegel, as he defeated Johnny Dawson, 2 & 1 in the championship match. Turning professional three years later, Riegel played in 11 straight Masters, including a runner-up finish to Ben Hogan in 1951.
Grace Cronin captured the 1948 U.S. Women's Amateur, defeating Helen Sigel Wilson, 4 & 3. The stellar field included Peggy Kirk, Jacqueline Pung, Marlene and Alice Bauer and Glenna Collette Vare.
In 1961, the U.S. Amateur Championship returned for the third time, as Jack Nicklaus won the second of his two Amateur titles, cruising to an 8 & 6 win over Dudley Wysong. The field featured a who's who of future top players, such as George Archer, Deane Beman, Homero Blancas, Jim Colbert, Billy Joe Patton and Kermit Zarley. Of his seven matches, Nicklaus never needed to play the 18th hole and only two reached the 17th. This win became a virtual love affair for Nicklaus and Pebble Beach.
The golf course and The Lodge continued to grow in stature, but it was Morse's plan to persuade the USGA to hold a U.S. Open there. By this time, Aimee "Tim" Michaud was running the day-to-day operations and was developing a long-term goal for Pebble Beach - The Del Monte Plan - which would take the region into the 21st Century. Morse did not leave to see the dream take shape, as he died on May 10, 1969 at the age of 88. Just three months later, however, Michaud convinced the USGA to host the national championship.
When people talk about U.S. Opens played at Pebble, 1972 comes to mind and Nicklaus' one-iron on the 17th hole that rattled the pin as he defeated Bruce Crampton by three shots. Nicklaus, who has acknowledged that Pebble Beach Golf Links is his favorite course, was either tied for, or leading the championship after each day's play. When the final round began, wind gusts up to 35 miles per hour blew through the course and after five holes, Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer were tied for the lead. Over the next four holes, Nicklaus would assume control again and despite a double-bogey on 10, led Palmer by two. Still trailing, Palmer, with his go-for-broke style, bogeyed the 15th and 16th holes and eventually finished in third. With just two holes remaining, Nicklaus produced the shot of the championship, as his tee shot on 17 cut through the wind and bounced off the stick to within six inches for birdie. Despite a bogey on the last, Nicklaus finished at two-over-par, the highest winning
score at a U.S. Open since World War II. Palmer's second round of 68 was the lowest score of any player that finished in the top-20 and equaled only by Lanny Wadkins in that same round.
Wadkins' fond memories would not fade, as he would go on to capture the 1977 PGA Championship at the famed golf course. Trailing tournament leader Gene Littler by six shots heading into the final round, Wadkins carded a Sunday-tying best round of 70 to finish regulation tied with Littler. In the first sudden-death playoff in major championship history, Wadkins sank a six-foot par putt on the third extra hole for the title. Despite two front-nine eagles, Wadkins trailed by five, however Littler bogeyed five of his first six holes on the back side. Littler's closest competitor however was Nicklaus, who forged into a tie with the leader. Nicklaus, however, in an ironic twist,
bogeyed the 17th and finished one back in third. Wadkins birdied the closing hole to force the playoff. For the week, the course played to a scoring average of 75.36 with only six players on the final day breaking par.
Now known as the Pebble Beach Corporation, many profitable companies began to take interest in 1978, including Twentieth Century-Fox. By May of 1979, the deal was completed for the amazing price of $81.5 million. Then in 1982, oil-magnate Marvin Davis bought Twentieth Century-Fox and took over the running of all Pebble Beach holdings.
Who could forget the spectacular 1982 U.S. Open, when Tom Watson denied Nicklaus a fifth Open title when he chipped in on 17 from a somewhat impossible lie after telling his caddie "I'm going to make it." Watson started the final round tied for the lead with Bill Rogers, as Nicklaus trailed by
three. After back-to-back opening fives, Nicklaus went on a birdie barrage, making five straight to tie Rogers for the lead, with Watson one back. The advantage see-sawed among the trio, with Watson taking the lead after a Rogers bogey on 12. He would eventually finish third. Nicklaus moved into a tie with Watson following a birdie on 15, however a 40-foot birdie on 14th pushed Watson ahead. His lead was short-lived, as he bogeyed the 16th, setting up the amazing dramatics on 17. Watching from the scorers tent, Nicklaus saw Watson's predicament and surmised a playoff would be the result, however Watson's heroic shot would stifle Nicklaus' championship run. A closing birdie on 18 proved to be icing on the cake, as Watson prevailed for his only U.S. Open title by two over the greatest golfer of all time. For the week, Watson averaged just over 27 putts per round, ranking him first for the championship. Once again, the course proved to be quite difficult, as the players managed a 75.58 scoring average and only four rounds in the 60s on the final day. Watson was second in the field in birdies made with 20, keyed by three birdies on 17 and two on 18. Wadkins enjoyed a successful return to Pebble Beach, as he tied for sixth.
