Pebble Beach Golf

Pebble Beach has long been a place I’ve wanted to visit ever since I became interested in golf in middle school. Many years and Pebble Beach Pro-​Ams later, The Wife and I finally found a way to stop by during our PCH trip.
I had a feeling it was going to be a good day when, for some reason, they just waved us through the gate at the entrance to 17 Mile Dr instead of having to pay the fee (hey, I’m not asking any questions) and as we snaked our way through the increasingly more prestigious neighborhoods, my expectations and excitement built at a steady pace until we finally reached our destination.
All sorts of questions went through my mind… this is a golf course, are they cool with people just stopping in? Is this normal? Will we be shooed away as if by some angry Septuagenarian from Bushwood? All of these questions of course were answered when we entered the pro shop and began perusing and interacting with the nice staff. While probably not their ideal customers, it did seem quite normal for people to stop and pay homage to this iconic course. A cherry on the sundae was when we were paying for our items, the pro shop personnel gave us a couple score cards as gifts and reminded us to make sure and get «our 18^th hole picture» over by the lodge.
Taking this advice in tow, we waltzed over to the lodge where food and drink are available to all, with great views of the bay and of course the picturesque 18^th hole. You can walk all the up to the wooden fence surrounding the green, so stop and take pictures all you like.
With good memories and pebble beach gear in tow (I bought a divot tool to replace my lost St. Andrews one) we made our way back to the PCH and the rest of our trip. So while I finally got to visit, now I need to take the next step and play the course. Perhaps the next trip. Play or not, definitely stop at Pebble Beach.

Wow. What an experience. The course was immaculate. The caddie was so helpful with clubs and reading green and even helped straighten my driver out. Views from ocean front holes are just spectacular. Fun challenging course. Can’t wait to play it again!

Okay, if you are planning to make phone reservations for golf, a room, or dinner, ask for ANDREW when you call reservations! He is honored to serve you — makes you feel as if you are extremely special. He happily goes out of his way to make your reservations even more special than you had planned. Pebble Beach is fortunate to have him on their team!

I know everyone gives 5 stars, but I would say this place is 2 stars. The marshals kept telling us to hurry up even the group in front of us was still «right there.» I was very surprised because that means they didn’t care about safety. I didn’t want to hit other people by my ball.
Also, we were followed by the strange couple who wore jogging clothes. The coupe kept checking inside of our cart and followed from 8^th hole to 11^th hole. However, marshals never talked to the couple what they were doing. They only cared to make us hurry.
If this is a cheap golf course, I accept all these shady things happened but this is the Pebble Beach. I wanted to play golf more relaxing and without caring about thieves.

Did not meet expectations to say the least. Played course 20+ days after holes punched for the $ 100 discount. Needless to say, the greens were beyond awful. I understood this.
What shocked my was the state of the rest of the course. Patchy burned out… I was devastated to experience course conditions. Ocean and cliff views and shots are incredible. However this is maybe a $ 50 muni course where I live that is located on ocean and cliffs. I was impressed with the fact that a majority of the holes touched the ocean.
If you ask me, go to a ocean then go play golf at a local muni not on the ocean and you’ll get the same experience. Now if you want to play a muni on the ocean, go to pebble and pay $ 495. Never again.

Played Pebble beach on Tuesday, Spyglass on Wednesday. There really are no words to explain what a true golf experience this is. This is a must do on any golfers list. From start to finish the staff at the resort are First Class!!! Our caddies, Damien and Alan really know their way around these courses to make your round as enjoyable as you can imagine. I highly recommend these two caddies. Thanks to all PB STAFF

This place is so memorable and historic that golfers need to play here at least once. The place is more beautiful than I thought it would be. I love the smell of the ocean and the humidity in the air while golfing. Everyone is extremely helpful and nice here. For $ 500, it’s nice to escape the world and play the most desired golf course in the world.

The best most beautiful place to play golf in the world. Best service. Perfect experience.

