Most Over Rated Course on the Major Rotation

[daftmunkee]

Any Pete Dye major venue

[JaxBeachNole]

Valhalla and Balustrol

[NotTheTrees!]

To those who think my beloved Bethpage Black is overrated:

-You probably didn't listen to the warning sign that basically says you are going to have a bad time if you aren't any good. This is what I am interpreting from your comments. You probably tried to tip the course, in which case yes, it is very long and challenging. But hey, if you play from the whites or reds on a year when they aren't hosting a tournament, the rough and fescue are not bad at all, and the length is more than manageable.

-Bethpage Black is a Tillinghast masterpiece. Each hole stands out in my mind as memorable and challenging in their own ways. The bunkering is gorgeous and the hole design is stunning.

-It is a MUNICIPLE course and a damn good one at that. What is a better major venue than one you can try out yourself?

-Every pro who plays there respects the hell out of it.

Bethpage is undoubtedly one of the greatest and most challenging tracks in the country, and a terrific major venue at that.

 

Rant over.

[JD3]

I think The Ocean Course is the most UNDERRATED major venue. That bad boy could host a US Open if they tipped it out, hit the gas on the greens, and let that paspallum rough grow up.

for me it was a tale of two 9's:

 

- front was weird, gimmicky, and overall, not very satisfying Dye stuff

- back was classic and challenging links-style, with just enough sprinkling of modern design elements to make it distinct, that made me want to go back and play it again

[JD3]

if it continues to host majors, add Erin Hills to the list

[elwhippy]

I was having a beer with our head green keeper. He is a real fan of new courses and architecture but apart from the bunkering he thought Erin Hills was bland. Friend was lucky enough to play Olympic and San Francisco and said SF was stunning and Olympic fiddly but nowhere near major tournament level.

[Spicoli]

Eastlake.

 

I played Eastlake 2 weeks after the championship last year.

 

The rough was ridiculous and I played poorly. The history, clubhouse, locker room, etc. we're very nice, but I was underwhelmed with the layout and conditions. TV makes courses look immaculate, so I think my home club would look real nice on TV.

 

That said, it made me really appreciate the pros even more... seeing what Rory did on 18 and how far he hit his tee shot, then the approach over water... Unreal.

[76mpg]

Hazeltine. Absolutely boring golf course

[cdnglf]

Of the 6 major courses I've played, I'd rank Harding Park 100th.

[One Gray GLI]

A little biased because I'm 20-30 minutes from Bethpage, but I can't even begin to comprehend how Black is mentioned in this thread.. no "tricks" and bells and whistles, water on one hole, difficult bunkering and rough, not overly difficult greens.. You just have to step up and hit good shots, isn't that what the US Open is (used to be) all about?

[the bishop]

Whistling Straits

[SadTrombone]

Bethpage.

 

Only because of the rant above. Otherwise I'd have said pebble. Or perhaps Torrey.

[cradd10]

Eastlake.

 

I played Eastlake 2 weeks after the championship last year.

 

The rough was ridiculous and I played poorly. The history, clubhouse, locker room, etc. we're very nice, but I was underwhelmed with the layout and conditions. TV makes courses look immaculate, so I think my home club would look real nice on TV.

 

That said, it made me really appreciate the pros even more... seeing what Rory did on 18 and how far he hit his tee shot, then the approach over water... Unreal.

 

 

East lake doesn't host a major... just the Tour Chamionship. But you are correct. I get the privilege to play it 3-4 times per year. Its nothing special from a layout standpoint, however the conditions are very good. Flipping the 9's does make a huge difference.

[cradd10]

Of the 6 major courses I've played, I'd rank Harding Park 100th.

 

What major was held at Harding Park? Didnt realize a Presidents Cup and Match Play were considered Majors

[cdnglf]

Of the 6 major courses I've played, I'd rank Harding Park 100th.

 

What major was held at Harding Park? Didnt realize a Presidents Cup and Match Play were considered Majors

 

2020 PGA

[PKennedy13]

Quail hollow is overrated. It's good for a every year tour event but no major. The place that they played at this year for the Wells Fargo was way better

[lowheel]

Of the 6 major courses I've played, I'd rank Harding Park 100th.

 

But but tall trees!!!! I wasnt impressed either. The assistant pro was talking it up before we played as is his job to do but i was not impressed

[lowheel]

A little biased because I'm 20-30 minutes from Bethpage, but I can't even begin to comprehend how Black is mentioned in this thread.. no "tricks" and bells and whistles, water on one hole, difficult bunkering and rough, not overly difficult greens.. You just have to step up and hit good shots, isn't that what the US Open is (used to be) all about?

 

Ive played it 7 times and everytime i get a chance i still get excited because as you said its right there in front of you daring you to cut corners and go at pins.Its a beast from the tips and demands focus on every shot. Alot like Oakmont where if you have a mental lapse its a double /triple waiting to happen. bethpage should host a pga event every year.

[lowheel]

To those who think my beloved Bethpage Black is overrated:

-You probably didn't listen to the warning sign that basically says you are going to have a bad time if you aren't any good. This is what I am interpreting from your comments. You probably tried to tip the course, in which case yes, it is very long and challenging. But hey, if you play from the whites or reds on a year when they aren't hosting a tournament, the rough and fescue are not bad at all, and the length is more than manageable.

-Bethpage Black is a Tillinghast masterpiece. Each hole stands out in my mind as memorable and challenging in their own ways. The bunkering is gorgeous and the hole design is stunning.

-It is a MUNICIPLE course and a damn good one at that. What is a better major venue than one you can try out yourself?

-Every pro who plays there respects the hell out of it.