Although he enjoyed his leadership at Pebble Beach, Davis was being hounded by Japanese businessman Minuro Isutani, who wanted to own the resort in the worst way. The price reportedly reached $1.2 billion, but that did not deter Isutani. They eventually settled for approximately $840 million in September of 1990. The purchase was not a favorable one around the nation and
eventually, Isutani sold to Taiheiyo Club, Inc. led by Masatsugu Takabayashi for $500 million in the spring of 1992.
Next up for Pebble Beach was the 1992 U.S. Open Championship. Round one saw 29 players breaking par, led by Gil Morgan's six-under 66. Phil Mickelson, making his first professional start, birdied the first en route to a 68. Morgan continued his stellar play, adding a three-under 69 on day two for a three-shot lead over Andy Dillard, who was playing in his first U.S. Open. Dillard had started round one with birdies on his first six holes. By the time he reached the third hole on Saturday, Morgan had made history, becoming the first player ever to reach 10-under-par in a U.S. Open. With two additional birdies, his lead had swelled to seven at 12-under. Morgan could not keep the pace, however, as he stumbled home with three double-bogeys and three bogeys for a 77 and a one-stroke lead over Ian Woosnam, Mark Brooks and Tom Kite.
The final round was played in dry, windy conditions, as the greens were lightning-fast. Morgan could not stay the tide, as he double-bogeyed the fourth hole in the final round to fall out of the lead for good. He closed with a round of 81, playing his final 29 holes in 17-over par. Kite on the other hand, was playing steady golf, parring the first five holes to take a one-shot lead. Birdies on six and seven increased his advantage. Colin Montgomerie began to make a run at the top. Starting his round in 28th position, Monty posted an even-par total of 288, with a final round of 70 to pass 25 players. Although he was prematurely congratulated by Nicklaus in the clubhouse, he would finish
alone in third, three shots back. Kite's two early birdies on the back nine helped to offset back-to-back bogeys on 16 and 17 and he was able to par the last for a one-shot win over Jeff Sluman for his only major championship title. Quite a contrast from day one, as only four players broke par and no-one shot in the 60s. Dillard would finish tied for 17th, while Mickelson would miss the cut shooting 81 in round two.
Later, the USGA awarded Pebble Beach with the 1999 U.S. Amateur Championship, won by David Gossett. In a field that included current PGA stars, Ben Curtis, Lucas Glover, Bryce Molder, Adam Scott, Charley Hoffman, Charles Howell III, Jonathan Byrd, Hunter Mahan and Matt Kuchar, it was Gossett who defeated Sung-Yoon Kim, 9 & 8 in the end. Gossett dominated the match from start to finish, winning six of the first nine holes in the 36-hole finale. For the championship, the USGA accepted a record of 7,920 entries, the highest of any USGA Championship.
1999 was also marked by the sale of the Pebble Beach Company to a consortium, led by what would become the "Big Four," Arnold Palmer, Clint Eastwood, Peter Ueberroth and Richard Ferris. Completed in July of 1999, the sale was reportedly worth $800 million.
Let's not forget the record performance from Tiger Woods in 2000, when he demolished the field by 15 shots as he equaled the lowest score ever and shattered the scoring mark in relation to par at the 100th edition of the U.S. Open Championship. Woods led by one after an opening, bogey-free 65, by six after the second round and by 10 following a third-round 71, his worst score of the tournament. His closing 67 produced a 12-under-par, 272 total, and he defeated Ernie Els and Miguel Angel Jimenez by 15 strokes. Woods' play was head and shoulders above the field, as he produced 21 birdies for the week. In fact, he played his first 22 holes and the final 26 holes without a bogey and did not have a single three-putt. Woods, who ranked first in driving distance and greens in regulation for the week, has enjoyed his time at Pebble Beach over the years. "One, for its pristine beauty and another for its, I guess, mystique behind Pebble Beach," Woods commented before the Open. "I've always absolutely loved playing here, from the time I was 13, and now, and I'll always continue to love it." The win at Pebble Beach started a run of four straight wins in major championships, eventually dubbed the "Tiger Slam." In his farewell appearance in the U.S. Open, Nicklaus missed the cut with rounds of 73 and 82. "Pebble Beach has always been a great part of my life," said the man who played in 44 consecutive Opens.