Played Pebble 2 days ago w customer. There is no other place like Pebble. The air is different, it’s greener and just a magical place. I think it’s like something out of a storybook. TV does not paint the picture my friends.
I am a 14 handicap and played the gold tees. You must walk and have your own caddie. $ 495 +$ 80 for caddie and tip them well. Do not get cart unless you physically can not walk 18. You can ride in a cart at any course. This is the Mecca in my opinion. I live in NCA so I am biased as well.
One tip for anyone trying to get on without staying at the Lodge. I think people think you must stay on property. But if you can set up trip within a 2 – 3 week window just call reservations and they will accommodate. I stayed in Pacific Grove right across from the 17mile Dr gate for $ 125. Yes if you have never been here as a casual visitor it’s a 17 mile gated circle where all the courses are and multi million dollar homes. But when you come to the gate give your name day of tee time and they let you in free. How nice of them? Yes you are dropping an SUV car payment for 5 hrs you will remember the rest of your life. At least let me in the gates of heaven for free. If you are not playing day of its $ 10
On the course and caddies:
Listen to your caddie. Listen. If he says 7 iron from 135. You hit 7 iron. Pebble sits on a slant and most of the course is an optical illusion. I play a lot of hard target courses in the Sacramento area. So I really say like most have, Pebble is not real difficult. It’s open and you hit driver or 3 wood on most all 4s and 5s. If you are a bomber off the tee 250 – 270 yd you can really play well. The greens are tricky and pretty fast. They were running 9 – 10 maybe the other day. Probably set up at a 12 for PGA events. They are in awesome shape though.
1 – 3 are ok holes. 4 – 10 are the best stretch of the course. 30+ mph wind hit us for about 4 holes. It was awesome. 7 – 9 are 3 holes I never forget .No 7 played 96. I hit 8 iron full swing I usually hit my 8 about 150. I hit the middle of green rolled to back edge. 2 putt par.
No 8 you wanna hit to the top of hill. 400 yd I hit 5 iron about 190. Most say hit to the stone as far left as you can. But Jack Nicklaus says hit a little more right. So your approach into the green you get about 15 more ft of green facing you. The Cliff of Dooms as it is called I smoked a 5 iron 200 yds to the front edge it rolled up about 18 ft from the hole uphill. 2 putt par. No 9 I smashed a drive down left side on in 2, 2 putt par 44 on the front. 46 on the back
The bunkers are steep and lots of them. I think over 150 bunkers on Pebble
Tip your caddie well. These guys are NOT employed by the Resort. They are independent contractors w NO benefits. My caddie Orion was a great guy. 1.5 handicap too. These guys are sticks. They are not Stevie Williams, Bones, or Joe LaCava. They don’t make huge $$$ Don’t stiff them. As I walked down those fairways I felt like a PGA player with my caddie giving advice and saying. «you have what you need». It’s was awesome. Tip them $ 80-​$ 100. For 5 – 6 hrs that’s not a lot friends. They don’t even get discounts to play. If they play Pebble full price just like you and me. The waiter that poured my coffee in The Lodge who gives a rip about the game gets 4 free rounds a year and the caddies that are scratch golfers get nothing. Little messed up I think. But that’s the deal at Pebble Trust me on that little inside scoop. For golf nerds out there.
I love this place and all the other course too. Poppy Hills is ok but with no rough not my favorite. Spyglass is awesome too. Harder than Pebble a lot.
Spanish Bay I am playing later in the summer
My tip. If you have the money don’t be cheap on the golf at least. I save by staying at offsite hotel. But I still go to The Lodge sit outside and eat and enjoy all the perks of staying. Again call and talk to reservations. They want to fill the Pebble Beach tee times. I am only 3 hr drive to Monterey. So try at least if you don’t want to spend $ 600 a night on hotel. That savings gets you more golf. Just don’t think they are as strict on the hotel stays as years past. If you don’t ask they will sell you on The Lodge. It’s a sweet hotel but if you can save $ 1200-​$ 2000 on hotel rates why not. I only booked about 2 weeks out.
Pebble Beach if you are a golfer is a MUST. If you are hard core like me it’s more of a must.
It is Heaven on Earth!

