[Mac Plumart]

Like many of you, I love golf courses.  I've been obsessed for quite a few years concerning seeing them and learning everything I can about golf course design.  With this in mind, I always try to think about what I need to see to round out my education.  While thinking about what I need to see/experience next, I wondered what I've seen that some people over-look in their golf course education.

As of right now, I believe never having been to the Australian Sandbelt is the biggest hole in my golf course resume.  Specifically, Royal Melbourne.

I also think that having been to Askernish might be the one thing I would suggest golf course design junkies go see, if they haven't already.  Seeing an "authentic" Tom Morris design was pretty neat and also seeing the tweaks being made my modern architects on the course was eye-opening.  Furthermore, the way the course was presented on a maintenance and basis was interesting.


What do you see as your biggest resume gap?

And what off the wall thing that you've done would you suggest others see/do/experience?

[Tim_Weiman]

Mac,

Prior to the Renaissance Cup several years back I also considered Royal Melbourne the biggest gap in my golf architecture education. Now nothing really stands out except I would love to see Hirono in Japan.

[Bill Brightly]

Royal Melbourne is a must in all of our resumes. That is where I finally understood the importance of width and proper angle of play.

[Mac Plumart]

What are some of the other resume musts, Bill?

Why?

[Ronald Montesano]

My entire resume is a gap.

[Don_Mahaffey]

Dismal Red (Doak)

Give it time, it will be among the greats.

Wolf Point

Just to see what is possible in the modern world with a flat site

[RJ_Daley]

From the many photos and following Mike and Don's start to finish descriptions of Wolf Pointe, I think I'll have to put WP in the gap portion of my resume, which as gaps go is Michael STrahan size gaps. 

In the far out category of how the game can be played at its most minimal yet fun and part of a community of folks that like to play their local course, I'd recommend one stop by the Dannebrog Country Club, two miles east of Dannebrog NE.  It is a 9 hole facillity that is truly pasture golf with sand greens, yet is enjoyed by a community of people that like to go out and bat the ball around and play tee to green on a turfed manner of fairway and to o a hole in the ground that does require a putting stroke to get the ball to the cup.  And, you have to smooth out your own green usage after you finish the hole.  It is golf broken down to the lowest denominator, yet played and enjoyed in the spirit of the game. 

[Matthew Rose]

My entire resume is a gap.

Mine too. I have yet to play anything in the current top 100.

I've played a few courses that once were highly ranked but not so much anymore (The Dunes in Myrtle Beach, Commonwealth in Melbourne).

[William_G]

if you go to Australia, you need to go to New Zealand and Tasmania as well

fwiw, I think what's happening in China would be interesting

not only that but look at the courses in Japan

your education will never be completely rounded out, as you will always be learning, LOL

[Michael Goldstein]

Mac,

My gap is through central USA & Japan although there's no hurry to tick a few boxes!  The other gap is a thorough understanding of TOC from caddying / living in St Andrews (to be rectified this summer to some extent).       

The thing I'd recommend is having a deep understanding a truly great golf course.  I've been fortunate enough to do this to some degree from my membership at Paraparaumu.  To a lesser extent have also spent 7+ days playing at RM, caddying at Maidstone & spectating at Augusta which helps. 

 

[Sean_A]

I have so many gaps it that I can't get too uptight about it.  Not caring in the least about rankings or what others reckon are great courses, I am thinking my big 3 are

Royal Melbourne
NGLA
Augusta National

After those
Pine Valley
Don't know enough about either, but likely one of CPC or Pasatiempo

After those
Wolf Point
Ballyneal
Royal Ashdown Forest
Morfontaine 9 holer
Garden City

And from a more personal PoV
Ganton
Sacred 9
Pulborough

And because I am a Fowler freak
Eastward Ho!
Walton Heath Old
Berkshire Red

Other than talking about the obvious courses, I think anybody interested in architecture should see

Painswick
Kington
Pennard
Huntercombe
Cleeve Cloud

Ciao

[Bill Brightly]

What are some of the other resume musts, Bill?

Why?

While I've been to Ireland three times, I have yet to gol in Scotland or England, so my personal gaps are obvious.

