Very good courses not included in the Confidential Guide (volumes 1–3 and 5)

[JBovay]

I finally updated the index to this thread, in the first post and also below. I've certainly misinterpreted other authors' posts at times. This was my best effort.

The following courses were given a strong nomination and seconded. These appear to be the real standouts, among the courses not listed in the books:


** Forfar GC, Angus, Scotland, Old Tom Morris/James Braid £36-39
** Prestbury GC, Cheshire, Harry Colt, £33-65
** Bearwood Lakes GC, Berkshire, England, Guy Hockley and Martin Hawtree
** Cumberwell Park GC, Orange nine, Wiltshire, Adrian Stiff, £25-45 for 18 holes


** Aiken GC, South Carolina, John Inglis/James McNair, Jr., $20-25
** Frederica GC, St. Simons Island, Georgia, Tom Fazio
** Timuquana CC, Jacksonville, Florida, Donald Ross/Bobby Weed
** Sara Bay CC, Sarasota, Florida, Donald Ross
** Barona Creek, San Diego County, California, Todd Eckenrode, $80-160


** Berkshire CC, Reading, Pennsylvania, Willie Park Jr.
** South Bend CC, Indiana, George O'Neil
** Knollwood Club, Lake Forest, Illinois, C.H. Alison
** Exmoor CC, Highland Park, Illinois, Donald Ross
** Bandon Crossings, Bandon, Oregon, Dan Hixson, $34-84


********************************************************************
Now, sorted by geography, according to the following symbols:




** Given a strong nomination and seconded
*   Given a single strong nomination
!    Inspired some debate
?  Ambiguous recommendations
/   "5 or 6"
5  "5"


===== Volume 1 ======

~~~~~ Scotland ~~~~~~

? Elgin GC, Moray, £40-45
* Cruden Bay GC, St. Olaf 9, Old Tom Morris/Tom Simpson and Herbert Fowler, £15-35
? Duff House Royal GC, Aberdeenshire, Alister MacKenzie, £23-50
** Forfar GC, Angus, Old Tom Morris/James Braid £36-39
? Cawder GC, Glasgow, James Braid, £45
? Ranfurly Castle GC, Renfrewshire, Andrew Kirkaldy and Willie Auchterlonie/James Braid, £40-50

~~~~~ England ~~~~~~

* Huddersfield GC, Yorkshire, Tom Dunn/Sandy Herd/Herbert Fowler/Alister MacKenzie/Fred Hawtree/Donald Steel/Cameron Sinclair, £30-40

* Manchester GC, Harry Colt, £20-65
? Fairhaven GC, Lancashire, J.A. Steer and James Braid/Dave Thomas/Donald Steel, £50-110
** Prestbury GC, Cheshire, Harry Colt, £33-65
* South Staffs GC, Staffordshire, Harry Vardon/Harry Colt/James Braid/Donald Steel, £43

** Blackwell GC, Worcestershire, Herbert Fowler and Tom Simpson, £50-90
* Cleeve Hill GC, Gloucestershire, £10-20
* Sandwell Park, West Midlands, Harry Colt, £38-45
/ Bath GC, Tom Dunn/J.H. Taylor/James Braid/Harry Colt, £15-50
! Tadmarton Heath GC, Oxfordshire, C.K. Hutchison, £25-60
5 Frilford Heath GC (Red), Oxfordshire, J.H. Taylor, £36-80
5 The Oxfordshire GC, Rees Jones, £50-80
5 Frilford Heath GC (Green), Oxfordshire, J.H. Turner and C.K. Cotton, £36-80
5 Studley Wood GC, Oxfordshire, Simon Gidman, £25-60
5 Oxford GC, Oxfordshire, James Braid/Harry Colt, £15-35

5 Ipswich GC (Purdis Heath), Suffolk, James Braid, £40-60
5 Woodbridge GC (Heath), Suffolk, James Braid, £40-55

* Knole Park GC, Kent, J.F. Abercromby, £40-75
? Chart Hills GC, Kent, Nick Faldo, £33-95
? East Sussex National, Bob Cupp, £25-70
5 Worthing GC (Lower), Harry Colt, £25-60

