I had a conversation earlier this week with a lady who thought that Pebble Beach was overpriced (and it appeared she might have thought it was overrated too). She said there were too many nice places to play golf and she could not see paying that much to play golf.

Well, then I thought I would post the question to all you golfers here. What do you think is a good price to pay to play Pebble Beach? Do you think it's overrated or worth the current rate of $495 per round (without a caddie) (add $75 plus tip for the caddie)?

I can tell you that after playing there, my perspective have changed. I'm playing in a lot of local charity events that run anywhere from $175-$250 and they play nice courses. When I weight all things I believe that Pebble Beach is worth every penny. You would not believe the time I've spent describing each hole in detail to my friends at their request since my trip there. There’s a mystique about that place. You think of all the greats who walked this course before you. You look at your score card and wonder what others have scored on these same holes. You go for the green on #8 knowing that you could find the drink. You clear the water and land on the green but know the putt is going to be a real testy one. You par the first hole and get excited about what this round might bring and then you get to number #18 and are distracted and taken back by the view and wish it could never end or you could play it all over again. And, then you BIRDIE the most famous hole in the world and all your playing partners and the on lookers all share in the excitement with you (almost like you just won the biggest tournament of golf). But you don't just walk off #18. You all stop, shake hands and then turn and look out to the Pacific and take in the scenery from the 18th green at Pebble Beach. Snap a few last pictures and start calling all your golf friends at home to let them know what just went down in the golf history books. All this made possible by me signing up for the Pebble vTour event last year and playing at a local municipal (but highly rated) golf course. Cost: $26

Again there is madness to my method. I have noticed that the vTours are only being participated in lightly. I too even have made comment that we now have to pay to play in the events to win golf at fantastic course around the US. But what if you sign up (and pay $12) for one qualifier and finish in the top 50% of your flight? Then you move on to the semifinals (at no cost) and again you finish in the top. Now you’re in the finals with a even smaller group and now you win your flight. You get an email from Leah that says CONGRADULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS. You’re on your way to (name the current vTour course here) to play and stay for a fantastic golf vacation experience. AND IT COST YOU HOW MUCH? $12 for the vTour plus three rounds of golf at your local course $120 (estimated $40 per round which you're going to play anyway) for the total of $132.

If I were you and wanted to have good odds of winning one of the vTours I start signing up now. Once the word gets out we'll find ourselves being shut out because they'll start limiting the number of golfers to each qualifier. I know because all my friends are now asking how they can get in on these vTours.