What's Your Ten Favorite Courses?

[krtgolfing]

Pebble Beach

Kiawah Ocean Course

Pinehurst # 2

Spyglass Hill

TPC Sawgrass - Stadium

Pasatiempo

Harbour Town

Pinehurst # 4

Tobacco Road

Pine Needles

[Shankyouverymuch]

Some of these lists display an impressive line up of courses that members have played.  I am still hoping to hit a few more that have been mentioned above.

 

 

In no order:

 

Ocean Course - Kiawah, SC

Wailua - Kauai, HI - great muni course with several ocean side holes for $50 green fee

Ocean Course at Hokuala - Kauai, HI

Kirtland CC - great history with a train track and cage to take you up and down the hill on #17 I think

Turtle Point - Kiawah

Gatlinburg Golf Club

Manakiki - Willoughby, OH

Blues Creek - just a local muni but the family is always so friendly and its only $20 to play

Pinnacle CC

Columbia Hills CC - been a while since I have been out there but my grandfather was a former member and had a plaque named after him (Fahrer's Point) on the men's grill patio because he would heckle all the groups coming in on 18 green

[exgolfpro]

On 1/22/2023 at 1:51 PM, asommers1441 said:

Not in any order but my favorite ten that I have played 

 

Pinehurst 2

Chambers Bay 

Erin Hills

Bandon Dunes

Sheep Ranch 

Pacific Dunes

Gamble Sands

Bandon Trails 

Interlachen CC 

Pinehurst 1

Pinehurst 1 is a very cool course.  Glad you listed it.

[exgolfpro]

On 1/24/2023 at 3:58 PM, jwhite86 said:

Kapalua Plantation

Sand Valley

BWR Meadow Valleys

Straits

Mammoth Dunes

WS Irish

BWR River

Sentry World

Pine Hills

Ocean Links (RIP)

Glad to see you got BWR Meadow Valleys on your list.  Doesn't get much love, but I like it more that The Irish.  Would definately put Meadow Valleys in my top 10.

[exgolfpro]

Here is my list in order.

 

1.  Erin Hills

2. Blackwolf Run-River

3. Whistling Straits-Straits

4. Bay Hill Club

5. Mammoth Dunes

6. Pinehurst #4

7. Pine Needles

8. Pinehurst #2

9. Blackwolf Run-Meadow Valleys

10. TPC Deere Run

[Chanceman]

Thanks Sabram, that is an awesome analysis. All those responses have me wanting to go play Cabot Cliffs, Banff, Cruden Bay, Muirfield, Prestwick, Whistling Straits, Erin Hills, Mammoth Dunes, Arcadia Bluffs, Cruitt Island and Portrush Valley.
Like you I am surprised at no Cabot Links but also Old Head is missing in Ireland which is always described as fun as is Castle Stuart in Scotland although it may be too tough to be called fun. St Enodoc in England is another enjoyable course not listed.

[ColinKelvin]

16 hours ago, sabram said:

Here's the Tally for Scotland. This is really a great list, with the Old Course by far the favorite. North Berwick and Dornoch are also loads of fun. Carnoustie, Muirfield and Troon are pretty tough courses. They are each great but IMO not so much fun. I've played all of those that received multiple votes and all but four of the others.

 

TOC	14
NB West Links	6
Royal Dornoch	6
Carnoustie	3
Cruden Bay	3
Muirfield	3
Prestwick	3
Turnberry Ailsa	3
Kingsbarns	2
Royal Troon	2
St Andrews New	2
Crail - Balcomie
Cullen
Dunbar
Gleneagles - Kings
Machrihanish
Machrihanish Dunes
Moray Old
Nairn
Shiskine
St Andrews Jubilee
Weset Kilbride
Western Gailes

 

Hahaha - I see quite a few of those single-vote Scottish courses were on my list... I did list the most fun I had had, not necessarily the "best".

 

On Troon - the reason I genuinely think it's great fun is that its structure is so appealing.  Make a score from 1-6 (not hugely tough if you avoid the bunkers), take everything in on 7 and 8 (best par 3 in the world), survive 11, and hold onto your score as best you can till you hole out on 18 in front of a wonderful clubhouse.  Par the last two and you beat Greg Norman's standard in the '89 Open playoff too 😉

[ColinKelvin]

16 hours ago, sabram said:

 

 

Duplicate post - can't see a way to actually delete it!

Edited February 2, 2023 by ColinKelvin

[jwhite86]

15 hours ago, exgolfpro said:

Glad to see you got BWR Meadow Valleys on your list.  Doesn't get much love, but I like it more that The Irish.  Would definately put Meadow Valleys in my top 10.

I've said it multiple times... but the back 9 of the MV is my favorite 9 hole stretch I have ever played

[exgolfpro]

8 minutes ago, jwhite86 said:

I've said it multiple times... but the back 9 of the MV is my favorite 9 hole stretch I have ever played

Agree.  In fact, I would say starting at #7 it gets really good.

