Have you played your home state's "Bucket List" course

[FairwaysToHeaven]

We all have our list of bucket list courses, many of which probably aren't going to happen, at least in my lifetime. Maybe I'll be lucky enough to play Pebble one day, but I'm not holding my breathe about Pine Valley, St. Andrews, Pacific Dunes, and many more.

 

Wondering, every state has at least one or two courses that are probably private or expensive courses but you would absolutely love to play at some point in your golf lifetime. How many of you have played your home states top course or most desirable course...which is often arguable which course this is. Little tougher for those of you living in great golf course states, but I'll start with Indiana. I haven't played it, but hopefully one day I'll get the chance...

 

 

French Lick - Pete Dye course http://www.golfclubatlas.com/courses-by-country/usa/french-lick-resort-dye-course/

 

[blaird]

I think I have. Old Waverly has held a US Womens Open and I have played there 15 times or so. Annandale is where the PGA tournament is held and I have played there 3 times. And Fallen Oak is where our Sr. PGA event is held and I have played there quite a few times.

Our State am this year is at Dancing Rabbit which is a top 5 course. I have played the Old course (which is where the state am is) once but havent played the new 18. I can only think of a couple courses that I havent played that are great courses: CC of Jackson, Reunion CC, and Tunica National.

[chiguy]

French Lick looks beautiful. I never thought I'd say that about anything in Indiana.

I'm from Illinois and while I've played some nice courses, I've certainly not come even close to playing the best of the best around here. Some day maybe...

[lumberman2462]

Haven't played the Pete Dye at French Licke but played the Donald Ross Course for 5 days in a row. Unfortunately I was 12 years old and had no idea who Donald Ross was.

Going to catch the Dye course this summer with some friends.

[Itsjustagame]

Have played the majority of Maine courses and certainly what most people would agree as the top 10-15. Easier to do than some states.

[joey2aces]

We have, surprisingly, many here in NY.... Bethpage, Oakhill, Winged Foot, Shinecock.... too bad there are only 7 months to the golf season!
I've played all the courses at Turning Stone but need to get out to Bethpage..... and need to befriend some guys at the private courses!

[DavePelz4]

Ironically, I've played more of the top 10, as ranked by Golf Digest, in Wisconsin than Illinois. None of the top 10 courses in IL are public while at least 7 in Wisconsin are. On the public side, of the top 15 in IL, I've been lucky enough to play 11 of 15 and we've already scheduled a trip to play Weaver Ridge in Peoria.

[npham]

Here in Alberta, it's probably the Banff Springs course. I've played it but the weather was miserable...

[Gamble Gamble]

My home state's (NJ) bucket list is too ridiculous at this time. I'll have to find a way to be a billionaire celebrity to get on the first two.

1. Pine Valley
2. Liberty National
3. Baltusrol

[misplacedtexan83]

Well Im in Maryland and Bulle Rocke is one of the best courses that the public can play but my "Bucket list" course would be Congressional, which hopefully some day and some how I can play it.

[highergr0und]

[quote name='blaird' timestamp='1392049743' post='8636707']
I think I have. Old Waverly has held a US Womens Open and I have played there 15 times or so. Annandale is where the PGA tournament is held and I have played there 3 times. And Fallen Oak is where our Sr. PGA event is held and I have played there quite a few times.

Our State am this year is at Dancing Rabbit which is a top 5 course. I have played the Old course (which is where the state am is) once but havent played the new 18. I can only think of a couple courses that I havent played that are great courses: CC of Jackson, Reunion CC, and Tunica National.
[/quote]

Never got to play Old Waverly when I lived in MS, but definitely put Reunion high on your list. Way, way nicer and tougher than Annandale. Definitely the nicest course in the Jackson area.

[highergr0und]

I'm fairly new to Tennessee and don't even know what courses to put on my list. I know Legends of Vanderbilt is on my local list, but not sure how it stacks up against the best in the state or even the greater Nashville area.

