Pebble Beach Golf Links--Pebble Beach, CA
-Rankings as of 11/4/2015--5th Best U.S. Course and 7th Best Course in the World (Golf Magazine), 7th Best U.S. Classic Course (Golfweek), 7th Best U.S. Course (Golf Digest)
Pebble Beach is one of the most famous golf courses in the world. In fact, the U.S. Open has been played at Pebble 5 times. Perhaps the most memorable U.S. Open played there was in 2000 when Tiger Woods broke all kinds of records en route to decimating the field and hoisting the trophy. Also, Tom Watson defeated Jack Nicklaus at Pebble in 1982 in one of the most memorable majors ever played. Frankly, I could go on and on...as there have been many incredible moments at Pebble Beach.
For all these reasons, and many more, I was excited to tee it up at Pebble. And as I played my round there, I was certainly interested in the golf. The start of the course is fine, the holes progress nicely. In short, everything was fine...until I stood on the 6th tee.
And this is where the magic of Pebble Beach comes to life!!!!
Hole 6 is a thrilling par 5 that plays down a massive hill with a death defying cliff hugging the right side of the fairway. Your approach shot from this sunken fairway is played uphill to a blind green with the cliffs and the ocean lurking off to the right. In short, this hole is an adrenaline rush!
Hole 7 is also a rush, but for almost entirely opposite reasons. This ultra-short par 3 requires extreme precision...or your ball will meet an untimely passing in the ocean.
Once you hole out on 7, you turn left and head to the 8th tee. #8 off the tee isn't too intimidating. In fact, you can't see too much. But as you hit your approach shot over a massive gorge and the ocean, intimidation is certainly in play.
From there, the course continues to play along the coast through the 10th hole and then it turns inland. For sure, the inland holes are nowhere near as thrilling as those ocean holes. But to be fair, those holes might be the most thrilling golf holes in the world!