San Francisco to Monterey Trip Report

[ptjn1201]

So nice to see the Presidio pics. Played there about 20 years ago and it was a real treat. After playing it, I wasn't sad we hadn't plunked down the big bucks for Pebble.

 

Played St. Andrews a few weeks before the 1978 Open. Went as a single, took overnight trains from London. Got out about 7:30AM, not too long of a wait. Was a little bummed that it cost me 10 pounds, though. I was still a junior and was used to paying $1.50 at home. :lol: It's worth the trip, and if you're actually going to make it a golf trip, there are a ton of courses you can play within an easy drive.

[North Texas]

This golf trip was my 58th. I generally try to create a thread for each one. Here are a few recent ones. 'Not sure if all the links are still active on the site.

 

Mesquite/St George: http://www.golfwrx.c...ge-trip-report/

 

North Central Illinois: http://www.golfwrx.c...r-memorial-day/

 

Southern Mississippi: http://www.golfwrx.c...pi-trip-report/

 

Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Columbus: http://www.golfwrx.c...us-trip-report/

 

Austin: http://www.golfwrx.c...n-mid-december/

 

South Central Wisconsin: http://www.golfwrx.c...in-circle-tour/

 

Orlando to Jacksonville: http://www.golfwrx.c...le-in-february/

 

Sure, leave out your recent trip to North Texas :taunt:

[Argonne69]

This golf trip was my 58th. I generally try to create a thread for each one. Here are a few recent ones. 'Not sure if all the links are still active on the site.

 

Mesquite/St George: http://www.golfwrx.c...ge-trip-report/

 

North Central Illinois: http://www.golfwrx.c...r-memorial-day/

 

Southern Mississippi: http://www.golfwrx.c...pi-trip-report/

 

Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Columbus: http://www.golfwrx.c...us-trip-report/

 

Austin: http://www.golfwrx.c...n-mid-december/

 

South Central Wisconsin: http://www.golfwrx.c...in-circle-tour/

 

Orlando to Jacksonville: http://www.golfwrx.c...le-in-february/

 

Sure, leave out your recent trip to North Texas :taunt:

 

Lol. How could I forget? Oh, wait. Temps in the upper 30's. Quite enjoyable. :happy:

 

http://www.golfwrx.c...as-trip-report/

 

SoCal '17: http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/1444654-southern-california-trip-report/

[aloha b.]

Walking Spyglass would be tough. Spanish Bay would be a much easier walk, as would Poppy Hills.

 

I generally walk at home with my ClicGear. However, I take an electric cart when I'm on vacation and playing 2 rounds a day, or multiple rounds over several days. I walked Harding Park due to the CPO, and even though it was fairly flat it was tough because I had played in the morning, and there was no water on the course.

 

That reminds me, WTF is with no water on the course? I've played over 400 courses now, and I can count the number of courses that don't have water out there on one hand.

 

Even if I had an electric cart for every course that you played in six days, I never would have been able to finish and I probably would have had a hard time walking!

No water on the course is crazy and should never happen! It's even worse if there's no one driving around in the snack cart to see if anyone needs anything. At Spanish Bay this past weekend we saw the snack cart a least six times during our round. What was really nice was that while we were eating a post-round meal at Stick's the bag piper came out and start playing multiple songs on the #1 tee box which was really nice.

 

My record was 9 rounds in 5 days in south central Wisconsin in 2014, which included walking Erin Hills on the first day (http://www.golfwrx.c...in-circle-tour/). A tough stretch of golf, but I survived. Last year I drove across Nebraska from Omaha to Denver, with a side trip to the Sand Hills area, and played 10 rounds in 6 days (http://www.golfwrx.c...-nebraska-trip/). By comparison, this was a cakewalk. At least I got to sleep in the same hotel for 4 nights straight. :golfer:

 

They had a beverage cart at Harding Park, but it was rarely seen. I saw it on the 3rd hole, but still had water at the time, so took a pass. Didn't see it again on the remainder of the front. I filled my water bottle at the turn, which lasted 3 holes the back nine, and didn't see the cart until the 17th green, after I had called the pro shop to send it out.

