Most Overrated Course

[Roadking2003]

Has anyone nominated East Lake in Atlanta yet? Great greens but except for the last 4 holes the layout is less than inspiring.

 

I agree. Quite boring. There are no memorable holes. I would even forget #18 if it were not so unusual to have a finishing par 3.

[Roadking2003]

I also thought Pinehurst #2 was overrated. I played it last year, it was nice and fun to play, but I doubt I'd drop another $500 to play it. I didn't feel like it was that memorable. Whereas I played Whistling Straits and kept looking around and couldn't believe I was in Wisconsin. Some of the views at that place were incredible.

 

Played Doral last year... it's overrated for a $495 price tag that's for sure.

 

Pinehurst #2 was overrated before Crenshaw ruined it. Now it's worthless and I'll never go back.

 

What part of the restoration is it that has led to it now being ruined and worthless?

 

I thought the course was overrated before Crenshaw changed it. I played it three times. It was nice, but nothing special. Lots of nice trees, difficult rough and inverted bowl greens. Maybe from an architect's view it was a great layout, but from a golfer's view is was just another nice course in the piney woods.

 

Then Crenshaw made the course look ugly and said he was restoring it to it's original design. But that's not true at all. He did restore the rough but he left the greens "modern". If he really wanted to restore the original design he would have cut the greens to around 7 on the Stimp as they were when the course was designed. The greens were not designed with Stimp readings of 11 or 12 in mind.

 

So he restored part of the course and made it look ugly.

[Roadking2003]

Easy: SPYGLASS HILLS. Two interesting holes in the dunes and then it's basically Poppy Hills II through the woods. Will never go back.

 

Wow! I've played it several times and have the opposite opinion. But, the nice thing is we all get to have an opinion.

[TheInfidel]

When rating a course, what do WRXers look for and how do they rank:

1. Facilities (clubhouse, range, pro shop, bar & restaurant)
   
2. Course condition (grass quality, grass coverage, bunkering, green speeds and quality)
   
3. Course design (layout, strategy, risk v reward, difficulty)
   
4. Welcome (customer service essentially)
   
5. Merchandise and Memorabilia
   

 

I have a buddy who is obsessed with #1 and couldn't care less about #3 which is madness to me.

 

I've played a few courses in continental Europe recently and when compared against high ranking courses in the UK & Ireland they were garbage. I think we were paying a subsidy to play in shorts in the sun, only the sun didn't shine!

[QMany]

When rating a course, what do WRXers look for and how do they rank:

1. Facilities (clubhouse, range, pro shop, bar & restaurant)
   
2. Course condition (grass quality, grass coverage, bunkering, green speeds and quality)
   
3. Course design (layout, strategy, risk v reward, difficulty)
   
4. Welcome (customer service essentially)
   
5. Merchandise and Memorabilia
   

 

I have a buddy who is obsessed with #1 and couldn't care less about #3 which is madness to me.

 

I've played a few courses in continental Europe recently and when compared against high ranking courses in the UK & Ireland they were garbage. I think we were paying a subsidy to play in shorts in the sun, only the sun didn't shine!

When ranking a course, #2 and #3 are all that matter to me. The rest may affect my experience, but not my opinion of the course itself.

[Drudersh]

When rating a course, what do WRXers look for and how do they rank:

1. Facilities (clubhouse, range, pro shop, bar & restaurant)
   
2. Course condition (grass quality, grass coverage, bunkering, green speeds and quality)
   
3. Course design (layout, strategy, risk v reward, difficulty)
   
4. Welcome (customer service essentially)
   
5. Merchandise and Memorabilia
   

 

I have a buddy who is obsessed with #1 and couldn't care less about #3 which is madness to me.

 

I've played a few courses in continental Europe recently and when compared against high ranking courses in the UK & Ireland they were garbage. I think we were paying a subsidy to play in shorts in the sun, only the sun didn't shine!

 

I could care less about the facilities, aside from the practice facility which I think is an important part of the golf course itself. When I'm judging a course the only thing that matters are numbers 2 and 3. The clubhouse could be a double wide trailer for all I care so long as the golf is good.

