Unofficial Best GCA/Dollar You Can Play Top 100 Ranking (Revised!)

[Jud_T]

OK,

We all want to play great courses, but most of us don't have an unlimited budget.  So I took the Unofficial GCA Rankings (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,42368.0.html) and adjusted for the high season unaccompanied weekend green fees if available.  It's only the public and semi-public courses off the GCA Top 200 (I cut it off at any course rated 6.5 or higher).  It should be noted that this ranking was done before places like Old Mac, Cabot Cliffs and Streamsong opened.  I didn't include private courses that may permit occasional unaccompanied play as I don't have all that data, their fees aren't for public consumption and you generally have to be introduced by your club pro (although I'd be happy to discuss this offline or through PM).  Obviously one can debate the methodology ad nauseum.  Some would rather pay $50 to play a 6 than $150 to play an 8 or visa/versa. For others the green fee is immaterial in their hunt to notch the top 100.  One thing's for sure, golf at the high end generally isn't cheap.  The striking thing about this list is you're often paying a huge premium to play the #50 course in the world, when the course at #150 is a fraction of the price, but still really good golf (shout out to Sean Arble).  I chose 6.5 as the cutoff as at some point it becomes silly and this still represents really good courses (A course rated 3 that was $20 to play would be #1).  It's perhaps worth noting what courses you've played relative to this ranking.  While I'm probably more well traveled than many golfers, in my own hunt to bedpost notch I've still yet to play 23 of the top 26 on this list!  (Notes: Pinehurst #2 is an estimate as it's an all-in rate for resort guests, but probably not far off in terms of the ranking.  Mandatory caddies, a la Whistling Straights, or carts are not included. Also anyone who can figure out the green fee at Sea Island shoot me a PM but it would surely be near the bottom of the list).

   Course              GCA Rank   GCA Score   Points^2/Dollar

1   Wild Horse Golf Club   124   7.21   1.0713
2   Barnbougle Dunes   24   8.60   0.7251
3   Black Mesa Golf Club   165   6.91   0.7133
4   Rustic Canyon Golf Course   174   6.84   0.7086
5   Carne   180   6.80   0.7006
6   Highlands Links   28   8.44   0.6912
7   Silloth-On-Solway   116   7.27   0.6223
8   Lawsonia Golf Club (Links)    97   7.41   0.6097
9   Pennard   101   7.40   0.6018
10   Macrihanish   83   7.56   0.5766
11   St. Enodoc   45   8.00   0.5565
12   Enniscrone   196   6.70   0.5226
13   Royal Dornoch   10   9.30   0.5144
14   Woking   86   7.53   0.4973
15   Paraparaumu Beach   54   7.85   0.4925
16   North Berwick   38   8.17   0.4874
17   Notts (Hollinwell)   129   7.17   0.4505
18   Cruden Bay   67   7.72   0.4350
19   The Golf Club at Cuscowilla   126   7.19   0.4312
20   Bethpage State Park (Black)    47   7.98   0.4247
21   Royal West Norfolk   96   7.42   0.4231
22   World Woods Golf Club (Pine Barrens)   157   6.96   0.4072
23   Ganton   71   7.68   0.4068
24   Newcastle GC   140   7.08   0.4014
25   Rye   43   8.00   0.4000
26   Saunton (East)   161   6.94   0.3953
27   St. Andrews (Old)   9   9.35   0.3689
28   Pacific Dunes   11   9.28   0.3667
29   Casa de Campo (Teeth of the Dog)    62   7.77   0.3658
30   Tobacco Road   147   7.00   0.3657
31   Burnham & Berrow   205   6.67   0.3419
32   Chambers Bay   108   7.33   0.3382
33   County Sligo   226   6.51   0.3368
34   Royal County Down   4   9.58   0.3346
35   Lahinch   34   8.30   0.3345
36   Alwoodley   158   6.96   0.3341
37   The Addington   141   7.08   0.3295
38   Royal Portrush   14   8.91   0.3253
39   St. George's Hill   39   8.15   0.3227
40   Worplesdon   218   6.57   0.3152
41   West Sussex   139   7.09   0.3143
42   The Island (Dublin, Ireland)   145   7.04   0.3138
43   Woodhall Spa (Hotchkin)   50   7.92   0.3108
44   Jasper Park   100   7.40   0.3094
45   Western Gailes   75   7.66   0.2947
46   County Louth   190   6.74   0.2853
47   Carnoustie (Championship)   48   7.97   0.2825
48   Ballybunion   17   8.78   0.2806
49   Nairn   204   6.67   0.2784
50   Royal Troon   103   7.39   0.2743
51   Portstewart   183   6.79   0.2741
52   Royal St. George's   30   8.37   0.2695
53   Homestead Resort (Cascades)    121   7.23   0.2678
54   Royal Aberdeen   156   6.97   0.2653
55   Bandon Trails    56   7.82   0.2603
56   Banff Springs   81   7.58   0.2600
57   Royal Melbourne (West)   3   9.65   0.2589
58   Royal Porthcawl   117   7.27   0.2578
59   Prestwick   57   7.81   0.2576
60   Muirfield   19   8.75   0.2569
61   Bandon Dunes   66   7.73   0.2540
62   Pasatiempo Golf Club    49   7.95   0.2531
63   Arcadia Bluffs   211   6.61   0.2424
64   Palmetto   182   6.79   0.2364
65   Walton Heath (Old)   68   7.71   0.2362
66   Royal Adelaide   135   7.13   0.2361
67   Mid Ocean    72   7.68   0.2359
68   Sunningdale (Old)   32   8.32   0.2325
69   Formby   221   6.55   0.2307
70   Royal Cinque Ports   107   7.34   0.2295
71   Turnberry (Ailsa)   33   8.32   0.2278
72   Portmarnock (Old)   60   7.80   0.2276
73   We-Ko-Pa (Saguaro)   134   7.13   0.2260
74   Kingston Heath   20   8.73   0.2249
75   Royal Birkdale   51   7.91   0.2213
76   Gleneagles King's   112   7.29   0.2180
77   Waterville   113   7.29   0.2143
78   Cape Kidnappers, N.Z.   36   8.27   0.2125
79   Pine Needles Country Club    155   6.98   0.2071
80   Royal Liverpool   91   7.49   0.2038
81   Harbour Town Golf Links   127   7.18   0.1953
82   Blackwolf Run Golf Club (River)   154   6.98   0.1947
83   Kingsbarns   80   7.60   0.1943
84   Sunningdale (New)   88   7.52   0.1897
85   Kapalua Golf Club (Plantation)   118   7.25   0.1891
86   The Berkshire (Red)   160   6.95   0.1815
87   Walton Heath (New)   172   6.86   0.1771
88   Ocean Course at Kiawah Island   52   7.91   0.1737
89   San Lorenzo    214   6.60   0.1735
90   The Berkshire (Blue)   186   6.76   0.1720
91   The European Club   199   6.69   0.1641
92   Royal Melbourne (East)   73   7.68   0.1638
93   Whistling Straits (Straits)*   74   7.66   0.1630
94   Pebble Beach Golf Links    18   8.75   0.1547
95   Cabo del Sol (Ocean)    99   7.40   0.1543
96   TPC at Sawgrass (Players Stadium)   64   7.76   0.1523
97   Spyglass Hill Golf Club   111   7.29   0.1478
98   Royal Lytham & St. Annes   85   7.55   0.1461
99   Pinehurst No. 2*    35   8.30   0.1450
100   Valderrama    123   7.21   0.1313