 

9 rounds in 5 days and you walked Erin Hills, wow!

[aloha b.]

This golf trip was my 58th. I generally try to create a thread for each one. Here are a few recent ones. 'Not sure if all the links are still active on the site.

 

Mesquite/St George: http://www.golfwrx.c...ge-trip-report/

 

North Central Illinois: http://www.golfwrx.c...r-memorial-day/

 

Southern Mississippi: http://www.golfwrx.c...pi-trip-report/

 

Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Columbus: http://www.golfwrx.c...us-trip-report/

 

Austin: http://www.golfwrx.c...n-mid-december/

 

South Central Wisconsin: http://www.golfwrx.c...in-circle-tour/

 

Orlando to Jacksonville: http://www.golfwrx.c...le-in-february/

 

I've been reading your reviews and I find them to be really informative and I plan on reading all of them. Have you ever thought about giving your rankings for your top 25 courses?

[Argonne69]

 

I've been reading your reviews and I find them to be really informative and I plan on reading all of them. Have you ever thought about giving your rankings for your top 25 courses?

 

I really should. Pebble Beach would probably be at the top, followed by Pacific Dunes, Wolf Creek, Kiawah Island (Ocean), Whistling Straits, and Erin Hills.

[aloha b.]

I've been reading your reviews and I find them to be really informative and I plan on reading all of them. Have you ever thought about giving your rankings for your top 25 courses?

 

I really should. Pebble Beach would probably be at the top, followed by Pacific Dunes, Wolf Creek, Kiawah Island (Ocean), Whistling Straits, and Erin Hills.

 

You and Jack seem to agree about Pebble and here's his quote.

 

“If I had only one more round to play, I would choose to play it at Pebble Beach. I’ve loved this course from the first time I saw it. It’s possibly the best in the world.”

– Jack Nicklaus, 18-Time Major Champion

[mflores]

Great trip - seeing pics from Pasatiempo and Presidio - makes me wish I hit those on my recent trip. I think I got back to Chicago the day you flew out.

 

For me if PB had less play/better conditions it would be the top - awesome stretch of holes along the ocean.

[npham]

Thanks for the great reviews!

 

I was planning on playing Spyglass Hill in Sept, but I will be in the area just a couple days before the punch the greens. PB has a Champions Tour event, so that's out of the question either. What would you try to play instead of these two? Poppy Hills?

[poppyhillsguy]

Thanks for the great reviews!

 

I was planning on playing Spyglass Hill in Sept, but I will be in the area just a couple days before the punch the greens. PB has a Champions Tour event, so that's out of the question either. What would you try to play instead of these two? Poppy Hills?

 

Play Spyglass! Don't let the "but there's only a few ocean holes" argument scare you away. It's a FANTASTIC course!

[npham]

Thanks for the great reviews!

 

I was planning on playing Spyglass Hill in Sept, but I will be in the area just a couple days before the punch the greens. PB has a Champions Tour event, so that's out of the question either. What would you try to play instead of these two? Poppy Hills?

 

Play Spyglass! Don't let the "but there's only a few ocean holes" argument scare you away. It's a FANTASTIC course!

I'm looking to play in the 22nd, but they are punching greens after the last 4some on the 20th. 1 day to heal doesn't seem like it's enough time.

[North Texas]

This golf trip was my 58th. I generally try to create a thread for each one. Here are a few recent ones. 'Not sure if all the links are still active on the site.

 

Mesquite/St George: http://www.golfwrx.c...ge-trip-report/

 

North Central Illinois: http://www.golfwrx.c...r-memorial-day/

 

Southern Mississippi: http://www.golfwrx.c...pi-trip-report/

 

Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Columbus: http://www.golfwrx.c...us-trip-report/

 

Austin: http://www.golfwrx.c...n-mid-december/

 

South Central Wisconsin: http://www.golfwrx.c...in-circle-tour/

 

Orlando to Jacksonville: http://www.golfwrx.c...le-in-february/

 

Sure, leave out your recent trip to North Texas :taunt:

 