** Bearwood Lakes GC, Berkshire, Guy Hockley and Martin Hawtree

5 Blackmoor GC, Hampshire, Harry Colt, £45-70
5 Brokenhurst Manor, Hampshire, Harry Colt, £40-70
** Cumberwell Park GC, Orange nine, Wiltshire, Adrian Stiff, £25-45 for 18 holes
! Remedy Oak GC, Dorset, John Jacobs, £95

~~~~~ Wales ~~~~~~~~

** Welshpool GC, James Braid, £12-30
? Llandrindod Wells GC, Harry Vardon/James Braid, £15-35

~~~~~ Northern Ireland ~

* Castlerock GC, Bann 9, Frank Pennink, £10-20

~~~~~ Isle of Man ~~~~

** Castletown Golf Links, Old Tom Morris/Mackenzie Ross, £35-65

~~~~~ Jersey

* Royal Jersey GC, F.W. Brewster and others, £60-90
* La Moye GC, George Boomer/James Braid/Henry Cotton, £75

===== Volume 2 ======

~~~~~ North Carolina ~~

! Hope Valley CC, Durham, Donald Ross/Perry Maxwell/Dan Maples/John LaFoy/Brian Silva
? Forsyth CC, Winston-Salem, Donald Ross
/ Sedgefield CC, Greensboro, Donald Ross
? Greensboro CC (Farm Course), Donald Steel
? Myers Park CC, Charlotte, Donald Ross
5 Old North State Club, New London, Tom Fazio

~~~~~ South Carolina ~~

5 TPC Myrtle Beach, Tom Fazio, $75-130
! The Muni, Charleston, Johnny Adams, $10-24
? CC of Spartanburg, Donald Ross
! Aiken GC, John Inglis/James McNair, Jr., $20-25
* Midland Valley, Ellis Maples, $28-38

~~~~~ Georgia ~~~~~~~

** Frederica GC, St. Simons Island, Tom Fazio
* Old Toccoa Farm, Dan Proctor & Dave Axland, $45-55
/ Currahee Club, Toccoa, Jim Fazio

~~~~~ Florida ~~~~~~~~

** Timuquana CC, Jacksonville, Donald Ross/Bobby Weed
? Palatka GC, Donald Ross(?)/Bobby Weed, $17-23
? Ocala GC, Ron Garl, $13-27
/ Deltona Club, David Wallace/Bobby Weed, $15-30
! Victoria Hills GC, DeLand, Ron Garl,  $29-59
? Mission Inn Resort (El Campeon), George O'Neil and Charles E. Clarke, $75-150
? CC of Orlando, Donald Ross
** Sara Bay CC, Sarasota, Donald Ross
* Hide Out GC, Naples, Kelly Blake Moran
? West Palm Beach GC, Dick Wilson, $15-31

~~~~~ Tennessee ~~~~~

? The Country Club, Morristown, William Langford

~~~~~ California ~~~~~~

? Santa Anita GC, Los Angeles, James Harrison Smith, $13-39
? Porcupine Creek GC, Rancho Mirage, Tim Blixseth and Tom Weiskopf
* The Madison Club, La Quinta, Tom Fazio
* Rams Hill Golf Club, San Diego County, Tom Fazio/Tim Jackson and David Kahn, $75-150
** Barona Creek GC, San Diego County, Todd Eckenrode, $80-160
? Tijuana CC, Alister MacKenzie, $?

~~~~~ Hawaii ~~~~~~~~

/ The Club at Kukui'ula, Kau'ai, Tom Weiskopf
! Puakea GC, Kau'ai, Robin Nelson, $45-85

===== Volume 3 =====

~~~~~ Massachusetts ~~

* Hyannisport Club, Alex Findlay/Donald Ross/Ron Forse
5 Tedesco CC, Marblehead, Skip Wogan

~~~~~ Pennsylvania ~~~

** Berkshire CC, Reading, Willie Park Jr.
* Schuylkill CC, Orwigsubrg, Willie Park Jr./Donald Ross

~~~~~ Virginia ~~~~~~~~

? Williamsburg GC, William F. Gordon/John LaFoy

~~~~~ Indiana ~~~~~~~~

** South Bend CC, George O'Neil

~~~~~ Illinois ~~~~~~~~~

** Knollwood Club, Lake Forest, C.H. Alison
** Exmoor CC, Highland Park, Donald Ross
* Butterfield CC, Oak Brook, William Langford
* Evanston GC, Skokie, Donald Ross/Ron Prichard
* Bryn Mawr CC, Lincolnwood, William Langford

~~~~~ Minnesota ~~~~~~

* Town and Country Club, St. Paul, George McCree and E.J. Frost/Robert Foulis