Bethpage is undoubtedly one of the greatest and most challenging tracks in the country, and a terrific major venue at that.

 

Rant over.

 

Just saw your post from last fall and every word of it is perfect. Nothing to add spot on

[PGArox]

What is "overrated," and who is doing the rating?

 

As for, say, Harding Park, who has ever given that course an exceptional rating? Has anyone ever compared it to Augusta National?

 

And, by the way, the Black at Bethpage is fantastic. :)

[Forged4ever]

Any PGA champ course.

 

St. Andrews is awesome, totally different style of golf. Can't judge until you've played it. But that's just my opinion :)

 

If St Andrews was in the middle of Iowa, they'd be lucky to get $7 for greens fees because of the course conditions. IMO

 

 

Greg

If St. Andrews was in the middle of Iowa, the course conditions would be nothing like they are ;)

 

Regarding Greens fees, I have no idea~

 

Of course, as always, just my .03 worth?

 

Cheers,

RP

[Forged4ever]

What is "overrated," and who is doing the rating?

 

As for, say, Harding Park, who has ever given that course an exceptional rating? Has anyone ever compared it to Augusta National?

 

And, by the way, the Black at Bethpage is fantastic. :)

Rock on Brotha?

 

Have a great weekend?

RP

[cdnglf]

What is "overrated," and who is doing the rating?

 

As for, say, Harding Park, who has ever given that course an exceptional rating? Has anyone ever compared it to Augusta National?

 

The PGA of America did the overrating when they decided to hold their tournament there.

[ShutSteepStuck]

Of the 6 major courses I've played, I'd rank Harding Park 100th.

 

But but tall trees!!!! I wasnt impressed either. The assistant pro was talking it up before we played as is his job to do but i was not impressed

 

I've played all of the courses that have hosted or are scheduled to host majors in CA and Harding was no slouch. While I would put Pebble and Riv and LA North ahead of it, I actually liked Harding a little more than The Lakes at Olympic.

 

As per non-major layouts SFGC and Cal Club are at the top of my list just below Cypress.

 

I wonder why Harding catches so much grief here on WRX...maybe it's the TPC aspect which makes it cool to hate in it for some reason...but it was a public courses for ages before it was ever TPC.

 

While Torrey South is certainly a big boy course and I enjoy the Tour bios whining every Feb when they are in town, it really can't hold a candle to the other CA major venues (Hillcrest excluded).

[PGArox]

What is "overrated," and who is doing the rating?

 

As for, say, Harding Park, who has ever given that course an exceptional rating? Has anyone ever compared it to Augusta National?

 

The PGA of America did the overrating when they decided to hold their tournament there.

 

Well, the PGA of America has never been known for their course rating prowess. ?

[puttingmatt]

Erin Hills is overrated,

[Ashley Schaeffer]

I think a lot of the courses in the northeast are supremely overrated, but have hosted so many majors that they are considered great. The topography and natural beauty of the area has no real redeeming qualities. They can just have courses in good shape for the time of year, have some bunkers, slick up the greens, and grow out the rough without being guaranteed to be over 90*F. I think the reason so many are hosted over there is a summer climate issue more than anything.

 

I really would like to see more majors played out west, but the climate is a limitation inland from the coast given the time of year of the US Open/PGA. There are some amazing layouts in the inland NW which would curb the heat, but I'm not sure any are worthy of a major. The Seattle corridor has some really good ones, but people don't want to see pros hitting it 285 instead of 325.

[toddnt]

Of the 6 major courses I've played, I'd rank Harding Park 100th.

 

But but tall trees!!!! I wasnt impressed either. The assistant pro was talking it up before we played as is his job to do but i was not impressed

 

I've played all of the courses that have hosted or are scheduled to host majors in CA and Harding was no slouch. While I would put Pebble and Riv and LA North ahead of it, I actually liked Harding a little more than The Lakes at Olympic.

 

As per non-major layouts SFGC and Cal Club are at the top of my list just below Cypress.

 

I wonder why Harding catches so much grief here on WRX...maybe it's the TPC aspect which makes it cool to hate in it for some reason...but it was a public courses for ages before it was ever TPC.

 

While Torrey South is certainly a big boy course and I enjoy the Tour bios whining every Feb when they are in town, it really can't hold a candle to the other CA major venues (Hillcrest excluded).

Torrey has its own character... It held up quite nicely in 2008..

[JD3]

A little biased because I'm 20-30 minutes from Bethpage, but I can't even begin to comprehend how Black is mentioned in this thread.. no "tricks" and bells and whistles, water on one hole, difficult bunkering and rough, not overly difficult greens.. You just have to step up and hit good shots, isn't that what the US Open is (used to be) all about?

BPB certainly earned it's status as a major stop. IMO it would also be worth nominating as best course in the world if only the greens had been finished by tillinghast too. Sadly the they were done by a local firm after tillinghast left the project. As is they're very flat and not too interesting being so large.

[Spicoli]

Eastlake.

 

I played Eastlake 2 weeks after the championship last year.

 

The rough was ridiculous and I played poorly. The history, clubhouse, locker room, etc. we're very nice, but I was underwhelmed with the layout and conditions. TV makes courses look immaculate, so I think my home club would look real nice on TV.

 

That said, it made me really appreciate the pros even more... seeing what Rory did on 18 and how far he hit his tee shot, then the approach over water... Unreal.

 

 

East lake doesn't host a major... just the Tour Chamionship. But you are correct. I get the privilege to play it 3-4 times per year. Its nothing special from a layout standpoint, however the conditions are very good. Flipping the 9's does make a huge difference.

 

My reading comprehension stinks...