Underrated...overrated

[Bill Shamleffer]

Underrated:
The New Course in St Andrews (I could play this course the rest of my life.)
St. Louis Country Club (Best course in Missouri)
A.L Gustin (I will see if anyone else knows this course, and if they are in the “hate it” or “love it” camp.)

Gustin is the Univ of MO course in Columbia.  Played it a number of times in the late 1960's and 1970, in the state boys junior, and also the state high school tournament.  Last time was August 1970.  Didn't love it, but I did like it.  

SLCC is the best MO course I played.  Bellerive makes my most overrated list.  

Jim,

I should have known that the caddie-boy from St. Louis would know AL Gustin.  It is certainly not a great course anywhere near the company of St. Louis CC.  However, some people really Knock this course, yet I think the layout is actually has some excellent holes, and requires one to think carefully.  It also offers some interesting options.

I always thought the 3rd hole was very challenging with the sharp dogleg right around the trees, and with the fairway sloping right into the woods at the dogleg, while placing a bunker to catch the long pulled drives.  Every par-3 is demanding.  The 16th is a good short par-4 and 14th was also a difficult par-4 without a lot of length.  Finally the par-5 12th demanded a very accurate tee-shot and a very accurate 2nd shot, and only the very long hitter could hope to get home in two.

Of course St. Louis Country Club does not have a single weak or gimmickry hole on the entire course.  Although it may now be too short for the pros, I do not think they would be bored or feel the course is a pushover.

[Jim Nugent]

I always thought the 3rd hole was very challenging with the sharp dogleg right around the trees, and with the fairway sloping right into the woods at the dogleg, while placing a bunker to catch the long pulled drives.  Every par-3 is demanding.  The 16th is a good short par-4 and 14th was also a difficult par-4 without a lot of length.  Finally the par-5 12th demanded a very accurate tee-shot and a very accurate 2nd shot, and only the very long hitter could hope to get home in two.

Of course St. Louis Country Club does not have a single weak or gimmickry hole on the entire course.  Although it may now be too short for the pros, I do not think they would be bored or feel the course is a pushover.

I agree with all your comments about Gustin, except maybe the first par 3, number 2.  That was always just an easy 8 iron or 7 iron for me.  

Number 7 always confused me -- where was the best place to hit the drive?  15 was the best par 4, I thought, with number 3 not far behind.  

I think they could stretch out SLCC a bit, though probably not enough for a pro major.  

There was a thread a little while ago about courses that open with par 5's.  Add Gustin to that list.  In this case, a very easy birdie.  

[Mark_F]

Overrated:

Kingston Heath
The Old Course
Barnbougle Dunes

Underrated:

Woodlands
Beau Desert
Royal Porthcawl

[John_Cullum]

Over
Royal Worlington & Newmarket
Prestwick
Seminole

Under
World Woods Rolling Oaks
Irvine
White Columns

[Mike Benham]

How is ANGC overrated architecturally ?

Architecturally, to you, and those knowledgeable about golf course architecture, it probably isn't overrated ...

[Doug Wright]

Overrated: Lundin Links

Underrated: Dunbar
                 Golspie
                 Broadmoor East

[Jason Blasberg]

Overated
. . .
Cuscowilla

. . .

Mike:  

You making and drinking moonshine down there?

Cuscowilla's got to be one of the most underrated courses in the US (considering only one publication has it on a list).

 

[Jason Blasberg]

Overrated:

Baltustrol Lower
Quaker Ridge
Pebble Beach

Underrated:

Boston Golf Club (the most underrated course on the Planet!)
Cape Arundel
Engineers
 

[Jay Cox]

Underrated (the "should be considered among the best in the world" category):
Yale
Highlands Links

Underrated (the "hidden gem" category):
Winchester
Lookout Mountain

Underrated (the "very much worth playing" category):
Tokatee
The Shattuck

Underrated (the "on this site" category):
Valhalla
Pelican Hill Ocean

Overrated (in the golf world):
Spanish Bay
Congressional

Overrated (on this site):
Banff Springs
Taconic

[ForkaB]

As for golf courses:

Underrated:

Portsalon
Troon
Winchester

Overrated (names have been changed to protect the innocent, i.e. me):

Indian Trails
Jiminy Robin
Geezerville River

[Bill_Ryzewski]

Underated:

Mark Twain
Heritage Plantation
The Dunes (summer)
Shennecossett

Overated:

The Dunes (winter)
Wyncote
Most TPC Courses

[Tim Bert]

Overrated:

Blackwolf Run River

I enjoyed it the least of the four courses at Kohler, and all I can really remember about it is the quirky holes I didn't enjoy.

This one tops my list of "I just don't get what others see."

Underrated:

Newport National

I'm not sure if this one is actually a "rating" issue.  I'm just surrpised by how few people seem to have played this course.

[Kyle Harris]

Underrated:
Schuylkill CC
Pine Barrens GC
Yale
Bethpage Red

Overrated:
Pebble Beach
Bethpage Black
Princeville

[Brad Tufts]

I think it's tough to call Taconic overrated, as it's really great, and despite its length of only 6700 yards, the landing-area slopes and elevated greens make it play longer.

Also, I don't know if Cape Arundel is underrated.  While I am a big fan of the course, its tiny, fun greens and funky chocolate-drop mounding, I think it gets quite a bit of attention due to the presidential connection.  It's only known nationally due to its constant mention in the press. If the presidents summered somewhere else, the course would be a classically-styled hidden gem of 5900 yards with a sleepy feel (much like York Golf & Tennis in So. Maine).  Without all the celeb/pro visits and secret service, it may be underrated....

[Mark Pearce]

Underrated:

A few already mentioned:

Silloth
Notts (Hollinwell)
Woodhall Spa

Also:

Berkhampstead
The Berkshire (Blue)


Overrated:

Swinley Forest (I enjoy it, but it's not as good as it's made out to be)
Balcomie Links
Slaley Hall (Hunting) (probably not that highly rated anyway but a truly execrable course)

[Mark_Fine]

Isn't it interesting we have all these guys here who are passionate about golf architecture and yet there seems to be quite a bit of debate going on about what is underrated vs. overrated.  Maybe this once again puts some perspective on the rankings that this same group likes to crucify every year  

[mark chalfant]

Underrated:

University of Michigan   Mackenzie / maxwell
Wakonda - Langford
Century  -Alison
New  Haven -  Park
Toronto -Colt
Saucon  Weyhill -  Gordon

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