Golf week announces new state rankings for best public courses -- any surprises in your home state?

[RichieHunt]

Here are Florida's rankings:
[list]
[*]1. TPC Sawgrass (Players Stadium), Ponte Vedra Beach (No. 21, m)
[*]2. Streamsong (Red), Streamsong (No. 29, m)
[*]3. Streamsong (Blue), Streamsong (No. 43, m)
[*]4. World Woods (Pine Barrens), Brooksville (No. 65, m)
[*]5. Trump National Doral (Blue Monster), Doral (No. 98, m)
[*]6. Innisbrook (Copperhead), Tarpon Springs (m)
[*]7. World Woods (Rolling Oaks), Brooksville (m)
[*]8. Ocean Course at Hammock Beach, Palm Coast (m)
[*]9. Camp Creek, WaterSound (m)
[*]10. Bay Hill Club, Orlando (m)
[*]11. PGA National Resort, Spa (Champion), Palm Beach Gardens (m)
[*]12. Juliette Falls GC, Dunnellon (m)
[*]13. Turnberry Isle Resort (Soffer), Aventura (m)
[*]14. Grand Cypress (New), Orlando (m)
[*]15. Turnberry Isle Resort (Miller), Aventura (m)
[*]16. Grand Cypress (North/South), Orlando (m)
[*]17. Victoria Hills, DeLand (m)
[*]18. Southern Dunes GC, Haines City (m)
[*]19. The Breakers (Rees Jones Course), West Palm Beach (m)
[*]20. Sandestin Resort (Burnt Pine), Destin (m)
[*]21. Reunion Resort (Watson), Reunion (m)
[*]22. Gasparilla Inn, Club, Boca Grande (c)
[*]23. Mission Inn Resort (El Campeon), Howey-in-the-Hills (c)
[*]24. The Deltona Club, Deltona (m)
[*]25. Conservatory at Hammock Beach, Palm Coast (m)
[/list]
This is a terrible list done very poorly. I often wonder if they actually played these courses:

Bay Hill is a far better course than Doral and Rolling Oaks. Rolling Oaks is nice, but I don't know if I would put it in the Top-25. I would rather play TPC Tampa Bay, RedTail, Harmony Golf Preserve, Orange Lake Resort (Legends), Shingle Creek, LPGA Interational, etc. over Rolling Oaks.

I would probably put Bay Hill at 5th and Doral at 8th.

Good to see Juliett Falls get in the rankings. Awesome course.

Victoria Hills is too high. Great design, but the conditioning is sub-par too often.

I like the Deltona Club. Good design and usually the greens are in good shape. But the conditioning is just not worthy of a top-25 ranking. I recommend it to visitors, but top-25? No way.




RH

[tatertot]

[quote name='RichieHunt' timestamp='1395409297' post='8917407']
Here are Florida's rankings:[list]
[*]1. TPC Sawgrass (Players Stadium), Ponte Vedra Beach (No. 21, m)
[*]2. Streamsong (Red), Streamsong (No. 29, m)
[*]3. Streamsong (Blue), Streamsong (No. 43, m)
[*]4. World Woods (Pine Barrens), Brooksville (No. 65, m)
[*]5. Trump National Doral (Blue Monster), Doral (No. 98, m)
[*]6. Innisbrook (Copperhead), Tarpon Springs (m)
[*]7. World Woods (Rolling Oaks), Brooksville (m)
[*]8. Ocean Course at Hammock Beach, Palm Coast (m)
[*]9. Camp Creek, WaterSound (m)
[*]10. Bay Hill Club, Orlando (m)
[*]11. PGA National Resort, Spa (Champion), Palm Beach Gardens (m)
[*]12. Juliette Falls GC, Dunnellon (m)
[*]13. Turnberry Isle Resort (Soffer), Aventura (m)
[*]14. Grand Cypress (New), Orlando (m)
[*]15. Turnberry Isle Resort (Miller), Aventura (m)
[*]16. Grand Cypress (North/South), Orlando (m)
[*]17. Victoria Hills, DeLand (m)
[*]18. Southern Dunes GC, Haines City (m)
[*]19. The Breakers (Rees Jones Course), West Palm Beach (m)
[*]20. Sandestin Resort (Burnt Pine), Destin (m)
[*]21. Reunion Resort (Watson), Reunion (m)
[*]22. Gasparilla Inn, Club, Boca Grande ©
[*]23. Mission Inn Resort (El Campeon), Howey-in-the-Hills ©
[*]24. The Deltona Club, Deltona (m)
[*]25. Conservatory at Hammock Beach, Palm Coast (m)
[/list]
This is a terrible list done very poorly. I often wonder if they actually played these courses:

Bay Hill is a far better course than Doral and Rolling Oaks. Rolling Oaks is nice, but I don't know if I would put it in the Top-25. I would rather play TPC Tampa Bay, RedTail, Harmony Golf Preserve, Orange Lake Resort (Legends), Shingle Creek, LPGA Interational, etc. over Rolling Oaks.

I would probably put Bay Hill at 5th and Doral at 8th.

Good to see Juliett Falls get in the rankings. Awesome course.

Victoria Hills is too high. Great design, but the conditioning is sub-par too often.

I like the Deltona Club. Good design and usually the greens are in good shape. But the conditioning is just not worthy of a top-25 ranking. I recommend it to visitors, but top-25? No way.




RH
[/quote]

Are they ranking Doral pre or post renovations?

[teejaywhy]

[quote name='fore_life' timestamp='1395339310' post='8912135']
[quote name='Argonne69' timestamp='1395327084' post='8910683']
I played Quintero for the first time back in January, and while it should certainly make the list, there's no way I'd put it at #2. There's no way it rates higher than [b]Dove Mountain[/b], which I would put at #1, slightly edging out Saguaro.

I don't see the love for Talking Stick. Dead flat. Greens like rock that slope towards the OB fence. Not horrible, but not top in state.

[/quote]

No way in hell is Dino mountain #1!

[/quote]

He said Dove Mtn not Dino Mountain.

Some more comments about the Arizona list:

Saguaro made it's debut on the list in 2007, at #1, and has had the number 1 position every year since. It is also the only public course in Arizona to appear on the GolfWeek Top 100 (modern) list, making that list every year since 2007.

Talking Stick North may be dead flat but it's the BEST dead flat course in the state!! Not about the views or the dramatic surrounding terrain, just a pure golf course that brilliantly breaks the mold of the typical artificially shaped sameness of virtually EVERY other flat land course in the valley, indistinguishable from each other in their monotonous predictability.

(Yes, I'm a C&C fan)

[Argonne69]

[quote name='Bucky023' timestamp='1395406211' post='8917077']
[quote name='Argonne69' timestamp='1395328654' post='8910903']
I really need to make a trek up to Lawsonia and Wild Rock in Wisconsin. Are there other courses near The Dells worth playing that aren't on the list? A stop at Verona might be on the agenda, too.
[/quote]

Trappers Turn would be the other standout.
[/quote]

Thanks! Hmmm, sounds like a big loop from Chicago-Madison-Dells-Lawsonia-Erin Hills might be in the works. 'Better gas up the SUV.

[ctfuzz21]

I agree with a lot of my fellow IL holders, as I've played all but a couple on that list. Dubs is a great track for mid-low handicappers, just pricey. Harborside and Pine Meadow are EXREMELY overrated, sorry just not impressed with conditions, overall experience. Harborside has 3 great holes per course, but the other 15 feel like Groundhog's Day (they all look and play the same for you movie buffs lol). Pine Meadow isn't even in the top 3 within a 10-minute radius of there. I enjoy Bittersweet more than Pine Meadow. (I know there's a lot of Bittersweet haters out there)

Stonewall Orchard and Bowes Creek are EXTREMELY underrated. I would have no problem with Stonewall being ranked in the top spot. Bowes Creek is an absolute gem and makes for a great golf day when paired with the Highlands (within 5 minutes from one another).

I would second that Blackstone deserves more respect than it seems to get. To that same point, it seemed curious that Aldeen was left off the list. I haven't played it in a few years, but was always very impressed by that track, especially for the price.

Thunderhawk, Deere Run are probably ranked appropriately. Great courses, deserve to be on the list. Neither are my absolute favorite but both absolutely deserve to be in this discussion.

