Best Golf Experience and what made it so

[Tillie Man]

Been many, pine valley while staying in cabins overnight. The "Black " more times than I can count..But one I will never forget has to be the first time ."Shinnecock " in a.m , lunch and 18 at "National "..the history ,the quality of the courses.two of America's true masterpieces

[EdL]

Gotta be Bandon Dunes. It's a pure golf experience. The service was good, but what made it memorable was just that the whole place is about golf and unwinding from golf (food, drinks, smokes). Not to mention the courses and practice facility are nothing short of amazing. I'm not into being fussed over by the staff or need to be treated like a king. I just want to do my thing and have access to everything I need. The staff is very accommodating and friendly, but not overbearingly so. No fuss, just golf. And what golf it is......

[lordbyron]

My wife suprised me with a trip to Kohler to play the Straights, Blackwolf Run, and the Irish for my 30th bithday. The weather was bad the for my day on the Straights but it didnt really bother me...wind and drizzle. (3hr rain delay) Durring the delay I shot the breeze with guys at the bar upstairs, swapped stories. Sat by the fire in the club while the attendent changed out my spikes at his request! Then I called my wife and we had a really nice lunch downstairs, rueben with bacon mayo. Got back on the course and it was empty, really enjoyed the round. We stayed at the American Club and couldn't recommend it more. Having the opprotunity to play two courses the caliber of BWR and The Straights that are so different, combined with the high level of service made it a great trip.
Byron

[mljones99]

Dormie Club here in NC is the best of what I've played. The staff (especially the current staff) is phenominal. Top notch every time I play there.

[wrayner]

I've been fortunate enough to play a ton of great courses but definitely would have to say my time out at Pebble Beach. Played in a Pro-Am at Bayonet, Spanish Bay, Spyglass and Pebble. We stayed in a ground floor room at The Lodge on the 18th hole. Got there in the early evening the first day and had the opportunity to walk up 18 and get some great pictures as the sun set. Grabbed an awesome dinner in the Tap Room. Played Bayonet in awesome weather, definitely a solid track and worth playing if you're out there. Spanish Bay was great as well, with the exception of playing the last 4 holes in a torrential downpour. Our third day was Spyglass and by far my favorite course of the group. Perfect weather all 18 holes and was fortunate enough to play really well and shoot 72. The final day we had the best weather all week to play Pebble. Didnt play as well but the views make all of that seem to just go away. The only downside of the entire trip was that we had a tee time at Cypress Point the morning of the seond day that I didnt find out about until we got back East. Definitely a HUGE buzzkill!

[kygolfer1980]

Best overall experience was Bandon Dunes. Everything about that place is absolutely magical. I would move there in a heartbeat if it were not for family.

As far as treatment, every time I go to Pinehurst they treat every person who walks through the door like a millionaire. It's a classy place down there.

[Golfinwill]

Rich Harvest Farms! Outside Chicago. This course is unreal. It's a very difficult course to even explain. I've been extremely lucky to play about 5 times and each time you have the place to yourself. Course is extremely pure and it feels like your walking around a park. The course has several old victorian homes every few holes where you are able to stop relax grab a drink, lunch, ect... Several times we have ended up playing all day and it great. The course has several different ranges where you can practice. It's a magical place in my opinion.

[Animal Chin]

Treated my dad to a round in Ireland on his 60th birthday.

[thejuice]

Not trying to thread-jack but what kind of nightlife does Bandon have? My regular crew cares as much about nightlife options as the courses we play (versus me who just wants picturesque courses).

[kygolfer1980]

[quote name='thejuice' timestamp='1372617788' post='7356452']
Not trying to thread-jack but what kind of nightlife does Bandon have? My regular crew cares as much about nightlife options as the courses we play (versus me who just wants picturesque courses).
[/quote]
There is a casino about 30 min down the road in Coos Bay but doubt there is a whole lot other than that. We stayed at the resort mostly. Worn out after walking 36 a day.

[thejuice]

[quote name='kygolfer1980' timestamp='1372624604' post='7357060']
[quote name='thejuice' timestamp='1372617788' post='7356452']
Not trying to thread-jack but what kind of nightlife does Bandon have? My regular crew cares as much about nightlife options as the courses we play (versus me who just wants picturesque courses).
[/quote]
There is a casino about 30 min down the road in Coos Bay but doubt there is a whole lot other than that. We stayed at the resort mostly. Worn out after walking 36 a day.
[/quote]

Thanks! I think the idea of a casino close is enough to get them on a plane.

[kygolfer1980]

[quote name='thejuice' timestamp='1372653126' post='7360062']
[quote name='kygolfer1980' timestamp='1372624604' post='7357060']
[quote name='thejuice' timestamp='1372617788' post='7356452']
Not trying to thread-jack but what kind of nightlife does Bandon have? My regular crew cares as much about nightlife options as the courses we play (versus me who just wants picturesque courses).
[/quote]
There is a casino about 30 min down the road in Coos Bay but doubt there is a whole lot other than that. We stayed at the resort mostly. Worn out after walking 36 a day.
[/quote]

Thanks! I think the idea of a casino close is enough to get them on a plane.
[/quote]
You could always tell them that u wanna play Pumpkin Ridge in Portland as well. Plenty of nightlife there if u stay an extra day or 2.

[BrianWalnuts]

Played Spyglass with my brothers last year... was blown away by the course and the customer service!
We had a tee time at 730 and it was raining, forecast said it would be clearing so they allowed us to tee off later and gave us time to walk around pebble and grab lunch at the tap room... like was discussed about some other courses, I was surprised as to how they treat everyone like they own the place. And the course - by far the best I've ever played. Can't wait to get back there!!!

[alecmadison97]

Played Los Angeles CC earlier this year, far and away the best course I have played. The service was great, when you arrive up you are directed to go to the men's locker room and you ring an actual bell and you are let in that is how private this place is. The caddies are great and the conditioning was perfect. Some of the best greens I've ever played on. At the end of a 36 hole day which was already the best of my life. Finishing it off by driving to Staples Center to watch the NCAA Sweet Sixteen isn't bad either.

[stimpmeterp]

Recently added Caves Valley (outside Baltimore) to my favorites list. First class from the minute you drive in the gate.

[NatsFan2013]

I would have to say that my favorite experience was playing Caves Valley in Maryland twice. Course was obviously spectacular. Greens are incredible and very fast. Practice facility was possibly the most scenic that I have ever seen but the fact that it plays so much downhill can cause some misconception on the course. The staff are great. Food is great. Played behind Tony Kornheiser and in front of Darrell Green so it was cool to meet them.

Having said all of that I think, more than anything else, your experience is guided mostly by the people you are with. I have learned at a very young age that experiences in your life mean a lot more when you are surrounded by good people. Some of the best rounds of golf I have ever played have been played at average courses but with top-notch people. My favorite course to play is a small course in rural Pennsylvania near Hazelton called Sugarloaf. I play in a 2 man best ball tournament there every year and it is something I look forward to the moment it is finished (coming up in a few weeks....YES!!!).

While playing the bucket list courses is always fun, I have found that it's the company you choose to be with that makes the experience.


PS - Played Kapalua Plantation course by myself and it was incredible. Played the TIPS at 6:45 am and was finished and back at the hotel by 9:30 before the wife was even ready to go. Perhaps it would have been better with good company but it was still an amazing experience.

[NatsFan2013]

[quote name='stimpmeterp' timestamp='1372896778' post='7384242']
Recently added Caves Valley (outside Baltimore) to my favorites list. First class from the minute you drive in the gate.
[/quote]

+1