2024 Eclectic 18's

[Michael Chadwick]

For the past couple years I’ve enjoyed taking a page from the Confidential Guide and creating an annual Eclectic 18. The few rules I set for myself is if I’ve played more than 18 different courses in the year, I can only select 1 hole from a course. I also want the total par to be within a reasonable range (68-73). That’s it. Otherwise, the task is identifying your favorite holes throughout the year, while also being mindful of not wanting to shoehorn weaker holes in to complete a routing. The imaginative give and take of getting to 18 is an enjoyable exercise, since the results will indicate your preference for hole styles, lengths, etc. I probably set about 3-4 anchoring holes that’d appear in my routing no matter what, then played around with the puzzle. I encourage you to post yours as well!


1. Brambles, par 5
2. Royal Dornoch, par 3
3. Cal Club, par 4
4. Brora, par 4
5. Tree Farm, par 4
6. Old Barnwell, par 4
7. Wilshire, par 3
8. Ballyneal, par 5
9. Turnberry, par 3
10. Rustic Canyon, par 5
11. Shoreacres, par 4
12. Old Elm, par 4
13. Castle Stewart, par 4
14. St. Andrews Old, par 5
15. Aiken, par 4
16. Kingsley, par 3
17. Prestwick, par 4
18. Valley Club, par 4
OUT: 35
IN: 37
TOT: 72


Brambles 1 tee


Brambles 1 green


Royal Dornoch 2


Cal Club 3 tee


Cal Club 3 green


Brora 4 tee


Brora 4 green


Tree Farm 5


Old Barnwell 6


Old Barnwell 6 green


Wilshire 7


Ballyneal 8


Turnberry 9


Rustic Canyon 10


Shoreacres 11


Old Elm 12


Castle Stewart 13 tee


Castle Stewart 13 green


Old Course 14 tee


Old Course 14 approach


Old Course 14 approach



Aiken 15 tee



Aiken 15 green



Kingsley 16



Prestwick 17 tee



Prestwick 17 approach



Prestwick 17 green



Valley Club 18

[Niall C]

Michael


A fine selection. You're a lucky man to play all those courses in the one year.


Niall

[Tom_Doak]

Surprised to see the 18th at The Valley Club, of all the holes there.  We had to do a lot of work to restore that one.

[Alex_Hunter]

I've played a grand total of 0 of those, but they all look fantastic. Nicely put together


Biggest let down for me this year was missing out on the Old course. It's been right near the top of my bucket list for the last 15 years and I struck out on the stupid lottery they implemented this year. What a bummer that was.


I did really enjoy the New course - I would be interested to see how comparable the two courses are. I've walked the Old course before but that's not the same as playing and it was over 5 years ago so my memory of it is a bit hit and miss

I saw your post on IG yesterday and its inspired me to do the same over the coming days. Maybe I'll cross reference here as well.

[Michael Felton]

I had a crack at this. I've only played 16 courses this year and a few of them are hardly anything to write home about and one of them I remember little enough of the course to be sure which hole is which, but, with that in mind, here:


1 - Royal St. George's (par 4)
2 - Indian Hills (par 4)
3 - Royal Cinque Ports (par 5)
4 - Fresh Meadow (par 3)
5 - Royal St. George's (par 4)
6 - Laurel Links (par 5)
7 - The Bridge (par 5)
8 - Bethpage Black (par 3)
9 - Princes (par 4)
10 - Timber Point (par 5)
11 - Rock Hill (par 4)
12 - North Hills (par 3)
13 - Wheatley Hills (par 4)
14 - Walton Heath New (par 4)
15 - Bethpage Green (par 3)
16 - Walton Heath Old (par 5)
17 - St George's (in NY) (par 3)
18 - St. George's (in NY) (par 5)


OUT: 37
IN; 36
Par: 73


Trying to keep the hole numbers together with only one or two from each course and par sensible is tough. I did wind up with 5 par 3s and 6 par 5s and 7 par 4s, which would be pretty unusual in general. I'm surprised I got 5 par 3s, but some of the lesser courses if I switched them out for the better par 4s around then the holes that got kicked out were worse.


