Courses you need to see again because you hacked it around so badly

[Howard Riefs]

Dunes Club -- Not my best showing at the Dunes Club during the GCA outing in August. It didn't even matter if it was the first or second loop around the wonderful nine hole course -- I spent more time checking out the trees left of the fairway than the course features. Thankfully, the great company of GCAers made up for it.

Whistling Straits -- I stunk it up in the 25 mph wind. Plain and simple. Will see it again soon.

[Kevin Lynch]

Bethpage Black- After going to both U S Opens the anticipation was palpable. I made double on 4 of the first 5 holes and stuck the scorecard deep into the bag and did my best to enjoy the rest of the round. It was a very hot summer day and toting my bag made it that much more painful. I think I managed 4 pars the rest of the way but just felt out of sorts despite the magnificent Tillinghast holes that kept coming at me. Yeah it`s very difficult but I sucked plain and simple. I need another crack.

You had plenty of company that day, Tim.  95 degrees by 11 am was plenty warm, but that was the first time I had an additional layer of sunburn on my shins from the reflected heat off the sand. "The Course beat me up" is a phrase we throw out often, but that day was the closest I've come to that being literal.

I find some of the comments here amusing, as the definition of "hacking" is subject to extreme variation.

[Sean Leary]

The OC at Kiawah. Blowing 35 mph and shot over 100 off of a 5 handicap. Brutal.

[Tim Martin]

Bethpage Black- After going to both U S Opens the anticipation was palpable. I made double on 4 of the first 5 holes and stuck the scorecard deep into the bag and did my best to enjoy the rest of the round. It was a very hot summer day and toting my bag made it that much more painful. I think I managed 4 pars the rest of the way but just felt out of sorts despite the magnificent Tillinghast holes that kept coming at me. Yeah it`s very difficult but I sucked plain and simple. I need another crack.

You had plenty of company that day, Tim.  95 degrees by 11 am was plenty warm, but that was the first time I had an additional layer of sunburn on my shins from the reflected heat off the sand. "The Course beat me up" is a phrase we throw out often, but that day was the closest I've come to that being literal.

I find some of the comments here amusing, as the definition of "hacking" is subject to extreme variation.

Kev-You, Chris, and Ron were fabulous company. Thanks for giving me the spot and I certainly hope we can play again soon. I felt like there should have been an ambulance next to 18 green waiting for me to ensure that I didn`t hurt myself trying to get to the car.

[Andy Troeger]

Frank and Mac,

I get what you're saying, but I've had a few days where I just hit the ball so poorly that I might as well not have played the golf course. When off, I can hit it a long way off line, lose a lot of golf balls on forgiving courses, and just make a mess of things. Its tough to judge whether a course is strategic or challenging if you can't hit it within 50+ yards of your target or make solid contact. I don't really keep score, and even when I'm hacking I can tell whether I like a course or not, but there are still a few where I've just played miserably and had to observe the course and watch my group members to understand what the course was really about because the golf part wasn't of any assistance.

Calusa Pines, The Alotian Club, TPC Sawgrass, and Colorado GC are a few where I really struggled. Ironically, I thought all four courses were really good to great!

[Joe Leenheer]

Had the opportunity to play Oakmont with my father. We were in a fourball with my host and his son. My father's game was no match for the course. I spent most of the day playing as fast as possible to make time for an extra shot or two on my fathers part. Although I shot in the mid 80's, had to take an X #8 because my caddie went across the bridge to 4caddie on #9 and never stopped to find my ball, it was still one of the most memorable days I've spent on a course. I was able to golf on one of the best courses in the world and give my dad a day he will never forget. My score was the last thing on my mind....but I want a rematch Mr. Oakmont.

I also shot 80 something at Pebble...but I did spend the whole round thinking about what I was going to say on #18 when I asked my now wife to marry me. She had her life-low that day...and her lowest score (98)   

[Mark Saltzman]

Frank and Mac,

I get what you're saying, but I've had a few days where I just hit the ball so poorly that I might as well not have played the golf course. When off, I can hit it a long way off line, lose a lot of golf balls on forgiving courses, and just make a mess of things. Its tough to judge whether a course is strategic or challenging if you can't hit it within 50+ yards of your target or make solid contact. I don't really keep score, and even when I'm hacking I can tell whether I like a course or not, but there are still a few where I've just played miserably and had to observe the course and watch my group members to understand what the course was really about because the golf part wasn't of any assistance.

