Best sub-6500 yard golf course in the U.S.?

[Tim Gavrich]

It seems, nowadays, that all the great golf courses of the U.S.A. are fairly long.  Even Merion East is around 68-something nowadays.  Which is the best sub-6500 yard course (from the very tips) in the country in your opinions?  I haven't played enough top courses to have an informed opinion, but two of my favorites are Palmetto GC and the Country Club of Farmington (CT).  I'd imagine that a truly great shorter course requires special touch by the designer to use limited space.

[Andy Troeger]

I would imagine there are better, but by far the best I've played is South Bend Country Club (its right around 6500...I think just under). There's a great mix of short and long holes, with a few 450 par 4's and a great group of 300-350 holes that are anything but drive, chip, and putt. The course has been kept in wonderful condition the last few years that has really made the greens first-class.

[Tyler Kearns]

PASATIEMPO - 6,439 yds.

TK

[Patrick_Mucci]

Tim,

Montclair's two courses (four nines) would be amongst the best.

Years ago, Bobby Jones called Montclair the longest short course in America.

[Mike Benham]

I'll step a few paces up and answer Cypress Point at 6,532 yards.

Sand Hills from the Men's tees ... 6,400 yards or so ...

[Mike Boehm]

Maidstone Club is the only under 6500 yards to crack the Golf Digest top-100 at 6403 yards.

[Dan_Callahan]

It could be a couple of yards longer than 6,500 (I think my scorecard has it at 6,560), but Ekwanok is the best I've seen.

[Geoffrey Childs]

Tim

Just downstate from you is the Country Club of Fairfield.  At 6374 yards from the tips you will not have a more pleasant and fun day of golf just about anywhere.

I believe that Eastward Ho is about the same yardage as CCF.  Look at Ran's course profile.

I'll concur about Maidstone and Pasatiempo.

You certainly don't have to have 7000+ yard courses to get the best golf has to offer.

[Michael Dugger]

How long is Wannamoiset?

[Brad Klein]

Sakonnet GC and Misquamicut GC (Rhode Island) are maxed out at 6,200 yards. Astoria G&CC (Oregon) is about the same.

All three are wonderful. To hell with golf pros who think they need 6,700 yards for a proper golf course test.

[Steve Lapper]

Myopia Hunt Club....diabolically charming at 6439yds

[JNC Lyon]

Isn't Shoreacres in Chicago under 6,500??

The Country Club (Clyde/Squirrel) is only barely above 6,500, but it is certainly a great course. Five of the first ten holes are inside 350 yards, with four these being short fours, including my favorite short four anywhere, the 4th.  The amazing part is, the course only has three par threes, which usually adds to the yardage. Truly a great course and a good test, and though it is not as tough as the Champoinship configuration, it is probably a better overall course.

[Geoffrey Childs]

How long is Wannamoiset?

6688 and it certainly fits Brad's requirement for sub-6700 that is a true test.

[SPDB]

The Creek is a hair over 6300

I agree with Brad Klein, though it should be noted that both of these courses are Par 69.

Another thing, Brad - If Sakonnet is at 6200, the new holes must have added some length b/c it was always around 6000

[Robert Mercer Deruntz]

Fishers Island

[Kyle Harris]

PSU's White Course is a very long 6300 yards.

I drool at the prospect of playing Merion West. Drive by it sometime, those elevation changes are unreal!

[Wayne Freeman]

The lastest card from Shoreacres lists it at 6521.

Two great courses  I played last month are Worcester CC and Essex-  both very old and just outstanding in every way.  Both are under 6500 and par 70.

[ForkaB]

1-17 at Cypress Point.

[Bruce Katona]

Somerset Hills

[Mike Hendren]

1-17 at Cypress Point.

 

[Patrick_Mucci]

Somerset Hills

Bruce,

Somerset Hills is at least 6,572 with a par of 71

Michael Dugger & Geoff Childs,

Don't forget that Wannamoissett is a par 69.
I've never heard it refered to as a short course.
And, it never played short for me.[/color]

[Geoffrey Childs]

Somerset Hills

Bruce,

Somerset Hills is at least 6,572 with a par of 71

Michael Dugger & Geoff Childs,

Don't forget that Wannamoissett is a par 69.
I've never heard it refered to as a short course.
And, it never played short for me.[/color]

Pat- That's what I was saying too.  Wannamoissett has replaced Plainfield as my absolute favorite Ross golf course. It needs nothing added to provide a great test and great fun.

Fishers Island doesn't qualify either - even without the new back tees (at over 6700) it is longer then 6500 yards.

[Tom_Doak]

If you're letting in courses which are 6,500 and change, it's Crystal Downs.

[Matt_Ward]

Geoff:

I too like Wannamoisett very much -- one of the finest in the USA -- but how does a course with only one par-5 -- a very boring and drab one at that -- top a course like Plainfield which has the greater diversity of holes -- need I point out that the 8th, 12th and 16th holes are all well done par-5's. Even the 5th is a good hole. The 12th is one of the finest par-5's in the country.

You also have a better overall site with the course and the updating of the layout -- via the work of Hanse / Bahto -- has only helped considerably. Clearly, Digest fell on its rating sword when the course lost 50 spots in its last course evaluations.

Of course -- personal preferences can be exactly that.

[Geoffrey Childs]

Matt

Check up on your reading skills.  I said Wannamoissett was now my FAVORITE Ross golf course.  Given 10 rounds (what a treat that would be) I would play W 6 or 7 and P 3 or 4.

If I wanted to hold a National tournament I would choose Plainfield.

#12 at Plainfield is one of the best par 5's in the US.  The short 3's are great as well. We agree.

I love the variety at Wannamoissett better- Its why I also love Fenway so much.  The starting holes at Wannamoissett are outstanding. Hole #2 is as good a long 4 par as anything at Plainfield and the short par 4's are superior as well.  Its greens are even better then Plainfields and BOTH I think are better then Pinehurst #2's.

Now back to topic-