Personal Course Favorites That Are NOT GCA.com Favorites

[Andy Troeger]

In reading the unofficial GCA list I began to think about courses that I really like that are not GCA.com favorites, either because they are not well known or just because, well, GCA.com posters just don't care that much for it. Something tells me that many of us probably have "favorite" courses that don't get much love from this discussion board. This thread will celebrate those courses. NGLA, Ballyneal, etc., need not apply! 

Lets also leave out Pebble and Augusta for the purposes of this thread--they've been discussed enough by both supporters and detractors.

I'll start with a couple

Muirfield Village--has perhaps a bit too much water, but it does use the water very well, especially the diagonals on #11 and #14. Those two holes might make my all time favorite 18. I also like the split fairway on the 2nd shot at the 5th hole--its a little different than the typical split fairway tee shot and gives the player some options no matter where the drive ends up.

Sanctuary--I'll admit there are problems with this course in terms of walkability. I've heard complaints also about playability, but courses like Prairie Dunes and Desert Forest seem to get a pass on that one. You certainly have to enjoy mountain golf and scenery to enjoy Sanctuary--for that reason its not right at the top of my list when I think of "best" golf courses, but I find it very high on the "fun" meter and would seem to certainly like it more than the average GCA'er. I think the first hole gets the round off to a roaring start, I like the way the 4th tee shot looks much more intimidating than it really plays. The 8th green is the original of an Engh green that he's used well there and at other courses. The 9th creates options off the tee for multiple levels of players with a simple ridge and a troublesome bunker. The 12th is wonderful--similar decision making situation off the tee.

What are some other examples?

[PCCraig]

One course that I really like playing but has been shot down 100 times on here for obvious reasons is The Glen Club in Glenview, IL by T. Fazio. Yes it's overpriced and not a perfect design despite an unlimited budget, however I used to be able to play there for free everyday after the last tee time, and I played it enough that I had a certain fondness for it.

Another that surprisingly gets little love around here is TCC-Brookline, which is ranked in the top 20 in the US, is a nautural design, and holds major events but it almost never discussed here. I never got that.

[Tom_Doak]

Some of my favorite courses that get little love on GCA:

Five from The Gourmet's Choice:

Commonwealth, Durban CC, Lancaster, Rye, and Westward Ho!

Five from the USA:

Ekwanok, Whitinsville, Metacomet, Roaring Gap (N.C.), Claremont

Five from the UK:

Lundin Links, Machrihanish (after the opening hole), Ganton, Brancaster, Southerndown.

I think it is telling that in many cases these courses are not designed by favorite architects, and that may be why they're skipped.  The exceptions are Lancaster (which the Philadelphia boys always overlook in favor of their own Flynn courses) and Ross's Whitinsville, Metacomet and Roaring Gap.  I would suggest the board is too architect-centric, but you already knew that.

[Matt_Cohn]

Mauna Kea - it's *so* beautiful, and I think it's a pretty good golf course too, but it seems like some people almost go out of their way to try not to like it. Why not just enjoy it?

[Jay Flemma]

Hey Tom, if many of those weren't already GCA faves, they just became GCA faves!

Concord Golf Club (The Monster, it's where Dad taught Mom to play golf.  Happy 85th to my dad BTW.

Ventana Canyon, The Boulders, Coeur D'Alene, and Oakland Hills for openers.

[JESII]

Not sure if this is a "hidden gem" type thread, or "most underrated" or just "least discussed" of really great courses but it it the last I would throw Royal St. Georges into the mix...and agree with Tom Doak about Lancaster...

[David Stamm]

Wlishire CC- Those that have played it, like it, but not many have played it other than Californians. I love it and it's one of my favs.

Soule Park- The type of low cost, sufficient challenge for all levels of golfers, public offering that is seen all too infrequently. It's a joy to play and it's setting makes it a great day get away here in So Cal.


Pajaro Valley- Nor Cal GCAers have liked it for quite a while, and after playing it during this years KP, I can see why. I would have no complaints if it were my home course. And Pete had those greens in the best shapre I have EVER seen at ANY course. Period. A neat no nonsense place.


Old Del Monte- Another KP venue this year that I really enjoyed. A couple of ho hum holes, but overall, it's well worth the time.

[Jay Flemma]

St George's is a good choice.  We don't talk much about Arcadia Bluffs.  We never talk about Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club, a Mackenzie/Maxwell course Chris Clouser and I love.

[Bob_Huntley]

Mauna Kea - it's *so* beautiful, and I think it's a pretty good golf course too, but it seems like some people almost go out of their way to try not to like it. Why not just enjoy it?

Matt,

I played it first in 1966, loved it then, love it now. What's not to like about this place? Will someone educate me on its failings?

