How Many Different Courses Have You Played?

[Andrew Mitchell]

Well this has had me thinking for the last day or so!

I've got good records for the last six years or so, but for the thirty before then I've had to rely on my memory!  I've now created a spreadsheet which tells me:
115 in total
58 in England
48 in Scotland
5 in Ireland
4 in mainland Europe

These courses vary from 9 hole pay and play courses to Open Championship venues.  In the last few years I've set out to play as many different courses as possible (funds and time off work permitting) so would hope that the number will continue to grow. I've a further 10 new courses planned for the remainder of 2006 in Spain, England and Scotland.

[Tom Huckaby]

It's not that hard once you start.

It sure as hell is when you have 38 years to cover and can't remember back farther than 5 with any degree of confidence....

 

[John Goodman]

About 150 or so, with roughly a third here in Alabama, a third abroad, and a third in the rest of the U.S.  I prefer to play with friends or with my wife, but I'll go it solo sometimes, usually if I'm traveling on business.

My wife hasn't played very many courses but would have an impressive Doak-scale ratio.  Mine would be pretty low given all the junky courses I've played.

[Tom Huckaby]

redanman:

I admit I could make a decent approximation.  I did once go through the NCGA and SCGA lists to see which I could recall playing, and that was nearly 300.  But so many I was sorta sure of, didn't recall that well... I gave up.

But the most important thing is this:  OBVIOUSLY if I was to attempt to jar my memory using geographical and/or photographic aids, I certainly wouldn't use those second-rate products from that upstart company in Mountain View.

 

[PThomas]

about 300 for me

[Tim Pitner]

One thing that I have always tried to do is multiple plays on the best courses, e.g., on 2 of our trips to Ireland, we played as follows:

Dornock 5 times
Ballybunion 3 times
Old Course 2
Royal County Down 3
Carnoustie 2
Troon 1
Muirfiled 1
Old Head 1
Turnberry 5

Cary,

After 5 trips around the course, it seems like you'd know how to spell it (and what island it's on).  Seriously, multiple plays are a good idea for courses of special interest.

[Mike_Cirba]

I'm betting my average "Doak Scale Ratio" is about a 3.

Played my share of 7's thru 10's but the majority of courses I suspect would rate less than 4.

[Kyle Harris]

I'm betting my average "Doak Scale Ratio" is about a 3.

Played my share of 7's thru 10's but the majority of courses I suspect would rate less than 4.

Mike,

Isn't that about where any Doak Scale average would be given a high enough sample?

Always thought the Doak 3 was the "average" course.

[Tim Pitner]

One thing that I have always tried to do is multiple plays on the best courses,

That this strategy is vastly superior to the "campaign mentality" should go without comment; however, sadly most use tour operators who satisfy golfers' basest desires for golf "porn."

Re: Dornick, give him a break...obviously he was confusing his Ireland golf tour with his Oklahoma golf tour.

Are you saying I shouldn't have commented?  

As to "Dornick" . . . Mark, don't be so bourgeois.  

[PThomas]

I'm betting my average "Doak Scale Ratio" is about a 3.

Played my share of 7's thru 10's but the majority of courses I suspect would rate less than 4.

Mike,

Isn't that about where any Doak Scale average would be given a high enough sample?

Always thought the Doak 3 was the "average" course.

you're correct Kyle...Tom also says anything 5 and aboe has his seal of approval

[Doug Bolls]

I have had this goal to play 1000 courses befor they haul me off to the home.  I started keeping count about 1982-3.  I am now up to 567, and have score cards for most of them.

In 1987 I made my first trip to St. Andrews with exactly 99 courses under my belt.  I went up to the starter about 6PM and told him my story of wanting The Old Course to be #100 - and he said something like "Just wait right over there laddy and I'll find a way to get you out there after the member tournament is over."  I am looking at a picture on the wall with me on the Swilken Bridge with the clock on the R&A Clubhouse reading 9:30 in the evening.

Two years ago, I planned it so Muirfield would be #500.  
My license plate reads GO41000.  However, it's getting a little harder to find new courses in the places I regularly travel.

It's a good journey and a nice goal to have out there.
Doug

[Greg Tallman]

About 500 in 15 countries...
Almost NONE in the last 5 years

[Jonathan McCord]

Well, at last post, the number of courses I had played was 65, that number has increased to 89, thanks in part to a spectacular seven months spent in Northern California.  Again, I simply rate courses on whether I could play it everyday and never tire of the design, to courses I would never care to see again.

