Where did you play in 2024?

[Ian Galbraith]

New for me in 2024 chronologically,


Tain, Blairgowrie Wee Course, Lundin Links, Moray Old, Loch Lomond, Delamere Forest, Burnham & Berrow, Perranporth, Trevose, St Enodoc, Royal North Devon, Saunton East, Pollok, Moortown, Swinley Forest, New Zealand, The Addington, Hankley Common, West Lancs., Formby Ladies, Silloth, Gleneagles Queens

Repeat plays at

Royal Dornoch, Gullane Nr 2, Isle of Skye, Auchterarder, Blairgowrie Rosemount, Crieff Ferntower, Dunbar, Brora, Nairn, Cabot Highland, St Andrews New, NBWL
Busy year by my standards

[Mike Worth]

To Sean A regarding North Foreland - rather than reposting/requoting my thread, which is long, here’s my response:


It’s a good course. It’s not a great course. It’s not a bad course. I would give it a Doak 5-6. It has some memorable stuff but not every hole. I guess most surprising was the clay and dirt-like soil so close to the coast I was expecting more sandy terrain.


The ultimate thing one can say about a course is whether you would play it again – – I would play it again, but I wouldn’t necessarily go out of my way to do so.


the Par 3 course is very good. I wonder if that is the oldest par 3 in the world.

[John Foley]

2024 was by FAR the best year of seeing exceptional golf courses. Hope 2025 tops it!



OCN - Crooked Cat
Evermore / Grand Cypress - New Course
Streamsong Black
Chechesse Creek Club
Berkeley Hall - North
Olympic - Lake
Lake Merced
Inwood
Kiawah - Cougar Point
Shinnecock
TCC - Pepper Pike
Butter Brook
Echo Lake
St Andrews New
St Andrews Old
Carnoustie
Kingsbarns
North Berwick - West Links
Gullane #1
Charleston Pines
Clifton Springs
Pennhills
Chicago
Bath CC
Broad Run
Oconee
Lancaster CC
Mid Pines
Piping Rock
Leatherstocking
TCC - Brookline
Stafford
Centerpoint
Providence
Southern Dunes
Broomsedge
Palmetto Hall - Cupp




Shinney, Chicago & The Old Course are epic and worth every accolade written about them. There were surprises:


TCC - Pepper Pike was excellent. I'd argue the #15 hole is one of the best holes played all year.
Lake Merced - in a 10 round match it wins 8-2 over Olympic Lake.
Carnoustie was VERY good and would go back again in a heart beat.
Oconee was a pleasant surprise. Did not expect a lot but it's definitely worth seeking out.
Piping Rock knocked my socks off. It was as much a great history piece as Chicago.
Broomsedge is going to be great. Cant wait to see how this matures.


Lastly when I think about the year and how blessed I was to be able to see all of this great golf, one stands out above all others. To me it was just magical. 


North Berwick West Links.

[Paul Jones]

2024: Golf Courses Played

1.   Abaco*
2.   Anchorage*
3.   Augusta National
4.   Baton Rouge
5.   Bay Hill*
6.   Big Easy (Antler)*
7.   Big Easy (Covey)*
8.   Burning Tree*
9.   CC of Louisiana
10.   CC of Mobile*
11.   Conroe
12.   Cypress Bend*
13.   Dumbarnie*
14.   Eastward Ho!
15.   Ellendale
16.   Firestone (North)*
17.   Firestone (South)*
18.   Hankley Common*
19.   Holston Hills
20.   Hyannisport*
21.   Kittansett
22.   Le Triomphe
23.   Lido*
24.   Lookout Mountain
25.   Marion*
26.   Metairie
27.   Misquamicut*
28.   Moose Run (Creek)*
29.   Moraine
30.   NCR (South)
31.   Northwood*
32.   Oakbourne
33.   Palmer*
34.   Point Hardy*
35.   Quixote*
36.   Rhode Island*
37.   Sadaquada*
38.   Sand Valley
39.   Sakonnet*
40.   Sedge Valley*
41.   St Andrews (New)
42.   Sunningdale (New)
43.   Tchefuncta*
44.   Teugega*
45.   Wentworth (West)*
46.   West Sussex*
47.   Woking*
48.   Yahnundasis*

* 32 New Courses

[Tommy Williamsen]