So like 4 for example, 4 at Fresh Meadow is a pretty good downhill par 3. 4 at Bethpage Black is one of the best holes around, but switching those would mean 7 par 5s and 4 par 3s and I'd have to kick something else out to get another hole from Fresh Meadow instead. 2 is decent, but then I really like 2 at Indian Hills and I'm not a huge fan of many of the others. I basically decided that two good holes was better than one great hole and one bad hole. That said, I think this is a fun exercise since presumably these are questions that architects have to deal with in putting a course together. You might find a spot that's a fantastic hole, but to get to where it starts and ends, you'd have to compromise something else and then you have to decide what is better on balance. Better to have 18 holes that are 8s and 9s than 15 holes that are 8s and 9s, 1 hole that's a clear 10 and two holes that are 4/5.

[Jackson C]

Michael,


This sounds like fun.  Never done it before, but a neat exercise.


Here is my shot at it for 2024:



1. Crystal Downs par 4
2. Old Elm par 4
3. Piping Rock par 3
4. Fishers Island par 4
5. Sands Point par 5
6. La Costa North par 5
7. Cypress Point par 3
8. Garden City par 4
9. Maidstone par 4


Let me post my back nine in a separate post.

[John Handley]

@Michael - I love what you've done here and than you for posting the corresponding photos.  It really makes the post come to life.


As a Cal Club member, I can say you've picked an amazing hole.  #3 is the number 1 handicap hole and it is a freakin' beast.  Challenging drive, only to have an even more demanding second shot, into arguably the most difficult green to putt on the course.  I play off 5 and honestly, I'd take bogey and go to the 4th tee. 

[Jackson C]

10. Lawsonia Links par 3
11. Sand Hills par 4
12. Kingsley par 4
13. Streamsong Blue par 4
14. Streamsong Red par 3
15. Sleepy Hollow par 4
16. Pasatiempo par 4
17. Olympic Lake par 5
18. Cabot St. Lucia par 5

[Michael Felton]

10. Lawsonia Links par 3
11. Sand Hills par 4
12. Kingsley par 4
13. Streamsong Blue par 4
14. Streamsong Red par 3
15. Sleepy Hollow par 4
16. Pasatiempo par 4
17. Olympic Lake par 5
18. Cabot St. Lucia par 5

That is some list of courses to play all of in one year!

[Adam Uttley]

I’ve done this a couple of times and it is fun and always trickier than I expect.  Given how much I struggle with this, I can only imagine how difficult I would find routing an actual course with the infinite options and variables that entails!

Another great year, here is my eclectic.  I confess to having been influenced on one of the holes on account of having my first ever hole-in-one on it.


1 - New Zealand (4)
2 - Hollinwell (4)
3 - Morfontaine Parcours (5)
4 - Morfontaine Valliere (3)
5 - Sunningdale Old (4)
6 - Sunningdale New (5)
7 - Rye (3)
8 - Brancaster (5)
9 - Royal County Down (4)
Out: 37


10 - Crail Craighead (4)
11 - Renaissance (3)
12 - Lahinch (5)
13 - North Berwick (4)
14 - Chantilly (4)
15 - Cleeve Hill (3)
16 - Hardelot de Pins (4)
17 - Royal Lytham (4)
18 - Hunstanton (4)
In: 34Par: 72

[Cory Lewis]

Fun exercise!  I actually do this every year but I do 18 holes of par 3's, 4's and 5's because I play so many courses every year.  Getting it down to 18 was harder than I thought.  My rules are 1 hole per course and I can only use courses I played for the first time this year so places like Fishers Island, Friar's Head, Sebonack, Shinnecock, and Yeamans Hall which would all have holes, will not be featured.


