[Jason Topp]

I just can't relate to the question. I've played hundreds of courses all over the world over the past 54 years. I have never been bored on a golf course. When golf becomes boring (just once) I will quit the game.

Ditto, even the 54 years part, give or take a year.

Some courses are more interesting than others, but the fact that you are hitting golf shots while navigating your way around the course means it has to be interesting.

I differentiate between the course and the game.  The game is fun on any field and the fun associated with a round has more to do with company and the challenge of hitting a good shot than the course.  In fact, the course I play the most other than my home club would qualify as boring in my view.  I play there because of people, the good conditioning for a high volume public facility and their competitive events.

However, some courses, even highly rated courses, do little to add to the fun and are therefore boring in my view. 

[Mark_Rowlinson]

I can't recall playing a top course that was boring. There have been boring rounds - the Old Course in 6 hours, for instance. Nor have I ever had a bad experience such as an awkward welcome from an overbearing secretary. In fact I have only the happiest memories of those truly great courses I have been lucky enough to play.

Perhaps there is an exception and that is El Saler. I think it is a wonderful course but I have never played it when it's been in good condition. The greens have been slow, the bunkers rough and ready, the tee boxes cut up, there are some very badly placed trees and there is that awful monstrosity of a hotel dominating the skyline on many holes. Yet I can see past that and can still enjoy the many facets of the design and the potential magic of the site. No, it isn't in any way boring, just not in the condition it should be.

There are, of course, boring courses and there are downright bad courses and there are several of these in my locality, but they don't even challenge for a spot in the top 2000 in the UK were anyone silly enough to try to rank them all. I really do pity those who have to play their golf regularly on some of these ugly and/or unsatisfactory courses.

[Brent Hutto]

Mark beat me to it. Any course, top or not, at which I spent the whole day standing around waiting.

Otherwise, it doesn't take a whole lot to hold my interest on a golf course and every highly-regarded course I've played has had more than enough interesting "stuff" about it for me.

[Ron Csigo]

  I keep waiting for Pinehurst to get better.

  Anthony

Is March 2nd 2011 the date we see people's opinions shift on Pinehurst #2?

[Mac Plumart]

People's opinions shift on #2?  What are you talking about?!!?  It is one of the greatest courses in the history of the world.  Anyone who doesn't appreciate what #2 is either  A) hasn't played it enough or 2) or doesn't know what good is or C) can't play the game of golf.  


(Man, I wish I could get these emoticons to work, oh well here goes)  ; )

 

[J_ Crisham]

For me it is the back 9 at East Lake. The 16th is a fine hole but the rest are snoozers. For a top 50 course I just fail to see the hype. The front 9 is very good IMO. Excellent clubhouse and lunch. I've always enjoyed myself here but I would rather spend the dy at Peachtree, Rivermont or AAC.

[Ron Csigo]

Stop yelling at me Mac.  (insert smiley here)

IMO, I think some people in the treehouse may view Pinehurst #2 as boring because it has a similar feel to most of the other courses in the Pinehurst area.  What separates #2 from those other courses are it's green complexes.  I agree, it is without a doubt one of the greatest courses in the world but it lacks a "Wow" factor that I think Anthony may have been alluding to.  

[Mac Plumart]

This thread sucks...East Lake, Pinehurst, and Inverness getting trashed!!!  You all have something against Ross?  I blame Anthony for this.

Seriously, Jack you are correct.  The front nine at East Lake is pretty good, but the back nine could be a ton better.  And finally, Rivermont getting its due.  Amen.  This course is an under-rated gem.  I think Mike Riley is under-rated as well.

[J_ Crisham]

mac, I love Ross courses-especially Beverly and Skokie. Havn't been to Pinehurst but will be in early Oct. Is Cupit overrated or is he the real deal? Just kidding- I wtnessed a 67 at Peachtree after a very hard night! Trying to get him to the Windy City next summer with afew of the usual GCA suspects.
                                                       Jack

[Jud_T]

Pinehurst #2 wasn't even boring for Helen Keller.  I can't wait to see everyone jump on the bandwagon post-renovation and watch the pendulum swing too far the other way, if that's even possible...

