Top 5 Courses you played in 2018

[ceejay81]

Pinehurst #2

Bulle Rock

Pine Needles

Tobacco Road

River Bend G&CC (Great Falls, VA)

 

I just played Bethpage Black on Friday, so that gets put on the list.

 

Also was able to play TPC Potomac (Avenel) a couple months back.

 

Quality year of golf for me.

[Superbrit]

St Andrews Old Course

St Andrews New Course

Torrance (Fairmont)

Worsley Park Mariott

Championship course Portal

[JJPIV]

1-The Alotian Club

2- MPCC Shore and Dunes

3- Prairie Dunes

4- Bluejack National

5- Aldarra Golf Club

[ebrasmus21]

1-The Alotian Club

2- MPCC Shore and Dunes

3- Prairie Dunes

4- Bluejack National

5- Aldarra Golf Club

 

Is there a way you can describe Bluejack? Just curious what feel Tiger's design has.

[BMorrison852]

The Country Club - Composite Course

Eastward Ho! CC

Myopia Hunt Club

Boston Golf Club

Hyannnisport Club

[kircord]

The Country Club - Composite Course

Eastward Ho! CC

Myopia Hunt Club

Boston Golf Club

Hyannnisport Club

played Myopia earlier this year and was completely blown away by the place ...haven't played the others yet and would be interested in how you compare the others - thanks

[runningdog]

St Andrews (Old)

St Andrews (New)

Royal Dornoch

The Machrie Links

Tobacco Road

[BMorrison852]

The Country Club - Composite Course

Eastward Ho! CC

Myopia Hunt Club

Boston Golf Club

Hyannnisport Club

played Myopia earlier this year and was completely blown away by the place ...haven't played the others yet and would be interested in how you compare the others - thanks

 

The Country Club-Composite Course is the most difficult course I have ever played (played the ocean course with little wind). The place itself oozes old school money with yellow buildings all over the property. The course was long (7,500 yards), had very difficult rough (4-5 inces +), tiny greens and many uphill approach shots. Would be too much for daily play from the back tees but a ton of fun to play once.

 

Eastward Ho! Is my home course so I am a bit biased. 18 holes on Pleasant Bay in Chatham with a view of the water from every hole. It has most rugged terrain I have ever seen on a non-mountain golf course. Only 6,500 yard but most holes have uphill approach shots and the wind can wreak havoc on any given day. It drains very well and plays firm and fast.

 

Boston Golf Club is new but seems like it has been there forever. Wonderful rolling terrain with large and wildly undulating greens. If you play from the right tees it is very playable tee to green, the real difficulty is managing the greens.

 

Hyannnisport Club is a very sporty club with about 1/3 of the holes on the water. Not very difficult unless the wind is up but always fun to play. The terrain is rolling and greens are small and fast. Probably the fourth best course on the cape behind Old Sandwich (could be considered off cape), Eastward Ho, and Cape Cod National.

[Showtime9]

Just Played Kapalua today which was awesome. Both the Bay Course and the Plantation Course are such a treat to play.

[HackZogan]

1. Vintage Club - Both courses

2. Haig Point

3. Harbour Town

4. Blackjack’s Crossing - Lajitas, Tx

5. The Crosby Club

[kircord]

The Country Club - Composite Course

Eastward Ho! CC

Myopia Hunt Club

Boston Golf Club

Hyannnisport Club

played Myopia earlier this year and was completely blown away by the place ...haven't played the others yet and would be interested in how you compare the others - thanks

 

The Country Club-Composite Course is the most difficult course I have ever played (played the ocean course with little wind). The place itself oozes old school money with yellow buildings all over the property. The course was long (7,500 yards), had very difficult rough (4-5 inces +), tiny greens and many uphill approach shots. Would be too much for daily play from the back tees but a ton of fun to play once.

 

Eastward Ho! Is my home course so I am a bit biased. 18 holes on Pleasant Bay in Chatham with a view of the water from every hole. It has most rugged terrain I have ever seen on a non-mountain golf course. Only 6,500 yard but most holes have uphill approach shots and the wind can wreak havoc on any given day. It drains very well and plays firm and fast.

