Whip it Out: Post your Top 25 Courses Played

[Joe Jemsek]

Haven't seen a few of the course since their renovations. No preference at LACC, just haven't been back since 2007. The problem with ranking your best even, is you rarely get to go back. I have played only 6-7 more than once. Been back to other, but not always with clubs. 
 

[Kevin_D]

I think I've finally played enough places to post on this thread.  My current top 25, in order (and I actually played all these this year).  Will be interesting to see how this changes next year as I play a few more courses of note.

Shinnecock Hills
Merion
Bethpage (Black)
Sunningdale Old
Crystal Downs
Maidstone
Swinley Forest
Garden City Golf Club
Kingsley Club
Streamsong Red
Streamsong Blue
Sebonack
Yale
Walton Heath (Old)
Kawana (Fuji)
Old Sandwich
Shooting Star
Wykagyl
Quaker Ridge
Mountain Lake
Stonewall North
Stonewall Old
Philadelphia Country Club
Westchester Country Club - West
Montauk Downs

[John Kavanaugh]

I think I've finally played enough places to post on this thread.  My current top 25, in order (and I actually played all these this year).  Will be interesting to see how this changes next year as I play a few more courses of note.

Shinnecock Hills
Merion
Bethpage (Black)
Sunningdale Old
Crystal Downs
Maidstone
Swinley Forest
Garden City Golf Club
Kingsley Club
Streamsong Red
Streamsong Blue
Sebonack
Yale
Walton Heath (Old)
Kawana (Fuji)
Old Sandwich
Shooting Star
Wykagyl
Quaker Ridge
Mountain Lake
Stonewall North
Stonewall Old
Philadelphia Country Club
Westchester Country Club - West
Montauk Downs

Kevin,

This is a quote from you dated Dec 31, 2012. "I thought I would chime in as a "user" of the rankings as opposed to a "contributor".  I'm not an architect, developer, or rater. I haven't even played any top 100 courses yet - but have several in the works for 2013!"

What advice could you give the rest of us that would enjoy playing such an outstanding list?  How did you do it and congrats are in order.

[Bill McKinley]

I think I've finally played enough places to post on this thread.  My current top 25, in order (and I actually played all these this year).  Will be interesting to see how this changes next year as I play a few more courses of note.

Shinnecock Hills
Merion
Bethpage (Black)
Sunningdale Old
Crystal Downs
Maidstone
Swinley Forest
Garden City Golf Club
Kingsley Club
Streamsong Red
Streamsong Blue
Sebonack
Yale
Walton Heath (Old)
Kawana (Fuji)
Old Sandwich
Shooting Star
Wykagyl
Quaker Ridge
Mountain Lake
Stonewall North
Stonewall Old
Philadelphia Country Club
Westchester Country Club - West
Montauk Downs

Kevin,

You played all those this year?!!?? Good for you! That's a really solid list for a lifetime, let alone one year.  Good luck in 2014!!

[Kevin_D]

John:

I've relied on the kindness of friends (living in New York and growing up outside Philly puts me in close proximity to some great courses), made some donations to worthy charities through auctions (some of which were discussed on this site; these make me feel  good even if I play terribly!), a couple were business-related, and probably a third of these are public or accessible as a visitor (as in the UK courses). But I've also had a mentality that if I was going anywhere with a good golf course nearby and a few hours to spare, I would do everything I could to squeeze in a round.

Bill:

Thanks!  It's been a blast, and I'm looking forward to a lot more golf next year.

[Kevin_D]

Also, Bill: not a shabby 2013 yourself!!!

[John Kavanaugh]

John:

I've relied on the kindness of friends (living in New York and growing up outside Philly puts me in close proximity to some great courses), made some donations to worthy charities through auctions (some of which were discussed on this site; these make me feel  good even if I play terribly!), a couple were business-related, and probably a third of these are public or accessible as a visitor (as in the UK courses). But I've also had a mentality that if I was going anywhere with a good golf course nearby and a few hours to spare, I would do everything I could to squeeze in a round.