1.   Crystal Downs Country Club - Frankfort, Michigan
2.   San Francisco Golf Club – San Francisco, California
3.   Whistling Straits Straits – Haven, Wisconsin
4.   Monterey Peninsula Country Club Shore – Pebble Beach, California
5.   Pasatiempo Golf Club – Santa Cruz, California
6.   Spyglass Hill Golf Course – Pebble Beach, California
7.   The Olympic Club Lake – San Francisco, California
8.   Hamilton Farm Golf Club – Gladstone, New Jersey
9.   Whistling Straits Irish – Haven, Wisconsin
10.   The Meadow Club – Fairfax, California*

11.   Mayacama Golf Club – Santa Rosa, California
12.   Spring Hill Golf Club – Wayzata, Minnesota*
13.   Forest Dunes Golf Club – Roscommon, Michigan
14.   Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club – Arcadia, Michigan
15.   CordeValle Golf Club – San Martin, California
16.   The Peninsula Golf and Country Club – San Mateo, California
17.   California Golf Club – South San Francisco, California
18.   Cinnabar Hills Golf Club – San Jose, California
19.   Lake Merced Golf Club – Daly City, California
20.   Robert Trent Jones Golf Club – Gainesville, Virginia*

21.   Sonoma Golf Club – Sonoma, California
22.   Minocqua Country Club – Minocqua, Wisconsin
23.   Pilgrims Run Golf Club – Pierson, Michigan
24.   Harding Park Golf Course – San Francisco, California
25.   Dark Horse Golf Club – Auburn, California
26.   Tullymore Golf Club – Stanwood, Michigan*
27.   Sedona Golf Resort – Sedona, Arizona
28.   Half Moon Bay Golf Links Old – Half Moon Bay, California
29.   Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club – Menlo Park, California
30.   Orchard Hills Country Club – Buchanan, Michigan

31.   Northwood Golf Club – Monte Rio, California
32.   Bucks Run Golf Club – Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
33.   Thousand Oaks Golf Club – Grand Rapids, Michigan
34.   Stonewall Golf Club – Lake Manassas, Virginia
35.   San Juan Oaks Golf Club – San Juan Bautista, California
36.   StoneTree Golf Club – Novato, California
37.   Boyne Mountain Monument – Boyne Falls, Michigan
38.   Hunters Ridge Golf Club – Marion, Iowa
39.   Blackthorn Golf Club – South Bend, Indiana
40.   Edina Country Club – Edina, Minnesota

41.   Stonebrooke Golf Club – Shakopee, Minnesota
42.   The Architects Golf Club – Phillipsburg, New Jersey
43.   Mines Golf Course – Grand Rapids, Michigan
44.   The Links at Bodega Harbour – Bodega Bay, California
45.   Half Moon Bay Golf Links Ocean – Half Moon Bay, California
46.   Walt Disney World Resort Magnolia – Orlando, Florida
47.   Spencer Golf & Country Club – Spencer, Iowa*
48.   Prairie Green Golf Course – Sioux Falls, South Dakota
49.   Carroll Country Club – Carroll, Iowa
50.   Brooks Golf Club – Okoboji, Iowa

51.   Lake Creek Country Club – Storm Lake, Iowa
52.   Westwood Golf Club – Newton, Iowa
53.   Jester Park Golf Club – Granger, Iowa
54.   Veenker Memorial Golf Course – Ames, Iowa
55.   Compass Pointe Golf Club – Pasadena, Maryland
56.   Baker National Golf Club – Medina, Minnesota
57.   Elbel Municipal Golf Course – South Bend, Indiana
58.   Cadillac Country Club – Cadillac, Michigan
59.   Heron Creek Golf Club – LaGrange, Indiana
60.   Falcon Head Golf Club – Big Rapids, Michigan

61.   LeMars Municipal Golf Course – LeMars, Iowa
62.   Katke Golf Course – Big Rapids, Michigan
63.   Gleneagles Golf Club – San Francisco, California
64.   Spencer Municipal Golf Course – Spencer, Iowa
65.   Fairfax National Golf Club – Centreville, Virginia
66.   Fox Run Golf Course – Council Bluffs, Iowa
67.   Oakland Acres Golf Club – Grinnell, Iowa
68.   Breda Golf Club – Breda, Iowa
69.   Homewood Golf Course – Ames, Iowa
70.   Sheldon Country Club – Sheldon, Iowa