Calusa Pines, The Alotian Club, TPC Sawgrass, and Colorado GC are a few where I really struggled. Ironically, I thought all four courses were really good to great!

Andy,

I'm with you on this one.  I only sorta keep score... I don't really care but after the round I'll usually work out what I shot.

But, there are just times where you (or at least I) play too bad to appreciate or understand or learn the golf course.  When you're in the woods every hole and chip out to 100 yards, you're not seeing the course as it was designed.  You don't get to hit the shots you're 'supposed' to hit.  Or maybe it's that the bunkers that give the hole interest because they should be challenged for a better angle are not challengeable because you're hitting it so bad and thus go somewhat unnoticed.

I understand enjoying your round and the course if you're not playing well, but I find it hard to appreciate the course's merits on those days where I'm playing terribly.

[Kevin Lynch]

Andy,

I'm with you on this one.  I only sorta keep score... I don't really care but after the round I'll usually work out what I shot.

But, there are just times where you (or at least I) play too bad to appreciate or understand or learn the golf course.  When you're in the woods every hole and chip out to 100 yards, you're not seeing the course as it was designed. 

On those days, I think you need to just make the score the last thing on your mind to at least get some idea of how the course plays.  For example, if I badly pull a drive into the woods or hazard (yet again), I’m more likely to reload from the tee rather than hit the punch-out or drop far back.  Other than trying to lower a bad score by one or two strokes, it doesn’t do much for me to grind out a bogey while playing from areas that have little to do with the design.

It may cost me more strokes, but I’d rather try to “get down in 4 from the tee”, even if it’s really a double bogey, just so I can play the hole.  Some of my better memories are of a few “Birdie 5s”, as I’ve named them (kind of like Tin Cup’s Double Eagle 12).

Of course, on occasion, you can be rewarded by grinding it out.  Several years ago, I played Oakmont and had a case of the “Sh****s” (luckily, it wasn’t my only visit).  After hoseling a 7 iron on the 13th about 30 yards, I had to suffer the humiliation of stopping the caddie / player procession at my ball.  The next swing was relaxed, due to my resignation / hope that it probably couldn’t get any worse.  From 4 inch rough, I hit an 8 iron to a foot for a par I’ll never forget.

[Peter Ferlicca]

Members Club at Aldarra, I played there 3 times, and every time I hacked it around big time.  The time I played with Sean, oh man I couldn't make a par to save my life.  I know that course very well from both sides of the rough, not to much from the middle of the fairway.  I love that course and facility, I would just like to have an enjoyable round there one of these days. 

[Tim Bert]

Riviera - I played tees that were too long for my game partially because I didn't understand what I was getting into and then was too proud to move up a set of tees once the round had started, which is weird because I have never experienced that before.  As a result I spent the round just trying to keep up with three players that were out of my league and I didn't pay as much attention to the course as I now wish I had.

[Pat Burke]

Most of the courses I played my rookie year (1990)
I was so frieakin bad, I did not appreciate much of anything.  A very rookie mistake.
Would love to have been healthier for Carnoustie.  Had a neck problem and
was not at full speed.  Man, that course whipped my butt!

[Colin Macqueen]

Gentlemen,
Much to my chagrin I disgraced myself at Pasatiempo. Insult was simply added to injury when I hooked a 5-iron into the backyard of the late good Doctor's home on the 6th. fairway. Mortification doesn't come close. What chance do I have of ever getting back there to remedy this?I envy Frank and Mac....I must try harder!
Cheers Colin

[Sean_A]

I wouldn't say I need to see Merion again because I hacked it around, but of the really big guns this is one I would like to see again.  Score (I usually play matchplay anyway) doesn't effect how I see courses - in fact sometimes seeing more than your fair share of recoveries can be an eye opener.

Ciao

[Ash Towe]

For me it was Turnberry.  Did not like the way I was treated at the start, perhaps it was due to not staying at the hotel.  This resulted in taking a negative attitude to the first tee and it carried on for most of the round. Could not see why it was ranked so highly.  Like to see what I missed.

