[Chris Perry]

I tried posting a request for playing partners on another site, but it was for golf gaming, not real, so no takers cept for a few fellas I've already played with before a few times that are going to Bandon with me on the way down.

This site seems more "hardcore" players so I thought I'd post it here too.

Not only am I looking for playing partners, but advice as well from those who have played Pebble before.

My intinerary is I'll be in Bandon from May 5-7 and then driving down to Frisco after.

The link that Mike Benham gave to Wente Vinyards has me very intrigued to go check it out. I love hilly courses where the scenery contrasts with the course itself (yellow hillsides). Question: In some of the pics the hills are brown and in others they are green. Is this varied throughout the course or is it the time of year, like when dormant grass takes over, and if so, what will it look like in May?  

I'm trying to decide if I should go play it, and perhaps Poppy Ridge since it is closeby, or go to Half Moon Bay, before going to Monterey. If I still haven't spent too much I might stop in either on the way back if I choose the other first on the way down. Wente and Poppy look like they are worth the time to check out though.

As for Monterey. The big question is, should I go all out on a package so as to guarantee a tee time at Pebble foremost, as I know I'll have to book a room to make one, or should I take my chances on saving some $$$ on room costs and stay in town and try to get on as a single? I also want to play Spyglass, Poppy Hills and Spanish Bay as well. They HAD a Winter 3 day for Pebble and Spyglass for $1,600, but I don't know what/if any package deals will cost in May.

And, IF I book a package, how long in advance should I do it?

I'll probably have more ?? as a few replies get on here but I'll let you guys post your thoughts first. Please note again, I'm also looking for some people to play with, at ANY of these courses in the Frisco area.

Thanks, Chris.

[Kevin_Reilly]

You have a lot of questions in that post.  That's ok, but you might get a better response by rationing them a bit more.

You didn't ask, but Frisco Golf Club I believe had its greens redone last year.  Worth a look if you can.  

As for Poppy Ridge, I wouldn't recommend it.  Virtually unwalkable (or at the minimum a tough walk) and a lot of up and down (elevation changes) all day.

The hills are very green right now, but it all depends on the weather as to their color in May.  Given recent conditions, I'd guess they will still have a little green in them at the beginning of May.

Skip HMB and play Pasatiempo.

[A_Clay_Man]

Chris-Consider Stevenson Ranch (nearTurlock)and San Juan Oaks (Hollister) They both have the Savvanah grass look, on the surrounds. While the brown grasses are weather related, you should consider yourself lucky if it is green, since that is rare. But after this years rain, I would expect some green. You want juxtaposition of surrounds? Lincoln Park, in the city (btw, it's san fransico or "the city", Frisco is passe' and verbotten)

Poppy Ridge is somewhat repetitive but among the 27 holes, there are a few good ones.

If you tell us more of your preferences maybe we can help you further.

[Chris Perry]

Thanks for the other hints. Pasatiempo would be nice, but I'm not exactly sure how I would get on considering it is private. If that were the case I'd play Cypress too.  

As for the walk on Poppy Ridge, that's odd because it looks like a fairly flat piece of land, but I'm used to tough walks anyways where I come from, and find flat courses kinda boring anyways, besides, it's the only form of excercise I get, hehe.

Sorry for the faux pas, damn foreigners, LOL!!

I'm still wondering about Pebble, as I've been told there's a 9 month waiting list for non resort guests and such, which seems really odd for a course that charges almost 10x what others do.

[THuckaby2]

Thanks for the other hints. Pasatiempo would be nice, but I'm not exactly sure how I would get on considering it is private. If that were the case I'd play Cypress too.  

Chris - Pasa is most definitely not fully private.  It does have equity members, but it is semi-private and definitely open to the public.  Go to their website, all the rules are there.

Re Pebble, you have the rules basically correct.  That being said, singles can usually get on.

[A_Clay_Man]

Chris- If you want the quintessential billy goat bay area golfing experience, go to Lake Chabot. An Oakland Municipal course with so much quirk, you may get sick. But, any course that finishes with a severly downhill par 6 (sometime in the past) is a must see for a complete gca cv.

[Joel_Stewart]

Skip HMB and play Pasatiempo.

Playing Pasa may be the highlight of your trip.   You may also want to play Harding Park in San Francisco.

