OT-Golf Thu: Top Course You Have Played
Time to start bragging...
Post the top 5/10 courses you have played. Let's see how far and wide MGOBLOG golfers have travelled to play golf.
Here is mine.
- National Golf Links of America - I was finally able to play this course just before COVID hit. As a golf course architecture junkie, this has always been my #1 bucket list golf course (more than Augusta or Pine Valley or Cypress). The brilliance of template holes and Macdonald's creativity come together on this impossibly beautiful and interesting landscape on Long Island Sound. I can die a happy golfer.
- Sand Hills - Coore and Crenshaw's masterpiece in Nebraska's sand dunes. There is no other course with more epic drama on every hole.
- Old MacDonald at Bandon Dunes - I am a Macdonald junkie and this hit all the right places.
- Pacific Dunes at Bandon Dunes - I don't know if there is a better combination of fun and beauty on a golf course.
- Oakland Hills (South) - Easily the best set of greens I have ever played. Far more interesting Donald Ross greens than #2 at Pinehurst. With the recent Hanse restoration, this course should again be towards the top of any "best" list.
- Pebble Beach - If you count just the ocean side holes, there is no better golf course. Inland holes are just, meh.
- Ballyneal - Its remote setting provides the purest form of golf I have ever experienced. I can play this course for the rest of my life and never get bored.
- Chambers Bay - My home course and I count my self lucky that I can access something so good on regular basis
- Pinehurst #4 - Gil Hanse remodeling has taken this above #2 in my book. Picture perfect holes with variety of options galore
- Bethpage (Black) - Tee to green, is as good as any course in the country. The flat greens really lets it down.
I was supposed to hit Scotland and Ireland and play some of my dream courses (like The Old Course) when COVID hit. Hopefully, I can finally play them next year.
Mid Pines and Pine Needles are two of my very favorite courses and I also highly recommend playing them. It'll be a bit more than $100 to do so, however.
Should have added more context on cost. Group of 8 purchased a weekend package for two nights in a lodge @ Pine Needles and three rounds of golf ... 2 @ Pine Needles and 1 @ Mid Pines for $429 ... in Nov and the weather was perfect.
1. Arcadia Bluffs (Bluffs)
2. Forest Dunes
3. Port Royal (Bermuda)
4. Bay Harbor (Links/Quarry)
5. Arcadia Bluffs (South)
6. Tullymore
7. Eagle Eye
8. TPC Sugarloaf (GA)
9. Arthur Hills at Boyne
10. Black Lake
In Scotland (all the best I've played)
1) Trump International
2) Troon
3) Turnberry
4) Old Course
5) Carnoustie
6) Royal Dornoch
7) Prestwick
then for US/Americas
8) Kiawah
9) Irish Hills
10) Whistling Straits
11) Lost Dunes
12) Teeth of the Dog
13 Punta Cana - Corales
Really interesting that you have TI over more well known Scotland courses. Would you mind explaining why?
Good Point, I really liked that course because it was links but in tremendous condition. I think I should have done it this way:
1) Turnberry
2) Troon
3) Old Course
4) Carnoustie
5) TI
Also I forgot "one" in the states Troon North both courses!!!!
Don't change the list on my account. I actually don't like to follow standard listings. I think it is good to have a wide variety of tastes/opinion. I was just wondering what your point of view was.
Cool. I think I wrote the list in the order we played them first....hence I actually changed to what I preferred after you pointed it out
I've played a lot of places, a lot of places that are currently Mentioned (Harbor Town, Chambers Bay, TPC Scottsdale and Sawgrass etc.) We Ko Pa In Scottsdale, AZ is incredible, if you ever get the chance, play the desert course... (Cholla Course). also, don't sleep on Michigan courses! Jack's place at Benton Harbor is so damn perfect! everything is in amazing condition... and then yeah, Arcadia Bluffs is flat out awesome! Michigan Weather and then on the Coast... allows for such amazing summer golf...
We-Ko-Pa is a hidden gem and agree on Cholla. Wasn't as impressed with the other course.
Agreed. We-Ko-Pa was more fun than Troon.
I played a private club in Kalamazoo a few times. The Moors. It has hosted a US open qualifier, US Amateur qualifier, and a few other things not as notable. That's it. Oh, I paid $80 to play 18 on a kinda fancy course one time.
I play at least once a week from opening to close (March - Nov) and I have never even sniffed courses like you guys are mentioning. I guess I figure if I shoot 84-104 range on my local 6700 yard course, what's the point of playing somewhere where I'll shoot 127 on a 7200 yard course and pay $250 for the "privilege" to do so.
