What State - What Course?

I have been really fortunate - have played this awesome game in many states. My personal favorite is Colorado - so many incredible courses with diverse changes from flat deserts on the Western Slopes to the mountains.

But, as the saying goes, I have "been there and done that". And my wife and I are formulating a sort of a bucket list of golf. Places to go and play outside of the Sunshine State.

So, if you were drafting such a list, what state and what course would you add? I have played courses in the Carolinas and Georgia, up in Maine, in Hawaii, in California, Maryland, and in Mexico.

Can't wait to read some recommendations and thanks in advance!

Michigan. More golf courses per capita than any US state I believe. Tons of great golf courses and plenty of great values to be found.

Arizona- Dove Mountain

Ohio- Avalon Lakes

I love Wisconsin. Even the courses you haven't heard of are awesome.

Central Oregon is amazing and underrated in my opinion. 95% of the conversations I have with golfers not from Oregon focus solely on Bandon Dunes over on the coast (and rightfully so as it's arguably my favorite place on earth) but Bandon's greatness overshadows some other great golfing spots in Oregon. From Bend, you have over a dozen nice golf courses within 30-40 minutes. Some expensive and nationally known (Pronghorn, Tetherow, Crosswater) but lots of great courses that aren't overly expensive and are lots of fun to play (Juniper, Widgi Creek, Aspen Lakes, Black Buttex2, ect). Bend also has lots of great places to eat and hang out plus other fun activities if you want a break from golfing.

Missouri-Buffalo Ridge, Payne Stewart GC (both near Branson, MO)

Idaho-Circling Raven
Montana-The Wilderness Club
Oregon-Bandon

Alabama

Year round golf on the RTJ Trail, Limestone, or if you can get access to one of the privates like Shoal Creek. Several of the RTJ sites have Marriotts on the property too.

OREGON; Bandon Dunes is tops on my list.

[quote name='time4tim' timestamp='1433649243' post='11703990']
Idaho-Circling Raven
Montana-The Wilderness Club
Oregon-Bandon
[/quote]

Plus 1. Just got 2 rounds in at Wilderness, awesome.

[quote name='Schoolboy' timestamp='1433205516' post='11670662']
Michigan. More golf courses per capita than any US state I believe. Tons of great golf courses and plenty of great values to be found.
[/quote]

+1

Wine country around Sonoma has some fun courses as does,Palm Springs. Would also add Austin.

Trying to throw areas out that have great golf and other attractions.

Are you interested in international travel as well? I've been fortunate enough to play golf in 27 countries (and most states too) and I will say that I find the differences in how people go about a round very interesting in addition to getting to see multiple courses and course types. Glad to recommend my favorites from each of you want.

In the US most traditions and customs are common even if styles of courses vary widely.

If you're taking your wife, I'd suggest New Mexico. Affordable, good courses, great weather, some of the best food in the country, incredible craft beers, and lots to do for the wife in terms of art and cultural stuff.

For courses, you can do UNM Championship, Twin Warriors, and PaaKo Ridge in ABQ. If you're a member at a club, you can probably get on at Canyon Club in ABQ too (best greens and course conditions in ABQ).

If you go North, you can play Cochiti, Black Mesa, and Taos Country Club. Pinon Hills in Farmington is awesome, but there is no other reason to go to Farmington. If you like fly fishing you could go toward Farmington for epic trout on the San Juan. The only reason we go that way is to get to Telluride or Durango.

Otherwise, you can go South to Ruidoso area and play Rainmaker or Red Hawk in Las Cruces.

[quote name='az2au' timestamp='1433759054' post='11709682']Are you interested in international travel as well? I've been fortunate enough to play golf in 27 countries (and most states too) and I will say that I find the differences in how people go about a round very interesting in addition to getting to see multiple courses and course types. Glad to recommend my favorites from each of you want.

In the US most traditions and customs are common even if styles of courses vary widely.[/quote]

Not averse to playing anywhere. St Andrews always comes to mind but can only imagine there are countless others. Thanks in advance if you could share a couple of your personal favs.

