[Golfers' Bucket List④] Pebble Beach Golf Links "Playground of the Gods"

Top 100 Golf Courses in the US: 'Number 7', Signature Hole 7th at 109 Yards, and the Ultimate Challenge at 'Death Cliff Course' Holes 8-10

Pebble Beach Golf Links final 18th hole teeing ground.

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "If I could play a round before I die, I would definitely go to Pebble Beach."

The fourth on the list is Pebble Beach Golf Links (Par 71, 7,075 yards) near San Francisco, California, USA, highly praised by the 'old golf emperor' Jack Nicklaus (USA). It is even nicknamed "The Playground of the Gods." It ranked 7th in Golf Digest's biennial selection of the top 100 golf courses in the United States, and last year, it was especially in the global golf spotlight when the third major US Open was held there in June.

Samuel Morse, grandson of Morse code inventor S. Morse, was passing through the Monterey Peninsula by carriage and was captivated by the breathtaking scenery. He teamed up with wealthy William Crocker to complete the course in February 1919. Amateur champion Jack Neville was responsible for design and construction, preserving the western coastline of the United States so that most holes allow players to fully experience the rolling waves of the Pacific Ocean. It is truly a genuine 'seaside course.'

The course follows a 'one-way' layout where you do not encounter the clubhouse even after passing the 9th hole (Par 4). You must complete all 18 holes to return. The course features a diverse layout, from a mere 109-yard Par 3 hole (7th hole) to a massive 580-yard Par 5 hole (14th hole). A variety of strategies using all 14 clubs are required. Additionally, the strong Pacific winds act as a variable, making the same hole appear completely different the next day.

The green of the 7th hole, the 'Signature Hole' at Pebble Beach Golf Links.

The first three holes start off smoothly. A large bunker appears at the 4th hole (Par 4), and the horizon gradually reveals itself at the 5th hole (Par 3). At the 7th hole, you encounter the 'signature hole.' The green feels like an island floating in the middle of the sea. Even professional golfers struggle to get 'on the green' here. It is difficult to gauge the wind, which changes intensity and direction constantly. During the 2010 US Open, the average score soared to 3.06 strokes.

The biggest challenge is the 'Cliff of Death' stretch from holes 8 to 10. After a blind tee shot where the fairway is not visible, players must secure the 'ant waist' fairway of the dogleg hole that bends left and right, then face a thorny path with a green heavily guarded by deep rough and bunkers. The right side is a sheer cliff. If you fail to read the wind, your ball will disappear into the Pacific Ocean. In 2010, the average score for these three holes was 4.37 strokes, and the green hit rate plummeted to 43.67%.

The final 18th hole (Par 5, 543 yards) is the 'finishing touch.' A '2-on' is possible, but failure results in harsh penalties. The course has hosted the US Open six times (1972, 1982, 1992, 2000, 2010, 2019), demonstrating its clear discriminating power. It is surprising that the 'returned golf emperor' Tiger Woods (USA) achieved 2nd place and a 15-stroke victory (12-under-par 272) in 2000. In response, the US Golf Association (USGA) significantly adjusted the difficulty in 2010, lowering the winning score by Graeme McDowell (Northern Ireland) to even par 284.