[Kalen Braley]

I think California is very tough to beat for public access, in fact, I don't even think it's close. Now, as Hucks said, when you bring in the affordability issue into play, that can change things, but I'm looking at strictly course for course. And yes, it is a very large state. California could make a case for best state in the country for golf period, public or private. Here are some public's that I think anyone would want to play, granted, they are not all "top 100" material.

Torrey Pines
Barona
PGA West
Pelican Hill (When it opens back up)
Rustic Canyon
La Purisima
Sandpiper
Pebble Beach
Spyglass Hill
Poppy Hills
Spanish Bay
Pasatiempo
Pacific Grove



And many others. And don't forget, you can choose pretty much ANY time of year to play these

Just off the top of my head. I would throw Saddle Creek and Stevinson Ranch in that mix as well, although they are more inland.

[David Stamm]

I think California is very tough to beat for public access, in fact, I don't even think it's close. Now, as Hucks said, when you bring in the affordability issue into play, that can change things, but I'm looking at strictly course for course. And yes, it is a very large state. California could make a case for best state in the country for golf period, public or private. Here are some public's that I think anyone would want to play, granted, they are not all "top 100" material.

Torrey Pines
Barona
PGA West
Pelican Hill (When it opens back up)
Rustic Canyon
La Purisima
Sandpiper
Pebble Beach
Spyglass Hill
Poppy Hills
Spanish Bay
Pasatiempo
Pacific Grove



And many others. And don't forget, you can choose pretty much ANY time of year to play these

Hmmm ... let's tighten up the definition of tourism.  In a former life, I would go on a business sponsored golf trip in the fall, late September, early October ... play 36-holes a day for 3 days in a row, 6 different courses.

Where in California can you do that?  

The obvious places are Myrtle Beach, Charleston/Kiawah, Hilton Head, Pinehurst/Southern Pines ... maybe Scottsdale, maybe Palm Springs ...

Mike, I'd rather play Pasatiempo for 3 days straight at 36 a day than King's North, Long Bay and the like in Myrtle. I would like to play Strantz's courses, Caledonia and True Blue, but I want quality, not quanity. And I agree with Hucks, that itinerary looks pretty hard to beat for quality, especially when Pasa is thrown in. I agree that the places you cited are pretty good in their own right.

[Tom Huckaby]

David - couldn't you also do a pretty darn good 3 day 6 course jaunt in and around San Diego?

Day 1 - Torrey North/Torrey South
Day 2 - Barona + Steele Canyon or whatever else is out that way
Day 3:  Aviara/La Costa

Where do I sign up?  But who's gonna pay for it?  

[John Kavanaugh]

I was very impressed with the hotel at Torrey even though I didn't stay there.  

[Brad Tufts]

Does "tourist golf" take into consideration the "wow" factor?

I've played about 10 courses in CA, and most of them have a very "California feel" to them that does not compare to courses back east.  In most states north of Florida and East of the plains states, most of our good courses are tree or forest-lined.  You may play one in Michigan that could very well be in 15 other states, same with New York, MA, Maine, NC, etc...

For me, California and Arizona golf had good "wow" power beacuse golf there was unlike anything back east.

As for the Eastern golf title, you have Myrtle, with a combination of oceanside and parkland, with many styles in between, you have Cape Cod and the rest of Mass., with some mountain golf as well as seaside golf.  And you have NC, with all styles already mentioned as well.  In NC and New England especially, there is opportunity to play classic layouts that are public.  Maine is difficult as to the lower # of options (although there are only about 10 private clubs in maine), and the lack of seaside.

I vote for CA overall easily, out east, probably Myrtle Beach for variety and the ability to choose one's budget.

[David Stamm]

David - couldn't you also do a pretty darn good 3 day 6 course jaunt in and around San Diego?

Day 1 - Torrey North/Torrey South
Day 2 - Barona + Steele Canyon or whatever else is out that way
Day 3:  Aviara/La Costa

Where do I sign up?  But who's gonna pay for it?  

I don't even like paying the prices for theses courses for myself! La Costa is up to $195 (a total joke!), Aviara is about the same and Torrey, well, if you can get on Torrey it's gonna run close to 2 bills as well. Steele Canyon I can live without, which leaves Barona. In the summer the rates are very reasonable for the afternoon.

Kalen,

  I saw Mitch and John's tour of Saddle on their Hooked On Golf's website. Looks good.

[Kalen Braley]

With the 3 day 6 courses criteria, Bandon, OR will be there soon.

Day 1) The new course south of Bandon opening this year I think, can't rember its name + Sheep Ranch
Day 2) Bandon Dunes + Bandon trails
Day 3) Pac Dunes + Old McDonald.