[CommerceTiger]

I live about an hour and a half from my dream course to play...but it happens to be Augusta National so it will have to remain a dream. Haha

[joey2aces]

[quote name='CommerceTiger' timestamp='1392053649' post='8637215']
I live about an hour and a half from my dream course to play...but it happens to be Augusta National so it will have to remain a dream. Haha
[/quote]
try to volunteer at the Masters... they get to play on Monday.... It is tough though, many of the members and their family get first crack to volunteer but worth a shot. To not only play that course but to play it in tournament conditions would be epic.
Also, the members of the media get a shot to play Monday as well... they draw names to see who gets to play.

[Hairpie]

I live in CA and have played Pebble, Spyglass, Olympic, Riviera, and Torrey....me thinks I've got em covered....

[CommerceTiger]

[quote name='joey2aces' timestamp='1392053816' post='8637235']
[quote name='CommerceTiger' timestamp='1392053649' post='8637215']
I live about an hour and a half from my dream course to play...but it happens to be Augusta National so it will have to remain a dream. Haha
[/quote]
try to volunteer at the Masters... they get to play on Monday.... It is tough though, many of the members and their family get first crack to volunteer but worth a shot. To not only play that course but to play it in tournament conditions would be epic.
Also, the members of the media get a shot to play Monday as well... they draw names to see who gets to play.
[/quote]

I'm only 18 so I'd probably have to wait a few years before I'd be considered as a volunteer but thanks for the comment. I didn't know they did that. Awesome deal there!

[blaird]

[quote name='highergr0und' timestamp='1392051502' post='8636937']
[quote name='blaird' timestamp='1392049743' post='8636707']
I think I have. Old Waverly has held a US Womens Open and I have played there 15 times or so. Annandale is where the PGA tournament is held and I have played there 3 times. And Fallen Oak is where our Sr. PGA event is held and I have played there quite a few times.

Our State am this year is at Dancing Rabbit which is a top 5 course. I have played the Old course (which is where the state am is) once but havent played the new 18. I can only think of a couple courses that I havent played that are great courses: CC of Jackson, Reunion CC, and Tunica National.
[/quote]

Never got to play Old Waverly when I lived in MS, but definitely put Reunion high on your list. Way, way nicer and tougher than Annandale. Definitely the nicest course in the Jackson area.
[/quote]

Waverly is wonderful!! Probably the best practice facilities in the state. They also have a special type of sweet tea. Its a mint sweet tea and I finally got the type last time I was up there so I get to make some every so often.

They changed from bent to bermuda greens a few years back and that kinda hurt the place to me a bit but it was still in fantastic shape. They host an invitational in April for the MS Golf Assoc and I am debating about going back to play again in that.

[Ballgofarboy]

Well I live in Florida now, but have had the luck of playing all over the world while in the Army. In Wisconsin there are a number of courses I would love to play, particulary the ones in Kohler Wisconsin. I have played a number of the courses in the state while playing High School golf but you just do not have the appreciation of what these courses look like or play.

I have been in GA, VA, MO, Korea, Panama, Germany and of course the home state of Wisconsin. Played alot, wish I could remember all the courses. Just getting too old.

[MattTheTaff]

There's two private course about 2 miles away from my house that I want to play but getting in is a bit of a nightmare. They're the best in the county and have hosted top british amateur events.

My mother in law used to live in the clubhouse at one of these courses when she was in her late teens, as her dad used to manage the bar. She reckons the only way to get a membership is either wait for someone to die or join the clergy.

I'm afraid that I'm playing the waiting game at the moment as my Catholicism has, shall we say, lapsed.

[EJ Mac]

Oklahoma here. I have not got to play the top 2 I'd consider bucket list yet, Southern Hills or Oak Tree. I will be playing Oak Tree this spring and still working on an in for Southern Hills, but not holding my breath.

[Argonne69]

I believe I've played 12 of the top 100 courses in the country, including Pinehurst #2 (No 10), Bandon Dunes Pacfic Dunes (No 12), Kiawah Island Ocean (No 25), Whisting Straits Straits (No 28), Bandon Dunes Bandon Dunes (No 34), Harbor Town Golf Links (No 42), Bandon Dunes Old Macdonald (No 45), Bandon Dunes Bandon Trails (No 49), Streamsong Red (No 52), Streamsong Blue (No 62), Blackwolf Run (No 89), and Erin Hills (No 96). 'Not bad considering the vast majority of top 100 courses are private.

