Top 5 Courses you played in 2018

[Kent01putt]

1. Pikewood WV

2. GreenBrier WV

3. Lakewood National Fla.

4. Pine Needles NC

5. Pinehurst #8 NC

[keeponlivin]

Sand Hills

Kapalua

Old Mac

Sweetens

Streamsong Blue

[QC Heel]

1. TOC

2. Royal County Down

3. Boston GC

4. Eastward HO

5. Whispering Pines/Bluejack toss up

 

2019 Goals/Dreams: PV, Cypress, NGLA, Peaches

 

How was Whispering? Heading there next week, but it’s inconvenient geographically so I’m hoping it’s worth the long drive from Dallas.

 

WP is definitely a hike from Dallas, but worth it.

[ebrasmus21]

Sand Hills

Kapalua

Old Mac

Sweetens

Streamsong Blue

 

Surely you didn’t go to Bandon and only play Old Mac? Did you play the other three courses? If so, did you enjoy them?

[Tap-in Fore Eagle]

Pebble Beach

Royal County Down

Ballybunion

Royal Portrush

Spyglass Hill

 

[keeponlivin]

Sand Hills

Kapalua

Old Mac

Sweetens

Streamsong Blue

 

Surely you didn't go to Bandon and only play Old Mac? Did you play the other three courses? If so, did you enjoy them?

 

Absolutely enjoyed them! That place is special and can not wait to get back

[mci711]

Sand Hills

Kapalua

Old Mac

Sweetens

Streamsong Blue

 

Surely you didn't go to Bandon and only play Old Mac? Did you play the other three courses? If so, did you enjoy them?

 

Absolutely enjoyed them! That place is special and can not wait to get back

 

You thought Old Mac, Kap, Streamsong Blue and Sweetens were better than Pacific and Bandon? Even Trails honestly. Thats crazy, but everyone likes different things! Have you played Streamsong Black? I feel like if you liked Old Mac you'd like Black.

[OutBackHack]

Seeing that I don't even play 5 times a year these days let alone play 5 different courses, these are my 5 favorite courses I have caddied on this year. These are based purely on which course I would like to play personally, not based on the event they were a part of.

 

Greenbriar, Old White

Bogota CC.

Pebble Beach

Sea Island (Seaside)

Trinity Forest

 

....special mention for Canterbury in Cleveland.

[Andrew Bond of Glencoe]

I finally finished my 2018 golf year. Here is my official top courses played.

 

1) Pine Valley (played twice)

2) National Golf Links of America

3) Oakmont (played 4 times)

4) Fishers Island

5) Sleepy Hollow

6) Sand Hills

7) Seminole

8) Maidstone

9) Ballyneal

10) Newport CC

 

Not sure I can top this year, but not complaining. Hoping to play some of these again in the future.

[DandyDon]

1. KingsBarns

2. Turnberry Alisal

3. Muirfield

4. St. Andrews, Old Course

5. Cordevalle

[sunbeltgolfer]

I finally finished my 2018 golf year. Here is my official top courses played.

 

1) Pine Valley (played twice)

2) National Golf Links of America

3) Oakmont (played 4 times)

4) Fishers Island

5) Sleepy Hollow

6) Sand Hills

7) Seminole

8) Maidstone

9) Ballyneal

10) Newport CC

 

Not sure I can top this year, but not complaining. Hoping to play some of these again in the future.

 

I'm assuming that's Sleepy Hollow in ScarboroughBriarcliff, NY. My introduction to golf was as a caddy at Sleepy Hollow. Still remember the natural beauty of the course. Loved the look of the punch bowl green and it's approach, and the sand trap trap 'moat' with the Hudson in the background. Hard to believe that was 50 years ago. I can't remember what I had for breakfast today, but, I still can visualize most the holes on that course.

[Fairwindsgolfer]

I finally finished my 2018 golf year. Here is my official top courses played.