Pebble Beach Golf Links has played host to the AT&T National Pro-Am since 1947, when it was hosted by celebrated entertainer Bing Crosby. The Crosby Clambake, as it was affectionately called, produced an amazing list of champions over the years, such as Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, Billy Casper, Sam Snead, five-time champion Mark O'Meara, three-time winners Jack Nicklaus, Johnny Miller and Phil Mickelson and two-time champions Tom Watson and Davis Love III.
"Champagne" Tony Lema captured the 1964 Crosby, just seven years after he accidentally fell off the cliff on number nine, suffering several bruises and contusions.
Cary Middlecoff became the first back-to-back winner of the Crosby at Pebble Beach when he won in 1955-56. His bid for the three-peat ended when Jay Herbert edged Middlecoff in 1957 by two shots.
Jack Nicklaus won his second Crosby title in 1972, the same year he would go on to win the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. Nicklaus defeated Miller in a playoff on the first extra hole, after Miller shanked his approach on 16, forcing the extra session. Nicklaus won again the following year in a playoff over Raymond Floyd and Orville Moody.
Just two years after his gaffe, Miller won the rain-shortened event by four shots over Grier Jones. His additional wins in 1987 and 1994, made Miller the only golfer ever to win the event in three different decades.
Mark O'Meara's fifth and final win at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am came in 1997, as he posted a record score of 268, shooting four straight 67s. O'Meara defeated David Duval and Tiger Woods by one shot.
Just three years later, Woods tuned up for his record-setting U.S. Open performance with one of the greatest comebacks in PGA Tour history. Woods found himself seven shots behind leader Matt Gogel with only seven holes remaining in the final round. Woods began to heat up on the par-four 15th when his 97-yard approach trickled in the hole for eagle and then his approach on 16 finished an inch away for birdie. A birdie finish on 18 climaxed a brilliant round of 64, the best finish by a winner in the history of the tournament, as Woods finished at 15-under 273. Seeking his first win on tour, Gogel saw his lead slip with bogeys on 11 and 12 and two additional dropped shots had Gogel closing with a 40 on the back nine, leaving him tied for second with Vijay Singh. Gogel had a chance to force a playoff, but his 10-foot birdie try slid by the wayside. Gogel would rebound two years later to win the event by three shots over Pat Perez for his lone PGA Tour title.
Mickelson has enjoyed a successful time at Pebble Beach with three titles, the last coming in 2007, when he equaled the tournament record of 268, by defeating Kevin Sutherland by five shots. The win was his 30th on Tour as he dominated the event ranking first in greens in regulation, playing the par fives in 10-under par, missing only six fairways in the final three rounds and not having a three-putt all week. "This means a lot to me because it's a place where I have family memories," said Mickelson, whose grandfather once caddied at Pebble Beach. "I love coming back to this place."
Since the "Big Four" took over in the summer of 1999, there have been several changes made to the golf course. Additional tee boxes and length, tree removal/addition, reshaping and adding bunkers and moving fairways, were some of the changes led by Arnold Palmer and the Pebble Beach design team with input from senior vice president of golf at PB, R.J. Harper. A 25-year veteran of the Pebble Beach Company, Harper has risen from tournament marshal to his current post, in addition to general chairman of the 2010 U.S. Open. "There's nothing better than working with these gentlemen that serve on our board, who cherish this place like no other," said Harper. "The overall concept was to add a bit of length, rebuild, redesign and to push fairways closer to the ocean," added Harper.
Former United States Golf Association senior director of rules and competition Mike Davis was equally pleased with the results. "I have never seen Pebble Beach as good as it is right now. This is really a shot-maker's golf course." Davis added, "This is not only one of our greatest U.S. Open venues, but Pebble Beach really is a national treasure in terms of golf."
With the 2010 staging of the U.S. Open, more history was made, as Graeme McDowell defeated Gregory Havret by one shot. Ernie Els finished alone in third, while Mickelson and Woods tied for fourth. After a third-round 66, Woods struggled with a final round 75, that included six bogeys. For the week, the 17th hole proved to be the most difficult, playing to a score of 3.49, as only 33 birdies were made for the four rounds.
