The legendary Pebble Beach golf course on the California coast draws players from all over the world. Securing a tee time at this course is quite a challenge for ordinary golfers, as is affording the sky-high greens fees. If you do manage to tee it up at Pebble Beach, there is friendly advice from those who've been there.
Experienced players highly recommend bringing your own clubs to Pebble Beach. The course is difficult, the ocean breezes will challenge you and getting used to an unfamiliar set of sticks will simply handicap you even more. If you are flying to California, the airline will charge you a fairly modest sum to stow your clubs in the hold. This minor expense is worth it for the opportunity to bring your best game to the course.
Although most of its fairways are moderately easy to negotiate, Pebble Beach is notorious for tough approach shots and weird-rolling greens. The advice of an experienced caddy while you're chipping and putting can help you make a respectable showing. Plus, caddies have interesting stories to tell, and will console you with tales of legendary golfers who came up short on this hole or that-- just as you will.
A free driving range at the nearby Spyglass Hill course provides a great opportunity to warm up before you hit Pebble Beach. Make sure you are in decent shape before arriving--Pebble Beach does not allow you to drive the cart to your ball, so whether you drive or walk the course you will have a good amount of walking to do.
Of course, you must dress for success at Pebble Beach. No blue jeans or T-shirts allowed; management requires that you wear collared shirts and slacks or shorts, and recommends soft spikes as footwear. The hills make rubber-soled shoes a tricky proposition. If you arrive in the off-season, a Windbreaker or sweater will keep you warm in the often chilly, foggy weather.
The busiest times at Pebble Beach are late spring, summer and early fall. The winter off-season sees fewer golfers and easier reservations. Don't forget to bring your camera--you will want to document your conquest of the course, or at least your presence at the famous par-3 hole 6, one of the world's most beautiful golf holes.
Your golf reservations depend on your choice of lodging. Pebble Beach is actually one big resort operation, with golfing and hotels wrapped up in a single package for visitors. For the Pebble Beach golf links, you can only reserve a tee time more than 24 hours in advance if you stay at the Lodge, the Inn at Spanish Bay or Casa Palmero. You must book at least a two-night stay, you can book one round for each night you stay and you should try to reserve your tee time when you reserve your hotel. Reservations are not quite so restrictive for the other courses in the area--but who comes all the way to Pebble Beach to play them?
