Favorite Courses You've played.

[Dead Solid Perfect]

I'm sitting here watching the repeat from Pebble Beach and looking at one of my golf ball cases. It got me thinking about rounds played at a bunch of courses and what are my favorites. Now this isn't hard to do but I wanted to break it down in to a couple catagories. Of course, the top grouping would in the Top 3 courses played.

Then the next group would be Top Three Courses for under $100. So here's my picks!

 

Top 3 Courses under 100

 

1.Royal New Kent

Providence Forge, VA

 

If you haven't played here you must get here before you die. The course opens with a short dogleg left par 4. Built in sand dunes the course looks like God himself carved it out. From the first tee the fairway drops severely with large dunes bookcasing the right and left side of the hole. I'm not sure if the green is drivable because the miss was so harsh I didn't attempt it. From the fairway the green is probably elevated up as much as the tee was. The green is sloped aggressively front to back and only the front edge and pin are visable from the fairway. I could go on and on but every hole is special, I look forward to the next time I get a chance to play it again.

 

2.Longaberger Golf Club

Nashport, OH

 

Longaberger known for their baskets created one of the prettiest courses you'll find in the great state of Ohio. The thing that stands out about this track is how every hole is encased in these towering oak trees. Each hole feels like its own private club with rolling fairways soft bunkering. There is a sense of calm while on the course with wildlife walking or flying around. This is another course with great elevation, some are straight forward tee to green other holes elevate up to the peak in the fairway then back down to the green. There is a section of holes on the back that break out of the oak trees to give you a links feel to them. If your ever in Ohio near Columbus this is a must play.

 

3. Stonehedge

Fairfield Glade, TN

 

I discovered this course back in 1999, I know that may seem like a long time to some members but I was in my 20's and set this up for my golf group at the time. Mountain golf at its best with mountain lakes, views, and rock formations. One of the things that stands out was the rock or granite protruding from some of the fairways. The other thing and what made this course so fun was it's small greens. We had an early tee time in the Spring so temps were down a little bit and fog delayed the start. When we finally teed off the fog hadn't quite lifted so all we could see from the first tee was some fairway. The view from the fairway wasn't any better seeing how it was up hill and into the fog. I could make out a bunker and some of the flagstick. I hit solid shot thinking I was no more than 15 from pin I pulled the putter out and started walking up to the green. When I arrived at my ball I was shocked to find it that distance from the hole but was in a bunker that I couldn't see. The thing was the green was the size of a dime if I remember correctly. The course took us on a wonderful journey with incredible vistas.

 

 

Top 3 Courses

 

1. Oakmont CC

Oakmont, PA

 

Well what can you say about Oakmont CC? The feeling you get when you step out of your car at the bag drop is amazing. I don't think you get better service anywhere. Ok lets do this for the easy stuff; are the greens as fast as people say.....YES! is the course as difficult as people say...It can be. Oakmont is special to me for 2 reasons, it's storied history, and I got the invite from my closest friend a month after my father passed. My father was from Steubenville Ohio and played Oakmont a few times. His stories always entertained me so I always had it on my bucket list. The day we played we had a little drizzle and I had my A game. I've said since I'm not sure I want to play it again, because with a 7 handicap the ney sayers would say I would shoot in the 90's. I didn't I won't post my score but I beat a former Junior Champion of the course. I think with Oakmont the key is if your going to miss hit it make sure it's on the correct side to do it and miss hit it by a bunch. A big miss hit ends up over the bunkers and leaves makeable shots. There are places that are just humanly impossible to get out of with any distance. The caddies there are the best I've ever used, they know the course and learn your game quickly. Obviously if you get a chance take it's worth it!

 

2. Cascata

Boulder City, Nevada

 

Cascata... Cascata one of the courses I hope you can play in Heaven. Another course with great caddies, great service with your name on the locker and help that is there for you every second your not playing golf. The course meandors through desert mountain and valleys. This place is perfect and I mean perfect, I've played Cascata twice now and I've yet to see a ball mark on any green. The greens well bring your putter, sleep with it if you have to it will need to be warm. The green speeds were near 13 and this on sloped greens. When the caddy tells you hit about a 1/4 way to the hole do it. If you don't the ball will just keep rolling. Some of the views of that need mention are, the waterfall and stream going through the clubhouse. There is a view of a dried up salt lake that is amazing and just the flow of the holes. Each hole is it's own hole with no views of any other hole. Cascata has waterfalls, streams flowing on the course, and Palm trees on some holes making them look like a oasis mirage in the middle of such a moon like landscape. This place is beautiful, I joke with my group that when I retire I want to move there and caddy just so I can walk the course once a day.