Dark horses: Bittersweet & Prairieview in Byron. Bittersweet is a great challenge and at times even frustrating, but that's golf, right? Prairieview seems to get the respect it deserves outside the Chicagoland area, but not much more past that.

Love to hear some more thoughts from the fellow IL golfers!!!

[Argonne69]

[quote name='RichieHunt' timestamp='1395409297' post='8917407']
Here are Florida's rankings:[list]
[*]1. TPC Sawgrass (Players Stadium), Ponte Vedra Beach (No. 21, m)
[*]2. Streamsong (Red), Streamsong (No. 29, m)
[*]3. Streamsong (Blue), Streamsong (No. 43, m)
[*]4. World Woods (Pine Barrens), Brooksville (No. 65, m)
[*]5. Trump National Doral (Blue Monster), Doral (No. 98, m)
[*]6. Innisbrook (Copperhead), Tarpon Springs (m)
[*]7. World Woods (Rolling Oaks), Brooksville (m)
[*]8. Ocean Course at Hammock Beach, Palm Coast (m)
[*]9. Camp Creek, WaterSound (m)
[*]10. Bay Hill Club, Orlando (m)
[*]11. PGA National Resort, Spa (Champion), Palm Beach Gardens (m)
[*]12. Juliette Falls GC, Dunnellon (m)
[*]13. Turnberry Isle Resort (Soffer), Aventura (m)
[*]14. Grand Cypress (New), Orlando (m)
[*]15. Turnberry Isle Resort (Miller), Aventura (m)
[*]16. Grand Cypress (North/South), Orlando (m)
[*]17. Victoria Hills, DeLand (m)
[*]18. Southern Dunes GC, Haines City (m)
[*]19. The Breakers (Rees Jones Course), West Palm Beach (m)
[*]20. Sandestin Resort (Burnt Pine), Destin (m)
[*]21. Reunion Resort (Watson), Reunion (m)
[*]22. Gasparilla Inn, Club, Boca Grande ©
[*]23. Mission Inn Resort (El Campeon), Howey-in-the-Hills ©
[*]24. The Deltona Club, Deltona (m)
[*]25. Conservatory at Hammock Beach, Palm Coast (m)
[/list]
This is a terrible list done very poorly. I often wonder if they actually played these courses:

Bay Hill is a far better course than Doral and Rolling Oaks. Rolling Oaks is nice, but I don't know if I would put it in the Top-25. I would rather play TPC Tampa Bay, RedTail, Harmony Golf Preserve, Orange Lake Resort (Legends), Shingle Creek, LPGA Interational, etc. over Rolling Oaks.

I would probably put Bay Hill at 5th and Doral at 8th.

Good to see Juliett Falls get in the rankings. Awesome course.

Victoria Hills is too high. Great design, but the conditioning is sub-par too often.

I like the Deltona Club. Good design and usually the greens are in good shape. But the conditioning is just not worthy of a top-25 ranking. I recommend it to visitors, but top-25? No way.


RH
[/quote]

I would put World Woods Pine Barren ahead of Streamsong Blue. I wouldn't move Bay Hill up, I'd just move Doral own. I'd move Southern Dunes up 8 to 10 places. Not sure how the Watson course at Reunion rated over the Nicklaus course. Lastly, no OC National?

[Argonne69]

[quote name='teejaywhy' timestamp='1395414387' post='8918001']
[quote name='fore_life' timestamp='1395339310' post='8912135']
[quote name='Argonne69' timestamp='1395327084' post='8910683']
I played Quintero for the first time back in January, and while it should certainly make the list, there's no way I'd put it at #2. There's no way it rates higher than [b]Dove Mountain[/b], which I would put at #1, slightly edging out Saguaro.

I don't see the love for Talking Stick. Dead flat. Greens like rock that slope towards the OB fence. Not horrible, but not top in state.

[/quote]

No way in hell is Dino mountain #1!

[/quote]

He said Dove Mtn not Dino Mountain.

Some more comments about the Arizona list:

Saguaro made it's debut on the list in 2007, at #1, and has had the number 1 position every year since. It is also the only public course in Arizona to appear on the GolfWeek Top 100 (modern) list, making that list every year since 2007.

