GOLF DIGEST's list of America's 100 Greatest Golf Holes

[Tom_Doak]

A new ranking!  Presented here:


https://www.golfdigest.com/story/americas-100-greatest-golf-holes-ranking


I was able to scroll through the list when I first saw it, but then it was paywalled for GOLF DIGEST + subscribers when I went back to grab the URL, so I hope you are able to see it.  Like all the rankings nowadays, they don't provide an easy-to-read list that I can find.


I did a similar ranking for GOLF Magazine in the 1980's.  The main difference between the two [other than a lot of new golf holes having been built] was that the old list was capped to no more than two holes from any golf course, but GOLF DIGEST's list has no cap, and some courses have as many as five holes listed.


I would bet a lot of $ you wouldn't be able to guess one of the courses which has the most holes among the top 100, if there was any way of keeping you from peeking.


I don't know the methodology behind this list but it does have elements of a popularity contest, as it is heavily populated with courses that are very familiar to the public and to raters.  But, since great holes make great courses, it's hard to say whether that is being applied in reverse or not.

[Michael Felton]

I see an awful lot of template holes in there. Couple of interesting choices as well. I wasn't that much of a fan of 16 at Friar's Head. I think there are many better holes on the course than that one, but it's the third from there. Not sure I'd have put the PV holes in the same order either.


Interesting list though - don't think anyone will be that surprised by number 1.

[mike_malone]

Without counting I thought Pikewood had many.


 Btw Rolling Green number 12 was on the list and I doubt many members think it is even our best hole.

[Mike Hendren]

Without Calc’s Shankapotomus the 17th at The Ocean Course doesn’t sniff the list.


Our group hit solid drives down the left, middle and right side of the 18th at McLemore.  Didn’t find a single ball.  We assume each went over the cliff.  Dumb Blond Award winner. 

[Bill Gayne]

Aristotle's idea that the whole can be greater than the sum of the parts applies to golf courses as evidenced by PH #2 with no holes on the list but a very high course ranking, GD #29.

[Kalen Braley]

Aristotle's idea that the whole can be greater than the sum of the parts applies to golf courses as evidenced by PH #2 with no holes on the list but a very high course ranking, GD #29.

And conversely, Sand Hollow with 3 holes on this list, yet nowhere to be found on top 100 courses list...

[Edward Glidewell]

McLemore's 18th at 22 on the list shows how much setting can skew someone's perspective.


It's a beautiful place to finish a round, but the hole itself isn't even one of the best holes on that course, much less in the country. Basically any tee shot is going to bound left towards the cliff edge and collect in roughly the same area -- when a friend and I last played there, we hit our tee shots in very different places and our balls ended up within a couple of yards of each other.

[Dan_Callahan]

Honest question since I know very little about it: is Pikewood really that good?

[Craig Sweet]

Pikewood looks uncomfortably over tree'd


And no fun

[Jeff Schley]

Almost all holes are from the coasts. I like the idea of limiting the # of holes any one course can have. Seems like Pebble, Cypress, NGLA, Pacific Dunes, Fishers Island, Pine Valley each had 4-5.
None for:

• Chicago Golf
• Shoreacres (there was an Old Elm)
• Crystal Downs
• Wade Hampton
• Pinehurst #2
• LACC
• SFGC
• Shadow Creek (GD likes flash)
• Ohoopee
• Olympic

There are so many great holes in the USA, but would have been a better list with restraint on limit for each.

[Jeff Schley]

Pikewood looks uncomfortably over tree'd


And no fun

I think this is the longest walk in the US or something I have heard. 

[Joe Bausch]

Honest question since I know very little about it: is Pikewood really that good?

I loved it. I particularly liked the restraint used with bunkers. Less than 25 on the course.


Hole-by-hole photo tour:


http://www80.homepage.villanova.edu/joseph.bausch/images/albums/PikewoodNational/index.html

[Joe Bausch]

Pikewood looks uncomfortably over tree'd


And no fun

IMHO, the answer to both of these questions is no.


Yes, the course is carved out a beautiful WV forest. But there is plenty of width.

[Ian Andrew]

Not surprised by the fact my favourite hole, 6th at the Creek Club didn’t make the list, and my least favourite the 11th did. Hate island greens as a concept.


What would be far more interesting is get 50 architects to do that and see what happens. I bet it reduces the emphasis on setting over ground features.

