Ok...what the heck...here goes...
Why would your course want a high ranking from the panelist or course raters from any of these publications?Prestige, bragging rights, something to aid the sales process, enhance benefits of membership
And which has the most prestige?I think that the layman gravitates towards Golf Digest, but I think the small number of Golf Magazine raters and their own personal prestige and high regard in the golfing community makes that list carry a little more weight with those a little more in the know.
Or which is the most relevant to GCA peeps?I think Golfweek is, but Golf Magazine should be in the debate as well.
Golfweek regards Kingsley as Top 100, as well as Wannamoisett, Colorado Golf Club, Dunes Club, Wild Horse, Holston Hills and Cuscowilla, and no one else does. Most of which seem to be highly regarded by GCA nuts.
Which is the most relevant to golf purists?See above answer.
Or is it all FUBAR anyway?It will always be perceived as FUBAR by some people. I think it is vital to know what you like in a golf course and why before you use any list to help you pick and choose a course to play. Golf Digest seems to favor some beautiful course and challenging courses, perhaps the latter can be related to its legacy of buildling a Top 100 most difficult courses list early on and its "shot values" and "resitance to scoring" criteria. Golfweek's nuance seems to be natural courses that fit the lay of the land, perhaps this is captured in its "Walk in the Park" criteria. Golf Magazine doesn't really have any set criteria, the raters just rate of they see fit. Also, these guys make kind of a compliation list, which might be worthwhile to check out.
http://www.top100golfcourses.co.uk/index.aspThe bottom line is to not take anyone else word for it and get out there and see for yourself. It doesn't matter if Kingsley is a Top 100 course in Golfweek or Golf Digest, it matters if it is your kind of course and if you like playing it. Some people hate Pinehurst #2, but all the rating entities regard it super highly. Don't play it because it is rated highly, play it because you like it.
2 cents.