Jay Blasi reimagining Pebble 9-14

[SB]

Surprised this hasn't been brought up.


https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2022/02/05/pebble-beach-routing-golf-architect-better-experience/


I know there was a detailed discussion here a few years ago here, but Jay has a few tweaks to that idea that are interesting.  I couldn't find the big thread, only this one:


https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,65554.msg1564198.html#msg1564198

I'm not familiar enough with the land there, the 8/13/14 area looks a little tight.

[David_Tepper]

Better link here:

https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2022/02/05/pebble-beach-routing-golf-architect-better-experience/

[Colin Christman]

The infinity-green par 4 (#10), the wide par 4 (#12), and the long par 3 are intriguing. I'm not sure how I feel about the par 5 and the narrower par 4 (#11). I have a hard time envisioning what he's imagining there.

[Tom_Doak]

I don't get what the point of the article is supposed to be.  I'm pretty sure Peter Ueberroth and Clint Eastwood and the other owners of Pebble Beach are not sitting around dreaming about blowing up the golf course to make it better.

[Jonathan Webb]

Tom - I'm guessing the point is clicks for ads?

[SB]

I don't get what the point of the article is supposed to be.  I'm pretty sure Peter Ueberroth and Clint Eastwood and the other owners of Pebble Beach are not sitting around dreaming about blowing up the golf course to make it better.

That's the job of this board.

[Kalen Braley]

A few comments:

- At least it would get rid of current 12.
- Be a shame to get rid of 9, 11, and 13 greens...always thought they were some of the best ones out there.
- The fairway for the new 12 would be about 115 yards side to side at its widest point. New green site would be terrific.
- Transition from 12 to 13 a bit awkward, ~125 yard walk of about 50 feet uphill. Perhaps switch the tees for 9 and 13.
- Would 14 be a ball buster uphill par 4? Looks like it would play about 475 from the new back tee and 55 feet uphill.

[JESII]

Paul Cowley used to speak of this type of routing...in his mind it could improve certain perceived weaknesses. I believe he spent time there working on the greens crew...that part might be stretching my memory. Maybe he'll see this and chime in.

[Michael Dugger]

The hole at the very end of the property would certainly be lovely playing down to the cliff edge with the ocean backdrop compared to working up the hill as is. 

[Bruce Katona]

I did read this and wondered what it really would look like.  Not that PB really needs to do anything but the academic exercise is somewhat compelling.

[Tom Bacsanyi]

I've got a better idea, why not just bypass the 6,7,8 peninsula? You could instead build 100m(?) dollars worth of housing, then PB could be free for everyone. It probably would be a 16 hole course though, but sub 18 hole courses are super woke.

[Erik J. Barzeski]

I've got a better idea, why not just bypass the 6,7,8 peninsula? You could instead build 100m(?) dollars worth of housing, then PB could be free for everyone. It probably would be a 16 hole course though, but sub 18 hole courses are super woke.

$100M? The houses near the 14th tee (inland, of course) are each worth about $25M themselves.

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

I am pretty sure that Jay isnt expecting any of the powers to be to be changing routings anytime soon, however, it does stimulate interest about a course we are all familiar with.
It just a fun topic to tickle the brain cells and make you wonder.


Personally I like much of it, the dramatic scenery doesnt change and I think creates a more interesting routing.

[Adrian_Stiff]

We have talked about this before.


I think reversing 9-13 is better. You get 1 more awesome hole in that 11 in reverse is spectacular.


As is 11 is average and I think 12 is actually poor though it could be good with a new green/better bunkering.


Not sure the new par 3 on this plan is great.

[Matt_Cohn]

My biggest question is how much the new #12 would play up the hill that #9 plays down. It seems like the drive would hit right into the big upslope (which is currently a downslope) on current #9. And I wonder about the drive on the new #14 relative to the 6th tee. Could be in the danger zone.


But the idea of not having 7 holes in a row with cliffs on the same side seems pretty obviously good to me.

[Kalen Braley]

Matt, I fired up Google Earth and got some approx measurements:

- For the new 12, the answer depends.  If you stay out to the right, the tee shot would play uphill about 20 feet and then back down to the green another 15 or so feet. But if you play out to the left side, the drive would be about 20 feet down the hill leaving a blind approach about 10-15 feet back up the hill.  Assuming no dirt is moved, the fairway would have ~40 feet elevation differential at its widest.
- The middle of the 14th fairway would be about 60 yards away from the middle tee box on 6.  I would assume that to be reasonable, but couldn't say for sure.  And given most golfers are righties with a miss to the right it seems to mitigate at least some of that risk.

P.S.  Agree in concept, I think 9-14 could be improved.... even if it seems like heresy to even suggest such drastic changes to a consistent top 10 golf course. 

[Jason Topp]

 I think the proposal would improve the course.


I would oppose actually making the change.  History is a part of what is there now.

[Tom_Doak]

But the idea of not having 7 holes in a row with cliffs on the same side seems pretty obviously good to me.

Yeah, those holes sure suck. 

[JESII]

Let's pull that apart a little bit Tom...


Could you see 11 and 12 improving if they went in the opposite direction?


Are 9 and 10 as similar and almost redundant as I remember?

[Matt_Cohn]

But the idea of not having 7 holes in a row with cliffs on the same side seems pretty obviously good to me.

Yeah, those holes sure suck. 

Don't make fun of me, you know what I mean!!! Surely the imbalance (combined with OB right on several other holes as well) is at least not ideal. It's not ideal on the Old Course either, right?

[David_Elvins]

I don't get what the point of the article is supposed to be.  I'm pretty sure Peter Ueberroth and Clint Eastwood and the other owners of Pebble Beach are not sitting around dreaming about blowing up the golf course to make it better.

You never know though, the next owner might put their golfing legacy ahead of profit.