~~~~~ Missouri ~~~~~~~

* Swope Memorial GC, Kansas City, A.W. Tillinghast, $17-34

~~~~~ Oregon ~~~~~~~~

** Bandon Crossings, Bandon, Dan Hixson, $34-84

[Tom_Doak]

JBovay: 


Thanks for compiling this.  I will never see everything I'd like to, but it's nice to have others' recommendations, as that's how the whole thing started!

[Mike Sweeney]

~~~~~ California ~~~~~~

? Santa Anita GC, Los Angeles, James Harrison Smith, $13-39
? Porcupine Creek GC, Rancho Mirage, Tim Blixseth and Tom Weiskopf
* The Madison Club, La Quinta, Tom Fazio
* Rams Hill Golf Club, San Diego County, Tom Fazio/Tim Jackson and David Kahn, $75-150
** Barona Creek GC, San Diego County, Todd Eckenrode, $80-160
? Tijuana CC, Alister MacKenzie, $?

California thoughts:


1) Marine Memorial @ Camp Pendelton - Was it mentioned in the CG? Billy Bell course that is in the "what could be" category. It is a great routing and is as remote as can be in that area, thus adding to the appeal. It has been discussed here often. Nominated now be me (if that is how we are doing this???)


2) San Clemente Muni - Introduced by former poster Jon S, and seconded by me. Also Billy Bell.


3) Tijuana CC is in Mexico, not California.


Great list, thanks for posting.

[JBovay]

Thanks, Mike. I'll add your nominations (and any other new ones) to the list eventually.


Re: Tijuana, I was trying to be loose about borders in keeping with the spirit of the CG, where Fishers Island is in the Rhode Island section and Lookout Mountain is in the Tennessee section.

[Mark Kiely]

~~~~~ California ~~~~~~

? Santa Anita GC, Los Angeles, James Harrison Smith, $13-39
? Porcupine Creek GC, Rancho Mirage, Tim Blixseth and Tom Weiskopf
* The Madison Club, La Quinta, Tom Fazio
* Rams Hill Golf Club, San Diego County, Tom Fazio/Tim Jackson and David Kahn, $75-150
** Barona Creek GC, San Diego County, Todd Eckenrode, $80-160
? Tijuana CC, Alister MacKenzie, $?

California thoughts:


1) Marine Memorial @ Camp Pendelton - Was it mentioned in the CG? Billy Bell course that is in the "what could be" category. It is a great routing and is as remote as can be in that area, thus adding to the appeal. It has been discussed here often. Nominated now be me (if that is how we are doing this???)


2) San Clemente Muni - Introduced by former poster Jon S, and seconded by me. Also Billy Bell.


3) Tijuana CC is in Mexico, not California.


Great list, thanks for posting.

If thirds are needed, I third both Marine Memorial and San Clemente Muni. Not sure if anyone has mentioned it on GCA, but Marine Memorial completed a bunker restoration earlier this year. The story I heard is they used archival photos to recreate all the bunkers to their original shapes. I was just there last weekend and they look great.


I played Santa Anita once and found it disappointing. Rolling ground movement in spots was its lone interesting feature. Conditions were poor and it's surrounded by chain link fences and busy city streets.

[Duncan Cheslett]

Sandiway


A near neighbour of Delamere Forest on similar land and preferred by many.


Too many trees for my liking but still a top quality course.


https://www.sandiwaygolf.co.uk/

[JBovay]

Thanks to Tom and coauthors for another excellent volume. I have enjoyed reading it and will definitely use it to make future travel plans.


I figured it was time to update this thread. Are there any courses excluded from volume 5 that deserve a rating of 6 or higher? I personally haven't played any that meet the description.


There are probably some newer courses in the regions of volumes 1-3 that clearly merit a grade of at least 6. My nomination: Streamsong (Black).


Full list below. I will also update the first post.


========================



Some of the courses came with fairly ambiguous recommendations, some of them were debated herein, and some were mentioned but with the poster rating them (explicitly) a 4 or 5. Again, this is just my best effort to categorize them, and I know I haven't read all of the posts as the poster intended them. Prices, for public courses, were gathered sometime in 2016 through 2018.




The following courses were given a strong nomination and seconded. These appear to be the real standouts, among the courses not listed in the books:




** Forfar GC, Angus, Scotland, Old Tom Morris/James Braid £36-39
** Prestbury GC, Cheshire, England, Harry Colt, £33-65
** Bearwood Lakes GC, Berkshire, England, Guy Hockley and Martin Hawtree
** Cumberwell Park GC, Orange nine, Wiltshire, England, Adrian Stiff, £25-45 for 18 holes
** Welshpool GC, Wales, James Braid, £12-30
** Castletown Golf Links, Isle of Man, Old Tom Morris/Mackenzie Ross, £35-65


** Aiken GC, South Carolina, John Inglis/James McNair, Jr., $20-25
** Frederica GC, St. Simons Island, Georgia, Tom Fazio
** Timuquana CC, Jacksonville, Florida, Donald Ross/Bobby Weed
** Sara Bay CC, Sarasota, Florida, Donald Ross
** San Clemente Municipal GC, Orange County, William P. Bell, $14-44
** Barona Creek, San Diego County, California, Todd Eckenrode, $80-160
** Marine Memorial GC, Camp Pendleton, San Diego County, William P. Bell, $7-40


** Berkshire CC, Reading, Pennsylvania, Willie Park Jr.
** South Bend CC, Indiana, George O'Neil
** Knollwood Club, Lake Forest, Illinois, C.H. Alison
** Exmoor CC, Highland Park, Illinois, Donald Ross
** Bandon Crossings, Bandon, Oregon, Dan Hixson, $34-84


********************************************************************
Now, sorted by geography, according to the following symbols:




** Given a strong nomination and seconded
*   Given a single strong nomination
!    Inspired some debate
?  Ambiguous recommendations
/   "5 or 6"
5  "5"




===== Volume 1 ======