 

1) Pine Valley (played twice)

2) National Golf Links of America

3) Oakmont (played 4 times)

4) Fishers Island

5) Sleepy Hollow

6) Sand Hills

7) Seminole

8) Maidstone

9) Ballyneal

10) Newport CC

 

Not sure I can top this year, but not complaining. Hoping to play some of these again in the future.

That is an insane list of courses you got on!

How in the world did you get on Newport CC?

 

[ebrasmus21]

I finally finished my 2018 golf year. Here is my official top courses played.

 

1) Pine Valley (played twice)

2) National Golf Links of America

3) Oakmont (played 4 times)

4) Fishers Island

5) Sleepy Hollow

6) Sand Hills

7) Seminole

8) Maidstone

9) Ballyneal

10) Newport CC

 

Not sure I can top this year, but not complaining. Hoping to play some of these again in the future.

That is an insane list of courses you got on!

How in the world did you get on Newport CC?

 

Is Newport more exclusive than the others?

[Fairwindsgolfer]

I finally finished my 2018 golf year. Here is my official top courses played.

 

1) Pine Valley (played twice)

2) National Golf Links of America

3) Oakmont (played 4 times)

4) Fishers Island

5) Sleepy Hollow

6) Sand Hills

7) Seminole

8) Maidstone

9) Ballyneal

10) Newport CC

 

Not sure I can top this year, but not complaining. Hoping to play some of these again in the future.

That is an insane list of courses you got on!

How in the world did you get on Newport CC?

 

Is Newport more exclusive than the others?

It's hard to believe but yes.. a strong argument could be made that it is more exclusive then the others in the list.

Newport, being one of the six founding golf courses in America, is the oldest of old money, going the 1890s.

Don't get me wrong, this particular list is insanely deep and I would love to be able to play any one of these courses, but Newport may very well be the most difficult to get on.

[ebrasmus21]

I finally finished my 2018 golf year. Here is my official top courses played.

 

1) Pine Valley (played twice)

2) National Golf Links of America

3) Oakmont (played 4 times)

4) Fishers Island

5) Sleepy Hollow

6) Sand Hills

7) Seminole

8) Maidstone

9) Ballyneal

10) Newport CC

 

Not sure I can top this year, but not complaining. Hoping to play some of these again in the future.

That is an insane list of courses you got on!

How in the world did you get on Newport CC?

 

Is Newport more exclusive than the others?

It's hard to believe but yes.. a strong argument could be made that it is more exclusive then the others in the list.

Newport, being one of the six founding golf courses in America, is the oldest of old money, going the 1890s.

Don't get me wrong, this particular list is insanely deep and I would love to be able to play any one of these courses, but Newport may very well be the most difficult to get on.

 

Good grief; that’s saying something. Learn something new everyday I suppose.

[jerebear21]

Join the Donald ross society. They do gatherings at Newport. Exclusives are never really exclusives. Just got to reach out to them. And be cordial.

[Fairwindsgolfer]

Join the Donald ross society. They do gatherings at Newport. Exclusives are never really exclusives. Just got to reach out to them. And be cordial.

I understand what you're saying and membership with the Donald Ross Society sounds awesome. I want to look into what that entails.

 

I also understand what you're saying about exclusivivity but I was providing my opinion on exclusivivity as in comparison to the other courses. It goes without saying that the other courses in the list are of world-class caliber and are obviously extremely difficult to get on, and from what I've researched Newport may take the cake in that realm

[jerebear21]

Just providing info. Not directing it to anyone in particular.

[Fairwindsgolfer]

Just providing info. Not directing it to anyone in particular.

I didn't think to the contrary.

It's an open forum and I was responding to you in a respectful way along with supporting what you said.

[keeponlivin]

Sand Hills

Kapalua

Old Mac

Sweetens

Streamsong Blue

 

Surely you didn't go to Bandon and only play Old Mac? Did you play the other three courses? If so, did you enjoy them?