71.   Pocahontas Golf Course – Pocahontas, Iowa
72.   Meadowbrook Country Club – Hartley, Iowa
73.   Cherokee Country Club – Cherokee, Iowa
74.   Pheasant Acres Golf Club – Rogers, Minnesota
75.   Meceola Golf and Country Club – Big Rapids, Michigan
76.   The Rose Golf Course – Leroy, Michigan
77.   Storm Lake Municipal Golf Course – Storm Lake, Iowa
78.   Estherville Golf and Country Club – Estherville, Iowa
79.   Spring Hills Country Club – Mallard, Iowa
80.   Shamrock Golf Club – Cochran, Minnesota

81.   Traer Golf and Country Club – Traer, Iowa
82.   Woodlyn Hills Golf Course – Milford, Iowa
83.   Little Sioux Golf and Country Club – Sioux Rapids, Iowa
84.   Lewiston Country Club – Lewiston, Minnesota
85.   Emmetsburg Golf and Country Club – Emmetsburg, Iowa
86.   Newell Golf Course – Newell, Iowa
87.   Frankfort Golf Course – Frankfort, Michigan
88.   Laurens Golf and Country Club – Laurens, Iowa
89.   Hull Country Club – Hull, Iowa



State Totals:

Iowa – 28
California - 23
Michigan - 16
Minnesota – 7
Indiana – 3
Virginia – 3
Wisconsin - 3
New Jersey – 2
Maryland - 1
South Dakota - 1
Arizona – 1
Florida – 1

[Andy Troeger]

I've played 175 different ones so far...I do have a list of all of them with location, designer, last time played and a few various other random stats...I used to rank them all...gave that up though when I decided I no longer cared about the difference between #142 and #143  

FWIW...I hit 200 a few weeks ago at the Marty Sanchez Links de Santa Fe. Currently at 203.

[Andy Troeger]

Jonathan,
I wasn't going to make this comment until you laughed at Tullymore on the other thread...  

Personal preferences can be an interesting thing. I thought Whistling Straits-Irish was exceptionally overpriced and I guess overrated too, and I have Tullymore in my top ten.

In addition to Tullymore, Crystal Downs and the Straits, I'd also put Arcadia Bluffs, Pilgrim's Run, and Blackthorn ahead of the Irish without any hesitation. The only other course I've seen on your list is Elbel Municipal...and I have to give the Irish that one

[Jay Flemma]

about 252 public, about 60 private

[Jonathan McCord]

Andy - There is an interesting story behind the Tullymore laughter which will be released in my Biography when I pass away!   However, you are exactly right, to each his own!

[Ken Moum]

I never thought about this as a mathematical deal, but I can easily come up with a hundred or so.

Be here's a challenge.

I figure I've played upwards of 45 nine hole courses, including two or three with sand greens.

I think the nine-holeer make up more about a third of my total.

Anyone else have that many nine-hole courses?

Ken

[TEPaul]

How many different courses?

Since I played about 40 tournaments a year every year for about 25 years, after the redundancy factor, you do the math on the amount of courses in tournaments alone. Frankly, I have no idea.

Does it matter? And if so, why?

The better question is do you want to know the ones I'll never forget, and why?

[Doug Bolls]

So, I started this "quest" to play 1000 different golf courses before I die - it is a noble goal - and I have been keeping track.  So far I am at 564 - and will add a few more with a 3rd trip to Scotland next week. (Old Course Reverse is not the same as TOC!)
I have tried to make the centenary courses special - for example, #100 was TOC in St. Andrews and #500 was Muirfield 3 years ago.
Since I travel so often to the same places, it is getting harder to add to the list - last week I added 2 from RTJ Golf Trail in AL, but have just about exhausted my opportunities there.
I go on Medicare this May, so you know how old I am - I think I have a shot as getting this done providing the health holds out - I walk and carry every place I go unless they force me to ride - I am a member of USGA Walking Section.

Go For 1000!
DB

[Mike Benham]

Jonathan -

Thanks for the update and I knew that a few California courses would end up near the top of the list.

I'm glad your visit to California gave you more options on where to play for the rest of your life ...

