[Dan Herrmann]

My list with reasons, as requested:
Royal County Down  (this course just looks too good to be true, I'm 50% Irish, and a trip there is always great)
Pine Valley (The world's best golf course, and it's an easy drive)
Ballyneal (Beauty on the plains)
Old MacDonald (duh!)
Oakmont (Designed by the amateur architect, it's a world-class gem)

Others I'd love to play for the first time:
Country Club of Buffalo (the class of my hometown - I'd like to see how much Ross is left)
Oak Hill E&W (I've been there dozens of times, but never have played.  Another Ross masterpiece)
Philly CC (a nearby Flynn that I haven't been on)
Five Farms (so close and so under appreciated)
Sand Hills (C&C on the prarie)
Shinnecock (Flynn, oh Flynn!)
St Andrews (Our Genesis)
Ridgewood (I was blown away with its architecture when I walked in at The Barclays)

[Simon Holt]

Tim...I just don't think I can do it.

Here is what I've got so far...

starting out with Muirfield, Rennasaince, and Musselburgh Old.  My understanding is that Renassiance is right next to Muirfield, so that should be easy.  And I am a history goof...so I've got to do Musselburgh.  I am debating North Berwick, but time is an issue.

then heading up to St. Andrews for The Old Course.  I don't have this set up yet.  I think they open advanced bookings next week.  So I should know more soon.  I may play a course or two more there, but ideally I'd like to play TOC a few times.  I am thinking that may not happen...but we will see.

Then I am going to do whatever it takes to play Askernish.  I don't care if I have to bicycle across Scotland and swim to the place.  I'm doing it.

So, I am wondering if The Machrie is too much.  I think so.  So, I'll have to hit that next time.

I know this might be too aggressive for some people's taste, but I get motivated and surges of energy and I think I can do it...then crash for a month!!  

Mac,

You MUST play North Berwick.  It was my favorite course of the trip, and there is not a single hole out there that is not of great interest.  As for time?  It's probably a five-to-ten minute drive from North Berwick to Muirfield/Renaissance, and Musselburgh is probably farther away than Berwick.  If you are going to Scotland, spend a few days in East Lothian.  I wish I had had more time to see that area for golf.

If you are going there, I would plan on at least two rounds at NB and one each at Renaissance and Muirfield.  In my mind, Renaissance is a must-see.  Beyond that, I would leave time to explore the courses along that coast.  You can drive up and down the highway along the Firth of Forth and just pick a course.  Gullane, Kilspindie, and Musselburgh all looked fun, among others.

Again, I can't emphasize enough how cool North Berwick is.  Simon Holt might disagree with me, though. He's not a big fan of the place.

Very funny John but no bites here!

FYI- North Berwick is in unbelievable condition just now.  Greens are the best I have ever seen them and the course is all brown and yellow- amazing.  Muirfield and Renaissance are in great shape too but NB always does it for me.

[Tim Martin]

Pine Valley,Oakmont,Cypress Point,Shinnecock,Merion East or Garden City in a tie

[Sam Kestin]

1. Augusta National Golf Club
2. Cypress Point Club
3. National Golf Links of America
4. Muirfield Village Golf Club
5. Oakmont Country Club

[Ben Sims]

Nice to see some well traveled guys throw down a list.  And I am SO excited that I've seen a top 10 course that Tom Doak hasn't!  Tom, you really need to see Oakmont sans trees.  The routing itself reminded me of Pac Dunes' ebb and flow.

1)  NGLA--Regarded as my Holy Grail andCBM at his best.  Epic collection of architecture concepts
2) TOC--Home of golf, and epic contour.
3) Sand Hills--considered the best course in the last 5 decades by pretty much everyone in the golf world
4) Merion--how did they do so much with so little?
5) Prestwick/Berwick--sorry, can't pick between them.  I can't imagine golf being more fun than these two courses.  

[Brian Freeman]

In no particular order:

Augusta Nat'l
Pine Valley
Dornoch (playing next week!)
Kiawah Island Ocean Course
Cape Kidnappers

After Dornoch gets crossed off, I'll replace it with Bethpage Black.

[Ash Towe]

Shinnecock-Never played a Flynn and it has been described as the American Muirfield and would like to see where the comment comes from.
NGLA-The CBM masterpiece and I would be in the vicinity
PV-I could compare what i have seen with the number 1.
Merion-I remember watching David Graham win there as a youngster and thinking it looked a cool place to play.
Royal County Down-Finally got to Ireland
Ballybunion-I know this is 6 but I could not leave any off the list.


Australia-The Lakes-see Mike Claytons work and play along side Kevin Pallier.
             St Andrews Beach-walked the course but not played it.
             Peninsula North-Had agreat time playing the South course with Mark Ferguson and would like to do it again.
             Lost Farm with Matthew Mollica as my guide.
             Ellerston-

[JC Jones]

1) Banff / Jasper  - Saw it in a Coffee table book back in the early eighties with the hotel and mountains framed in the picture, same day I saw The National Golf links picture of # 17.  Said to myself I gotta see these two golf courses.  Although I am almost afraid to go and see Banff.

2) Pennard - Have always been impressed with the photo's and want to see Wales.

3) Moortown/ Alwoodley - Need to see where it all started for the Dr.

4) Royal Melbourne - Word has it that if I don't see and play the composite  golf course my life is not complete.

5) Augusta - Have attended the tourney - Would like the chance to walk and play just once.  Really started to watch golf on TV and saw Jack win on that famous day back in the middle 80's

Jim,

Old Macdonald would have made my list if #17 had a burn.