~~~~~ Scotland ~~~~~~


? Elgin GC, Moray, £40-45
* Cruden Bay GC, St. Olaf 9, Old Tom Morris/Tom Simpson and Herbert Fowler, £15-35
? Duff House Royal GC, Aberdeenshire, Alister MacKenzie, £23-50
** Forfar GC, Angus, Old Tom Morris/James Braid £36-39
? Cawder GC, Glasgow, James Braid, £45
? Ranfurly Castle GC, Renfrewshire, Andrew Kirkaldy and Willie Auchterlonie/James Braid, £40-50


~~~~~ England ~~~~~~


* Huddersfield GC, Yorkshire, Tom Dunn/Sandy Herd/Herbert Fowler/Alister MacKenzie/Fred Hawtree/Donald Steel/Cameron Sinclair, £30-40


* Manchester GC, Harry Colt, £20-65
? Fairhaven GC, Lancashire, J.A. Steer and James Braid/Dave Thomas/Donald Steel, £50-110
** Prestbury GC, Cheshire, Harry Colt, £33-65
* Sandiway GC, Cheshire, Ted Ray and Sidney Collins, £30-70
* South Staffs GC, Staffordshire, Harry Vardon/Harry Colt/James Braid/Donald Steel, £43


* Sandwell Park, West Midlands, Harry Colt, £38-45
/ Bath GC, Tom Dunn/J.H. Taylor/James Braid/Harry Colt, £15-50
! Tadmarton Heath GC, Oxfordshire, C.K. Hutchison, £25-60
5 Frilford Heath GC (Red), Oxfordshire, J.H. Taylor, £36-80
5 The Oxfordshire GC, Rees Jones, £50-80
5 Frilford Heath GC (Green), Oxfordshire, J.H. Turner and C.K. Cotton, £36-80
5 Studley Wood GC, Oxfordshire, Simon Gidman, £25-60
5 Oxford GC, Oxfordshire, James Braid/Harry Colt, £15-35


5 Ipswich GC (Purdis Heath), Suffolk, James Braid, £40-60
5 Woodbridge GC (Heath), Suffolk, James Braid, £40-55


* Knole Park GC, Kent, J.F. Abercromby, £40-75
? Chart Hills GC, Kent, Nick Faldo, £33-95
? East Sussex National, Bob Cupp, £25-70
5 Worthing GC (Lower), Harry Colt, £25-60


** Bearwood Lakes GC, Berkshire, Guy Hockley and Martin Hawtree


5 Blackmoor GC, Hampshire, Harry Colt, £45-70
5 Brokenhurst Manor, Hampshire, Harry Colt, £40-70
** Cumberwell Park GC, Orange nine, Wiltshire, Adrian Stiff, £25-45 for 18 holes
! Remedy Oak GC, Dorset, John Jacobs, £95