[T2GRNN2]

In no particular order, but listed with reasons why I included them in my list....

 

Chambers Bay (2009) - played with my dad, my wife, and a plus-playing single who joined us.  We each had single bag caddies, and the four of us were playing from four dif't tee boxes, something the caddies had never done.  And we didn't hold up play at all, staying on the group in front of us the whole way.

 

Poppy Hills (2022) - played with my wife, our daughter, and a single who joined us.  My 14 year old daughter was one over through 7 holes and it was the first time that she was on pace to beat me.  (I play to a low to mid single digit 'cap.)  It was also the first time she played a "name" course that has hosted the PGA Tour.  

 

Bandon Dunes (2021) - I didn't list the courses indiviudally, only putting in the resort.  I went with three great buddies and we had a blast.  BD's motto, "Golf as it was meant to be" is spot on.  We are returning this coming November.  Highlights included the first tee shot on BD, the first time one sees the ocean at #4 on BD, the 16th at BD, the 10th & 11th at PD, the snack shack after 7 on Old Mac, all the greens on the ocean at SR, the bench near 14 tee on BT where Mike Keiser had his epiphany moment, this list is never ending of great spots at Bandon Dunes....

 

Pasatiempo (2019) - What a great track with fantastic green complexes.  Would love to go back and have the time to have a beer in the MacKenzie Bar & Grill.

 

Royal Dornoch (2003) - I drove to the north at the end of Scotland after the set part my trip to Troon/St.Andrews/Carnoustie.  I had two days to spare with nothing planned, so headed north.  From Inverness, I called the course adn asked if they had room for a single the next day.  They had rrom for me to join a member early in the morning, and they even had a room for me above the bar.  We teed off early the next morning, and it was likely my most favourite round of any I have played.  The views, the holes, the topography... wow!  It was a nice leisurely round, getting around in under four hours, and we had the course almost to ourselves.  I can't wait to go back with my wife and daughter. 

 

Port Royal, Bermuda (1999 to 2005) - I was member at Port Royal for 5 years in the early 2000's.  A great track, shortish by today's standards, but still very fun to play.  The tee shot on 16 is one that sticks in your memory banks forever.  It is the current host of the PGA Tour's Bermuda Championships. 

 

Pebble Beach (2019) - As Graham McDowell says, there is no better walk in golf than the walk from 4 tee to 11 tee, and then you get the great 17-18 finish.  And besides, getting a deuce on #2 was the icing on the cake!

 

Beth Page Black (2010) - I was able to play two rounds there in September 2010.  While I was nervous playing, the difficulty didn't meet my expectations.  Not to say it was easy, but saying I was expecting it to be almost unplayable difficult.  Through two rounds, I didn't lose a ball, became envious of the long islanders who can play here as their "home course", and thoroughly enjoyed the walk.    

 

Glen Abbey (1997) - While not on many "go to"  golf courses, it was the first course that I played where the big boys play.  I played in mid-October, and the tree leaves were bright orrange, bright red, and bright yellow.  Something this western Canadian boy had not experienced before.  And hitting the greens on 9 & 18 in regulation topped off the rounds.

 

Corte Bella, Sun City West, AZ (2021) - had to put this one in there as it was the first time my 14 year old daughter beat me.  This will soon become a regular thing, but the first time hurt a bit.  Getting older sucks, but it is better than the alternative!

 

 

 

[asommers1441]

23 hours ago, exgolfpro said:

Pinehurst 1 is a very cool course.  Glad you listed it.

 

Played as a solo with no wait. Was perfect old school Ross. 

[exgolfpro]

16 hours ago, asommers1441 said:

 

Played as a solo with no wait. Was perfect old school Ross. 

I would be perfectly content playing 1, 2, 3 and 4 for the rest of my life.

Edited February 3, 2023 by exgolfpro

[newg33b]

1. Pacific Dunes

2. Pebble Beach

3. Bandon Trails

4. Bandon Dunes

5. Pasatiempo

6. Cabot Cliffs

7. Whistling Straits

8. Mammoth Dunes

9. Erin Hills

10. The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island

[Golf Pig]

Denver
Cherry Hills
Lakewood CC
Bear Creek
Fox Hollow

 

Phoenix
Estancia
Wickenburg Ranch
Troon North Monument
Las Sendas

 

Chicago
Medinah
Olympia Fields

 

[The_Alps]

Streamsong Black (FL)
Tobacco Road (NC)

Streamsong Red (FL)

Oakmont (PA)

Chariot Run (IN)

Totteridge (PA)

Royal New Kent (VA)

TPC Sawgrass Stadium (FL)

Olde Stonewall (PA)

OSU Scarlet (OH)- I would love to see someone other than Jack do a true restoration because I think it has a ton of potential. Similar to the recent stuff they did at Scioto.

