I was inspired to ask this question from a related discussion on another thread...

without thinking about it too much, I pick PD

besides the great holes there, I also like the scruffier look of the course...Pebble is so manicured, it really takes away any sort of links atmosphere

How much money do we have left in the bank?

How much money do we have left in the bank?

Let's hope it's enough to pay for either round... But let's also hope for all of our sakes this round occurs in a far-distant future, so we all have lots of time left before this decision has to be made.  Interestingly though, if that does occur, odds are the courses cost about the same at that point!  That sure as hell is the trend.

 

Pacific Dunes in a heartbeat.

More great holes, more natural, no cart paths, no homes, less pretense.  

Tom, I view this as not close, going the other way.

Tim:

To each his own - that's the beauty of discussing opinions.

BUT... I grant each of your issues except more great holes.  I see more at Pebble.  I also see way more chance for late-life glory there, and for a last round ever, well... that matters.  I want to hole out my last shot for eagle on 18 Pebble, one of the most famous holes on this planet.  As great as PD is, it doesn't have close to that kinda panache.

Now change this to where do I want to spend the last 3 weeks of my life, playing every day, and I'd say Pacific - for many of the issues you raised.

But that's not the question.

Paul - I don't consider any hole "lame" at Pebble - some just get dwarfed by the magificence of the others.  In any case, it's not like any are so bad they are blown away by those at Pacific... which has a few in the same category....

TH

Tom, your point about playing 18 at Pebble, one of the most famous holes on the planet, made me wonder how much history and fame have to do with people's preferences.  For me, it's just not that big of a factor.  If I prefer the course, I'd rather play a hidden gem than a course that has hosted major championships.  Walking in the footsteps of legends doesn't get me going that much.

Now, Pacific Dunes is not hidden and I'm not saying that your opinion is solely based on the history and fame of Pebble, but I wonder if people would prefer Pebble over Pacific if you took away the history there.  A purely academic question, I grant, but my guess is that few people would.  

Tom, your point about playing 18 at Pebble, one of the most famous holes on the planet, made me wonder how much history and fame have to do with people's preferences.  For me, it's just not that big of a factor.  If I prefer the course, I'd rather play a hidden gem than a course that has hosted major championships.  Walking in the footsteps of legends doesn't get me going that much.

Now, Pacific Dunes is not hidden and I'm not saying that your opinion is solely based on the history and fame of Pebble, but I wonder if people would prefer Pebble over Pacific if you took away the history there.  A purely academic question, I grant, but my guess is that few people would.  

You can't take away the history.  PD may actually be a better golf course in total, but there is something almost spiritual about playing Pebble Beach. Pebble, no question.

A more difficult question for those who have played both may be Pebble or Cypress, one last round...

I've played both.  Without a doubt Pac Dunes.

If it's ominous enough that I only have one round left, I'm not wasting my time playing golf, that's for sure.

If it's ominous enough that I only have one round left, I'm not wasting my time playing golf, that's for sure.

Really? What would you be doing?

I'll take Pacific Dunes. I've already played Pebble.

I'll ask my family to walk along with me. Can't imagine a better way to go!

Walking up 18 at Pebble, you have the beautiful ocean . . . and the concrete seawall and the cartpath on the right and buildings all around . . .

Yeah, the ocean's nice but can someone remind me why 18 is a great hole.  Sorry, I'm in that camp that thinks Pebble is overrated.  

Bill:

Can I be the 3rd in that group?

Cary

Bill,
I beg to be the 4th..I'll even buy all the meals and booze!!!!