 

Boston Golf Club is new but seems like it has been there forever. Wonderful rolling terrain with large and wildly undulating greens. If you play from the right tees it is very playable tee to green, the real difficulty is managing the greens.

 

Hyannnisport Club is a very sporty club with about 1/3 of the holes on the water. Not very difficult unless the wind is up but always fun to play. The terrain is rolling and greens are small and fast. Probably the fourth best course on the cape behind Old Sandwich (could be considered off cape), Eastward Ho, and Cape Cod National.

thanks for sharing

[Spicoli]

All three at Capitol Hill, Pasatiempo, Hilton Head: Atlantic Dunes and Fazio/RTJ at Palmetto Dunes.

 

Locally... Atlanta National and Country Club of the South

[benno_r]

Bit of an update after another trip, no particular order:

1. Royal Melbourne West

2. Pasatiempo

3. Streamsong Red

4. Paraparaumu Beach

5. Jacks Point

[Spudgun]

1.muirfield

2. royal birkdale

3. woodall Spa - Hotchkin

4. Kingsbarns

5. North Berwick / Formby- it’s a tie in 5th place. NB more beautiful, Formby a better/ harder course imo.

royal lytham only makes the subs bench for 2018 and loved that too

[Doc Holiday]

1. Pebble Beach

2. Kiawah Island - Ocean Course

3. Streamsong - Black Course

4. Bay Hill

5. Pinehurst #2

[tad950]

1) Ballybunion- Even though I wasn't a fan of #18.

2) Tralee- A pleasant surprise for me.

3) Dooks- Certainly the Best Value. Great views and great local atmosphere.

4) Green Hills CC- An Alister MacKenzie course with views of SFO

5) Montreaux- Not usually a fan of golf course community courses, but this one is fun and challenging.

 

I need to add to my list. But not sure of the order anymore.

 

Nanea Golf Club. The most manicured golf course that I have ever played. I felt bad making a divot.

 

The Preserve Golf Club. Carmel, CA

[Chanceman]

Kingston Heath

Royal County Down

Waterville

Desert Forest

Seven Canyons

[Malvern]

Morfontaine

Chantilly (Vineuil)

The Links: Fancourt

Metropolitan (Aust.)

Cape Wickham (Aust.)

[Schley]

Was a great year......

 

1. TOC

2. North Berwick

3. LACC / Riviera

4. Kingsbarns

5. Prairie Dunes / Ballyneal

 

Honorable mention to Plainfield CC, Sherwood CC, Essex County Club, Sand Valley

[Schley]

 

Hyannnisport Club is a very sporty club with about 1/3 of the holes on the water. Not very difficult unless the wind is up but always fun to play. The terrain is rolling and greens are small and fast. Probably the fourth best course on the cape behind Old Sandwich (could be considered off cape), Eastward Ho, and Cape Cod National.

 

I played CCN this summer and thought it had very good conditioning, however too many trees IMO and lack of water views. Greens were above average as well.

[raynorfan1]

Hyannnisport Club is a very sporty club with about 1/3 of the holes on the water. Not very difficult unless the wind is up but always fun to play. The terrain is rolling and greens are small and fast. Probably the fourth best course on the cape behind Old Sandwich (could be considered off cape), Eastward Ho, and Cape Cod National.

 

I played CCN this summer and thought it had very good conditioning, however too many trees IMO and lack of water views. Greens were above average as well.

 

Little unfair to criticize a course that's not on the water for not having water views. And the trees are also inherent in the design intent of the course. It's playing the way Brian Silva wanted it to. You might not like that, but it's not a design flaw per se (as opposed to the trees at Oakmont that were not part of the original design).

 

From an architecture perspective, I think it's a fascinating course because it's sort of the link between the lush parkland 60s/70s/80s and the minimalist 2000s. The holes are heavily "framed" by the trees and contours, but bunkers are rough around the edges and fescue is high and wild.

 

I would agree with the assessment above that it's one of the top 5 on the cape.

[cardoustie]

Not a big golf and travel year for me in '18 but I did get to play the exclusive Goodwood GC here locally. 10 players a day avg.

