5 Courses you would recomend to a friend?

[Gib_Papazian]

An eclectic list for contrarians with taste and a sense of adventure:

Gleneagles GC - San Francisco
Santa Anita - Arcadia, CA (good call Barny)
CC of Orlando - Ya gotta see what Ron Forse did . . .
Eagle Point - Medford, Oregon
Links of Paso Robles - Paso Robles, CA - delicious minimalism.
Monarch Dunes - Nipomo,CA - Proves Damian 666 is not really the devil. 
Westhampton CC - Unsung, but the perfect place to run in circles with your favorite golf homies.

Hit the time machine and go back . . . . . . The Pit, Dan Maples  . . . . . the most fun, ever. 

[Tim Leahy]

An eclectic list for contrarians with taste and a sense of adventure:

Gleneagles GC - San Francisco
Santa Anita - Arcadia, CA (good call Barny)
CC of Orlando - Ya gotta see what Ron Forse did . . .
Eagle Point - Medford, Oregon
Links of Paso Robles - Paso Robles, CA - delicious minimalism.
Monarch Dunes - Nipomo,CA - Proves Damian 666 is not really the devil. 
Westhampton CC - Unsung, but the perfect place to run in circles with your favorite golf homies.

Hit the time machine and go back . . . . . . The Pit, Dan Maples  . . . . . the most fun, ever. 

Somebody really enjoyed that King's Putter on the Central Coast. How about Morro Bay?

[Ben Stephens]

I'm not sure if they've ever been featured on any world lists (I know they feature in UK lists), but courses that I would recommend to a friend beyond the usuals:


Goswick
Boat of Garten
Brancaster
Silloth on Solway
Reigate Heath (backing up Sean's recc)

A great set, though whether Brancaster really qualifies for this list must be debatable?  And Silloth is UK Top 50, so I won't include it, despite it being on almost no overseas visitor's list.


Goswick, Golspie, Liphook, Elie (I know, but it's not in any Top 100 lists I know of), Seaton Carew

Mark


   
Brancaster is a rarity and so much fun - I would definitely put it ahead of Liphook, Elie and Reigate Heath plus on a par with Silloth. Can you elaborate why it is debatable?


I have played the Grafton Morrish a few times which takes place in late Sept/Oct played at Hunstanton and Brancaster - quite a lot prefer Brancaster to Hunstanton.


Cheers
Ben

Ben, I think Mark just meant that it is a well-known course, which it is. I only included it as the OP mentioned courses like Rye, and St Enodoc as well, so thought it was worth throwing in! As a change-up, I'd include Kilspindie.

Thanks Tim for clarifying this I had assumed it was any golf course.


The not so well known ones I would recommend within 2 hours where I live are:


Sheringham
Flempton
Seacroft
Cavendish
Sleaford

Sean


I think you will like Sleaford as it is quite a sandy course and it was designed by Tom Williamson plus it allows for bump and run shots all round. And at £35 midweek green fee I have to say that is pretty good and it is one of the best winter courses to play.


Also its rare to have both 1 and 18 as drivable par 4's


https://www.sleafordgolfclub.co.uk


Cheers
Ben

[Matt Frey, PGA]

Here are a five courses that I really enjoy which may be considered a little more "under the radar," in alpha order:

• Ausable (St. Huberts, N.Y.)
  The Ausable Club's golf course sits amongst the Adirondacks' High Peaks, between Mt. Marcy and Giant Mountain; it's a beautiful site and the course features a perfect combination of strategy and quirk. Its first six holes were built in the late 1880s, making it one of the oldest in the U.S. (I believe current Nos. 6-8 were built in the 1920s). From what I have seen in old aerials and photographs, it appears to remain relatively untouched since its construction. I haven't been able to identify who built the golf holes.
  
  
• Dauphin Highlands (Harrisburg, Pa.)
  This modern golf course sits in the shadow of Three Mile Island and offers a tremendous "bang for your buck." The course is very fun, has cool terrain and also requires a lot of thought from the golfer. A Bill Love design.
  