Front Nine: Top Left to Right, #1-Sultans Run, Par 4 #2-The Grove, Par 5 #3-CC of Florida, Par 4 #4-McArthur(Backyard), Par 4 #5-Blind Brook, Par 4 #6-Yahnundasis, Par 5 #7-Teugaga, Par 3 #8-Brook Lea, Par 4 #9-Richland, Par 4=37


Back Nine: Top Left to Right: #10-Louisville, Par 4 #11-The Park West Palm, Par 3 #12-Panther National, Par 4 #13-East Hampton, Par 4 #14-Old Warson, Par 4 #15-CC of Rochester, Par 5 #16-Watchung Valley, Par 4 #17-Pinehurst #10, Par 3 #18-The Tree Farm, Par 4=35

[Matt Schoolfield]

Hole.	Course	Par
1	Corica North	4
2	Golden Gate Park	3
3	Olympic Ocean	4
4	The Lido	5
5	Harding Park	4
6	Lake Merced	4
7	Corica South	3
8	Poplar Creek	4
9	Northwood	5
10	Metropolitan GL	5
11	Lincoln Park	3
12	Talking Stick: O’odham.	4
13	Pacific Grove	4
14	Presidio	4
15	Sharp Park	3
16	Lions Muny	4
17	Gleneagles SF	3
18	Poppy Hills	5
		72

[Michael Chadwick]

Some great picks so far. I want to get to Sandwich in the next year or two, and hole 5 is a key reason! Same with getting to Lido for Channel (and nearly all the other holes). Hard to not select RCD 9--I've done in years past--though just about 1-13 would be appropriate too. I agree going Talking Stick 12 over its 2nd. Lake Merced 6 is strong yet subtle choice for that renovation.


Wouldn't mind seeing more pictures of the Backyard, Cory! Also nice pic from Blind Brook. I'll need to look into that course more.   


Then also a few great holes, though not ones that might immediately come to mind when distilling a course down to a single hole, like Sand Hills 11, Lahinch 12, Cypress 7. All nice adds to a composite.


John--Cal's 3rd is a difficult one no doubt, but lovely. It's a course well suited for this exercise with plenty of good choices. Another hard hole I'm fond of is the 13th.   

[Mark Pearce]

I’ve done this a couple of times and it is fun and always trickier than I expect.  Given how much I struggle with this, I can only imagine how difficult I would find routing an actual course with the infinite options and variables that entails!

Another great year, here is my eclectic.  I confess to having been influenced on one of the holes on account of having my first ever hole-in-one on it.


1 - New Zealand (4)
2 - Hollinwell (4)
3 - Morfontaine Parcours (5)
4 - Morfontaine Valliere (3)
5 - Sunningdale Old (4)
6 - Sunningdale New (5)
7 - Rye (3)
8 - Brancaster (5)
9 - Royal County Down (4)
Out: 37


10 - Crail Craighead (4)
11 - Renaissance (3)
12 - Lahinch (5)
13 - North Berwick (4)
14 - Chantilly (4)
15 - Cleeve Hill (3)
16 - Hardelot de Pins (4)
17 - Royal Lytham (4)
18 - Hunstanton (4)
In: 34Par: 72

Interesting that of the four BUDA courses this year, the one that gets a pick here is the Craighead.  10 at Craighead is a really good shout, though! 

[James Reader]

I’ve done this a couple of times and it is fun and always trickier than I expect.  Given how much I struggle with this, I can only imagine how difficult I would find routing an actual course with the infinite options and variables that entails!

Another great year, here is my eclectic.  I confess to having been influenced on one of the holes on account of having my first ever hole-in-one on it.


1 - New Zealand (4)
2 - Hollinwell (4)
3 - Morfontaine Parcours (5)
4 - Morfontaine Valliere (3)
5 - Sunningdale Old (4)
6 - Sunningdale New (5)
7 - Rye (3)
8 - Brancaster (5)
9 - Royal County Down (4)
Out: 37


10 - Crail Craighead (4)
11 - Renaissance (3)
12 - Lahinch (5)
13 - North Berwick (4)
14 - Chantilly (4)
15 - Cleeve Hill (3)
16 - Hardelot de Pins (4)
17 - Royal Lytham (4)
18 - Hunstanton (4)
In: 34Par: 72

Interesting that of the four BUDA courses this year, the one that gets a pick here is the Craighead.  10 at Craighead is a really good shout, though!

He obviously found Elie a bit too easy, Mark.

[Tom_Doak]

Apologies for picking so many of my own courses, but I only played 21 different places this year!


