Pebble Beach Golf: (3) Pebble Beach Golf Links

09/18/2010, Pebble Beach Golf Links, 94

"If I had only one more round to play, I would choose to play at Pebble Beach. I loved this course from the first
time I saw it. It's possibly the best in the world." -- Jack Nicklaus

Today is the climax of this Pebble Beach trip. By far, Pebble Beach Golf Links is the best golf course I have ever played
or put my eyes on. It's the best for several reasons. First, the scenery is just breath taking, especially Holes No. 5 - 9.
Second, I like this style of golf courses - with relatively wide fairway, not too many trees, and the rough is playable.
Third, the weather is just perfect, the air is so fresh, and the atmosphere is filled with excitement.

My score was 94 (48 + 46) with Gold tee at 6348 yards (72.3 Rating and 137 Slope) with 6 pars. I parred on all four
Par 3 holes. Wade called me "a Par 3 Assassin." I struggled on my driver on the first four holes. I guess it showed that I
didn't practice a single shot before the game at tee time 1:20pm. The caddie said no muligan allowed on Pebble Beach,
even not on the first hole. The young caddie, Leo (and his twin brother), really helped my shots. He encouraged me to
use my No. 7 wood for 180 yard shots. I made several great approach shots. Unfortunately, I three putted a few holes
by missing some relatively short putts. I feel that I could do better than 94 on this course although I was very pleased
with the 94.

For the first time during this trip. the sun came out at around noon time before our tee time. I had some great photo shots
of the Pebble Beach golf course.  Each day started with very dense fog in the morning. But today it cleared before noon
time, which makes it easier to photograph. The best time to photo Pebble Beach is the afternoon during the sunset. After
the game, I rode my cart back to the Hole No. 6 but I took a wrong turn. By the time I got there, I lost the sunlight
shining on Hole No. 7. There was only about 10-15 minute time window for the shot. The sun set at 7:15. I got off the
game at around 7:00pm. Since Pebble Beach is a public course, people are actually allowed to walk on the beaches and
part of the course.

Last but not the least, I love the fact the resort took care of our clubs transporting between the golf course pro shops
and the lodge we are staying. I am sure I'll be back at the Pebble in the near future. What is amazing is that there aren't
too many people (tourists or players) around the golf club house or the nearby attractions - even though it's a Saturday.

What is great about golf is that we can play on the same fields as the greatest players of this game once did. Not too
many other sports can do that. Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Tiger Woods, Phil
Mickelson, for example, have all walked through this great course many times before. I guess that is why this is
considered as one of the "holly" places for golf lovers. You can just feel it.

The pictures are shown in the order I took it. As you can tell as the day go through, the weather changed dramatically
from one moment to the other. This is one of many reasons making this course special and exciting.

Pebble: I'll be back.

Partners in my foursome: Wade, Don, and Darrel.

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(26) The sound of ocean waves, sea otters and sea gulls is so impressive... you have to be there to appreciate it.


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(32) No. 18


(33) No. 18 tee box


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(36) No. 18 green


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(Photography Notes: Canon 5D Mark II camera with 24-70mm/2.8L lens with CPL. All were taken while playing my
round with hand-holding camera except the last one when a tripod was used after the game. I can't wait to go back to
shoot more)