What's your "hidden gem" golf course?

[Chip Out Sideways]

[quote name='johnstitch' timestamp='1400865485' post='9354907']
I'll start with Southerness and Silloth, one either side of the Solway Firth. Southerness is only 50 mins from the main London to Glasgow motorway but might as well be on the Moon. Superbly kept and very difficult championship standard links course. Their members pay around $550 a year. Simple clubhouse, good beer and great catering. Used for national championships and nobody takes the place apart, even on a calm day. Par 69 and 6600 odd yards. I once shot a net 75 and got my hcp cut. It is a fair but enjoyably tough test. Silloth is another super value course with fees of under $700 yet good enough to host the English Amateur.
Hidden greens, brutal heather and gorse, testing greens and stunning scenery. A great mix of holes and a at least one 9 will be into the wind. The Blue tees measure 6750, which is not long but three of them require a minimum 200 yard carry over severe rough.
Other courses within 100 miles of me that are superb yet affordable include Brancpeth Castle (H S Colt), Lanark (an inland links) and Powfoot, part links, part parkland with some superb par 3s and a very stout finish.
[/quote]

All of those on my list to play. Other side on the country I strongly recommend Berwick upon Tweed (also known as Goswick). Another old school outstanding links that is very good value and is an Open Qualifying course. It is cheap as it quite a drive from anywhere (pretty much halfway between Newcastle and Edinburgh and directly off the A1).

[iyi4iyian]

I would have to say with the Golfnow app, I have found many "hidden gems" due to some great deals. Best I would say is a nice course called Table Creek near Nebraska City off Hwy. 2 about 45 min. east of Lincoln. I have played many rounds there for less than $20 for 18 & cart. Course was always in real good condition last summer. I just checked now and they have some $13 deals for this weekend. Insane. Their website is even impressive. http://www.tablecreek.com/

 

 

Thanks for posting. I've always noticed it on there but never actually set up a time. Looks like I will have to get out there sometime soon.

 

seeing rounds for this cheap makes me want to vomit...rounds in NY cost an arm and a leg!

[masemoney]

Any course I can tee it up with my dad and brother. Is a hidden gem

[gvogel]

[quote name='ephmen' timestamp='1400105677' post='9296601']
Taconic Golf Club, Williams College, Williamstown, MA. Go EPHS!
[/quote]

I concur. (See post #15.)

[GBglfr]

My first gem is well known locally but would probably get scoffs from outsiders, its our county course Brown County. Plays about 6800 from tips, is quintessential woodlands golf, and just recently renovated every green to perfection. Its worth the search in northeast Wisconsin.

My other course is truly a hidden gem as its hard to find and always empty. That would be eagle creek in hortonville wi. Its a spectacular layout with lots of distance. Also helps that its normally in pristine shape due to lack of play. The only downside is the green structure. Some think its gimmicky and unfair. Welp, everyone has to play the same greens so I say get over it and enjoy the value. Normally play 18 w/ cart for under 40$, many times under 30$.

[Brettasaurus]

[quote name='oldflgolfer' timestamp='1399856579' post='9276175']
Sarabay in Sarasota
Golf Club of Oklahoma in Tulsa

Both are outstanding tests of golf
[/quote]
The Golf Club of Oklahoma is my home course. It's out in the "country" and private but it is a great Tom Fazio design. The back 9 is more visually striking but I prefer the front 9 for its subtleties. A 280 yard tee shot on the Par 5 8th leaves you with this for a second shot;

[scagnetti]

private courses shouldn't count as a 'hidden gem' as they are immediately inaccessible...

 

I've a few to recommend, for LA city dwellers, a weekday round at Roosevelt in Griffith Park across from The Greek Theatre is always fun, fast and affordable...

 

Back in my family's home in Kansas City, Missouri, a couple munis come to mind, Shoal Creek up north of the river, and Swope Memorial out south in Swope park. I have an irrational love for Minor Park, but I know people hate it...

 

And one more random course, if ever in Manila, Philippines, you will likely be playing 30-60 minutes outside the city, north or south, and if you find your way out south, in Cavite, there's a tiny little place that is just wonderful, South Forbes Golf Club, which can be played with a cart and a caddie (w/o tip) for about $15 USD...

 

Incidentally, Sugarloaf Social Club has a similar list of courses that can be found across the USA at their site HERE

[Matt J]

I'd say Stone Ridge outside of Eagle Point, Oregon fits the bill. Local's favorite, but unfortunately the conditioning has been sliding off over the years.

[Argonne69]

There are over 200 public courses in the Chicago area (i.e. < 90 miles from downtown). We have some excellent courses, and a ton of OK munis. My pick for hidden gem would be Longwood GC in south suburban Crete. Illinois is the 2nd flattest state in the country next to Florida, so finding any significant elevation changes east of the Mississippi River valley is tough. While it's certainly no mountain course, Longwood has more elevation that your typical Chicago course. I believe the course is family owned, and conditioning can be spotty. However, peak weekend rates are only $30 walking, and $36 with cart. After 11 am it's only $24 to walk. By comparison, most of the municipal courses in the area charge more than $50 to walk.

 

An honorable mention would go to PrairieView GC in Byron, IL. Weekend rates are $42 w/ cart, and the course can be walked during the week for $18.

[Carl Spackler3]

Eagle Chase in Marshville, NC

[DeeBee30]

Argonne - interesting to hear Longwood mentioned. I've played it a few times over the last few years and always thought it was certainly a diamond in the rough. As you said, nice elevation changes - which is fairly rare around here - and it's a great deal (as you're likely to find down South). I talked to the GM there a few weeks ago and he said they're trying to attract more play - specifically, offering an annual unlimited membership for $1250 and a "value" membership for $200/yr + $16 per round.

 

Don't know if you know this, but the course has been for sale for quite a while. It went into receivership a few years ago and is currently owned by the bank. Maybe we should get a group of WRXers to pool together a few hundred grand. Tough business to be in these days, but it would be interesting to see if it could turn a small profit.

[runningdog]

There are a lot, but the one that sticks out is the Machrie Links on the island of Islay (Scotland). It's the only course on the island and most of the people who visit (there aren't really that many, as it's a bit of a pain to get to) are there to drink scotch. I did both and couldn't have enjoyed Machrie more. My friend carried the bag and the flask and we walked the course and were the only ones out there. Definitely worth bringing the clubs if you're in the area (...and play Machrihanish and Machrihanish Dunes before you get on the ferry in Cambeltown).

[FairwayFred]

There are a lot, but the one that sticks out is the Machrie Links on the island of Islay (Scotland). It's the only course on the island and most of the people who visit (there aren't really that many, as it's a bit of a pain to get to) are there to drink scotch. I did both and couldn't have enjoyed Machrie more. My friend carried the bag and the flask and we walked the course and were the only ones out there. Definitely worth bringing the clubs if you're in the area (...and play Machrihanish and Machrihanish Dunes before you get on the ferry in Cambeltown).

 

Did you play the new Machrie or the old? They just completely redid the course.

 

If your in the area don't miss Dunaverty in Southend (just south of Campbeltown) it's on land that would make Pebble Beach jealous.

[silver504]

Mirimichi Golf Course, Millington, TN

Used to be owned by Justin Timberlake in 2009