[Sixcat]

When rating a course, what do WRXers look for and how do they rank:

1. Facilities (clubhouse, range, pro shop, bar & restaurant)
   
2. Course condition (grass quality, grass coverage, bunkering, green speeds and quality)
   
3. Course design (layout, strategy, risk v reward, difficulty)
   
4. Welcome (customer service essentially)
   
5. Merchandise and Memorabilia
   

 

I have a buddy who is obsessed with #1 and couldn't care less about #3 which is madness to me.

 

I've played a few courses in continental Europe recently and when compared against high ranking courses in the UK & Ireland they were garbage. I think we were paying a subsidy to play in shorts in the sun, only the sun didn't shine!

 

Numbers 1, 4 and 5 are an added bonus and may result in returned visits but numbers 2 and 3 are all that matter in terms of my judgement of a course.

[Hakko]

In overall rating of a course, #4 is important to me. Why would I recommend a course where the staff (and maybe the members) treat you like something they scraped off the sole of their shoe? As to the the judgement of whether a course is overrated, it's probably secondary. Price/value, OTOH, is a surprising omission from the OP's ranking criteria.

[knock it close]

When rating a course, what do WRXers look for and how do they rank:

1. Facilities (clubhouse, range, pro shop, bar & restaurant)
   
2. Course condition (grass quality, grass coverage, bunkering, green speeds and quality)
   
3. Course design (layout, strategy, risk v reward, difficulty)
   
4. Welcome (customer service essentially)
   
5. Merchandise and Memorabilia
   

 

I have a buddy who is obsessed with #1 and couldn't care less about #3 which is madness to me.

 

I've played a few courses in continental Europe recently and when compared against high ranking courses in the UK & Ireland they were garbage. I think we were paying a subsidy to play in shorts in the sun, only the sun didn't shine!

When playing a course I would care at all pretty much about #1. It would probably be something I would consider in joining a club though.

 

3, 2, 5, 4, 1 to me for playing probably.

In joining a course the numbers probably stay the same but the gaps between them are tighter.

[wayupnorth]

augusta national golf club. the place is a dump...

[Drudersh]

In overall rating of a course, #4 is important to me. Why would I recommend a course where the staff (and maybe the members) treat you like something they scraped off the sole of their shoe? As to the the judgement of whether a course is overrated, it's probably secondary. Price/value, OTOH, is a surprising omission from the OP's ranking criteria.

 

I played a course in New Jersey called Hidden Creek. The staff were incredibly rude, including the people in the pro shop. When I went to buy a shirt from them it was clearly an annoyance to the person who processed the sale.

 

The course was unbelievable and I would go back anytime.

[Sixcat]

In overall rating of a course, #4 is important to me. Why would I recommend a course where the staff (and maybe the members) treat you like something they scraped off the sole of their shoe? As to the the judgement of whether a course is overrated, it's probably secondary. Price/value, OTOH, is a surprising omission from the OP's ranking criteria.

 

I see customer service, price/amenities and course conditions/design/layout as all being mutually exclusive. I can tell a buddy a course is a fabulous layout with great conditions for $150 but the staff left a lot to be desired. Whether my buddy chooses to play the course based on that recommendation is completely up to him/her. I have given him/her the facts, as I saw them.

 

For what it is worth, the greatest customer service from a golf perspective I have ever received routinely comes from the Pinehurst area! I have been hundreds of times and have never had a negative experience.

[Hakko]

In overall rating of a course, #4 is important to me. Why would I recommend a course where the staff (and maybe the members) treat you like something they scraped off the sole of their shoe? As to the the judgement of whether a course is overrated, it's probably secondary. Price/value, OTOH, is a surprising omission from the OP's ranking criteria.

 

I played a course in New Jersey called Hidden Creek. The staff were incredibly rude, including the people in the pro shop. When I went to buy a shirt from them it was clearly an annoyance to the person who processed the sale.

