Golf week announces new state rankings for best public courses -- any surprises in your home state?

Golfweek just sent out an email with their 2014 rankings of top public courses, broken down state-by-state. I must admit I was startled at the rankings for my home state (Minnesota). I have played 7 of the 10 courses ranked, and dozens of other top public tracks in the state. Did you see any surprises or major snubs in your home state?

http://golfweek.com/...-by-state-2014/

edit on Aug 15: Golf Magazine just released their rankings for best public courses, which was MUCH improved over he Golf Digest list (at least as far as the MN courses); the Golf.com website is difficult to navigate and find the actual web link for the latest state by state breakdown, but if you have the latest print mag with Zach Johnson on the cover, the state breakdown is listed inside

Heartily agree with #1 for Iowa, my favorite course of all-time.

Interesting that neither Wakonda Club or Des Moines Golf & Country Club made the top 5.

i was stunned at The Jewel being #3; Meadows at #6 and Refuge at #10...my home course Legends is usually in top 5 and wasn't even listed. I have no argument with Wilderness at #1...but there are many great public tracks in MN, so I guess the debate could be healthy as to the top 10!

Wait ... "courses you can play." Guess they are only doing public courses? Nevermind my earlier post.

staying at the amana colonies in may for a week to play there and 2 rounds at the harvester (lwhich I've never played), should be a great time.

NY has some great courses. I have played 4 on the list and this year it will grow to at least 7 because I am scheduled to play 3 I have not yet. It's amazing that Turning Stone has all 3 of their courses on here. I've played 2 of the 3 and will play Kaluhyat this year. They command steep pricing though. Atunyote is $250 and the others are $150... but the cool thing is that if you can work 2 rounds in you can buy a replay at the others at $100 and $50 respectively.

Playing Leatherstocking in a four-ball this year in May and Saratoga National at some point. Looking forward to that.

At #2 in Illinois, I find the Highlands of Elgin to be very overrated. I'd take ThunderHawk (#12) all day everyday over the Highlands.

Also, Bucks Run in Michigan continues to get ignored, having missed the top 20 in Michigan. Love that track. It looks like I'll be checking off 3 of the top 15 in Michigan this summer (Greywalls, TimberStone, and Sweetgrass). Can't wait.

[quote name='Gdane' timestamp='1395252189' post='8905307']
At #2 in Illinois, I find the Highlands of Elgin to be very overrated. I'd take ThunderHawk (#12) all day everyday over the Highlands.

Also, Bucks Run in Michigan continues to get ignored, having missed the top 20 in Michigan. Love that track. It looks like I'll be checking off 3 of the top 15 in Michigan this summer (Greywalls, TimberStone, and Sweetgrass). Can't wait.
[/quote]

With you completely on Buck's Run and would add Pohlcat to that list, too.

[size=4]Kansas:[/size][list]
[*]5. Prairie Highlands, Olathe (m)
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That's a joke, right?[/background]

it's been nearly a decade since i lived in the chicago burbs, but i have no recollection of #2 Highlands of Elgin; I am pleasantly surprised to see Harborside at #3 that was a really fun course to play (and amazing when you consider it was once the great Chicago dump -- just don't lick your golf balls there ;-0 ); Pine Meadow, Thuderhawk and Stonewall Orchard were all among my favorite courses to play there; Glen Club is fun to play, but I'm surprised it is rated quite as high as #4

[quote name='Tee2Green85' timestamp='1395250219' post='8905083']
staying at the amana colonies in may for a week to play there and 2 rounds at the harvester (lwhich I've never played), should be a great time.
[/quote]

The Harvester is a lot of fun - and very tough from the tips.

We usually schedule a 1-day excursion to the Amanas every year. They have an early-season deal of $65 for a full day of golf. We usually aim for 54, but come in at 45 because of traffic/early nightfall.

[quote name='Gdane' timestamp='1395252189' post='8905307']
At #2 in Illinois, I find the Highlands of Elgin to be very overrated. I'd take ThunderHawk (#12) all day everyday over the Highlands.

