[Jordan Wall]

What golf course did you most anticipate playing before you actually played it?

That course you thought about while you were sleeping and you counted the days for weeks before you played there.

AND..

Was it as good as you thought, expected, hoped for, etc.?

[Jeff_Mingay]

Tough question, Jordan.

I've anxiously thought about a number of courses while counting down the minutes until my tee time... including Merion, Crystal Downs, and of course, St. Andrews (to name just three). But I was probably most anxious for Pine Valley; and, to be honest, I went there thinking:

"Can it really be as good as its long-time billing, atop the world ranking, suggests?"

I left Pine Valley clearly thinking:

"That's undoubtedly the best golf course in the world."

Given a choice, I'd put St. Andews-Old on top. But, man... is Pine Valley ever good 

[Emil Weber]

I've been waiting for this question!

I had far too high expectations for the few great courses I played in the last years. I was dreaming about them, checked their websites and checked GCA for informations about the courses every day. In the end, I was often disappointed, because EVERY GOLF COURSE IS 'ONLY' a GOLF COURSE, and not heaven.

I knew every hole at St Enodoc before even playing the course, luckily St Enodoc was one of the few courses that exceeded my expectations.

Sometimes, you are simply not supposed to know a course before playing it. For example, if a hole misleads you into a certain spot from where you have a tricky approach and that spot seemed safe, the architect WANTED you to do so and learn from that mistake next time you play the hole. But if you already know the line, the hole is less interesting to play. The spice pf these hole is that you don't know the right line. Reading the reviews and seeing too many photos may reduce the fun playing that certain course.

[Mike Wagner]

Cypress is #1 on this list for me.

I think the harder to get on courses hold a special place when it comes to anticipation, as I know it miight be the only time I ever play them.

It was everything and more than I expected - to see the inland holes - then to make the walk from #15 to #16-  the greatest anticipation walk in golf I've ever experienced.  I think you'll get a lot of the same response here.

Other courses that kept me up then delivered:

1.  Bandon
2.  Pacific
3.  Trails
4.  Pebble
5. Spyglass

Skyridge in Sequim does this to me now - I still don't sleep very well the night before I play there.  It has all the elements I love!

[Ash Towe]

For me it was Cypress Point.
It was the centre piece of a trip to San Francisco and the Monterey Peninsula.  I had read about as much as you could about the course.
When the due day arrived the weather was perfect.  The caddies were excellent and the course was better than I imagined.  I played with Ed Getka, Tom Huckaby and Rick Schefchik and to play in their company was the iceing on the cake.  My wife accompanied us and was totally enthralled with the setting.  It was one of those magical days when everything came together.  The most disappointing aspect of the day was when we finished.  How I wished we could have gone around again.
The other courses that lived up to the anticipation were, Muirfield, St Andrews Old, Royal Melbourne West, Kingston Heath, Cape Kidnappers, SFGC,MPCC Shore,Birkdale and Plainfield.

[Bill Weber]

Sand Hills! Exceeded my expectations and one I would drop just about anything not family related and go again at any time. I now anticipate Ballyneal with the same zeal and even better is the chance to meet more GCA'ers and talk golf every waking minute.

[Tim Bert]

I love the anticipation of a golf trip.  The planning is great fun as well, but the time between the planning and the playing is something special for me.  The anticipation is essential to a top notch trip.  The longer the better!

Twice since I felt I had played a decent sample of really good courses have I gone into a round expecting the course to be the best I've ever played and walked away from the round blown away.  The first was Pacific Dunes.  The second was Cypress Point.  There's another 5-10 that have far exceeded lofty expectations as well - the bar just wasn't set quite as high as it was for these two.

The difference between the two above is that when you finished up at Pacific you went back again and again and then again and again and again... well, you get the point.  Cypress Point was more of a "take it all in while you can" vibe.  Spectacular, but also somewhat sad when the round comes to a close.

While nothing beats the once in a lifetime experience, in the long haul the ability to replay the round certainly has its advantages. 