 

The course was unbelievable and I would go back anytime.

 

I played Hidden Creek last year as an unaccompanied guest, and the staff and members were extremely welcoming. Agree that the course is a beauty.

[Drudersh]

In overall rating of a course, #4 is important to me. Why would I recommend a course where the staff (and maybe the members) treat you like something they scraped off the sole of their shoe? As to the the judgement of whether a course is overrated, it's probably secondary. Price/value, OTOH, is a surprising omission from the OP's ranking criteria.

 

I played a course in New Jersey called Hidden Creek. The staff were incredibly rude, including the people in the pro shop. When I went to buy a shirt from them it was clearly an annoyance to the person who processed the sale.

 

The course was unbelievable and I would go back anytime.

 

I played Hidden Creek last year as an unaccompanied guest, and the staff and members were extremely welcoming. Agree that the course is a beauty.

 

The culture very well may have changed, as the last time I was there was 2011. My point was more that even though I encountered some unfriendly folks at the club, it did not effect my opinion of the course itself.

[duffer987]

When rating a course, what do WRXers look for and how do they rank:

1. Facilities (clubhouse, range, pro shop, bar & restaurant)
   
2. Course condition (grass quality, grass coverage, bunkering, green speeds and quality)
   
3. Course design (layout, strategy, risk v reward, difficulty)
   
4. Welcome (customer service essentially)
   
5. Merchandise and Memorabilia
   

 

I have a buddy who is obsessed with #1 and couldn't care less about #3 which is madness to me.

 

I've played a few courses in continental Europe recently and when compared against high ranking courses in the UK & Ireland they were garbage. I think we were paying a subsidy to play in shorts in the sun, only the sun didn't shine!

When ranking a course, #2 and #3 are all that matter to me. The rest may affect my experience, but not my opinion of the course itself.

 

Agreed, 3/2 is all that counts.

 

Could care less if there is a bag drop and a bunch of plastic smiles greeting you at every turn.

[kg92lefty]

Wolf creek in Mesquite, NV. Its a beautiful course to look at, I just did not enjoy my round at all. Very gimmicky

I have to disagree with you here as I was extremely impressed with the course and conditions. Nothing but dessert in sight minus the golf course and HUGE elevation changes all 18. I couldn't believe someone could even design a course in that location. Plus you get to watch skydivers coming down with a school being right next to the course.

 

So, your argument against a guy who called the course gimmicky is to talk about wild elevation changes and skydivers? Not to mention ice cream and cake as far as the eye can see...

 

Dormie Club gets my vote for most overrated among well-known courses I've played. A good course no doubt, but it gets pretty sloggish from 7-13 and I just don't love playing it as a result. The ebb and flow of the holes feels off - even though I like all the holes in concept, the course overall feels weaker than the sum of its parts.

 

Since mountain courses are my favorite type of course...um, yeah I will mention elevation changes. An east coaster going to a Nevada course is expecting flat desert and gets something completely different; and it is natural for the most part. If you prefer flat courses this is not for you but I consider flat to equal BORING.

 

I like challenges and the course is extremely hard. Why UCbananaboy didn't like it is beyond me but to each there own. He mentioned the uphill par 3 which is hard but forgot to mention the 3-4 downhill par 3's which are extremely beautiful with streams and flower beds.

 

I mentioned sky divers because how often do you honestly see this. Does this make the course "gimmicky?" I thought it was just a rare sight on a golf course. Sorry if they would be too distracting for you but I'm guessing you also consider the grass growing to be too loud.

 

Wolf Creek is far from natural, it may give Chambers Bay a run for its money on farthest thing from natural. It is only challenging if you struggle of the tee. If you're decent of the tee, even with a fairway wood you should tear it up. No challenges from fairway in. Any true 0 or plus player will shoot in the 60s there, and yes I'm talking about back tees.

 

Huge elevation change on every hole is not something associated with a great golf course. And it's old after the 5th hole. Can only go down and up so many times.

 

If you like sky divers drive to Boulder city and play Boulder Creek. They come down right on top of you and it's a much much much better golf course.

