Spirit of Aloha | Articles | Golfing in Paradise | May/June 2002

Golfing in Paradise: Pebble Beach Golf Links
By Marcus Ocean

In a gergeous setting on the Monterey Peninsula in California, Pebble Beach reigns as probably the most celebraqted golf course in America-and you can play it.

We were standing on hallowed ground. Everyone spoke in hushed tones and walked softly on the green blades of grass, which still held dew in the early morning air.

Our foursome was at the first tee box of the illustrious Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, Calif., eagerly anticipating the unparalleled experience that was to come. We listened intently as the first-tee monitor, looking like a formally dressed squire, gave us a brief orientation on the course.

We were about to tee off on America's No. 1 golf course, so rated by Golf Digest magazine and the all-time greatest golfer, Jack Nicklaus. Nicklaus has stated that if he could only play one course for the rest of his life, it would be Pebble Beach.

You get an idea of why as the monitor explains the journey we would be taking that day, through tall pines, outcroppings of jagged cliffs, a never-ending view of the Pacific coastline and beaches, rocky tide pools and 18 holes of incredible golf. Pebble Beach is Mother Nature at her most gorgeous; a place described as "the greatest meeting of land and water in the world."

These are the same grounds that the very best golfers in the world have trodden since 1919. It's been the site of four U.S. Opens-where Tom Watson made his dramatic chip-in on the 17th hole to defeat Nicklaus in 1972 and where Tiger Woods totally shattered the record book in 2000.

We were told that one never knows what type of weather to expect at Pebble Beach-conditions can change every 10 minutes, and normally there are brisk winds and fog. But this day broke with light winds and sunshine. It was glorious.

The course was designed to allow golfers to get into a rhythm before the dramatic vistas and difficult layouts come into play. The first hole only requires a 5- or 3-metal off the tee to a wide, tree-lined fairway. The fairway narrows as it leads up to the heavily bunkered and elevated green.

The short, 427-yard, par-5 second hole can be played as two 3-metal shots, leaving only a wedge to the green. Beware of a bunker that snuggles up under the left side of the green-you can't see it from the fairway.

Again, only a 3-metal shot is required off the third hole tee, as you're hitting from an elevated tee to a wide fairway, leaving only a short approach shot. As you leave the green here, sneak a peek toward Stillwater Cove and see what awaits you on the 17th hole.

After another short, but all uphill, par 4, you get to see the par-3 fifth hole that was redesigned by Nicklaus. It is very deceiving, as it plays far longer than it looks and presents trouble on all sides. You must reach the green or expect no less than a bogey here.

As I walked off this green, I was feeling great. The course was playing beautifully and I was only 1 over par. But watch out, because from this point on, you must keep your wits about you, as many dangers await any errant shot.

When you stand on the tee of the par-5, 500-yard sixth hole, you have to wonder how in the world Tiger Woods hit only a driver and a 6-iron to the green for an eagle. The layout starts with a flat driving area, but then it's all uphill to a hidden and well-protected green. Anything right off the tee means your next shot will be blocked by a large grove of trees and you have to hit a bailout shot. An unbelievable vista is your reward for making it to the green.

Next up, in my opinion, are the two greatest back-to-back holes anywhere, and where the going really gets rough.

The par-3 seventh hole, just 106 yards, sits directly beside the ocean, is all downhill, and has a green that is protected on all sides by bunkers. It is the signature hole of all signature holes. You'll never see a more beautiful setting-but it's an intimidating set-up.

The par-4 eighth hole is another tough one. You can't hit it long or right off the tee because of the cliffs that await any wayward shot. Once you've found the fairway, you have before you "the best second-shot in America." You have to fly a shot 185 yards downhill, over the cliffs and the Pacific to another well-protected green. After hitting a 5-metal off the tee, I heard something I'm not used to hearing. The caddie said, "That is perfect." What a thrill to get a shot airborne and watch it linger over the blue water to the waiting narrow green.

Starting with No. 8, there are four consecutive par-4 holes that make up the toughest stretch of Pebble Beach. They are all exceptionally long, have fairways that slope severely toward the ocean and greens that are heavily bunkered and very slick.

On the par-3, 201-yard 12th, one of my playing partners literally "stuck the pin." His tee shot came in from left to right and rolled up the green to hit the pin and stop right next to the hole.

The most visually appealing hole away from the ocean is No. 16. You don't need to be long off the tee, but you must be near the center of the fairway in order to get a second shot that can avoid a massive overhanging tree protecting the left side of the approach alley. Two huge bunkers will catch anything short.

You can't help but think of Tom Watson when you stand on the 17th tee. It is a flat par 3, but its 178 yards are directly into the wind off the Pacific, and the small, severely sloped green is well protected. I landed behind the green, about 40 feet from the pin and five feet from the spot where Watson hit his memorable chip shot into the cup for the birdie that helped him win the 1972 U.S. Open over Nicklaus. If the caddie hadn't told me how to hit my shot from behind the green, I surely would have been in one of the front bunkers. But on his advice, I hit my chip only a foot onto the green and it ran the rest of the way and stopped next to the pin.

Everyone's cameras came out when we reached the 18th tee box. Television doesn't do this hole justice. It is honestly breathtaking. From tee to green, all of its 543 yards run along Stillwater Cove and the crashing waves that can top the seawall. The layout requires you to hit over the water from the tee, then, after finding the fairway, you have to hit up the right side to avoid an errant shot into the blue Pacific. The green sits on a small plateau, with the ocean just below on the left side.

I was fortunate that day to have a friend who photographed me playing the 18th hole from tee to green. Shooting from the green using a telephoto lens, she caught all five strokes I made on the hole. The pictures will forever serve to remind me of a glorious, glorious day on Pebble Beach.

It is a great finishing hole for America's greatest golf course. Even weeks later, I could remember every shot I took that day. It will be like that for you, too.

Pebble Beach Golf Links is open to public play, but Pebble Beach Resort guests are given priority for tee times. Also, non-resort guests may reserve tee times not earlier than 24 hours in advance. 800-654-9300.

Veteran golfer Marcus Ocean has played just about every golf course in Hawai'i and many on the Mainland.

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