News:

Welcome to the Golf Club Atlas Discussion Group!

Each user is approved by the Golf Club Atlas editorial staff. For any new inquiries, please contact us.

Pages: [1] 2   Go Down

Jeff Schley

  • Total Karma: -3
Best par 69 courses?
« on: October 23, 2019, 03:13:18 AM »
I was looking at the Donald Ross course:  Wannamoisett Country Club yesterday online as I'm thinking of a trip next year.  I didn't realize is was a par 69. I couldn't from my memory think of any other par 69's I have ever played, much less the best ones.

What are the best or most notable par 69 courses in the world?

EDIT: I forgot Swinley Forest was a 69 that I played.  Just looked it up.
« Last Edit: October 23, 2019, 03:22:09 AM by Jeff Schley »
Logged
"To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice your gifts."
- Steve Prefontaine

Ally Mcintosh

  • Total Karma: 2
Re: Best par 69 courses?
« Reply #1 on: October 23, 2019, 03:39:48 AM »
There are loads in GB&I in the sixties, West Sussex, Rye, Royal St.Davids and St Enodoc to name but four.
Logged

Andrew Hastie

  • Total Karma: 0
Re: Best par 69 courses?
« Reply #2 on: October 23, 2019, 04:05:56 AM »
Aldeburgh is also a really cool course at Par 68
Logged

Thomas Dai

  • Total Karma: 1
Re: Best par 69 courses?
« Reply #3 on: October 23, 2019, 04:41:35 AM »
Harlech - Royal St David’s

Atb
Logged

Scott Warren

  • Total Karma: -1
Re: Best par 69 courses?
« Reply #4 on: October 23, 2019, 05:02:51 AM »
Swinley Forest is par 69. It and Rye would take some beating.
Logged

Sean_A

  • Total Karma: 2
Re: Best par 69 courses?
« Reply #5 on: October 23, 2019, 05:26:44 AM »
A sneaky good one is Crail from the back tees.  There are a few lows, but a lot more highs. Its not in the class of Pulborough, St E, Swinley or Rye, but Crail holds its own.  The same could be said for Addington.  Hopefully the planned work will help folks realize how good Addy is.  Another sneaky high quality design is Cavendish.  Memory suggests it is a par 68, but that matters not. It too is in the same class with Crail and Addy...which is top 100 GB&I material.  The same is true of New Zealand...and I have high hopes of this course being much improved with recent work.

Happy Hockey
Logged
New plays planned for 2025: Ludlow, Machrihanish Dunes, Dunaverty and Carradale

BHoover

  • Total Karma: 0
Re: Best par 69 courses?
« Reply #6 on: October 23, 2019, 07:45:57 AM »
I loved my round at West Hill GC in September, so that will be my choice.
Logged

Ira Fishman

  • Total Karma: -1
Re: Best par 69 courses?
« Reply #7 on: October 23, 2019, 08:29:36 AM »
Swinley Forest is the best I have played, but Kilspindie the most fun.  And Crail Balcomie the most scenic.


Ira
« Last Edit: October 23, 2019, 08:31:42 AM by Ira Fishman »
Logged

David_Tepper

  • Total Karma: 0
Re: Best par 69 courses?
« Reply #8 on: October 23, 2019, 08:36:32 AM »
Brora used to be par-69. Several years ago the 11th hole was lengthened and turned into a par-5 to make the course par-70.
Logged

jeffwarne

  • Total Karma: 0
Re: Best par 69 courses?
« Reply #9 on: October 23, 2019, 09:25:28 AM »
West Sussex-par 68


Very challenging and great variety
Logged
"Let's slow the damned greens down a bit, not take the character out of them." Tom Doak
"Take their focus off the grass and put it squarely on interesting golf." Don Mahaffey

Mike Treitler

  • Total Karma: 0
Re: Best par 69 courses?
« Reply #10 on: October 23, 2019, 11:29:09 AM »
Plymouth CC is a sweet course and a par 69.
Logged

Tim Martin

  • Total Karma: 0
Re: Best par 69 courses?
« Reply #11 on: October 23, 2019, 11:39:46 AM »
Cape Arundel GC
Logged

David_Tepper

  • Total Karma: 0
Re: Best par 69 courses?
« Reply #12 on: October 23, 2019, 11:53:29 AM »
Claremont GC in Oakland, CA is a very good par-68.
Logged

Tommy Williamsen

  • Total Karma: 1
Re: Best par 69 courses?
« Reply #13 on: October 23, 2019, 12:06:09 PM »
Cavendish, Saint Enodoc, and Rye are my favorites. Can't beat em and can't beat em up either.
Logged
Where there is no love, put love; there you will find love.
St. John of the Cross

"Deep within your soul-space is a magnificent cathedral where you are sweet beyond telling." Rumi

Jon Wiggett

  • Total Karma: 0
Re: Best par 69 courses?
« Reply #14 on: October 23, 2019, 12:51:18 PM »

Kilspindie and Elie.