I should start my review by saying this was a surprise birthday gift from my wife. At first I balked at the price but decided to accept the fact that I’m going to be playing Pebble Beach if I was ready or not, now or never. A little about me: 10+ handicap, plays at least once a week, LOVE to hit the driving range and work on my game. I’ll try to only point out the highlights of my round.
The day started out gloomy and drizzly, but I figure, this is normal weather for this part of California. Checking in at the Pro-​shop, staff was very accommodating and knowledgeable. Forked out the $ 500+ for the round, a small part of me died after the dude swiped my credit card.
Hitting the practice area, I think to myself, this is how a driving range should be– golf balls arranged in a pyramid stack, unlimited golf tees (I pocketed a handful), grass mowed so close to ground, with no bald spots; None of those side-​hill lies like what you see on other grass ranges. It almost felt like the range was all mic’ed & hooked up to a PA system. The mere sound of hitting golf balls in their driving range comes out as a solid ‘THWACK!’ Kind of makes you feel like a tour professional.
Hole #1: I get paired with a wonderful threesome from the East Coast, one of the guests also happens to be celebrating his turning 40 years old as well, which is kind of a trip. As soon as I step on the 1^st tee, I get the first tee jitters. As long as I’ve been playing this game, I can’t remember ever having felt like that. The realization of playing the most revered golf course on the whole planet comes down on me and lo and behold, I top my tee shot. CRAP… Something about this place reduces people into bumbling hackers, no matter how long you’ve been playing this game. Luckily, my flight was respectful enough to give me encouragement and move on.
Views: BREATHTAKING. Having played Tiger Woods PGA Tour on Xbox does nothing to prepare you for the actual course conditions: severely sloping fairways, tee shots over the ocean, undulations on the greens, the height changes, etc… I could go on forever. The views alone is worth the price of admission.
Hole #18: Every serious golf fan knows how the last hole is laid out: A Par 5, beach on the left with an effin’ tree in the middle of the narrow fairway. Again, the pressure is building to make a decent score. Alas, pushing too hard will screw up your golf swing. I wind up, attempt to connect and end up hitting the ball on the heel of the club. On the corner of my eye, I see my ball (together with my remaining confidence) sputter left towards the Pacific Ocean. F**K.
To be playing Pebble for the first time, I manage to scrounge up a 90 (from the gold tees). Comparatively, the greens on this course are much smaller than other courses I’ve played. And to make matters worse, the greens are surrounded by many, deep bunkers. Oh the bunkers, that’s a whole discussion in itself. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
Recommendations:
WARM UP: For any self-​respecting golfer, coming in cold will not only frustrate you but will guarantee a blown up scorecard. You’ve paid all this money to play Pebble, at least play well enough not to embarrass yourself or the people you’re playing with. Now, if you’re the type that’s got money to burn or you’re just some casual golfer who plays without even keeping score, then more power to you.
CADDIE: Other reviewers have said it and I’ll say it again– GET A CADDIE! For us mere mortals who can only afford to play PB on very special occasions or maybe on a once-​in-​a-​lifetime basis, having that course knowledge will only help you score better. I can’t tell you how many times my caddie had bailed me out. I was paired with Gene, who’s been caddying here for more than 25 years. The old man can be a little sarcastic at times, but most of the time he was direct, didn’t mince any words and saved me the patronizing that’s fairly common in their line of work. He told me where to hit my tee shots, approach shots and once on the putting green, he basically told me where to hit my putts, and I knocked that bad boy stiff. Like what he said after the round, ‘a caddie’s knowledge is worth their weight in gold in these parts.’- I couldn’t agree more. Make sure you tip them well.
I would definitely come back here if I had the means. For now, I’ll have to relegate myself to playing Pebble on my Xbox while dreaming of one day coming back to this little slice of golf heaven. I came in a skeptic but left a believer. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

With the $ 500.00 price tag out of the way, our two caddies from yesterday Clnton & Chris at our side we hit Pebble. First off remember this is a a RESORT COURSE and even witht that the fairways were not in the shape we expected them to be. Rough was thick and knarly. GREENS WOW Smallest things I’ve very seen yet they were not even remotely quick which was a a bit of a letdown
Layout well you have seen it all on TV but it does not do justice to Hole #4 through 11 which are in short a stretch of holes as you walk as good as it gets.
Today it was low 50’s raining and freezing in my opinion so I battled through out but I certainly didn’t enjoy playing in theses type of conditions
Service staff was friendly and helpful.
Knocks off I had no idea how many homes were lining the course. but real knock off issue was #17 one of the most famous holes at Pebble was completely under construction. Nobody once ever bothered to tell us that this was not playable.
All and all cross it off the bucket list… But with the usual cool Pacific temps in this area of the country a return to play here is not happening in my lifetime.
Course itself was great to play so to watch the pros next time but that’s all folks I’m done.