1/5 Old Barnwell
2/5 The Machrie
3/3 Iona
4/4 The Loop (Black)
5/4 Durness
6/3 The Loop (Red)
7/4 Ardfin
8/5 Crystal Downs
9/4 Tumble Creek


10/4 NGLA
11/4 Tree Farm
12/4 Chicago Golf
13/4 High Pointe
14/3 Pinehurst #10
15/4 Lido
16/3 Sandglass
17/5 Streamsong Blue
18/4 Sedge Valley

Honorable mention - the 5th at Anstruther (but it’s not a better long par-3 than the 14th at Pinehurst

[Adam Uttley]

I’ve done this a couple of times and it is fun and always trickier than I expect.  Given how much I struggle with this, I can only imagine how difficult I would find routing an actual course with the infinite options and variables that entails!

Another great year, here is my eclectic.  I confess to having been influenced on one of the holes on account of having my first ever hole-in-one on it.


1 - New Zealand (4)
2 - Hollinwell (4)
3 - Morfontaine Parcours (5)
4 - Morfontaine Valliere (3)
5 - Sunningdale Old (4)
6 - Sunningdale New (5)
7 - Rye (3)
8 - Brancaster (5)
9 - Royal County Down (4)
Out: 37


10 - Crail Craighead (4)
11 - Renaissance (3)
12 - Lahinch (5)
13 - North Berwick (4)
14 - Chantilly (4)
15 - Cleeve Hill (3)
16 - Hardelot de Pins (4)
17 - Royal Lytham (4)
18 - Hunstanton (4)
In: 34Par: 72

Interesting that of the four BUDA courses this year, the one that gets a pick here is the Craighead.  10 at Craighead is a really good shout, though!

I said I wasn’t very good at it!  It was really hard to pick.  I started with a long list with great holes on every course I played. That included 4, 5 and 14 on the Balcomie and of course 13 on Elie.  But the jigsaw didn’t quite work and some holes seem to have more stars than others (eg 4th holes). FWIW I couldn’t fit Gullane 1 and 2 in either.

[Adam Uttley]

I’ve done this a couple of times and it is fun and always trickier than I expect.  Given how much I struggle with this, I can only imagine how difficult I would find routing an actual course with the infinite options and variables that entails!

Another great year, here is my eclectic.  I confess to having been influenced on one of the holes on account of having my first ever hole-in-one on it.


1 - New Zealand (4)
2 - Hollinwell (4)
3 - Morfontaine Parcours (5)
4 - Morfontaine Valliere (3)
5 - Sunningdale Old (4)
6 - Sunningdale New (5)
7 - Rye (3)
8 - Brancaster (5)
9 - Royal County Down (4)
Out: 37


10 - Crail Craighead (4)
11 - Renaissance (3)
12 - Lahinch (5)
13 - North Berwick (4)
14 - Chantilly (4)
15 - Cleeve Hill (3)
16 - Hardelot de Pins (4)
17 - Royal Lytham (4)
18 - Hunstanton (4)
In: 34Par: 72

Interesting that of the four BUDA courses this year, the one that gets a pick here is the Craighead.  10 at Craighead is a really good shout, though!

He obviously found Elie a bit too easy, Mark.

 

[Matt Schoolfield]

I agree going Talking Stick 12 over its 2nd. Lake Merced 6 is strong yet subtle choice for that renovation.

I think 6 at Lake Merced is probably my favorite hole because of the interplay between the fun tee shot to a forgiving fairway interacting with an absolutely brutal approach to the dangerous green. The "speed bump" feature that separates the front of the green from the back forces players to either flirt with the false front or put ever ounce of faith in their putter. There is real nuance to a hole that appears quite easy just looking at it from the tee.

I only played the  O’odham course once, but my standout holes were 2 (obviously), 4 and 5 for using width to reward non-obvious lines, 11 because hitting a big cut is both fun and not obvious, and 12. I think I might appreciate some of the nuanced subtitles on the other holes if I were to play it a few more times. 

[Brent Carlson]

Michael,


Thank you for starting this topic.  You had a great golf year.  I enjoyed your photos too. My list isn’t as spectacular as I only played 18 courses this year and choosing a hole from each one has proven challenging yet enjoyable. 