Also, Bucks Run in Michigan continues to get ignored, having missed the top 20 in Michigan. Love that track. It looks like I'll be checking off 3 of the top 15 in Michigan this summer (Greywalls, TimberStone, and Sweetgrass). Can't wait.
[/quote]

I kind of like the Highlands, but not #2. Haven't played them all but I'm always surprised Ravisloe and Harborside are on these lists. I don't mind Ravisloe, but it's definitely not #6, and Harborside I really wasn't wild about. Don't know how Mistwood is missing from this list.

In MI I'm always confounded by the praise for Tulleymore, I really disliked that course, as did the other 7 guys with me that day.

Kind of odd to me that Dubsdread got the nod in Illinois, as everyone has been bashing it since the renovation. It is immaculate during the season though.

I've already knocked out 75% of Alabama's courses. Those Robert Trent Jones tracks are tough but you seriously cannot beat the price.

Maryland
Lake Pres. should not be #3 and Queenstown, River Course belongs on the list around 7th

[quote name='VNutz' timestamp='1395253463' post='8905439']
[quote name='Gdane' timestamp='1395252189' post='8905307']
At #2 in Illinois, I find the Highlands of Elgin to be very overrated. I'd take ThunderHawk (#12) all day everyday over the Highlands.

Also, Bucks Run in Michigan continues to get ignored, having missed the top 20 in Michigan. Love that track. It looks like I'll be checking off 3 of the top 15 in Michigan this summer (Greywalls, TimberStone, and Sweetgrass). Can't wait.
[/quote]

I kind of like the Highlands, but not #2. Haven't played them all but I'm always surprised Ravisloe and Harborside are on these lists. I don't mind Ravisloe, but it's definitely not #6, and Harborside I really wasn't wild about. Don't know how Mistwood is missing from this list.

In MI I'm always confounded by the praise for Tulleymore, I really disliked that course, as did the other 7 guys with me that day.
[/quote]

I played there last summer with my steady 4some, and while we enjoyed our time there, we all preferred St. Ives and Bucks Run over Tullymore.

[quote name='DavePelz4' timestamp='1395252526' post='8905347']
[quote name='Gdane' timestamp='1395252189' post='8905307']
At #2 in Illinois, I find the Highlands of Elgin to be very overrated. I'd take ThunderHawk (#12) all day everyday over the Highlands.

Also, Bucks Run in Michigan continues to get ignored, having missed the top 20 in Michigan. Love that track. It looks like I'll be checking off 3 of the top 15 in Michigan this summer (Greywalls, TimberStone, and Sweetgrass). Can't wait.
[/quote]

With you completely on Buck's Run and would add Pohlcat to that list, too.
[/quote]

I rate Highlands above Thunderhawk, but not by much. The quarry nine is a visual treat in a relatively flat area.

I'm quite shocked that Ravisloe climbed to #6. I like the course, but I wouldn't rank it in the best in state. I'd put Blackstone (Marengo), or Prairie Landing (West Chicago) in the list over Ravisloe. I certainly wouldn't rate it higher than TPC Deere Run.

[quote name='VNutz' timestamp='1395253463' post='8905439']
[quote name='Gdane' timestamp='1395252189' post='8905307']
At #2 in Illinois, I find the Highlands of Elgin to be very overrated. I'd take ThunderHawk (#12) all day everyday over the Highlands.

Also, Bucks Run in Michigan continues to get ignored, having missed the top 20 in Michigan. Love that track. It looks like I'll be checking off 3 of the top 15 in Michigan this summer (Greywalls, TimberStone, and Sweetgrass). Can't wait.
[/quote]

I kind of like the Highlands, but not #2. Haven't played them all but I'm always surprised Ravisloe and Harborside are on these lists. I don't mind Ravisloe, but it's definitely not #6, and Harborside I really wasn't wild about. Don't know how Mistwood is missing from this list.