All I can say is that I feel very lucky to have played at this divine golf course. Of course it maybe $ 500 a round plus a stay at the Lodge, but it is worth every pretty penny if I had to pay that rate.
But we lucked out and did a charity event for the kids of Monterey on Fathers Day, in which we played for $ 300 each and all the proceeds went to the kids in need and did not have to stay at the Lodge. Lucky me and we did something great for the kids in need.
Sometimes in life you just have to say F*CK it and throw down the dough, cause you cannot take it with you when your dead. Don’t wait to play this course cause it will be just more expensive as the years go by.
If you do decide to play, you will be rewarded with the most stunning views of carmel and the sea. Also, get the forecaddy and walk the course! Its well worth the extra cost for the course knowledge because I can’t tell you how many times the caddy said, just shoot it over the ocean, and watch the wind blow my ball back to the fairway. Or putt 90 degrees away from the hole and watch my ball roll around the world back into the cup. Thank goodness I took this off my bucket list, and treated my dad to a fathers day round he will never forget. He had a smile that lasted for days!

While me and my wife were were cruising the 17 mile drive, the last stop for us was the Pebble Beach golf course. Since I have not been there at all, I wanted to see how the course was built. We headed to the 18^th hole. It was amazing and breathtaking to see how the course was built on the ocean. It was very amazing.

Had Christmas 2014 dinner here, and enjoyed a great meal, drinks, and wonderful atmosphere!

5 star course, service, location. I am i terrible /​amateur golfer. I play golf just for the hell of it. there were times that I got kicked off the course for taking my sweet time, losing golf balls left and right, or even losing a few golf clubs. The course here was exquisite, with plenty of arrogance competitive pricks, I enjoyed the location and the accommodations and plan on coming back despite how many people I piss off.

This is awesome place to go. By the time we arrived i already enjoy driving the 17 miles highway. The golf links is amazingly beautiful as a whole. The view and the restaurant is absolutely classy and elegant. Kinda pricy but the experience is worth it.

I love this course… the only reason i gave it four stars is the off the charts green fee to play it. But i enjoyed every hole and greens were great!

Aww Pebble Beach Golf Link is stunning, breath taking and well maintained. My caddie is amazing too, he was not only showed me all the blind shots but he also took amazing pictures of me. Plus Taylor Made golf club is heavy for a woman’s back.
Renting a golf club $ 95 is more expensive than the cost of a caddie, only $ 80 so I gave him a big tips and a bottle champagne for all of his works.

Tiger tiger woods y’all.
Breathtaking views! If anyone knows me, they’d know I’m a sucker for ocean and water and green oh very beautiful green grass. You wouldn’t believe how many times I contemplated on rolling around in it.
The caddies were awesome! Unfortunately I’m no tiger woods but I can definitely hold my own. I played a solid game given i play once a year; my brother and dad would have been proud!!! I’ll have to take them here when they visit since they’re avid golfers.
This was the first time I played all holes!!! Yes, I was that girl that played 5 holes and then start to drive the cart around! Hence WAS! Not anymore, Bring it on golfers! haha.
All joking aside, I’d come and play every weekend, if I could get up early on the weekends to drive here.

Absolutely amazing. The best day of golf ever. Even though I didn’t play well, it will be in my memory forever! The course and the people that work there make it an amazing experience. A must on the bucket list!