~~~~~ Wales ~~~~~~~~


** Welshpool GC, James Braid, £12-30
? Llandrindod Wells GC, Harry Vardon/James Braid, £15-35


~~~~~ Northern Ireland ~


* Castlerock GC, Bann 9, Frank Pennink, £10-20


~~~~~ Isle of Man ~~~~


** Castletown Golf Links, Old Tom Morris/Mackenzie Ross, £35-65


~~~~~ Jersey ~~~~~~~


* Royal Jersey GC, F.W. Brewster and others, £60-90
* La Moye GC, George Boomer/James Braid/Henry Cotton, £75


===== Volume 2 ======


~~~~~ North Carolina ~~


! Hope Valley CC, Durham, Donald Ross/Perry Maxwell/Dan Maples/John LaFoy/Brian Silva
? Forsyth CC, Winston-Salem, Donald Ross
/ Sedgefield CC, Greensboro, Donald Ross
? Greensboro CC (Farm Course), Donald Steel
? Myers Park CC, Charlotte, Donald Ross
5 Old North State Club, New London, Tom Fazio


~~~~~ South Carolina ~~


5 TPC Myrtle Beach, Tom Fazio, $75-130
! The Muni, Charleston, Johnny Adams, $10-24
? CC of Spartanburg
! Aiken GC, John Inglis/James McNair, Jr., $20-25
* Midland Valley, Ellis Maples, $28-38


~~~~~ Georgia ~~~~~~~


** Frederica GC, St. Simons Island, Tom Fazio
* Old Toccoa Farm, Dan Proctor & Dave Axland, $45-55
/ Currahee Club, Toccoa, Jim Fazio


~~~~~ Florida ~~~~~~~~


** Timuquana CC, Jacksonville, Donald Ross/Bobby Weed
? Palatka GC, William D. Clark/Bobby Weed, $17-23
? Ocala GC, Ron Garl, $13-27
/ Deltona Club, David Wallace/Bobby Weed, $15-30
! Victoria Hills GC, DeLand, Ron Garl,  $29-59
? Mission Inn Resort (El Campeon), George O'Neil and Charles E. Clarke, $75-150
? CC of Orlando
* Streamsong (Black), Gil Hanse, $85-$275
** Sara Bay CC, Sarasota, Donald Ross
* Hide Out GC, Naples, Kelly Blake Moran
? West Palm Beach GC, Dick Wilson, $15-31


~~~~~ Tennessee ~~~~~


? The Country Club, Morristown, William Langford


~~~~~ California ~~~~~~


? Santa Anita GC, Los Angeles, James Harrison Smith, $13-39
** San Clemente Municipal GC, Orange County, William P. Bell, $14-44
? Porcupine Creek GC, Rancho Mirage, Tim Blixseth and Tom Weiskopf
* The Madison Club, La Quinta, Tom Fazio
* Rams Hill Golf Club, San Diego County, Tom Fazio/Tim Jackson and David Kahn, $75-150
** Barona Creek GC, San Diego County, Todd Eckenrode, $80-160
** Marine Memorial GC, Camp Pendleton, San Diego County, William P. Bell, $7-40


~~~~~ Hawaii ~~~~~~~~


/ The Club at Kukui'ula, Kau'ai, Tom Weiskopf
! Puakea GC, Kau'ai, Robin Nelson, $45-85


~~~~~ Mexico ~~~~~~~~


? Tijuana CC, William P. Bell, $?


===== Volume 3 =====


~~~~~ Massachusetts ~~


* Hyannisport Club, Alex Findlay/Donald Ross/Ron Forse
5 Tedesco CC, Marblehead, Skip Wogan


~~~~~ Pennsylvania ~~~


** Berkshire CC, Reading, Willie Park Jr.
* Schuylkill CC, Orwigsubrg, Willie Park Jr./Donald Ross


~~~~~ Virginia ~~~~~~~~


? Williamsburg GC, William F. Gordon/John LaFoy


~~~~~ Indiana ~~~~~~~~


** South Bend CC, George O'Neil


~~~~~ Illinois ~~~~~~~~~


** Knollwood Club, Lake Forest, C.H. Alison
** Exmoor CC, Highland Park, Donald Ross
* Butterfield CC, Oak Brook, William Langford
* Evanston GC, Skokie, Donald Ross/Ron Prichard
* Bryn Mawr CC, Lincolnwood, William Langford


~~~~~ Minnesota ~~~~~~


* Town and Country Club, St. Paul, George McCree and E.J. Frost/Robert Foulis


