OT-Golf Thu: Top Course You Have Played
Time to start bragging...
Post the top 5/10 courses you have played. Let's see how far and wide MGOBLOG golfers have travelled to play golf.
Here is mine.
- National Golf Links of America - I was finally able to play this course just before COVID hit. As a golf course architecture junkie, this has always been my #1 bucket list golf course (more than Augusta or Pine Valley or Cypress). The brilliance of template holes and Macdonald's creativity come together on this impossibly beautiful and interesting landscape on Long Island Sound. I can die a happy golfer.
- Sand Hills - Coore and Crenshaw's masterpiece in Nebraska's sand dunes. There is no other course with more epic drama on every hole.
- Old MacDonald at Bandon Dunes - I am a Macdonald junkie and this hit all the right places.
- Pacific Dunes at Bandon Dunes - I don't know if there is a better combination of fun and beauty on a golf course.
- Oakland Hills (South) - Easily the best set of greens I have ever played. Far more interesting Donald Ross greens than #2 at Pinehurst. With the recent Hanse restoration, this course should again be towards the top of any "best" list.
- Pebble Beach - If you count just the ocean side holes, there is no better golf course. Inland holes are just, meh.
- Ballyneal - Its remote setting provides the purest form of golf I have ever experienced. I can play this course for the rest of my life and never get bored.
- Chambers Bay - My home course and I count my self lucky that I can access something so good on regular basis
- Pinehurst #4 - Gil Hanse remodeling has taken this above #2 in my book. Picture perfect holes with variety of options galore
- Bethpage (Black) - Tee to green, is as good as any course in the country. The flat greens really lets it down.
I was supposed to hit Scotland and Ireland and play some of my dream courses (like The Old Course) when COVID hit. Hopefully, I can finally play them next year.
Harbor Town when I was 16. My grandparents took all of their grandchildren on a trip to anywhere in the U.S. they wanted to go, and I was first. I didn't want to abuse the privilege and ask for the moon...so my brother did 3 years later when he got to play Pebble Beach. I'm still salty about that.
I assume your brother is now a very successful businessman.
He certainly dodges as much tax liability as he can get away with - and likely more!
Crystal Downs in Frankfort, many years ago. Beautiful course, immaculately maintained, designed by Alister MacKenzie. (Augusta, Cypress Point, etc.) Word was that they had been preliminary talks about hosting either a PGA or US Open, but the remote nature of the site and the wishes of the membership both worked against that.
Didn't MacKenzie also design the blue course on campus?
Lonnie Poole on NC State's campus. Gorgeous.
10.1.1I haven't played anything like the OP has but I'll give off my top 3:
1) Arcadia Bluffs. Far and away number the best course I have ever played. Awesome sights, tough layout but also fair. Most enjoyable 18 ever.
2) Harbor Shores Golf course. Site of several senior PGA major championships. Not especially long but the most brutal greens I have ever played on. Three putted on the first 9 more times than I would care to count before I stopped trying to hit the ball to the pin on the back 9 and deliberately laid up so I could chip the ball to the correct area of the green on almost every hole. A better Nickalus experience than......
3). The Bear. I found this to be a bit overrated but still a great 18. My dad did put me bit off my game by deciding after my our first tee shot it was the time to try and have a deep conversation with me but I just didn't find a whole lot of the holes to be overly fair to a 10 handicap playing the course for the first time. I was also not playing well so maybe I am more jaded by that.
Sticking with the Michigan theme, honorable mention for Stoatin Brae and Black Lake. The Fountains at Garland was also a nice round. I'm sure someone will chime in on this thread about playing Augusta National or the Old Course and make me salty.
I would place very good money on the fact that no one on this board has played anything like the OP. When Pebble Beach places 6th on your top 10 and you aren't a PGA Pro, that's pretty damn impressive.
That is just a by-product of my preference for links courses over woodland courses. You should see some of the other courses that did not make my top 10...
Serious question: Are you a "pro"? I would love to play all those but don't have the financial resources to do so.
My 13 handicap says I am nowhere close to being a "pro".
I have a very understanding wife and met very generous people over the years who have graciously shared their access with me. You would be surprised how being nice to random strangers on-line will lead to.
Gameboy, I'm a nice guy too. Can we be friends and can I be friends with your friends? J/K. Very impressive list of courses you've played. If Chambers Bay is your home course and you are a 13, you're probably a single digit at most clubs. As a younger golfer, I use to be able to remember all of the courses I played and how the holes were setup. Now, I try to rush through 18 and barely get to enjoy the layout and the natural surroundings.