[Scott Warren]

Ash,

My wife tried to arrange for she and I to visit Turnberry for my birthday while we were living in London.

She was treated like a nuisance by staff who ranged from disinterested to outright rude and as a result I have no interest in ever visiting the place -- I don't care how good it is.

[Ash Towe]

Scott,

It is a shame we had similar experiences.  What highlighted this issue was the green fee .  I think it was the most I have ever payed.

The only way I would go back is if I was guaranteed a very positive, enjoyable day and it was complimentary.

[Scott Sander]

Last month, my wife and our pro moved heaven and earth on the sly to surprise me with a round at Victoria National.  I hockeyed it around so badly that I felt like I'd played the entire round from the shoulder instead of the highway.

To the good, I did get to visit places on the perimeter of several holes that let me see just how remarkable that particular property is. 

[Michael George]

I don't think I need to see any course again because I played bad.  As my game is less and less important these days, I just enjoy the surroundings and can pretty accurately assess my likes and dislikes of the course, regardless of my play.  For instance, one of the most enjoyable rounds I had this summer was at The Dunes, but I did not play particularly well - Jim Franklin ate my lunch - which won't happen again if I have the pleasure of playing with him again.

That being said, here is my top 3 replay bucket list:

1.  Old Macdonald - did not play well on the 2 times I played it.  Loved the course, but would at least like to break 80 once on it.
2.  Oakmont - another long day.  Tried to hit great bunker shots from the fairway - you can guess how that went.
3.  Muirfield Village - played the week after the tournament.  Rough was so long that it was impossible to score.

One course that I don't know if I need to see again or not is Double Eagle.  I did not play that bad, but did not think it warranted its rankings (or was even close to warranting those rankings).  Anybody love the place and disagree with my opinion?

[Keith OHalloran]

The Killarney Club. I made the mistake of thinking the course was measured in yards and not meters. I played a course at least 600 yards too long for my ability. I have no idea if this is a good course or not. All I remember is trying to hit  My "draw" out of chutes on the tees.

[Keith OHalloran]

That would be it Brian, too bad I didnt know you then, I may have been on the correct tees!

[Gene Greco]

That would be it Brian, too bad I didnt know you then, I may have been on the correct tees!

It was a blessing he didn't know you then. He would have spent the week on your couch and drank all your beer.

[Harris Nepon]

Easy answer for me.

Oakmont - as a 3 handicapp I went out and shot 115. Mind you I can still remember everyone of the 115 shots I took 5 years later on what became my favourite course ever played, but I hold out hope that I will one day return and tame my oakmont demons.

[Keith OHalloran]

Harris, since you have not been back, I am assuming that a member invited you, and you were his partner in a match?

[Matt Bosela]

I played the National GC of Canada (George and Tom Fazio) for the first time this year, a course some rate as the best in our country.

I finally got the opportunity to play the day after our three-day member-guest tournament so I may have been a bit wiped out but I can't remember ever being so defeated on a golf course before - I shot 14 strokes over my handicap, went through two sleeves of balls and walked away thinking that the course was just entirely too penal off the tee and had no real strategic merit.

I'd definitely like another chance to see what I missed the first time around.

I had a similar experience the first time I played Pacific Dunes.  GCA'ers David Elvins, Jed Peters and Brad Kane were witnesses the day I didn't make my first par until the 8th hole and barely broke 50 on the front nine.  It's hard to appreciate the great architecture when you are rolling shots off every tee.

Thankfully, I did get the chance to play another round at PD during my stay and had a lot more time to enjoy the experience during a five-birdie round at the 2011 King's Putter.  

[Matt Bosela]

Easy answer for me.

Oakmont - as a 3 handicapp I went out and shot 115. Mind you I can still remember everyone of the 115 shots I took 5 years later on what became my favourite course ever played, but I hold out hope that I will one day return and tame my oakmont demons.

Don't forget to mention that you took an 11 on the 3rd hole without even hitting a putt, picking up before you reached the green!  It was our first hole of the day (shotgun event) - talk about a "Welcome to Oakmont" moment!!