Whip it Out: Post your Top 25 Courses Played

[Michael Taylor]

This was my old list from nearly two years ago. Time for an updated list after seeing New Zealand.

1: National Old - Absolutely the craziest greens I've ever seen. Could never tire of playing here.
2: Kingston Heath - Very solid course with a great finish. Awesome bunkering.
3: New South Wales - Some amazing holes mixed in with some poor ones.
4: Royal Queensland - Options, fun, variety, elegance. Just a wonderful, wonderful course.
5: Royal Melbourne West - Love the green complexes and especially the 6th hole. One of my favorites anywhere.
6: Royal Sydney - Good solid course. Nothing special.
7: Elanora CC - I have a soft spot for the place. Love some holes and the condition is impeccable.
8: Magenta Shores - Just a nice place to play golf. It's one of the toughest courses I've played.
9: Royal Canberra - Like number 7. Not a 'great' course but a very enjoyable place to play nevertheless.
10: The Lakes - Unusual start with 6 par 4's in a row. I love some holes here but like NSW, I believe it has too many poor ones/over the top.
11: Alice Springs GC - Desert course in the center of Australia. Absolutely loved it.
12: Newcastle GC - Nice Apperly course with a very solid F9.
13: Pennant Hills GC - Nice members course.
14: Avondale GC - 10th hole is one of my favorites anywhere. However it must be the most humid place in Sydney.
15: Monash GC - Good finish but would just be an average course if it weren't for the greens.

--

New list

1: Barnbougle Dunes (2)
2: Jacks Point (2)
3: Cape Kidnappers (1)
4: Kingston Heath (5)
5: New South Wales (300)
6: Paraparaparaparaparooomoo Beach (4)
7: Kinloch (1)
8: The Lakes (4)
9: Barnbougle Lost Farm (2)
10: Royal Queensland (5)
11: National Old (1)
12: Royal Melbourne West (1)
13: Titirangi GC (1)
14: Arrowtown (1)
15: Kauri Cliffs (1)
16: Newcastle GC (3)
17: Elanora GC (3)
18: Royal Sydney GC (5)
19: The Australian GC (3)
20: Alice Springs (6)
21: Royal Canberra 1-18 (4)
22: Magenta Shores (1)
23: Terrey Hills (1)
24: Avondale (5)
25: Pennant Hills (100)

Damn that was hard. I've settled on that list for now, and hope to update it in September after I visit the NY Area.

[Joey Chase]

Joey,

That's a really interesting list to me.

I agree with how high you have R. St George's, though few seem to agree.

Deal above Rye and St Enodoc: correct answer!

Nice to see Yale high as well.

What cost R. Zoute a spot in the 25? I really enjoyed playing there but have always had a tough time placing it in any list for some reason.

Scott,
Having visited Royal Zoute just once, my opinion is likely of little value.  I did really like the course, it just didn't make me say wow.  It starts a bit slow, and then gets into the cooler, more linksy land.  I don't know exactly why but the course felt smalll to me as well.  It reminded me of Garden City without the deep bunkers.  I would love to go back and see it again.  

On another note, my list is fairly weak compared to the other contributors here.  I hope to get out to Austrailia in the coming years, and have still to get out to the west coast of the U.S. to see everything out there that I can find access to!

[Ryan Admussen]

Put together a new list after a few new additions, roughly in order.

Royal Dornoch
Old Course
Lahinch
Pacific Dunes
Royal County Down

Royal Portrush
Old Macdonald
Pinehurst#2
Pasatiempo
Ballybunion


Royal Liverpool
Renaissance Club
Castle Stuart
Sagebrush
Portmarnock

Jasper
Banff
Bandon Trails
Formby
Kiawah Ocean Course


Bandon Dunes
Augusta CC
Kawartha
National GC (Canada)
Chechessee

[Tom_Doak]

This was my old list from nearly two years ago. Time for an updated list after seeing New Zealand.

1: National Old - Absolutely the craziest greens I've ever seen. Could never tire of playing here.

New list

11: National Old (1)

Michael:

Did you tire of playing there -- even though it appears you only played one round?  Going from #1 to #11 is a pretty big drop. 

I should be pleased with the placings of Barnbougle and Cape Kidnappers -- but you've got 11 courses in Australia and New Zealand ahead of Royal Melbourne (West), so I don't really know what to make of your list.