Talking Stick North may be dead flat but it's the BEST dead flat course in the state!! Not about the views or the dramatic surrounding terrain, just a pure golf course that brilliantly breaks the mold of the typical artificially shaped sameness of virtually EVERY other flat land course in the valley, indistinguishable from each other in their monotonous predictability.

(Yes, I'm a C&C fan)
[/quote]

I guess as a visitor, I like to see something that isn't flat. If I want flat, I'll stay in Chicago. :-)

My buddy lives in Phoenix, and I visit him every January. We played the Links at Arizona Biltmore this year. After the round, he raved about it. I thought it was meh. I want to see desert when I play in the desert. He laughed, and basically said, "Look, I see the d*mn desert every day. When I golf, I want to see green!" Guess the locals have a different perspective.

[Argonne69]

[quote name='ctfuzz21' timestamp='1395415156' post='8918121']
I agree with a lot of my fellow IL holders, as I've played all but a couple on that list. Dubs is a great track for mid-low handicappers, just pricey. Harborside and Pine Meadow are EXREMELY overrated, sorry just not impressed with conditions, overall experience. Harborside has 3 great holes per course, but the other 15 feel like Groundhog's Day (they all look and play the same for you movie buffs lol). Pine Meadow isn't even in the top 3 within a 10-minute radius of there. I enjoy Bittersweet more than Pine Meadow. (I know there's a lot of Bittersweet haters out there)

Stonewall Orchard and Bowes Creek are EXTREMELY underrated. I would have no problem with Stonewall being ranked in the top spot. Bowes Creek is an absolute gem and makes for a great golf day when paired with the Highlands (within 5 minutes from one another).

I would second that Blackstone deserves more respect than it seems to get. To that same point, it seemed curious that Aldeen was left off the list. I haven't played it in a few years, but was always very impressed by that track, especially for the price.

Thunderhawk, Deere Run are probably ranked appropriately. Great courses, deserve to be on the list. Neither are my absolute favorite but both absolutely deserve to be in this discussion.

Dark horses: Bittersweet & Prairieview in Byron. Bittersweet is a great challenge and at times even frustrating, but that's golf, right? Prairieview seems to get the respect it deserves outside the Chicagoland area, but not much more past that.

Love to hear some more thoughts from the fellow IL golfers!!!
[/quote]

Harborside is my home course, and I agree that it does have a Groundhogs Day feel to it if you only play it occassionally. However, if you take each hole in isolation, and look at the strengths/weaknesses, there are at least 8 to 10 excellent holes per course. I think the basic reason it continues to rank high is that it's fairly unique in the Chicago area, e.g. pseudo-links, and the conditions, other than the d*mn bunkers with hardpan, are generally top notch.

I agree that Pine Meadows is overrated. I would put Stonewall in the top 10, but not #1. I was surprised that Aldeen didn't make the list, too.

[lordbyron]

[quote name='zer0' timestamp='1395335453' post='8911707']
[quote name='Argonne69' timestamp='1395328654' post='8910903']
I really need to make a trek up to Lawsonia and Wild Rock in Wisconsin. Are there other courses near The Dells worth playing that aren't on the list? A stop at Verona might be on the agenda, too.
[/quote]


You'll be disappointed in Lawsonia if you go expecting it to live up to its ranking. Great, tough course with some of the most elevated greens I've ever seen, but lots of condition issues including one green that is essentially unplayable. Still worth playing and 36 holes there with the Woodlands course for under $200 is a great way to spend a day golfing.

Definitely go to Verona. For under $90, U Ridge is one of the best deals you'll find anywhere. Amazing course.
[/quote]
I think you need to go to Lawsonia with proper expectations, if you are into old school gca (Langford) then you will enjoy the course. If you go there expecting modern country club conditions and amenities, disappointment. Granted these are thoughts I have developed without ever being there, but I have seen many photos, and talked to several who have played it. My dad who plays a lot but is not a conditioning junkie, loves the course.

