I frequently think about the trips I have taken to Japan. Many aspects of Japanese life are unique, but there’s a certain way technology and culture combine to make Japan a haven for introverts. Even in a densely populated area, the solitude one can find in Tokyo can provide solace. Some may dislike this notion, but others, like myself, might relish the opportunity to minimize interactions.
If we are really being specific, I would consider myself an extroverted introvert. I can interact with people, but it takes a lot of energy, and then it could require a 3-5 day cooling-off period during which I need to be alone. I like people and thrive off the energy of a room or an event. I also like solace and being alone. This is all fine, but golf changes the equation.
One of my favorite aspects of the game is getting paired up with new people and spending an extended amount of time with those strangers. There’s an art to playing golf with people you don’t know. It requires several skills, some inherent and others learned. Success as a single also requires a certain perspective on life. If you have ever gone out to a restaurant by yourself, then you know the feeling. Except this solo trip to dinner is at a communal table and many of your strengths and weaknesses will be on full display. That’s a big part of this—how you react to the good moments and, of course, to the shots that didn’t go as planned. Golf with strangers requires grace and an ability to make conversation with people who might only share the game as a commonality. It requires you to think of what other people are doing and maintain a higher level of etiquette than you might with your usual playing partners.
In October, I went to Pebble Beach on a solo mission to play America’s number one public golf course for the first time. The stars had never aligned for me to go with a group of buddies, but I knew there were key advantages to a last-minute single tee time. If you can get a spot within 24 hours, the two-night stay requirement is waived. Staying at the Lodge seems quite lovely, but this little loophole can potentially save you thousands in an already expensive outing.
Up until last fall, my relationship with Pebble Beach has been limited to once-a-year invitations to a walk down the 18th fairway while I have perused the incredible autos of the tragically named Concours d'Elegance. I’ve been to the Lodge and driven 17 Mile Drive. I’ve visited the races at Laguna Seca and sped around town in a variety of interesting cars from the press fleet. I have also spent many afternoons at Brophy’s Tavern drinking beers and enjoying the enclave of charming shops in Carmel by the Sea. The one thing I have never done is hit a shot at the famed Pebble Beach Golf Links. I have always figured that I would get around to it one day, but the opportunity had never presented itself. This year I took matters into my own hands and devised a plan to check this public golf mecca off my list.
On October 1st, the day before my birthday, I put my plan into action. The first thing I did was to ask my wife if she cared if I flew to Northern California to play golf. She was cool with it. Next, I called to see if Pebble had anything available for the next day, October 2nd, which happened to be my birthday. The woman on the reservations line said there was an 8:20 single available and it was the only opening on the tee sheet. “Do you want it?” She asked. “Yes, I do.” The next move was to book a mileage ticket to San Jose and pack my golf bag. This is happening.
Theoretically, this could be the only time I have a chance at Pebble Beach.I wanted a caddie if I could get one— to make the most out of the experience. I knew this was unlikely as it was short notice, but worth a shot. My expectations for this whole boondoggle were low. Often, it’s not the places that are the most talked about that rank highest on my personal list. I’ve spent enough time in Monterey to know two things with certainty: the whole area is stunningly beautiful. I also know the vibe at Pebble is not exactly the most modern in golf. I was willing to overlook the vibe and just focus on the golf course and the ocean views. With that frame of mind, this was the perfect adventure.
With this being a special occasion I wanted to do the full warm-up, roll some putts, and not rush, so I showed up earlier than normal. I parked, checked in, and took the shuttle to the practice facility. When I got back to the starter, I met my caddy for the day. I was relieved that he was under 60—for various reasons. We had a quick chat, and then it was on to the first tee to meet the other members of my fourball. There was an older couple from Indiana and another lady who was their longtime friend. They collectively have been coming to Pebble Beach for over 30 years. I explained this was my first time but didn’t tell them I flew up just to play this round. The patriarch of the group immediately started grilling me about the pine tree and flag logo on my sweater. It felt a little early in the round for this type of aggressive questioning, but I calmly explained it was from our matches at Royal St. Georges last summer. There were no follow-up questions.