[Schley]

Hyannnisport Club is a very sporty club with about 1/3 of the holes on the water. Not very difficult unless the wind is up but always fun to play. The terrain is rolling and greens are small and fast. Probably the fourth best course on the cape behind Old Sandwich (could be considered off cape), Eastward Ho, and Cape Cod National.

 

I played CCN this summer and thought it had very good conditioning, however too many trees IMO and lack of water views. Greens were above average as well.

 

Little unfair to criticize a course that's not on the water for not having water views. And the trees are also inherent in the design intent of the course. It's playing the way Brian Silva wanted it to. You might not like that, but it's not a design flaw per se (as opposed to the trees at Oakmont that were not part of the original design).

 

From an architecture perspective, I think it's a fascinating course because it's sort of the link between the lush parkland 60s/70s/80s and the minimalist 2000s. The holes are heavily "framed" by the trees and contours, but bunkers are rough around the edges and fescue is high and wild.

 

I would agree with the assessment above that it's one of the top 5 on the cape.

 

So what would Tara Iti be if Doak kept all the Pines?

 

There is nothing bad about CCN having trees, I thought some corners had too many trees and played tricked up as a result, which is an architecture based observation.

 

Personally I spent time in CC as a child and loved it, being so close to the water I was disappointed there wasn't a view of the water as it couldn't have been more than a 100-200 meters to the bay at some points. Eastward Ho is right across the water and certainly is a highlight because of those views. It doesn't take away from the architecture, but it does take away from the beauty IMO. You are free to judge as you wish, no less so than myself.

 

Also I wouldn't classify this as a minimalist design as they moved quite a bit of dirt...."On January 2, 1997 Wadsworth Construction Company began moving the earth and CCN's construction was underway. The Wadsworth crew removed, relocated, and redistributed 750,000 tons of dirt and finished the basic shaping of the golf course on schedule."

[raynorfan1]

So what would Tara Iti be if Doak kept all the Pines?

 

There is nothing bad about CCN having trees, I thought some corners had too many trees and played tricked up as a result, which is an architecture based observation.

 

A decision to keep or cut trees made by the original architect (IMHO) should be respected as part of the design philosophy. I haven't been down to Tara Iti yet, but if Doak wanted all the trees cut to meet his design ethos, that's great. Had he left them, that would have been fine too.

 

If having trees playing defense in certain spots makes the course not your cup of tea, that's fine, but it's not per se a design flaw.

 

Personally I spent time in CC as a child and loved it, being so close to the water I was disappointed there wasn't a view of the water as it couldn't have been more than a 100-200 meters to the bay at some points. Eastward Ho is right across the water and certainly is a highlight because of those views. It doesn't take away from the architecture, but it does take away from the beauty IMO. You are free to judge as you wish, no less so than myself.

 

The topography of the site just doesn't really work. The closest point to Pleasant Bay is probably the 11th greensite, and it's probably possible to create a view from there - but they'd have to buy the lot between the course and the road, clear the trees, and then you'd have busy Route 28 in the foreground for a view to the water which wouldn't be more than a glimpse from several hundred yards away. Eastward Ho! is totally different because its property line actually is the shoreline of the bay.

 

I like ocean views as much as the next guy, but I can't knock a course for not having them.

 

Also I wouldn't classify this as a minimalist design as they moved quite a bit of dirt...."On January 2, 1997 Wadsworth Construction Company began moving the earth and CCN's construction was underway. The Wadsworth crew removed, relocated, and redistributed 750,000 tons of dirt and finished the basic shaping of the golf course on schedule."

 

Totally agree. I find CCN interesting because it is the link between the manufactured parkland varietals of the 60s/70s/80s and the minimalist designs that followed. It is not a minimalist design, but you can start to see the stylistic fuzzy edges of minimalism creeping into a hugely manufactured site.

