I am just putting out some feelers here.

My wife and I will be playing Pebble Beach for the first time in mid March along with Spyglass and Spanish Bay.

I'd like some opinions on using caddies at PB only. I have heard some mixed reviews both ways. Is it worthwhile to take a caddie and walk the course rahter than using a cart where you have to stay on the cart path.

I've heard that using a caddie at PB is mandatory.

Caddies are not mandatory.However, if you opt for one, be prepared to drop a C note ($70 plus gratuity) and less will make you look like a cheapskate.It all depends on what experience you want.I doubt that I will ever have the experience, but should I be so lucky I would choose a caddy and walk.

beachboy, Thanks, yea, i sort of knew the cost, but as you said, a trip of a lifetime and I'd like to experience it the best way possible

Here is the website, tells you a lot
www.pebblebeach.com......It would indeed be the walk of a lifetime.And, at almost 9 cents a yard, I would want my money's worth!! Oh, and that would not include the mandatory upgrade to my wardrobe requirements!!

No view on Caddies but I will say post back on your trip! Dh and I were supposed to go a few years ago and had to cancel due to my back issues - I have always wanted to go there!!

You'll definitely want to walk the course, so if they require a caddy to do that.... Plus, you'll need the caddy to read those greens!! But, hopefully not to tell what to hit in a 40mph wind. ;-)

I don't know why I thought caddies were required on Pebble Beach. My apologies.

Thanks to all for your help.

We took Caddies in 2006 when we played Carnoustie in Scotland and it was one of the best experiences of my life.

but your caddie at PB won't have a Scottish accent

(of course in Scotland - he didn't have the accent - you did )

My feeling is, for the once-in-a-lifetime or very special rounds always use a caddie - or at very least a bag carrier. Places like the Old Course, Carnoustie, Pebble Beach, Troon - the caddie is part of the experience.

janisj,
I beleive I used some of your assistance when we planned our trip to Scotland. I know someone gave us the tip about Janetta's Ice cream in St Andrews and it was the best I have ever had.

We have made our decision and booked our caddies for Pebble Beach. Can't wait.

Thanks to all

I am a resident and know several caddies. No question, use one.

Is walking allowed only with a caddie? Or do they allow pullcarts?

No pullcarts.

hey Rich...my DH is playing Pebble Beach, Spyglass and SW this April. He's taking his company after a year of exceptional sales. He also took his partner and 2 associates and did a week in Scotland last year playing all the biggies. He also got to meet Arnold Palmer at Latrobe last summer. Be sure to post about your trip here...and have loads of fun!

The caddies I have had at PB are knowledgeable and enhance the expereice. Have had both characters and professionals. In every case, I would go with caddy again.

I was at Pebble Beach yesterday with the family and we played around ;-) at Pebble Beach. You can walk down to the water from the restaurant and look at the 18th hole along the ocean.It was absolutely beautiful.At the 18th hole we saw man miss hit his chip shot and threw club a few feet. So some things don't change when you play there. We also did the 17 mile drive as well. I took some pictures with the kids and did not want to leave. It was like a dream being there and most people had huge smiles on their face just looking at the hole by the water. I was thinking this morning that it will be something that I will definitely do for my next BIG birthday. Play a couple of rounds with my boys and friends. It was magnificent and you will have a great time. All the people there were very nice and we just went to look. A memory of a lifetime and I didn't play a round. Please post your trip for us.

Frankdaddy, you were blessed with a great weather day! It makes all the difference in the world.

Actually, it was a bit chilly here, yesterday. The fog rolled in early. But hey, any day at Pebble is a good day, even if you live here!

Frankdaddy, we dined at Roy's Saturday night. Were you there by any chance?

I know you made the decision, but you will be happy with it. We've played courses where I've had a caddy and our partners (who we were traveling with) did not. It made all the difference in 'smoothing the edges'. If I'm playing a course like that, I want the 'full' experience!

I've used caddies at PB, Old Course (St. Andrews), Ballybunion, Royal County Down... all well worth the money paid!