[Michael Herrmann]

Also a handful that come to mind:

- Being a 15 year old sophomore and getting to walk Scioto as a spectactor for a high school match - even cooler getting to play it 2 years later.
- Also playing Muirfield twice in high school and getting to sort of "compare" my game to what the pros could do.

Later on in life:

- A round with my dad at the Ocean Course about a month after my mom had passed away (10 yrs ago)
- He and I playing Harbour Town on that same trip

- Standing on the 4th tee at Ballyneal a couple years ago for the first time.  Also standing on the 9th tee looking back down #8.

[Mike_Trenham]

Dad walking me and my brother across the 16th green at Merion in 1981 on Sunday night as the sun set he had us kneel down and brush the grass and knock the ground to feel how firmness of the green.

Getting permission from the pro shops to walk out on to pebble beach #7 and cypress 16 on a family vacation down the PCH in 1983.

Watching all the majors in 1986 on TV

1986 playing in a gale at Lachinch, followed by more than a breeze at Ballybunion, near darkness at Portmanarch, teeing off in the shadow of the RandA clubhouse going out in about net 30 only to play back into the wind.

high school graduation present of rounds at Merion and PVGC.

Walking Musgrove Mill in 1988 when it was about 50% done.

Walking through the brush of what would never become Pennsylvania National in 1990

Attending the 1991 Ryder Cup

Getting my ego reduced playing in the AB Thorne at Lancaster CC in 1995 and 1996, my interest clearly needed to be on something other than score going forward

[Tom_Doak]

  -- Teeing it up at Pleasant Valley with Ted Williams (my hero) , Jack Burns and Frank Malzone in '75.

Pete:

I don't think I've ever heard stories about Ted Williams playing golf.  Did he enjoy it?

[Jason Walker]

I've been lucky to play some cool spots, but my WOW moment is still etched in my brain like it was yesterday, and the location won't do much to elicit envy.

I was a sprite eight years old, and the deal with my Dad was I wasn't allowed on the golf course (certainly not the club we were at) until he thought I could break 100.  So after a few years on the range, my Dad surprised me after dinner one night by taking me out to a public, lighted par-3 course in Tulsa--LaFortune (not sure it's still there).  

Now mind you, this was my first time on an actual course.  I don't recall how the first hole went down, but I vaguely recall standing on the second tee.  Lights are on, nets to the left of me (and trees to the right if I remember).  Average tee shot, left me about 5-10 yards short and left of the green.  I stood over the chip, having practiced this shot hundreds of times in my backyard.  Club back, good contact.  The ball goes up and towards the hole...and IN!  First birdie!

Still my favorite WOW moment.  Beats my double eagle, or playing any golf course.....but will not beat my first hole in one.  (positive thinking)

[Kevin Lynch]

I've had many over the years, but the most vivid is this:

In 2003, I was attending a college friend's wedding on Long Island.  After post-wedding drinks, I decided to grab a late-night meal at one of Long Island's omnipresent 24-hour diners.  Although exhausted at 1:00 am, I noticed from the menu that I was in Farmingdale, NY, which meant Bethpage was near.  After interviewing several patrons, I had a rough idea how to find Bethpage (this was pre-GPS, pre iPhone, so I was guessing), and took my place in the famous Car Line.

I landed a single spot on the Black the next morning and was paired with several locals, one of which was named Jim. Jim distingusihed himself on the opening hole as a genuine "stick," so I would listen to whatever advivce he had.  I fought the nerves on the opening two holes before finally settling down.

After safely hitting the 3rd green, I was able to take out my camera to start recording the day. Walking towards the green, Jim asked if I was a photographer.  I explained it was just a hobby, that I loved the natural beauty of golf courses.  Jim indicated that he had the same passion, but painted golf courses.  I commented how much I enjoyed some of the paintings I saw in the clubhouse prior to my round.  I was pleasantly surprised to discover that “Jim the Stick” was also well known as James Ellis, the artist responsible for those prints.  Playing golf with another passionate golfer, walking towards a birdie putt on a US Open course, it didn’t seem the day could get any better until I marked my ball on the third green and looked up…….

