Right at the end of 2001 Mike Jones released his 4th design of an astonishing year, with a course called Pacific Breaks. With his previous courses all held in high regard, this one more than any before sparked awe and excitement into the Links game. This was the cliffside venue which had much in keeping with the great Pebble Beach, but was a course that not only made even more use of the cliffsides as direct hazards but also created a sea effect previously thought impossible. It remains one of the most dramatic and beautiful courses available in the game and it's subsequent update in 2003 has helped keep Pacific Breaks amongst many peoples favourite lists. The way this course winds inland before hitting the coast at hole 6 and presenting you with one of the best views in the game is inspired. There is also a really good balance of tough and easier holes.

Four Favourite Holes

Hole 6 - This is the first sea view on the course and arguably the hole remains one of the most memorable and stunning par 3 views in the game of Links. You tee up and strike out over the sea to a green fronted by rocky cliffs and surrounded by long grass, with steps leading up and away to the next hole. The white surf and wave effects are groundbreaking. At 170 yards this is certainly scary enough and in trying to avoid the left rocks you are quite likely to bail into the right hand bunker. Simply one of my favourite fictional holes of all time.

Pacific Breaks (6th hole)

Hole 8 - From holes 6 to 9 you play a tough but beautiful run alongside the sea, with the 8th hole being a tricky par 4 at 470 yards which will definately require you to hold your nerve. Your tee shot must cut across the sea where you bite off as much of the corner as you dare to leave the shortest distance you can into a well guarded green. With bunkers front and right of the hole and the cliffs left and behind you must be so accurate to find this green. There is plenty of room for disaster at this hole.

Pacific Breaks (8th hole)

Hole 12 - Another lovely par 3 from Mike, this one is inland but showing a delicate touch in the planting with a splash of colour and an excellent frame effect for the green surrounded by bunkers. After the cliffside run this is welcome break from dangerous tee shots and really represents a birdie opportunity at 185 yards. However that said the distance is key here as the front ridge will stop anything short and shots wide or long with almost certainly find bunkers.

Pacific Breaks (12th hole)

Hole 18 - Back to the sea for the home run from 14 through to 18. The final hole is a 550 yards par 5 which will give you an opportunity for a glorious finish to you round. You tee off over the cliffs, threading between the sea and a left bunker and if you have the wind in your favour you can reach this green in two shots. A long approach with your wood will be risky though with the sea close to the right hand side of the green. There are many ways to play this hole depending on your confidence level and the finishing score you require.

Pacific Breaks (18th hole)

Pacific Breaks remains without doubt one of my all time favourite course designs. Every time i replay this course it looks awesome and it is also strategically dramatic, making you nervous off a good number of tee shots. The sea and cliffs, and indeed general ground level planting is just stunning. This is easily the closest alternative to playing Pebble Beach, and if you can put your purist nature aside, it actually out delivers the majors venue with its use of the natural coastline. This course lifted fictional designing to a new level on its release and remains for me one of the most important designs in the games history. It achieved a deserved Course of the Year Award at Links Course Profiles.