[zer0]

[quote name='ctfuzz21' timestamp='1395415156' post='8918121']
I agree with a lot of my fellow IL holders, as I've played all but a couple on that list. Dubs is a great track for mid-low handicappers, just pricey. Harborside and Pine Meadow are EXREMELY overrated, sorry just not impressed with conditions, overall experience. Harborside has 3 great holes per course, but the other 15 feel like Groundhog's Day (they all look and play the same for you movie buffs lol). Pine Meadow isn't even in the top 3 within a 10-minute radius of there. I enjoy Bittersweet more than Pine Meadow. (I know there's a lot of Bittersweet haters out there)

Stonewall Orchard and Bowes Creek are EXTREMELY underrated. I would have no problem with Stonewall being ranked in the top spot. Bowes Creek is an absolute gem and makes for a great golf day when paired with the Highlands (within 5 minutes from one another).

I would second that Blackstone deserves more respect than it seems to get. To that same point, it seemed curious that Aldeen was left off the list. I haven't played it in a few years, but was always very impressed by that track, especially for the price.

Thunderhawk, Deere Run are probably ranked appropriately. Great courses, deserve to be on the list. Neither are my absolute favorite but both absolutely deserve to be in this discussion.

Dark horses: Bittersweet & Prairieview in Byron. Bittersweet is a great challenge and at times even frustrating, but that's golf, right? Prairieview seems to get the respect it deserves outside the Chicagoland area, but not much more past that.

Love to hear some more thoughts from the fellow IL golfers!!!
[/quote]

You had me till you started praising Bittersweet. Played it last year, you couldn't give pay me to go back. Give me a free round and I still wouldn't go back. Every tee shot is a 220 yard layup. That's fine if there are a couple, but literraly every single tee shot falls in that category. I knew something was up when the starter was warning every group to not even bother bringing a driver on the course.

[zer0]

[quote name='lordbyron' timestamp='1395417129' post='8918345']
[quote name='zer0' timestamp='1395335453' post='8911707']
[quote name='Argonne69' timestamp='1395328654' post='8910903']
I really need to make a trek up to Lawsonia and Wild Rock in Wisconsin. Are there other courses near The Dells worth playing that aren't on the list? A stop at Verona might be on the agenda, too.
[/quote]


You'll be disappointed in Lawsonia if you go expecting it to live up to its ranking. Great, tough course with some of the most elevated greens I've ever seen, but lots of condition issues including one green that is essentially unplayable. Still worth playing and 36 holes there with the Woodlands course for under $200 is a great way to spend a day golfing.

Definitely go to Verona. For under $90, U Ridge is one of the best deals you'll find anywhere. Amazing course.
[/quote]
I think you need to go to Lawsonia with proper expectations, if you are into old school gca (Langford) then you will enjoy the course. If you go there expecting modern country club conditions and amenities, disappointment. Granted these are thoughts I have developed without ever being there, but I have seen many photos, and talked to several who have played it. My dad who plays a lot but is not a conditioning junkie, loves the course.
[/quote]

So you've never been to Lawsonia yet you have an opinion on what to expect when you go????? Got it.

[ctfuzz21]

[quote name='zer0' timestamp='1395418189' post='8918445']
[quote name='ctfuzz21' timestamp='1395415156' post='8918121']
I agree with a lot of my fellow IL holders, as I've played all but a couple on that list. Dubs is a great track for mid-low handicappers, just pricey. Harborside and Pine Meadow are EXREMELY overrated, sorry just not impressed with conditions, overall experience. Harborside has 3 great holes per course, but the other 15 feel like Groundhog's Day (they all look and play the same for you movie buffs lol). Pine Meadow isn't even in the top 3 within a 10-minute radius of there. I enjoy Bittersweet more than Pine Meadow. (I know there's a lot of Bittersweet haters out there)

Stonewall Orchard and Bowes Creek are EXTREMELY underrated. I would have no problem with Stonewall being ranked in the top spot. Bowes Creek is an absolute gem and makes for a great golf day when paired with the Highlands (within 5 minutes from one another).

I would second that Blackstone deserves more respect than it seems to get. To that same point, it seemed curious that Aldeen was left off the list. I haven't played it in a few years, but was always very impressed by that track, especially for the price.

