If you are planning on heading to Pebble Beach this weekend to watch the final two rounds of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, one of the best areas for spectators is on “Whiskey Run” between holes 1, 2, 3, 17 and 18. These are the same holes – which are close to the bar – that Bing Crosby and his buddies would play and have fun between.
My other favorite area on the course is between the eighth green, ninth tee, 13th green and 14th tee. This area gives you a good look at the four holes. But there are a couple of dangers in the area. While there, look out for flying golf balls from the celebrities and being attacked by Bill Murray.
Golf tip from the Marshals
This week’s tip comes from our course marshals at Ridgemark Golf and Country Club, suggesting that golfers should practice swings on par-3 holes away from the teeing area.
The average golfer takes three practice swings on every par-3 hole, making a divot with each swing. So after teeing off, those golfers leave four divots in the tee box.
So by the end of the day, many tee boxes are left in poor condition, making it difficult to hit from. It also creates plenty of repair work for the maintenance crew.
So if golfers took those swings away from the tee area, there would be 75 percent less damage to the tees. And this would create 75 percent more good areas for hitting your shot.
Local Ryder Cup match
The employees of San Juan Oaks and Ridgemark played a friendly Ryder Cup format match to enjoy some golf and get to know each other. I had the pleasure, with my partner marshal Leo Villar, to play against PGA professional Scott Adams and SJO greens keeper Ricardo Hernandez.
If you ever have the opportunity to play with Scott Adams, do not pass it up. The only thing better than his golf game is his personality. Adams was formerly the PGA head golf professional at CordeValle. With his move to the area, San Juan Oaks came out a winner with bringing him south.
If you are looking to try out a new teaching professional in our area, give Adams a call at 636-6113. Also, Hernandez was not only a blast to play nine holes with, but he could be the best putter in San Benito County.