I've played 14 out of the 15 top public courses in Illinos (Golf Magazine's Best Public Courses by State), including Cog Hill's Dubsdread, and The Glen Club. I have not had a chance to play the top course in Illiinois, Chicago GC in Wheaton, IL, given that it's a private course, and I don't know any members.

I've also played the top 5 public courses in Indiana, included French Lick's Pete Dye and Donald Ross courses, and 4 of the top 5 Wisconsin courses. 'Very sweet.

I've also played the top public course in Arizona (Troon North Pinnacle), Oregon (Pacific Dunes), Alabama (Grand National Lake), North Carolina (Pinehurst No 2), South Carolina (Kiawah Island Ocean), and Michigan (Arcadia Bluffs). I've also played top 10 public courses in many states, including California, Nevada, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, and Georgia. In addition to playing nearly all of the top public courses in Illionois, I've played 24 of the top 30 courses in Arizona. 'Love desert golf. :-)

[DavePelz4]

Arg have you played Weaver Ridge? Thoughts?

[Argonne69]

[quote name='chiguy' timestamp='1392049919' post='8636735']
French Lick looks beautiful. I never thought I'd say that about anything in Indiana.

I'm from Illinois and while I've played some nice courses, I've certainly not come even close to playing the best of the best around here. Some day maybe...
[/quote]

You owe yourself a trip to French Lick to play both courses. It's well worth the drive. I'd make a long weekend of it with a stop in Indianapolis to play Purgatory, The Fort, Brickyard Crossing, and/or Prairie View.

[Argonne69]

[quote name='DavePelz4' timestamp='1392050544' post='8636835']
Ironically, I've played more of the top 10, as ranked by Golf Digest, in Wisconsin than Illinois. None of the top 10 courses in IL are public while at least 7 in Wisconsin are. On the public side, of the top 15 in IL, I've been lucky enough to play 11 of 15 and we've already scheduled a trip to play Weaver Ridge in Peoria.
[/quote]

Lol. I see you've moved to Chi-beria. :-)

[Argonne69]

[quote name='DavePelz4' timestamp='1392061991' post='8638349']
Arg have you played Weaver Ridge? Thoughts?
[/quote]

Yes. It was nice, but I think it was a bit overrated. I played in late July a few years ago, and the conditions were dry, so the course was a little dried out. The General at Eagle Ridge and TPC Deere Run are higher ranked, and I agree that they are better courses. I also like The Highlands of Elgin.

Also, if you haven't played The Bull at Pinehurst Farms in Wisconsin, it's worth a day trip, as it's a real kick in the teeth.

[zer0]

[quote name='DavePelz4' timestamp='1392050544' post='8636835']
Ironically, I've played more of the top 10, as ranked by Golf Digest, in Wisconsin than Illinois. None of the top 10 courses in IL are public while at least 7 in Wisconsin are. On the public side, of the top 15 in IL, I've been lucky enough to play 11 of 15 and we've already scheduled a trip to play Weaver Ridge in Peoria.
[/quote]

In the same boat, only played 2 of the top 20 courses in Illinois since only 3 are public. But, I've played several in Wisconsin between Erin HIlls, Kohler, Lawsonia and University Ridge.

Of the top 15 Public courses in Illinois per golf.com I've played 9.

[SixtySomePing]

Nope, that would be Muirfield, about 45 minutes from here, home of the Memorial Tournament. Been there many years to watch the tournament, but it's still deeply in the bucket. Another one for me is in this profile pic, and out of our state, Pronghorn, in Oregon. Looks beautiful.

[BMC]

I'm in NC. I've played Pinehurst #1, #2, #7

[oldpalchamp]

I'm in Illinois, too, and I have been fortunate to play Medinah #3, Olympia Fields North and South, Butler National, Black Sheep, and Rich Harvest. The one's I haven't played, and would like to are Chicago Golf, and Shoreacres.

[Shankopattamus]

Well considering the best course in my state is Augusta National I don't think i have a very good chance of accomplishing that task haha. The best for me so far in my state is Seaside on Sea Island. I only live 20 minutes away and it is beautiful!