The Tee Shot on No. 18 at Pebble Beach

2 min
Added on March 24, 2020

Pebble Beach Golf Links has served as the backdrop for some of the most memorable shots, battles and finishes in golf history. The closing holes are particularly dramatic and if we have any luck as golf fans, this year's U.S. Open will come down to the very last hole.

The 18th hole at Pebble Beach is a 543-yard par-5 that doglegs slightly right-to-left, hugging the contours of Stillwater Cove. The entire left side of the hole is framed by the sea. Just beyond the right hand rough, a road and a menacing line of white out-of-bounds stakes is clearly within reach from the tee. Even the center of the fairway presents a challenge – the lone cypress tree that is rooted there will block out the second shots of players who drive it short and right.

No. 18 consistently ranks among the very best finishing holes in the game and it's due largely to the intimidating set of factors players face once they step onto the tee box. We wanted to know how to approach this kind of troublesome tee shot, so for some expert advice, we reached out to Titleist staff member, Justin Parsons, who shares his strategy for this type of shot and a swing thought that you can use when the pressure is on and you need a go-to shot you can rely on.

Instruction

445 Videos

  1. Categories
  2. Long Game
  3. Iron Game
  4. Wedge Game
  5. Putting
  6. Mental Game
  7. Course Strategy
  8. Golf Fitness
  9. At Home
  1. Instructor
  2. Brad Faxon
  3. Dr. Mo Pickens
  4. Me and My Golf
  5. Peter Finch
  6. Cameron McCormick
  7. James Sieckmann
  8. Mark Blackburn
  9. Michael Breed
  10. Trillium Rose
  11. Jonathan Yarwood
  12. Dave Phillips
  13. Brandon Stooksbury
  14. Justin Parsons
  15. Joe Plecker
  16. Layne Savoie
  17. Dr. Rob Neal
  18. Dr. Greg Rose
  19. Skip Guss
  20. Jason Baile
  21. John Kostis
  22. Jennifer Hudson
  23. Ryan Hager
  24. Corey Lundberg
  25. Tom Patri
  1. Drill
  2. Speed and Power
  3. Fundamentals
  4. Swing Biomechanics
  5. Clubface Control
  6. Turf Interaction
  7. Consistency
  8. Trajectory
  9. Shot Shaping
  10. Bunker Play
Clear All Filters
What Does It Mean to Release the Club in Golf? | Titleist Tips
New
user icon
7 min

What Does It Mean to Release the Club in Golf? | Titleist Tips

"Release" is one of the most misunderstood concepts in golf, but TPI co-founder is here to provide some clarity. In...

First Lesson Ever: Can Justin Parsons Help a 10 Handicap Break 80?
user icon
The Golfer's Journal
1 hr

First Lesson Ever: Can Justin Parsons Help a 10 Handicap Break 80?

TGJ Content Producer Alec Yoder has competed in the Olympics, but he’s never had a golf lesson. In his pursuit of...

Make More Putts with this Field Goal Practice Drill
user icon
2 min

Make More Putts with this Field Goal Practice Drill

In this video TPI co-founder Dave Phillips shares his favorite practice drill to free up your putting stroke and...

Jeremy Paul's TPI Assessment: Identifying a Common Misconception in Short Game Technique
New
user icon
31 min

Jeremy Paul's TPI Assessment: Identifying a Common Misconception in Short Game Technique

With three top 25 finishes in his last five starts, Titleist Brand Ambassador Jeremy Paul is off to a promising...

Optimize Your Ground Reaction Forces with this Lead Leg Drill
user icon
3 min

Optimize Your Ground Reaction Forces with this Lead Leg Drill

In this video TPI co-founder Dr. Greg Rose describes how the most powerful golfers in the world use their lead foot...

Power Stretch for Driver Speed
user icon
3 min

Power Stretch for Driver Speed

Everyone could use a few more yards off the tee, but as Titleist staff member Ryan Hager shares in this video, many...

Wyndham Clark's TPI Assessment: Evaluating the Data Behind the 2023 U.S. Open Champ
user icon

Wyndham Clark's TPI Assessment: Evaluating the Data Behind the 2023 U.S. Open Champ

We don’t need to use state-of-the-art technology to confirm that Wyndham Clark is one of the best golfers in the...

The Three Swings You Need - Stock, Squeeze and Bomb
New
user icon
11 min

The Three Swings You Need - Stock, Squeeze and Bomb

Throughout a round of golf no two shots are exactly the same. To play well, you need to have versatility in the...

Improve Your Ball Striking with Low Point Laneway Drill
user icon
3 min

Improve Your Ball Striking with Low Point Laneway Drill

Titleist Staff Member Cameron McCormick is here with one of his favorite drills that will help you dial in your...

The Fundamentals of a Good Golf Grip
user icon
5 min

The Fundamentals of a Good Golf Grip

There are countless ways to grip a golf club, but in this video, TPI co-founder Dave Phillips breaks down the true...

What a Rotary Chair Can Teach You About Ground Reaction Forces
New
user icon
4 min

What a Rotary Chair Can Teach You About Ground Reaction Forces

Believe it or not, at the Titleist Performance Institute one of the favorite tools we use for teaching power in the...

Introduction to Pressure and Ground Reaction Forces
user icon
5 min

Introduction to Pressure and Ground Reaction Forces

In this video Titleist staff member and Swing Catalyst Head of Ambassadors, Joe Plecker, introduces the key...

Results loading...
No results