  
• Lake Placid - Links (Lake Placid, N.Y.)
  Lake Placid Club has 45 holes onsite, and its Links Course is my favorite. It's located inside the village and is very close to the Olympic sites. In fact, golfers can see the Olympic ski jumps from many spots on the course, in addition to the beautiful Adirondack mountains, including Whiteface. It's an old-school (1910) layout and typically plays firm and fast. Beautiful and fun. Built by Seymour Dunn.
  
  
• North Hills (Glenside, Pa.)
  North Hills certainly features one of the more unique footprints I have seen; the course is built on what looks like a stylized "H" sandwiched into a beautiful little suburban Philadelphia neighborhood. This is another very fun golf course that has some wonderful golf holes. Plus, the club has a great atmosphere. A Frank Meehan design.
  
  
• Stonewall - North (Elverson, Pa.)
  Stonewall's "Utter" course may be one of the most fun courses I have played. The course features some very fun, undulating greens and has great ground movement throughout the course, while remaining a fairly easy walk. A Tom Doak layout.

[Jim Sherma]

Great list Joe -


I haven't played Galen Hall, Manor nor Cobb's Creek in ages - I need to rectify that and agree that all are worth a play. Berkshire is on my list of must plays once we get the chance to do so - for some reason it always slips through the cracks even though I've planned to play it a few times over the years. I was planning a Berkshire, Reading CC, Galen Hall trio overnight trip but it didn't happen.


I know nothing of Manesquan River. Looks nice on Google Maps.

These recs would be for my friend that likes golf.  We share a driveway.  A good man that sort of knows my passion for golf, but doesn't know it fully.  He's willing to try any course I take him to, and these would be my five from the Delaware Valley to let him see how good and diverse it can be (and not to my knowledge been on any Top 100 list, but all should be for plain old fun!).


Galen Hall
Manor
Berkshire
Manasquan River
Cobb's Creek

[mike_malone]

  Lehigh
  Manufacturer’s
  Huntingdon Valley
  Philadelphia CC
  Lancaster CC

In all seriousness how many of those haven’t been top 100. I’ll never forget when all the Holfwerk guys got together and pushed Lehigh to like 99th.

I think it said top 150 in the world.




By the way we have an arrangement with Huntingdon Valley, Lehigh, and Lancaster and most of my buddies prefer Lehigh.
Every course on that list is elite and should be played by any architectural nut.

[John Kavanaugh]

I was just happy Apple went with Holfwerk. The entire premise is very sad.

[Jim Sherma]

  Lehigh
  Manufacturer’s
  Huntingdon Valley
  Philadelphia CC
  Lancaster CC

In all seriousness how many of those haven’t been top 100. I’ll never forget when all the Holfwerk guys got together and pushed Lehigh to like 99th.

I think it said top 150 in the world.




By the way we have an arrangement with Huntingdon Valley, Lehigh, and Lancaster and most of my buddies prefer Lehigh.
Every course on that list is elite and should be played by any architectural nut.

I know that Lehigh has gotten a lot of love over the last 10 years but I can't buy into it being on the same level as Lancaster. I love Lehigh and have a history playing it going back to winning my one big junior trophy there back in 1983. There are a lot of nice aspects of Lehigh's routing and the holes down in the valley are very nice. However, Lancaster has high points that Lehigh just can not match, the stretch from 8-11 is world class and 14-18 is also really strong. While I am indifferent to 12-13 I think that the upper holes at Lehigh 5-6 are easily as weak. Also, Lehigh's 11 is just as awkward a par-5 as Lancaster's 13. I would never turn down a chance to play either and my comments are not meant to slight Lehigh one bit.

[Gib_Papazian]

Tim,


Neal Meagher and I found the Links at Paso, it is almost completely unknown except to locals. Originally, I was studying Hunter Ranch on a Google Earth and noticed it on the aerial.