 

 

3. Fallen Oak

Saucier, Mississippi

 

Fazio that's all that needs to be said. Once again great caddy, and one of the best 19th holes I've ever seen. Now we played Fallen Oak this past spring the Saturday before the Senior Tour played there and we were the last group out. The bunkering around this place will leave you speachless. The way Fazio folded all the edges down in the bunkers is visually spectacular and every hole will leave lasting memories for years to come. When we teed off we had a marine layer so we really couldn't see the first three holes until we played another 18. The greens we some of the best I've ever played on. Fallen Oak really felt like Mississippi, with trees as green as they could be and the ponds looking like what you would picture a deep south pond to look like, the only thing missing was the gators. The routing of the holes is perfect, I don't think Fazio could have done any better if he tried again, it's just a perfect place for a round of golf. I have to mention the memory foam seats in the Club Car golf carts, my tush never felt so good. I'll get into describing this place better at a later date. Once again if I could request this course in the afterlife then put me down for it.

 

These are a few of my favorite places,of course my home track of Avalon Lakes is up there and so is The Pete Dye Club. Picking just three is tricky and I feel like there are so many more. I'd have to say my top 6 could all fight to be on this list but alas it's only a 3 picker so some one has to be cut. Let me know what you think of these and let me hear your favorites in these catagories. Top 3 under 100 and your Top 3.

[MizunoJunky]

Definitely Bayonet for me in Monterey! Tough course on the most beautiful day, mid 70s and a light breeze! Go there! You'll thank me!

[minteq]

My first favorite is Longaberger. I have played there a dozen times, and from the customer service to the course conditions, I have had the best experiences there, also shot my best rounds there. I love when you are on a hole there, that is all you see, its like no one is around, very peaceful for me, cant explain why.

Second is the River course at Kingsmill, the views of the James River, the history, great experience.

[SilverBullets]

my top 3 are probably Cypress Point, Pebble Beach and then tied for 3 is Muirfield Village and Double Eagle.. I like the course at Village more than double eagle but the fact that you can go a full round without seeing another golfer at Double Eagle is incredible. One time I was there only 2 groups were on the course... our group was on the front as Marcus Allen's group was on the back 9.

[caller]

1. Peachtree (ATL)
2. Kiawah Ocean Course (SC)
3. Vanderbilt Legend Club (TN)

[craniac24]

I'd say it would have to be PGA West. Craziest course I've ever seen.

[MileHighClub]

Breckenridge Golf Club. Nicklaus designed 27 hole municipal course in the Colorado mountains one hour west of Denver. 360* views are spectacular and there is lots of wildlife. Course is always in good shape. Pricey at around $100 though.

[Dead Solid Perfect]

[quote name='MileHighClub' timestamp='1356194466' post='6104481']
Breckenridge Golf Club. Nicklaus designed 27 hole municipal course in the Colorado mountains one hour west of Denver. 360* views are spectacular and there is lots of wildlife. Course is always in good shape. Pricey at around $100 though.
[/quote]
Haven't played in Colorado yet but I will scribble Breckenridge down for future reference.

[FairwayFred]

Sand Hills Golf Club in Mullen Nebraska

[Dead Solid Perfect]

[quote name='FairwayFred' timestamp='1356395499' post='6113565']
Sand Hills Golf Club in Mullen Nebraska
[/quote]
Now your just teasing us! Drool

[JEFFERYLEE]

Spring Valley Golf Course- Livermore, IA.
family owned golf course full of flowers and they take very good care of it..
I'm pretty sure Dallas Clark has built a home on it..

[mac94]

Overall

1. Pacific Dunes
2. Muirfield Village
3. Bandon Dunes

Under $100

1. Longaberger (Ohio represent!)
2. King and Bear
3. TPC Sawgrass Valley

[oregongolf]

Cypress Point. And it's not even close.

[BENNYSUPREME]

Favorite under 100

Air Force Academy: price per round under $2 with unlimmited play
Kinderlou Forest: price free to around $50
Sung Nam GC: price around $30
I'll just throw this out there, Look up anycourse on the Islands of hawaii that the public can play


Over 100
Either of the two Courses on Barbados(Sandy Lanes and Barbados Country Club)
BroadMoor in any combo
Sony Open Course

[SkyyDesigns]

My top 3 are all within miles of each other...

1. Cypress Point
2. Spyglass Hill
3. Pebble Beach

Rounding out my top 5 would be a close one between Pasatiempo, Oylmpic Club, and Shadow Creek. I only live about 2 hours from Monterey so I'm blessed to get to play down there every month. Being Nor-Cal raised and bred Monterey is my absolute favorite place to play golf period.

Under $100 my top 3 are...

1. Bayonet
2. TPC Harding Park
3. Ruby Hill CC

[MEC13]

Has to be the Black Course at Bethpage. A nice easy half hour drive to one of the most beautiful and difficult courses in the US. Can't beat the $50 price to play where the Pro's play.

[Bubba Julio]

My top 3 played have to be:

1. Bandon Dunes
2. Crosswater
3. TPC Scottsdale

Looking forward to hitting up Pacific Dunes and Old Mac this spring!

