Top 5 Courses You Have Played

[nitram]

Private:

 

Southern Hills

Pikewood National

Merion East

Winged Foot

Crystal Downs

 

 

Public:

 

Pebble Beach

Oakmont

Torrey Pines South

Bethpage Black

Pinehurst

[ascottwaddell]

1. Diamante - Davis Love

2. Prairie Dunes

3. Pacific Dunes

4. Pebble Beach

5. Spyglass

6. Mayakoba

7. Red Sky - Norman

8. Quivira

9. Blackwolf Run

10. Bandon Trails

 

Most underrated:

Quarry at Giants Ridge; fairways are mowed down like greens.

Probably the best conditioning I've ever seen.

 

Most overrated:

Whistling Straits - poor conditioning frankly for an alleged top 5 public, particularly for $400-

Streamsong Blue and Red; great, but underserving of their very high ranking

 

You have Blackwolf Run OVER Whistling Straits? Did you look at the scenery at WS? It isn't just all about the course, and while I loved BR, WS blows it out of the water. WS is alittle shaggy sometimes, but the greens have always been good when I played and layout doesn't change because of the natural bunkering etc. To each their own, but please don't let a rare case of WS maybe not being in top condition to put BR over it.

Whistling was incredible, of course, but yes, me and my entire group preferred Black Wolf.

Could have been an anomaly but Whistling was in pretty bad shape when we played it. I would say 6 of the 18 holes had significant turf projects ongoing when we played it (late August I believe).

That's unacceptable to me for $395-.

[ode1]

1. Diamante - Davis Love

2. Prairie Dunes

3. Pacific Dunes

4. Pebble Beach

5. Spyglass

6. Mayakoba

7. Red Sky - Norman

8. Quivira

9. Blackwolf Run

10. Bandon Trails

 

Most underrated:

Quarry at Giants Ridge; fairways are mowed down like greens.

Probably the best conditioning I've ever seen.

 

Most overrated:

Whistling Straits - poor conditioning frankly for an alleged top 5 public, particularly for $400-

Streamsong Blue and Red; great, but underserving of their very high ranking

 

You have Blackwolf Run OVER Whistling Straits? Did you look at the scenery at WS? It isn't just all about the course, and while I loved BR, WS blows it out of the water. WS is alittle shaggy sometimes, but the greens have always been good when I played and layout doesn't change because of the natural bunkering etc. To each their own, but please don't let a rare case of WS maybe not being in top condition to put BR over it.

Whistling was incredible, of course, but yes, me and my entire group preferred Black Wolf.

Could have been an anomaly but Whistling was in pretty bad shape when we played it. I would say 6 of the 18 holes had significant turf projects ongoing when we played it (late August I believe).

That's unacceptable to me for $395-.

 

Which BR course? or did you play the original layout?

[threeputtpar88]

Pinehurst #2

Pebble

Dormie Club

Tobacco Road

Pine Needles

 

Hidden Gem: Blowing Rock CC

 

As you can tell I love Pinehurst golf.

[callawayjay]

In no order

 

Carnoustie

Old Course

Pebble Beach

The Harvester

The Prince Cousre at Princeville

The Challenge at Manele

[conorgolf22]

In no order

 

Harbour Town

Bellerive

Bob O'Link

Grand Bear

The Donald Ross Course at French Link

 

Just missing out: Dalhousie

[ascottwaddell]

1. Diamante - Davis Love

2. Prairie Dunes

3. Pacific Dunes

4. Pebble Beach

5. Spyglass

6. Mayakoba

7. Red Sky - Norman

8. Quivira

9. Blackwolf Run

10. Bandon Trails

 

Most underrated:

Quarry at Giants Ridge; fairways are mowed down like greens.

Probably the best conditioning I've ever seen.

 

Most overrated:

Whistling Straits - poor conditioning frankly for an alleged top 5 public, particularly for $400-

Streamsong Blue and Red; great, but underserving of their very high ranking

 

You have Blackwolf Run OVER Whistling Straits? Did you look at the scenery at WS? It isn't just all about the course, and while I loved BR, WS blows it out of the water. WS is alittle shaggy sometimes, but the greens have always been good when I played and layout doesn't change because of the natural bunkering etc. To each their own, but please don't let a rare case of WS maybe not being in top condition to put BR over it.

Whistling was incredible, of course, but yes, me and my entire group preferred Black Wolf.

Could have been an anomaly but Whistling was in pretty bad shape when we played it. I would say 6 of the 18 holes had significant turf projects ongoing when we played it (late August I believe).

That's unacceptable to me for $395-.

 

Which BR course? or did you play the original layout?

River. I thought it was great.

[1Dumbscreenname]

1- Merion

2- Phila Cricket Wissahickon

3- Ballybunion

4- Lahinch

5- Old Head

 

Although I could swap that 5th for Sawgrass, Harbortown, Princeville, Kinderlou Forest, Gulph Mills, Tralee, the streamsongs, Waterville...