Bill:

Thanks!  It's been a blast, and I'm looking forward to a lot more golf next year.

It is always nice to hear that generosity and sharing exists outside this glorious holiday season.  I hope next year is even better!!!

[Doug Spets]

1.   ANGC
2.   Cypress Point
3.   Old Course
4.   Royal Dornoch
5.   Sunningdale (Old)
6.   Harbour Town
7.   Carnoustie
8.   Pinehurst #2
9.   Kiawah (Ocean)
10.  Olympic Club

11.  Nairn
12.  Kingsbarns
13.  Augusta CC
14.  Sage Valley
15.  Hamilton Farm (Hickory)
16.  Hamilton Farm (Highlands)
17.  Aiken GC
18.  Elie
19.  May River
20.  Wente Vineyards
21.  Secession
22.  Palmetto GC
23.  Leven
24.  Crail (Balcomie)
25.  Chechessie Creek

 
After putting fingers to a keyboard...I can't believe how fortunate I have been.  Three new additions this year.

[C. Sturges]

1. Crystal Downs
2. Horono
3. Narou
4. Kawana
5. Streamsong Red
6. Blackforest
7. Brookside
8. Apache Stronghold
9 Dessert Forest
10. Streamsong Blue
11. Kingsley
12. Tokyo
13. Franklin Hills
14. Fowlers Mill
15. Indianwood Old
16. World Woods
17. World Woods
18. Gailes
19. New Rugell
20. East Liverpool
21. Westfield South
22. Red Reef Club
23. Arcadia Bluffs
24. Black Diamond
25. Pine Valley

thanks to everyone I got to play with this year!
chris

[Sean_A]

delete

Ciao

[Matt Bielawa]

1.  Pinehurst No. 2
2.  Peachtree
3.  Streamsong Red
4.  Streamsong Blue
5.  Oakland Hills (South)
6.  Oak Hill (East)
7.  Inverness
8.  Whistling Straits (Straits)
9.  Kiawah (Ocean)
10.  TPC Sawgrass
11.  University of Michigan
12.  Monroe
13.  Blackwolf Run (River)
14.  Harbour Town
15.  Franklin Hills
16.  Tobacco Road
17.  CC Detroit
18.  Arcadia Bluffs
19.  Indianwood (Old)
20.  Torrey Pines (South)
21.  CC Rochester
22.  Bay Harbor
23.  Irondequoit
24.  Caledonia
25.  PGA West - TPC Stadium

[jonathan_becker]

1. Crystal Downs
2. Horono
3. Narou
4. Kawana
5. Streamsong Red
6. Blackforest
7. Brookside
8. Apache Stronghold
9 Dessert Forest
10. Streamsong Blue
11. Kingsley
12. Tokyo
13. Franklin Hills
14. Fowlers Mill
15. Indianwood Old
16. World Woods
17. World Woods
18. Gailes
19. New Rugell
20. East Liverpool
21. Westfield South
22. Red Reef Club
23. Arcadia Bluffs
24. Black Diamond
25. Pine Valley

thanks to everyone I got to play with this year!
chris

Where the hell is Ganton?  I thought you loved that place.

[jeffwarne]

1. Crystal Downs
2. Horono
3. Narou
4. Kawana
5. Streamsong Red
6. Blackforest
7. Brookside
8. Apache Stronghold
9 Dessert Forest
10. Streamsong Blue
11. Kingsley
12. Tokyo
13. Franklin Hills
14. Fowlers Mill
15. Indianwood Old
16. World Woods
17. World Woods
18. Gailes
19. New Rugell
20. East Liverpool
21. Westfield South
22. Red Reef Club
23. Arcadia Bluffs
24. Black Diamond
25. Pine Valley

thanks to everyone I got to play with this year!
chris

THAT is quite a list
won't see Apache stronghold or WW RO  ahead of PV very often
Big fan of WW RO