[kell]

Tobacco Road

[Eternal]

Just started playing golf this past year so haven't been around as much yet... but my top three would be

1) Remington Parkview: Valley Course - Toronto
2) Bayonet - Monterey
3) TPC - Las Vegas

[Dead Solid Perfect]

[quote name='kell' timestamp='1357078925' post='6149841']
Tobacco Road
[/quote]
Now here's a course on my bucket list. A few years back I thought I was going to be able to play while I was in NC but alas it never panned out. I will say I have some envy for the guys who play or played Cypress Point. The nearest I came to Cypress was watching my friends video of him playing it. The courses at Pebble are all great with vistas that leave lasting memories. In the under 100 category I thought I'd see more courses I haven't heard of or played. Come on Golfwrxers' I know there are more out there. We aren't on this site because we are just casual golfers, I would think.

[Fourmyle of Ceres]

Cypress Point is in its own category and in my experience can't be meaningfully compared with other courses. There may be a "better" course out there somewhere, depending on how one might reckon such things, but I'm sure nothing else is like it.

Among the less otherworldly courses I've played it's hard to beat the Ocean Course at Kiawah. Given that it's a resort anyone can play by just whipping out the plastic, in that sense it's sort of a personal favorite of mine. I try to play there every couple of years, exorbitant green fees notwithstanding. Seeing the PGA Championship contested there just weeks after my last visit was a real thrill.

P.S. I'd be interested to hear people's personal choices for "Favorite Course Without A View Of An Ocean".

[CPSOX]

1. PV
2. CPC
3. SH/NGLA

[grantr]

Under $100:

1. Wine Valley (Walla Walla, WA)
2. Old Works (Anaconda, MT)
3. Canyon RIver (Missoula, MT)

Overall:

1. California Golf Club of San Francisco (South San Francisco, CA)
2. Rock Creek Cattle Co. (Deer Lodge, MT)
3. Crosswater (Sunriver, OR)

Anyone else played some of these gems?

[subrosa]

Under 100
Black Horse and Bayonet - two of the hardest, greatest looking courses I have ever had a chance to play. 60-80 USD depending on deals.
Pacific Grove Golf Links - Front 9 is a decent,track, but the back 9 is from a different world. ~24-50 USD depending on time.
Half Moon Bay: Ocean - For the price ($60 USD) this was an amazing links style course with one of the best finishing holes I have played. No driving range was a let down.

[attachment=1477619:18HMB.JPG]

Over 100
Spanish Bay - The only course I have ever played with a green fee above 100 dollars. It was spectacular, but didn't have the finish of Half Moon Bay. 160 USD, but -50 gift card to the pro shop. I will say the true "finish" of this course is listening to the bagpiper play as the sun sets over #1.

[attachment=1477617:1SB.JPG]

[Dead Solid Perfect]

[quote name='subrosa' timestamp='1357467255' post='6177079']
Under 100
Black Horse and Bayonet - two of the hardest, greatest looking courses I have ever had a chance to play. 60-80 USD depending on deals.
Pacific Grove Golf Links - Front 9 is a decent,track, but the back 9 is from a different world. ~24-50 USD depending on time.
Half Moon Bay: Ocean - For the price ($60 USD) this was an amazing links style course with one of the best finishing holes I have played. No driving range was a let down.

[attachment=1477619:18HMB.JPG]

Over 100
Spanish Bay - The only course I have ever played with a green fee above 100 dollars. It was spectacular, but didn't have the finish of Half Moon Bay. 160 USD, but -50 gift card to the pro shop. I will say the true "finish" of this course is listening to the bagpiper play as the sun sets over #1.

[attachment=1477617:1SB.JPG]
[/quote]
Half Moon Bay, both courses, are incredible. They are on my top 10, incredible vistas and great layouts. I have a few funny stories from there. If your in San Fran area and haven't played it call off work and get there!

[Bubba Julio]

[quote name='grantr' timestamp='1357463770' post='6177033']
Under $100:

1. Wine Valley (Walla Walla, WA)
2. Old Works (Anaconda, MT)
3. Canyon RIver (Missoula, MT)

Overall:

1. California Golf Club of San Francisco (South San Francisco, CA)
2. Rock Creek Cattle Co. (Deer Lodge, MT)
3. Crosswater (Sunriver, OR)

Anyone else played some of these gems?
[/quote]


Crosswater is my home course... did ya get to see the bald eagles in the big nest on 13?

[BNich0622]

John's Island Club (west course) Vero Beach, Florida

[deadsolid...shank]

I think I've only played two courses that top the $100 mark, so they'll fill my expensive catagory.

1. Pebble Beach

2. Pasatiempo

In the under $100 catagory I have a few more choices.

1. Quarry Oaks. Just outside of Omaha above the Platte River. Beatuful course, I especially liked the par threes.

2. Bayonet/Black Horse. I think enough has been said of them, I'll just lump them together.

3. Pacific Grove in Monterey--everyone righly raves about the back nine (and rightfully so), but we really enjoyed the front also. What a steal for $29.

[belh22]

Pine Valley
Caves Valley
Inverness

[tpatte02]

Ballyneal
Dormie Club
Old Head
Yeamans Hall
Commonground