   

[Wayne Wiggins, Jr.]

Skip HMB and play Pasatiempo.

Playing Pasa may be the highlight of your trip.   You may also want to play Harding Park in San Francisco.

   

I agree... Pasatiempo is a must in the Bay Area, and the renovated Harding Park is a close second.  Also, check out The Presidio Golf Club... it's hilly, a great setting in the city, and by early May should be dry enough to play.

wigs

[ed_getka]

Chris,
 FYI, nobody calls it Frisco, unless you want people to know you are a tourist .

  Skip the package, and get on as a single at Pebble. Talk to the guys in the shop (not the reservation ladies) and let them know what you are trying to do, and I think you'll be able to get out. My friend who works there says the place is pretty slow these days.

   Pasatiempo is by far the best course for your dollar, and as Tom mentioned is not private.

   Pacific Grove GC is the cheapest round in the area and the back nine will knock your socks off, particularly #11-#16. Links golf and views to die for.
  Have a great trip.

[Kevin_Reilly]

Chris,
 FYI, nobody calls it Frisco, unless you want people to know you are a tourist .

I guess my Frisco Golf Club reference was too subtle!

[Jeff Goldman]

You can log on to pebblebeach.com and find out if they have available tee times a week in advance.  Also, the proshop guys are terrific, so I agree - talk to them.  Also, don't forget the back nine at pacific grove along the ocean.

Jeff Goldman

[Jim Franklin]

Check out the Bayonet course at Ft Ord. The last time I was there it was like $25 after 2:00. Play Pebble early then hit Ft Ord. Make sure you stop by the Whaling Station in Monterey for dinner. Great steak.

[Brian_Gracely]

Chris,

The one time I played Pebble I took the "single on the waiting-list" approach.  With this approach, I believe you have two options (a) call the day before to see about cancellations, (c) show up really early the same-day (like 5:30-5:45am) to get on the waiting-list.  As others have said, this approach is best if you're a single.  I was third in line (arrived about 5:50am) and got out around 8:30.  But it is somewhat of a crapshoot and you need to decide how long you're willing to sit on the rail as it could be many hours.  

I'm pretty sure you can also stay at the Inn at Spanish Bay and get Pebble Beach times.  

[Chris Perry]

Im not worried about waiting a few hours, as long as I get on, hell I'm on holidays, I've got all day.  

Thank's for the advice, I assumed Pasa was über private, but I guess that has changed.And with all these courses you listed I might just have to take another week off, hehe.

Also thanks for the eatery suggestions, keep them coming as well.

[Dave_Miller]

Chris,
I'm pretty sure you can also stay at the Inn at Spanish Bay and get Pebble Beach times.  

Chris:
Staying at the Inn at Spanish Bay or even at Del Monte can get you tee times at Pebble, Spanish Bay, Del Monte and Spyglass.
It is still not inexpensive and I'm not sure about the guarantees on tee times.  The Inn at Spanish Bay is a great hotel.  
Pebble Corp owns all of these so there is availability to guests of the Lodge and the Inn.
Good Luck and Have Fun

Dave

[A_Clay_Man]

Chris- You sure don't sound like a typical Pebble beach golfer. SO, I'll assume you are interested in not wasting resources.
With that in mind, try Michaels, it's in the strip mall at the top of the hill in Pacific grove. A mexican resturant that prides itself in not using crap ingredients and everything is fresh.

Other cheaper golf, is PG and Monterey Pines The old Navy course complete with runway landing lights and the backnine has serious quirk, with the narrowest shot on the peninsula. The par 3 11th has about a fifteen foot window between the trees.

[Tony_Chapman]

Chris - Brian is a whimp, he didn't have to wait at all!   I left SF at 3:30, got to Pebble at 5:30 and was third on the list. I finally got on a 2:15. What a fun day. Back to SF by like 10:00 that night. I would try getting on Pebble that way. Seriously, the staff there is more that accomodating while you wait and you can hit as many range balls as you want.

The other guys are all right about this stuff. I have also played Pasa and San Juan Oaks. Pasa is a must!!

Any of the other course along 17 Mile Drive will be enjoyable for you -- Pacific Grove, Spanish Bay and Spyglass.

Have fun!!

[Tags:]

Tags:

[Tags:]

Tags:

Call to undefined function theme_linktree()