I also enjoy the anticipation of a good golf book.  I've been expecting to read "The Making of Pacific Dunes" for the past five years.   
 

[Chip Gaskins]

I would say there are several Augusta and Cypress Point.

However spending the night right off the #10 hole at Augusta and not sleeping at all only to wake up to a 2 hour frost delay has the be hardest clock watching known to anyone.  I was so emotionally spent after the round and it was not because of the actual round it was all the anticipation.  I started looking at the weather for Dec 18th on Dec 1st if that tells you about anticipation.

Cypress required a drive of several hours before the round.  So it kind of blunts the nerves in the car compared to sleeping at the course.  I would be lying if I said I didn't check the weather weeks in advance for these courses though.  I felt like a kid at Christmas.

I have another one this week that I am really really anticipating and am already reading every World Atlas of Golf, Confidential Guide, GCA posting, etc that I can find.  I am currently in that kid at Christmas phase 

[Will MacEwen]

For me the most anticipated was my first time to Bandon.  Knowing that it would be a full experience (5 rounds or so), 2 courses, lots of time to soak it in and savour the destination and time made the anticipation all the richer.  It was also my first time to a real "name" destination.

I have only played a handful of private clubs in my life, and the anticipation is always hedged by a fear of embarassing my host, or exposing myself as a rube.  Nobody who knows me would call such fear irrational.

I like Tim's comments about how much he enjoys the time before a golf trip.  With my regular group, we got on a cycle where we always had the next trip booked before the current one expired - shaking hands on the final green of the final day, the hangover was much less knowing that another venue was reserved for 6 months down the road.

This year, the spring Bandon trip was canned due to the wives of the principals all delivernig children.  I missed the trip of course, but also the anticipation.  On my birthday this year, with a two day old settling into the house, I went downstairs with my morning coffee and booked a Bandon trip 15  months down the road (having a June trip to Whistler banked).  Just having my next Bandon junket locked in is great for my mental health.

[Michael Dugger]

I was pretty fired up for Pronghorn Faz and Tetherow and each delivered in spades.

I daydream about the usual suspects like Cypress and Pine Valley, but I have a weird itch to see Olympic Club & Caledonia (both courses)

I know they are not world beaters, so I suppose it's a lot like wanting to hook up with a cougar. 

[Ben Sims]

This one is a tough one for me because I don't have he breadth of experience that many of you have.  For the sheer enormity of playing somewhere as highly ranked as it is, Pacific Dunes has been my all time high.  I learned everything I could before and have since.  It delivered in a way that maybe only 5 more courses on earth could do for me.  Sheep Ranch (because of the lack of information about it) took me by surprise and delight.  If Pacific is where my mind is, Sheep Ranch is where my heart is.

Others that I lost sleep in anticipation:

1) Pasatiempo (I asked my father-in-law to marry his daughter after I kicked his ass on the back nine, redemption!!)
2) Stone Eagle (for the uniqueness of it, and for the tacos)
3) Peachtree GC (my first foray into top level architecture and experience)

Currently I am "fiending" on Ballyneal (3 weeks ), Riviera, NGLA and Crystal Downs.  I would probably have a heart attack for Cypress or Augusta. 

[Jon Heise]

Ahhh, cool question.  I have 2.

I was in NC for a work training session, 3 weeks in Winston Salem.  I figure, hell, Pinehurst is only 2 hour drive away.  I'd actually been through Pinehust about 2 months before, driving from MI to SC, my car blew up in the mountains of VA.  We decided, f-it, taking a detour through Pinehurst.  I knew I had to get back- and soon.  So I was actually at the Biltmore Estates with a group of co-workers that Saturday, gave Pinehurst Resort a call and boom!  Im on at No. 2 the next afternoon.  I couldnt drive there fast enough.


Second: Crystal Downs.  Wanted to play there for years, pretty much as soon as I found out it existed.  My one buddy got on, totally by accident the year before.  Made our whole group jealous.  Eventually, I got on.  I was at work when I had my tee time confirmed.  If jumping around a cubicle gets strange looks, running around the office yelling to my buddy on a cell phone that we had a tee time gets even stranger looks.  That was awesome! 