I guess if I was a better golfer maybe i would try some of those fancy places. I dunno I am not a fancy person. I'd rather chug beer at my local muni, play 18 with a cart for $40, listen to music smoke cigars, wear a tshirt and gym shorts, etc.
You don't have to play those courses from the tips. Just use the appropriate tees and enjoy some great courses!
I'd say Whistling Straits and Pebble Beach are the two best so far, but I am playing the Ocean Course in 10 days so we'll see how that compares
I am heading out there in Sept! It was really nice seeing on PGA and getting me excited for the trip. I hope you have a great time.
OP for your trip to the British Isles I am going give you a great gift. It is a book called "A course called Ireland" by Tom Coyne. It's about a man's insane journey to walk the entire perimeter of Ireland and play all the links courses along the way.
Of course it is about more than golf, but he does play them all and even rates them in the appendix. It's a fascinating and hilarious book that will get you excited for your trip.
Will do!
Been fortunate to play Quail Hollow in Charlotte, Muirfield Village and Bay Hill. All are amazing and can see why pros show up to play Wells Fargo, Memorial and Arnie's tournaments.
Good gracious, there are quite a few lists on here that are pretty exclusive. Here's my list.
1. Kim Jung-Un Honorary Course, Pyongyang. If you actually manage to get a tee-time, be careful, the course is VERY unforgiving. Though when I played, one member of our foursome that day, Kim Jung-Un, aced every hole.
2. Aitken Basin NASA Course, Moon. Easier to get on than Augusta, I found the view to be a bit distracting. The individual holes were a pleasure but the course overall had a distinct lack of atmosphere that I found surprising given the expenses associated with playing a round there.
3. 3rd through 103 in descending order https://golf.com/travel/courses/top-100-golf-courses-world-2020-21-edition/
St. Andrews, by several country miles. I didn't get to play the Old Course, I believe it was the Jubilee Course or the New Course, but I can still say I played there. Or let's put it this way: I did what some people might call playing golf. Anyone who actually knows how to play worth a damn would probably say all I did was insult the sacred ground upon which I stood.
Runner Up is Pebble Beach, although I'm not really sure that counts since I was maybe 8-9 years old, and mostly what I did was ride around in the cart with my dad and he'd drop a few balls for me to putt once we got to the green.
Played Oakland Hills ages ago. Remember being blown away when I got to the first green and saw the incredible undulations.
1. Augusta National. It’s every bit as amazing as you think
2. Old White Course at the Greenbrier
3. Bay Harbour. Probably my favorite course in the state of Michigan
4. Poipu Bay in Kauai ocean side course where they used to play the Grand Slam of Golf
5. The Bear
I figured there is at least one of us who played Augusta. Very cool!
1. Pebble Beach
2. Pacific Dunes (this is a very close second, but mostly because I had an awesome caddy and shot 78.)
3. Kapalua - Plantation Course
4. The Country Club(Brookline)
5. Oakland Hills - South
6. Essex County Club
7. Arcadia Bluffs
8. Forest Dunes - The Loop
Michigan Courses - Haven't travelled for golf...
1. Arcadia Bluffs
2. Bay Harbor
3. If you are looking for a good flogging...True North.
4. Tullymore
5. St. Ives
6. Threetops
7. Pilgrim's Run
We are very similar
Just recently had the opportunity to play Edgewood in South Tahoe, right on the lake, it was something else, it was early in the "season" but course was in prime condition.
2nd has to be Harbor Town, something about those old school clubs. Close 3rd is Caledonia in Pawleys Island, SC. Hidden gem and great beach location.
I lived in Jacksonville, FL for eight years and was able to play TPC Sawgrass about six times during that stint. My company had a charity outing there every year. It was a Shamble format so that might not exactly qualify....but I've played a regular round there, too.
I'm not a great golfer (and getting worse by the day). I've hit the Island Green on 17....but my ball never stayed on. It's still a fun hole to play!
The front nine at Royal County Down is the best stretch of all the 850 exceptional, worldwide, golf courses I have experienced. Played in 49 states,10 countries, with over 100 rounds on True Links courses and have 75,000 golf photos to show for it. Was to play the 50th last year but due to COVID have yet to make it back to Hawaii. Hoping, I live long enough to play 1000.
RCD is #1 course to play before I die (The Old Course is #2). I am planning on it next year.
That is PHENOMENAL that you have played that many true links courses. What are some of your other best courses?
