Mini-review by first timer to Pebble, Spyglass, Spanish Bay, Pasatiempo and Poppy Hills

[King_Slender]

I'm sure many here has have done this rota, but just got back and here are my impressions.

 

Pasatiempo - Just a great Mackenzie design - greens are what make the course and can be truly diabolical.  Hole 16 we got the pin on the middle right, this is absolutely unfair.  I was long left and there was ZERO chance of putting the ball anywhere on the green.  

 

Poppy Hills - My best round of the trip - just a solid, solid course.  Greens were in outstanding condition and lots of variety to the holes.  It's not going to blow you away like Pebble, but should be a part of any trip out there. 

 

Spyglass - 5 great opening holes and 13 holes that could be on any good Michigan course Up North (Treetops, etc.).  After the first 5 holes, I wasn't impressed.  Solid holes and in great shape, but the first 5 holes are so different that it's almost like 2 different courses.  The green on #4 is hilariously mean with everything rolling to the back. 

 

Spanish Bay - Second favorite course of the trip - views of the ocean on every hole and just a really fun links course to play.  We didn't have forecaddies, so a couple tee shots were blind, so I look forward to going back.  Greens were super slow/sticky.  I know they had just punched then a few weeks ago, so likely letting them fill back in. 

 

Pebble - Lived up to every expectation I had.  The only downside was we had fog all day, but on holes like #6 it was just surreal seeing the green sitting up on the cliff - truly out of dream.  

 

NEGATIVES: I had no idea they run those courses as cart path only almost all the time - that was a downer.  I understand from the point of wanting to keep the courses pristine, but we might have altered plans a little had we known that. We had planned on caddies at Pebble and they only booked 1 per foursome instead of 2 (they double bag), so I decided to carry my clubs, wanting the full walking experience.  

[Argonne69]

I totally agree with your assessment of Spyglass. Solid course, but the inland holes left me wanting. Felt like Michigan or North Carolina at 8 times the price. The 17th and 18th are boring closing holes. 

 

[vallygolf]

6 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

I totally agree with your assessment of Spyglass. Solid course, but the inland holes left me wanting. Felt like Michigan or North Carolina at 8 times the price. The 17th and 18th are boring closing holes. 

 

If they could reinvent the inward and outward finishing holes the whole course would be better.  Seriously, I think I have played spyglass 10 times and even now if you asked me to tell you the difference between #9 and #18 I dont think I could off the top of my head........uh... they are like mid length dead straight par 4's with elevated greens.  Bunker fairway right, two bunkers right and left of the green.  Spyglass is a fantastic course with about 4 of the most bland holes ever created.  I think more people would enjoy it if those two holes specifically had any character at all.  At least on 17 I can play over the tall trees with driver to cut the corner and add some fun.  Pity.  #1 is one of my favorite holes anywhere.

[King_Slender]

51 minutes ago, vallygolf said:

If they could reinvent the inward and outward finishing holes the whole course would be better.  Seriously, I think I have played spyglass 10 times and even now if you asked me to tell you the difference between #9 and #18 I dont think I could off the top of my head........uh... they are like mid length dead straight par 4's with elevated greens.  Bunker fairway right, two bunkers right and left of the green.  Spyglass is a fantastic course with about 4 of the most bland holes ever created.  I think more people would enjoy it if those two holes specifically had any character at all.  At least on 17 I can play over the tall trees with driver to cut the corner and add some fun.  Pity.  #1 is one of my favorite holes anywhere.

 

It really felt as if they had 22 holes they wanted to use for Spanish Bay (I know they're not next to each other) and slapped 14 other holes on.  I did love #1 - what a great Par 5, but once we hit #6, I don't know if I could name a memorable hole, other than there were 2 Par 3's that were pretty much the same. 

[Roody]

My wife and I were at Pebble last week. We played all three of their courses, and we threw in a round at Pasatiempo. A few comments...

 

- First of all I need to thank the good people here at WRX for all the great reviews and comments about Pasatiempo. It was because of you guys that I decided to add it onto our rotation. Really glad we played it. 

 

- To follow up OP's comment about #16 at Pasa, I agree that green is crazy. I was lucky to get out of there with a two-putt par, but I can see how if you get an unlucky pin position, or get above the hole you're dead. The ranger was telling us that Tiger 4-putted that green during an amateur tournament there years ago. Overall, I thought Pasa was fantastic. I would love to play it again someday as I feel I could do a little better now that I've seen the holes and sorda know what to expect. 

 

- Spyglass - I love Spyglass. I played this course twice during our trip, and it's actually the third time overall that I've played it. I agree some of the inland holes are not as exciting as the ones along the ocean, but I still love that course. Shot my best round of the week at Spyglass.

 

- Spanish Bay - played it once during our trip, and it was the first time I have ever played it (I skipped it on my 2013 trip). I didn't have overly high expectations of it, but I came away thinking it was a really fun course. I had a caddie, and I have to say that he was essential. Because to be honest I'm not sure I would have known where to aim on a couple of the holes without him pointing things out. 

 

- Pebble - My wife and I played it. It was my third time playing it, her second time. We got a double-bagger caddie, and it was a blast. How could it not be? Also, I hit the shot of the week on #12, put my tee shot to two inches. I had both emotions going on that shot, sad that I missed getting the HiO on one of the most famous courses in the world, but stoked that I hit such an awesome shot. 

 

 

[Blonde Line Lizard]

When I took my trip out there, I played both Pebble and Spyglass and I actually preferred Spyglass Hill over Pebble Beach.

 

I guess I like playing within the trees more than going along the beach.

[aloha b.]

Personally I enjoy all the courses Pebble, Spy, SB and even Del Monte. Pasa is another favorite and I'm lucky that I live fairly close.

[doc52]

Playing Pasa later this year for the first time. Everyone I speak with is pleasantly surprised by how much they enjoy it, can't wait to see for myself.

[Primo1868]

Awesome thoughts! Thanks for sharing!