In MI I'm always confounded by the praise for Tulleymore, I really disliked that course, as did the other 7 guys with me that day.
[/quote]

Agree on Highlands. Very nice course, but not #2. Also agree that Ravisloe and Harborside are overrated. Haven't played Mistwood but hear its great. Surprised Prairie Landing didn't make the cut since its pretty similar to Highlands.

Also would like to see more love for Shephard's Crook. Great course in great shape, best greens I played in Illinois last year.

I live 40 minutes form tpc @ deer run and also the same distance from eagle ridge The general and both are fantastic courses to play from the tips. If you guys are ever in the galena, IL area play the general, very tough track.

[quote name='VNutz' timestamp='1395253463' post='8905439']
[quote name='Gdane' timestamp='1395252189' post='8905307']
At #2 in Illinois, I find the Highlands of Elgin to be very overrated. I'd take ThunderHawk (#12) all day everyday over the Highlands.

Also, Bucks Run in Michigan continues to get ignored, having missed the top 20 in Michigan. Love that track. It looks like I'll be checking off 3 of the top 15 in Michigan this summer (Greywalls, TimberStone, and Sweetgrass). Can't wait.
[/quote]

I kind of like the Highlands, but not #2. Haven't played them all but I'm always surprised Ravisloe and Harborside are on these lists. I don't mind Ravisloe, but it's definitely not #6, and Harborside I really wasn't wild about. Don't know how Mistwood is missing from this list.

In MI I'm always confounded by the praise for Tulleymore, I really disliked that course, as did the other 7 guys with me that day.
[/quote]

Harborside has been on the list for years, but for the first time the Port course has dropped off. Harborside is my home course, and I wouldn't rate Starboard at #3 in the state. 'More like #10.

I agree that the recently renovated Mistwood should make the list, even with the poorly designed Pro Shop.

[quote name='Deuce Ex' timestamp='1395253644' post='8905469']
Kind of odd to me that Dubsdread got the nod in Illinois, as everyone has been bashing it since the renovation. It is immaculate during the season though.

I've already knocked out 75% of Alabama's courses. Those Robert Trent Jones tracks are tough but you seriously cannot beat the price.
[/quote]

Only the pros with an ax to grind complain about Dubs. Yes, the greens require precision, and the bunkers can be brutal. That said, it's still the best public golf in Illinois.

[quote name='VNutz' timestamp='1395253463' post='8905439']
[quote name='Gdane' timestamp='1395252189' post='8905307']
At #2 in Illinois, I find the Highlands of Elgin to be very overrated. I'd take ThunderHawk (#12) all day everyday over the Highlands.

Also, Bucks Run in Michigan continues to get ignored, having missed the top 20 in Michigan. Love that track. It looks like I'll be checking off 3 of the top 15 in Michigan this summer (Greywalls, TimberStone, and Sweetgrass). Can't wait.
[/quote]

I kind of like the Highlands, but not #2. Haven't played them all but I'm always surprised Ravisloe and Harborside are on these lists. I don't mind Ravisloe, but it's definitely not #6, and Harborside I really wasn't wild about. Don't know how Mistwood is missing from this list.

In MI I'm always confounded by the praise for Tulleymore, I really disliked that course, as did the other 7 guys with me that day.
[/quote]


couldn't agree more about Tullymore, played it once and couldn't for the life of me figure out what the big deal about the place was.

[quote name='highdraw69' timestamp='1395253205' post='8905413']
it's been nearly a decade since i lived in the chicago burbs, but i have no recollection of #2 Highlands of Elgin; I am pleasantly surprised to see Harborside at #3 that was a really fun course to play (and amazing when you consider it was once the great Chicago dump -- just don't lick your golf balls there ;-0 ); Pine Meadow, Thuderhawk and Stonewall Orchard were all among my favorite courses to play there; Glen Club is fun to play, but I'm surprised it is rated quite as high as #4
[/quote]

For years, I believe HoE was a nine hole track, so it never made the list. A number of years ago they purchased/leased an adjacent quarry, and routed a new 9 holes through it. It's quite impressive, especially if you walk it. :-)

I always felt Pine Meadows was way overrated. The Glen Club is always in great condition, and with the Champions Tour stopping by, it helps.