[Bill McKinley]

1. Crystal Downs
2. Horono
3. Narou
4. Kawana
5. Streamsong Red
6. Blackforest
7. Brookside
8. Apache Stronghold
9 Dessert Forest
10. Streamsong Blue
11. Kingsley
12. Tokyo
13. Franklin Hills
14. Fowlers Mill
15. Indianwood Old
16. World Woods
17. World Woods
18. Gailes
19. New Rugell
20. East Liverpool
21. Westfield South
22. Red Reef Club
23. Arcadia Bluffs
24. Black Diamond
25. Pine Valley

thanks to everyone I got to play with this year!
chris

THAT is quite a list
won't see Apache stronghold or WW RO  ahead of PV very often
Big fan of WW RO

Or Westfield South for that matter!!

Chris, is that another Pine Valley or THE Pine Valley?

[C. Sturges]

Jonathan, I still love Ganton, but I did not make it to the UK this year.  This was this year.

Bill and Jeff, you are both correct.  Bill and Jonathan would have the best chance.  Sometimes you just have to put a name up and see if anyone notices.  This is the very nice Pine Valley in Wadsworth, Ohio, not sure if they know they are not the only course with that name.

I am a firm believer that Apache would be very well known if not for the poor course conditions and the drive from the city.  I played this summer for $6.  For that price the course was in amazing condition!

chris

[Ronald Montesano]

So Fowlers Mill is still open, for the time being?

[C. Sturges]

Ronald,
Fowlers Mill is still open and in great shape.  I know a couple years ago it was for sale to a environmental group, but had not heard anything recently.  It would be a shame to close a wonderful Dye course.
chris

[Kevin Pallier]

Played: (no specific order)

St. Andrews (Old)
Cypress Point
Shinnecock Hills
Royal Melbourne (Composite)
Royal County Down

Muirfield
Royal Dornoch
Pacific Dunes
Old Macdonald
Merion (East)

Kingston Heath
Royal St. George's
Sunningdale (Old)
Swinley Forest
North Berwick (West)

Friars Head
Fishers Island
New South Wales
Barnbougle Dunes
Woodhall Spa (Hotchkin)

St. George's Hill
Ballybunion (Old)
Royal Portrush
Carnoustie Ellerston
Bandon Trails Cape Kidnappers

Edit: Over the past 4 years

[Josh Bills]

In alphabetical order...

Ballybunion Old (Ireland)
Bandon Dunes (Oregon)
Bandon Trails (Oregon)
Bayonne Golf Club (NJ)
Bethpage Black (NY)
Gold Canyon Resort- Dinosaur Mountain (AZ)
Harding Park (San Fran)
Maketewah CC (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Mauna Kea (Hawaii)
Mid Pines Golf Club (NC)
Moonbrook Country Club (Jamestown, NY)
Muirfield Village (Dublin, OH)
National Golf Links of America (Southampton, NY)
Ocean Course at Kiawah Island (SC)
Old Head (Ireland)
OSU Scarlet (OH)
Pacific Dunes (Oregon)
Pasatiempo (Santa Cruz, CA)
Pebble Beach (CA)
Point Chautauqua Golf Club (9 holes) (Dewittville, NY)
Shinnecock Hills (Southampton, NY)
Scioto Country Club (Columbus, OH)
Tobacco Road (NC)
Tralee (Ireland)
Urbana Country Club (Ohio)

Courtesy of my involvement in this group, my list of places to aspire to play only continues to grow.  Hope to try and change this list with some trips this year.  Happy New Year to all.

[Mark Saltzman]

Josh, have you not played Old Mac or does it just not make the list?

[Josh Bills]

Mark,

My last trip there was before Old Mac opened.  Definitely need to get out there soon and give it a go.  As much as I enjoyed playing NGLA this year, intrigued to see Bandon's interpretation of his templates.