[Michael Taylor]

This was my old list from nearly two years ago. Time for an updated list after seeing New Zealand.

1: National Old - Absolutely the craziest greens I've ever seen. Could never tire of playing here.

New list

11: National Old (1)

Michael:

Did you tire of playing there -- even though it appears you only played one round?  Going from #1 to #11 is a pretty big drop. 

I should be pleased with the placings of Barnbougle and Cape Kidnappers -- but you've got 11 courses in Australia and New Zealand ahead of Royal Melbourne (West), so I don't really know what to make of your list.

Tom,

On reflection I do not think National Old should be as high as I placed it the first time I did my list. I loved the course the first time around, but there is no way I could out it that high now, having learned a lot more about GCA since then.

In regards to RMW, the first and only time I played it was before I had a great knowledge of GCA, and I did not see the genius of the course. It was also one of the worst conditioned courses I ever played at the time, with barely any grass coverage on the fairways, greens and tees. I have no doubt that when I visit the course next it will make a jump up my list, but I can only rate the course on the basis of that one play a few years back.

[Mike Vegis @ Kiawah]

It will really be interesting to see if The Ocean Course moves up on a lot of these list after it hosts the PGA Championship this August.  Golf Digest had Whistling Straits going from 73rd in 2003 to 23rd in 2005, the same year it hosted the PGA for the first time...

Then again, we jumped big that year too:

America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses (1997-1998) - Fifth 10 - No. 41
America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses (1999-2000) - Seventh 10 - No. 62
America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses (2001-2002) - Seventh 10 - No. 67
America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses (2003-2004) - Seventh 10 - No. 70
America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses (2005-2006) - Fourth 10 - No. 38
America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses (2007-2008) - Fourth 10 - No. 38
America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses (2009-2010) - Third 10 - No. 25
America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses (2011-2012) - Third 10 - No. 26

Read More http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-courses/golf-courses/2007-12/100greatestcourses_roster#ixzz1sioYvVqO

[Sam Morrow]

Here is my new Top 25 after my recent midwest trip.

1. Sand Hills Mullen, NE
2. Prairie Dunes Hutchinson, KS
3. Austin GC Austin
4. Southern Hills Tulsa
5. Dallas National Dallas
6. Fallen Oak Biloxi, MS
7. Whispering Pines Trinity, TX
8. Kiva Dunes Gulf Shores, AL
9. Old American The Colony, TX
10. Pine Dunes Frankston, TX
11. Wild Horse Gothenburg, NE
12. Huntingdon Valley Philadelphia
13. Colonial Ft. Worth
14. Prairie Club- Pines Valentine, NE
15. Miramont Bryan, TX
16. Money Hill Abita Springs, LA
17. Dismal River Mullen, NE
18. Champions Houston
19. Shadow Hawk Richmond, TX
20. Dallas Athletic Club- Blue Dallas
21. Prairie Club- Dunes Valentine, NE
22. Carlton Woods- Fazio The Woodlands, TX
23. Flint Hills National Andover, KS
24. The Woodlands Country Club- Tournament Course (formerly TPC At The Woodlands) The Woodlands, TX
25. Pecan Valley San Antonio (currently closed)

Depending on my mood I could interchange 17-25 in any order and have no problems.

[Jimmy Chandler]

Sam --

How big is the gap between your top two and #3 on your list?

[Brian Colbert]

Well, I'll bite then:

1. Pine Valley
2. Merion
3. Oakmont
4. Pacific Dunes
5. Garden City
6. Old Macdonald
7. Bethpage Black
8. Victoria National
9. Bandon Trails
10. Olympia Fields North
11. Chambers Bay
12. TPC Sawgrass
13. Beverly
14. Lancaster
15. Aronimink
16. Sea Island Seaside
17. Saucon Valley Weyhill
18. Philadelphia Cricket Club Wissahickon
19. Philadelphia Country Club
20. Rich Harvest Links
21. Old Memorial
22. Adios
23. The Cliffs at Keowee Springs
24. Monroe
25. White Manor


Potentially controversial leave-offs:

HVCC, Isleworth, Bay Hill, Onwentsia, Tacoma, Pine Needles/Mid Pines, Pine Tree, The Hideout

[Mac Plumart]

I need to hear about Rich Harvest.  Can you give a run down on it, Brian?