Eclectic 18 2024
1 Victoria Lakes 4
2 Northwood, CA 4
3 Barnbougle Lost Farm 4
4 Victoria, AU 3
5 Rancho Vista 4
6 Royal Melbourne West 4
7 Barnbougle Dunes 3
8 LACC North 5
9 Hansen Dam 4

Par 35

10 Royal Melbourne East 5
11 Yarra Yarra 3
12 Brookside Pasadena 4
13 St Andrews Beach 4
14 Sterling Hills 4
15 Soule Park 4
16 Encino 4
17 Rustic Canyon 3
18 Brambles 4

Par 35

Par 70

[Thomas Dai]

Compromises, compromises, compromises.
As ever compromises galore as soo many cracking holes, sensational holes, epic holes, memorable holes at soo many different courses happen too have the same hole number. And then there are twice-around 9-hole courses to consider as well.
Plus there’s the self improved rule of only one hole from one course and the desire to include a hole or two from an under the radar favourite course even if the hole in question may not be the brightest shining star. Without these restrictions they’d be a few courses herein with multiple inclusions.
Drum roll time …………



1st Cape Wickham, KI, Tasmania, Aus
2nd Peninsula Kingswood North, Vic, Aus
3rd Morfontaine (Valliere 3rd/12th), France
4th Portmarnock (4th/13th Yellow-9), Dublin, RoI
5th Royal Melbourne West, Vic, Aus
6th Morfontaine (Parcours), France
7th Barnbougle Dunes, Tas, Aus
8th Machynlleth (8th/17th), Wales
9th Kington, England
10th Kingston Heath, Vic, Aus
11th Ocean Dunes, KI, Tas, Aus
12th Gunnamatta (The National), Vic, Aus
13th The Island, Dublin, RoI
14th Lost Farm, Tas, Aus
15th Victoria, Vic, Aus
16th Minchinhampton Old, England
17th Knighton, Wales (8th/17th)
18th Royal Dublin, Dublin, RoI


Atb


PS Don’t be surprised if the odd edit should occur in due course!

[Jason_Bernardon]

A few tweaks to the rules for me. I’m including 2023-2024 so I can have a few more courses to select from and no more than 2 per course.


1 - Cabot Citrus - Karoo (4)
2 - Brantford (4)
3 - Winter Park (5)
4 - Toronto (3)
5 - Norfolk (5)
6 - Redtail (4)
7 - Lookout Point (5)
8 - London Hunt (3)
9 - Mount Bruno (4)
10 - Lookout Point (4)
11 - Cabot Citrus - Wedge (3) hole-in-one
12 - Lakeview (4)
13 - Grand-Mère (3)
14 - Grand-Mère (5)
15 - Mount Bruno (3)
16 - Toronto (5)
17 - Lakeview (3)
18 - Cabot Citrus - Roost (5)

Par 72 (37/35)

[Alex_Hunter]

I miraculously played over 50 new courses in 2024. From that group, I've selected my eclectic 18. My rules are simple; it must have been my first play through, each course can only be selected once, and the hole must be in the same spot within the routing. A par of 70-72 was desirable but not required.

Elie, par 4
Certainly not the best hole at Elie, but easily my favourite opening tee shot of the season. The blind tee shot is so grandiose that it deserved its place in my list.

Tot Hill Farm, par 4
Possibly one of the most straightforward of the holes at Tot Hill Farm, the second’s approach over a neat bisecting ridge, coupled with the ravine up the left was a charming palate cleanser at one of Mike Stranz’s most wild designs.

Cabot Citrus Farms Karoo, par 3
For all the criticisms of the Karoo course, Kyle Franz deserves credit for this wonderful par 3. Full of rambunctious flair, the ground contours provide ample opportunity to feed the ball on this long one shotter.

Beacon Hall, par 5
Beacon Hall’s presence on Canada’s top 100 continues to climb for reasons uncertain to me. But the 4th’s aiming bunkers, both from the tee and on the blind approach are unique and intimidating features that make this difficult par 5 special.

