Pebble Beach

The Verdict

It's the most famous public golf course in America because the routing does something no other course does: it runs along the edge of the continent. Holes 4 through 10 sit on cliffs above the Pacific. The 7th is the most photographed par-3 in the world. The 18th is the best finishing hole in championship golf. And none of it feels like a theme park — it feels like walking through a landscape that happens to have golf holes in it. It's expensive. It's worth it.

What to Expect

• The cliffside stretch — holes 4 through 10. The ocean is the hazard. The wind is the defense. Bring extra balls and a camera.
• 7th hole — 106 yards, downhill, Pacific Ocean behind the green. The shortest hole on Tour, and the one where pros get humbled by wind.
• 18th hole — par-5 along the ocean, cypress tree in the middle of the fairway. Watson chipped in from behind the green to win the '82 Open. The most dramatic finish in golf.
• The Lodge — stay if you can. The bar overlooking the 18th green is worth the price of a round.

Scorecard

Logistics

Resort access — stay at the Lodge or book a tee time in advance. $595+ for resort guests, $625+ for non-guests. Caddie recommended. Walk if you can — the cart paths stay well back from the ocean. Book months ahead for summer.

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