You never know what type of energy you’re going to get when you get paired up with strangers. Playing with people you don’t know can be great because you don’t need to carry the baggage of more familiar playing partners. It can also be a challenge if you are grouped with more difficult players. I would say 98% of the people I have played with randomly have been great. People who know me know that I’ve had much more trouble with caddies for some reason. The group in the 8:20 am time slot at Pebble were easygoing and fast players—that is really all you can ask for.
The first hole at Pebble isn’t all that memorable other than the nerves. There are a few notable openers in my head that require an iron off the first tee— Railway being my personal favorite, but I wasn’t expecting it here. The second shot on the 1st was the beginning of two themes: missing greens and a series of remarkable recoveries. Somehow, over the course of the day, I eeked out multiple quality up-and-downs from extraordinarily bad positions I put myself into. This wasn’t to say I was playing well, but a moderately competent short game is always a welcome development. By the approach at #2 the strategy of the golf course started to open up. The tee shot at #3 was interesting with the way the fairway is angled. Then onto the 4th, which is a short par 4, with the arrival of the many stunning ocean holes.
Not to be aggressively annoying, but golf courses with ocean views aren’t my top priority. I appreciate good views but care much more about the routing and strategy of a golf course. In his book Golf Architecture for Normal People Geoff Shackelford talks about your ability to remember each hole as a litmus test of sorts for good design. Basically, if you can remember each hole after playing it once, it’s likely a good golf course. Pebble passed that test for me easily. (Although I’m sure Geoff bemoans the bastardization of the course over time.) On top of the wonderful routing, there are truly incredible views. I know Pebble is the most famous public golf course in the country, and I should have known better, but after four holes, I started to really understand the greatness of this golf course.
My playing partners were perhaps less enthused than I was, as this was my first time around, but they were gracious with my photos and the conversation. My caddy was doing his best to make sure I was having a memorable time and not getting too worked up about my errant shots. The sun was shining, there was a very slight breeze, and it was a lovely morning. Of all the solo missions I have gone on, this could be the best of them.
The adrenaline kicked in on my tee shot on #7, the famous short downhill par 3. We’ve all seen the clips on Instagram where it’s blowing a gale, and players are hitting driver off the tee here. This was not one of those days. I had the honors, and my wedge went over the green but was caught by the bunker. My shot from the sand nearly holed out, and I was pleased with an easy tap-in to escape with a par.
We waited a bit on the tee at #8, and when we got up top to our tee shots, I was delighted that the interesting holes continued to unfold. I expected (and would have been happy with) a few good holes, but with the exception of perhaps #1, every hole out there is interesting. This whole outing for me was a birthday treat, but as we got to #15, I was already concerned about how I could manage a return. In my mind’s eye, the tee shot on #18 seemed more diabolical. When you get up to the fairway, there’s quite a bit of area to land the ball. The choice then is to try and take on that well-protected green or to lay back. I opted to be conservative, but of course, I didn’t commit and ended up on the far right side. The huge pine tree blocked my approach in front of the green. I was far enough away to hit a towering wedge over the tree and miraculously left myself 10 feet for birdie.
You might be able to guess what happened next. The putt lipped out, and I had to leave with a par. The bad part of all of that is I was just happy to get a birdie look after that bad second shot. I was happy that I was able to snag the one tee time for the day. I was glad to have perfect weather and a wonderful group of strangers to share it all with. Sometimes it’s nice to go on a solo mission and work your own selfish program. When it can happen at Pebble Beach, that’s about as good as it can get.
This is great!
This is great. Pebble gets unfairly trashed in the golf-sphere but my experience was similar to yours and I can’t wait to get back (my hope is that’s a when, not an if, but who really knows).