Lol. How could I forget? Oh, wait. Temps in the upper 30's. Quite enjoyable. :happy:

 

http://www.golfwrx.c...as-trip-report/

 

SoCal '17: http://www.golfwrx.c...ia-trip-report/

 

Yea, winter in Texas can get cold ;)

[95124hacker]

Late to the game here but I live within 90 minutes of all these and my personal ranking (minus Pebble & TPC Harding, both of which I have yet to play) are:

 

1. Pasatiempo - great design Alister Mackenzie

2. Spy - yes overpriced but top 10-15 public for a reason

3. Spanish

4. Poppy

5. HMB Ocean

6. HMB Old

7. Presidio - I agree best value of the bunch

 

Others you should try in the future: Wente Vineyards (Greg Norman), San Juan Oaks (Fred Couples), Eagle Ridge (Johnny Miller). None are as iconic as the ones you played but right up there for pure public golf.

[aloha b.]

Pebble Beach post-round

 

 

 

Drinks at The Bench

 

 

Dinner at The Tap Room. Prime rib chili and cornbread...

 

 

...and coconut cake.

 

 

My wife and I drove down to PB for the day today and had lunch at the Tap Room. We shared the Kobe burger with truffle potato wedges and for dessert we shared the 1/2 order of chocolate sundae which besides the double vanilla bean ice cream has warm buttered bananas, two cookies below the ice cream and sticky hot fudge and it's delicious!!

 

[tim_harris]

Awesome write up on all the courses. I will be heading out there in December for a family vacation and planning to get in 2 rounds while I'm there. Currently leaning towards Harding Park and then after that not sure. Most likely something cheaper that I can easily get on to and play a pretty quick round.

[krtgolfing]

Does anyone have any caddie recommendations for Pebble Beach Golf Links? Will be playing there next September. Finally booked it. Playing Spyglass on Tuesday, Pebble Wednesday, and Spanish Bay Thursday. Looks like we ill be adding Poppy Hills, Pasatiempo, and CordeValle. Depending when we get in on Saturday we will add one more round.

[Argonne69]

Does anyone have any caddie recommendations for Pebble Beach Golf Links? Will be playing there next September. Finally booked it. Playing Spyglass on Tuesday, Pebble Wednesday, and Spanish Bay Thursday. Looks like we ill be adding Poppy Hills, Pasatiempo, and CordeValle. Depending when we get in on Saturday we will add one more round.

 

My caddie Jere was fantastic. He accomplished his primary task of keeping me distracted/entertained while we plodded through our five and a half hour round. He's been there for over 10 years, and is very knowledgeable about the course and its history.

[aloha b.]

Casey Boyns would also be a very good choice as he's not only one of the best PB caddies he's also been one of the best amateur golfer's and he's a member of the California Golf Hall Of Fame.

[krtgolfing]

Casey Boyns would also be a very good choice as he's not only one of the best PB caddies he's also been one of the best amateur golfer's and he's a member of the California Golf Hall Of Fame.

 

Wow very impressive!

[aloha b.]

Casey Boyns would also be a very good choice as he's not only one of the best PB caddies he's also been one of the best amateur golfer's and he's a member of the California Golf Hall Of Fame.

 

Wow very impressive!

 

Here's an old article about Casey that you may find interesting and I think that he and Bob "Rocket" Lytle are supposed to be two of the best caddies at PB and also with the most seniority.

Casey's best round at Pebble is 68!

 

http://www.usga.org/articles/2010/07/pebble-beachs-caddie-master-2147489127.html

[PepsiDuck]

Casey Boyns would also be a very good choice as he's not only one of the best PB caddies he's also been one of the best amateur golfer's and he's a member of the California Golf Hall Of Fame.

 

I've played several rounds with him...very good player and a great guy.

[aloha b.]

Casey Boyns would also be a very good choice as he's not only one of the best PB caddies he's also been one of the best amateur golfer's and he's a member of the California Golf Hall Of Fame.

 

I've played several rounds with him...very good player and a great guy.