[Jud_T]

Mac,

The only reason to visit Rich Harvest IMO is to see the guy's car collection in the clubhouse, which is quite impressive.  When you look up "Being rich doesn't mean you know anything about GCA" or "What's F$%^ed up with the Golf Digest Ratings" in the dictionary there's a picture of Rich Harvest Farms.  Maybe I'm just pissed off that I had to change in the men's room after paying up for a charity event there, or that our caddie was so piss poor that he cost my pro 2 shots and a 68, or maybe it's one of the most overrated courses in the country.  

[PCCraig]

I need to hear about Rich Harvest. 

Mac,

Of all the courses in Chicago or within 100 miles, RHF is pretty low on the list of things you "should" go see. Where have you played so far in the Chicago area?

[Mark McKeever]

Whipping it out....I was tinkering a bit with the order, but here it is for now.


1.   Pine Valley
2.   Merion (East)
3.   Boston GC
4.   Eastward Ho!
5.   Kittansett
6.   St. Georges
7.   Olympia Fields (North)
8.   Saucon Valley (Old)
9.   Lancaster
10.   Yale (minus the redan hole)
11.   Bethpage (Black)
12.   Mountain Ridge
13.   Stonewall (Old)
14.   Merion (West)
15.   Flossmoor
16.   North Shore
17.   Homestead (Cascades)
18.   George Wright
19.   El Saler
20.   Galloway National
21.   Rolling Green
22.   Caves Valley
23.   Stonewall (New)
24.   Metedeconk
25.   French Creek


Mark

[SteveOgulukian]

Sadly, this list wont compare to many of yours, and I'll cut it off short of 25, but here goes nothing....

National Golf Links of America
Pebble Beach Golf Links
Royal Westmoreland
Spyglass Hill
Bethpage Black
Blue Canyon CC
Great Bear Golf Club
Laem Chabang CC
Yale Golf Course
Engineers
Hermitage Country Club
Ballyowen
Bethpage Red
Pinehills (Jones)
Equinox Resort
Wild Turkey
Montauk Downs
Bangkok Golf Club

[Mac Plumart]

I need to hear about Rich Harvest. 

Mac,

Of all the courses in Chicago or within 100 miles, RHF is pretty low on the list of things you "should" go see. Where have you played so far in the Chicago area?

Shoreacres
Chicago Golf Club
Old Elm

[PCCraig]

I need to hear about Rich Harvest. 

Mac,

Of all the courses in Chicago or within 100 miles, RHF is pretty low on the list of things you "should" go see. Where have you played so far in the Chicago area?

Shoreacres
Chicago Golf Club
Old Elm

That's certainly a start Mac. But I can think of a few you should try to see between the above and RHF.

[Michael George]

.

[Jud_T]

Mac,

You've seen the best of Chicago already IMO.  Before I hit Rich Harvest I'd see Skokie, Olympia Fields, Knollwood, Medinah, Butler, Beverly, Black Sheep, North Shore, Glen View, Exmoor, Bob'o'link, Flossmoor and Onwentsia.  Then I'd hit Cog Hill, Ravisloe, Highlands of Elgin, Shepherd's Crook and Spring Valley.  Then I'd buy a case of Malt Liquor and a box of Swisher Sweets, get a gal from Heavenly Bodies to forecaddie, hop in a cart and play Rich Harvest.

[Sven Nilsen]

Mac,

You've seen the best of Chicago already IMO.  Before I hit Rich Harvest I'd see Skokie, Olympia Fields, Knollwood, Medinah, Butler, Beverly, Black Sheep, North Shore, Glen View, Exmoor, Bob'o'link, Flossmoor and Onwentsia.  Then I'd hit Cog Hill, Ravisloe, Highlands of Elgin, Shepherd's Crook and Spring Valley.  Then I'd buy a case of Malt Liquor and a box of Swisher Sweets, get a gal from Heavenly Bodies to forecaddie, hop in a cart and play Rich Harvest.

Mac:

I can get you on Shepherd's Crook.  I also know a guy that can help out with the Swisha's and the OE.

You're on your own for the rest.