[Rob Curtiss]

my list might not be as exciting as others, but here we go in no particular order..

Bandon dunes
Pacific dunes
Pasatiempo
Mayacama
Monterey peninsula- shore
Inverness
Oak hill-west
Arcadia bluffs
Forest dunes
Salem CC
Chambers Bay
Sand Hollow
Calusa Pines
World Woods- PB
Naples National
Lookout Mountain
Black Diamond Ranch
Sand Hills
Merion - East
Oak Hill - east
Olympic Club- Lake
Dismal River- red and white
Timaquana
Ballyneal
Pine Tree

And I know people will say "how can you say Olympic club"

but I loved it.I liked the fact that it was perfect- I played it 4 weeks prior to the U S open in 2012
And I read the book " The Longest Shot " about Fleck and Hogan and it was cool to walk on that hallowed ground

[John Avram]

I haven't played many private courses,  but here is my list so far (of 158 total courses played).

1) Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Old Macdonald - Bandon, Oregon
2) Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Bandon Dunes - Bandon, Oregon
3) Pebble Beach Golf Links - Pebble Beach, California    
4) Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Pacific Dunes - Bandon, Oregon    
5) We-Ko-Pa Golf Club, Saguaro - Fort McDowell, Arizona
6) True Blue Plantation - Pawleys Island, South Carolina  
7) Caledonia Golf & Fish Club - Pawleys Island, South Carolina  
Lakota Canyon Ranch Golf Club - New Castle, Colorado
9) Martis Camp - Truckee, California  
10) Four Mile Ranch Golf Club - Canon City, Colorado
11) Broadmoor Golf Club, East - Colorado Springs, Colorado
12) The Links at Spanish Bay - Pebble Beach, California  
13) We-Ko-Pa Golf Club, Cholla - Fort McDowell, Arizona
14) Kapalua Golf Club, Plantation - Lahaina, Hawaii  
15) Spyglass Hill Golf Course - Pebble Beach, California
16) Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Bandon Trails  - Bandon, Oregon
17) The Golf Club At Bear Dance - Larkspur, Colorado    
18) Falcon Ridge Golf Course - Mesquite, Nevada
19) Stanford University Golf Course - Palo Alto, California  
20) The Ridge At Castle Pines North  - Castle Rock, Colorado
21) Hyland Hills Golf Course, Gold - Westminster, Colorado
22) Wolf Creek At Paradise Canyon - Mesquite, Nevada
23) The Dunes Golf & Beach Club - Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
24) Pinon Hills Golf Course - Farmington, New Mexico
25) Raven Golf Club At Three Peaks - Silverthorne, Colorado

[Tim Passalacqua]

RCurtiss,

How could you not say Olympic?!?!  The Lake course is amazing.  It is truly unique and one of a kind.  You will never see another routing like the Lake across that hillside where the holes lay beautifully into the land.  The holes on that course could never be duplicated because of the property they are on....truly making them one of a kind.  It has great angles into the green.  The new short grass around some of the greens has added a lot of interest and options.  It is firm and watching the ball bounce all over those sloping fairways is a pleasure.  And one huge thing that I think the Lake does better than any course I know is challenges the scratch golfer while remaining totally playable for the 18 handicap.  The sloping fairways and slanted greens gives the scratch golfer a real challenge.  No forced carries, water, and OB allow the high handicap to enjoy his day with 1 golf ball.  How many courses can do that?  I don't think the Lake gets nearly enough love or credit and I am not sure why.  People will say it is hard, but I think most people play the wrong tees.  And why cant we have some challenging golf courses.  Not everything needs to be 6500 yards with 100 yard wide fairways.  It is a magical place and I think it deserves a lot more credit.

[Rob Curtiss]

Tim,

You are ABSOLUTELY correct. I only said that because it seems like everyone on every golf blog or site rips the course.
Too difficult.....but isnt every US OPEN course supposed to be difficult...

thanks Tim for agreeing