Best Course Not to Have Hosted a Major

IMO that honor goes to Friar's Head on Long Island. Although I've played somewhat more enjoyable courses (Fishers Island comes to mind), in terms of having "major standard" in the modern era (i.e. length, difficulty, fair test), I have to go with Friars Head.

Note: because I don't have time to research it all, I am excluding this to men's events.

Pine Valley or Cypress Point

This listing will be fun, just because it is such a long list and rattling off name after name will be sporty. My own rule in this regard is that the US and British Ams are "majors", and so is the Walker Cup. So that knocks out Pine Valley, NGLA, Chicago GC, Royal Dornoch and Royal County Down, all of which could head the list otherwise. And regular tour events don't count, hence the long-ago history of the Crosby Clambake being played in part at CPC doesn't eliminate CPC. So here goes, with just ten (plus one!) names:

1. Cypress Point Club

2. Seminole GC

3. Sand Hills GC

4. Royal Melbourne GC

5. North Berwick West Links

6. Shoreacres

7. The Creek Club

8. Fishers Island Club

10. San Francisco Golf Club

11. Crystal Downs

For a "modern course" list; Sebonack, Friars Head, (Sand Hills already mentioned), Castle Pines, Desert Highlands, Wade Hampton GC, Alotian Club, Nanea.

... And already my list needs correction. I forgot that CPC had the Walker Cup in the 1980's. So that's a "major" under my rules. CPC and Seminole are both getting future Walker Cups, too.

Another problem with this list is that modern major championships can't really be conducted on "the best courses." And I am not even talking about galleries, parking, infrastructure, etc. I don't think that there is enough length at most of my listed courses for a 72-hole stroke play championship. The Walker Cup can go to CPC and Seminole because they are match play events. I don't think that there are tees at Sand Hills that can stretch it to the 7300 yards it would need to be. Ditto all the others.

Ten for the USGA/ PGA

Pine Valley (has had a Walker Cup)

Cypress Point (ditto)

National Golf Links of America (hosted the first Walker Cup and two total)

Muirfield Village (hosted a Ryder Cup)

TPC Sawgrass (5th major and one notable US Amateur)

Fisher's Island

Seminole (gets the Walker Cup in 2021)

Crystal Downs (a Senior Amateur is its biggest ever event)

Prairie Dunes (Women's and Senior's Open and multiple other USGA events)

Los Angeles North....yet, so I need a new #10

Harbour Town

Five for the R&A

Royal Melbourne (Composite)

Royal County Down (has hosted pretty much everything short of the British Open)

Royal Donroch (British Amateur in 1985)

Royal Montreal (Red)

Hirono Golf Club

> @"15th Club" said:

> This listing will be fun, just because it is such a long list and rattling off name after name will be sporty. My own rule in this regard is that the US and British Ams are "majors", and so is the Walker Cup. So that knocks out Pine Valley, NGLA, Chicago GC, Royal Dornoch and Royal County Down, all of which could head the list otherwise. And regular tour events don't count, hence the long-ago history of the Crosby Clambake being played in part at CPC doesn't eliminate CPC. So here goes, with just ten names:

> 1. Cypress Point Club

> 2. Seminole GC

> 3. Sand Hills GC

> 4. Royal Melbourne GC

> 5. North Berwick West Links

> 6. Shoreacres

> 7. The Creek Club

> 8. Fishers Island Club

> 10. San Francisco Golf Club

> 11. Crystal Downs

>

> For a "modern course" list; Sebonack, Friars Head, (Sand Hills already mentioned), Castle Pines, Desert Highlands, Wade Hampton GC, Alotian Club, Nanea.

