Latest Golf Digest Top 100

[klebs01]

12 minutes ago, smashdn said:

 

I think I would, in the sense that it wouldn't take someone all that well versed to come up with that design there.  Originally the bunker placement was not all that thought out.  The original green was very, very large and took up almost the entirety of the peninsula.  That hole has evolved/devolved to what it is today.  In the 20's Egan created the faux dunes which shrank the green.  It is not a great architectural leap to make a hole difficult with a front right bunker and trouble long left.  He went a step further and surrounded it with sand.  Figure in some wind (which is site dependent) and you have a hole that demands your interest in execution.  I think the most architecturally meritous thing going for it was the original restraint used when building it and the continued restraint not to lengthen it.  Demerits for formalizing the bunkering. 

 

It is not a bad hole but it is made by those surroundings.  What other highly acclaimed par threes are drop shot par threes around 100 yards?

 

It is the hole that fits that piece of ground.  Anything longer or more severe would be unplayable there.  That hole anywhere else without more severe hazards is dull.

 

Postage stamp at Troon to start. The short is a great Template and common. There should be more. The more modern trend of 4 170+ par threes is what’s boring and lazy. 

[hammergolf]

On 5/12/2021 at 10:18 PM, tatertot said:

A great course is more than just a collection of holes ... it's how it's paced, how the holes work together. How they work into their surroundings. It's not just about copying the best 18 holes of all time and building them in the middle of the desert.

And that would be your opinion on how a course should be rated. Which is fine. 

[RSinSG]

After I read the list I realized how little I've experienced really good courses. I've only played 4 of the top 100, but i've really never been interested in going on a pilgrimage to check them off a list. 

[PuttCurseRepeat]

On 5/14/2021 at 1:50 PM, hammergolf said:

And that would be your opinion on how a course should be rated. Which is fine. 

 

Is there some particular insight here which I'm missing?

[raynorfan1]

4 hours ago, PuttCurseRepeat said:

 

Is there some particular insight here which I'm missing?

 

I actually think there is some insight there. That rankings reflect the values system of the publication and raters...which might be different from your own. "Their" Top 100 is theirs...but it might not align at all with what you love about golf.

 

And nobody's Top 100 is "wrong"...we all just have different preferences.

[hammergolf]

1 hour ago, raynorfan1 said:

 

I actually think there is some insight there. That rankings reflect the values system of the publication and raters...which might be different from your own. "Their" Top 100 is theirs...but it might not align at all with what you love about golf.

 

And nobody's Top 100 is "wrong"...we all just have different preferences.

What he said...

[Chanceman]

I dont go for this relativism thing. Objectively some courses are just better than others. You just have to sort out why. Flat greens, straight fairways, shallow bunkers etc etc are probably signs of a not so good course. On the other hand if the bunkers are in the "right" places and the fairways have the "right" undulations you might think better of it. Surely there are ways that simpletons like us can see the difference.

[vallygolf]

On 5/14/2021 at 8:13 AM, smashdn said:

 

I think I would, in the sense that it wouldn't take someone all that well versed to come up with that design there.  Originally the bunker placement was not all that thought out.  The original green was very, very large and took up almost the entirety of the peninsula.  That hole has evolved/devolved to what it is today.  In the 20's Egan created the faux dunes which shrank the green.  It is not a great architectural leap to make a hole difficult with a front right bunker and trouble long left.  He went a step further and surrounded it with sand.  Figure in some wind (which is site dependent) and you have a hole that demands your interest in execution.  I think the most architecturally meritous thing going for it was the original restraint used when building it and the continued restraint not to lengthen it.  Demerits for formalizing the bunkering. 

 

It is not a bad hole but it is made by those surroundings.  What other highly acclaimed par threes are drop shot par threes around 100 yards?

 

It is the hole that fits that piece of ground.  Anything longer or more severe would be unplayable there.  That hole anywhere else without more severe hazards is dull.

I think you give the drop the mic moment here in your comments  "What other highly acclaimed par threes are drop shot par threes around 100 yards". It is by your own defining, a distinct and unique hole. Again I am comfortable with anybody having an opinion, but a hole that is so constantly talked about because of the demands of the shot by both professional and amateur alike demands high marks for architecture, nevermind the views.  I agree with your historical context, that in the first few years it was not a great hole (wall to wall grass).  My personal preference would be the late 20's presentation (very Cypress esque).  While I agree that what makes this hole great is a confluence of many factors, it has every challenge a golf hole can offer except length, and even length is taken into account on the shorter extreme.  More than any other green on the course this is the one most golfers want to hit.  It seems so gettable, but for most it eats their lunch.

 

 

You might remember #9 at Erin Hills and #15 at Chambers bay.  Both short drop par 3's that were all the talk at recent US opens. 

Edited May 17, 2021 by vallygolf

[RSinSG]

18 minutes ago, vallygolf said:

More than any other green on the course this is the one most golfers want to hit. 

This is accurate. When I played the course a couple of years ago I stood on the tee thinking I could throw a ball on the green it looked so close. Then my little brain started heating up as I tried to figure the elevation and wind. Ended up missing the green by a yard. Normally from that distance I'm looking to be within 10-12 feet.  It's a great hole and when I watch the pros play it I smile when the best players in the world have the same struggles.

[bogeysandbowties]

Apologies for bringing up an old topic but does anyone happen to have the 2015 GD Top 100 List? An excel file would be ideal? Thank you in advanced.

[raynorfan1]

15 hours ago, bogeysandbowties said:

Apologies for bringing up an old topic but does anyone happen to have the 2015 GD Top 100 List? An excel file would be ideal? Thank you in advanced.

 

https://www.planetgolf.com/rankings/usa/golf-digest-usa-top-100/2015

[bogeysandbowties]

thank you!