 

Absolutely enjoyed them! That place is special and can not wait to get back

 

You thought Old Mac, Kap, Streamsong Blue and Sweetens were better than Pacific and Bandon? Even Trails honestly. Thats crazy, but everyone likes different things! Have you played Streamsong Black? I feel like if you liked Old Mac you'd like Black.

 

Yup wasn't gonna put all 4 of Bandons courses in there....I went with variety of places and experiences for my top 5 in 18.

Yes I loved all 4 at Bandon but liked Old Mac the most in 2018 now shoot if I make it back in 2019 I'll pry put Pac or Bandon in there. Really liked Black and Red but Blue I just enjoyed in 2018 a little more.

[DeeBee30]

Medinah #3 (IL)

Cantigny (IL)

Kapalua Plantation (HI)

Wailea Gold (HI)

Arcadia Bluffs (MI)

 

Barely missing the top 5 cut:

 

Black Sheep (IL)

Bay Harbor (MI)

Thunderhawk (IL)

 

 

So sad the Chicago season is pretty much ending...

[mubob1977]

Sleepy Hollow (NY)

Moraine (OH)

Baltimore CC (MD)

The Creek Club (NY)

Fenway (NY)

 

Honorable mentions:

White Bear Yacht Club (MN)

Windsong Farm (MN)

[mci711]

Sand Hills

Kapalua

Old Mac

Sweetens

Streamsong Blue

 

Surely you didn't go to Bandon and only play Old Mac? Did you play the other three courses? If so, did you enjoy them?

 

Absolutely enjoyed them! That place is special and can not wait to get back

 

You thought Old Mac, Kap, Streamsong Blue and Sweetens were better than Pacific and Bandon? Even Trails honestly. Thats crazy, but everyone likes different things! Have you played Streamsong Black? I feel like if you liked Old Mac you'd like Black.

 

Yup wasn't gonna put all 4 of Bandons courses in there....I went with variety of places and experiences for my top 5 in 18.

Yes I loved all 4 at Bandon but liked Old Mac the most in 2018 now shoot if I make it back in 2019 I'll pry put Pac or Bandon in there. Really liked Black and Red but Blue I just enjoyed in 2018 a little more.

 

That is a great year. Blue is also my favorite at streamsong, can't go wrong with any on your list. Just wanted to find out more of your thinking on those courses!

[mci711]

Medinah #3 (IL)

Cantigny (IL)

Kapalua Plantation (HI)

Wailea Gold (HI)

Arcadia Bluffs (MI)

 

Barely missing the top 5 cut:

 

Black Sheep (IL)

Bay Harbor (MI)

Thunderhawk (IL)

 

 

So sad the Chicago season is pretty much ending...

 

I almost joined Blacksheep at the beginning of the year. How did you like it? Is your top 5 in order, or just top 5 no particular order? I played Arcadia Bluffs this year and thought it was the prettiest course I have ever played. The 18th green chairs may be the best spot in golf.

[DeeBee30]

Medinah #3 (IL)

Cantigny (IL)

Kapalua Plantation (HI)

Wailea Gold (HI)

Arcadia Bluffs (MI)

 

Barely missing the top 5 cut:

 

Black Sheep (IL)

Bay Harbor (MI)

Thunderhawk (IL)

 

 

So sad the Chicago season is pretty much ending...

 

I almost joined Blacksheep at the beginning of the year. How did you like it? Is your top 5 in order, or just top 5 no particular order? I played Arcadia Bluffs this year and thought it was the prettiest course I have ever played. The 18th green chairs may be the best spot in golf.

 

mci, No particular order on my top 5. The only reason Black Sheep isn't in it is that I played #3 and Wailea for the first time each this year. I really like Black Sheep a lot and get to play it 2-3 times a year, so I think my rankings emphasized a little first-time giddiness.