[Ron Csigo]

The one that really comes to mind is the Old Course at St. Andrews because I flew all the way to Scotland without having a confirmed tee time.  I was attempting to walk on as a single one morning. The night before, I purchased a yardage book in the pro shop and mapped out my round.  During that night, I play the round over and over in my head.  The next morning I show up at the crack of dawn in April and get my name on the walk on list.  I'm third on the list and the first scheduled tee time is 7:00am.  So, I do a little light putting while taking in the nostalgia of TOC clubhouse and the row of shops and hotels along the 18th fairway.  Turns out, the first group on the tee is a single golfer so I'm thinking, what luck!  I'll be off in the first group since they likely just pair the three walk ons with this one individual.  I guess it's customary in Scotland to ask a player whether or not they'd like a playing partner(s) for the day.  Here in the States, they just pair you up.  Anyway, turns out that this single did not want any company that morning and denied our trio of walk ons.  The next two hours go by like a dentist appointment, long and painful.  Finally, my number gets called and I'm paired with two fine gents from Utah.  As I put my peg in the ground I completely had no recollection of what the play was off the first tee after my all night yardage guide cramming session.  I just couldn't fathom where I was standing at that moment in time.  I was just in sheer awe.   

[Kyle Harris]

My first night at Bethpage Black. Not only the anticipation building while attempting to sleep in the car (and awakening with each car entering the lot - totally creepy at times, too) but also on the trip up.

It's builds to a crescendo as you get in line, then buy your time and then make your way to the back to hit a few putts - all the while staring at the sign.

Then you make your way down to the tee...

[John Foley]

I'll agree - love the pre golf trip anticipation. The planning / the banter / the stories. It's amazing how much milage the psyche gets froma long weekend of 36 a day little sleep and spending time with very very good friends.

Most of the higher rated courses I've seengiven the esteem they are held on by most here gave great anticipation give and not one dissapointed.


Kiawaha Ocean & TPC Sawgrass we're my two first real exposures to great golf courses. Both we're brutal and both overwhelming to the senses.
Bandon, Yale, Oakmont & Pinehurst far exceed as the days we're perfect weather, the play was very good and architecture thought provoking.
Merion at the US AM, Shinnecock & Winged Foot for the US Open all we're great due to the historic competition being palyed and the crowds.

Love the drive bys. Getting a glimpse of places I have not played or been to. The anticpation for these simple sights get the juices flowing.

- National & Friars Head after the Open @ Shinnecock
- Garden City after going to Bethpage

In the end the most anticipated & far exceed my dreams was Sand Hills. The epic task to get there via plane & drive. The stark landscape on the way in & the beauty of raw nature of the land combined for a memorable experiance.

I try to recall things from many of the great places I've seen & played and can do pretty good. But I swear I remember every rumple, bunker swale path tee box & green at Sand Hills.

[Bill_McBride]

I guess I was most nervous about playing Cypress Point, but the most literally anticipated for a long time was the Old Course at St Andrews.  I had been reading about it, studying the Mackenzie plan, learning the names of the bunkers, and generally pining to play there, for 50 years.  I wasn't terribly nervous when I stood on the first tee, just excited.  The caddies were amazed that I knew the names of the bunkers and the holes, but I have to say I was not prepared for the blind tee shots over the gorse.  It was a great day, first off at 6:30 a.m. on a Monday after success in the ballot with my bro.

[R_Paulis]

The Old Course at St Andrews was the culmination of a two week trip throughout Scotland. There was little sleep the night before and it was not so much due to the anticipation, but more because we had to put our names on the walk-up list by 4am. Lucky for us we were the first off but the round was over before we knew it.

[Jed Peters]

Cypress.

And it exceeded my expectations.

Toughest hour? Spent in the church parking lot at SFGC waiting for my host to show up.

[Chris DeNigris]

Easy...Brora.

First course on first trip to Scotland. I made the trip arrangements early so I had 9 months of lying awake, counting sheep, cattle and those cute little electric fences.