For the record, we did not play Monarch Dunes that trip - we played Morro Bay (fun, okay, but a lot like Delaveaga) and San Luis Obispo CC, showing off our bunkering changes.


I actually go back to Monarch about once a year - and I strongly recommend the "short course" . . . . both courses demonstrate that Damian actually knows how to design extremely complex and interesting greens.


La Purisima was mentioned - some say it is Bob Graves' magnum opus . . . but I am really partial to Sea Ranch.   

[Jon Wiggett]

In the UK I would say Kilspindie, Golspie, Abernethy, Ogden and York (Strensall)


All of them offer a unique experience with the last three being well under the radar.

[Mark Pearce]

Strensall is so far under the radar that I haven't heard of it!  I had assumed York was a bit of a wilderness for decent golf.  Tell us a little more about Strensall, Jon, please?

[Jon Wiggett]

Mark,


it is kind of odd that it is not better known as I think the course on the whole is better than the more famous Fulford. It is on a fairly flat piece of land and tree lined for the most part but does manage to feel semi heathland in parts. It borders a military training ground and does stray onto it for the second hole. The design is makes the most of the property and the strength of the design lies in a very strong set of par 4s which sets off with a stiff opening hole. It does not have any poor holes either.


The quirks are few but there are two occasions where you have to go outside the boundary to get to a tee and play back over the OOB back to the course. The clubhouse is also on the opposite side of the road to the course though the road is very quiet.


I am not saying it is a world beater and the likes of Ganton, Alwoodley or Notts are certainly a step up. I would suggest that it is of a similar quality to the original 14 holes at Sandmoor which I know you have played without having the 4 stinkers to detract from the experience.


I would recommend a visit as I know you are not so far away.

[Tim Leahy]

Tim,


Neal Meagher and I found the Links at Paso, it is almost completely unknown except to locals. Originally, I was studying Hunter Ranch on a Google Earth and noticed it on the aerial.


For the record, we did not play Monarch Dunes that trip - we played Morro Bay (fun, okay, but a lot like Delaveaga) and San Luis Obispo CC, showing off our bunkering changes.


I actually go back to Monarch about once a year - and I strongly recommend the "short course" . . . . both courses demonstrate that Damian actually knows how to design extremely complex and interesting greens.


La Purisima was mentioned - some say it is Bob Graves' magnum opus . . . but I am really partial to Sea Ranch.

I was in your group at the Links at Paso during the King's Putter but I will forgive your memory due to the presence of an herbal substance brought along and shared by our host.

[Mark Pearce]

Thanks, Jon.  If it's on a similar level to the original Sand Moor holes, which I really like, I must get there when it's possible to do so.  I have played Fulford and been left very unimpressed.

[David Davis]

Greg,


Hopefully you will get out of that darn 99 club soon...


I'm going to keep it local here and knowing that you appreciate Golden Age and say this is my list you should see outside the Top 150


Eindhovensche Golf Club - Colt - lots of improvements in maintenance and tree clearing the last years.
Royal Antwerp - Simpson - roughly 10,000 trees removed and constant improvements the last years.
St. Germain - Colt - lovely routing on a gentle property with excellent set of par 3's
Fontainebleau - Simpson - bones of a World Top 50 but desperately in need of a renegade band of Texas Chainsaw tree massacres.
Hamburger Falkenstein - Colt - Best course in Germany by a large margin.


Perhaps the best part of this is that you could make it in one trip and experience 4 completely different and interesting cultures. The food would be better than anything else anyone has mentioned so far, as would the wine.

[James Reader]

Thanks, Jon.  If it's on a similar level to the original Sand Moor holes, which I really like, I must get there when it's possible to do so.  I have played Fulford and been left very unimpressed.

Perhaps it would be an option for our knock-out match Mark - when we’re finally able to play it! It’s great to see Ogden on Jon’s list as well.  If you’ve not played there, I’m sure you’d like it.

[Ian Andrew]

For a friend, which means, places they would not go and see normally  ...