~~~~~ Missouri ~~~~~~~


* Swope Memorial GC, Kansas City, A.W. Tillinghast, $17-34


~~~~~ Oregon ~~~~~~~~


** Bandon Crossings, Bandon, Dan Hixson, $34-84

[Tim Fitz]

Don't know if I was the original nominator of Hideout in Florida, but I offer a hearty second if that gets Hideout its second star.

I played Hideout last week and it was in terrific shape other that two greens which were undergoing some minor work due to what I understand was mold.  Hideout redid the bunkers over the summer, installing partial grass faces which gives it a nice look.  I still love what seems like two different golf courses.  1-5 are "Florida" golf holes, with a fair bit of water, but some really terrific holes; 6-7 take you back into the tall pines and give you a preview of what the "other side" will be like; 8 is a nice par three adjacent to a pond (Florida golf); 9-11 take you back into the tall pines for a 5-3-4 combo; 12 has the look of a dramatic finishing hole in Florida, around a pond, finishing right up next to the Clubhouse; and then you cross a small road and finish the last six hole in what feels like another state.  13-18 feel more like Carolina or low-country golf to me than Florida golf.

Hideout is a terrific spot and appears to fly under the radar a bit in golf rich Naples.

[Bernie Bell]

Aldarra in Washington. 

[JBovay]

It seems like a good time to update this thread.


I'm adding Keney Park in Hartford, CT to the list.


Full list below; updated in post #1, too.


===================================


Some of the courses came with fairly ambiguous recommendations, some of them were debated herein, and some were mentioned but with the poster rating them (explicitly) a 4 or 5. Again, this is just my best effort to categorize them, and I know I haven't read all of the posts as the poster intended them. Prices, for public courses, were gathered sometime since 2016.


The following courses were given a strong nomination and seconded. These appear to be the real standouts, among the courses not listed in the books:


** Forfar GC, Angus, Scotland, Old Tom Morris/James Braid £36-39
** Prestbury GC, Cheshire, England, Harry Colt, £33-65
** Bearwood Lakes GC, Berkshire, England, Guy Hockley and Martin Hawtree
** Cumberwell Park GC, Orange nine, Wiltshire, England, Adrian Stiff, £25-45 for 18 holes
** Welshpool GC, Wales, James Braid, £12-30
** Castletown Golf Links, Isle of Man, Old Tom Morris/Mackenzie Ross, £35-65

** Aiken GC, South Carolina, John Inglis/James McNair, Jr., $20-25
** Frederica GC, St. Simons Island, Georgia, Tom Fazio
** Timuquana CC, Jacksonville, Florida, Donald Ross/Bobby Weed
** Sara Bay CC, Sarasota, Florida, Donald Ross
** Hide Out GC, Naples, Kelly Blake Moran
** San Clemente Municipal GC, Orange County, William P. Bell, $14-44
** Barona Creek, San Diego County, California, Todd Eckenrode, $80-160
** Marine Memorial GC, Camp Pendleton, San Diego County, William P. Bell, $7-40

** Berkshire CC, Reading, Pennsylvania, Willie Park Jr.
** South Bend CC, Indiana, George O'Neil
** Knollwood Club, Lake Forest, Illinois, C.H. Alison
** Exmoor CC, Highland Park, Illinois, Donald Ross
** Bandon Crossings, Bandon, Oregon, Dan Hixson, $34-84

********************************************************************
Now, sorted by geography, according to the following symbols:


** Given a strong nomination and seconded
*   Given a single strong nomination
!    Inspired some debate
?  Ambiguous recommendations
/   "5 or 6"
5  "5"


===== Volume 1 ======

