[John Kavanaugh]

What are the best course for:


1) Growing up on.
2) Hosting a bridal party on.
3) Sustaining a healthy life on.
4) Growing old on.


I’ll nominate Norwood Hills as the best course to grow up on. It’s important to be located in a climate where you can take the winter off to play other sports. And make friends outside of golf.

[J_ Crisham]

ShoreAcres or Lake Shore in Chicago

[Ira Fishman]

1. The Cook County courses that I grew up on.
2. Never would cross my mind even though we have two daughters.
3. Hope Valley. Great but challenging walk.
4. NB. But alas my wife will not move there. See number 2


Ira

[Peter Pallotta]

Doesn't that course on Long Island fit the bill, and meet all four requirements? You know the one I mean - that really good one, out on Long Island. I bet it's a great place for junior members, terrific for the middle years of top flight play, a beautiful setting for a wedding, and very walkable even for those in their twilight years. It's on Long Island, the course I'm talking about. I think it must be the best place for golf in all the Americas -- Long Island.

[Bill Gayne]

Doesn't that course on Long Island fit the bill, and meet all four requirements? You know the one I mean - that really good one, out on Long Island. I bet it's a great place for junior members, terrific for the middle years of top flight play, a beautiful setting for a wedding, and very walkable even for those in their twilight years. It's on Long Island, the course I'm talking about. I think it must be the best place for golf in all the Americas -- Long Island.

Yes, I agree Maidstone fits the description.

[John Kavanaugh]

Have any happy succefuil people actually grown up playing a world class course on Long Island? One thing I liked about the idea of growing up on Norwood Hills is the diversity you get to experience as a child.


I had a buddy text me that he thought Ballyneal would make a perfect wedding venue. I think he is on to something there.

[Steve Lang]

   JK
what "are" the best course?  i suppose you meant what "is" the best course, but can't imagine why the usual name dropping exercise is of much value...


what "are" the best course?

1) Growing up on.  Definitely a par 3 course or muni within commuting distance,... for building the short game first and a sense of economics
2) Hosting a bridal party on.  Best locker rooms for girls to spend all day partying/trashing while getting dressed and one for the boys to quickly change from playing golf before teh formalities, good multi bar locations/layout for flow, nice background view of water feature or valley or mountains, chef that has done it before, plus space for band and dancing, and for kicking back...
3) Sustaining a healthy life on.  Something close to home, commute to work, not to golf...
4) Growing old on.   Ye 'ol walk in the park or ride if ground slopes not too great, At least 10 month/year playability...

[Joel_Stewart]

Doesn't that course on Long Island fit the bill, and meet all four requirements? You know the one I mean - that really good one, out on Long Island. I bet it's a great place for junior members, terrific for the middle years of top flight play, a beautiful setting for a wedding, and very walkable even for those in their twilight years. It's on Long Island, the course I'm talking about. I think it must be the best place for golf in all the Americas -- Long Island.

Yes, I agree Maidstone fits the description.

+1

[Steve Lapper]

Hollywood GC
CC of Fairfield
Fishers Island
Moraine
Camargo
Monterey Peninsula


Just a few that come to mind.

[Tim Gallant]

Surely the answer is Morfontaine! The Valliere to grow up and old on with a clubhouse that I would love to hold a wedding at - simple and elegant. Nothing flashy or over the top. Small and intimate.

[Ronald Montesano]

This comes down to the lifestyle level ($$$) that one lives, and the lifestyle that one chooses.


This comes down to the geography (seaside, mountain, high desert, urban) that one values.

[John Kavanaugh]

This comes down to the lifestyle level ($$$) that one lives, and the lifestyle that one chooses.


This comes down to the geography (seaside, mountain, high desert, urban) that one values.

As an educator and a coach I am interested on what course would be the best to grow up on are that fills your needs?

[Ronald Montesano]

Green Lakes State Park (Fayetteville, NY)


James Baird State Park (Poughkeepsie, NY)


If fortunate enough to live near Green Lake, Wisconsin, the two golf courses of Lawsonia


At my core, I am all about access for as many golfers as possible. The spirit of golf at its origin cries this out.