[Peter Pallotta]

+1

Jud - great idea, great post, great list: a fitting homage to our wise but crusty guide!

Thanks much

Peter

[Rick Shefchik]

I like the idea, too, but I would have played every course on that list by now if travel expenses weren't a bigger issue than the green fee. I doubt I'll ever play Barnbougle, and cost has everything to do with it.

[David_Elvins]

I like the idea, too, but I would have played every course on that list by now if travel expenses weren't a bigger issue than the green fee. I doubt I'll ever play the #1 course, and cost has everything to do with it.

Its the second cheapest course on the list for me to travel to. 

And easily the best value for money golf (rack rate) n the world, IMO.

Peak season day rate of $120 for a course with legitimate claims to be in the best 1/2 dozen in the world.

[Alex Miller]

Too bad this only looked the top 100. Rustic Canyon was rated dreadfully low at 175 (IMO), but its 6.8 rating would still give it the lead in points/dollar at .1030

Not saying it is the best value, but it's better than half the list.

[Scott Warren]

Dave,

Agreed 100%. I'd love to visit Bandon, but with the same golf so near and so cheap, and from what I am told with arguably a better atmosphere, I may never get there.

You can't play 'em all, so something has to guide your choices.

Alex,

St Andrews Beach would probably challenge as well.

[Mark Bourgeois]

Um, very few people live in Bridport. For just about everyone it's an automatic hotel and plane, possibly hire car as well. That said, it's worth every penny.

[Jud_T]

Alex,  good point.  If you can find the link for the full GCA ranking I'll add those courses.

[Greg Tallman]

Something missing, though just as well.

[Dan Kelly]

I love this list.

It's the only list of Best Courses ever devised on which I've played four of the top 15.

[Josh Tarble]

Not surprising that only 2 of the top 20 are US based. 

And only 9 of the top 50.

[Scott Warren]

Mark B:

Um, very few people live in Bridport. For just about everyone it's an automatic hotel and plane, possibly hire car as well. That said, it's worth every penny.

Two days green fees: $260
Flights from Syd/Melb: $180
Two nights' accomm: $100
Qu share of rental car: $50
Two days food&beers: $150

Total for two full days playing the World #41 and World #82 - $740

I'd love to see the comparable costs of a high season visit to Bandon, flying from San Francisco.

[Mike Nuzzo]

Very cool list

TOC and Pinehurst #2 sure are an even better deal for the locals

Maybe a traveler list and a local list for those considering where to live based on the golf

[Mark Bourgeois]

Scott, you seem adept at maths. Go crazy! In other news, I played Royal New Kent on Monday for $19.

[Thomas Dai]

Having looked at this and the link given to the earlier work (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,42368.0.html) it is obvious that a great deal of time and effort has gone into work. Well done to all involved.