The USGA returned to Pebble Beach for the 118th U.S. Amateur championship in 2018, as current PGA Tour player Viktor Hovland defeated Devon Bling, 6 &5 in the championship match. With the win, Hovland became the first Norwegian to win this coveted title. During his six matches, he trailed on only one hole.
Just one year later, the U.S. Open was played at Pebble Beach. Gary Woodland outlasted a stellar field to win by three shots. Woodland trailed first-round leader Justin Rose by three shots after an opening round of 68. With a second-round 65, Woodland moved to the lead and never looked back, as he posted four rounds in the 60s to defeat Brooks Koepka by three shots. Jon Rahm, Chez Reavie, Rose and Xander Schauffele finished tied for third, six shots back.
2023 saw the first appearance of the U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach, as American Allisen Corpuz recorded a three-shot win over Charley Hull and Jiyai Shin. Corpuz was the only player in the field to post four sub-par rounds for the week. The course proved to be quite difficult, as it played to a scoring average of 74.150.
REVIEW: The opening hole at Pebble Beach is a dogleg right par four of just 380 yards in length. Trees guard the right side of the landing area, while a pair of traps lurk left where the fairway tightens considerably. Just a short iron remains to a slightly elevated and tightly-bunkered green. Both traps to the right of the putting surface sit well below the green. All putts break to the right, an indication of what's in store, as many surfaces cant towards the Pacific Ocean.
Although playing as a par four for the 2010 U.S. Open Championship, the second is a straightaway five-par that leaves you thinking, what's so special about this course? That will come later. At 502 yards, it's a simple hole that can leave you with a realistic chance of getting home in two, as long as you hit the fairway. Bunkers right and left pinch the landing area, so accuracy is key to scoring here. Roughly 75 yards short of the green, a barranca lays in waiting and is not to be taken lightly, so laying up at the 100-yard mark, should leave a nice wedge to a long and narrow putting surface. A real birdie chance, but par is not so bad. In 2003, a new championship tee was built, increasing the length by 15 yards.
Your first glimpse of the Pacific Ocean comes by way of the third hole. A short, dogleg left par four that has been extended by 15 yards, this hole features a sliver of a fairway as it bends almost 90-degrees towards a small green surrounded by three bunkers. There are several factors that come into
play if you want to master this hole. The tee shot must favor a draw around the corner, avoiding the addition of several Cypress trees along the left side and the three bunkers on the right. The minuscule putting surface was increased by 200 square feet, but you'll still need to be spot on with your short iron to have any shot at birdie, let alone par.
The fourth hole should be routine for most players at just 331 yards, however with the ocean lurking down the entire right side as a lateral hazard, one begins to worry. A hybrid or fairway metal should suffice off the tee on this slightly, uphill straightaway par four. Sand and deep rough left should be
avoided, but with the coastline right, at least you'll be dry. The putting surface, which slopes from back to front, is almost completely surrounded by sand, so once again, your wedge better be accurate.
For years, the fifth hole at Pebble Beach was an inland par three that played uphill, away from the ocean. Some dubbed the hole as the only dogleg par three in the world. After years of negotiating with the family that owned the parcel of land along the ocean and the passing of the original owner, the powers that be were able to purchase property they desperately wanted for their course. Opened for play in the winter of 1998, the fifth is now a wonderful hole designed by Jack Nicklaus at a cost of $3 million, some calling the most expensive hole in championship golf, as it sits upon the bluffs of Stillwater Cove, some 50-feet above the ocean. Wind will certainly affect your play and club selection, but it's never a bad choice to favor the left side, as balls will repel towards the green. The putting surface is one of the longest on the course and a back-right pin can be very intimidating. During Woods' exciting run at the 2000 U.S. Open, this was the only par-three during the championship that he would bogey.
Several changes have been made to the par-five sixth, including an additional 10 yards to its length. It is a daunting hole that is quite breathtaking and diabolical at the same time. With Stillwater Cove along the right and the fairway now shaped closer to the water, you'll need an accurate tee ball to
negotiate this beauty. Five well-crafted bunkers have replaced the one solo trap that originally occupied the left side of the fairway. Your second shot must now carry a very steep slope on your way towards the green and avoid the traps on left. If laying up, you'll have just a short pitch to a putting
surface that rises in the back. One word of caution, whatever you do, don't miss right! Tiger Woods birdied the sixth twice during his 2000 U.S. Open Championship run, including a two-putt birdie after he put his seven-iron second shot from 205-yards away on the green.
