Story By: Erin Zollars
Photos By: Sol Tucker
Pebble Beach CA–
For decades, Pebble Beach and all of their resort courses have been one of those places that are on every golfer’s must-play list. After all of these years and many course features later, we decided to check out what Pebble Beach was all about. And let us tell you, first hand, we now know why this resort is on the must play of Public Courses anywhere in the world.
Since 1919, Pebble Beach has had one of the most storied histories of any courses in the world and that includes Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course and the Links at Spanish Bay as their three must play courses. If you don’t get out on these courses, you are missing out on some of the most scenic views on the California Coast Line.
Can we just say that Pebble Beach Golf Links was an all around amazing experience. For starters, we would definitely recommend getting a caddie. They provide great course knowledge and terrific golf tips. Be prepared to enjoy sand bunkers, as you are sure to get into one of these at some point, and as our staff can tell you and maybe some of the pros who have had the ability to play this gem over the years, they are a little difficult to fire out of and maybe a little less forgiving than you may be used to if you are coming from traditional traps.
For the average golfer, don’t worry about playing for score. Relax and enjoy each hole. Forget the bad shot and go on to the next. This is course is not for beginners. When you tee off and once you get on to the back 9 holes, you’ll be telling yourself, “This is a once in a lifetime experience!” When you walk off the 18th green, you may find yourself asking your partners “When can we get back here again?” We were even doing that on the day of departure heading back for the airport.
Spyglass is a better all around golf course for those wanting a challenging and scenic course, but you have to play Pebble for the exclusiveness. Your round total will be about $620 with caddie for Pebble Beach and $350 with caddie for Spyglass. You are not able to take a caddy for Links at Spanish Bay, but this course does offer carts. For Pebble and Spyglass we definitely recommend walking the course to experience all it has to offer. If you have a tour bag at any of the other courses, a caddy can request a cart, but it will be him or her driving the cart for you while you walk the course. The do try and keep pace of the play, but don’t be discouraged if your play is a little bit slow with these types of courses. While all of their practice balls at the Pebble Beach Golf Academy have 4:30 on them for pace of play, the round is more than likely to take you 5 hours.
After the round, visit the Tap Room and try some of their signature cocktails or even one of their flatbread pizzas. You will be amazed at the all around at the service from start to finish all of the resorts have to offer.
There are also plenty of shops in Pebble Beach that will allow you to continue to enjoy the experience with everything merchandise wise you can imagine, bags, shirts, drink coasters, you name it they have it in the shops.
One of the best perks of staying at one of the Pebble Beach Resorts is that all of their shuttle buses take you to where you need to go from the Golf Academy to the and they offer club storage at Spanish Bay until you are ready for your round.
To ensure a golf tee time at Pebble (USD$495+) per player, you must stay 2 nights at the Pebble Beach Lodge (USD$800+ per night). However, you can take a chance and call the day ahead to book a tee time. You can also secure a tee time by staying at The Inn at Spanish Bay for $695 average and as much as $2000 a night for the suites offered with amazing views.
Plenty of great accommodations at Spanish Bay to go along with the golf. We recommend one of their forest view rooms with a patio or one of their beach views that overlooks the golf course. All come with amazing service and options for outdoor drinks just off the course with fire pits will make it an evening to remember for a long, long, time!!
For additional ways to unwind, check out their award winning SPA. The Spa at Pebble Beach—one of only 47 spas in the world to receive the coveted Forbes Five-Star Award—celebrates this combination with signature services that incorporate the healing properties of plants, herbs and minerals indigenous to California’s Monterey Peninsula. With over 75 different services to choose from, we would recommend the hot stone massage after a long day on the course, or even the next morning after breakfast.
For more information on booking one of the best golf vacations known, visit Pebble Beach Resorts website at www.pebblebeach.com
