SPRING 2009 NCGA Golf 33
a national treasure and continued to
improve it."
The changes start on the first hole
and strengthen an opening stretch
traditionally known as being soft for
a championship venue. The extension
of a bunker on No. 1 to wrap around
the left side of a totally rebuilt green is
followed by a second hole that will play
as a long par 4 with the addition of a
championship tee. The green on the
third hole was also rebuilt and joined
by three entirely new fairway bunkers
on the right side and Cypress trees on
the left side of the dogleg. Thus, the
landing area for the tee shot is much
narrower. Upcoming changes to the
short par-four fourth include flipping
the pot bunker toward the coastline and
adding bunkers to the upper left of the
landing area in the fairway.
The most strategic change comes in
the form of bringing the Pacific Ocean
into play on the sixth hole. Five new
bunkers on the left side of the fairway
pinch the landing area, thereby shifting
the fairway right, toward the coastline.
The elimination of the rough on the
right side will allow an off-center tee
shot in fast-and-firm championship
conditions to find its way into the
ocean. Even though pros no longer
have the luxury of simply bombing it
down a wide fairway from the tee they
like the change: "I think it is a massive
improvement," said Padraig Har-
rington. "The 6th hole is just fantastic,
much better hole, much cleaner look,
sharper looking hole."
Precision off the tee is also required
on No. 15 and exemplified by five new
bunkers on the left side of the fairway.
Bunkers decrease the size of the landing
area and even include a pot bunker in
the fairway; a similar result is achieved
on the closing hole with the addition of
a fairway bunker and two Cypress trees
on the right side of the landing area.
Driving accuracy is now more
important but the deft skill needed
around and on the greens remains the
key to scoring well. Only at Pebble
can two putting from 15 feet feel like
an achievement. The eventual cham-
pion might be the one who feels most
comfortable on the famously small,
treacherous putting surfaces.
While Pebble may be best known
for its professional tournament history,
the layout remains a resort course for
51 weeks out of the year. Many of the
renovations have been executed with
amateur players in mind. A mis-hit for
a professional is now more severe but
the obstacles are so far off the tee they
The resorT offers much
more than world-class golf;
a variety of restaurants,
shops and a full-service spa
are worthy of any golfer's
attention.
Located on the right
side of the first fairway and
adjacent to Casa Palmero,
the 22,000 square-foot spa
is equipped with Jacuzzis,
sauna, steam and inhalation
rooms. An isolated conserva-
tory also provides the
perfect opportunity for rest
and relaxation.
several golf-specific
treatments are available
including 25�50-minute
pre-golf warm-up sessions
to help stretch and prepare
for the first tee. The "golfer's
foot renewal" offers cooling
relief gel and a massage to
help recharge the lower legs
after a long round.
one can turn a spa visit
into a full-day event by
using the quiet outdoor pool
and ordering lunch. Before
leaving, try the "Pebble
Beach Power Bars," an
original recipe created by
the chefs at The Lodge and
prepared daily.
The spa at
Pebble Beach
The cart path is no longer
visible from the 7th tee.

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