Whip it Out: Post your Top 25 Courses Played

[Scott Warren]

God bless the people willing to be entirely honest and pull no punches with their lists!


Bill Brightly,

I missed your list when you posted it. Wow. I'd love to hear your thoughts behind a few bits and pieces.

RM West ahead of Pine Valley!

NSWGC ahead of Pebble Beach!!

Your NJ/PA entries in the bottom 10 - Obviously I haven't played those courses, but they seem in quite a different order to how we often see them listed. What elevates Ridgewood above Plainfield in your opinion?

Lastly, do you think you have Yale lower than many others might? What do you like and dislike about it?

[Ben Stephens]

Here is my latest top 25 that I can think of  :

1.   Carnoustie (Championship)
2.   Royal County Down
3.   Royal St. Georges
4.   Ganton
5.   Royal Birkdale
6.   Royal Porthcawl
7.   Woodhall Spa
8.   Royal West Norfolk
9.   Turnberry (Ailsa)
10. St. Andrews Beach (Gunnamatta)
11. Notts
12. St. Enodoc (Church)
13. Hunstanton
14. Alwoodley
15. Royal Lytham + St. Annes
16. Cavendish
17. Seacroft
18. Royal Worlington + Newmarket
19. Lindrick
20. Huntercombe
21. Harbour Town
22. Elie
23. Panmure
24. Kings Lynn
25. Blairgowrie (Rosemount)

Cheers
Ben

[Bill Brightly]

Scott,

Really a toss of the coin between my #3 RM West and #4 Pine Valley. I guess I rated RM ahead because it is slightly more fun to play. At Pine Valley, I guess I feel slightly more pressure not to spray a shot because the recoveries are so hard.

Plainfield is not close to Ridgewood, IMO. Plainfield has some great holes like 11, 12 and 16 (Ridgewood has more) but PCC also has some really bland holes like 13, 14, 17 and 18 (but I need to see this hole after the tree removal.)

[Carr Harris]

I spent some time last night making a list to send to a friend so I figured I might as well post it here as well. As with any ranking, if you ask me in 6 months I'm sure the order would be different in spots


1. Pine Valley
2. Pacific Dunes
3. Merion (East)
4. Bandon Trails
5. Oakmont
6. Old Macdonald
7. Pinehurst #2
8. Chambers Bay
9. The Country Club (Pepper Pike)
10. Muirfield Village
11. Harbour Town
12. Canterbury
13. TPC Sawgrass
14. Stone Eagle
15. Tobacco Road
16. Dormie Club
17. Whistling Straits
18. Pete Dye Golf Club
19. Firestone (South)
20. Bandon Dunes
21. Lookout Mountain
22. Gulph Mills
23. Kirtland Country Club
24. Philadelphia Country Club
25. Playa Grande (D.R.)



Others: Yale (I'm disqualifying it because I don’t really remember playing there), PGA National, Southern Pines, Longaberger, Caledonia, Firestone (North), Debordieu

[Andy Ryall]

I can't believe I am going to post my 25 given the modesty of the courses in relation to those that have been posted but I still feel fortunate to have played the following:

1   PACIFIC DUNES
2   BANDON DUNES
3   MINIKHADA
4   ARCADIA BLUFFS
5   SUTTON BAY
6   LAWSONIA
7   OAK RIDGE
8   U OF MICH
9   WE-KO-PA - SAGUARO
10   TWIN WARRIORS
11   DETROIT GC (NORTH)
12   PAA-KO RIDGE
13   WE-KO-PA - CHOLLA
14   RTJ- GRAND NATL (LINKS)
15   PURGATORY
16   CLASSIC @ MADDENS (MN)
17   LAKE FOREST (KY)
18   RAPTOR BAY
19   BRICKYARD CROSSING
20   TALKING STICK - NORTH
21   SPRING CREEK (VA)
22   ELK RIDGE (MI)
23   WINCHESTER CC (MA)
24   DORAL (BLUE)
25   TALKING STICK - SOUTH

Will be adding Old Mac and Bandon Trails in September.    Having grown up in Central Mass - I have an affinity for Ross courses since he is probably the pre-eminent architect in that part of the country.   Look forward to future revisions.....

Andy

[Tom ORourke]

My list looks a lot like the one Chris has above - Philly, Jersey, and resorts.

Merion
Pine Valley
Ballybunion
Rolling Green
Kiawah Ocean
Waynesborough
Pinehust #2
Atlantic City
Old Marsh
Tobacco Road
Half Moon Bay
Pine Needles
Bethpage Black
Lehigh
Huntingdon Valley
Manufacturers
Great Waters
Llanerch
Pine Tree
Springhaven
Trump Philly - Pine Hill
Kennett Square
Woodcrest
Wilmington South
Southern Pines

[Tony Weiler]

Needed to update my list, some great ones the last couple years.