Thunderhawk, Deere Run are probably ranked appropriately. Great courses, deserve to be on the list. Neither are my absolute favorite but both absolutely deserve to be in this discussion.

Dark horses: Bittersweet & Prairieview in Byron. Bittersweet is a great challenge and at times even frustrating, but that's golf, right? Prairieview seems to get the respect it deserves outside the Chicagoland area, but not much more past that.

Love to hear some more thoughts from the fellow IL golfers!!!
[/quote]

You had me till you started praising Bittersweet. Played it last year, you couldn't give pay me to go back. Give me a free round and I still wouldn't go back. Every tee shot is a 220 yard layup. That's fine if there are a couple, but literraly every single tee shot falls in that category. I knew something was up when the starter was warning every group to not even bother bringing a driver on the course.
[/quote]

You're right, driver isn't mandatory on most holes out there, but I do like the required shotmaking and the greens are always in very good condition. I would say it's probably not on par overall with the other courses on the list, admittedly maybe the next tier down, but I would argue it would be difficult to find too many courses that offer you much better for the price.

Again, I know this list isn't based on value, but for me it's hard not to take that into account.

[ninothing]

[b]
[size=4]Kansas, pretty close - I might swap another for Prairie Highlands[/size][/b]





[b]
Kansas[/b]

[list]
[*]1. Firekeeper GC, Mayetta (m)
[*]2. Colbert Hills, Manhattan (m)
[*]3. Sand Creek Station, Newton (m)
[*]4. Buffalo Dunes, Garden City (m)
[*]5. Prairie Highlands, Olathe (m)
[/list]

[storm319]

[quote name='rustyputterguy' timestamp='1395328571' post='8910897']
[quote name='highdraw69' timestamp='1395249322' post='8904977']
i was stunned at The Jewel being #3; Meadows at #6 and Refuge at #10...my home course Legends is usually in top 5 and wasn't even listed. I have no argument with Wilderness at #1...but there are many great public tracks in MN, so I guess the debate could be healthy as to the top 10!
[/quote]
That list is a joke. Totally agree with you. The Jewel and Meadows could be left off that list completely. Legends definitely is a top 3-5 course.
[/quote]

The Refuge making the list is the biggest surprise to me. I'd put Giants Ridge Legend, Mississippi Dunes, The Wilds, Chaska Town, Legends Club, or Willingers all ahead of The Refuge.

[lordbyron]

[quote name='zer0' timestamp='1395418279' post='8918455']
[quote name='lordbyron' timestamp='1395417129' post='8918345']
[quote name='zer0' timestamp='1395335453' post='8911707']
[quote name='Argonne69' timestamp='1395328654' post='8910903']
I really need to make a trek up to Lawsonia and Wild Rock in Wisconsin. Are there other courses near The Dells worth playing that aren't on the list? A stop at Verona might be on the agenda, too.
[/quote]


You'll be disappointed in Lawsonia if you go expecting it to live up to its ranking. Great, tough course with some of the most elevated greens I've ever seen, but lots of condition issues including one green that is essentially unplayable. Still worth playing and 36 holes there with the Woodlands course for under $200 is a great way to spend a day golfing.

Definitely go to Verona. For under $90, U Ridge is one of the best deals you'll find anywhere. Amazing course.
[/quote]
I think you need to go to Lawsonia with proper expectations, if you are into old school gca (Langford) then you will enjoy the course. If you go there expecting modern country club conditions and amenities, disappointment. Granted these are thoughts I have developed without ever being there, but I have seen many photos, and talked to several who have played it. My dad who plays a lot but is not a conditioning junkie, loves the course.
[/quote]

So you've never been to Lawsonia yet you have an opinion on what to expect when you go????? Got it.
[/quote]
I was being candid in my knowledge of the course, I have read a lot of about the history. The design gets a lot of praise for the strategy needed to get around. I was essentially echoing your sentiments. Having played there do you disagree with what I said?
here are some good course photos of some of the features,
[url="http://www.golfclubatlas.com/courses-by-country/usa/the-golf-courses-at-lawsonia-links-course-wi-usa/"]http://www.golfcluba...-course-wi-usa/[/url]

[tekin112000]

So many comments on this thread disagree with what the list suggests.