Fraserborough - scotland
Carne - ireland
Southerndown - wales
Perranporth - england
Woodlands - australia

[Mark Pearce]

Thanks, Jon.  If it's on a similar level to the original Sand Moor holes, which I really like, I must get there when it's possible to do so.  I have played Fulford and been left very unimpressed.

Perhaps it would be an option for our knock-out match Mark - when we’re finally able to play it! It’s great to see Ogden on Jon’s list as well.  If you’ve not played there, I’m sure you’d like it.

That did occur to me, too, James.  And no, I haven't seen Ogden either.  So many courses to get to once we're allowed.

[Garland Bayley]

La Purisima
Hunter Ranch
Crystalaire CC
Westin Mission Hills (Pete Dye)
Stoneridge

Is La Purisma still open?
IMO Hunter Ranch is eminently skippable.

[Gib_Papazian]

Tim,


Actually, that phone call I got, just as we were teeing off (my ball was actually on a tee) was from my younger brother, telling me Dad had passed away the night before. I just decided to keep it to myself, so as not to blow up the chi energy of the day.


Strange, my first thought when I picked my driver out of the bag was hearing Dad's voice in my ear: "That's part of life my boy. Just cut the bullshit and hit the ball!"


I'm sure I was uncharacteristically quiet . . . . a blessing for those who endure my patter . . . . 

[Garland Bayley]

Pacific northwest
Fircrest
Columbia Edgewater
Wine Valley
Bandon Crossings
Juniper

England Wales
West Cornwall
Perranporth
Bude and North Cornwall
Royal North Devon
Tenby

[Jon Wiggett]

Thanks, Jon.  If it's on a similar level to the original Sand Moor holes, which I really like, I must get there when it's possible to do so.  I have played Fulford and been left very unimpressed.

Mark,


considering that it was the same course before the A64 cut through it I am always amazed how different the holes are on the far side of the road compared to the clubhouse side. I actually like the holes across the road but the start and finish are very disappointing.

[Dan Gallaway]

Pacific northwest
Fircrest
Columbia Edgewater
Wine Valley
Bandon Crossings
Juniper

Maybe I need to give Juniper another try.  We faced it in a 25’ish mph wind and I can’t think of a less hospitable course.  There was nothing to experience.


I completely agree with Fircrest and Wine Valley.  I’m a huge advocate of Inglewood also.  I lauded Fircrest and Inglewood over Sahalee to a friend the other day.  Sparked a spirited debate for quite some time.

[Tim Leahy]

La Purisima
Hunter Ranch
Crystalaire CC
Westin Mission Hills (Pete Dye)
Stoneridge

Is La Purisma still open?
IMO Hunter Ranch is eminently skippable.

La Purisma is temp closed but taking reservations starting Tues. 4-28.

[Greg Gilson]

Thanks to all posters for taking the time to respond to this "5 Courses you would recommend to a friend" discussion. I have received lots of suggestions & those have helped me start to map out my travel plans for the next 10 years. I certainly will be getting to many of the courses you all suggested.


I am looking at a 10 year window & have been authorised by head office to plan 1 "golf-oriented trip" PA through that period. The trade-off (or at least the main tradeoff) is a number of "non-golf oriented trips" through that same period. The non-golf destinations will be India, Vietnam, Holy Land, Greek Islands & Alaska/Canadian Rockies (probably squeeze in a couple of rounds there?!?).


Looking at the lists of courses I am yet to see & that you all help compile, here are the "clusters" I will focus on:


(1) Europe (Netherlands & Nordic counties)


(2)UK #1 (London + Channel)


(3)UK #2 (South West England)


(4)UK#3 ("midlands" + Wales + Lancashire)


(5)UK #3 (A few Scottish courses I am yet to see + a few replays)


(6)Ireland west coast


(7)USA #1 (Las Vegas & "prairie courses")


(8)USA #2 (west coast)


(9)USA #3 (east coast)(Philly to Boston - several there I am yet to play)


Thanks again guys!