Playing in the Netherlands Buda Cup this year will allow me to become much more familiar with Colt and Alison, a personal desire since Royal County Down may be my favorite course in the world. (Or it may be RM, NGLA or Shinnecock...)

I'd love to play Wolf Point, but I think I've seen great examples what is possible on a predominantly flat site: Tillinghast at Winged Foot West and holes 12-17 at Doak's Stonewall North come to mind.

I need to play all of the sand hill region courses in the central US.

I'd like to see Stanley Thompson's work in Canada.

I need to play Ballyhack and see Lester George's work.

While I have played many Donald Ross courses, a recent trip to Pinehurst allowed me to play many of his courses there. So for someone outside the US, I'd say Pinehurst is a must.

I've played Doak's Stone Eagle, a course that shows what is possible on a desert course.

I've played three really cool faux links course: Applebrook (Hanse) Twisted Dunes and Bayonne. Bayonne is also a great example of what is possible on a fully reclaimed, manufactured site.

I've played Tobacco Road, where Stranz showed what is possible with imagination.

[Scott Warren]

This is a good question, Mac.

I've seen the Sandbelt and Barnbougle by virtue of living down here and covered off on heathlands and a good cross section of British links when I was living in London.

My experience in the US is lesser, but includes northeast seaside and parkland courses, Prairie golf and Californian seaside and parkland courses.

The two areas I reckon I lack are desert golf and mountain golf. The latter attracts me less because it so often equates to cartball, but courses like Grandfather Mountain, thanks to Bart's descriptions, and Lookout Mountain definitely appeal.

As for the former, I've some friends in Arizona I'd love to visit sooner rather than later and check out WeKoPa, Desert Forest, Talking Stick, Whisper Rock and others. That would also touch on mountain golf with a drive up through Sedona to Forest Highlands.

The one thing I'd suggest everyone do in their golfing lifetime is spend a week in a small Scottish town (Dornoch, Anstruther come immediately to mind) playing golf at all the surrounding courses of all shapes and sizes and taking some time to enjoy the lifestyle and culture.

The same could well be achieved in a small Irish or English town or in Barwon Heads or Portsea outside Melbourne, perhaps on a grander scale somewhere on Long Island or around Monterey, but the thing that continues to give me a kick without fail is finding how the culture of golf differs from country to country and place to place, and you meet all manner of people, but very few duds.

[Mark Chaplin]

Interesting question and I agree with Scott the one thing missing from most people's resume is a week or so in a small twin where the club is an integral part of the community. I happen to play most of my golf in foursomes and wearing a jacket & tie after golf. However I loved seeing the local kids in the Machrihanish clubhouse in football shirts, jeans and trainers. The golf club was their youth club and meeting place, fantastic.

My hole is a proper understanding of The Old Course and there is no better example of a town that lives and breathes the game than St. Andrews

[Sean_A]

I have so many gaps it that I can't get too uptight about it.  Not caring in the least about rankings or what others reckon are great courses, I am thinking my big 3 are

Royal Melbourne
NGLA
Augusta National

After those
Pine Valley
Don't know enough about either, but likely one of CPC or Pasatiempo

After those
Wolf Point
Ballyneal
Royal Ashdown Forest
Morfontaine 9 holer
Garden City

And from a more personal PoV
Ganton
Sacred 9
Pulborough

And because I am a Fowler freak
Eastward Ho!
Walton Heath Old
Berkshire Red

Other than talking about the obvious courses, I think anybody interested in architecture should see

Painswick
Kington
Pennard
Huntercombe
Cleeve Cloud

Ciao

Sean: no interest in seeing a modern interpretation of the British classics in far flung fields like Bandon or Barnbougle?

Brian

Of course I am interested as I am in many other courses, but I don't reckon there is any single modern links out there which will add much to what I have already experienced. 

Chappers

I reckon I live the small village/play wee courses practically 52 weeks a year - tee hee. 

Ciao

[Dan Herrmann]

I have many gaps - primarily because of the economic collapse of 2008.  My HUGE gap is GB&I.

I've been to Ireland, but not for golf (family stuff).