My top 3 are:
- Bethpage Black: Was even par after 4 with 3 birdie putts under 15 feet. Took a 10 on 5 and ended up shooting in the 90s.
- Seaside Course, Sea Island GA: Wonderful layout. Played in the summer and it seemed like they painted the greens "green" so that they would look better.
- The Bear, Traverse City: Very well maintained. Played 36 in a day. Lots of fun.
If you get an invite to Pine Valley and need a 4th, let me know, I can be there is 30 mins. :)
I would argue the other way. If you want to lower your handicap fast, play a long course with high slope ratings like Chambers because if you average in 80's you will be a single digit.
I hit long for someone my size, so length does not bother me as much. But I spray my drives a bit and my short game is TERRIBLE. Chambers forgives many of my sins since it does not have any forced carries or water and no heavy rough around greens (I can use putter from anywhere 50 yards in). So my handicap does not travel well at all.
It would be tough to average in the 80s if you're 3 jacking all of the greens. I remember watching Spieth putt when he won at Chambers and thought to myself, I'd hit 40 putts a round there. Two things I did this year to help my short game:
1) Bought an armlock putter. Makes me rock my shoulders and reduces how much hands I use in the putting stroke. Not for everyone, but helps me start the ball online.
2) I watched a video on how to properly use the bounce on your wedges around the greens and it's helped a lot. Hitting fat and thin can be reduced if you just use the bounce of the wedges properly. Check out some videos on youtube. Has helped me quite a bit.
Summer is almost here my friend. Hit-em long and straight and hope you have a good golf season.
One more thing, to JM3 and everyone else, although I do not belong to a fancy private course, I am a men's club member at Chambers Bay and if you are in town and looking to play that course, schedule willing, I would be happy to join you for a round and show around. (too bad there is no way to DM people on this site...)
Thanks Gameboy. If I'm ever in WA, I'll definitely take you up on that offer. I'm always buying / selling stuff on golfwrx, JM3 there too.
I know we’ve semi discussed this before (to some point)… I’m in U.P., where are you located?
The starter in Hilton Head last week saw my son's UM shirt and told us we have to get to Arcadia Bluffs.
St Andrews Old & Castle (Scotland)
North Berwick (Scotland) My favorite so far
Meadowbrook
Arcadia Bluffs
Bay Harbor
Forest Dunes
White Witch (Jamaica)
Playing Punta Espada Golf Course in a week.
Punta Espada in Cap Cana, should be beautiful. Corrales is great and near by. If you can get to Casa de Campo, Dye Fore and Teeth of the Dog are two great tracks.
just played Forest Dunes and although it was a nice course, the Loop I found to be meh.
Brickyard Crossing. Some of the holes are actually inside the track at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway which is pretty cool.
That sounds like a course on Golden Tee.
It's a really loud round this time of year.
It's fun. Pete Dye did a solid job with it.
1. Pebble Beach Golf Links
2. Old Course at St. Andrews
3. Royal Dornoch
4. Kingsbarns
5. Castle Stuart
6. The Country Club (Brookline, MA)
7. Arcardia Bluffs
8. Monterey Peninsula CC (Both 18s)
9. The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island
10. Somerset Hills CC
11. Baltusrol
12. Plainfield CC
13. The Greenbrier (Old White)
14. Kitansett GC
15. Yale G.C.
How did you like Royal Dornoch? It is on my must list for Scotland trip.
Love Love LOVE Plainfield. If it wasn't for those three holes in the middle, it would be my top 10. I don't know if I have played a more fun par three than the terrifying No 11.
Royal Dornoch is the hardest course that I have ever played (Kiawah Island ranks just behind it, but I do not enjoy tricked-up, Pete Dye Courses). The caddies were great fun, the gorse was intense and one had to be great around the greens. I am playing Oakmont this summer, so that will probably vault to the top of the difficulty scale from what I remember walking around at the U.S. Open years ago.
Consider playing Castle Stuart if you play in the highlands. It's sister course is near Saint Andrews (Kingsbarns) & both are drop-dead gorgeous.
I play Plainfield a few times a year & I have not seen better greens anywhere. The Redan (#2) is amazing, and I love Happy Valley (#15). You are right about #11!
I've always wanted to play National Golf Links, and I would recommend Yale if you like CB McDonald. The Redan there (#9) is insane.
I grew up in the Lansing area & I love the Forest Akers courses at MSU. Also, Eagle Eye in Bath is a nice new one.
Cheers,
Kitansett is a great course. I love staying in the clubhouse - very nice club rooms. Attended a wedding reception there once.