This referenced link is a 2009/2010 one however and I am sure that many like myself, who have joined in at GCA since then, will not be familiar with the processes involved in putting things together.

If someone 'in the know' would be kind enough to write a few sentences explaining the processes involved it would be greatly appreciated.

In addition, from reviewing the names of the various courses in this thread and the 2009/2010 thread referenced above, I note no mention of either Saunton or Royal Aberdeen. I have used the search engine to double check both threads/posts and still can't find reference to either course. These omissions have come as something of a surprise. I've either played at, or indeed even been a member at, some of the courses on these listings and have long thought both Saunton and Royal Aberdeen to be superior to several others named in the listings.

All the best.

[Matt MacIver]

Lots of quirk near the top of this list - what's that say about how the paying populace value quirk?  Or more likely "Championship" courses are over-valued.  Interesting in that I've played more from the bottom of the list...but am more emotionally attached to those at the top.

[Peter Pallotta]

Three Words: Inland English Courses.

Six Words: Sean's Tier Two Inland English Courses.

Eight Words: On Average, The Best Golf in the World

Four Words: Boo hoo for me

One Word: Hope 

[Sean_A]

Having looked at this and the link given to the earlier work (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,42368.0.html) it is obvious that a great deal of time and effort has gone into work. Well done to all involved.

This referenced link is a 2009/2010 one however and I am sure that many like myself, who have joined in at GCA since then, will not be familiar with the processes involved in putting things together.

If someone 'in the know' would be kind enough to write a few sentences explaining the processes involved it would be greatly appreciated.

In addition, from reviewing the names of the various courses in this thread and the 2009/2010 thread referenced above, I note no mention of either Saunton or Royal Aberdeen. I have used the search engine to double check both threads/posts and still can't find reference to either course. These omissions have come as something of a surprise. I've either played at, or indeed even been a member at, some of the courses on these listings and have long thought both Saunton and Royal Aberdeen to be superior to several others named in the listings.

All the best.

Jud

Quite interesting.  Go to the unadjusted list and make your list go to 100 - that would really be interesting.

Thomas

The eligible list of courses was garnered from mag top 100 rankings.  Then additional courses were added to the eligible list from nominated courses by the GCA rabble - all had to be seconded.   I think this process added something like 75 courses, but I don't think a single one actually made the final top 100.  Finally, a course had to have 10 votes before it was eligible for the final list.  I think about 100 courses failed to meet this criteria and maybe half a dozen would have made the top 100 without the 10 vote minimum.

I think final list is quite interesting.  While the usual suspects appear somewhere, but not always in the "normal" order.  In many ways the list after the top 100 is most interesting.

I tend to lean with Brian on this one.  If its a list based on value, money has to count for more than it seemingly is on the Unofficial GCA.com ranking.  Mind you, value always starts with quality.  Maybe not the very top end of quality, but quite high.  Otherwise how can it be of high value to play a fleabag joint just because of a $10 green fee?

My top 25 from the Whip It Out thread is an example of what I am talking about.

Ciao

[Jud_T]

Sean,

please forward that list to me as well and I'll try and make the adjustments...

[Sean_A]

Jud

Email me, I don't do Outlook.  sean.arble@gmail.com

Ciao

[Thomas Dai]

Thanks Sean. I'll do some more search engining! Great thread and lots of work to compile it so well done again to all involved.

My number one for quality of golf and value for £$£$ would be 18-holes made up of a combination of the 9-hole Channel Course at Burnham and Berrow plus the 9-hole St Olaf course at Cruden Bay.

An anyday day ticket on the Channel at B&B is currently £20 (and I'm off there to avail myself of this in a couple of weeks time). The St Olaf at Cruden Bay is £20 for a day ticket in the week and £30 for a day ticket at the weekend. Mind you the Burnham-CB travel costs might distract a wee bit from the value element!

All the best.

[Sean_A]

Thomas

B&B's Channel Course is high on my list of favourites as well.  Be careful, the club is installing a new water system on the course as we speak.  So it will be a bit torn up and it will be wet.  The wetness is its biggest drawback and why I tend to only play it in the summer.  Its a great deal for visitors to tag onto their Championship round - it only costs a fiver extra.

Ciao

[Thomas Dai]

Sean, thanks for the tip about the work going on at B&B. I'll make some further enquiries before venturing there.

BTW, I see from the standard script on the bottom of your posts that you're hoping to get to Cruden Bay and Royal Aberdeen this year. Can I recommend that while at CB you take the opportunity to play the St Olaf, it's all good golf but holes 6, 7 and 8 are a wee bit special. Whilst at RA can I recommend you also play the first 7 and last 2 holes on the Silverburn course. If you like B&B's Channel course you should like these. Obviously these recommendations also apply to any other readers of this post visiting either CB and RA.

All the best.

[Tom Kelly]

St Andrews Beach would probably challenge as well.

For the $25 twilight fee I paid there back in 2010 it is by far and away the best value golf I have ever and likely ever will play.

[Jud_T]

Updated above to include every course rated 6.5 or better that had greens fees available.