1.   Sand Hills               Coore/Crenshaw
2.   Riviera               George Thomas Jr.
3.   Ballyneal               Tom Doak
4.   Rock Creek Cattle Company      Tom Doak
5.   Interlachen CC            Will. Watson/Donald Ross
6.   Sutton Bay               Graham Marsh
7.   World Woods (Pine Barrens)      Tom Fazio
8.   We Ko Pa (Saguaro)         Coore/Crenshaw
9.   Torrey Pines (South)         
10.   Hazeltine National          Robert Trent Jones
11.   Hawktree               Jim Engh
12.   Rustic Canyon            Shackelford/Hanse
13.   Links of N.D.            Stephen Kay
14.   Wild Horse            
15.   Vista Verde            Ken Kavanaugh
16.   Grayhawk (Talon)
17.   Deacon’s Lodge            Arnold Palmer
18.   Couer d’Alene C.C.
19.   Pelican Hill (South before Renovations)
20.   TPC Scottsdale
21.   Old Works               Jack Nicklaus
22.   Powder Horn
23.   Bully Pulpit            Hurdzan/Fry
24.   Eagle Bend
25.   We Ko Pa (Cholla)

[Matt Bradley]

I am so lucky to be 16 and played all of these. Thanks Dad,

Heres my top 25:

Merion (East)
Ballybunion (Old)
Lahinch (Old)
Oakmont
Royal Dornoch
Sunningdale (New)
Morfontaine (Grand)
Royal St. Georges
San Francisco Golf Club
Turnberry
Banff Springs
Jasper Park
Sunningdale (Old)
North Berwick (West Links)
Muirfield
Royal Cinque Ports
Rye
Kingsley
Olympic Club (Lake)
Morfontaine (Valliere)
Dormie Club
Cruden Bay
Royal Worlington
Tralee
St. Germain

[Ron Csigo]

Matt,

Welcome to the board!  That's a tremendous list of courses.  You are obviously well traveled.

Curious, are you an Eat coast or West coast guy?

[Scott Warren]

Ron: I am thinking Matt is none other than Bart Bradley's son, star of many of Bart's pics from his course reviews.

[Ron Csigo]

Thanks Scott.

Welcome to the treehouse Matt.

[Bart Bradley]

Ron: I am thinking Matt is none other than Bart Bradley's son, star of many of Bart's pics from his course reviews.

Ron and Scott:

So it is.  I suspect Matt is featured in more of Ran's course profile pictures than any other board member!

I am the proud Dad.  Are there any other father/son posters on GCA.com?

I am sure he will be pleased at your welcome....but I have sent him to bed  .

Bart

[Scott Warren]

Tim and Larry Gavrich and Kyle and Scott Henderson are other father/son GCA combos I can think of.

[Mac Plumart]

In my best jeff spicoli, I know that dude!

Matt kicked my butt in a match at Grandfather!

[Trevor]

TOC
Sand Hills
Cypress Point
Old Macdonald
Royal Dornoch
NGLA
Friars Head
Shinnecock Hills
Yeamans Hall
Pacific Dunes
Merion
Cape Kidnappers
Royal Melbourne
Bandon Trails
Bandon Dunes
Eastward Ho!
CC of Fairfield
Barwon Heads
Turnberry
Tobacco Road
Palmetto
Muirfield
Fox Chapel
Garden City GC
Chisholm Park
Yale

[John Kavanaugh]

TOC
Sand Hills
Cypress Point
Old Macdonald
Royal Dornoch
NGLA
Friars Head
Shinnecock Hills
Yeamans Hall
Pacific Dunes
Merion
Cape Kidnappers
Royal Melbourne
Bandon Trails
Bandon Dunes
Eastward Ho!
CC of Fairfield
Barwon Heads
Turnberry
Tobacco Road
Palmetto
Muirfield
Fox Chapel
Garden City GC
Chisholm Park
Yale

Trevor,

One year ago you posted the five courses you most wanted to play:


1) NGLA
2) Royal County Down
3) Ballyneal
4) Old Mac
5) Barnbougle Dunes

Two questions, why or how did NGLA disappoint and what's with the fake name?

[Mark Pritchett]

I am so lucky to be 16 and played all of these. Thanks Dad,

Heres my top 25:

Merion (East)
Ballybunion (Old)
Lahinch (Old)
Oakmont
Royal Dornoch
Sunningdale (New)
Morfontaine (Grand)
Royal St. Georges
San Francisco Golf Club
Turnberry
Banff Springs
Jasper Park
Sunningdale (Old)
North Berwick (West Links)
Muirfield
Royal Cinque Ports
Rye
Kingsley
Olympic Club (Lake)
Morfontaine (Valliere)
Dormie Club
Cruden Bay
Royal Worlington
Tralee
St. Germain

Welcome Matt!