I wonder if the list was created by a marketing team to get these courses a bit of exposure, with little regard given to what the courses are actually like.

Is everything turning into the the Golf Digest Hot List?

[teejaywhy]

[quote name='tekin112000' timestamp='1395424333' post='8919271']
So many comments on this thread disagree with what the list suggests.

I wonder if the list was created by a marketing team to get these courses a bit of exposure, with little regard given to what the courses are actually like.

Is everything turning into the the Golf Digest Hot List?
[/quote]

Or perhaps, it's the GolfWRX'ers who have the "hot list" mindset?

[Tate]

[quote name='BENNYSUPREME' timestamp='1395361043' post='8914375']
[b] Texas[/b]
[list]
[*]3. Butterfield Trail, El Paso (m)
[/list]
Don't get me wrong its a nice course but number 3 in Texas?
[/quote]

I'm playing there for the 1st time next week. It looks like on most holes the fairway narrows at really bad distances and forces you to lay up off the tee.

[Tate]

I'm a member at #2 in Texas, The Rawls Course. It's a great links style course. With the west Texas winds it never plays the same from one day to the next.

[deadsolid...shank]

[b] Nebraska[/b]
[list]
[*]1. Wild Horse, Gothenburg (No. 58, m)
[/list]
Have to like when the #1 rated course in your state tops out at $50 to play. Especially when it's a justifiable rating. What a fun golf course.

[b] Colorado[/b]
[list]
[*]5. CommonGround GC, Aurora (m)
[/list]
It's too bad here, the Boulder floods took a toll on Common Ground. Their website said they hope to be open by June. Another course that won't break the bank to play.

Edit: looks like Wildhorse is $60 now.

[eagles1]

[quote name='tekin112000' timestamp='1395424333' post='8919271']
So many comments on this thread disagree with what the list suggests.

I wonder if the list was created by a marketing team to get these courses a bit of exposure, with little regard given to what the courses are actually like.

[b]Is everything turning into the the Golf Digest Hot List?[/b]
[/quote]

Unfortunately, yes.

[highdraw69]

[quote name='storm319' timestamp='1395420371' post='8918717']
[quote name='rustyputterguy' timestamp='1395328571' post='8910897']
[quote name='highdraw69' timestamp='1395249322' post='8904977']
i was stunned at The Jewel being #3; Meadows at #6 and Refuge at #10...my home course Legends is usually in top 5 and wasn't even listed. I have no argument with Wilderness at #1...but there are many great public tracks in MN, so I guess the debate could be healthy as to the top 10!
[/quote]
That list is a joke. Totally agree with you. The Jewel and Meadows could be left off that list completely. Legends definitely is a top 3-5 course.
[/quote]

The Refuge making the list is the biggest surprise to me. I'd put Giants Ridge Legend, Mississippi Dunes, The Wilds, Chaska Town, Legends Club, or Willingers all ahead of The Refuge.
[/quote]

Wow...until you pointed it out, I completely forgot that Chaska Town wasn't even on the list, how does that happen? I've seen Willinger's make the top 10 on occasion on these "best of" public lists, and it's certainly the best under-$50 courses in the TC area; i noticed the conditioning at Mississippi Dunes last season was amazing -- a huge improvement over 2-3 years ago, but man, that is one difficult course; Wilds to me is a fun layout with great shot selection, but I know some people don't like all the houses on the course, and conditioning has been a big downer last few years for some reason. If conditioning gets back up to snuff, it is a top-10 course in my book just because the shots are great (the houses don't bother me). I'm baffled at Legends not being on the list, but I realize I might be missing some objectivity since it's my home course.

[rsj1360]

Mass. here. They have Red Tail as #2. I didn't like that course at all. Conditions were good - not great - but I didnxt like the layout at all.

[jumper16]

[quote name='CHARGERS' timestamp='1395253713' post='8905483']
Maryland
Lake Pres. should not be #3 and Queenstown, River Course belongs on the list around 7th
[/quote]

I agree. Although I am a bit biased as I worked at Queenstown, I think it should be considered one of the best in the state.