[Mike Hendren]

Why not:

1. Shinnecock Hills
2. The Old Course
3.  Pebble Beach Golf Links
4.  Sand Hills
5.  National Golf Links of America
6.  Crystal Downs
7.  Cypress Point Club
8.  Carnoustie
9.  San Francisco Golf Club
10. TPC Sawgrass
11. Bandon Trails
12. Ballyneal
13. North Berwick West Links
14. Chambers Bay
15. Blue Mound
16.The Honors Course
17. Lawsonia Links
18. Kingsley Club
19. Holston Hills
20. Whistling Straits
21. Beverly CC
22. Pasatiempo
23. Lehigh CC
24. Cascades
25. LuLu CC

P. S.  Pacific Dunes should have been ranked 9th.

I did a new list off the top of my head before looking back at the one above.  Primarily proves how subjective this exercise is.

1. The Old Course
2. Shinnecock Hills
3. Pebble Beach Golf Links
4. Sand Hills
5. National Golf Links of America
6. Cypress Point Club
7. Crystal Downs
8. SFGC
9. Bandon Trails
10. Pacific Dunes
11. Carnoustie
12. Plainfield
13. TPC Sawgrass
14. Ballyneal
15. Whistling Straits
16. Peachtree GC
17. North Berwick West Links
18. Chambers Bay
19. Old Macdonald
20. Honors Course
21. Spyglass Hill
22. Lawsonia Links
23. Holston Hills
24. Pasatiempo
25. Forsgate

Observations:
- The top moderns rival the classic moderns.
- I left off some damn good golf courses.
- The bench strength of the classics blows away the moderns.
- I like the moderns more than I let on.
- Forsgate is in the LuLu genre - not really great but totally lovable.
- Monroe GC would make the list based upon the recent photo thread - I'm gaga.
- I only feel adament about the first 7. 

Bogey

[Mac Plumart]

Mac,

You've seen the best of Chicago already IMO.  Before I hit Rich Harvest I'd see Skokie, Olympia Fields, Knollwood, Medinah, Butler, Beverly, Black Sheep, North Shore, Glen View, Exmoor, Bob'o'link, Flossmoor and Onwentsia.  Then I'd hit Cog Hill, Ravisloe, Highlands of Elgin, Shepherd's Crook and Spring Valley.  Then I'd buy a case of Malt Liquor and a box of Swisher Sweets, get a gal from Heavenly Bodies to forecaddie, hop in a cart and play Rich Harvest.

Thanks!!

[John Goldasich]

Ok, I'll play...  

1.   Pine Valley
2.   Shinnecock Hills
3.   St. Andrews Old
4.   HCEG (Muirfield)
5.   Merion East
6.   Cypress Point Club
7.   Prairie Dunes
8.   Pebble Beach Golf Links
9.   Shoal Creek
10.   San Francisco Golf Club
11.   St. Andrews New
12.   Pinehurst #2
13.   Carnoustie
14.   Southern Hills
15.   Turnberry
16.   North Berwick
17.   The Honors Course
18.   Victoria National
19.   Peachtree G.C.
20.   Aronimink
21.   Sea Island Seaside
22.   Royal Troon
23.   Chechessee Creek Club
24.   Pasatiempo G.C.  (in 1997, prior to renovation)
25.   Country Club of Birmingham (West)

[Dean Burke]

1   Merion (East)
2   Royal Aberdeen
3   Pebble Beach
4   Monterrey Peninsula (Shore)
5   Kingsbarns
6   Carlton Woods (Fazio)
7   Ballyneal
8   Austin Golf Club
9   St. Andrews (Old Course)
10   Spyglass Hill
11   Royal Dornoch
12   Champions Golf Club (Cypress Creek)
13   Carnoustie
14   Miramont GC
15   Muirfield
16   Prestwick
17   The Floridian (Fazio redo)
18   Cabo del Sol (Ocean)
19   Cordillera Ranch
20   Crail Golfing Society (Balcomie)
21   Renaissance Club
22   Preston Trail
23   Nantucket CC
24   Commonground
25   Dragon Ridge

[Mark Chaplin]

Is it me or is there a distinct lack of passports on this site?

[Stephen Davis]

Is it me or is there a distinct lack of passports on this site?

I don't know if it is a passport issue as much as a time and money issue. At least I know that is the case for me.