[ChipNRun]

Here's my top five:

 

5. Il Picciolo | Base of Mt. Etna in Sicily. An interesting mountain course, with a smoking volcano in background.

4. Tidewater GC | North Myrtle Beach, SC.

3. Probstein Golf Courses | Forest Park in St. Louis.

2. Pebble Beach Golf Links. (Played it in 1978).

1. Glen Echo C.C. | St. Louis: Oldest country club west of the Mississippi River, built in 1902 by Foulis brothers. Site of original Olympic golf meet in 1904. Work crews with horse-drawn carts tweaked the rolling land into several beautiful natural holes. It's still a treat!

---------------------------------------------

 

Honorable mention:

• Torrey Pines South, La Jolla, CA
  
• Algonquin GC, St. Louis
  
• Marine Memorial GC, Camp Pendleton, CA
  
• Cape Fear CC, Wilmington, NC
  
• Woodlawn GC, Ramstein AFB, Germany
  
• Gateway National GC, Madison, IL
  
• WingHaven GC, WingHaven, MO
  

[AC168]

Revised list ...

 

Cypress Point

NGLA

Fishers Island

Shinnecock Hills

Wade Hampton

Royal Melbourne

Old Course

[davep043]

My favorite 5, in no particular order:

 

Royal Dornoch

Lahinch

The Old Course

#2

OK, four is enough for this list

 

Honorable mentions include

Congressional

Whistling Straits/Blackwolf Run

MidPines/Pine Needles

Kapalua (all 3)

Prince Course, Pricenville

Ballyliffin

Waterville

Carnoustie (hard, but not pretty)

Crystal Downs (played 40 years ago, wish I could play now that I know a little more)

North Berwick (again, played it a long time ago)

[mshills]

My top five, in order.

 

Muirfield Village Golf Club

The Ocean Course

East Lake Golf Club

Brookside Golf & CC

Streamsong Red

 

I am not such a well-traveled golfer.

[Andrew Bond of Glencoe]

1. Pine Valley

2. Old Course at St Andrews

3. Oakmont

4. Merion

5. Prestwick or Pebble Beach

 

However am set up to play in 2018:

- Cypress Point

- Monterey Peninsula

- Seminole

 

Hoping one of these crack my Top 5.

[mbs_59]

Haven't really made it to any bucket list course but here's my top 5 courses you don't know from my days playing junior and college golf:

 

1. The Dunes, Myrtle Beach, SC

2. Old Waverly, Columbus, MS

3. The Grove, College Grove, TN

4. Black Creek, Chattanooga, TN

5. Achasta, Dahlonega, GA

[tmartin89]

St Andrews Old Course

Kingsbarns

Austin Country Club

Loch Lomond

Anthem Country Club

 

St Andrews Old Course

Kingsbarns

Austin Country Club

Loch Lomond

Anthem Country Club

[WestCoastHacker]

Just got back from an epic golf trip to Colorado which has changed my personal top 5 favorites. In no particular order:

 

Pacific Dunes

Ballyneal

Pinehurst No. 2

Castle Pines Golf Club

Capilano Golf & Country Club

[JayMatt]

Public:

1- Shadow Creek

2- Streamsong (Red, Blue, Black)

3- Bethpage Black

4- Pound Ridge (NY)

5- Pinehurst #2

 

Private:

1 - Winged Foot east/west

2- Olympia Fields

3- Somerset Hills

4- Trump Bedminster

5- Stonewall Old/North

[DLaake]

Just got back from an epic golf trip to Colorado which has changed my personal top 5 favorites. In no particular order:

 

Pacific Dunes

Ballyneal

Pinehurst No. 2

Castle Pines Golf Club

Capilano Golf & Country Club

 

Curious what courses you played in your Colorado trip and how you got on (via your head pro?)

 

Castle Pines, Ballyneal, Cherry Hills, Sanctuary all on the bucket list for me.

[Schley]

You can get on Ballyneal by writing to them via email one time in your life. Going in August myself.

[seeclarke]

Definitely, my interpretation of Top Courses.

 

1. Tribute at Otsego Club (MI)

2. Ocean Course at Kiawah (SC)

3. Oakland Hills North (Mi)

4. Shaftesbury Glen (Sc)

5. Los Calinas at Mission Inn (Fl)

Hon. Mention Indianwood Old (Mi), Eagle Eye (Mi), Pohlcat (Mi), Heather Glen (SC), RTJ at Palmetto Dunes (Sc), Springfield Oaks (Mi),

 

Shaftsebury is a fun course

[jwellefson1]

You can get on Ballyneal by writing to them via email one time in your life. Going in August myself.

 

Wait for real? That would be one hell of an experience... I may be drafting an email soon!