Logged

Jeff Schley

  • Total Karma: -3
Re: Best par 69 courses?
« Reply #15 on: October 23, 2019, 02:13:51 PM »
Wow so we don't have any US par 69 courses of note it appears. A 68 perhaps, although no 69's mentioned of note architecturally. Seems to be a UK phenomenon moreso.
Logged
"To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice your gifts."
- Steve Prefontaine

Mark Pearce

  • Total Karma: 1
Re: Best par 69 courses?
« Reply #16 on: October 23, 2019, 02:34:12 PM »
Logged
In July I will be riding two stages of this year's Tour de France route for charity, including Mont Ventoux for the William Wates Memorial Trust (https://rideleloop.org/the-charity/) which supports underprivileged young people.

Jon Wiggett

  • Total Karma: 0
Re: Best par 69 courses?
« Reply #17 on: October 23, 2019, 03:11:38 PM »
Logged

Sean_A

  • Total Karma: 2
Re: Best par 69 courses?
« Reply #18 on: October 23, 2019, 03:59:37 PM »
Is Doak's Wisconsin course gonna be a 69?

Happy Hockey
Logged
New plays planned for 2025: Ludlow, Machrihanish Dunes, Dunaverty and Carradale

Cob Carlson

  • Total Karma: 0
Re: Best par 69 courses?
« Reply #19 on: October 23, 2019, 06:46:55 PM »
I second Mike's emotion. Plymouth CC in Massachusetts is an overlooked Ross gem. Great green complexes. And Superintendent Ben Whiting always has the course in impeccable natural condition playing firm and fast. The course also gets its teeth from the wind coming off Massachusetts Bay.
Logged

jeffwarne

  • Total Karma: 0
Re: Best par 69 courses?
« Reply #20 on: October 23, 2019, 07:46:33 PM »
Quote from: Jeff Schley on October 23, 2019, 02:13:51 PM
Wow so we don't have any US par 69 courses of note it appears. A 68 perhaps, although no 69's mentioned of note architecturally. Seems to be a UK phenomenon moreso.


Wannamoisset, which you mentioned is certainly of note architecturally.
As is the aforementioned Cape Arundel-Travis with some of the best greens I've played.


Northeast Harbor near Bar Harbor is par 69 as well.
Logged
"Let's slow the damned greens down a bit, not take the character out of them." Tom Doak
"Take their focus off the grass and put it squarely on interesting golf." Don Mahaffey

Tim Martin

  • Total Karma: 0
Re: Best par 69 courses?
« Reply #21 on: October 23, 2019, 08:59:24 PM »
Quote from: jeffwarne on October 23, 2019, 07:46:33 PM
Quote from: Jeff Schley on October 23, 2019, 02:13:51 PM
Wow so we don't have any US par 69 courses of note it appears. A 68 perhaps, although no 69's mentioned of note architecturally. Seems to be a UK phenomenon moreso.


Wannamoisset, which you mentioned is certainly of note architecturally.
As is the aforementioned Cape Arundel-Travis with some of the best greens I've played.


Northeast Harbor near Bar Harbor is par 69 as well.


Jeff-Northeast Harbor has always interested me because of the Herbert Strong connection. Is there anything as wild as what it is at Engineers?
Logged

Keith Phillips

  • Total Karma: 1
Re: Best par 69 courses?
« Reply #22 on: October 23, 2019, 10:08:50 PM »
The par-68 East is the best course at Wentworth.
Logged

Thomas Dai

  • Total Karma: 1
Re: Best par 69 courses?
« Reply #23 on: October 24, 2019, 06:28:01 AM »
Some more -
Southerness
Tadmarton Heath
Frilford Heath (Green)
Atb

Logged

jeffwarne

  • Total Karma: 0
Re: Best par 69 courses?
« Reply #24 on: October 24, 2019, 08:54:51 AM »
Quote from: Tim Martin on October 23, 2019, 08:59:24 PM
Quote from: jeffwarne on October 23, 2019, 07:46:33 PM
Quote from: Jeff Schley on October 23, 2019, 02:13:51 PM
Wow so we don't have any US par 69 courses of note it appears. A 68 perhaps, although no 69's mentioned of note architecturally. Seems to be a UK phenomenon moreso.


Wannamoisset, which you mentioned is certainly of note architecturally.
As is the aforementioned Cape Arundel-Travis with some of the best greens I've played.


Northeast Harbor near Bar Harbor is par 69 as well.


Jeff-Northeast Harbor has always interested me because of the Herbert Strong connection. Is there anything as wild as what it is at Engineers?


Tim,
I may need a mulligan on my memory of Northeast Harbor as it was an early start following an extremely  "memorable" late night in Bar Harbor. I do remember thoroughly enjoying the course and the vibe of the place but details such as the individual green design are at best a bit fuzzy...Can't say I remember being reminded of Engineers.
Anecdotally I will say I prefer Kebo Valley but I have played it several times on different trips.
Logged
"Let's slow the damned greens down a bit, not take the character out of them." Tom Doak
"Take their focus off the grass and put it squarely on interesting golf." Don Mahaffey
Pages: [1] 2   Go Up