I can't wait, Ireland in August assuming we can get in!!
Go to: Inpursuitof1000.blogspot.com
They are all organized there. Special section with all the True Links Course photo’s.
Wow - OP that is quite the list. Sand Hills and NGLA are probably 1 and 2 on my bucket list! Curious what the next couple of course on your wish list would be.
As far as it goes for me:
1) Crystal Downs - so many truly unique holes (5-8 is an otherworldly stretch) and I couldn't imagine a better spot to have a beer after a round than the chairs overlooking the 18th and lake Michigan. Special place
2) Oakland Hills (South) - as others have said, hard to describe how cool the green complexes are. Can't wait to see the changes!
3) Monterey Peninsula (Shore) - immaculate conditioning with like 14 holes on the Pacific.
4) Bloomfield Hills - Caddied here throughout middle school, high school and college and played 36 every Monday. Special place in my heart. Also can't wait to see the changes from last summer!!
5) Lancaster CC - supremely underrated
6) Philly Cricket Club (Wissahickon) - absolute brute without the threat of losing a golf ball
7) Streamsong (Blue, then red, then black) - cheating a bit here, but living in Tampa does not afford me much quality golf, so having Streamsong inside of an hour away is a God send
8) Huntingdon Valley - first real experience with firm and fast conditions and fell in love
9) Bull's Bay - super fun Stranz course
10) Quail Valley GC - Florida golf isn't my favorite, but Quail is about as good as it gets.
For those that make trips to northern Michigan with any sort of frequency, you should make Belvedere a must play. Spectacular set of greens and you'll almost certainly play in 3:30 or so. Similarly, if you have the chance to play the Loop at Forest Dunes on the day where you can play both ways (the 31st of months), absolutely take advantage of that. Bit of a mind bending experience
You got a pretty nice list here. I would love to play Crystal Down if I ever get a chance. I've heard nothing but great things about that course.
My bucket list of courses to play are (now that NGLA is off that list) - 1. Royal County Down - I just think it is the most beautiful course I have ever seen in photos and it must be just phenomenal in real life. 2. The Old Course - have to play THE original. 3. Royal Melbourne - seems like it is exactly the kind of course that I love.
Thankfully, I have plans to hit my #1 and #2 over the next 2 years. I am going to do my best to get to the #3 before I die.
P.S. Played Streamsong when it opened and they are my favorite courses to play in Florida. Others don't even come close (may be Sawgrass, but that is it - Seminole is just a unicorn).
I would definitely say CD is a "drop whatever you have planned" type of course. That's quite the solid bucket list as well. I would LOVE to spend a week or three in Australia/New Zealand/Tasmania and hit the Sand Belt region.
And yeah, I love the Streamsong property to death, but aside from a few gems, golf in Florida leaves a lot to be desired. There are some really cool classic and quasi classic courses like Sara Bay, Bradenton CC, Timuquana, CC of Orlando, Pine Tree and places like that but they are few and far between unfortunately
1. Valhalla
2. Arcadia Bluff (played for 1st time on 9/11)
3. Grand Cypress, New Course
4. Old Silo, Lexington
5. Gold Horseshoe
6.TPC Dearborn
7. Ross Bridge
8. Covered Bridge, Fuzzy Zoeller course
9. Egypt Valley
10. Forest Dunes
25+ years at CC of Detroit. Home to the 1915 (Robert Gardner) and 1954 US Amateurs (Arnold Palmer).
Played by Harry Vardon and Ted Ray in 1913 during their barnstorming tour of the US before the US Open at The Country Club in Brookline, won by Francis Ouimet.
Would you mind sharing a couple of highlights of CC of Detroit? Would love to learn more about it.
Old Course
New Course
Crail Balcomie-very underrated
We also played Carnoustie which was the most difficult experience I've ever had on a golf course. 50 mph winds right in your face throughout the front 9 made it nearly impossible. I essentially had to putt the ball down the fairways with my utility club.
1. Pebble Beach
2. Spyglass
3. Torrey Pines
4, 5, 6 3 courses at Boyne Highlands
7. U of M
8. Meadow Brook CC
9. American Dunes (coming this summer)
1) Crystal Downs
2) Congressional CC
3) Greywalls
4) Belle Haven CC
5) Army Navy CC (Arlington)
I have a trip to Bandon next year planned. 7 tee times made, hitting them all, some twice.
You will not be disappointed at Bandon. A true golf heaven.
