Courses you appreciate more because of GCA

[Carl Nichols]

I just posted in one of the MPCC Composite threads that MPCC is perhaps #1 on my list of courses that I appreciate more because of GCA -- i.e., that I had heard of, but didn't realize how terrific they were.  That list is pretty long, but my top 5 are probably something like:

1.  MPCC
2.  Ballyneal
3.  Ridgewood
4.  Plainfield
5.  Cal Club

I haven't included any courses outside the U.S. because I don't know any of them well, and thus didn't really have any preconceptions about whether, for example, Walton Heath is a great course or not.

I'd be interested in other courses people thought they didn't fully appreciate until GCA.

[Scott Warren]

Every course I play is more interesting and enjoyable for the small amount of GCA knowledge some of the members of this site have helped me accrue.

The reason I love NSWGC now, for instance is vastly different, and IMO richer, than the adoration I had after my first few visits in my early teens.

A course like Deal I may well have completely missed much of the appeal of before I started to appreciate GCA.

Case in point: before GCA, I adored Bonville. Not been back, but I am fearful that when I do it won't be the same.

[Dan Boerger]

Three I simply liked, but never really appreciated before coming to this site are:

Yahnundasis
Otesaga
Teugega

(Can you tell I'm from Central New York!)

[PCCraig]

Probably many of the remote overseas golf courses which I had never heard of...many in Austrailia.

Also, the photo tours many on here have done have peaked my interest.

[John Nixon]

There are several courses that I used to be perfectly, obliviously,  happy playing. Now that I know so much about gca, my enjoyment of them is lessened, 'cause now I just see more and more things to not like.

So, can we ask if there are also courses you appreciate less because of GCA?

 

[Sean_A]

Though I have always liked the odd ball courses I think GCA may have made me more interested in how both natural hazards and bunkers are used.  Consequently I look at courses like Harlech, New Zealand, Huntercombe & Kington with fascination because they present the unexpected, but wholly sensible approach to design.  I may also have a greater appreciation gravity golf.  Though I grew up on hilly courses with sloping greens and bunkers whose placement was entirely predictable, these were not so much influenced by gravity.  Its wonderful to see a ball nearly good roll 40 yards away from the target, but its not such a common occurrence.  

Ciao  

[Wyatt Halliday]

Delaware Springs and Rockport Country Club.

[Mark_Rowlinson]

I certainly look at architecture more than I used to and I will remember good holes or features long after I have forgotten my awful golf. I also gain so much more insight playing with other GCA enthusiasts who point out this or that that I would not have noticed.

[Tim Gavrich]

I'd also say that GCA makes me appreciate every golf course more.  I'd always been somewhat curious about how golf courses were designed, but discovering and becoming a participant in the proceedings at golfclubatlas.com has deepened my love for the game tremendously.

If I were to pick a single golf course that has gotten better in my eyes because of GCA, I'd have to say it's Gillette Ridge.  The first time I played it I hated it and thought it was tricked-up and unfair and all.  But upon further plays, while it sill has a couple fishy holes, I enjoy it as a whole and always look forward to playing it.

[Kyle Henderson]

Without this website, I might have heard of, but would probably never have visited Sand Hills, Ballyneal, Dismal River Rustic Canyon, or Black Mesa, all of which are among my most-prized golf experiences.

Without other participants, I would never been granted access to MPCC-Shore, Riviera, Ballyneal, Victoria or El Niguel (!!!). Again, treasured memories.

My ongoing architectural education (via this discussion board and books recommended by its participants) has improved my appreciation of places like Stevinson Ranch while tempering my desire to visit places like Hawaii, Florida, and  Palm Springs (with the notable exception of Stone Eagle) for golfing purposes.

My GCA experiences certainly makes every round on great courses much more fun, though my course management isn't necessarily any more proficient for the effort.

[Deucie Bies]

North Berwick

[Phil_the_Author]

Fernandina...

[Joe Bausch]

The Dunes Club in Myrtle Beach....

[Bill_McBride]

Painswick.....

[Joe Hancock]

Sheep Ranch

[Cliff Hamm]

Lawsonia and Tobacco Road because I was not familiar with them, and likely would never have played them, thereby missing two very different gems.

[Terry Thornton]

Every course I play is more interesting and enjoyable for the small amount of GCA knowledge some of the members of this site have helped me accrue.

The reason I love NSWGC now, for instance is vastly different, and IMO richer, than the adoration I had after my first few visits in my early teens.

Scott,

totally agree. I'd been a member of NSWGC about 5 years when I read my first GCA text, "The Golf Course" by Cornish & Whitten. Talk about the penny dropping, took 5 shots off my handicap over the next 6 months .
Might be an idea to read another some time 

[Kevin Pallier]

Terry

Just stand on the correct side of the ball - that should help 

[James Bennett]

Yes  Painswick, and North Berwick West.  You know you have had the full GCA lobotomy when you 'fondly' remember Painswick.

Locally, a lesser course that I always enjoyed is perhaps more understandable GCA wise to me now.  Thaxted Park.  Its use of the stream/wash/barranca  (we call it a gully here in OZ) through the back nine makes for a lot of memorable holes despite very average soil and limited irrigation water.

A couple of local courses here in Adelaide which I used to enjoy, and now have limited desire to play.  Grange East and Victor Harbor.  Both have some short doglegs on some holes and both have varying degrees of excessive vegetative ingress, as well as a lack of acreage necessary for an optimal course.  Some things have been done to these courses to make them more 'difficult' but the effect to me is 'less enjoyable'.  That said, there are holes at both of these tracks that I really enjoy, probably more so than I did before.

James B

[Wade Whitehead]

Without having reviewed the site threads, my experience at Tobacco Road would have been far less informed.

WW

[Adam Russell]

Palmetto Golf Club 

[Steve_ Shaffer]

I played Forsgate a few times before "joining" here. I knew it was something special and different but I didn't know why. Now I do.

[Pat Burke]

There are several courses that I used to be perfectly, obliviously,  happy playing. Now that I know so much about gca, my enjoyment of them is lessened, 'cause now I just see more and more things to not like.

So, can we ask if there are also courses you appreciate less because of GCA?

 

Funny, I've had the same experience since I began working on a golf course, first as an equipment operator, then moving up to asst to an unbelievable supt.
The experience helped my game in many ways, but seeing the little things that were missed at some courses absolutely grated on me.
Architecture wise, I was fortunate to learn the game in New Jersey, so I tend to measure the courses I play against all the great courses I was obscenely spoiled to grow up on.

[Kalen Braley]

Lincoln Park,
Jans National,
Lake Chabot 9 holer.

Just about any ratty, worn down, ill-maintained course that is full of quirk, unusual holes, and general uniquness despite its bad genes...

[Mike_Cirba]

Lincoln Park,
Jans National,
Lake Chabot 9 holer.

Just about any ratty, worn down, ill-maintained course that is full of quirk, unusual holes, and general uniquness despite its bad genes...

cough..cough...err...emm...excuse me young man??

Aren't we forgetting something?