 

Most courses in mesquite have the same design as wolf Creek. They only charge more and are famous because the owner paid a buttload of cash to be on a video game.

 

I tell people all the time it's designed to attract people who play golf not golfers. The kind of people who love taking pictures while they play instead of playing golf.

[2putttom]

Since my post last year, I played Streamsong Blue and I would have to add that to the list. Not a bad course but nothing to gush about. I wouldn't call it a great experience though which is why I won't go back.

 

Yeah both Streamsongs are blah. They both pretty much mix together. There are 3-4 memorable holes between the 36 holes. It's a perfect getaway in the winter but nothing more

Well this was as disappointing as watching my chihuahua trying to mount the neighbors Saint Benard.

Well this was as disappointing as watching my chihuahua trying to mount the neighbors St. Bernard.

 

Keep the five bucks....

[birdie_hunter]

Wolf creek in Mesquite, NV. Its a beautiful course to look at, I just did not enjoy my round at all. Very gimmicky

I have to disagree with you here as I was extremely impressed with the course and conditions. Nothing but dessert in sight minus the golf course and HUGE elevation changes all 18. I couldn't believe someone could even design a course in that location. Plus you get to watch skydivers coming down with a school being right next to the course.

 

So, your argument against a guy who called the course gimmicky is to talk about wild elevation changes and skydivers? Not to mention ice cream and cake as far as the eye can see...

 

Dormie Club gets my vote for most overrated among well-known courses I've played. A good course no doubt, but it gets pretty sloggish from 7-13 and I just don't love playing it as a result. The ebb and flow of the holes feels off - even though I like all the holes in concept, the course overall feels weaker than the sum of its parts.

 

Since mountain courses are my favorite type of course...um, yeah I will mention elevation changes. An east coaster going to a Nevada course is expecting flat desert and gets something completely different; and it is natural for the most part. If you prefer flat courses this is not for you but I consider flat to equal BORING.

 

I like challenges and the course is extremely hard. Why UCbananaboy didn't like it is beyond me but to each there own. He mentioned the uphill par 3 which is hard but forgot to mention the 3-4 downhill par 3's which are extremely beautiful with streams and flower beds.

 

I mentioned sky divers because how often do you honestly see this. Does this make the course "gimmicky?" I thought it was just a rare sight on a golf course. Sorry if they would be too distracting for you but I'm guessing you also consider the grass growing to be too loud.

 

Wolf Creek is far from natural, it may give Chambers Bay a run for its money on farthest thing from natural. It is only challenging if you struggle of the tee. If you're decent of the tee, even with a fairway wood you should tear it up. No challenges from fairway in. Any true 0 or plus player will shoot in the 60s there, and yes I'm talking about back tees.

 

Huge elevation change on every hole is not something associated with a great golf course. And it's old after the 5th hole. Can only go down and up so many times.

 

If you like sky divers drive to Boulder city and play Boulder Creek. They come down right on top of you and it's a much much much better golf course.

 

Most courses in mesquite have the same design as wolf Creek. They only charge more and are famous because the owner paid a buttload of cash to be on a video game.

 

I tell people all the time it's designed to attract people who play golf not golfers. The kind of people who love taking pictures while they play instead of playing golf.

 

"Easy except off the tee"...yeah, I don't think so! There's forced carries, smallish greens with undulation, plenty of water (especially for a desert course), and the wasteland (which they ask you not to go in mind you) is everywhere and practically lines the fairways as the rough is never very wide.

 

Huge elevation changes is something I would associate with a great golf course, maybe its not for everyone but its what I like; and I'm not alone. If the old fuddy-duddies of the world want the same old boring flat courses with a few bits of water and bunkers throughout then fine, but you're opinion is not gold nor will I take it as such. Do you right the rules for what is considered a great golf course? Are there even rules to begin with?