“Oooaaaaahhhnnn”

I don’t know how to spell the sound I made, but it is that combination of getting your breath taken away coupled with a sense of awe upon first viewing beauty that you didn’t think could possibly exist.  The first time you take in the Par Five 4th Hole, you are absolutely stunned by the panorama before you.  I am thrilled that my first sighting was not spoiled by the inclusion of fan-lined fairways or intrusive grandstands; there was just the natural raw treasure inviting me to experience it.

[Michael George]

2 types of wows - one because you realize how good a golf hole you are playing.  The other is where you are just overwhelmed by where you are.  I will list 2 where I was just overwhelmed by where I was - even though both were also great golf holes.

1 - one where I remember actually stopping and saying "wow" is when I reached the top of the hill at #3 at Old MacDonald and saw the course laid out beneath me.  

2 - playing up the 9th hole at Oakmont and seeing those grand oaks, that great clubhouse and the double green in front of me.

[William_G]

1 - one where I remember actually stopping and saying "wow" is when I reached the top of the hill at #3 at Old MacDonald and saw the course laid out beneath me.  

+++1 

All of Bandon will continue to produce WOW moments for all of us, amen to that.

[Pete Blaisdell]

Tom
  My Dad, Junie Blaisdell, was a good friend of Ted's and he arranged it. Ted was not a golfer, didn't even own a set of clubs. I recall Frank brought a set of lefties with him for Ted to use. He didn't seem very interested in the golf. There were a few holes that he just sat in the cart. I was in awe of him.My family was in the sporting goods business for many years and Ted had an annual fishing trip to Canada that he made just before Christmas every year and he would come into our store in Keene just before Christmas, his second or third wife was from Westmoreland and he would pick up some Christmas gifts.What I recall about the golf was that Malzone was hilarious and always had a big stogie sticking out of his mouth with a big grin. Jack was an older guy, a former Sox coach who was quiet but a real nice guy. I rode with him.I remember Ted being in our house a few times, the first time prior to the American Legion World Series which was held in Keene in 1963. Ted was the keynote speaker at the banquet. My Dad was also friends with Red Auerbach and Red would bring the Celtics up to Keene High School for an intrasquad scrimmage game before the season started. I was always the ball boy and got to rub shoulders with Bill Russell, the Jones boys, Sharman and Havilcek. My Dad knew everybody. But to answer your question, no, Ted was not a golfer.

[Michael Taylor]

I have had two "WOW" moments in golf.

Standing at the top of the world at the top tee on the 16th at Barnbougle last year in the inagural GCA 'Boomerang' just soaking in how amazing the views were, with the sun setting over by the ocean and just realising how awesome it all was to be there sharing it in with the other 3 GCA'ers in the group.

Getting my first and only hole in one at the 6th hole at NSWGC during the monthly medal a few months ago. The tees were on the far side of the Ocean Tee and I hit a high 5i draw that landed into the tier of the green and hopped up the slope and into the hole. Pin was on the left hand side behind the bunker and I didn't see it go in. I will never forget walking up the right hand side of the green and seeing my ball rest against the flag above the hole. A gentle tilt to the side and it dropped down below the surface..unbelieveable. 

[Mark Pearce]

There are loads but the biggest Wow! in the last year came when I walked round the corner and onto the tee at 15 at CPC.  I knew that 16 was going to blow me away but hadn't expected 15 to be such a fantastic hole and such a beautiful spot.

[Scott Warren]

My WOW moment: Seeing the 3rd green at Deal for the first time -- 30mins into my first ever round of links golf, the beginning of my love affair with the course, had just met (a still drunk from the night before) Mark Chaplin... A memorable morning in many ways, but I'll never forget seeing the 3rd, playing the 4th and then walking off the 5th tee in awe and knowing I had to see more courses like the one I was playing. It was the beginning of many great parts of my life.

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

First time at Merion, practice round for the now defunct Wilson...early morning in May the day after some rain, the mist was still rising off the ground resulting in some diminished sight range but such a sureal setting.
Walking over the road and seeing the golf courselaid out in front of you through the mist...it was awesome...

[Kalen Braley]

Standing on the 14th Tee at Pacific Dunes and having that awesome view back over the golf course where you can see bits and pieces of a good deal of the holes.  It was almost like being on a journey and then having one last look before you made your way back to home base.

I think what made it work as well was seeing all the long grasses and small trees swaying in the 15-18 MPH winds, it almost made everything come alive. It also reminded me of being on a hike on a nice piece of coastal property as a Boy Scout growing up, not where one plays golf....and I say that in a totally good way.