Then it was almost time. The long flight, the drive from Glasgow to Inverness, nearly wrecking multiple times around Loch Lomond and finally, the next morning's wonderful drive past Dornoch to a rather unassuming little golf club on the North Sea.

No practice tee- but hitting a few shag balls into the calm sea from just off the first tee seemed like a fitting way to begin an amazing adventure.

That was three years ago. Going back again this September. Been dreaming for months of the first tee shot across part of the Atlantic on a little course near Campbeltown...wish it was Labor Day.

[Jim Colton]

Right now I'm sitting outside the Denver airport waiting anxiously for the avis shuttle bus. Just missed the last one and had to do the 'just ran after the bus only to miss it by a few seconds and now I look like a dork' move. That and the pouring rain are an ominous start to my daytrip to Ballyneal. Still, I can't wait to get back out there.

The bus is pulling up...

[Bob Jenkins]

Jordan,

One of my favourite memories is of of playing Pebble with you and John Mayhugh last year was the sheer joy on your faces throughout most of the round. I had been lucky enough to play Pebble a few times before but clearly, Pebble blew both of you guys away. It was a spectacular, sunny day and it was clear that the place exceeded your expectations.

Cypress is a given. You could never anticipate the reality of that place. Just love every moment of the place, look around and take it in. In many ways, it is so understated which makes it even better.

Another that comes to mind was Ballyneal. I knew it would be good and having played a Doak course previously, ie. Pacific Dunes, I was keen to get to Ballyneal and experience what Rupert had put together. The day I spent there will never be forgotten. I had a distinct recollection of every hole which I was lucky enough to play with Matt, the head professional. We were the only ones on the course. With Ballyneal it is the experience of the drive up to the site over many miles of barren, sagebrush blown land with a few small towns thrown in, then getting to the sand hills and looking out on the course. Loved every minute of that day which far exceeded what I had imagined.

Riviera was also a better experience than I expected, even though I had high expectations. It was my first Thomas course and there were so many great holes that have had me thinking about that day ever since. Then there is the clubhouse and all that goes with it!

Bandon is something you all have to experience and it will be even better with Old Mac.

Otherwise, my first Pete Dye course, which was the Mountain Course at La Quinta, many years ago.

Of the Scottish courses, the Ailsa course at Turnberry was better than I imagined but then, it was the first course I played over there so that probably goes a long way to explaining my enthusiasm for the place. The Old Course is a given.

Hope to see you soon. !!!

Bob

[Philippe Binette]

North Berwick would be my first choice in the 20 minutes before tee time anticipation...

but

I walked part of Royal Melbourne and Machrihanish prior to playing it the next day... that created a lot of anticipation

[Robin Doodson]

Without a doubt Barnbougle Dunes. i am going there in July and i really can't wait. i know it's going to be freezing cold, windy and probably raining but i'm sure it will only make the whole experience more authentic.

[Sean_A]

TOC was hands down my one course where anticipation was racked up several degrees.  It was the final course on my first visit to Scotland.  I was planning to hang around St Andrews until I got on.  Turns out I was on that first tee almost immediately after presenting my handicap card to the starter.  After all the build up it was over far too soon, but I didn't fully realize it until I was back on the M6 heading south. 

The entire trip was sort of this way because I really didn't know what to expect having only booked the first game (Royal Troon).  The one course which really surprised me was North Berwick.  That day changed how I think about golf and golf courses forever.  I was like a kid in a candy shop and couldn't stop grinning.  I didn't know anything about the place and only went there based on what someone told me in a pub.  It sounded interesting and worth a go.  I didn't recapture that feeling on a golf course until many years later with my first go at Tobacco Road.  I hope it doesn't take that long to once again gaze over the sweeties. 

Ciao

[Jamie Barber]

It used to be TOC - unfortunately we got to play on a bittery cold Feb day blowing a gale and it spoiled it for me. I'd like to play it again on a reasonable day.

RCD was another, and I was just gobsmacked - best course I've played by far.

Brancaster is next on my list (end of June) and I'm already getting excited!

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