"My golf is woeful but I will never surrender."

Safe travels whisker baja.

Enjoy

Have a safe trip.

Very nice Whiskers!

I had heard the same thing from another friend that played it.  Spendy.  Should have taken a caddie for the knowledge, and wouldn't play it again.    But oh the history.


Hope your vacay is going sweet!  See any other Ho'ers on the West Coast Swing?

 

Home now and a chance to expand upon my comments.  Pebble is a fine, fine course.  Its ocean holes are magnificent and it's hallowed ground in so many ways.  You can't walk up #17 without thinking of Tom and Jack.  It's truly magical.  The same can be said for #7, #8, #9 and #18.  Very good holes.

However, there are a good 4-5 completely average holes and a couple that are downright poor designs.  Even the best hole on the course (#8 IMO) has its downside.  You don't know what to do off the tee.  It's completely blind.  You consult the yardage book, aim at a rock and hope for the best.  Without a forecaddy telling you it's safe to go you could easily take someone out.  The second shot on #6 is blind and, for a new visitor, turns a great drive into a layup hole.  The first hole is absolutely unremarkable as are a couple of holes in the middle of the back nine.  The long par-5 #14 has an impossible green even with a PW in your hands and after a big drive and a solid hybrid I had 200 yards left (granted, two club wind in my face.) 

Pacific Dunes has only a couple of average holes and no poor holes.  When you compare golf-to-golf I believe it's better than Pebble with room to spare.  If you add in the history and the views of the Monterey peninsula it brings Pebble closer.  For me though, it's all about the golf.  Pacific Dunes is right there in front of you.  No tricks but makes you earn your score.  It's good for a 24 'capper and also for a 4 'capper.  Pebble is much harder.  It would destroy a high 'capper.

Pebble is #2 on my list of U.S. courses that I've played.  It's not better than the top Irish links courses I've played (European Club, Lahinch).  I haven't even played that many of the very top courses around the world but I guess I expect Pebble would fall middle of that pack for me. 

Very enjoyable and if didn't cost a small fortune I'd play it again.  But it's not the best of the best as so many ratings would have you believe.

Sacrilege?   

Yep.  I wouldn't for one second try to dissuade someone.  It's right there at the top of the list of must-play courses.

Hey thanks for the mention - Pebble was tough and I agree a good bit overpriced for all it offers. I got beat up but I'm not a cold weather golfer. (who knew it would be that cold in July) 57 degrees plus wind chill and coming off the ocean - it was just chilly enough to need a windshirt and just warm enough to sweat too much in it.
I had good hopes starting the round and by the last two holes I was glad it was over. Being a solid 9 handicap and used to long drives in the middle - none of that happened at Pebble. It was humbling to say the least!

At least you guys who I got to play with was a great bunch of guys. For that it was a great round of golf and a fun way to spend the day.

Jon Berry