Its different for everyone I guess, but highly naturalistic looking golf courses that are fun to play are certainly the most appealing to me.  The only other time I really felt that way on a golf course was when I played Ballyneal.

[JMEvensky]

  -- Watching Mr. Hogan hit balls at Seminole.
 

This trumps every other wow I've read.

[Ville Nurmi]

First time came around the corner and saw 1st and 18 th of the Old

[Niall C]

One of mine was the first time I got to ride a golf cart. That by the way isn't a joke. Of course, I know better now but at the time golf carts, and cart paths, were so alien and such a novel idea for someone used to old fashioned golf. Still get a guilty pleasure sitting behind the wheel of one mind you.

In terms of watching golf, I've been fortunate enough to attend pretty well all of the Opens held in Scotland over the last 30 odd years even if only for one day, and there have been many spine tingling WOW moments. Stand outs would be the last day at Turnberry in 1977, hanging off the front of the stand as Watson and Nicklaus played the last; following Watson through the years ever since; being at Carnoustie in 1999 all four days and having a seat in the stand watching Paul Lawrie play the last hole in the play-off knowing a Scot was going to win the Open; watching Nicklaus play the last at TOC in his last major and being beside the green when he sank his putt for birdie; marshalling at Turnberry in 2009 and watching Watson live the dream, I was standing to side when he hit his approach at the last, you could tell he thought it was good but unfortunately not to be. All great stuff.

Not sure if I can say that a particular golf course or golf hole by itself has brought quite that same feeling although there are certain courses that make the stomach churn each time you go back to them, Silloth for one and Troon for another.

Niall   

[Tony_Muldoon]

marshalling at Turnberry in 2009 and watching Watson live the dream, I was standing to side when he hit his approach at the last, you could tell he thought it was good but unfortunately not to be.
Niall   

Niall I have this on the hard disk.   Did I miss you on the ten times I've watched him hit that shot, each time wishing for a different result...


Have you seen it, as I mightbe able to get a copy done?

[Tony_Muldoon]

Good call on the cart I can recall the excitement of that one.   Unfortunately "the fun"  only lasted about 9 holes.  Bouncing along a clay fairway meeant my back started to seize up.  Have walked ever since.

[Kevin Pallier]

To this day it remains standing on the 1st tee on TOC at St. Andrews

[Dan Herrmann]

Playing Merion East for the first time (or, actually any time).  If your hand isn't shaking putting the peg on the first tee there, you're not human.

[Steve Salmen]

The first golfing WOW moment I had when I was 15.  Our pro took a few of us juniors to Pebble for what is now the Pebble Beach Invitational.  I was a little stunned seeing hole #7, then especially blown away by the approach to #8.

The next WOW moment was when I first looked over the links of Muirfield.  My mother, grandmother and I had driven up from England and arrived two hours early.  The starter (very polite, also since terminated) directed us to the Old Clubhouse for lunch.  I spent the entire time fantasizing over what was in store when I got back.

[Sean Leary]

Playing Merion East for the first time (or, actually any time).  If your hand isn't shaking putting the peg on the first tee there, you're not human.

Any time I play anyplace historic for the very first time, I feel the exact same way, Dan.

[Jon Heise]

First was walking up one of the first fairways in Pinehurst.  I'd been there the year before on a trip to SC, but didnt play.  I finallly got out there in '07.  The smell of the air, the crunch of the dormant bermuda.  First time I'd been around a course with such history and interest to me.  Fun!

[Niall C]

Tony

I'm not sure I've seen any of Turnberry 2009 on the TV. I spent every day for a week on the course and with the travel to and fro every day, didn't get to see any TV that week. I spent the week on the par 5 seventh and was only on the 18th after all the players had played through.

On 18 I was on the left handside level with the bunker and where most of the players drove to. The most amazing shot I saw all week was actually Westwood out of that fairway bunker to just short of the green on the last day. We all went to have a look after he played and couldn't believe he did what he did with so little space and the bank in front. No other golf shot has shown me the gulf in talent between these guys and us regular mortals.

Niall

[Joe Leenheer]

My credit card bill at Pebble...and eveything that followed it.

The locker room at Oakmont...and everything that follow it.

The men's locker room & grill at Isleworth...silly.

Green Jacket on display at Canterbury...

And countless others because I am easily amused! 

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