#1 on my bucket list is now checked off and it was almost EVERYTHING I wanted it to be. I should have reserved a caddie sooner so I got left out but even then this was AMAZING. I played Spyglass and Spanish Bay that were AWESOME as well but Pebble was just what you think you are going to be playing and more.
GET A CADDIE ! I lost 4 – 5 shots not having one. The course is not that hard actually for those of us that can keep the shots straight. I am a 5 and shot a 10 over. I should have played the blue tees but the other 3 guys were playing gold and I wanted to play as a unit. That alone cost me 4 – 5 shots in that I was 5 yards too long on about 4 tee shots putting me in bunkers I shouldn’t have been in. Green reading was ok but a caddie would have helped me with better club selection when the wind kicks up.
My only complaint is #14. TERRIBLE hole design. I play a draw but still this sucked for everyone. It plays up hill up wind and dog legs right 50 yards past the tee box with a MASSIVE tree blocking any shot at cutting the corner. You are literally stuck playing a 175 yard shot shot of the left bunkers leaving you with over 300 to the hole up wind. I played a driver trying to cut it around and hit the tree, laid up to the fairway leaving me 390 to the hole. 3Wood pured went 220, then pured 7 iron that was short by 30 yards. Lipped out a bogey chip for a double. I was steaming mad at the design, really just terrible.
Other than that this was a dream. I birdied, Almost Eagled the famed #5 with driver 4 iron, All holes were awesome (#14 the only exception but even then the view was AWESOME ! #7 was playing 90 yards and was fun but I put it 2 yards to the right and got the bunker and made bogey but playing partner birdied making a 40 foot put from the back. #6−9 were just breath taking…
Staff was top notch, stores were well stocked… I will come again maybe even annually. Worth EVERY PENNY. GET A CADDIE !!

Well, I finally got to play the course on New Year’s Day because a budd’s wife got him a Pebble Beach gift card for his birthday in early December. In short, I was recruited to fork out big bucks so he wouldn’t play alone or with strangers (successful strangers). Anyways, another budd joined us for the trip and is was amazing. The golf video games out there just can’t properly prepare you for the panoramic views the actual course displays.
I’ve come to Pebble Beach with a press photographer badge (don’t ask me how I got it) and as a spectator for PGA events. Playing the course has a totally different feel, and for my first time it was filled with immense pressure to play well and jaw-​dropping views.
We got a $ 395 NCGA special rate that included cart fee and a $ 50 gift card to play here without having to stay at the resort which would have resulted in far more benjamins than I’m willing or able to do. We thought we got a great deal but a single that joined our threesome told us he payed $ 475 for both Pebble Beach and Spanish Bay which included $ 50 gift cards for both. A really superb deal that would have only added frosting to the cake if it included the cart fee. Just call the course to see if they have any specials he said… will do next time… will do.
A cart isn’t necessary anyways since the course is cartpath only. All the walking you do sideways will just make you feel like you should have just walked the course. Get a caddy if you can afford the caddy and tip (those guys work hard for you, don’t forget to tip).
Just like the pros, I’m gonna complain about the blind shots though. Way to many blind shots. If you have never played the course before, you are in for a rude awakening. Course knowledge will shave 5 to 10 strokes easily. Well, 3 holes got away from me for an OK round. I imagine playing a lot better if afforded another opportunity.
The TAP ROOM hit the spot after the round although the $ 10 price tag for a beer might not be your forte. Looking forward to next year…
Great employees. I especially thought the starters and marshals were cool. Other than the blind shots another negative would be that there wasn’t anyone to wash/​clean the clubs after the round. I don’t know if someone was just on break but it doesn’t seem normal for a course of this caliber. I had a nice tip ready also…

Of course Pebble Beach is going to get 5 stars. This is golf Mecca and despite having smashed my foot the day prior, on a warm up round, I finished out really well. My brother and I called the morning before to get our tee time and from the tee time booking to the bag pickup the whole operation was first class.
The course was in fantastic condition, having just hosted the partners/​owners tournament, so we both felt like we were getting the full course treatment. Our caddie, Jeff, was awesome and seriously saved me 5 – 8 strokes with his green reading.
Some will ask if the $ 495 green fee is worth it… oh yeah. Pebble has been crossed off my bucket list, but that doesn’t mean I won’t be back!