[WestCoastHacker]

Just got back from an epic golf trip to Colorado which has changed my personal top 5 favorites. In no particular order:

 

Pacific Dunes

Ballyneal

Pinehurst No. 2

Castle Pines Golf Club

Capilano Golf & Country Club

 

Curious what courses you played in your Colorado trip and how you got on (via your head pro?)

 

Castle Pines, Ballyneal, Cherry Hills, Sanctuary all on the bucket list for me.

 

Just Castle Pines and Ballyneal. Got hooked up by the pro at my club. Castle Pines is an incredibly tough get. Both are amazing golf courses/golf experiences.

[KC13]

My list is still growing as I plan on playing Pebble Beach November and planning a trip to Bandon Dunes early 2019.

 

1. Gold Canyon Golf Resort (Dinosaur Course) Gold Canyon, AZ - Beautiful course winding through the Superstition Mountains of AZ. Bright green fairways with beautiful million dollar houses atop red rocks. Course itself is phenomenal and price isn't bad. Played an early round in mid July for around $75.

 

2.Industry Hills Golf Club (Zaharias Course aka the "Babe") Industry Hills, CA - Hidden oasis in the eastern part of Los Angeles County, CA. One of the toughest courses played to date being some of the narrowest fairways however, its playable if ball striking is on. Hole 7, a Par 3 plays at 300 yards from the tips or 241 yards from the blues, that was fun!

 

3. We Ko Pa Golf Club (Saguaro Course) Fort McDowell, AZ - Top notch resort with amazing practice facilities. Felt like I was on tour upon arrival. Course again was beautiful with lush fairways and red rock outlines. Not so much a "views" course as its more a flat desert course. Course is a fun/easier track and a bit long. Played mid summer and was still in the $100 range.

 

4. Oak Creek Golf Club, Irvine, CA - One of the nicer courses local to me. Awesome course layout tucked away in busy Orange County, CA. Beautiful facilities and score-able course. Fairways are always green and the greens are well manicured daily. Not to mention the famous Monte Scheinblum can be seen here, lol!

 

5. Oak Quarry Golf Club, Riverside, CA - Another local'ish course for me (1 hour drive) with beautiful facilities, a well groomed course and amazing views. This course is famous for it being built on an old quarry as its signature hole, "Spinel Slide" a Par 3, shots about 200 yards across a lake 100+ feet below. Spectacular views on this hole 14.

 

Golf course architecture is so fascinating. I look forward to playing many more famous courses throughout the years to come.

 

- KC

[Wander Bread]

1. Baltusrol Golf Club - was lucky to get out here, no explanation needed

2. Ocean Course at Hokuala - incredible views on Kauai and a very interesting course as well

3. Bethpage Black - no explanation needed

4. Richter Park - excellent public track in Danbury, CT - highly recommend

5. Iron Valley Golf Club - very cool course in PA with great views of the Lebanon valley. Some gimmicky holes but I had a great time playing this track and very reasonably priced.

 

Bonus Architects Golf Club in Phillipsburg, NJ - each hole pays homage to a famous hole from a different Architect. Pretty fun layout that was much better 10 years ago.

[itshedley]

Overseas

Lahinch

Ballybunion

Portmarnock

The Island Club

Walton Heath

 

USA

Bethpage Black

Spring Island

Valhalla

Double Eagle

Yale

[The Mad Bomber]

In no particular order:

 

The Old Course

The Makai Club, Princeville (Never gets mentioned over the Prince, but I love this track)

Carnoustie

Banff Springs

Kingsbarns

[Santiago Golf]

1) Cypress Point (Twice)

2) Cal Club

3) Spyglass

4) Arcadi Bluffs

5) Kingsly

 

 

[3_Jack_Par]

According to Golf.com:

1. Old Course at St. Andrews

2. Royal Dornoch

3. Crystal Downs

4. Pacific Dunes

5. Muirfield Village

 

According to me:

1. Royal Dornoch

2. Pacific Dunes

3. Kingsley Club

4. Muirfield Village

5. Meadowbrook CC

[MuniPukeLife]

California Only List

Torrey Pines South, San Diego CA

Torrey Pines North, San Diego CA

Rustic Canyon, Moorpark CA

Saddle Creek Golf Resort, Copperopolis CA

The Signature at Westneck, Virginia Beach VA

 

Cutting Room Floor

Steele Canyon Canyon/Ranch/Vineyard(Meadow), San Diego CA

Virginia Beach National, Virginia Beach VA

USNA Golf Club, Annapolis MD

LaJolla Country Club, San Diego CA (Only played the front, gotta love HS golf)

[PNB_Golf]

1. Spring Creek Golf Club Gordonsville, VA

2. Caledonia Golf & Fish Club Pawley's Island, SC

3. Black Creek Club Chattanooga, TN

4. Farm Links at Pursell Farms Sylacauga, AL

T5. Sweetens Cove Chattanooga, TN

T5. True Blue Plantation Pawley's Island, SC