My list is heavily influenced by the fact that I was former USAF civilian, so I had access to all the military courses (many of which are hidden gems, others are glorified cow pastures) and also influenced by where I had to do a lot of work trips. I also play a lot of off the beaten track courses... so here it goes:
1) Eisenhower Golf Club- Blue, USAFA, Colorado Springs: my favorite course ever. Awesome views on almost every hole as you twist and turn and climb around the mountains in the AF Academy grounds, including one hole where you overlook the football stadium and another where you have a great view of the flightline. Great difficulty and hole designs, and since you're playing on a high end military course, most players with you and around you are extremely courteous and polite.
2) Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club, Deal, England: a classic links course in a kind of out the way place, formerly on the British Open rota. Ocean winds, classic links with tall grasses and sand traps, clubhouse with a very "old world" feel.
3) Royal Links Golf Course, Las Vegas: definitely a gimmick course.. they took the 18 best holes of the British Open rota courses and mashed them up on a single course in Vegas. Hospitality services at the course are great, the course is just fun to play and in generally good shape, and it's really neat to play the Road Hole from St Andrews with the bright lights of the Strip in the background
4) Pacific Grove Golf Links, Pacific Grove, CA: this is basically the economy version of Pebble Beach. It's on the same peninsula as Pebble, the front 9 is a parkland course similar in layout to Spyglass Hill, the back 9 is all Pebble Beach for Dummies built right along the coast and beach. At $50 for 18, may be the best value golf I've ever had taking into account course quality, hole layouts, and comparative courses in the same locations.
5) Logan Country Club, Logan UT: I go to the Small Satellite Conference at Utah St Univ every year, and occasionally I'll figure out how to get on the country club course in the town. It's awesome. Immaculate condition because a natural spring feeds creeks and rivers throughout the course, even though it's built into a mountainside on a regularly dry brush area. Couple holes you have to carry over gulches with spectacular views of the Wasatch Mountains and Logan River valley.
Honorable mentions for me: Kaneohe Klipper GC (Marine Corps Base Oahu); Pearl Country Club (Oahu, HI); Mahogany Run GC (St Thomas USVI); Rogers City CC (Rogers City, MI-- best course in Michigan you've never heard of, wait for the back 9!!); Leslie Park GC (A2); Univ of New Mexico course (Albuquerque); Hill AFB Golf Course (Hill AFB, UT); Shaker Run GC (Lebanon OH)
Pacific Grove is great. Only played it once but really enjoyed it. We had fog roll in when we were playing which was cool. Beautiful views and great value.
Also RIP to some favorites that fell on hard times and are no longer with us:
Marshallia Ranch GC @ Vandenberg AFB
Hidden Lakes GC @ Tipp City OH
9 of the 27 holes at Sunrise Vista GC, Nellis AFB.
I'm not a golfer, but I do go out and duff some balls every now and then. The top course I've ever played as the Grande Oaks Golf Club in Davie, FL. Some of you may know this is where the golf scenes in Caddyshack were filmed.
This was in 1991. I was a young Marine assigned to sea duty aboard the USS John F. Kennedy. We pulled into Naval Station Fort Lauderdale for about a week for some ship repairs. My 1stSgt got a four passes to play. He needed one more. I was sitting in the berthing area and he said "Hey don't you have golf clubs on board" and I said "yes 1stSgt" and he said go change into a collard shirt and get them, you are golfing with us". It was a little weird but fun.
Same weekend, we did the color guard at the Orange Bowl for the PSU/Miami game.
Not as impressive or as geographically wide-spread as some, but still some nice Michigan courses:
1. TPC Michigan - speaks for itself.
2. Wuskowhan Players Club - sort of a hidden gem in West Michigan (or so I think). Immaculately kept and a tough course nestled near Lake Michigan.
3. Pilgrim's Run - north of Grand Rapids, public course that feels private. At the price for a round ($60-70) and for how nice the course/facilities are, I still have yet to find better value in a golf course.
4. Muskegon Country Club - west Michigan between Muskegon Lake and Lake Michigan, has hosted qualifier rounds for the US Open as well as Michigan amateur championships.
5. Hemlock - in Ludington, MI
6. Spring Lake Country Club
7. Grandview - I put this in for sentimental reasons. Grew up golfing this course and they had a $20 rate for juniors - unlimited golf with a cart after 2pm, so we'd go up and play 36 holes as high schoolers. Used to be a well-kept course with some good elevation, but I played last summer for the first time in 10 years and was disappointed.
Hemlock, meh
I love Hemlock