That is an impressive list. Mine is pretty short
Castle Pines Golf Club - former home of the international golf tourney. Probably will host another event in a few years
Cherry Hills Country Club
Harbour Town
We have so much great golf in Michigan. My personal favorite is Crystal Downs, though it is very difficult to get on. I haven't had the chance to play Oakland Hills but hopefully will sometime this year. Arcadia is spectacular, Forrest Dunes, Kingsly are a few of my other favorites.
Sleeper Pick- Bay Harbor. I know it gets ragged on by golf snobs but the Quary/Lakes 18 is really fun to play and its beautiful. Great for fall golf.
This will be an unimpressive list (which I can see already looking at other posts), but here you go:
* A-Ga-Ming in Kewadin, MI
* U of M
U of M is a very good course, Underrated IMO
Agreed! It is a great track & one can see a lot of the design elements that MacKenzie used at Augusta National, as they were built around the same time. The price was right for me in grad school, too! It was $25 for all I could play.
I stayed at A2 one summer (building the body for the UM Solar Car Team) and played UM course every chance I had. I think it was like $12 for me back then. It is really where I learned to play the game and I couldn't be luckier. I love the renovation that brought back may of the original intent.
U of M course when I was an undergraduate. I played once on a gorgeous fall day. I should have played more frequently.
I've otherwise only hacked at non-descript public courses. I haven't swung the sticks regularly in over 25 years, but I'm getting the itch again.
Never played any of the big ones, but growing up playing golf in South Florida and being on teams throughout Middle School and High School allowed me to play dozens of different courses each year. One of my favorites is The Hideout which is owned by Larry Bird.
It's also because I played that course when I was 11-14 several times and they had a complimentary snack bar that was a goldmine for any kid. Unlimited cans of Coke? Candy Bars? Chips? We had to walk the course and all our bags got so much heavier once we passed that hole...
Gil Hanse is a hack, me thinks you read too much golf digest.
Hmm, let's see if I can get this right... Top 10.
1. Oakmont Country Club
2. Hazeltine National
3. Arcadia Bluffs, Bluff Course
4. Rio Real Golf Club, Marbella, Spain
5. Kapaula, Plantation Course
6. Baltusrol (Lower Course)
7. Victoria National
8. Oakland Hills (south)
9. Torrey Pines (south)
10. Dormie Club
Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run. Whistling Straits is the better course. Blackwolf Run has a bit of a gimmicky feel on a few holes.
TPC Michigan - beautiful course and some of the nicest greens I've played on.
Hammock Dunes Palm Bay, FL - links course was challenging.
Frenchman's Creek PBG, FL - beautiful course with plenty of different tees to play from.
In order...
#1 The Bridges - Rancho Santa Fe. Very private. Michelson’s club. Where Tiger played under the lights like 15 years ago. Amazing. Perfectly kept.
#2 Torrey Pines South (North close second) so pretty but we’ve without US open rough very hard and lost golf balls barely missing the fairway.
#3 La Costa Champions course. Not as great these days but cool track where they used to play pga match play.
# The Journey - gorgeous course on mountainside with crazy elevation shots.
All San Diego courses. Live here so makes it easier.
Could name more but no one would hear of them.
How about this one, a personal favorite, Aviara.
Aviara is a bit too penal for my taste, but a very pretty course. Probably worth a trek out there if you are in SD area.
How could I forget Aviara. Yes, 10 minutes from my house and wonderful course where the LPGA plays.
San Diego tips: Aviara, upvoted. Torrey Pines and the 6 hour round following all the hackers on way too wide open of a course, downvoted.
St. Andrews old course. The experience of a lifetime.
Three way tie between Downing Farms, Thorne Hills, and Warren Valley West.
Pilgrims Run and Northville Hills were dog tracks. I'm doing my friend a favor and playing American Dunes once this summer to humor him a little bit.
Wait, strike that...reverse it.
Have played some of the biggies ... Sawgrass, Pebble Beach, Torrey Pines, Pinehurst 2 & 4 and they were all great, but my personal favorites are MidPines and Pine Needles in the town of Pinehurst. Great layouts and greens. Like walking back in time. If you ever get to Pinehurst, play them for around $100 instead of the resort courses.
Played Pine Needles in pouring rain when I was out there for Pinehurst and still loved it. Really fun course and I would rather play there than every Pinehurst course other than #4 and #2.
Similarly, if you are out in Monterrey to play Pebble Beach, play Pasatiempo over Spanish or Spyglass.