First of all, I believe Mr Galea remarked on perhaps one of the most obvious but least commented things about Pebble--the incredible smallness of the greens. If I remember correctly, before the new 5th, the 18th was the largest green on the course at around 3800 square feet, which would be the SMALLEST green of all 54 holes at SVCC.
I think the opening hole is a pretty good start--must place it 240 to 250 closer to the left than the right to a reasonably pitched green where, if one hasn't played there before, should really take the advice found in the yardage guide as to how the green breaks (18 is pretty similar to 1). That isn't one of the holes where one wants to be above, that's for sure.
I have played both the original 5th and the new 5th. There is no question the new 5th is SO much better than the original. I stood on the back tee and, the day I played, the pin was in the back portion of the hourglass. Seriously, it looked like the pin was stuck in the front bunker. In all likelihood, it was a much better addition because it reduces the amount of "breather" holes in the first 7 holes.
I agree with others that 6 is a great par 5. For mere mortals, there is significant pressure to hit the fairway so one can actually have a second shot up the hill. I really have no problem with the blind nature of the second shot up the hill--one needs to acclimate oneself on the tee to prepare oneself for the 2d shot. When I played there in 1996, I hit perhaps my greatest shot ever. I hit a 3 metal off the tee 275, but left of the bunker complex and service road and onto an ant hill where the heather grows during opens. My feet were so above the ball I had a hard time building a stance. I hooded a 6 iron, played about 25 yards of draw and placed in the middle of the upper fairway. More importantly, I didn't take a divot. With 100 balls, I don't think I could do that again.
Hole 11 is a pretty solid hole. Again, must be positioned accordingly on the left to best approach the pin. The normal difficulty in the 2d shot is that it is (a) slightly uphill but (b) usually downwind. One simply can't be above that hole. The first time through, I hit my 2d shot onto the 12th tee (caught a flyer). The pin was in the middle. I actually hit a great shot to be just off the front. I can't even imagine that green at 11 on the stimp.
I think hole 14 is one of the all-world par 5s anywhere. In fact, if I had to choose up to 5 par 5s for my ultimate course, hole 14 would be in the top 5. Again, there is plenty of pressure to hit the fairway in order to set up the most appropriate 3d shot and what a 3d shot it is. Like I said about the 11th, I can't even imagine this one at an 11.
I agree with others that 15 is pretty bland, but 16 can hardly be considered as such because, in order to have the ability to be at position A on the severe green, you have to be at position A in the fairway. If I remember correctly, it averaged 4.32 at the 100th open.
I just loved the 17th, if for no other reason, there is simply no backdrop or depth perception. I played it the 2d time from the 210 teeing area and had a much more difficult time acclimating myself than from the 175 teeing ground. There is no two ways about it, 17 is one tough par 3 even without wind. There should be more holes designed without a backdrop or depth perception, just like they have restored at Oakmont.
Hole 18 is probably much better with today's technology, especially for the Tour witches because now they will want to go for it, which brings the cove into play for both the tee and 2d shots. Most people also don't know that, for resort play, the rough line is about 12-15 yards to the right of the fairway trees towards the cart path. For the open, it is probably about 2 yards to the right of the fairway trees, a much more daunting tee shot. Even in 2000, the stroke average was 5.09.
All in all, Pebble is absolutely a top 5 or so course in the world. The greatest meeting of land and sea anywhere. I can't wait to get back for a 3d visit and a Tap Room burger for $15 or more.