 

Now, if you're a 0 handicap then I imagine you don't find many hard courses, layout wise. Like...probably almost never! You can move the ball left, move the ball right, change trajectories, chip, putt, and drive with ease. The only challenge will be on how hard the ground is and how much the wind is blowing. Plus, you are in a very...very small group of golfers and are a minority in the golf world. On top of all that, the course is rated a 75.4! (Spyglass is 75.5)

 

As a golfer with almost 20 yrs of golfing under my belt I can tell you that your last statement is just stupid. I play golf because I love it and hitting a great shot is just as exciting/fun/memorable as a picturesque scene on the course. Would you take pictures at Pebble? Augusta? Whatever your dream course is?

[knock it close]

In overall rating of a course, #4 is important to me. Why would I recommend a course where the staff (and maybe the members) treat you like something they scraped off the sole of their shoe? As to the the judgement of whether a course is overrated, it's probably secondary. Price/value, OTOH, is a surprising omission from the OP's ranking criteria.

Just act like you have a big hog and that you belong there and it won't matter how people treat you.

 

Edit: That's probably terrible advise but it's my last day of classes and I've had a few so it sounds good right now.

[teejaywhy]

Wolf creek in Mesquite, NV. Its a beautiful course to look at, I just did not enjoy my round at all. Very gimmicky

I have to disagree with you here as I was extremely impressed with the course and conditions. Nothing but dessert in sight minus the golf course and HUGE elevation changes all 18. I couldn't believe someone could even design a course in that location. Plus you get to watch skydivers coming down with a school being right next to the course.

 

So, your argument against a guy who called the course gimmicky is to talk about wild elevation changes and skydivers? Not to mention ice cream and cake as far as the eye can see...

 

Dormie Club gets my vote for most overrated among well-known courses I've played. A good course no doubt, but it gets pretty sloggish from 7-13 and I just don't love playing it as a result. The ebb and flow of the holes feels off - even though I like all the holes in concept, the course overall feels weaker than the sum of its parts.

 

Since mountain courses are my favorite type of course...um, yeah I will mention elevation changes. An east coaster going to a Nevada course is expecting flat desert and gets something completely different; and it is natural for the most part. If you prefer flat courses this is not for you but I consider flat to equal BORING.

 

I like challenges and the course is extremely hard. Why UCbananaboy didn't like it is beyond me but to each there own. He mentioned the uphill par 3 which is hard but forgot to mention the 3-4 downhill par 3's which are extremely beautiful with streams and flower beds.

 

I mentioned sky divers because how often do you honestly see this. Does this make the course "gimmicky?" I thought it was just a rare sight on a golf course. Sorry if they would be too distracting for you but I'm guessing you also consider the grass growing to be too loud.

 

Like you said, to each their own, but may I suggest that it might be you that is distracted.

[jerebear21]

Some of the best golf courses in the world have crazy undulation and elevation changes. Augusta for example is crazy elevation. Tv doesn't do it enough justice. Not saying it's the only factor but that's what I noticed when we talking about top courses. Wolfcreek is what it is. Fun and quirky and everyone should play it at least once in their lifetime.

 

 

[kejoal11]

I would agree with others that Torrey south is way overrated.

[nitram]

Oak Tree - Edmond, OK. I know they've had a couple of majors there and they have great facilities. But if the wind isn't blowing, it's just another red dirt golf course.

[hollabachgt]

Has anyone nominated East Lake in Atlanta yet? Great greens but except for the last 4 holes the layout is less than inspiring.

 

I agree. Quite boring. There are no memorable holes. I would even forget #18 if it were not so unusual to have a finishing par 3.

 

Best description I've ever heard of East Lake is it's like a really good bowl of vanilla ice cream. East Lake may not wow you with style and isn't flashy, but it's a good a solid round of golf.

[kg92lefty]

 

"Easy except off the tee"...yeah, I don't think so! There's forced carries, smallish greens with undulation, plenty of water (especially for a desert course), and the wasteland (which they ask you not to go in mind you) is everywhere and practically lines the fairways as the rough is never very wide.

