Most Underrated Courses

[Jeff Spittel]

Forsgate? Tamarack? Maybe I just like The Steamshovel more than most.

[Anthony Gray]

Anthony
I spent time at Prestwick last week and I can say without a doubt David Fleming The professional and his staff are top notch.  I walked into the club unannounced and asked if I could take some pictures.  The young man behind the desk said absolutely and that David was giving a lesson and if I wanted to talk to him he would be back in an hour.  The starter asked after I had taken some pictures if I wanted to look in the card room at some of the artifacts for which I happily accepted.  Prestwick was somewhat of a homecoming since it was the first course I set foot on back in 1986.  I walked the championship holes and was given the routing of the famous layout of the first open Championship.  The routing was the first layout circa 1851.  I asked if I could play the championship course they all laughed.  
Twelve cool holes.  Played over three rounds.  The holes included a Bogey 6 ( Back Cardinal)  hole measuring 578 yards 1 foot 9 inches.  

Carl
Agreed Western Gailes one of the best on the Western Side.  Maybe top 50 in the world ( every time I talk about it the rating goes up)

  Jim,

  My first visit was 1999 and I guess I looked a little suspicious mulling around. A good friend also agrees with Western Gailes.

  Anthony

[Jay Flemma]

Blarney Stone...err Turning stone casino think they are underrated.  After all...they are...in their minds...the Augusta of the North.

UNderrated...Tobacco Road, Black Mesa, Ballyneal (still nobody has heard of it outside our circles)...I'll get more soon...

[Cory Lewis]

Meadow Club-mackenzie restored by Devries, amazing greens.

Pine Barrens-best public course in NJ IMO

Pikewood National-walking this course is a one of a kind experience, partly because you have to walk.

Coatesville-I'd love to play match play on this hilly course.

[Andy Troeger]

The Alotian Club (all), Wolf Run (all), Chambers Bay, (GD, Golf), Paa-Ko Ridge (GD), Black Mesa (all), Baltimore CC East (all), Valley Club of Montecito (GD), Kingsley (GD), Lakota Canyon Ranch (all), Ballyneal (GD), Lost Dunes (GD, Golf), Tullymore (GW, Golf), Sherwood (all), and Valhalla (GW, Golf Mag).

Forgot a few--the following don't make Golf Mag's list but should: Victoria National, Castle Pines, Sanctuary, Forest Highlands Canyon.

The Golf Club is given a great deal of respect but perhaps not enough--its #3 in my list behind only Cypress Point and Pebble Beach.

There, I think that was equal opportunity with the various lists. GolfWeek is tougher because they list twice as many courses--cheaters! 

[Ron Csigo]

St. Andrews - New

[Ronald Montesano]

Jay Flemma...well done...you remember my "Augusta of the North" line from way back when.  Even though I disagree with your assessment, your "blarney stone" is better than I could do on a moment's notice.

On to the thread...The Country Club in Ohio just got its due:  US Women's Am in the early next decade.

I'm a fan of Seven Oaks in Hamilton, NY and Crag Burn in East Aurora, NY.  Both are RTJ Sr. courses.  I became a fan of The Orchards in Massachusetts this Summer.  There is a little dinker in Maine called Webhannet that I loved in my "Yute."  It was designed by Eugene "Skip" Wogan---any GCA threads on him?  I also enjoyed playing Putterham Meadows in Brookline, MA (adjacent to The Country Club) one time as a keeed.

Sanctuary Ridge (nee Diamond Players Club) in Clermont, Fl is a recent discovery on my part.  As you can tell, I'm a Right Coast guy.

[Carl Johnson]

St. Andrews - New

Agreed.  Same for Jubilee.  They suffer by being next door to TOC.

[Tim Bert]

Cory - I think Meadow Club was Mackenzie, wasn't it? 

[Tim Gavrich]

Greenbrier--Old White
Yale
Palmetto GC
Scotscraig
CC of Farmington (CT)
Shelter Harbor!!!

[Tim Bert]

Kingsley x 2

[John Moore II]

So, why do we think Tobacco Road is underrated? I think its overrated because its short, in many cases dictates the shot required to the player without options, the greens are fine in small doses but given the number of crazy greens on the course, it becomes goofy. The tee shot on 16 is dangerous, 13 is a near joke, and if there has ever been a course that has 'too-many-half-par-holes' its Tobacco Road; lets see, 1, 4, 5, 11, and 17 are all half par holes. There are a few other holes I could almost call half par, including 13 for those who cut the corner, 15 possibly, 9 with that screwed up green and the fact that you can't hit driver off the tee is almost a 4 1/2, and I might be able to think of a few others. Now, all this being said, I think TR is a very good course, but not great and I'd say top 100 in America is overrating it.

[Brad Tufts]

Anthony
I spent time at Prestwick last week and I can say without a doubt David Fleming The professional and his staff are top notch.  I walked into the club unannounced and asked if I could take some pictures.  The young man behind the desk said absolutely and that David was giving a lesson and if I wanted to talk to him he would be back in an hour.  The starter asked after I had taken some pictures if I wanted to look in the card room at some of the artifacts for which I happily accepted.  Prestwick was somewhat of a homecoming since it was the first course I set foot on back in 1986.  I walked the championship holes and was given the routing of the famous layout of the first open Championship.  The routing was the first layout circa 1851.  I asked if I could play the championship course they all laughed.  
Twelve cool holes.  Played over three rounds.  The holes included a Bogey 6 ( Back Cardinal)  hole measuring 578 yards 1 foot 9 inches.  

Carl
Agreed Western Gailes one of the best on the Western Side.  Maybe top 50 in the world ( every time I talk about it the rating goes up)

Cool anecdote.  Prestwick is my favorite course in Scotland.  Knowledge of the course helps greatly, as I shot a 90 then 75 in my two rounds there ten years ago!  I have to remember to ask to see the "relics" next time!