 

*Have an upcoming Scotland trip planned so I'm looking forward to see where those slot in 

[monty09]

NGLA

Shoreacres

ANGC

Austin Golf Club

Bluejack National 

Sand Hills

Ohoopee

Arcadia Bluffs

Camargo

Sleepy Hollow

 

 

[cassel191919]

33 minutes ago, monty09 said:

NGLA

Shoreacres

ANGC

Austin Golf Club

Bluejack National 

Sand Hills

Ohoopee

Arcadia Bluffs

Camargo

Sleepy Hollow

 

 

oh the jealousy, great great list.

[asommers1441]

3 hours ago, monty09 said:

NGLA

Shoreacres

ANGC

Austin Golf Club

Bluejack National 

Sand Hills

Ohoopee

Arcadia Bluffs

Camargo

Sleepy Hollow

 

 

What a list. Jealous of all of them except Arcadia

[golfnut071]

Oakmont

National Golf Links

Chicago Golf Club

Pebble Beach

Estancia

Winged Foot (West)

Bethpage Black

Sand Hills

Los Angeles CC (North)

Riviera

[Chanceman]

4 hours ago, golfnut071 said:

Oakmont

National Golf Links

Chicago Golf Club

Pebble Beach

Estancia

Winged Foot (West)

Bethpage Black

Sand Hills

Los Angeles CC (North)

Riviera

Our collective hearts bleed - slumming it at a public course like Bethpage must have been difficult for you.

[The Mad Bomber]

On 1/23/2023 at 12:09 PM, mikedejong33 said:

Favorite courses I have played:

1. Tobiano in Kamloops, BC
2. Diamante Dunes in Cabo (the Tiger Woods course El Cardonal was good too, but not on the level of Dunes)
3. Royal Dornoch
4. St. Andrews (Old, New, Jubilee: we played a few, all were an awesome experience)
5. Tobacco Road (also played Mid Pines, Mid South, Southern Pines from a Pinehurst area trip I did, which were all great)
6. Quivira in Cabo
7. PGA West Stadium (although I probably enjoyed the two Indian Wells courses just as much, just cool to play one that is on TV all the time)
8. Kananaskis (both courses are awesome)
9. Mickelson National in Calgary, AB (played it once on our way to the mountains and really liked it)
10. The Derrick Golf and Winter Club

You must be local lol.

 

In no order:

 

1. The Old Course

2. Tobiano

3. Carnoustie

4. Mt. Kidd

5. Mickelson National

6. The National (Maybe Canada's best, but I haven't made it out to Cabot yet)

7. Makai Golf Club

8. Kingsbarns

9. Mt. Lorette

10. PGA West

[sloansav62]

Fishers Island

Friars Head

Sleepy Hollow

Turnberry

Carnoustie

Kapalua

Princeville Prince

Caledonia

Calusa Pines

CC Fairfield

[TBD203]

No particular order:

 

Royal Portrush

Royal County Down

Pine Needles

Dormie Club

Pine Valley

Eastward Ho!

Hyannisport

Pinehurst 4

Country Club of Waterbury

Ocean Course

[golfnut071]

15 hours ago, Chanceman said:

Our collective hearts bleed - slumming it at a public course like Bethpage must have been difficult for you.

I've been lucky that a friend of mine is trying to play the top 100, and has invited me on several trips.  I could easily add another top 10.  

[kizdoc]

In no particular order.

 

Pasatiempo

Spyglass Hill

TPC Harding Park

Wekopa Saguaro

Pacific Dunes

Bandon Trails

Sand Valley

Erin Hills

Bluejack National

Ozarks National

 

Still looking to make it out to play more East coast courses.

Edited February 5, 2023 by kizdoc

[callawayjay]

All played in no order

 

carnoustie

old course

pebble beach

spyglass hill

Pasatiempo 

The Harvester

the Prince course

kapalua plantation 

manele bay

Forest ridge 

[Chanceman]

On 2/5/2023 at 11:01 AM, TBD203 said:

No particular order:

 

Royal Portrush

Royal County Down

Pine Needles

Dormie Club

Pine Valley

Eastward Ho!

Hyannisport

Pinehurst 4

Country Club of Waterbury

Ocean Course

Hyannisport and Waterbury - are they ultra private or can a visitor get on?

[Chanceman]

14 hours ago, golfnut071 said:

I've been lucky that a friend of mine is trying to play the top 100, and has invited me on several trips.  I could easily add another top 10.  

Half your luck.

[TBD203]

7 hours ago, Chanceman said:

Hyannisport and Waterbury - are they ultra private or can a visitor get on?

Waterbury I imagine you could get in if you had a pro call. Our pro is a pretty nice guy. Hyannisport… seems a bit more exclusive. We got lucky with a member at our club being a member there as well.