Would you pay the extortionate Pebble Beach green fees?

While the course is rather spectacular, many are put off by the Pebble Beach green fees.

So how much does it cost to play Pebble Beach?

Pebble Beach costs $620 (£510) from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024. And that’s before you’ve got into cart and caddie fees – around $55 (£40) per person – and that’s before you’ve paid for accommodation.

You can’t just rock up and play here, even at that price, as the links are not open to the public and are only available to resort guests.

And staying here isn’t cheap, either. Nightly rates start at $1,345 (£1060) for Casa Palmero, $1,145 (£903) at The Lodge, and $995 (£784) at the Inn at Spanish Bay.

So using very basic maths you can expect to start thinking about parting ways with a minimum of $2,500 (£2,000) to play Pebble Beach Golf Links.

So is that a reasonable amount with which to part for 18 holes of golf? Let’s discuss…

‘As iconic courses go it’s up there with the best’

The price tag reflects the fact that you’re playing one of the most iconic golf courses in the world, writes Alex Perry.

Whatever you think of the course, the Pebble Beach Pro-Am and any majors held there are a good watch and it’s mainly for the visual experience. Now imagine you’re actually there, with the sun beaming on your face and a gentle breeze keeping things at a nice temperature.

Feels good, doesn’t it? And everywhere you look? Just jaw-dropping scenery.

I grew up in the West Country where the golf courses offer all of this and more – Royal North Devon, St Enodoc, Trevose and Perranporth to name just a handful – but, and I’m sure they won’t mind me saying this, they would love the prestige that Pebble Beach carries, both as a regular tour stop and as a place for amateurs to play.

I was lucky enough to play the Old Course a few years ago and it only cost me the tip for a caddie. The experience was such that I spent most of the drive home thinking that round could have cost me £1,000 and I wouldn’t regret it. I feel the same about Augusta, especially as it is looking more and more unlikely that I’ll ever qualify for the Masters.

Pebble Beach, at £500 or so, would be in the same category. And while you’re there you may as well get Spyglass Hill and Monterey Peninsula in.

When you’re old(er) and grey(er) and lying in bed dreaming of the time you played Pebble Beach, I find it hard to believe that you’d be regretting paying out the price.

‘I could play three Open venues for that price’

I was there for the 2019 US Open so I’ve walked it a few times, writes Steve Carroll. The bits that are spectacular are absolutely spectacular.

Seven is one of the best short holes I’ve ever seen.

The second shot of the eighth, where you’re effectively playing over the ocean, is one of the greatest shots in golf.

And the ninth you basically play right into the sea. It’s amazing.

But because those holes are so brilliant, you walk around the rest and you think, ‘I’m not quite sure about some of these.’ It can be a bit underwhelming.

Instinctively I want to say ‘yes’, and just pay the money and go and play it. But I could probably play Muirfield, Birkdale and Hoylake – three Open Championship venues and courses that I would love to play – for not too much more money.

So I’ve thought about this quite a lot, and my answer is no, I wouldn’t.

What tournaments have been held at Pebble Beach?

You’ll best know Pebble Beach as the host of the annual Pro-Am – otherwise known as the Crosby Clambake – on the PGA Tour.

The famous links has also held seven men’s majors, as well as the Pure Insurance Championship – formerly the First Tee Open at Pebble Beach – on the PGA Tour Champions.

– AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (1947–present)
– US Open (1972, 1982, 1992, 2000, 2010, 2019)
– PGA Championship (1977)
– Pure Insurance Championship (2004–present)

Would you pay the Pebble Beach green fees? Tweet us and let us know!