[Rock Chalk Jayhawk]

[quote name='QMany' timestamp='1395253034' post='8905403']
Kansas:[list]
[*]5. Prairie Highlands, Olathe (m)
[/list]
[background=transparent]That's a joke, right?[/background]
[/quote]


HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Yup. Somebody got paid off.

[jeffyjeffmn]

[quote name='highdraw69' timestamp='1395249322' post='8904977']
i was stunned at The Jewel being #3; Meadows at #6 and Refuge at #10...my home course Legends is usually in top 5 and wasn't even listed. I have no argument with Wilderness at #1...but there are many great public tracks in MN, so I guess the debate could be healthy as to the top 10!
[/quote]

I am shocked that the refuge made it in at number 10. I am moving back home this summer and I couldn't be happier about the quality of public tracks we have back home.

[jeffyjeffmn]

[quote name='jumper16' timestamp='1395678016' post='8938965']
[quote name='CHARGERS' timestamp='1395253713' post='8905483']
Maryland
Lake Pres. should not be #3 and Queenstown, River Course belongs on the list around 7th
[/quote]

I agree. Although I am a bit biased as I worked at Queenstown, I think it should be considered one of the best in the state.
[/quote]

I haven't played a ton of courses in the DMV area but I have hit up more than a few and I have played queenstown dozens of times and I have played presidential about 10 times. Lake Presidential is a nice course but queenstown is awesome and the conditions are always great.

[slim16er]

A buddy of mine built Blackstone in IL back in 08-09. He told them to wait an extra year to let the greens grow in. Of course Blackstone didn't and they were bashed the first year for the condition. Now, 5-6 years later they are the most pristine public greens in IL.

I think Highlands is rated a bit too high, but the visuals of the track are amazing. It's definitely a hidden gem, but not sure it's #2.

Also very surprised Aldeen didn't make the list. It's usually up near the top in IL. For the price, you will not find a better public track in IL.

[Argonne69]

[quote name='slim16er' timestamp='1395755234' post='8946225']
A buddy of mine built Blackstone in IL back in 08-09. He told them to wait an extra year to let the greens grow in. Of course Blackstone didn't and they were bashed the first year for the condition. Now, 5-6 years later they are the most pristine public greens in IL.

I think Highlands is rated a bit too high, but the visuals of the track are amazing. It's definitely a hidden gem, but not sure it's #2.

Also very surprised Aldeen didn't make the list. It's usually up near the top in IL. For the price, you will not find a better public track in IL.
[/quote]

I played Blackstone the first year it opened, and the greens were OK compared to the other surrounding courses. Fast forward to today, and they're probably the best (public) greens in Illinois.

I agree with your assessment of Highlands. It's a top 10 course, but not #2.

I was surprised Aldeen didn't make the list, too. It has in prior years. I found the course a bit too narrow for my liking, and the conditions were a bit spotty when I played it. However, for the price, it's one hell of a value. If you add it to the list, though, you'd have to add Prairie Landing, no?

[br61]

[quote name='exgolfpro' timestamp='1395327618' post='8910765']
[quote name='highdraw69' timestamp='1395248211' post='8904855']
Golfweek just sent out an email with their 2014 rankings of top public courses, broken down state-by-state. I must admit I was startled at the rankings for my home state (Minnesota). I have played 7 of the 10 courses ranked, and dozens of other top public tracks in the state. Did you see any surprises or major snubs in your home state?


[url="http://golfweek.com/news/2014/mar/19/golf-courses-golfweeks-best-state-by-state-2014/"]http://golfweek.com/...-by-state-2014/[/url]
[/quote]

In Missouri, Branson Creek (now Buffalo Ridge) has always been the concensus #1. I see they have dropped to #3 and the Payne Stewart Course has jumped to #1. Probably having to do with BC being closed for a while, but now reopened.

I've played Whistling Straits in Wisconsin (#1) and will knock off #2 (Blackwolf Run) and #4 (Erin Hills) this summer.
[/quote]

Likewise, I'm kinda surprised about Buffalo Ridge moving down the list. I like it better than Payne Stewart Golf Club, PS usually have problems with few of their greens whenever I play there, mostly #1 & #3 greens.

I played Shoal Creek year and half ago, the greens were terrible. Definitely does not belong to #2 on the list.