Mike

[David Ober]

Golf Courses I Have Played…

Inland Empire California area:

Canyon Crest CC
Indian Hills CC
Victoria Club
Indian Hills CC
Jurupa Hills CC
Riverside Golf Club
Paradise Knolls
El Rivino CC (Closed)
Goose Creek CC
El Prado - Butterfield
El Prado - Chino Creek
Arrowhead CC
Shandin Hills
San Bernardino Public
Green Tree Golf Course
Apple Valley CC
Spring Valley Lake CC
Hesperia CC
Crystalaire CC
PGA of Southern California - Champions
PGA of Southern California - Legends
Oak Valley GC
Cresta Verde CC
Mountain View CC
Eagle Glen CC
Seven Hills
Landmark at Hemet
Diamond Valley Golf Club
Fairmount Park Golf Club
General Old Golf Course
Golden Era Golf Course
Soboba Springs CC
Green River - Orange
Green River - Riverside
Hidden Valley Golf Club
Moreno Valley Ranch GC
Quail Ranch GC
Sun Lakes CC
El Rancho Verde Golf Club
Empire Lakes Golf Course
Los Serranos - North
Los Serranos - South
Whispering Lakes Golf Club
Western Hills
Trilogy Golf Club at Glen Ivy

Temecula/Fallbrook area:

Bear Creek CC
Temecula Creek
Cherry Hills
Temeku Hills
SCGA Golf Course
Cross Creek
Menifee Lakes
Pala Mesa Resort
Redhawk
The Golf Club of California
Pauma Valley CC
San Luis Rey Downs
Castle Creek CC


Orange County:

Aliso Creek Golf Club
Anaheim Hills GC
Costa Mesa G&CC - Los Lagos
Costa Mesa G&CC - Mesa Linda
Coyote Hills GC
Los Coyotes CC
"Dad" Miller GC
Mile Square Golf Club
San Clemente Golf Course
Tijeras Creek Golf Club

San Diego Area:

Shadowridge CC
Rancho Santa Fe CC
Torrey Pines North
Torrey Pines South
Lake San Marcos
Cottonwood Golf Course - Ivanhoe
Morgan Run Resort
Maderas Golf Club
The Crosby


Los Angeles Area:

North Ranch CC
The Riviera CC
Hillcrest CC
Porter Valley CC
Braemar CC
Industry Hills - Zaharias
Industry Hills - Eisenhower
Sierra La Verne CC
Upland Hills CC
Brookside #1
Brookside #2
Diamond Bar Golf Club
Lakewood Golf Course
Marshall Canyon Golf Course
La Canada-Flintridge CC
Montebello Golf Course
Oakmont CC (Glendale, CA)
Spanish Hills G&CC
Via Verde


Palm Springs/Coachella Valley:

Mission Hills Resort Pete Dye
Mission Hills Resort Gary Player
Mission Hills CC Dinah Shore Tournament Course
Mission Hills CC Pete Dye Challenge
Mission Hills CC Arnold Palmer
La Quinta Resort Mountain
La Quinta Resort Dunes
Landmark North (Golf Club at Terra Lago)
Landmark South (Golf Club at Terra Lago)
Bermuda Dunes
Palm Springs Municipal
Tahquitz Creek
Desert Dunes
Desert Falls
Desert Island
Mesquite CC
Avondale Golf Club
Marriott's Desert Princess
The Golf Resort at Indian Wells
Monterey CC
Palm Desert Resort CC
Palm Valley CC
Rancho Las Palmas CC

Central/Northern California:

Pebble Beach
Poppy Hills
The Alisal Ranch - River Course
Coyote Hills GC - New
Coyote Hills GC - Old
Crow Canyon CC
Bayonet and Blackhorse (Blackhorse)
Stevinson Ranch

Outside of California:

North Carolina:

Pinehurst #1
Pinehurst #2
Pinehurst #3
Pinehurst #4
Pinehurst #5
Pinehurst #8

Florida:

Stoneybrook West

Nevada:

The Dunes GC
The Badlands
Desert Rose

Arizona:

The Reserve (I think that's what it's called)


I think that's about 130 golf courses I've played...

[Tom Yost]

My golf nerd database tells me 88 in Arizona.  From memory, I count another 18 in Ohio, California, Nevada, Florida and Puerto Rico.

106 (give or take).

Tom

[Andrew Hastie]

I made a list of all the courses  I have ever played a couple of years ago.
The totals are, Sydney                  82
                     NSW country           37
                     Victoria                   14
                     Queensland               7
                     Netherlands             39
                     Belgium                    3
                     England                    4
                     Scotland                   5
                     Ireland                     7
                     Portugal                  11
                     Spain                       8
Grand total.                                 217
The first course I ever played was Lane Cove Country Club
and the last new course was The Vintage(Greg Norman design) in Australia

[Mark_Fine]

For those who know me the answer is a lot    More importantly I can remember something from every one.  How long that memory will last, who knows