Most characterful short courses

[Patrick Schultheis]

How about Claremont CC in Oakland?  I think it's just under 5500.

I played it last month.  The ongoing Tom Doak restoration of MacKenzie's work is fabulous.

[Sean_A]

Mark & Ace are right.  Broadway is chocker block full of interesting holes on the front nine, the original side and one of the best nines in WORCS.  The newer back nine suffers in comparison, but there are still a short handful of holes which are very good.  The front 9 drains beautifully and until recent years the greens were always in magnificent condition even using the American style aprons as temps.  The catering is very fine as well.  However, its quite a trek out of your way from Oxford to Devon and imo not worth the detour, but if you do decide to see a slice of WORCS then I could be persuaded to join you. 

If you are heading to Painswick, Cleeve Hill, home to Cleeve Cloud GC is just over a hill or or two north toward Cheltenham.  It has some interesting holes and could comfortably played as a second 18 even in short daylight.  Its not a great course, but there you go.

Ciao

[Jim_Kennedy]

Pat,
Thanks for the location info. Geoffrey Cornish does list the course as his.

[Tom Huckaby]

Claremont is a good one for sure here in CA.

But I hereby nominate another:  DeBell GC (Burbank, CA).  5359 from the whites.   It is the Painswick of CA.  Those who have played it know... most hate it... I love it.

TH

[Lester George]

At 6,150 yards, I truly believe Cavalier Golf and Yacht Club (1929, Banks) is about as much fun as you can have.  It really is a blast to play.

Lester

[Brad Tufts]

In Quincy, MA...President's Golf Course on top of the hill east of I-93.  The former Wollaston CC, it clocks in at 5670, par 70.

Newton Commonwealth in Newton, MA is a Ross course, probably a mail-in job, but it's a quirky 5500-yd par 70.  The 18th is a former ski hill, it drops 150-200 feet, and is a par four of about 265.  There is a sign on the tee that prohibits going for the green, as the clubhouse is shortly behind.  #10 is a dogleg par 4 of something like 247.  You hit 8i-SW, as going for the green is not really possible.

Cape Arundel is 5950, par 69.

Highland Links on the Cape is something like 5300 for two go-rounds on the 9-holer...

There are a # of these little quirky 9s in Maine as well...