[Tommy Williamsen]

Just looking at the top-ranked holes, the list could be called the most thrilling holes in the US. The lure of 16 begins after the first drive at Cypress Point. If your heart doesn’t beat quicker as you contemplate the second shot on Pebble’s eighth hole, you should quit the game. The tee ball at Pine Valley’s fifth hole is one of the scariest shots that don’t have water. The same is true for PV’s tenth hole. Think of the satisfaction gained by pulling off those shots. I will never forget the four wood I hit into a gale at PB’s eighth that nestled ten feet from the pin. And on my tombstone, I want engraved, “He hit the green on Cypress Point’s sixteenth hole.” It could also read, “He never came close to the green at Pine Valley’s fifth hole.”
Many of the holes listed are the stuff of dreams. Would I exchange some of the holes for others? Absolutely. But the list is a pretty good discussion starter.

[Jeff Schley]

. Think of the satisfaction gained by pulling off those shots. I will never forget the four wood I hit into a gale at PB’s eighth that nestled ten feet from the pin.

Did you make the par putt? kidding you.
If 8 was into the wind, 7 must have been downwind and probably some type of 3/4 manufactured wedge?

[Tommy Williamsen]

. Think of the satisfaction gained by pulling off those shots. I will never forget the four wood I hit into a gale at PB’s eighth that nestled ten feet from the pin.

Did you make the par putt? kidding you.
If 8 was into the wind, 7 must have been downwind and probably some type of 3/4 manufactured wedge?

I was so nervous over the birdie putt that I hit it fat. Did make par though. Whew.

[Jeff_Brauer]

I disagree with PV no. 5 being great.  It has changed since I played it, but it still seems to be virtually impossible to play for anyone less than a pro or top am.  JMHO.

[Sven Nilsen]

Surprising to see the number of Biarritz holes listed.


A bit shocked to see where the 6th hole at Sheep Ranch ended up on the list.  Its a beautiful location, but other than the risk reward nature of the drive it isn't very compelling.  There are much more interesting dogleg rights out there.

[Tom_Doak]

From my own work, Pacific Dunes had 5 holes I think, and Ballyneal had one . . . the 17th, which I do like but wouldn't have been the hole I guessed.


It's a shame they didn't find a hole at Rock Creek Cattle Company that inspired them.  That place has a bunch of holes I love.  Same for Streamsong [I don't remember seeing a hole from either the Blue or Red courses, though I might have missed one].


Once again, though, the methodology seems flawed.  They rated the holes on four attributes, and "setting" and "challenge" were the first two; I'm guessing that explains why relatively few great short par-4's made the list.  Giving points for "setting" is really putting your thumb on the scale, since people are always going to grade higher for a hole in a beautiful setting even when it's not a factor.

[Tom_Doak]

Not surprised by the fact my favourite hole, 6th at the Creek Club didn’t make the list, and my least favourite the 11th did. Hate island greens as a concept.

What would be far more interesting is get 50 architects to do that and see what happens. I bet it reduces the emphasis on setting over ground features.

I'm surprised the 6th at The Creek wasn't there . . . neither was the 12th at Chicago Golf.  But the 4th at Fishers Island was in the top ten holes!


I will be happy to participate in your "50 architects" list if you follow through on it, but I wouldn't bet on it being much better than this, because of small sample sizes for less famous courses.

[Blake Conant]

I’d be curious to know the breakdown of hole #’s.


I’ve always thought there a lot of great 4th, 12th, and 13th holes. Similarly good 1st holes oftentimes get overlooked. (Glad to see the best par 5 at Sand Hills made this list however)


I’ve also heard Tom say most folks make up their mind about a course after 6 holes, but just browsing this list I bet less than 1/3 of it is made up of holes 1-6. I bet about 1/3 is 7-12 and I bet more than 1/3 is 13-18.

[cary lichtenstein]

Brings back soooo many memories, thank you for posting

[Craig Sweet]

Joe Bausch....Compared to the course I play (Old Works) Pickwood is down right claustrophobic !

[Tim_Weiman]

I’d be curious to know the breakdown of hole #’s.


I’ve always thought there a lot of great 4th, 12th, and 13th holes. Similarly good 1st holes oftentimes get overlooked. (Glad to see the best par 5 at Sand Hills made this list however)


I’ve also heard Tom say most folks make up their mind about a course after 6 holes, but just browsing this list I bet less than 1/3 of it is made up of holes 1-6. I bet about 1/3 is 7-12 and I bet more than 1/3 is 13-18.

Blake,


Tom’s comment is interesting. I’m not sure I agree or disagree. It probably depends on the course.


At Cypress Point excitement come in the final six holes, though #8 and #9 are also really cool. Down the street at Pebble Beach, the excitement is mid round and a touch at the end.


By contrast, Royal County Down makes a very strong impression early on. I’d say the same for Royal Melbourne. Ditto for Pine Valley.


Augusta is interesting. The famous holes are on the back, but one’s impression of the golf course come pretty early, IMO.


Tim