Stephen Szurlej
Sherman Chu
Evan Schiller
Getty Images
Photo by Joann Dost
Keyur Khamar
Stephen Szurlej
Pebble Beach Golf Links
Pebble Beach, CA • Public
Pebble Beach Golf Links
2700 17 Mile Dr
Pebble Beach, CA 93953-2668
United States
Telephone
Overview
Not just the greatest meeting of land and sea in American golf, but the most extensive one, too, with nine holes perched immediately above the crashing Pacific surf—the fourth through 10th plus the 17th and 18th. Pebble’s sixth through eighth are golf’s real Amen Corner, with a few Hail Marys thrown in over an ocean cove on the eighth from atop a 75-foot-high bluff. Pebble hosted a successful U.S. Amateur in 2018 and a sixth U.S. Open in 2019. Recent improvements include the redesign of the once-treacherous 14th green and reshaping the par-3 17th green, both planned by Arnold Palmer’s Design Company a few years back, and modifications to the green at the famous eighth hole, which we deemed the second Greatest Hole in America. Green modifications have continued, and Pebble re-enters our top 10 after a brief time out the last two years.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
100 Greatest: Ranked since 1966. Ranked among the top 10 since our inaugural edition in the 1960s.
Highest ranking: No. 1, 2001-2002.
Previous ranking: 12th.
2025-'26 ranking: 9th.
100 Greatest Public: Ranked first since 2003.
Best in State: Ranked second since 2011.
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Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“One of the gems in American golf. A challenge for every player, but aggressive play can reward with low scores. Great layout and scenery reflecting a walk through a historic museum of golf. Birdies are available on the opening holes, with a tough stretch from 8-14. One of the best in America."
Read More2025
Review
“An outstanding course which has a variety of holes that require different shots throughout the round. The greens have a good mixture of front to back sloping and back to front. The stretch of holes 4-10 are some of the aesthetically pleasing golf around."
Read More2024
Review
“The course was in tremendous shape when I was able to play it. The green sizes surprised me, as well as the some of the shot making that was needed. It is easy to imagine a course that you see so often on TV, but being there really showed some challenges that you need to experience yourself like the elevation rise on 6. The shot making ability needed to hit smaller greens on holes surrounded by ocean and the ability to lag putt on others showed a great variety in the way the course defended itself. The views and condition were hard to beat which shows in how much fun everyone had that day ranging in all skill levels. This golf course was a great example of layout variety and shot options that you will rarely see. The course was firm and fast even when playing before 7am. The final few holes once wind had gotten to us most day showed some of its potential teeth. I believe if played slightly later in the same day the challenge it presents would have intensified."
Read More2024
Review
“A very special place. I will never tire of taking that walk!"
Read More2024
Review
“I have been fortunate to play eight of the top ten golf courses in the world, Pebble Beach belongs more to the front than the back of the top ten."
Read More2024
Review
“Pebble Beach remains one of the true 'bucket list' golf courses in the world. 6-10 are some of the best holes ever designed on an oceanfront location and while the other holes might not be as dramatic, they still contribute heavily to the quality of the overall design. One of the hardest challenges is not to be distracted by the sheer beauty of your surroundings. Layout variety could be better but given the land to work with, the opportunity for dogleg holes is somewhat limited. Through time, the greens have shrunk from their original size so the course has become much more of a shotmakers track with an emphasis on the approach shots. There are ample tee options for all levels of player, and from the tips it is still a major championship course. It's hard to find much better courses in the US for playability and surrounding aesthetics."
Read More2023
Review
“Outstanding golf course in all respects. A tremendous variety of golf holes and shot requirements throughout the round all set beside / in view of Stillwater Cove and the Pacific Ocean. Small firm rolling greens and well-placed bunkering made club selection and shot accuracy key to scoring. Greens were firm and receptive to accurate approach shots. There was a good mix of back to front and vis-versa slopping greens with moderate contours - putts ran true. When played, fairways were soft and did not provide much rollout due to the recent heavy rains. However, this added to the challenge in terms of length and shot accuracy especially given the heavy rough. Unparalleled ocean side vistas were in view throughout the round starting on the 4th hole and continuing to the uphill turn at the 11th tee and then finishing on the 17th and 18th holes. The course moved right and left with some level of elevation changes on the majority of holes. Walkable course adds to the ambiance of playing especially when playing the 18th hole along the ocean to conclude the round."
Read More2023
Review
“One of my very favorite courses period…let alone the best you can pay to play. A round at Pebble never disappoints. Holes 5-10 are the best stretch of golf in America."
Read More2023
Review
“It's great to play here because you've seen the pros play these holes so many times and the views are to die for. Holes 6 - 10 are great fun!"
Read More2023
Review
“Every golfer knows that Pebble Beach is a bucket list course. Rich in history and a tremendous setting makes it impossible to have a bad day. From start to finish the course offers so much in terms of risk reward, variety and shot quality. The slightly smaller than average greens force you to keep your focus on approach shots while the dramatic backdrop begs for your attention. You will need to make sure your phone is charged and place a wager with the group as to whether or not you will have more pictures than strokes during the course of your round."
Read More2022