Arizona's list is pretty good except for putting TPC Stadium course so high....it would not make my top 25 list here.

The biggest snub is Vista Verde which would be in the top 10 easily and likely top 5 on many peoples list that live here in AZ.

A couple of courses like Legend Trail, Longbow, Raven Phoenix, Sedona Golf Resort, Oak Creek are bordeline(bubble) courses.

i just did a golf trip to the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, and would agree Stadium Course is rated too high -- the whole experience at Stadium Course is playing #16 with the grandstands closed in; there are other fun holes on the course, but it's not We-Ko-Pa good, or as interesting visually as even the Boulders courses (at least to the group we went there with)

I can not for the life of me understand why anybody who enjoys playing golf and has played Dubs wouldn't like it? The fairway bunkers are rather penal but other than that, it is a really playable golf course. The green were certainly very playable the two days I was there last summer. The greens fees are steep but the course is in crazy condition.

Highlands is really very good, I can not think of another course with as many options off the tees.

Nice to see Cuscowilla #1 for GA. Playing in a Pro-Am there April 5th. Anyone played there and have any tips so I don't embarrass myself?

[quote name='puttnforthe8' timestamp='1395255655' post='8905715']
Arizona's list is pretty good except for putting TPC Stadium course so high....it would not make my top 25 list here.

The biggest snub is Vista Verde which would be in the top 10 easily and likely top 5 on many peoples list that live here in AZ.

A couple of courses like Legend Trail, Longbow, Raven Phoenix, Sedona Golf Resort, Oak Creek are bordeline(bubble) courses.
[/quote]

Any course at the end of an active runway, e.g. Longbow, should be automatically excluded. How one can enjoy a round of golf with airplanes buzzing 100 feet overhead is beyond me. :-)

[quote name='lordbyron' timestamp='1395256225' post='8905773']
I can not for the life of me understand why anybody who enjoys playing golf and has played Dubs wouldn't like it? The fairway bunkers are rather penal but other than that, it is a really playable golf course. The green were certainly very playable the two days I was there last summer. The greens fees are steep but the course is in crazy condition.

[/quote]

Agreed. I think the pros who complained were not so secretly pushing to get the BMW moved to their favorite midwest track, e.g. Conway Farms.

[quote name='Argonne69' timestamp='1395255162' post='8905661']
[quote name='highdraw69' timestamp='1395253205' post='8905413']
it's been nearly a decade since i lived in the chicago burbs, but i have no recollection of #2 Highlands of Elgin; I am pleasantly surprised to see Harborside at #3 that was a really fun course to play (and amazing when you consider it was once the great Chicago dump -- just don't lick your golf balls there ;-0 ); Pine Meadow, Thuderhawk and Stonewall Orchard were all among my favorite courses to play there; Glen Club is fun to play, but I'm surprised it is rated quite as high as #4
[/quote]

For years, I believe HoE was a nine hole track, so it never made the list. A number of years ago they purchased/leased an adjacent quarry, and routed a new 9 holes through it. It's quite impressive, especially if you walk it. :-)

I always felt Pine Meadows was way overrated. The Glen Club is always in great condition, and with the Champions Tour stopping by, it helps.
[/quote]

Agree on Pine Meadow. Played it twice in the last couple years and both times the condition was nothing special. Its a nice course, but there are lots better.

[quote name='lordbyron' timestamp='1395256225' post='8905773']
I can not for the life of me understand why anybody who enjoys playing golf and has played Dubs wouldn't like it? The fairway bunkers are rather penal but other than that, it is a really playable golf course. The green were certainly very playable the two days I was there last summer. The greens fees are steep but the course is in crazy condition.

Highlands is really very good, I can not think of another course with as many options off the tees.
[/quote]

Oh yea, try playing Dubs in a 40 degree cloudy windy, wet day and tell me how much you like it That's the only time I got to play it, the day before my wedding last October and it was brutal out there. But, that said, I can't wait to go back on a good day and give it a try under better conditions.