[Sean_A]

On the SC thread a few folks made comments about the thinking they have a fairly good idea of the type of courses I really enjoy.  It didn't upset me in any way, but it made me wonder.  First off, it struck me how I must have been sending out information for folks to gather their impressions and enough so for them to feel fairly confident in expressing that opinion.  I have always thought I like a variety of courses, but now I wonder if I am quite restrictive in what I really like.  In any case, I also started thinking about courses I have some time for, but would acknowledge that perhaps, for whatever reason, others may really rate much higher than I would and that maybe they are right.  Courses which immediately come to mind are Muirfield, Pinehurst & Birkdale. 

I have a high opinion of Muirfield based mostly on its bunkering and that it is a great experience.  I don't think this is nearly enough or that there are enough other things going on to rate super highly in my book, but Muirfield is nearly always rated as one of the best courses on the planet.  I welcome suggestions as to why others may think that Muirfield is one of the best.

I love the idea that its difficult to lose a ball at Pinehurst and that shots slide away without any terribly apparent good reasons.  Its also a good walk and some of the greens are corkers.  However, I am apt to think the course is a bit one dimensional around the greens.  Any ideas as to why this course should be seen as one of the best in the world?

Birkdale, I loved it the first few times I played it and have since soured on it a bit.  The routing of the holes seems to be much of a muchness through the dunes.  Birkdale doesn't strike me as a very adventerous course considering its setting.  I realize that many don't hold Birkdale in the same regard as the earlier two, but it isn't far off.  Any folks out there that can explain why Birkdale is thought of so highly. 


Do you folks have courses that you like, but don't understand why many place them among the very best in the world?

Ciao

[Andy Troeger]

Sean,
I think you are more predictable in what you comment on in terms of photos of courses you have not seen than in the ones you've played. You make fairly general statements at times that show preferences (bunkers and water next to each other not being a favorite of yours if I remember correctly).

We all have our own perception of what makes good golf. There's a lot of overlap at times but when you take in our respective golfing abilities and combine that with aesthetic tastes and other variables and you have quite a range of possible perceptions. There are courses that are very highly thought of that I see pictures of and go "huh?" and others that look fantastic. I have to admit most of the ones I've actually played are the ones I think look fantastic (hence going to play it), so I really haven't seen a world class course at this point that I didn't think belonged there.

Courses that are excessively difficult are the ones I am most likely to not understand at least upon first glance. I've made comments about Desert Forest's playing corridors being too narrow before, but others love it. I don't think you could build a course like that today and have it be popular at all.

Another one to a lesser extent is Butler National. Its a very long strong golf course but one that requires brute force and execution from tee to green that most golfers can't achieve. It did not strike me that there was a ton of thought involved with playing the course unless you wanted to lay-up consistently knowing you could not achieve the required shots, but many holes did have recovery options. I think its a very fine golf course, but putting it in the top 25 in the country as we do at Golf Digest seems a bit too generous for my tastes. I probably would have liked it better from 6700 yards than I did from 7100.

[paul cowley]

Sean....I'm with you to the extent that I recently played Muirfield and Turnberry Ailsa and found that on the Every Day Play Scale I would prefer North Berwick and Kingsbarns [except #18, which I would blowup and start over].

That said, I think you would enjoy the Patriot course in SC, and I'd even join you if I had the chance.

[Jon Wiggett]

Sean,

I really like Birkdale which is surprising. The course is over fair, lacking any sort of quirk which one associates with most links courses including Muirfield. I think however it does present a magnificent challenge regardless of your standard and the bare bones of the course are as good as any in the world. With a remake introducing more movement in to the fairways and green surrounds it could be even better. On the other side it would be a shame as it makes a neat contrast to the other Open rota courses.

[Jeremy Rivando]

I'm happy to challenge the statement that the greensites at Pinehurst are one dimensional.

Beginning with the definition of one dimensional- having one dimension only, having no depth or scope.

To me one dimension in being greenside and hitting a flop wedge out of the longish rough, I've played a number of courses, Medinah comes to mind, where the flop wedge is the only option.

Anyone who has had the pleasure of playing Pinehurst knows that if you have a smart short game you might hit anything between a 6 iron and lob wedge around those greens.  The options are endless, on any given shot you have at least 2-4 options to get the ball close to the hole but you better ensure it doesn't come back to your feet a la John Daly.

I really thing those greens are brilliant and they are reason enough for the course to be considered one of the best in the world.

The golf course is wonderfully laid out, it is playable for every level of golfer, there are no lost balls, options are plentiful, and it all adds up to a fun experience.

[Bill_McBride]

The fun of the whole day experience at Muirfield, plus the history of the place and (surprise) the welcoming atmosphere, made me feel very positive about the club and the course.

I thought the course was wonderful, a lot of variety and great challenge around the greens.  I rate Muirfield at the top, a 10. 

I also rate North Berwick in that rarified atmosphere, just because it's so damned much fun!

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