New Golf Digest Course Rankings

[DarthFierce]

What do you think

Golf Digest has come out with their new course rankings for US, the world, state by state, public, etc.. www.golfdigest.com

They ranked 10 courses in my state of Arkansas. I believe they got the first 2 right, but after that....wow. I don't know what they were smoking, but it must have been some powerful stuff.

Other observations; in California they ranked 30 courses and Torrey Pines didn't even make the list. In Arizona, they ranked Troon North #20. If there are 19 better courses in that state (or anywhere) I'd like to see them.

I guess part of the fun about the rankings is discussing them and arguing about who is right, so go ahead. I'd like to hear everyone else's thoughts.

[abewley]

have been to the Blessing in Johnson... outside of Fayetteville, haven't played it .. but talked to several pros that have in the past year. and they ALL failed to break par. Not an easy course.

 

I live on Stonebridge... it is a great course.. always in spectacular shape. but i prefer others locally...

 

caddied last year in the Ft. Smith classic... on hardscrabble.. great course.. i love the set up and its like Paradise Valley in Fayetteville ( private) its an old classic course.. up and down hills... tree lined... what i prefer.. love it.

 

haven't been on the others...

[specialblend218]

Other observations; in California they ranked 30 courses and Torrey Pines didn't even make the list.

 

 

I lived in San Diego for a year in 2003 about 1 mile from the course. It was in poor shape for what they charge. It seemed like the course was alright but they let greens get too shaggy. The only time they get it in good shape was for the PGA, Junior World's, and any other large event. I can see why it didn't crack the top 30.

[CaledoniaKid]

I've always thought that they were largely political in a golf sense. What I mean is that many times a course will be favored over another based on if the membership wants to be recognized and host events. Some clubs really like to be publicized so that the members can gloat, while some would rather remain highly exclusive and yet not get the attention. Sometimes we tend to think of a course that hosts events to be better than other just based on a history of hosting events.

 

For example, this is just me opinion, I live in Rochester NY known for Oak Hill CC host to US Open's, PGA, and Ryder Cup. People/news here was all upset about not being recognized as one of the "toughest" course in the last ranking list. Having been a former superitendant playing a lot of courses around here, I would even rank it as the toughest in the town. There are at least 2 other courses here with far better greens and 2 which are far more difficult. There are 2 which could host events but yet have no desire to get the attention and would like to play there course and not become commercialized.

 

Another example is the National Golf Links of America in South Hampton LI NY. A Charles Blair McDonald masterpiece. World renowned for its architecture and with a master superitendant. This course is adjacent to Shinnecock Hills. I was fortunate enough to be on both ..both are unbeleivable and either could be a site for majors. The National doesn't want anything to do with it. I've been told by employees that many of the pro's play the National during practice rounds and would love to see a touney there, yet the membership is some of the richest people in the world. This course doesn't " out rank" the courses that host the majors, but easily could..I think because the memebship doesn't seek the attention nor need it.

 

Maybe I'm way off and it is my opinion vs Golf Digest opinion

 

I'd be interested to here of any LI wrxers that have toughts on these course since I am not there enough now, and hear if things ahve changed. Or anyone from ROC that thinks I'm wrong on Oak Hill

[Status]

Just had a look at the list and found that I have played 11 of the top 100 outside the US including the top 2. Playing numbers 9 and 17 in May so looking forward to that. There are a few courses I think deserve to be on the list that are missing but these things are very subjective. Overall some excellent courses listed and quite a few that are on my must play list.

 

Now I just need to get over to the US to start playing some of those on your list.

[DCDeac]

The Virginia list is pretty accurate. Nice to see Mattaponi Springs shooting up the list. That course is fantastic. Could play it every day for a year and it wouldn't get old...

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

These lists are very subjective and I take them with a grain of salt. I do like checking off the ones that I have played though....