Belleair Country Club West, par 5
The redevelopment of the West course at Belleair is a treat. The 5th’s challenging approach to a boisterous green over a gully was a really strong highlight.

Panmure, par 4
The Hogan hole at Panmure needs little introduction. Lined with thick gorse from tee to green putting a premium on accuracy. Rumpled fairway contours and the devilish pot bunker guarding the green add lively characteristics to this fabulous golf hole.

Rock Creek Cattle Company, par 4
If it wasn’t evident by now, I have a liking for proper blind shots where the aim point is clear. The uncovered rock in the middle of the fairway provides a fantastic aiming line at the crest of the hill. While fairway and green contours flow like ocean waves on a steady day on this bunkerless hole.

Leven Links, par 4
Two large pot bunkers well short of the green drive the decision making from the tee and provide a bit of visual trickery on approach to this lovely mid length 4. OB right forces play further left which creates an obstructed view by the left bunker. Three smaller bunkers surrounding the green are hidden until you walk up.

Gullane No.1, par 3
Careful to avoid one of 8 pot bunkers or various hollows that surround this par 3. With the firth of forth as the backdrop, its scenery helps drive the intimacy of the hole through the roof.

New course, par 4
My affinity for half par holes, especially long par 4’s is ever driven by my success on them. The 10th at the New course features another well pointed blind tee shot (yummy), while the rollicking firm fairway provides ample opportunity to advance the ball as far as possible. A par here is a supreme accomplishment I'll hopefully remember for a lifetime.

Waskesiu, par 4
Another blind tee shot. Who could have guessed that by now? This intimidating hole features some of the wildest natural contouring of any course in Canada. Pockets of flat ground can be found out there, while most have an uneven approach to a handsome green graded into the hillside at an average of 6-7%.

Goodwood, par 4
Goodwood’s best hole in my opinion comes at the 12th where a clever set of bunkers in the middle of the fairway direct play left or right. The small green is angled away from play up the left and surrounded by short grass.

Cape Arundel, par 3
Cape Arundel is full of great greens and the 13th is a true highlight for me. The sharp false front and surrounding fall offs add a brief moment of nerves to the tee shot over the river valley.

Mount Bruno, par 4
Magnificent view of the historic clubhouse - the planned renovation at MB will soon make this hole the closing one.

Moraine Country Club, par 3
The set of one shot holes at Moraine are stellar, with the 15th being among my favourites out there. Truly an American classic.

North Berwick, par 4
Sublime.

Dunbar, par 4
Plenty of options from the tee, this short 4 requires two carries over small ravines. Dunbar is nearly unmatched in its low key nature among Scotland's great golf courses. A real delight to play.

Waterton Lakes, par 4
Special setting and unique features are abundant at Waterton Lakes. The last delivers an exciting finish with an elevated tee shot, approach over the coulee, and beautiful scenery.

[hhuffines]

Only managed golf in Moore County this past year, so in honor of my new friends from the 25th Anniversary GCA Midwest/Southern Mashie, I submit the following for consideration and possible discussion:


1.  Pine Needles - Par 5
2.  Pinehurst #2 - Par 4
3.  Southern Pines - Par 3
4.  Mid Pines - Par 4
5.  Pinehurst #2 - Par 5
6.  Southern Pines - Par 4
7.  Mid Pines - Par 4
8.  Woodlake CC - Par 3
9.  Pinehurst #10 - Par 4


10. Pinehurst #2 - Par 5
11. Pine Needles - Par 4
12. Pinehurst #4 - Par 4
13. Mid Pines - Par 3
14. Pinehurst #2 - Par 4
15. Mid Pines - Par 5
16. Woodlake CC - Par 4
17. Pinehurst #10 - Par 3
18. Pinehurst #2 - Par 4


No disrespect to the other fine courses and clubs in the area!  Just didn’t get around like normal😡…

[Mark Pearce]

I started with a long list with great holes on every course I played. That included 4, 5 and 14 on the Balcomie and of course 13 on Elie. 

Interesting.  None of those holes at Balcomie make my top 6 holes on the course! (I *think* I'd say 2, 3, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13 and 18 are better, but can see 14 over 18.  Possibly.)