This is an interesting exercise because it forces you to examine not only the courses you have played but also your architectural understanding at the time you played them.
1968ish: Northern Hills Golf Course (Enid, OK) - 9 holes of dirt that could very well be the finest example of a Doak "0" the world has ever known. But, as the first course I played, it was special at the time. Kind of like my first car (a 1971 Pinto which exploded if hit from behind) will never appear in my memories as pathetic as it actually was.
1970ish: Quartz Mountain Resort (OK) - The only thing I remember about the course was that it actually had grass, which was a true revelation. Northern Hills certainly gave no clue that was a possibility.
1976: Lions Club (Austin, TX) - Hhmmm, this was different some how. In addition to vegetation, there was actually some meat on the bone.
1977: Madison Golf Club (NJ) - The first private course I ever played. The level of conditioning was something I had never experienced before, which seemed important at the time. While that may have been misguided, this is where my interest in golf courses, their architecture and history began.
1978: Morris County (NJ) - My first course with a pedigree.
1979: The Old Course (St. Andrews) - The holy grail lived up to expectations. I never thought I'd play anything better. But then...
1983: Pebble Beach - The intoxicating allure of Pebble's dramatic seaside holes was impossible to deny. I would like to think it is a reflection of the difference between where I was at 21 and where I am now that I wouldn't put Pebble ahead of TOC today.
2006: Pacific Dunes - It didn't surpass TOC for pure links golf or Pebble for eye candy, but it was close enough on both accounts for me to see it as the best of both worlds.
2006: NGLA - Pacific Dunes lasted in the top spot for a mere 17 days. There is more architecture at NGLA than anywhere else I have been.
2006: Shinnecock - Of course, I played Shinny the day after NGLA. While NGLA is probably my favorite place in the world and the course I would return to first if ever given the chance, in my heart of hearts I have to say that Shinnecock is the better golf course. It just has no meaningful weaknesses in my view.
For what it's worth, I have yet to see PV, Cypress, Oakmont, Merion or Royal Melbourne, which I would think are the most likely to supplant Shinnecock.