[Gib_Papazian]

Barny,


If it has to be in a cold weather climate, Westhampton CC . . . . . . huge fun for kids, equally amusing for limpy old Armenians - easy walk, so no need for a buggy . . . . . and I guess you can stage the bouquet throw on the putting green.

[John Kavanaugh]

Barny,


If it has to be in a cold weather climate, Westhampton CC . . . . . . huge fun for kids, equally amusing for limpy old Armenians - easy walk, so no need for a buggy . . . . . and I guess you can stage the bouquet throw on the putting green.

I don't know WCC but from their guest policies I'm not feeling the vibe for a young golfer out learning the ways of life.


https://www.westhamptoncc.org/guestinformation


At a club like the above who will mentor your child when you aren't there? The pro's kids, the caddie shack or some favorite uncle?

[Tim Martin]

Green Lakes State Park (Fayetteville, NY)
James Baird State Park (Poughkeepsie, NY)

RTJ Senior for life? OUT

[Buck Wolter]

Best place to grow up


Heritage Links -- I think growing up on a public course is best. Decent range, great putting green, juniors everywhere, playable but not easy and an eclectic group of regulars. 8 month season so no burnout.
[size=78%]https://www.heritagelinks.com/[/size]

[Blake Conant]

1, 3, 4) Winter Park 9


2) Pismo Beach Golf Course

[Mark Pearce]

1, 3 and 4 Elie.


2, who cares?

[Ryan Hillenbrand]

JK


Staying in the same area as Norwood Hills, my pick would be St. Louis CC. Great golf course, beautiful clubhouse in a nice setting, smack dab in the middle of wonderful neighborhoods where members could walk or take their own golf cart to. I was surprise by how many children were enjoying the pool and tennis courts during the summer. May not check the diversity box though, at least from an economic standpoint.


I'd say in the Midwest there a lot of clubs that would fit the bill

[Tim Fitz]

Perhaps I read JK’s question differently, calling for four different courses.  Seems like Ryan read the question roughly the same way I did.


At least in regards to number 1 (best course to grow up on), I think a course that offers more than golf is the key.  We spend a lot of time bemoaning the family country club here, but there are some wonderful golf courses (which receive proper maintenance, attention and reverence) tucked into family clubs.


So, from the Chicago chapter, I nominate Skokie Country Club.  The old Donald Ross (and others) design is well respected in these parts (oftentimes falling at the top end of the second tier of courses).  But to answer JK’s question, it is everything else that makes Skokie such a great course to grow up on.  They have a wonderful swimming pool, with a very active swim team program.  The paddle facilities are the cream of the crop in Chicago, and tucked away enough that nobody is bothered when things get loud.  There is a ton of youth oriented events/programming to involve kids in the club and introduce them to tennis/swimming/paddle/golf.  Sounds like just the sort of place for an American everykid could enjoy.  And a top notch golf course ices the cake.

[Paul Jones]

St Andrews - you can play with the locals for cheap, especially as a student and meet people traveling all over the world to play.


I think it checks all the boxes, maybe not Bridal Party...

[Tommy Williamsen]

I grew up on military courses. When my Dad was at Ft. Meade in MD they had two ok courses. But what made it stand out was the junior program. I received a wonderful education in golf and had bunches of kids to play with. While my son grew up on better courses they did not have the same junior golf culture.


The best course to grow up on is the one with a great junior program.

[John Kavanaugh]

If your kids spend to much time around rich white people they may end up acting like a rich white person. No one wants that.

[Ben Hollerbach]

This is a really good question, and one I think a lot of people are missing on as they choose remote, uber exclusive, and seasonal clubs that are not really practical for the basis of the inquiry.

For practicality this course would need to be located in or near a metro area of ~300,000 people or more. It could still be somewhat expensive but could not be so exclusive that membership would be out of the question. It would need to have a large family membership, which most likely means it could not be strictly a golf club, and would need to be located in a place that would allow usage year round. The course would not need to be playable year round, but the club would provide amenities that are beneficial year round (indoor tennis, curling, etc...)

While it may still be on the fringe of accessible, a place like Philly Cricket could be close to perfect for all 4 criteria. Especially with the large St. Martins campus with their 9 hole course and multiple other amenities.

Much of the same for Southern Hills, Omaha, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Orchard Lake, Biltmore Forest, Worcester, Lancaster, Lookout Mountain, etc...

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