by MonetteH

Created on: May 18, 2010   Last Updated: May 24, 2010

Pebble beach is the oldest golf course still on its original land west of the Mississippi.  It has been hosting golfers since 1897 when it opened as a 9 hole course.  Six years later, the number of holes was doubled.  In 1929 the course saw its first major event, the U.S. Amateur.  Several major events have been played at Pebble Beach over the years, including the California State Open, The Bing Crosby National Pro-Am golf tournament, and the PGA Championship tournament.  This year they will host the U.S. Open for the fifth time, the other years being 1972, 1982, 1992 and 2000. 

Pebble Beach is ranked high in terms of difficulty, even though it does not look very challenging.  It is ranked no. 1 in public golf courses for a reason. It was one of the first courses to have grass greens, so they have experience making changes to the terrain. Some of the bunkers and uneven putting surfaces make the course layout difficult.  The fairways cannot all be treated the same.  The delicate nuances of the course as well as the placement of trees make scoring very difficult.

The par-3 7th and the par-4 8th hole are consistently named as the most deliberately challenging, but visually spectacular holes on the course due to their positioning next to the ocean.    One of the most photographed holes worldwide is the par-3 7th.  It is a challenge because the player must aim toward the ocean and its winds, which is often disorienting. The par-4 8th requires a hit towards the sea for a landing area on a cliff. 

The other two signature holes of the course are the par-3 17th and the 18th. The 17th not only  has a long thin green on a peninsula, but is tilted at a 45 degree angle. The 18th was ordinary until 1922, when a long bunker and an obstructive oak tree on the fairway.

Legendary golf champion and course designer Arnold Palmer has helped prepare some course improvements for this year's U.S. Open. 

Course has been lengthened to 7,040 yards Improvement of 11 tees Tree addition or movement at 6 holes Adjustment or Installation of four greens and 16 bunkers

For golfers, the Pebble Beach Golf course is a delight for all the senses. 

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