Robert:
Let me start over and try this again. Over the years the topic of rater bias has often been discussed here. It usually comes up when new rankings come out. Probably all of us disagree with some of the rankings. I don't even agree with all of the GOLFWEEK rankings, although I am one of their raters. Those disagreements can be attributed to several factors. What bothers me is when some on this DG assert that the problem is rater bias. On this thread, you and Sean Arble have made those assertions. I rise to speak on behalf of all raters, at least the ones I know. There are hundreds that I don't know, and I presume that you and Sean don't know them all either. So I wonder, how can you know that bias is at play. It seems to me that you would have to know a rater personally to make such a claim. Or course, all humans probably have some biases, but in this context the term "bias" implies that the ratings are improperly influenced by bias. I just don't buy it. It may be true is some cases. How could I (or you) know. I prefer to attribute ranking disagreements as simple differences of opinion. In fact, some differences are the result of different publications using different criteria.
In your last post you suggested two other potential causes of incorrect rankings, "ignorance" and lack of "diversity", meaning not having seen a wide variety of great courses. I must tell you that most of the raters I know have played a very wide range of courses. Now, speaking only for myself, I can honestly say that I try hard not to be inappropriately influenced by outside factors, biases or preconcieved notions when rating a course. Just so you know, I will match with most anyone on this DG my experience of playing nearly 700 courses all around the world , including many of the "great" courses and several dozens in the British Isles, Australia, and New Zealand. That will include about 10-12 Raynor courses, depending on which of the CB McDonald courses you give Raynor credit for. So, if I must say so myself, I consider myself well traveled, not ignorant and not biased.
If we don't agree on the ranking of a particular course, I will presume the same is true of you. Actually, we probably agree most of the time, but you did lose me when you list Lookout Mountain as one of Raynor's best. A really cool and fun course it is. I have played many that I think are better.
Jim Lewis