That one will be tought to beat.

[John Kavanaugh]

Tourist golf is largely into the wow factor...plus nightlife or other tourist attractions.  I just don't think Bandon is tourist golf being that you almost need carts to qualify.  I really do like the GPS on the Rustic carts btw..

[Kalen Braley]

David - couldn't you also do a pretty darn good 3 day 6 course jaunt in and around San Diego?

Day 1 - Torrey North/Torrey South
Day 2 - Barona + Steele Canyon or whatever else is out that way
Day 3:  Aviara/La Costa

Where do I sign up?  But who's gonna pay for it?  

I don't even like paying the prices for theses courses for myself! La Costa is up to $195 (a total joke!), Aviara is about the same and Torrey, well, if you can get on Torrey it's gonna run close to 2 bills as well. Steele Canyon I can live without, which leaves Barona. In the summer the rates are very reasonable for the afternoon.

Kalen,

  I saw Mitch and John's tour of Saddle on their Hooked On Golf's website. Looks good.

It is good and worth the trip out to see it. If i'm not mistaken its the home of the NCGA, but that was a few years back, may have changed since then.

[Brad Tufts]

To get them out of the way....

Phoenix/Scottsdale

Day 1) We-Ko-Pa (x2)
Day 2) Talking Stick (x2) or just the North and A. Stronghold
Day 3)  Wildfire and TPC Scottsdale or Troon North

Not too bad, and I'm sure there may be other better ideas to slide in one of those slots.

Mass.

Day 1) Red Tail and CC of Greenfield or Crumpin-Fox
Day 2) Taconic and Wahconah (Stiles x2)
Day 3) Pinehills-Nicklaus, Waverly Oaks

and we haven't hit the Cape yet  

Maine

Day 1) Cape Arundel and The Ledges
Day 2) pick two or three 9-holers like Castine
Day 3) Northeast Harbor (off-season) and Kebo Valley

...skipping Samoset...

Myrtle

Day 1) Legends Heathland and Barefoot Love
Day 2) True Blue and Caledonia
Day 3) The Dunes Club and Heritage?

Couldn't think of a compliment to The Dunes...

P'hurst

Day 1) #2 and #8
Day 2) Pine Needles & Mid Pines
Day 3) So. Pines and Tobacco Rd.

Might be the best of the bunch...

[John Kavanaugh]

Phoenix/Scottsdale

Day 1) We-Ko-Pa (x2)
Day 2) Talking Stick (x2) or just the North and A. Stronghold
Day 3)  Wildfire and TPC Scottsdale or Troon North

Not too bad, and I'm sure there may be other better ideas to slid in one of those slots.

Of the courses I have played in the area you have to include Vista Verde in the above mix.  I have always enjoyed my Arizona golf over Florida...and the food is better to boot.

[David Stamm]

The California (Homer) effect is rearing its ugly head again.

How many of you guys have actually been to S.C.?  You cannot be serious ...........

Tourist golf has to include value and just plain decent courses that are not expensive.

Been there (I used to live in Georgia), but never played there. Are we talking decent or good/great courses? California has a ton of "decent courses that are very affordable. And I think Rustic for $50 to walk is pretty darn good. I'll stack that course up to just about any course out there for value. Last time I checked, and it has been a while, Hilton Head, Kiawah are not exactly cheap.

[David Stamm]

Have to say that AZ is the match of CA.

You can't be serious!

[John Kavanaugh]

The California (Homer) effect is rearing its ugly head again.

How many of you guys have actually been to S.C.?  You cannot be serious ...........

Tourist golf has to include value and just plain decent courses that are not expensive.

Bill,

I did a three day trip to Myrtle where we drove down to save money and I think the cost was in the very low $300's.  I recently went to LA where lodging costs $50/day and golf was between $42 and $62 on the weekend.  I would guess that the $160 round trip airline ticket was cheaper than gas and food on a 1800 mile round trip drive to Myrtle.  LA wins hands down based on the night life even thought Myrtle did offer many memories I still have to this day and would deny under intense interrogation.

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

I think Arizona is competition for 2nd after SC. I completely forgot about the desert. Maine cannot hold the jockstrap of the big players.

[John Kavanaugh]

Wouldn't Maine be a great place to take a date who likes to golf.

[rjsimper]

Arizona one must consider the climate's effect on pricing.  Troon North monument is a bargain at 60 bucks in the Summer, but what tourist goes to AZ when it's 115 degrees?  If you consider true tourist season, you're looking at well over 200 bucks for the big hitters.  Now, those aren't the favorites of this crowd, but for the tourist, they might look down the list at Troon North, Grayhawk, We-Ko-Pa, and not much more.