[Ian Andrew]

Spyglass Hill

After the 5th....

almost all fours are long and uphill into an elevated green
the fives all "used" to have water in front
the threes are downhill over water

I've had three rounds there and I'm bored each time I go and see the course...
The site is great, the course is not.

[Martin Toal]

The Belfry Brabazon
Torrey Pines (either)
Doral (Blue)
Aviara
Banff Springs (sorry)

[Jay Kirkpatrick]

definitely agree on east lake.  i'd also add Old North State Club.

[Jonathan Davison]

2 courses spring to mind, Jacks course at Gleneagles & Mount Juiliet in Kilkenny. Both have no character or interest.

[Sean_A]

I guess its debatable if Nefyn is a premium course, but it is certainly the least interesting course I have played which was ranked top 100.  The Belfry probably takes second prize.  Westward Ho! may very well have 3rd spot wrapped up.

Ciao  

[Matt_Ward]

In my neck of the woods -- Baltusrol / Lower.

Internationally -- concur with The European Club. Someone has to really share with me how it can be rated that highly.

[Bill_McBride]

Spyglass Hill

After the 5th....

almost all fours are long and uphill into an elevated green
the fives all "used" to have water in front
the threes are downhill over water

I've had three rounds there and I'm bored each time I go and see the course...
The site is great, the course is not.

The biggest routing blunder in golf history?

[Scott Warren]

Matt Ward:

Internationally -- concur with The European Club. Someone has to really share with me how it can be rated that highly.

A GCA member once told me I wasn't a good enough golfer to have a valid opinion on the matter. Perhaps as a 1.4 you'll have more joy!

[Matt_Ward]

Scott:

I truthfully want to know what the big deal is about European Club. Maybe it takes a number of rounds for the essence of the course to really hit home. For me -- it was a big time question mark.

Bill McBride:

Curious given your disdain for Spyglass - would you have it rated among your personal 20 CA courses ? If not -- I'd be interested in knowing what courses you see better than it in CA.

[Scott Warren]

Matt:

I truthfully want to know what the big deal is about European Club. Maybe it takes a number of rounds for the essence of the course to really hit home. For me -- it was a big time question mark.

I'd love to as well. Previous threads that may have discussed it and shed some light were quickly derailed and ended in tears. I think such a thread if debated maturely could be a very good one, because that course among the greats of world golf seems to polarise more than any other. That in itself is a great foundation for a really interesting thread.

[Matt_Ward]

Scott:

My issue is that European Club is held in the same esteem with the likes of Ballybunion / Old, Lahinch, Portmarnock, RCD and Dunluce at Portrush. That's high company and frankly when I last made my visit to Ireland I was truly baffled on how the course could be linked to such layouts. No doubt multiple plays can do that but I was really disappointed - great site but the holes -- minus one or two exceptions, was just disappointing to me.

[Wade Whitehead]

Anthony:

Duke Golf Club was boring.  I was with good company but recalled little to nothing about the golf course, even immediately after playing.

Is it top tier?  I'm not sure.  Thought I'm chime in anyway.

WW

PS Florida golf courses can be incredibly boring but I'd call very few top tier.

[Carl Nichols]

I can understand why some people think the European Club is overrated -- and I certainly think there are several holes that are way too narrow and/or difficult.  But most of the back nine--and certainly the middle stretch, though certainly not 18!--is really really good, not too narrow, and stunningly beautiful. That's why I wouldn't call it boring -- overrated, probably, but not boring. 

[Scott Warren]

Carl,

I think the design of the holes from 12-15 do the setting justice, and with a setting like that it's no mean feat. 12, 13 and 15 particularly are probably the match of any seaside holes in GB&I. But by that stage the monotony of narrowness/bunkering/rough at 1, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10 and 11 had made its mark, for me at least.

I guess maybe it's just a case of differing definitions - I get the feeling we feel similarly about the course.

The great thing about golf is the different ways we see the same things - my mate and I, both similar standards of players, played Co. Louth and TEC on consecutive days and afterwards we both had a 7-3 10 Round Split, but he was playing 7 at TEC and I had my 7 at Baltray!

[Jud_T]

Westward Ho! may very well have 3rd spot wrapped up.

Ciao  

Sean,

Could you elaborate?  I haven't played the course yet but it's on my short list and I'm a bit surprised at this comment after what I've heard from others whose opinion I respect...

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