[Brad Tufts]

 There is a little dinker in Maine called Webhannet that I loved in my "Yute."  It was designed by Eugene "Skip" Wogan---any GCA threads on him?  

Ronald,

My home course, Tedesco (as my aged profile in GCA's MHC section attests) was designed by Skip Wogan (and formed to its current incarnation by Wayne Stiles, it has been proven).  The man is only responsible for several courses, as it was a side-gig when he was the pro at Essex CC for about 30 years after Donald Ross moved to Pinehurst/Little Compton for good.  Wogan also was a founder of the NEPGA section, and developed scoring systems for tournaments that are used throughout golf today.

I also enjoyed Webhannet in my one play about 10 years ago.  I saw several Tedesco-like features that reminded me of my course in MA!

[David_Madison]

Old Town Club in Winston Salem, NC is way underrated. Wonderful Perry Maxwell greens complexes, tremendous shot variety, excellent terrain moves all over the place, and a really neat atmosphere.

Sleepy Hollow never seems to get mentioned, but is one neat little golf course that's a ton of fun to play. Goes along well with Fenway as another underrated course.

[John Moore II]

Old Town Club in Winston Salem, NC is way underrated. Wonderful Perry Maxwell greens complexes, tremendous shot variety, excellent terrain moves all over the place, and a really neat atmosphere.

Really? I haven't played there, but I see on the Golf Digest list its ranked 11th in the state of NC. I've played 3 of the courses above it and 3 of the courses ranked behind it in the top 25 in state. If Old Town is 'way underrated' compared to Eagle Point, Forest Creek (North) and Pine Needles, then it must be one hell of a golf course; top 50 in America for sure.

[Jay Kirkpatrick]

Greenbrier (Old White): Golf Digest doesn't even have it in the Top 5 in WV.  I think its better than Cascades.

CC of NC (Dogwood): Highly ranked back when it was built, its been overshadowed by many of the glitzier new courses in the state, but this course holds its own.  One of my favorites in the state.

Cape Fear CC: Great old restored D. Ross with hilly terrain in an otherwise flat town (Wilmington, NC)

Ritz-Carlton Club in Jupiter, FL: One of my favorite Nicklaus courses and a haven for several celebs/pro golfers. Never see much press on this one.

[Jay Kirkpatrick]

Old Town Club in Winston Salem, NC is way underrated. Wonderful Perry Maxwell greens complexes, tremendous shot variety, excellent terrain moves all over the place, and a really neat atmosphere.

Really? I haven't played there, but I see on the Golf Digest list its ranked 11th in the state of NC. I've played 3 of the courses above it and 3 of the courses ranked behind it in the top 25 in state. If Old Town is 'way underrated' compared to Eagle Point, Forest Creek (North) and Pine Needles, then it must be one hell of a golf course; top 50 in America for sure.

John -- I can't stress this enough, make a point to go as soon as you can.  Its my favorite course in the state... above all those you mentioned.  Hard to say its underrated though when you consider that its on Golfweeks Top 100 Classic course list.

[John Moore II]

Old Town Club in Winston Salem, NC is way underrated. Wonderful Perry Maxwell greens complexes, tremendous shot variety, excellent terrain moves all over the place, and a really neat atmosphere.

Really? I haven't played there, but I see on the Golf Digest list its ranked 11th in the state of NC. I've played 3 of the courses above it and 3 of the courses ranked behind it in the top 25 in state. If Old Town is 'way underrated' compared to Eagle Point, Forest Creek (North) and Pine Needles, then it must be one hell of a golf course; top 50 in America for sure.

John -- I can't stress this enough, make a point to go as soon as you can.  Its my favorite course in the state... above all those you mentioned.  Hard to say its underrated though when you consider that its on Golfweeks Top 100 Classic course list.

Jay-You a member? I'll come play it tomorrow if you mean your play it now comment as an invite

[Emil Weber]

I'll be curious to see if any courses make this list and also the most overrated list. 

Yes, I think Toacco Road has made both lists

[John Moore II]

I'll be curious to see if any courses make this list and also the most overrated list. 

Yes, I think Tobacco Road has made both lists

Good chance of that considering the widely varied opinions about the course. I like the place, hoping to play there today in the afternoon, but I just don't think its as good as some people will say. Good yes, great no.

[David_Madison]

Old Town is underrated, even if it is #11 on Golf Digest's list. In 2007 it was #7. IMHO it should be around #5 or #6, on the margin as a top 100 (not just top 100 classic course). OTC is a true golfer's club. It might not have the arts and crafts of some newer courses, nor the great views outside the course that there in the mountains, but all of the golf course elements, the shot values and other factors we believe are important on this site are abundantly in place. Many of the holes look harmless enough, but when the greens are reasonably firm and rolling (which they are a far greater percentage of the time than they are at most central NC courses) it is one tough place to score well on.

[Jim Franklin]

The Alotian
Kingsley
Western Gailes
Five Farms
Ballyneal

All in my top 50

Old White
Northland CC
Quarry at Giants Ridge
Royal New Kent (like better than Tobacco Road)

[Mark Pritchett]

Does anyone consider Bulls Bay underrated?

[Cristian]

In the shadow of the great championship links in GB & I, lie beautiful links courses which seem to be under the radar for raters (and perhaps for the better). I have had great fun playing a number of courses that may not be 7000yds from the tips but provided purest links golf experience and great views and aesthetics as well:

some examples:

Ballyliffin Old
Portrush Valley
Glasgow gales
Dooks
Lundin Links

....and I'm sure people who are really in the know (has Mr Arble reacted to this post?) can add to this list easily.