Every great golf course has that one special hole everyone talks about. At Pebble Beach, it’s the tiny but mighty 7th – and it’s got quite a story to tell.
Just 106 yards long, this par-3 packs more drama than holes three times its size. Picture this: you’re standing on the tee, looking out at a postcard-perfect view of the Pacific Ocean wrapping around three sides of a green that seems impossibly small.
It’s the shortest regular hole on the PGA Tour, but don’t let that fool you. The ocean winds can turn this little beauty into a monster.
Here’s what makes it really interesting: back in 1920, famous golf architect William Herbert Fowler actually wanted to get rid of it. He told the developer it wasn’t worthy of a championship course, despite its stunning location. Talk about a bad call – this hole is now one of golf’s most iconic spots.
The wind off the Pacific can get so crazy that players have tried everything from 3-irons to – believe it or not – putters off the tee. Golf legend Sam Snead supposedly once pulled out his putter to keep the ball low in a fierce headwind. The story goes he was the only player to make par that day.
For all its beauty and fame, making a hole-in-one here is surprisingly rare. By 2016, only 16 aces had ever been recorded in professional competitions. Even hitting the green is tough – PGA Tour pros only manage it about 60% of the time.
The hole’s become more than just golf, too. CBS broadcaster Jim Nantz loved it so much he got married there in 2012, with guests including Arnold Palmer and Tom Brady. He even built a replica in his backyard – now that’s dedication!
For regular golfers taking on this legendary par-3, the advice is simple: play it safe, keep the ball low, and aim for the middle of the green. But let’s be honest – with those views, it’s hard to focus on golf at all.
Fun fact: During the 2010 U.S. Open, they actually shortened the hole to just 92 yards for the final round, making it the shortest hole in U.S. Open history at the time. That record was finally broken in 2023 when Los Angeles Country Club set up an 81-yarder.
The 7th at Pebble Beach proves that sometimes the best things come in small packages. It’s a reminder that golf isn’t always about power – sometimes it’s about precision, strategy, and a whole lot of nerve.