>

>

>

Sand Hills Ive not played, but could see it being worthy as its from same architects as Friar's. Coore and Crenshaw heads and shoulder above other current designers imo.

fisher's i have played, and although probably best course ive ever played, i dont think it holds up against tour player games. creek even more so, just way too short to even stand a chance

> @"15th Club" said:

> Another problem with this list is that modern major championships can't really be conducted on "the best courses." And I am not even talking about galleries, parking, infrastructure, etc. I don't think that there is enough length at most of my listed courses for a 72-hole stroke play championship. The Walker Cup can go to CPC and Seminole because they are match play events. I don't think that there are tees at Sand Hills that can stretch it to the 7300 yards it would need to be. Ditto all the others.

>

Id think given it's location Sand Hills can stretch the layout pretty much as needed

> @JD3 said:

> > @"15th Club" said:

> > This listing will be fun, just because it is such a long list and rattling off name after name will be sporty. My own rule in this regard is that the US and British Ams are "majors", and so is the Walker Cup. So that knocks out Pine Valley, NGLA, Chicago GC, Royal Dornoch and Royal County Down, all of which could head the list otherwise. And regular tour events don't count, hence the long-ago history of the Crosby Clambake being played in part at CPC doesn't eliminate CPC. So here goes, with just ten names:

> > 1. Cypress Point Club

> > 2. Seminole GC

> > 3. Sand Hills GC

> > 4. Royal Melbourne GC

> > 5. North Berwick West Links

> > 6. Shoreacres

> > 7. The Creek Club

> > 8. Fishers Island Club

> > 10. San Francisco Golf Club

> > 11. Crystal Downs

> >

> > For a "modern course" list; Sebonack, Friars Head, (Sand Hills already mentioned), Castle Pines, Desert Highlands, Wade Hampton GC, Alotian Club, Nanea.

> >

> >

> >

>

> Sand Hills Ive not played, but could see it being worthy as its from same architects as Friar's. Coore and Crenshaw heads and shoulder above other current designers imo.

Bandon Trails is the Klay Thompson of golf courses - a third option better than nearly everyone else's #2 and most #1s.

This could really be broken down into two lists: 1. Best course (from a design standpoint) not to have hosted a major. And 2. Best course (from a $$ making standpoint - i.e. infrastructure, accessibility, etc..) not to have hosted a major. And list 1 will be longer than list 2.

I cant believe the PGA granted Whistling Straits with the Ryder Cup. There is literally nothing up there except the golf course. Milwaukee an hour away for any decent hotel, restaurants, nightlife, etc.............

take the PGA to Hawaii

Mauna KEA baby !!

> @cardoustie said:

> take the PGA to Hawaii

> Mauna KEA baby !!

Play it at the Hawaii Kai muni, send the players out in groups of 5.

I think the PGA should go all over the place and make that its thing in the new schedule. Let the NE rest

Hit AZ, Cali, Colorado, Carolinas, Mid West etc etc

I would change this to the best course that realistically could host a major, given length and challenge requirements, that hasn't. Friar's Head is a good choice. Muirfield Village. Maybe Sand Hills. Shadow Creek? Peachtree? I'll throw Ferry Point in there.

Bayonet GC , Seaside peninsula...toughest course in the Monterey area

Butler National?

Pine Valley

> @3whacker said:

> Bayonet GC , Seaside peninsula...toughest course in the Monterey area

I love Bayonet...especially after the renovation.

I would say Muirfield Village as well. They could toughen it up no problem, and its stadium atmosphere lends itself to being fan-friendly.

> @"15th Club" said:

> This listing will be fun, just because it is such a long list and rattling off name after name will be sporty. My own rule in this regard is that the US and British Ams are "majors", and so is the Walker Cup. So that knocks out Pine Valley, NGLA, Chicago GC, Royal Dornoch and Royal County Down, all of which could head the list otherwise. And regular tour events don't count, hence the long-ago history of the Crosby Clambake being played in part at CPC doesn't eliminate CPC. So here goes, with just ten names:

> 1. Cypress Point Club

> 2. Seminole GC

> 3. Sand Hills GC

> 4. Royal Melbourne GC

> 5. North Berwick West Links

> 6. Shoreacres

> 7. The Creek Club

> 8. Fishers Island Club

> 10. San Francisco Golf Club

> 11. Crystal Downs

>

> For a "modern course" list; Sebonack, Friars Head, (Sand Hills already mentioned), Castle Pines, Desert Highlands, Wade Hampton GC, Alotian Club, Nanea.