~~~~~ Scotland ~~~~~~

? Elgin GC, Moray, £40-45
* Cruden Bay GC, St. Olaf 9, Old Tom Morris/Tom Simpson and Herbert Fowler, £15-35
? Duff House Royal GC, Aberdeenshire, Alister MacKenzie, £23-50
** Forfar GC, Angus, Old Tom Morris/James Braid £36-39
? Cawder GC, Glasgow, James Braid, £45
? Ranfurly Castle GC, Renfrewshire, Andrew Kirkaldy and Willie Auchterlonie/James Braid, £40-50

~~~~~ England ~~~~~~

* Huddersfield GC, Yorkshire, Tom Dunn/Sandy Herd/Herbert Fowler/Alister MacKenzie/Fred Hawtree/Donald Steel/Cameron Sinclair, £30-40

* Manchester GC, Harry Colt, £20-65
? Fairhaven GC, Lancashire, J.A. Steer and James Braid/Dave Thomas/Donald Steel, £50-110
** Prestbury GC, Cheshire, Harry Colt, £33-65
* Sandiway GC, Cheshire, Ted Ray and Sidney Collins, £30-70
* South Staffs GC, Staffordshire, Harry Vardon/Harry Colt/James Braid/Donald Steel, £43

* Sandwell Park, West Midlands, Harry Colt, £38-45
/ Bath GC, Tom Dunn/J.H. Taylor/James Braid/Harry Colt, £15-50
! Tadmarton Heath GC, Oxfordshire, C.K. Hutchison, £25-60
5 Frilford Heath GC (Red), Oxfordshire, J.H. Taylor, £36-80
5 The Oxfordshire GC, Rees Jones, £50-80
5 Frilford Heath GC (Green), Oxfordshire, J.H. Turner and C.K. Cotton, £36-80
5 Studley Wood GC, Oxfordshire, Simon Gidman, £25-60
5 Oxford GC, Oxfordshire, James Braid/Harry Colt, £15-35

5 Ipswich GC (Purdis Heath), Suffolk, James Braid, £40-60
5 Woodbridge GC (Heath), Suffolk, James Braid, £40-55

* Knole Park GC, Kent, J.F. Abercromby, £40-75
? Chart Hills GC, Kent, Nick Faldo, £33-95
? East Sussex National, Bob Cupp, £25-70
5 Worthing GC (Lower), Harry Colt, £25-60

** Bearwood Lakes GC, Berkshire, Guy Hockley and Martin Hawtree

5 Blackmoor GC, Hampshire, Harry Colt, £45-70
5 Brokenhurst Manor, Hampshire, Harry Colt, £40-70
** Cumberwell Park GC, Orange nine, Wiltshire, Adrian Stiff, £25-45 for 18 holes
! Remedy Oak GC, Dorset, John Jacobs, £95

~~~~~ Wales ~~~~~~~~

** Welshpool GC, James Braid, £12-30
? Llandrindod Wells GC, Harry Vardon/James Braid, £15-35

~~~~~ Northern Ireland ~

* Castlerock GC, Bann 9, Frank Pennink, £10-20

~~~~~ Isle of Man ~~~~

** Castletown Golf Links, Old Tom Morris/Mackenzie Ross, £35-65

~~~~~ Jersey ~~~~~~~

* Royal Jersey GC, F.W. Brewster and others, £60-90
* La Moye GC, George Boomer/James Braid/Henry Cotton, £75

===== Volume 2 ======

~~~~~ North Carolina ~~

! Hope Valley CC, Durham, Donald Ross/Perry Maxwell/Dan Maples/John LaFoy/Brian Silva
? Forsyth CC, Winston-Salem, Donald Ross
/ Sedgefield CC, Greensboro, Donald Ross
? Greensboro CC (Farm Course), Donald Steel
? Myers Park CC, Charlotte, Donald Ross
5 Old North State Club, New London, Tom Fazio

~~~~~ South Carolina ~~

5 TPC Myrtle Beach, Tom Fazio, $75-130
! The Muni, Charleston, Johnny Adams, $10-24
? CC of Spartanburg
! Aiken GC, John Inglis/James McNair, Jr., $20-25
* Midland Valley, Ellis Maples, $28-38

~~~~~ Georgia ~~~~~~~

** Frederica GC, St. Simons Island, Tom Fazio
* Old Toccoa Farm, Dan Proctor & Dave Axland, $45-55
/ Currahee Club, Toccoa, Jim Fazio

~~~~~ Florida ~~~~~~~~

** Timuquana CC, Jacksonville, Donald Ross/Bobby Weed
? Palatka GC, William D. Clark/Bobby Weed, $17-23
? Ocala GC, Ron Garl, $13-27
/ Deltona Club, David Wallace/Bobby Weed, $15-30
! Victoria Hills GC, DeLand, Ron Garl,  $29-59
? Mission Inn Resort (El Campeon), George O'Neil and Charles E. Clarke, $75-150
? CC of Orlando
* Streamsong (Black), Gil Hanse, $85-$275
** Sara Bay CC, Sarasota, Donald Ross
** Hide Out GC, Naples, Kelly Blake Moran
? West Palm Beach GC, Dick Wilson, $15-31