[Ed Oden]

I am so lucky to be 16 and played all of these. Thanks Dad,

Heres my top 25:

Merion (East)
Ballybunion (Old)
Lahinch (Old)
Oakmont
Royal Dornoch
Sunningdale (New)
Morfontaine (Grand)
Royal St. Georges
San Francisco Golf Club
Turnberry
Banff Springs
Jasper Park
Sunningdale (Old)
North Berwick (West Links)
Muirfield
Royal Cinque Ports
Rye
Kingsley
Olympic Club (Lake)
Morfontaine (Valliere)
Dormie Club
Cruden Bay
Royal Worlington
Tralee
St. Germain

Welcome Matthew!  I've been fortunate to play with the Bradleys many times.  I can honestly say that I don't know who is the greater pleasure to play with, father or son.  Good people and we are lucky to have both on this board.

[Matt Bradley]

Ron, Scott, Mac, Mark and Ed,

Thank you for the warm welcome!!

[Trevor]

Quote from: Nuke R on July 01, 2011, 12:18:01 AM
TOC
Sand Hills
Cypress Point
Old Macdonald
Royal Dornoch
NGLA
Friars Head
Shinnecock Hills
Yeamans Hall
Pacific Dunes
Merion
Cape Kidnappers
Royal Melbourne
Bandon Trails
Bandon Dunes
Eastward Ho!
CC of Fairfield
Barwon Heads
Turnberry
Tobacco Road
Palmetto
Muirfield
Fox Chapel
Garden City GC
Chisholm Park
Yale


Trevor,

One year ago you posted the five courses you most wanted to play:


1) NGLA
2) Royal County Down
3) Ballyneal
4) Old Mac
5) Barnbougle Dunes

Two questions, why or how did NGLA disappoint and what's with the fake name?

- NGLA didn't disappoint, It's just i've only played it once.  I've gotten to know the others ranked above it better after multiple rounds.  Good GCA (IMHO) takes time to flesh out.  If i'm lucky enough to play NGLA many more times, from the looks of it there's a healthy bounty of architectural genius out there that will bring me to tears just like those above it do.  It's actually the only course in my top 10 i've only played once.  Lastly, ranking golf courses is one of my pet peeves, I put this list out there more so that you all have a better idea of where i'm coming from critically, in reality this list changes every day.  Old Mac, which was also on the list, I played 90 holes at over the course of 4 days (45 one day) and in different winds, so i was able to really sink my teeth into the brilliance there.

- Nuke is my real name

[Jamie Van Gisbergen]

Quote from: Nuke R on July 01, 2011, 12:18:01 AM
TOC
Sand Hills
Cypress Point
Old Macdonald
Royal Dornoch
NGLA
Friars Head
Shinnecock Hills
Yeamans Hall
Pacific Dunes
Merion
Cape Kidnappers
Royal Melbourne
Bandon Trails
Bandon Dunes
Eastward Ho!
CC of Fairfield
Barwon Heads
Turnberry
Tobacco Road
Palmetto
Muirfield
Fox Chapel
Garden City GC
Chisholm Park
Yale


Trevor,

One year ago you posted the five courses you most wanted to play:


1) NGLA
2) Royal County Down
3) Ballyneal
4) Old Mac
5) Barnbougle Dunes

Two questions, why or how did NGLA disappoint and what's with the fake name?

- NGLA didn't disappoint, It's just i've only played it once.  I've gotten to know the others ranked above it better after multiple rounds.  Good GCA (IMHO) takes time to flesh out.  If i'm lucky enough to play NGLA many more times, from the looks of it there's a healthy bounty of architectural genius out there that will bring me to tears just like those above it do.  It's actually the only course in my top 10 i've only played once.  Lastly, ranking golf courses is one of my pet peeves, I put this list out there more so that you all have a better idea of where i'm coming from critically, in reality this list changes every day.  Old Mac, which was also on the list, I played 90 holes at over the course of 4 days (45 one day) and in different winds, so i was able to really sink my teeth into the brilliance there.

- Nuke is my real name

Nuke LaLoosh right?

[Trevor]

Correct

[Joe_Tucholski]

1 - Pebble Beach Golf Links (Jack Neville/Douglas Grant)
It has my favorite hole, it has my favorite stretch of holes (6-10), I have great high school memories out on the course, I watched many pro events on the course, I worked many pro events on the course, I like the so called weak holes away from the ocean, it’s one of the few in my top 25 that I’ve played multiple times and it’s one of a half dozen or so courses I’ve played with my dad

