I always enjoy the Top 100 course rankings. Largely it’s the same top ten every year, they just move up or down a few spots here and there. What intrigues me most is that the focus is on the golf itself, not necessarily the whole experience (club, food, caddies, cart girls, etc.).
Everyone has their bucket list of courses, as I do. But when thinking about it strictly from a golf experience, my list is a little different. When I think about strictly playing golf, I’m speaking only about the experience on the 18 holes. All 18 holes, not just the iconic holes that show up in golf calendars or on the cover of magazines.
Here are my five:
Riviera (Pacific Palisades, CA) – I’ve always loved this course. Very old school, and dependent on strategy. Very few flat areas, and a lot of bunkers, most second shots are aimed at a strangely angled green. Probably go light on the Transfusions, as this round would be a head-scratcher.
Ohooppee Match Club (Cobbtown, GA) – Relatively new to the scene, it’s a visual masterpiece. I have a few friends who have played down there, and every single one of them smiles when talking about the course. It’s won all the prestigious awards, but what is most intriguing to me is that it focuses on my favorite way to play: Match format. I’m all in.
Chambers Bay (University Place, WA) – Built on an old sand and rock quarry, this RTJ Jr. design is mesmerizing. While it feels like a ‘hit it and pray’ type of course, strategy and ball placement are key. The golf up in the Pacific Northwest is absolutely on my bucket list, and Chambers Bay is at the top.
Maidstone (East Hampton, NY) – there is so much good golf on Long Island, but Maidstone has always intrigued me. Being a traditionalist, I like false fronts, being more concerned with ball placement and yardage vs. nuking drives. Take into account the breeze and the dramatic ocean views, I’m sure I’d lose a few balls here.
Peachtree (Atlanta, GA) – Some say this is a better golf experience than its cousin in Augusta. I haven’t played either, but I’d love to find out. Nestled in North Buckhead, playing Peachtree is as much a badge of honor as it is a challenging course. And being in my home town makes it that much more special.
What are your five?
In no particular order:
Crystal Downs Country Club — Frankfort, MI
Seminole Golf Club — Juno Beach, FL
Shinnecock Hills — Southampton, NY
Augusta National — Augusta, GA
Royal Portrush — Northern Ireland
St. Andrews
Augusta
Cypress
Shinnecock
Pine Valley
Fishers Island
Pasatiempo
Bandon Dunes
Pikewood National
Seminole
If Sweetens Cove isn’t on your list it needs to be
Highly recommend Pikewood. Stay on property if you can and soak it all up. You’ll likely have the entire place to yourself.
Augusta
Pine Valley
Cypress
NGLA
Junto Club
Sand Hills
Friars Head
Tara Iti
Pine V
NGLA
The Farm – Dalton, GA
Wade Hampton – Cashiers, NC
TPC Sawgrass
Pebble Beach
Sea Island
ANGC
Cabot Links
Seminole
Fishers Island
Sand Hills
ANGC
Cypress
NGLA
Tara Iti
Three Jack
North Berwick
Augusta
Ohoopee
Seminole
Cruden Bay
Oakmont
Royal Melbourne
St Andrews
Fishers Island
Banff Springs
Shinne
Seminole
Dooks
The Old Course
Sheep Ranch (All of Bandon, really)
Once I can consistently break 90:
Augusta
Pinehurst No. 2
Shinnecock
Oak Hill
Olympia Fields
Chicago Golf
NGLA
Augusta
Cypress
Pine Valley
Love you have chambers in the mix – or what couple of us call the valley of death (probably from being in poor physical shape, it can be a hard walk 🙂 – the pro’s there also put on terrific clinics that are VERY reasonable – its alot less $$ if you are a Tacoma (pierce county) resident too as its a muni.
Agree, Chambers looks amazing. Never understood all of the hate during the US Open. Also really enjoy the Seminole and Bandon mentions above as well. I’ll add that although Pebble does take some criticism from a course design/layout standpoint, the views are breathtaking.