~~~~~ Tennessee ~~~~~

? The Country Club, Morristown, William Langford

~~~~~ California ~~~~~~

? Santa Anita GC, Los Angeles, James Harrison Smith, $13-39
** San Clemente Municipal GC, Orange County, William P. Bell, $14-44
? Porcupine Creek GC, Rancho Mirage, Tim Blixseth and Tom Weiskopf
* The Madison Club, La Quinta, Tom Fazio
* Rams Hill Golf Club, San Diego County, Tom Fazio/Tim Jackson and David Kahn, $75-150
** Barona Creek GC, San Diego County, Todd Eckenrode, $80-160
** Marine Memorial GC, Camp Pendleton, San Diego County, William P. Bell, $7-40

~~~~~ Hawaii ~~~~~~~~

/ The Club at Kukui'ula, Kau'ai, Tom Weiskopf
! Puakea GC, Kau'ai, Robin Nelson, $45-85

~~~~~ Mexico ~~~~~~~~

? Tijuana CC, William P. Bell, $?

===== Volume 3 =====

~~~~~ Massachusetts ~~

* Hyannisport Club, Alex Findlay/Donald Ross/Ron Forse
5 Tedesco CC, Marblehead, Skip Wogan

~~~~~ Connecticut ~~~~

* Keney Park, Hartford, Devereux Emmet/Robert "Jack" Ross/Matthew Dusenberry, $30-44

~~~~~ Pennsylvania ~~~

** Berkshire CC, Reading, Willie Park Jr.
* Schuylkill CC, Orwigsubrg, Willie Park Jr./Donald Ross

~~~~~ Virginia ~~~~~~~~

? Williamsburg GC, William F. Gordon/John LaFoy

~~~~~ Indiana ~~~~~~~~

** South Bend CC, George O'Neil

~~~~~ Illinois ~~~~~~~~~

** Knollwood Club, Lake Forest, C.H. Alison
** Exmoor CC, Highland Park, Donald Ross
* Butterfield CC, Oak Brook, William Langford
* Evanston GC, Skokie, Donald Ross/Ron Prichard
* Bryn Mawr CC, Lincolnwood, William Langford

~~~~~ Minnesota ~~~~~~

* Town and Country Club, St. Paul, George McCree and E.J. Frost/Robert Foulis

~~~~~ Missouri ~~~~~~~

* Swope Memorial GC, Kansas City, A.W. Tillinghast, $17-34

~~~~~ Washington ~~~~~

* Aldarra GC, Sammamish, Tom Fazio

~~~~~ Oregon ~~~~~~~~

** Bandon Crossings, Bandon, Dan Hixson, $34-84

[Tom_Doak]

JBovay:


Thanks for doing that.  If those are really the best of the courses we missed in volumes 1-3, I think we did a hell of a job.  But I'm not at all sure they are; I know Clyde Johnson has mentioned quite a few smaller UK courses I'd love to see, even if none of them are close to a 7.

[Edward Glidewell]

Sedgefield is a much better golf course than TPC Myrtle Beach.


I wouldn't put the TPC in the top 10 in the Myrtle Beach area. That doesn't mean it's not a 5 (it still could be), but I'd have a very hard time giving Sedgefield and TPC Myrtle the same ranking, even on a compressed 0-10 scale.

[Duncan Cheslett]

JBovay:


Thanks for doing that.  If those are really the best of the courses we missed in volumes 1-3, I think we did a hell of a job.  But I'm not at all sure they are; I know Clyde Johnson has mentioned quite a few smaller UK courses I'd love to see, even if none of them are close to a 7.

In my neck of the woods Prestbury, Sandiway, and Manchester are all solid contenders for a 6.


On a good day Manchester could even be a 7.


Interestingly all three have a Colt pedigree.

[JBovay]

JBovay:


Thanks for doing that.  If those are really the best of the courses we missed in volumes 1-3, I think we did a hell of a job.  But I'm not at all sure they are; I know Clyde Johnson has mentioned quite a few smaller UK courses I'd love to see, even if none of them are close to a 7.

Tom, it was fun to see the responses and put the list together. You and your coauthors did do a heck of a great job with the books. If you hadn't, this exercise wouldn't have been worth doing. Thanks for writing the books.


I guess it's fair to say that Masa and Darius covered everything (almost) worth seeing in Volume 5.