Pebble Beach Golf Links provides magnificent backdrops for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am each year, the famous course taking center stage on the final day of the event.
But while the course is a national treasure — and leads Golfweek’s Best list of the top 100 courses you can play — it could perhaps stand to use some tweaking, at least according to one leading course designer.
Jay Blasi is a golf architect who has worked on courses such as Chambers Bay, The Patriot and Santa Ana Country Club. He also serves as a Golfweek’s Best rater ambassador and contributes frequently to Golfweek.
In 2019, Blasi tweeted that he felt the experience at Pebble could be even better. We caught up with Blasi at a Golfweek Raters event in Las Vegas this week, to ask his thoughts.
“If you take a hard look at it, there would be an opportunity to create a figure 8 out at the end of the property away from the clubhouse,” Blasi said.
Blasi’s point is valid — although the dynamic stretch of holes through the last five holes of the front and first after the turn offers breathtaking ocean views, the cliff consistently plays along the right side, making it more dangerous with those who play a fade.
But a re-routing could bring a figure 8 into play that offers more variety and a better all-around experience.
Proposed New 9th Hole. 622 yds – Par 5. Playing backwards through the corridors of current 13 and 12. This hole would fit the land with a pinchpoint over a ravine and through some trees on the 2nd shot. This also adds a par 5 playing East adding more variety in Par 5 orientation pic.twitter.com/7wRQ4Vpycl
— Jay Blasi (@jayblasi) June 12, 2019
According to Blasi, the changes would bring a little added distance while creating a wider variety of shots needed.
Proposed New 13th Hole. 270 / 200 yds – Par 3. Playing from near current 14 tees out to the headland between 6 and 8. This could be an infinity greensite with Stillwater Cove / 17&18 in the background. Much better par 3 than current 12. Gives Pebble a long par 3 if they want it pic.twitter.com/NaDN7LCQNy
— Jay Blasi (@jayblasi) June 12, 2019
To end his tweet stream in 2019, Blasi summed up his thoughts.
“All told, the refinements would add 66 yds to championship length. Add variety to par 5 orientation. Add variety to par 3 distances. Add a cliffside green. Add variety to coastline. Use compression and release to build drama. Fit the natural terrain. YOUR THOUGHTS????”
