Pebble Beach Scorecard

In the spirit of full disclosure, here is our scorecard from Pebble Beach.

Double click the scorecard to see a larger image that is easier to read.

Something I just realized. Marc, Don and Mike all shot 52 on the backside. We got there differently, but the results were still the same.

Many thanks to the uber techie Don Rose for his converting an HTML file from Intelligolf to a JPEG file for my blog.

Video of Pebble Beach #7

We have the video proof that I was able to hit the short par 3 at Pebble Beach (#7) in regulation. You will be able to tell from the video that the tee is about 100 feet above the green. The green itself is at the furtherest point out on an incredibly scenic promontory.

Click the right arrow beneath the picture below to play the video.

After hitting this green in regulation, I proceeded to 3 putt for bogey. Don Rose, on the other hand, just missed the green, but was able to get up and down for par.

What is also apparent is how hard the wind was blowing. Look at the flag and listen to the sound.

Pebble Beach #8 - the most terrifying hole we played

Without a doubt, the most knee-knocking hole we played in the three days of The Testosterone Open was #8 at Pebble Beach. This hole plays slightly uphill, so from the tee box you are completely unaware of what lays ahead.

Double click the picture to get a better perspective of the horror.

Unbelievably, this is rated as only the third hardest hole on the front side. #6 and #9 are both rated harder.

Once you reach the Landing Area, then the lurking terror of the hole reveals itself. Your second shot must traverse over the cliffs and the Pacific Ocean to either a very narrow Lay-up Area ... or if you are very brave ... about 175 yards to a fairly small green guarded by three bunkers.

The fiendish course architect did not want players laying up on this hole. The fairway Lay-up Area short of the green is SO, SO narrow as to be almost unhittable. But the alternative of gunning your second shot to the bunker-infested green -- and flying over the deep ocean chasm for 90% of the shot -- is just suicidal.

I believe that Jack Nicklaus has called this the "best second shot" in golf. Or maybe he said that this was the "scariest second shot" in golf. Whatever. This is a shot that very few amateurs have.

Prudent course management (read that as my "wimpishness") had me lay up -- over the chasm but unfortunately into the rough by the Lay-up Area. I bladed my third shot -- off of a severe downhill lie -- just over the green. Took a double bogey. But I lived to write this blog!!! And I can report that no one in our group had either a wet ball or made better than double bogey.

Memories from The Testosterone Open

By far, the most memorable moment for me from The Testosterone Open was the walk up the 18th fairway at Pebble Beach. Even though we were riding in golf carts, our two forecaddies were astute enough to have us walk the entire way up this fairway. They drove our carts up for us.

But just an amazing experience. Everyone that has watched any golf is very familiar with the 18th hole at Pebble Beach, a sweeping par five that arcs left along the coastline, hugging the Pacific Ocean.

My third shot still left me about 75 yards short of the hole (yes, driver - 3 wood - 3 wood into a heavy wind). When you get close to the green, you realize how many people are watching from the balconies and patios at The Pebble Beach Lodge. And your pulse rate goes way up again as you try not to screw up. Pretty much the same pulse rate you had when teeing off on Hole #1.

BTW, my fourth shot landed on the green, and I then proceeded to three-putt for a double bogey.