[Tim Leahy]

Cypress pt
SFCC
Peninsula CC(sf)- I have never played a Ross
Bel Air CC
MPCC

[Brent Hutto]

I won't swear this is the same "Top Five" I'd name on a different day but here are five courses that came to mind when I read your question...

I'd like to play Royal Dornoch when I'm actually hitting the ball toward the hole and not miles into the whins.

I'd really love to play at Merion one day.

The famous pairing of Shinnecock and The National are high on my wish list.

And like every golfer I eventually must see The Old Course it's just a question of when.

Of those, Merion probably tops the list. I would have said Royal St. George's until last Thursday!

[JC Jones]

I won't swear this is the same "Top Five" I'd name on a different day but here are five courses that came to mind when I read your question...

I'd like to play Royal Dornoch when I'm actually hitting the ball toward the hole and not miles into the whins.

I'd really love to play at Merion one day.

The famous pairing of Shinnecock and The National are high on my wish list.

And like every golfer I eventually must see The Old Course it's just a question of when.

Of those, Merion probably tops the list. I would have said Royal St. George's until last Thursday!

Brent,

Did those guys get you to buy a membership to Deal while you were there?  Seems like they have no problem convincing South Carolinians to do so.

[Brent Hutto]

Nah, they said I've gotta at least make a six or better on the sixteenth before I get the invite. So far it's been all sevens, eights and X's...

[Tim Pitner]

In no particular order:

Myopia Hunt
West Sussex
Baltray
St. Andrews Beach
Old MacDonald

[Mike Demetriou]

I like the word "yet" - it provides hope:

Cypress
National
Friar's Head
Crystal
Merion

[Mark McKeever]

Here's my list.  If anyone can help out, let me know!  I can always take guests at my club too!

1. National Golf Links of America
2. Fishers Island
3. Shinnecock Hills
4. St. Andrews (Old)
5. Augusta National


Mark

[Bill_McBride]

1) Banff / Jasper  - Saw it in a Coffee table book back in the early eighties with the hotel and mountains framed in the picture, same day I saw The National Golf links picture of # 17.  Said to myself I gotta see these two golf courses.  Although I am almost afraid to go and see Banff.

2) Pennard - Have always been impressed with the photo's and want to see Wales.

3) Moortown/ Alwoodley - Need to see where it all started for the Dr.

4) Royal Melbourne - Word has it that if I don't see and play the composite  golf course my life is not complete.

5) Augusta - Have attended the tourney - Would like the chance to walk and play just once.  Really started to watch golf on TV and saw Jack win on that famous day back in the middle 80's

Jim, I think there is room in the Buda Cup in September, which is 36 holes at Royal Porthcawl followed by 54 holes at Pennard, "The Links in the Sky."

With golfClubAtlas types!

Details:  http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,41794.0/

[Zack Molnar]

1- CPC
2- NGLA
3- TOC
4- Crystal Downs
5- Chicago GC

[Ron Csigo]

One day, hopefully...

1.  Pine Valley
2.  Sand Hills
3.  ANGC
4.  Chicago
5.  Garden City

[Kevin Pallier]

As always with these threads, it would be infinitely more enlightening were people to explain the reasons for their choice of courses (as well as the top five they have played, so we know what's being left out and what's simply not eligible).

Scott

Care to share your wish list ?

To expand re: my "new" dream 5
- Crystal Downs = Mackenzie / Maxwell.....seems like a dream combo. from what I'm told
- Oakmont = Fownes' crowning glory
- Prairie Dunes = I am led to believe are Maxwell's best greens
- Augusta National = to see the greensites and elevation changes and complete my Mackenzie "wish list".
- Machrihanish = whilst I've been to Scotland 3x - I've never made it across to Machri.

Ash - I will need to get over to NZ at some stage too

[Ash Towe]

Kevin,

You are welcome any time.  I am sure we can play at some interesting courses.

I will be back in Sydney at some stage, The Lakes from your piece looked interesting, only played it once pre Clayton.  NSW is definetely worth multiple plays.

[Paul Stephenson]

St. Andrew's
North Berwick
Pine Valley
Oakmont
and one close to home, Hamilton GC (Ancaster)

[Jason Topp]

I would be thrilled to play any of the top courses but the following five have stuck in my brain:


Pennard - Buda will fix that
Portsea - looks cool
One of those French courses – I am not even sure of their names
Humewood
That place in India with all of the temples (they had a European Tour event there a couple of years ago)

[Bruce Wellmon]

Driving distance list:    1.  Wade Hampton (top 50, elite, I only know 2 people that have played it)
                               2. Chechessee Creek (C&C !!!)
                               3. Myers Park CC, Charlotte,NC (growing up in Charlotte, Myers Park was one of the three elite clubs in Charlotte, Donald Ross)
                               4. Cape Fear Wilmington NC (Kris Spence "redo" Donald Ross, I think.)
                               5. Raleigh (NC) CC (Ross)
"Big" list: 1. Augusta
             2. RCD
             3. Sand Hills  
             4. Cypress
             5. Troon

[PThomas]

i'll confine mine to the US...not necessarily in order of preference:

Chicago GC
NGLA/Shinnecock/Friar's Head/Fishers/Garden City (this counts as 1 )
Pine Valley
Oakmont
Myopia

[Morgan Clawson]

Crystal Downs
Merion
Fisher's Island
Augusta National
Cypress Point

Mac - Looking forward to meeting you at the Dixie Cup!

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