One of the most photographed holes in golf, the par-three seventh is just 109 yards long and one of the most difficult. This is when the elements really come into play. On a calm day, sand wedge is the norm. However, when conditions are blustery, a knock down six-iron could be the call. Just ask Tom
Kite, who needed that very same club in the 1992 U.S. Open. He knocked it just over the green, however he holed his chip shot en route to winning his only major championship. "Everyone remembers that shot, and believe me I will never forget it," Kite said.
To say that the eighth hole is one of the greatest in all of golf, could be a stretch, but it's pretty darn close. Playing uphill from the tee, you'll need to favor the left side, as most shots will roll to the right towards the ocean. Your second shot is quite breathtaking and will be played over a deep ravine with a mid- to long-iron. Nicklaus calls the second shot his favorite approach shot in all of golf. The green sits well below the fairway and is sandwiched between a series of bunkers. Sloping from back to front and left to right, you must stay below the hole to have any shot at par. What, you thought I was going to say birdie!
It used to be a good hole, but now the ninth is a great one. Since 2000, 50 yards has been added, making the ninth a whopping 505 yards. Yes, it plays downhill, but that is still a long way. With the ocean to the right, you must play down the left, as all shots will cant towards the water. Now the fun
begins, as you're left with a very difficult approach, played downhill towards the well-guarded and windswept green. The putting surface sits precariously close to the ocean cliffs. Although a back-left pin over the bunker might take the water out of play, it will certainly be very difficult to attack.
As a mid-400-yard par four, the 10th was a beautiful hole, framed on the right by the Pacific Ocean, but now with a new championship tee adding 50 yards, this hole is downright nasty. Similar to the ninth, the fairway slopes hard to the right and features a difficult series of traps down the left. The putting surface is quite small and plays slightly downhill from the landing area. The proper play would be just short of the green and let the ball feed towards the cup. I did and made birdie. Long is sand and right, well, you might be able to find your ball on the beach.
As you reach the 11th tee, don't be to distraught about moving away from the ocean views, you'll still be able to get glimpses of the Pacific throughout the remainder of your round. One of four of the par-fours under 400 yards in length, the 11th is a nice, uphill hole that bends to the right and will certainly grab your attention, especially if you miss the fairway. The play is down the left side, setting up a perfect angle of attack, but missing the landing area and you'll pay a hefty price. The oblong green slopes from back to front, left to right and tends to be very quick and is surrounded on three sides by sand. Other than that, piece of cake.
You'll need to be spot on at the par-three 12th, as the wide, but shallow green is protected in front by a gaping bunker. The putting surface will be hard to hold with a long iron, so go the route of a hybrid or fairway metal for your best course of action. Miss long and you'll end up in sand, way right and your OB! The 12th is the lone hole at Pebble Beach that has not been altered since 2000. Back in the late 1920s, Chandler Egan and Alister Mackenzie made significant changes.
At 399 yards, the 13th was a routine straightaway par four. That was then. This is now, a new championship tee was added for the 2010 U.S. Open. This one might be unlucky for some of the players, as it stretches to 445 yards. Avoid the trio of traps down the right side of the fairway, not to mention the L-shaped, 100-yard trap on the right and you'll be left with a short- to mid-iron for your approach. To get home however, you'll need at least an extra club to reach the putting surface and at all costs, stay below the hole. This green, the quickest at Pebble Beach, slopes hard from right to left and back to front.
The longest hole on the course, the 14th reaches 580 yards from the championship tees and plays every bit of that number. Slightly uphill from the tee, the holes bends sharply to the right, requiring a tall fade over the corner of the trees and the dogleg. The landing area has been pinched with the
addition of three bunkers and the serpentine fairway has been tightened. If you can layup down the right side, you'll have a better approach to the green, but you'll still need to contend with the greenside bunker fronting the left. Take an extra club to reach the elevated putting surface, which features a huge slope on the right. Chipping areas deep and left will make for a difficult up and down, just ask Paul Goydos, who made a nine at the 2010 AT&T National Pro-Am during the final round and tied for fifth.
One of the more deceiving tee shots on the course is on the par-four 15th. Trees on the left side shield that side of the fairway from view, thus giving the illusion of a tight landing area. In addition, five new bunkers have been installed down the left hand side, including one pot bunker that is placed 10 yards within the fairway. Lay back short of the trap and you're left with just a short iron to another slick green. The putting surface is just 24 paces deep with three bunkers left, right and deep. The green tilts from right to left and back to front, so again, stay below the hole.