Some of my favorites:
Australia-Barnbougle Dunes (NSW a close second)
New Zealand-Kauri Clifs
Singapore-Sentosa Island (Serapong)
Malaysia-Saujana (Palm)
Thailand-Red Mountain
China-Mission Hills (Els is my favorite)
South Africa-Leopard Creek
Portugal-Monte Rei
Italy-Royal Park (either course, liked both better than Biela)
France-Le Golf National (Albatross)
Spain-Valderrama (Sotogrande is probably better but history wins out)
England-Royal Lytham (even though the UK only counts as 1 of the 27)
Scotland-Royal Dornoch (over Old for me)
Northern Ireland-Royal County Down
Ireland-Old Head (One of the most amazing places I have ever been on a sunny day)
Mexico-Cabo del Sol (Ocean)
Brazil-Paradise (kinda sucks but definitely a unique place to play and I love it simply because I was playing with two French speakers, rented clubs that were mismatched from some bargain bin, a Portuguese speaking caddie and my ability to speak broken Spanish at best. Still had a great time)
Argentina-Jockey Club (Red)
Canada-Devil's Paintbrush
Bahamas-Emerald Reef

And one I haven't been to yet:
Norway-Lofoten where I'll be playing under the Northern Lights in July. Pretty hyped for that one.


I'll tell you this with absolutely certainty though, if I could only make one more golf related trip I'd hit as many Irish links as I could: Waterville, Ballybunion, Enniscrone, Ballyliffin, Narin & Portnoo, Carne, RCD, Portrush, Castler, Portstewart, County Louth, The Island, etc, etc.

Louisiana:

Squire Creek
Southern Trace

Michigan/WI/Minn area

Michigan: Arcadia Bluffs. It has an amen corner on 11-13 that will take your breath away

Maryland

You've got my personal favorite in the world (and I have played Pebble, the Old White, etc.) in the Western part, Lodestone golf course, which is on a mountain and has vast elevation changes. Then you have all of the courses on the coast (Ocean City) with a huge plethora of great courses in between.

I would also say that since I did not see any desert courses (although you did play in CA) on your list that I would suggest Palm Springs. You especially have to play Silverrock, PGA West, and Desert Willow's Firecliff Course (simply immaculate).

Ohio - Longaberger, Avalon Lakes
Pennsylvania - Whispering Woods, Old Stonewall
New York - Peak n Peek upper course
From there you can extend up to Niagara Falls and there are some nice ones up there.

You could do all those in 3 days. Longaberger is 1 and the farthest of the four, a few hours from Avalon. Avalon Lakes & Old Stonewall is 1 day maybe 45-60min apart. They are about 90min from Whispering Woods. Whispering Woods & Peak n Peek I've done both in a day many times and are about 30-40min apart.

California if you haven't gone, Torrey Pines is a must. I'd also suggest Oak Quarry. Trump National if you want to do it once, or spend $250 less and play Los Verdes just up the hill from Trump. It's not immaculate but it has some unparalleled views. Also Sand Piper, Pasatiempo and Aviara are higher end that should be checked out.

Some will disagree, but I love the Tour18 in Dallas TX. It recreates 18 famous golf holes, including Amen Corner & 17th at Sawgrass. The blue monster, church pews, 18 at Harbortown, 16th at Firestone south, etc. It's fun.

[quote name='markheardjr' timestamp='1433878091' post='11720362']Ohio - Longaberger, Avalon Lakes
Pennsylvania - Whispering Woods, Old Stonewall
New York - Peak n Peek upper course
From there you can extend up to Niagara Falls and there are some nice ones up there.

You could do all those in 3 days. Longaberger is 1 and the farthest of the four, a few hours from Avalon. Avalon Lakes & Old Stonewall is 1 day maybe 45-60min apart. They are about 90min from Whispering Woods. Whispering Woods & Peak n Peek I've done both in a day many times and are about 30-40min apart.

California if you haven't gone, Torrey Pines is a must. I'd also suggest Oak Quarry. Trump National if you want to do it once, or spend $250 less and play Los Verdes just up the hill from Trump. It's not immaculate but it has some unparalleled views. Also Sand Piper, Pasatiempo and Aviara are higher end that should be checked out.

Some will disagree, but I love the Tour18 in Dallas TX. It recreates 18 famous golf holes, including Amen Corner & 17th at Sawgrass. The blue monster, church pews, 18 at Harbortown, 16th at Firestone south, etc. It's fun.[/quote]
I've played stonewall that's a nice track, I live in Ohio and I still haven't made it out to Avalon and longaberger

[quote name='az2au' timestamp='1433860044' post='11718208']

I'll tell you this with absolutely certainty though, if I could only make one more golf related trip I'd hit as many Irish links as I could: Waterville, Ballybunion, Enniscrone, Ballyliffin, Narin & Portnoo, Carne, RCD, Portrush, Castler, Portstewart, County Louth, The Island, etc, etc.
[/quote]

Next June I'm playing 20 rounds on Irish links including Enniscrone, Ballyliffin, Narin & Portnoo, Carne, RCD, Portrush, Portstewart, County Louth, The Island, Portmarnock, Rosses Point, Murvagh, & Rosapenna