Dave Pelz: “Studying the game”

As the final hole in this US Open, the 18th is living up to it’s reputation as a pivitol and entertaining finishing hole.

If you could be where I am sitting, this is what you would see - does it make you nervous?  Read the rest of this entry »

After the first two rounds, the 2010 US Open is certainly showing us the power of Par this year - particularly on Hole #14. There have been several disaster scores recorded so far at #14 - and that’s before the weekend. In the second round both Paul Casey and Ian Poulter made 8’s there, and they are both playing great (Casey would be tied for the lead, with Poulty one shot behind if both had made par 5’s). In my recently published book Dave Pelz’s Damage Control - I spend a whole chapter talking about what constitutes a “Red-Flag” touch  situation, where you encounter a disaster if you don’t hit shots with the almost perfect speed or power. Well, let me tell you my friends, on the 14th green at Pebble this year …  the USGA has created an ultimate ”Red-Flag” touch situation, and there isn’t even any water or penalty stroke danger involved! 

Let’ s take a close look at what makes the 14th green so challenging:

 

14 Green - view from the front right of green

Above is the view from the front right of the green. Looking across the green towards the back, you will see the TV tower. Because their camera is so elevated, the TV’s view makes this green look flattened. But if you’ve been watching the players shots, this is the most undulating and challenging green contour - and at a putting green speed of 12.5 feet - they’ve combined two ingredients to produce a Red Flag Touch situation: Extreme Contour + High Green Speed. The right side of this green has no potential pin positions on it, because of the serious green contour that slopes all the way from the back-right to the front-right of the green (note the black net covering the area into which all balls roll down to from that side of the green).

When I was there last week preparing with Phil, the greens where actually green in color, very healthy, but very firm and rolling at speeds of 11 to 12 feet.

14th Green - Close Up

Even at a green-speed of 11.5 feet (as it was in our practice round), the mound and ridge in the middle of this green make it scary and trecherous for chip and pitch shots from around the greens edges. It is an incredible test for all short game shots, trying to get at the pin positions on the upper left green shelf. At a speed of close to 13 feet, it begins to approach an unfair situation, depending upon exactly where your third shot needs to be hit from (in the second round the best players in the world made one nine and seven 8’s on this hole).

As you look at the back of the green, the fringe is extended and this is the safest (not safe, just the safest) place to pitch from - back towards one of the pin positions on the elevated left side of the green. The problem is that you can’t get back here in two shots, and if you’re there in 3, it brings bogey or double bogey into the scoring mix.

If you miss the green to the left side, here is what you will face: I’m trying to stand on the crown of the left side of the green. The shots all roll down off the left side of the green from here, and won’t stop until they are well into the rough.

We rolled many balls from this crown, and none stopped on the green or in the fringe. The left fringe falls away immediately and absolutely will not stop the balls from rolling down to some pretty nasty, thick rough. And once you are down on the left, the rough is not your only challenge. If you are short of the middle of the green on the left, you will also have some overheard tree limbs to deal with (see two photos below).

If you have watched the first two rounds of this year’s Open, you’ve seen quite a bit of back-and-forth from the sides of this green - and now you know why. Here is another parting look at the right front side of this green, as I am still seen standing on the crown on the left side. 

I hope these photos help you to enjoy watching this hole during the rest of the Open. And thanks to my son Eddie for capturing these shots, and the essence of the ”Red-Flag” challange of the 14th at Pebble.

My first trip to Pebble Beach was in the summer of 1966. I was working at the Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA, my boss was Nelson Spencer, and we had a rocket launch scheduled from Vandenberg Air Force Base (located outside of Santa Maria, on the California coast). During a down time in pre-launch preparations, two golf nuts (Spence and I) found the time to drive the 160 miles up to Pebble and play a couple of rounds of golf. 

Back in the day, we carried our own bags and paid a whopping $25 greens fee. It was pure heaven, and I’ll never forget it. The course, the people, the ambience! That was the first time I saw the splendor that is Pebble Beach and the little nearby town of Carmel. I still have (and use) the drink coasters (among other momentos) I bought from the Pro Shop.

The Pro Shop at Pebble

After checking in, we rolled a few practice putts at the practice green between the shops, The Lodge at Pebble Beach, and the first tee: they’re all right there together, and nothing could be more convenient.

The practice green outside The Lodge at Pebble Beach

Now, 44 years later, out on the course the beauty is everywhere. As you walk off the tee of the 5th hole, a quick look to the right will take you out into the ocean over stillwater cove.