Bob

[J_ Crisham]

Olympia Fields North gets dissed quite a bit here, unfairly in my opinion. A great venue for championship golf. Very nice use of elevation changes and also the creek that meanders thru the course.  Some of the most severe fairway bunkers I've seen.       Jack

[Mike_Cirba]

We did a photo spread on Lancaster a few years back, after Forse & Nagle completed their work (just before the PA Am).

Of the Flynn's, it's my second favorite in the area right after HVGC, but that's probably as much differentiated by the very rare blazing-fast conditioning of HVGC than the architecture.

Of course, I've also not seen Rolling Green or Mannies since they took out a bunch of trees.

[Andy Troeger]

I don't intend it so much as "hidden gem" thread as a courses we look at and shrug at with disinterest/disdain. Courses that are in the top 100 in the magazine lists but that GCA.com doesn't care for, courses that come up in the "worst of" threads--stuff like that. Hidden gems are worthwhile, but there can't be many left that haven't come up on all the other hidden gem threads  

[Joe Hancock]

It would really be a cool thread if it included pictures not normally seen.....

Joe

[Andy Troeger]

Joe,
Agreed. I'd also appreciate anyone willing to state WHY they like these courses.

[Mark_Rowlinson]

I always enjoy a round at Royal Birkdale and have enjoyed Royal Troon, too.

[John Moore II]

While I don't work there anymore, and don't care a bit for the management team (except for the Green Staff) I really like Mid South. Its not the best in Pinehurst, and its not really a minimal design, but its a real solid course and it had many features that it took 6-8 rounds to notice, just little things that made a big impact.

I also liked this little course in Idaho Falls, ID called Pine Crest. It was a real nice, fun little course that had some pretty cool architectural features. It was also very nicely priced and top quality as far as conditions go. Just a cool little place.

[Gary Slatter]

I still enjoy Dick Wilson courses, including Lucayan CC, Royal Montreal.  Used to really like Doral Blue.  And many of Joe Lee's courses are survivors and fun to play.   And Manchester Golf Club in Jamaica, "designed" and built  by British Army I believe.

[Gary Slatter]

I forgot about the National in Toronto.  As tough as nails but great fun to play, don't even mind giving or receiving strokes there!

[Andy Hughes]

The Cliffs at Glassy in Greenville, SC. It will never be a gca favorite as it has a few 'huh'? holes, but I find a number of the holes to be good fun and the scenery/50 mile views are incredible.

[Ian_L]

I enjoy the greens at Poppy Hills.  I know the multiple tiers can get ridiculous, but they make me think more about my approach shots.

[Joe Hancock]

A course we played a few times while working in Driggs, ID. It's called The Links, designed by GCA.com poster David Druzisky.




Not sure if it fits my "favorite" category, but we sure had some fun battles, both with our fellow golfers and with the mosquitoes!

Joe

[Carl Nichols]

Several of the Arthur Hills renovations in metropolitan Washington, DC, in particular Bethesda CC, Congressional Gold, and Chevy Chase.  He doesn't get a lot of love on this site, but I think all three are very fun golf courses. 

EDIT/NOTE:  I'm not suggesting these are top 100 courses or anything, just that they're lots of fun to play.

[Ian Andrew]

I love most of the same courses that get lots the attention they deserve on this sight - but here's three I really like that don't.

Gleneagles - I always thought the course was terrific - but very few others even acknowledge the place even exists.

The European Club – yes it has flaws, yes it’s a bit too hard, yes I don't get the timber banked bunkers, yes the 18th is weird, but there are lots and lots of really great holes out there too.

Huntingdon Valley – Flynn’s wild “Nascar” track of a golf course is an examination in shot-making. There are few finer examples of the impact of cross-slope and green pitch to play. I love the place, but I may be alone.

[Sean_A]

Some of my favorite courses that get little love on GCA:
Five from the UK:

Lundin Links, Machrihanish (after the opening hole), Ganton, Brancaster, Southerndown.

Wo, this post blows me away.  I always thought of Macrihanish, Ganton, Rye & Brancaster as GCA favourites as least for those who have played them.  Lundin and Southerndown get a fair amount of love as well.  Westward Ho! is the one course which certainly gets mixed reviews and I believe rightfully so.  I spose I can add Ian's TEC as getting mixed reviews as well, again, rightly so imo. 

I think courses like Portstewart, Beau Desert, Notts, Huntercombe, Donegal, Princes, Harlech, Aberdovey, Burnham, Dunbar & Castletown fit the bill much better.  

The one course I would add from the States is Old Town, but to be fair I think that is down to lack of exposure. 

Ciao

[Kyle Harris]

Huntingdon Valley – Flynn’s wild “Nascar” track of a golf course is an examination in shot-making. There are few finer examples of the impact of cross-slope and green pitch to play. I love the place, but I may be alone.

You most certainly ARE NOT alone!