The closing three holes at Pebble Beach offer wonderful views of Stillwater Cove. No. 16 starts off the stretch as a slight dogleg right par four of modest length. The tee shot is crucial, as it must clear the 50-yard bunker oasis down the left-center. Three-metal or hybrid should suffice, as the fairway does pinch as you get closer to the green. From the landing area, you're left with a short- to mid-iron to a very tight putting surface. The downhill approach is made even more difficult by deep bunker that sits well below the green (I should know, since my approach ended up here). The green is tilted from right to left, with thick gnarly rough encircling the surface.
The 17th hole at Pebble Beach is as good as it gets. Just ask Nicklaus and Watson, who both clinched U.S. Open championships on this hole. With the Pacific Ocean in full view from the tee, weather conditions will dictate your course of action. A par on this devilish par-three with an hourglass green, the largest on the course, will make your day, maybe your life! Nicklaus knocked his one-iron off the flagstick en route to victory in 1972 and Watson chipped in from the left fringe in 1982 to derail Nicklaus for his only U.S. Open title. Originally just a routine-length par three, it can now be
stretched to 225 yards with a back-left pin.
The 18th hole is a perfect way to end your round. Mike Davis of the USGA calls 18, "one of the greatest finishing holes in golf." Hopefully, you'll have to wait on the tee, so you'll be able to absorb the surroundings and what transpired during your round. Sitting on the fence, remembering your birdies, bogeys, Nicklaus pondering his future, this is what golf is all about. With water looming all along the left side, the tee shot must be placed left of the fairway trees some 265 from the box. Your second shot would be ideally located on the left side of the fairway, leaving a little wedge to a green that features putts that tend to fall ocean side. With the changes in equipment, players have been known to get home in two and make easy birdies. Just ask Dustin Johnson, who made birdie both days he played Pebble, as he won his second straight AT&T National Pro-Am in 2010. "It's such a gorgeous hole," Johnson said. "It's one of the most beautiful holes in golf." Johnson got up and down from the front, greenside bunker for birdie and the win.
FINAL WORD: When I first played Pebble Beach back in 2000, 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. My rating of the course was that it was not as good as Pine Valley, but certainly worthy of top-10 status.
Upon further review, I still believe that Pine Valley is the best course in the country, but Pebble Beach continues to deserve all of the wonderful accolades it receives.
What had bothered me the first time I played the course had a lot to do with conditioning, attitude and cost. Two out of three have been attended to.
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 (17 withstanding), they are simply tilted in each direction. Let's not forget the size of the greens, a mere 3,500 square feet. Mike Davis added, "They are absolutely the smallest greens in major championship golf." Since 2000, Arnold Palmer and the Pebble Beach staff have worked hard to rejuvenate this work of art and have come up aces. "Pebble Beach is a national treasure to the game of golf," Mr. Palmer concluded.
One incredibly distinct difference, in my eyes, was the reworking of the bunkers, which gives the course that old-time feel. Whispy grass surrounds most of the traps, a touch that dates back to yesteryear and those wonderful layouts in Scotland and Ireland.
In all, four greens and 16 bunkers were rebuilt, altered or installed, 11 tees received enhancements and over 200 yards were added to the course. "Our goal has been to strengthen Pebble Beach for today's player, while maintaining its timeliness," continued Mr. Palmer. "I believe we have accomplished this goal with the many improvements made over these past few years."
As for the staff...what a difference 10 years makes. What could be perceived as an insincere attitude a decade ago, has been transformed into a courteous and caring organization that bends over backwards to accommodate your needs.
Although the cost for a round of golf at Pebble Beach has increased to $495 and a two-night stay is required, the result certainly outweighs the means.
By the way, one word of caution while playing Pebble Beach. Do not, I repeat, do not leave any food unattended in your golf cart, as it will surely be taken away by the many hungry birds flying overhead. Trust me, they will pick up a three-pound bag of trail mix in a heartbeat.
As much as you'd like to play one of the greatest courses in the country on a perfectly sunny and benign day, which I did back in 2000, playing when the elements are in full bloom is the way to go. My 2010 visit included wind gusts up to 25 miles per hour, sideways rain storms and brilliant sunshine, all in a five-hour time frame. That's golf!
You must find a way to get there, because, Pebble Beach is a must!