 

 

Have you played Black Sheep yet? I assume yes if you were close to joining. I love the course. I like the fairways that are as wide as runways. If I miss, I deserve to have to hack it out of waist-length grass. I like that you have options to either play aggressive to get in great position or play it safe and still make a good score. Great greens, no homes nearby, no-frills golf only club. If I could justify the money and the drive, I'd join in a heartbeat. PM me if you're looking for any connections out there.

 

As for Arcadia, I agree it's beautiful. The South course wasn't open yet, but the Bluffs course is breathtaking. It's on a fairly short list of courses that I think I could play exclusively and never hate. Pausing to listen to the bagpipe at sunset was a fitting memorial to my lost tee shot on #14. I may get flamed for this, but I like it way better than any of the Kohler courses. I think it has better flow, varied hole orientations, risk/reward options, and overall playability.

[mci711]

Medinah #3 (IL)

Cantigny (IL)

Kapalua Plantation (HI)

Wailea Gold (HI)

Arcadia Bluffs (MI)

 

Barely missing the top 5 cut:

 

Black Sheep (IL)

Bay Harbor (MI)

Thunderhawk (IL)

 

 

So sad the Chicago season is pretty much ending...

 

I almost joined Blacksheep at the beginning of the year. How did you like it? Is your top 5 in order, or just top 5 no particular order? I played Arcadia Bluffs this year and thought it was the prettiest course I have ever played. The 18th green chairs may be the best spot in golf.

 

mci, No particular order on my top 5. The only reason Black Sheep isn't in it is that I played #3 and Wailea for the first time each this year. I really like Black Sheep a lot and get to play it 2-3 times a year, so I think my rankings emphasized a little of that first-time giddiness.

 

 

Have you played Black Sheep yet? I assume yes if you were close to joining. I love the course. I like the fairways that are as wide as runways. If I miss, I deserve to have to hack it out of waist-length grass. I like that you have options to either play aggressive to get in great position or play it safe and still make a good score. Great greens, no homes nearby, no-frills golf only club. If I could justify the money and the drive, I'd join in a heartbeat. PM me if you're looking for any connections out there.

 

As for Arcadia, I agree it's beautiful. The South Course wasn't open yet, but the Bluffs course is breathtaking. It's on a fairly short list of courses that I think I could play exclusively and never hate. Pausing to listen to the bagpipe at sunset was a fitting memorial to my lost tee shot on #14. I may get flamed for this, but I like it way better than any of the Kohler courses. I think it has better flow, varied hole orientations, risk/reward options, and overall playability.

 

I haven't played it. I know some people that play out there and have only heard great things. They had an unreal deal for under 30 that I didn't want to pass up. Until I found out it was men only, that was the end of the discussion ha.

 

I got engaged at Arcadia this past summer. Played a twilight round and asked the question on #5. Sun was going down over the lake and the bagpipes were playing. I shot -2 for the 9 holes as well. (we kept playing as a was 1 under through 4 and she was even and it was actually nice to take pictures and stuff while finishing up). I am assuming that will probably go down as the most memorbale 9 of my life. The whole weekend there was great. The staff at Arcadia went above and beyond. The first time I played it I thought there were too many tee shots that were blind or I had no idea where to play it. I think it is really close though between Whistling and Arcadia. If I had to play 1 it would be Arcadia.

[kamizzou91]

Pacific Dunes

Bandon Dunes

Bandon Trails

Old Mac

Kiva Dunes

[ebrasmus21]

Pacific Dunes

Bandon Dunes

Bandon Trails

Old Mac

Kiva Dunes

 

What was your favorite hole of all the Bandon courses?

[1b!ggolfnut]

Burning Tree

Cabot links

Cabot Cliffs

Ohoopee Match Club

Hyannisport

Burning tree in CT OR MD?

 

MD

[scottishpedro]

No particular order

 

Carnoustie

Royal County Down

Pebble Beach

Cypress Point

Cal Club