 

Huge elevation changes is something I would associate with a great golf course, maybe its not for everyone but its what I like; and I'm not alone. If the old fuddy-duddies of the world want the same old boring flat courses with a few bits of water and bunkers throughout then fine, but you're opinion is not gold nor will I take it as such. Do you right the rules for what is considered a great golf course? Are there even rules to begin with?

 

Now, if you're a 0 handicap then I imagine you don't find many hard courses, layout wise. Like...probably almost never! You can move the ball left, move the ball right, change trajectories, chip, putt, and drive with ease. The only challenge will be on how hard the ground is and how much the wind is blowing. Plus, you are in a very...very small group of golfers and are a minority in the golf world. On top of all that, the course is rated a 75.4! (Spyglass is 75.5)

 

As a golfer with almost 20 yrs of golfing under my belt I can tell you that your last statement is just stupid. I play golf because I love it and hitting a great shot is just as exciting/fun/memorable as a picturesque scene on the course. Would you take pictures at Pebble? Augusta? Whatever your dream course is?

 

If you think wolf creeks greens have undulation you must be used to putting on a pool table.

 

It's also overrated because it's in average condition 10 months out of the year and the super seems to lose the greens every summer.

 

You may have been playing for 20 years but that's a true statement. You're the guy that was impressed by sky divers near by when I tell you can play a better course for a third of the price and it's harder too, course rating 76.7. Doesn't make it great but better than wolf creek

[Townes]

I'm going to get flamed for this.... especially this week, but Harbour Town (or at least 15 holes of HT)

 

I love the trees and the last two holes (maybe three) but if you remove them it is a boring layout with houses and OB WAY too close to just about every fairway and extremely noisy. Feels like you are in the middle of a city with lawnmowers, house renovations, cars and even tourists walking over 18 fairway to get to the water and look for sea shells (or whatever).

 

The new clubhouse is nice but way too big, which feels strange compared to what seems like a tiny golfing property. I bet it was a completely different feel in the past when it was quieter but still too claustrophobic for me.

 

Now Long Cove just down the street..... That is a golf course.

[Roadking2003]

Best description I've ever heard of East Lake is it's like a really good bowl of vanilla ice cream. East Lake may not wow you with style and isn't flashy, but it's a good a solid round of golf.

 

Good description. Kinda like Cog Hill.

[az2au]

I'm going to get flamed for this.... especially this week, but Harbour Town (or at least 15 holes of HT)

 

I love the trees and the last two holes (maybe three) but if you remove them it is a boring layout with houses and OB WAY too close to just about every fairway and extremely noisy. Feels like you are in the middle of a city with lawnmowers, house renovations, cars and even tourists walking over 18 fairway to get to the water and look for sea shells (or whatever).

 

The new clubhouse is nice but way too big, which feels strange compared to what seems like a tiny golfing property. I bet it was a completely different feel in the past when it was quieter but still too claustrophobic for me.

 

Now Long Cove just down the street..... That is a golf course.

You won't get flamed from me. I would say 17 of the holes aren't very good at HT. :). Long Cove is a wonderful place.

[osugolfguy]

Tallgrass, Long Island....Somehow it manages to creep into top public NY courses....looks and plays like an open cow field to me.....horribly overrated.

So funny you mention that...my dad and I were out there last summer for a round with 2 of my uncles. We hated it...boring, not in good shape and nothing remarkable about it. I spent a lot of time researching a good place to play and it was a total dud.

Also agree Pinehurst #2 is totally overrated. If you like beating your head against the wall with balls running off greens and having to chip or putt back on, go for it. Personally, I much prefer #4 and will be playing it again in 3 weeks.

[osugolfguy]

TPC Sawgrass. After the tournament, its just completely torn apart by public play. Way overpriced and overrated

 

I loved the layout, but I played it in mid-August and the greens were HORRENDOUS. They were basically just sand with little pieces of grass sticking out. You could blade a shot into them and they'd stick...like hitting into a bunker. I paid $150 fora twilight rate and it was cool to do it 1 time...I really enjoyed the layout, but with greens that bad, I wouldn't do it again.