[ButterCutter2]

solid '18 for me given i only played domestically:

 

1. Pasatiempo

2. Bel Air CC (LA if that wasn't obvious)

3. Lakeside GC

4. Kapalua Plantation

5. Wilshire CC

[Argonne69]

1) Chambers Bay

2) Mammoth Dunes

3) Sand Valley

4) TPC Scottsdale

5) Torrey Pines South

 

I'm scheduled to play TPC Sawgrass in mid-December, and I expect it'll kick Torrey Pines out of the top 5.

 

I played the Stadium course at TPC Sawgrass today, and I'd put it at #3 for the year, moving Torrey Pines South off the list.

 

[kro88]

1. Sleepy Hollow Country Club

2. Winged Foot East

3. Bethpage Black

4. Deepdale Golf Club

5. Wykagyl Country Club

[Schley]

So what would Tara Iti be if Doak kept all the Pines?

 

There is nothing bad about CCN having trees, I thought some corners had too many trees and played tricked up as a result, which is an architecture based observation.

 

A decision to keep or cut trees made by the original architect (IMHO) should be respected as part of the design philosophy. I haven't been down to Tara Iti yet, but if Doak wanted all the trees cut to meet his design ethos, that's great. Had he left them, that would have been fine too.

 

If having trees playing defense in certain spots makes the course not your cup of tea, that's fine, but it's not per se a design flaw.

 

Personally I spent time in CC as a child and loved it, being so close to the water I was disappointed there wasn't a view of the water as it couldn't have been more than a 100-200 meters to the bay at some points. Eastward Ho is right across the water and certainly is a highlight because of those views. It doesn't take away from the architecture, but it does take away from the beauty IMO. You are free to judge as you wish, no less so than myself.

 

The topography of the site just doesn't really work. The closest point to Pleasant Bay is probably the 11th greensite, and it's probably possible to create a view from there - but they'd have to buy the lot between the course and the road, clear the trees, and then you'd have busy Route 28 in the foreground for a view to the water which wouldn't be more than a glimpse from several hundred yards away. Eastward Ho! is totally different because its property line actually is the shoreline of the bay.

 

I like ocean views as much as the next guy, but I can't knock a course for not having them.

 

Also I wouldn't classify this as a minimalist design as they moved quite a bit of dirt...."On January 2, 1997 Wadsworth Construction Company began moving the earth and CCN's construction was underway. The Wadsworth crew removed, relocated, and redistributed 750,000 tons of dirt and finished the basic shaping of the golf course on schedule."

 

Totally agree. I find CCN interesting because it is the link between the manufactured parkland varietals of the 60s/70s/80s and the minimalist designs that followed. It is not a minimalist design, but you can start to see the stylistic fuzzy edges of minimalism creeping into a hugely manufactured site.

 

I think CCN is a nice course, my only observation is that keeping trees to make certain angles on a couple holes made it play tricked up. As good of a layout as the site may have offered, but still no less that was the end result for a couple holes. This is why making the best of the site is the challenge, not necessarily making the best course possible. The site may not have offered that to Urbina a blank canvas and did a nice job.

 

I didn't point out the lack of water views because I thought it should have happened or was possible, I pointed it out because I had no idea where the course was or how close it was to the water when I won the charity auction. We drove in and around water obviously so we were hoping it would maybe be close to it. The disappointment was playing in Cape Cod and not having water to me. Not that anyone can or should deduct any penalty for that, but being a child seeing cape cod several times I had Eastward Ho in my mind and when it was certainly no water views it was disappointing to me. Maybe they could have gotten one, I don't know I haven't looked at the satellite view.

 

I would give this course a 5-6 on the Doak scale if we are scoring, which is a solid course. The clubhouse is quaint and membership small.

[Schley]

1. Sleepy Hollow Country Club

2. Winged Foot East

3. Bethpage Black

4. Deepdale Golf Club

5. Wykagyl Country Club

 

Great list..... can you compare Deepdale to Wykagyl? Both as courses and facilities etc. I have heard wonderful things of Deepdale.

[TheLarch]

Goose Pond Lake Course in Scottsboro AL

Gunter's Landing in Guntersville, AL

Chariot Run in Laconia, IN

Ben Hawes In Owensboro, KY

Hillcrest in Owensboro, KY

 

Come to think of it, these were the only courses I played this year.