If you read down two reviews down you will see my last review of Pebble Beach Golf Links from just over one month ago. In that review I don’t think that I mentioned that I had a 14 on the 18th hole (... Continue »

If you read down two reviews down you will see my last review of Pebble Beach Golf Links from just over one month ago. In that review I don’t think that I mentioned that I had a 14 on the 18th hole (3 OB’s). That has weighed heavily upon me over the past month, so much so that I had to return to Pebble Beach this morning to seek redemption.

This morning I had a 7:00 AM tee time, I was playing with a gentleman from Texas and in front was a foursome some and behind was a threesome. Pace of play was excellent, very little waiting and the round was completed in 4 hours and 15 minutes. This is perfect for Pebble as we never felt rushed, yet we kept moving.
Weather was perfect, in fact it felt hot at the start of the round around the 14 hole a gentle breeze came up to make things even more pleasant.

The course was in excellent condition. The work that I saw them working on last month (bunker at the 14th green) is complete and now work is going on with the 13th green. This isn’t like a muni however, these guys work quickly, and by the time you play Pebble they will be onto something else. Absolutely no complaints with tees, fairways or greens, or bunkers, everything was great. The greens were quick and completely true. The rough is not US Open length yet but does add to the challenge with the ball settling down very deep.

The staff was very nice today. The slightly odd guy that was in the pro shop last time was not there this time. The pro shop staff this time was a non-quirky nice. Jim the started gave me two ball markers, and all the tees I could grab. On the course the marshals only had pleasant talk for us. A good staff all way around.

All in all this was another absolutely wonderful experience. I was concerned as the first time played it was simply magical, and I was concerned that a replay might be an expensive ($375.00) let down. Things that I picked up on last time were very useful this time, plus having already played the course took much of the jitters out of the picture, not all of them as this is Pebble beach after all. Also please note that during this economic downturn Pebble is hurting and you can get on for $375 now if you ask for the Northern California Golfer discount. If you don’t ask for this its $495. This lasts through the end of the month. If you sign up on the Pebble Beach website you can get their emails, and keep track of how long this discount lasts.

Now I will review my round at Pebble. I will try to keep this brief, but if you are not my mother you may wish to stop here.

I played the blue tees this morning; this makes the course 6737 yards long. After my last round there I changed the clubs that I carried. I got rid of my 4 hybrid for a 2 wood. I also added a 56 degree wedge because of all the little lob shots around the greens that I had last time. So I carried 1-2-3 woods, 3-SW+56 degree and putter. I hope that is only 14 clubs.

On the front 9 I shot a 46. I managed this with four pars and three 7’s. I knocked two balls into the ocean and one OB. My driver caused me fits as I was pulling it very badly, such as the OB left on #2, and trying to fix your swing while playing Pebble is not ideal. On the bright side, on the 1st, I hit the perfect drive using the 2 wood. In fact this was the only reason I carried the two wood, that one shot. I had pars on both of the par three’s hitting the green on both (5 iron on 5, PW on 7). And on 8 and 9 I had very nice drives, that I was unable to follow through on.

On the back 9 things came together a bit more and I had a 41. I had par on 10, which was a very nice hole to par. A horrible drive pulled way left followed by a 5 iron to the fringe and two putts for par. I will note that this green may perhaps be the most beautiful spot on the course if not in the world. From there on I played very steady with pars on 13,15 and 17. I gave up completely on my driver on the 14th hole and began using the two wood which worked on two on three attempts thereafter.
When I got to the 18th tee, on the back nine I had 4 pars and 4 bogies.

The last time I played the 18th I had the 14. Standing on the tee very intimidating if you are not driving with confidence, like me. I used the 2 wood, pulled the drive and watched it bounce off a rock next to the ocean and disappear in the rough down by the water. Amazingly enough I was able to find the ball and hack it back onto the fairway with a pitching wedge. A hooked six iron put me in the long bunker along the seawall. An 80 yard shot from the sand came up 15 yards short of the green. This is followed by the 56 degree to 6 inches for a bogie. 46-41=87 and I feel redeemed. Yes I threw away lots of shots but I am a 10 handicap and that is to be expected. I leave the course happy and redeemed.

A few things that I have learned from my two rounds at Pebble: Much of what I read about how to play the holes was written for pros not for people like me. For instance I tagged a driver on 8 and still had a long ways to go on the second shot. I read a few times not to use a driver as you may go over the cliff. Next, try never to get above the hole on the green and if you can avoid chipping from above the hole you will have saved yourself a handful of strokes. Next, on the first tee just hit a club that you have confidence in even if its going to only go 150 yards. It is the most intimidating shot on the course especially if it is your first round there. Next, there are many blind tee shots that you will face. Google earth the course and check out the distances, and fairway widths, it will pay dividends. Next, just play the course. Yes it is expensive and you can only make the tee time a day ahead of time, but it is worth every cent if you love golf. Finally, walk! You don’t ride a golf cart through the Louvre, so why would you at Pebble. The joy of walking down the fairways is just incredible, and it just can’t be replicated in a cart.