2-7 were tough for me to rank against each other
2 - Bandon Dunes (David Kidd)
After one visit to Bandon it was my favorite course (I ended up playing it three times and each of the others one time and that likely has something to do with it).  The 16th was my favorite hole on the complex and I’m looking forward to play it in the winter wind.
3 - The Homestead – Cascades (William Flynn)
My wife and I visited for our one year anniversary in October and the leaves were changing color.  My wife who does not play has it as her top  course (she has walked or ridden all but 4 of the courses in my top 25).
4 - Monterey Peninsula Country Club (Shore Course) (Seth Raynor/Robert Hunter)
Unfortunately this is the course that I remember the least about of any course in my top 25.  I skipped school the first day of my senior year (with my parents permission) to play in an AT&T PB junior event held at the course and that is about it.  Based on what I have read in the last year I have to put it at 4 (it’s a bit of BS for me to have it this high I have to admit)
5 - Old MacDonald (Tom Doak/Jim Urbina)
I had a lot of fun playing this course during my visit and when I look back on the pure number of holes I really enjoyed on each course Old Mac probably has the most.  The tee shot on 3 is my favorite drive in golf.  I love that tree.
6 - Bandon Trails (Coore and Crenshaw)
I liked the change of pace and it had the most risk reward in my mind (also likely influenced because it had the most reward for me).  I was able to play my round with no one in front of me and just my wife to keep me company.  I saw literally 4 other people the entire round.
7 - Pacific Dunes (Tom Doak)
This was the first course I played during my visit and the one I read the most about.  I ended up playing as a single between groups of foursomes so was a bit frustrated despite playing multiple balls after the first few holes.  I thought the course was solid and after some replays maybe it will move up in my mind.
8 - Chambers Bay (Robert Trent Jones Jr.)
My first experience with fast and firm playing conditions.
9 - Spyglass Hill Golf Course (Robert Trent Jones)
One of the best opening stretches of golf holes.  Really tough challenge.  Along with Pebble a course I’ve played multiple times.
10 - The Greenbrier - Old White Course (C.B MacDonald/Seth Raynor)
I played all three courses on the same day and it was a different experience.  I had a good round going until 18 where I hit the green but was on the wrong side of the giant hump (went long to a front pin) and ended up four putting.
11 - The Links at Spanish Bay (Robert Trent Jones Jr./Tom Watson/Sandy Tatum)
Pure nostalgia on this one.  I have some great memories playing with great friends finishing at sunset with the bagpipes playing.
12 - Circling Raven (Gene Bates)
I was really surprised by this one and enjoyed the course.  I’ve played 4 gene bates course and while some may call them boring I like them all the same.
13 - Bulle Rock (Pete Dye)
Kind of a weird location but thought it was a quality course (I played it the day after my wedding)

I had a tough time ranking 14-20 against each other
14 - The Golf Club at Redlands Mesa (Jim Engh)
I just thought it was good golf in Colorado with some interesting vista views and rock formations.
15 - Rustic Canyon (Gil Hanse/Geoff Shackelford)
The course that led me to this site as it is just a good amount of fun with some good architectural features.
16 - The Greenbrier - The Greenbrier Course (Seth Raynor)
I think I was the only person that played the course on the day I played it and it was a bit soggy.  From my memory the course was very different from the old course and more what I was used to, but done well.
17 - The Golden Horseshoe Golf Club – Gold (Robert Trent Jones/Rees Jones)
A fun layout that I played 3 times in one day.  Nothing great but nothing bad in my memory
18 - The Coeur D' Alene Golf Course (Scott Miller)
A gimmick for sure but I thought the front 9 was actually pretty good.  I really liked up until 7 (despite quad/triple on 4 and 5)
19 - Prince Golf Course (Robert Trent Jones Jr.)
My first Hawaii experience.  Lush green and some ocean views
20 - Ko'olau (Dick Nugent)
I thought it was great value golf and at times I really felt like I was in a rain forest.
21 - Eisenhower Golf Club Blue (Robert Trent Jones)
The course in my top 25 I have played most.
22 - The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards (Tom Fazio)
Tom Fazio makes great eye candy and is easy on the ego
23 - PGA West Stadium Course (Pete Dye)
Not much to say…pretty solid course
24 - Torrey Pines South (William Bell)
My biggest let down.
25 - Turtle Bay - Palmer Course (Arnold Palmer/Ed Seay)
Also a letdown but had lower expectations.

[Mark Chaplin]

Joe welcome, however it's time you invested in a passport!

[Kyle Henderson]

Ballyneal
Bandon Dunes            
Bandon Trails
Barnbougle Dunes
Barnbougle Lost Farm
Black Mesa
Clear Creek Tahoe
Cruden Bay
Crystal Downs
Cypress Point
Fisher’s Island
Friar’s Head
Kingsley Club
Kingston Heath
New South Wales        
North Berwick - West Links
Pacific Dunes
Pebble Beach
Royal Dornoch
Royal Melbourne – West
Sand Hills
St. Andrews  Beach – Gunnamatta
St. Andrews – The Old Course
Stone Eagle
Tobacco Road