>

>

>

Another vote for Wade Hampton!! Shame it will never happen.

Peachtree would have to be on that list as well.

PGA West Stadium Course could be the ultimate test if you have Davis setting it up.

Let’s leave PGC out for now

> @"15th Club" said:

> This listing will be fun, just because it is such a long list and rattling off name after name will be sporty. My own rule in this regard is that the US and British Ams are "majors", and so is the Walker Cup. So that knocks out Pine Valley, NGLA, Chicago GC, Royal Dornoch and Royal County Down, all of which could head the list otherwise. And regular tour events don't count, hence the long-ago history of the Crosby Clambake being played in part at CPC doesn't eliminate CPC. So here goes, with just ten (plus one!) names:

> 1. Cypress Point Club

> 2. Seminole GC

> 3. Sand Hills GC

> 4. Royal Melbourne GC

> 5. North Berwick West Links

> 6. Shoreacres

> 7. The Creek Club

> 8. Fishers Island Club

> 10. San Francisco Golf Club

> 11. Crystal Downs

>

> For a "modern course" list; Sebonack, Friars Head, (Sand Hills already mentioned), Castle Pines, Desert Highlands, Wade Hampton GC, Alotian Club, Nanea.

>

>

>

You were doing great until Desert Highlands.

And someone else mentioned the PGA should go to Arizona. Problem is where would they play? The best courses here are awful for the fan experience. So you would be limited to the TPC where they play the Phoenix Open.

> @"15th Club" said:

> This listing will be fun, just because it is such a long list and rattling off name after name will be sporty. My own rule in this regard is that the US and British Ams are "majors", and so is the Walker Cup. So that knocks out Pine Valley, NGLA, Chicago GC, Royal Dornoch and Royal County Down, all of which could head the list otherwise. And regular tour events don't count, hence the long-ago history of the Crosby Clambake being played in part at CPC doesn't eliminate CPC. So here goes, with just ten (plus one!) names:

> 1. Cypress Point Club

> 2. Seminole GC

> 3. Sand Hills GC

> 4. Royal Melbourne GC

> 5. North Berwick West Links

> 6. Shoreacres

> 7. The Creek Club

> 8. Fishers Island Club

> 10. San Francisco Golf Club

> 11. Crystal Downs

>

> For a "modern course" list; Sebonack, Friars Head, (Sand Hills already mentioned), Castle Pines, Desert Highlands, Wade Hampton GC, Alotian Club, Nanea.

>

>

>

You're entitled to your opinion as what constitutes a "major," but since the vast majority of golf fans consider Jack Nicklaus to have 18 majors and Tiger Woods to have 15, I think it's fair to eliminate amateur events from consideration in the modern era.

I would love to see Muirfield Village host a major, it's nearly a perfect venue. They wouldn't need to do much to the course, it's great for spectators and is seemingly popular with the pros.

My personal favorite course is Blackjack Crossing in La Jitas, Texas. Probably don’t want to host any tournaments there though, as it’s hundreds of miles any any direction from recognizable civilization.

Gleneagles King's, Royal Dornoch, Southerness

Top of the list for me has to be Royal Dornoch but there is just no way that the R&A takes The Open there. The infrastructure just isn't there. As an aside to that, somewhere which does have it all and is next on my list (as much as it pains me to say it) is Trump Aberdeen. As an example of a modern links golf course, it is in my opinion without comparison.

Top of the list for me has to be Royal Dornoch but there is just no way that the R&A takes The Open there. The infrastructure just isn't there. As an aside to that, somewhere which does have it all (as much as it pains me to say it) is