Best Executives ... True Destination "Must-plays"

[Forrest Richardson]

Looked at some old threads, but didn't get the feel that we ever arrived at a very complete list. I was speaking with someone recently and we scratched our heads to come up with a list of truly great and well-regarded 18-hole, par-56 to par-64s (no reason for the upper end, except that anything more than par-64 seems maybe to be an in-between-er, and perhaps not what William Mitchell, ASGCA had in mind when he coined the phrase).


It seems to me that Golf Digest once published a list. Mountain Shadows (AZ) was on that list when it was par-56 with two par-4s.

[Tom_Doak]

I'm not sure I have ever walked a course with par between 56 and 64, in all of the 1500+ courses that I've seen.  [Though I did live in a house at Mountain Shadows briefly while I was working for Perry Dye.]


Audubon Park, in New Orleans, comes closest to fitting the bill for me.  But I think it had nine par-3's, seven 4's and two par-5's, so that would add up to 65.

[Daryl David]

I like the Oasis Club in Palm Desert, CA. Par 60 Ted Robinson design. Not sure it would qualify as great, but it always had a reputation for the best maintained greens in the Valley. My favorable view might be colored by memories of playing rounds with my parents as they had a patio home there. One of the best is of my mom making an ace on Christmas Day during our annual family tournament. Priceless.

[jeffwarne]

Goat Hill (West) par 65-lots of interesting terrain and holes
Goat Hill (East) par 66  nine holes x2

[Scott Warren]

Bardwell Valley is a par 62 course in Sydney that I understand is in the process of closing.


I was a member 12 years ago when I first moved to the inner city.


It has some really cool holes on a pretty wild site. Per the name - Valley - it’s high on two boundaries with the low point in the middle and a creek running through it that’s used well for a couple of holes.


Condition always struggled, but I always thought it deserved more love than it got.

[Thomas Dai]

Not sure of the term ‘Executive’ in the title but there’s a whole bunch of fun and challenge, yes even for men, to be had at places like -


Formby Ladies (18)
St Olaf at Cruden Bay (9x2)
Annesley at Royal County Down (18)
The Channel at Burnham (9x2)
And an easier walking, less dangerous version of Painswick would be sensational ... and the current version already is!


Short can be good, even with modern technology!


Atb

[David_Tepper]

It is only nine holes, but the par-30 Fleming course at Harding Park (6 par-3's, 3 par-4's) in San Francisco should not be overlooked. It is over 2,000 yards and starts with a par-4 over 400 yards.

[Tim Leahy]

The Mountain Course at Incline Village at Lake Tahoe is an RT Jones design executive. Pine lined and very challenging with great views.

[Steve_ Shaffer]

King's Point, an " Active Adult" residential community in Delray Beach, FL has 2 RTJ courses- an Executive and a Par3.


I recently played the Par3 and was impressed with the bunkers and greens. At 2000y it's very appropriate for this community and the public. I played there with my brother in law, a beginner. It certainly challenged my short game.


The Executive course at 3900y,par 60  will be my next stop when my brother in law improves his game.


http://kingspointdelray.com/golf/

[Tim Gavrich]

When I was just taking up the game, a couple summers I attended all-day junior golf camps run by golf pro Jim Tennant at Westwoods GC (G. Cornish) in Farmington, CT, a par-60 layout. We'd do a rotation throughout the day - full swing, chipping, putting, with lunch and popsicles and a talk with a special guest (LPGA Tour players like Emilee Klein and Carin Koch, Suzy Whaley, I think Karl Ravech came to talk to the group one day) sprinkled in. We'd finish the day by playing holes 16, 17 and 18, all par 3s. It was perfect.


The Links at Lang Farm near Burlington, VT, is pleasant. Par 60.


The par-62 Vista Plantation here in Vero Beach is decent. Arthur Hills designed it around a very Del Boca Vista-looking condo village.


Thousand Hills in Branson, MO, is a very solid par-64 course by Bob Cupp with a small handful of quite memorable holes.

[Jim Sherma]

Spring Creek in Hershey is par 33 - 2125 yards. 3-3’s and 6-4’s. Two, maybe 3, of the fours are drivable. Built in 1942 by Maurice McCarthy as the Hershey Juvinile Golf Club. Adults had to play with someone 17 or younger to get on. 5 holes still original McCarthy and it’s a real fun round or two.

[Jim Lipstate]

When in New Orleans I can recommend Audubon Park golf course a par 64 in uptown New Orleans. Beautiful old live oaks surround the course with a nice church steeple in the background on several holes. Truly a park setting. In golf challenged New Orleans it might be the best playing option. Greens and fairways usually in very good condition. I last played there about five years ago. My niece’s wedding was in the park with the reception in the clubhouse.