 

I've heard good things about him and someone that I know from Carmel has teamed up with Casey in a few Senior Tournaments this year.

[BUCKEYERBALL88]

Does anyone have any caddie recommendations for Pebble Beach Golf Links? Will be playing there next September. Finally booked it. Playing Spyglass on Tuesday, Pebble Wednesday, and Spanish Bay Thursday. Looks like we ill be adding Poppy Hills, Pasatiempo, and CordeValle. Depending when we get in on Saturday we will add one more round.

 

Casey boyns

[cacophony82]

Any price break for NCGA for Pebble in Sep? I'll be in SFO, San Jose and Carmel 9/8-9/13

 

 

Any feedback from on the following clubs if access was available:

 

Cordevalle

Sequoya CC

TPC Stonebray

San Jose CC

Nicholas Club Monterrey

Green Hills CC

 

 

Tentative plan:

 

Play Pasatiempo, Do the single 24 hour walk on to Pebble, Likely use Poppy as a filler or Spanish as a late day play. During the SFO/San Jose time feedback is welcome

[BUCKEYERBALL88]

Any price break for NCGA for Pebble in Sep? I'll be in SFO, San Jose and Carmel 9/8-9/13

 

 

Any feedback from on the following clubs if access was available:

 

Cordevalle

Sequoya CC

TPC Stonebray

San Jose CC

Nicholas Club Monterrey

Green Hills CC

 

 

Tentative plan:

 

Play Pasatiempo, Do the single 24 hour walk on to Pebble, Likely use Poppy as a filler or Spanish as a late day play. During the SFO/San Jose time feedback is welcome

 

I'm headed to the peninsula the same weekend as you. I'm playing pasa, bayonet, black horse, poppy hills & back 9 of pacific grove.

 

I heard Nicklaus club is nice. No ncga discounts in September unfortunately. Stonebrae looks really cool.

[craigcse]

If you call the day before you can sometimes get a discounted rate at pebble without staying there

[mark174ace]

Any price break for NCGA for Pebble in Sep? I'll be in SFO, San Jose and Carmel 9/8-9/13

 

 

Any feedback from on the following clubs if access was available:

 

Cordevalle

Sequoya CC

TPC Stonebray

San Jose CC

Nicholas Club Monterrey

Green Hills CC

 

 

Tentative plan:

 

Play Pasatiempo, Do the single 24 hour walk on to Pebble, Likely use Poppy as a filler or Spanish as a late day play. During the SFO/San Jose time feedback is welcome

 

I'm headed to the peninsula the same weekend as you. I'm playing pasa, bayonet, black horse, poppy hills & back 9 of pacific grove.

 

I heard Nicklaus club is nice. No ncga discount

s in September unfortunately. Stonebrae looks really cool.

 

I played in the NCGA members event at Nicklaus Club back in May and had a good time. There are definitely some quirky holes and you may want to play one less tee than you usually would. It is less than 6300 yards from the blue tees, but the slope rating is 136. Course was already firm and fast for May. If you keep the ball in front of you then you will be fine.

[aloha b.]

If you call the day before you can sometimes get a discounted rate at pebble without staying there

 

I don't think that Pebble offers discounted rates unless it's the time period where you get a discount through Dukes or NCGA.

[aloha b.]

Any price break for NCGA for Pebble in Sep? I'll be in SFO, San Jose and Carmel 9/8-9/13

 

 

Any feedback from on the following clubs if access was available:

 

Cordevalle

Sequoya CC

TPC Stonebray

San Jose CC

Nicholas Club Monterrey

Green Hills CC

 

 

Tentative plan:

 

Play Pasatiempo, Do the single 24 hour walk on to Pebble, Likely use Poppy as a filler or Spanish as a late day play. During the SFO/San Jose time feedback is welcome

 

Join NCGA for the remainder of the year for $25 which will save you money when you play Poppy. Normal greens fee on weekends is $225 and with NCGA I think it's $90. Call Pebble one day in advance.

[poppyhillsguy]

$100 to walk at Poppy on the weekends. $75 on the weekdays.

 

I miss their $25 twilight special that went away after the renovation.