Serene Dream

View of the 6th hole from the 5th

Looking from the 6th hole towards the finish line

By the time you get to the 109-yard par-3 7th green,  you’re out of breath and looking over the cove, to the land just this side of Monterey.

View across the front of the 7th Green

After a good drive onto the 8th fairway and hitting a shot over the canyon to the 8th green, you can walk up to the very edge of the cliff of doom (don’t go closer than about 5 feet) and look down. Wow, you can’t tell how firm the footing will be right at the edge, and in some places there’s turf overhanging with not much beneath it! Does the thought of getting these two stray golf balls tempt you? Do you want to add them to your shag bag?

They seem soooo close - I could use a few extra...

Well, when you go to play Pebble and are tempted up to the cliff’s edge, those two balls will probably still be there. But beware: from the edge it is about an 85 to 100 foot drop if you slip or the ground gives way beneath your feet. When the tide is in, you might survive a water landing, but I wouldn’t advise a fall onto the rocks when the tide is out!

85 foot drop

On holes 9 and 10, the beauty is so awesome it’s distracting.

A beautiful distraction

Look at the rugged beauty of this solitary tree that has found a home and survived, just short - left of the ninth Green.

Finding Your niche

There is plenty of beauty between the 10th hole and the 18th (and some great inland golf holes), but look at this seat for the US Open - right behind the 18th Tee.

Seals relaxing right behind the 18th Tee

Competing with the sea lions (seals) for a great view of the finishing hole is the Weeee Little Gent who built this seat (stool?) from seaside rock.

The Gnome's Seat

The Gnome wanted to have a good view of the 18th hole, so that with a little jump up, he can see the Tournament outcome. This is his view.

The Gnome's View of 18 at Pebble

My floppy Imperial hat is off to the USGA, the grounds crew and all the good folks at Pebble Beach. You’ve done a great job in preparing for what I’m sure will be a special, and memorible last two rounds of the 2010 U.S. Open. Please just don’t let the green firmness and speed get out of control (remember Shinnecock Hills)! Please let the players play, and may the best man win!

 

dp

dave pelz

Heading out to Pebble Beach this week to watch the world’s best try to win the 2010 U.S. Open? If you happen to be lucky enough to have the time and a ticket - AND you are not affraid of heights, then I have a suggestion for you: if you want to quadruple the value of each days ticket, go early enough to sit in the “bird house” at the top of the bleacher behind #6 green. It’s the “Best Seat in the House”.

6th Green at Pebble with Bleachers looming

I suggest you get to Pebble before daylight breaks - and when they open the gates, run as safely as possible to the bleacher sitting just behind the 6th Green (shown above). If you are NOT afraid of heights, then climb up to the top row and the corner closest to the 6th green (as you enter facing the bleacher, go to the upper left-hand corner). From this location you will be able to see what is perhaps the best view in golf: 

View of 6th Green (and all of hole #6) from Bleachers

You will have an awesome view of the entire 6th hole - from the tee to the green. With a pair of binoculars you can see the 6th hole tee shots, the incoming second and third shots, and of course all of the putts. Then as you turn slightly to your left you will see: 

7th Tee at Pebble Beach

The beautiful and picturesque tee shot to the famous short Par 3, the 7th hole. As you watch the players play #7, you can also watch the sea life behind the green. Here will be your view of the 7th Green and 8th Tee (note: all bleacher seat paint will be dry before the tournament). 

7th Green and 8th Tee - View from Bleachers

Then if you pivot left some more, you will see the 8th fairway, the shot over the canyon to the green, and the entire 9th hole (a good pair of binoculars will definitely be needed here). 

8th Fairway and Green and Hole #9

To watch these four absolutely beautiful golf holes in a “Major” Championship on one of the greatest tests of golf in the world, will be a real treat - and someone is going to enjoy it! Perhaps it can be you!

 Just to prove the visibility of this bleacher seat (on a clear day - if there is fog, it loses some of its value), look how the top corner of the bleacher is elevated and clearly visable from the 6th tee box and also from the 8th green:

View of Bleachers from the 6th Tee

View of Bleachers from 8th Green looking back

And there you have it. If you’re lucky, you can get these incredible views of the 2010 US Open! Of course there are many other beautiful  views and viewing areas around the course. But if you want the best of the best, take a few drinks and snacks up to the “bird house” corner of the bleacher behind #6 green, and enjoy the best that golf … and life … have to offer!

Enjoy. Dave Pelz