[Mac Plumart]

The other gap is a thorough understanding of TOC from caddying / living in St Andrews (to be rectified this summer to some extent).       

Oh, wow!  What a great one.

Lots of great stuff in all the posts, gents.

[Brad Isaacs]

Chicago golf in general
And
Like you Australian sandbelt. Shall we plan a trip?

Brad

[Cory Lewis]

What do you see as your biggest resume gap?

Australia/New Zealand, Canada-Stanley Thompson, Wolf Point

And what off the wall thing that you've done would you suggest others see/do/experience?

Playing Royal Dornoch or any course in the Scottish Highlands teeing off at 8 pm.  A very surreal and magical experience.

[Rich Goodale]

And what off the wall thing that you've done would you suggest others see/do/experience?

Playing Royal Dornoch or any course in the Scottish Highlands teeing off at 8 pm.  A very surreal and magical experience.

This. Love this.

I hate to be an old fogey, but in the good old days (i.e. 5-10+ or so years ago) you could tee off at 4am in the height of summer at Dornoch (or most Scottish courses), coming out of your bed or out of the bar, dodging the insomniac dog walkers and green staff on your merry way.  Now, that was magic....

These days, even at the most modest of courses in the "home of golf" the anti-surrealist police will escort you from the premises if you even try to do something so natural.  Alas and alack.

Rich

[Rich Goodale]

And what off the wall thing that you've done would you suggest others see/do/experience?

Playing Royal Dornoch or any course in the Scottish Highlands teeing off at 8 pm.  A very surreal and magical experience.

This. Love this.

I hate to be an old fogey, but in the good old days (i.e. 5-10+ or so years ago) you could tee off at 4am in the height of summer at Dornoch (or most Scottish courses), coming out of your bed or out of the bar, dodging the insomniac dog walkers and green staff on your merry way.  Now, that was magic....

These days, even at the most modest of courses in the "home of golf" the anti-surrealist police will escort you from the premises if you even try to do something so natural.  Alas and alack.

Rich

What? Even at Dornoch? Who is out at 4 or 5 AM so officious as to ask you not to play? Tail wagging the dog?

For one thing, the Butcher's Wife, who walking her dog 25 years ago, confronted 4 young people (sons of three friends of mine plus one son of a Major championship winner...) playing naked down the 1st at 4am after a serious sesh at the Burghfield.  These days, it is more likely to be the green staff, who are just obeying orders!

[Rich Goodale]

I am going to test this when I'm next up there. Those mangey Scotts best be ready for a fight!!

Good Luck, Brian.  I think that the Butcher and his Wife are deid, but the green staff continues to multiply like rabbits.  Sic transit gloria the kinder and gentler golf courses/clubs d'antan......

[Mike Hogan]

Mac,
I think you may need to do a Old Tom Morris/ James Braid course tour across the pond. Visit as many of the small out of the way courses as possible. 

Being from Minnesota I think you need to visit here. Come see the big name Classics in and around the Twin Cities, too many courses to list.
To complete your tour head up north to see the newer Modern courses in and around Brainerd (The Classic at Maddens, Deacons Lodge) and The Iron range (Wilderness, Giants Ridge Quarry and Legends).

My 2 cents.

[Jud_T]

As far as regions:  I've only played 1 non-descript round in Australia, 3 in England, the best of which was Wentworth East, and none in Canada.  Also never been to Northwest Ireland or the Scottish Highlands.  As far as specific courses, here's my short list:

NGLA
North Berwick
Sand Hills
Cruden Bay
Rye
Barnbougle/Lost Farm
Pinehurst #2 (renovation)
Brancaster
Askernish
Kennemer
Paraparaumu
Westward Ho!
The Sacred Nine

[Wade Schueneman]

Just a few gaps that spring to mind,

1) Oakmont - to see demanding architecture done right with greens that dominate all aspects of play.
2) Bandon - to see modern links golf (and a resort model that is so focused on FUN for golf adicts)
3) Sandbelt

I think that the Machrie is a good (but unusual) trip that has added greatly to my GCA eduction.  It is a stunning, natural and quirky throwback that is about as far from civilization as one would want to get.  The spiritual aspect there is off the charts (IMHO).

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