Arizona certainly doesn't pan out statewide over CA.

Keep in mind in AZ you can also count the Tucson courses (Ventana Canyon) and Sedona amongst the "Wow" bunch.

[rjsimper]

Wouldn't Maine be a great place to take a date who likes to golf.

Hawaii is the best place for a golf date.  It's easy to convince a non-serious golfer to spend 5 hours on a jungle hillside overlooking the ocean.

[John Mayhugh]

To get them out of the way....

Phoenix/Scottsdale

Day 1) We-Ko-Pa (x2)
Day 2) Talking Stick (x2) or just the North and A. Stronghold
Day 3)  Wildfire and TPC Scottsdale or Troon North

Not too bad, and I'm sure there may be other better ideas to slide in one of those slots.

Mass.

Day 1) Red Tail and CC of Greenfield or Crumpin-Fox
Day 2) Taconic and Wahconah (Stiles x2)
Day 3) Pinehills-Nicklaus, Waverly Oaks

and we haven't hit the Cape yet  

Maine

Day 1) Cape Arundel and The Ledges
Day 2) pick two or three 9-holers like Castine
Day 3) Northeast Harbor (off-season) and Kebo Valley

...skipping Samoset...

Myrtle

Day 1) Legends Heathland and Barefoot Love
Day 2) True Blue and Caledonia
Day 3) The Dunes Club and Heritage?

Couldn't think of a compliment to The Dunes...

P'hurst

Day 1) #2 and #8
Day 2) Pine Needles & Mid Pines
Day 3) So. Pines and Tobacco Rd.

Might be the best of the bunch...

Some great 3 day outings there.  I haven't played all of the courses listed, but enough of them to like your picks.

[Tim Leahy]

Another benefit of Cali is truly year round play: in the worst of winter-Palm Springs or San Diego; hottest summer weather-monterey or bay area; in good weather you can go from mountains to coastal

[Brad Tufts]

I think New England definately comes into play when you get into value.  Case in point is that the highest fees for a public round in VT, NH and Maine are about $95.  And even then, there are perhaps one or two courses in each state that charge fees that high.  Mass. is a bit more expensive on average, as the Plymouth/Cape publics are all pushing $100, but there are very, very few that top $125 (I think Taconic is $140 for non-Williams connected golfers).

The Maine coast would be a nice place to take a date for golf, as it is very beautiful.  There are a few nice deals like Samoset (shop/watch the boats in Rockland and Camden), Bar Harbor (Acadia National Park, Kebo Valley and NE Harbor), and staying at the Black Point Inn in Scarborough gets you on the the private Stiles course (with a few dunes holes) at Prout's Neck.  

New Hampshire also adds it's great railway/ski hotels at the Balsams (great golf course here, but almost in Canada), and Bretton Woods (27 holes, wish I could recommend more highly), but the hotel is breathtaking and Mt. Washington is in full view out your hotel room window.  It's the highest mountain in the Northeast at 6288 ft., and is notorious for it's ridiculous weather conditions, sometimes even in summer.

[David Stamm]

While there have been some very attractive destinations mentioned by all, I think JK was saying which is the greatest STATE for tourist golf. It's pretty hard to not pick CA in that regard considering it takes up about 2/3rd's of the West Coast. From top to bottom, I can't think of anywhere that offers more. We're talking 3 major metro. areas: the Bay Area, LA and SD not to mention the Palm Springs area. Then the Monterey Pen. and many other areas. I think anywhere in these areas within ONE state a person could come up with a pretty formidable 3 dayer.

[Brad Tufts]

I agreed with CA in reply #30 above...

[Mike Vegis @ Kiawah]

Dr. V - that's exactly what I was thinking when I mentioned South Carolina.  I do believe it gives CA a run for its money.  In the end I think we likely have more quantity of great courses out here, and I won't agree that Kiawah-Ocean surpasses Pebble Beach  .  But it is at least close.  If some South Carolinians want to fight for this, I'll step down without too much vigor.

TH

If you would get out here and play The Ocean Course, maybe we could convince you...

[Tom Huckaby]

Dr. V - that's exactly what I was thinking when I mentioned South Carolina.  I do believe it gives CA a run for its money.  In the end I think we likely have more quantity of great courses out here, and I won't agree that Kiawah-Ocean surpasses Pebble Beach  .  But it is at least close.  If some South Carolinians want to fight for this, I'll step down without too much vigor.

TH

If you would get out here and play The Ocean Course, maybe we could convince you...

Some day.... some day... dare to dream....

 

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