OK - mine is a little schizophrenic

Pinehurst #10

Shanqin Bay

Dunes at Shenzhou Peninsula

Hong Kong GC

Longue Vue

Fenway

Woodway CC

Rolling Green

Merion - East

Dominion Golf Club

Lookout Mountain

Belleair - West

Palmerstown

Bunclody

Rathsallagh

Powerscourt

Prestbury

Beau Desert

Alwoodley

Wallasey

Cavendish

Notts

Ganton

Blackwell

Portumna

Esker Hills

Tullamore

Lofoten Links

St Margarets

Bidermann

Lido, The

Sedge Valley

Jasper

Banff

Heritage Point (D/H)

Deal G&CC

Hollywood

Yahnundasis

Ridge at Back Brook

Somerset

Spring Hill

Minikahda

White Bear Yacht Club

Knollwood

Cutalong

The Park at West Palm

High Ridge

Bear Lakes - Lakes

Everglades GC

Old Memorial

Lake Jovita - North

Lake Jovita - South

Furman Univ

Savannah Lakes - Monticello

Ventana Canyon - Canyon

Tucson National

Ventana Canyon - Mountain

Casino del Sol (Sewailo)

Alta Mesa

Raven - Phoenix

Point Hardy

Jonathan, what on earth had you playing those eight inland courses in Ireland?


What were your favourites? (it’s rare to get a decent outside opinion so worth hearing - I have two very clear winners in among those .

LOL Ally!


I'm a self admitted list chaser.  I've played most of the various magazines 100s lists completing last summer the UK top 100.  The two I'd like to complete before I call it quits (I'm 72!) are the Aussie and Irish top 100.  I've played the top 62 in Ireland - the big ones many times - thus the reason for the lesser known inland ones.  I just became an Irish citizen and intend on spending all next summer in Ireland finishing that top 100 list.  Winter 2026 in Oz to finish that top 100.  Lies, chess beating and bragging to my golfing pals at Belleair from then on!


Ummm.  I was blown away with Bunclody - One of the best Irish parkland courses; great lay of the land; diverse and beautiful rolling riverside property.  Rathsallaugh was cool too - lovely bucolic setting; gently rolling; good walk; some very long and difficult par's 4; hole 10 world class.  Am I close??

I have played 8o courses in Ireland. The inland courses don't get much international play because everyone wants to play links golf. I makes sense. But once you have played them you want to play some of the inland courses. Many are very good. Some unknown ones are great finds.

[Steven Wade]

How many of those locations visited did posters buy course/club branded merchandise from?
Course/club branded ‘Murch’ seems to have become quite a significant revenue stream for many courses/clubs over the last few years. Maybe something of a hidden cost of a golf trip too if folks like ‘Murch’.
Atb

Guilty as charged. I’m definitely good for a lap or two around the professional shop. I will usually buy a hat and/or polo at a course I played, provided it has a decent logo. Places that are up a notch or two, I’ll usually get a belt and/or a piece of outerwear.

[MCirba]

New Courses played in 2024 are as follows (courses less than 18 holes are indicated);

Mount Lebanon (PA) (9)


Your thoughts on my hometown’s muni?

Greg,


First, some historical perspective.  Here's Mt. Lebanon in 1948 as it existed shortly after the township acquired/inherited it from Castle Shannon Golf Club, started in 1907 with local star George Ormiston as the primary architect.




As you can see, today's 4th hole didn't exist back then and some others towards the southwest side were also different.

In around 1961, the course was changed for reasons unknown to me, but architect James Gilmore Harrison that year created a master plan to increase that course to 18 holes which was never done, but perhaps he had a hand. 

Here's today's course, for comparison.




I played here on a warm afternoon after driving across the state for a family function and because I wanted to sneak in 9 holes I didn't let anyone know I was arriving early.   


First off, the world would be a better place if every burg in the country had a local municipal course like this.   The place was bustling, the folks in the shop super-friendly.  I was asked if I was taking a cart and inquired whether the course was a reasonable walk.   The answer was, "It depends.  It's reasonable except for the walk from the 4th green to the 5th tee which would have an Olympic athlete gasping for air.  Also, play way left off the tee on the 4th because everything kicks down into the right rough...you'll see."

With that I set out on foot and learned I was given good advice.   Like most of the Pittsburgh area courses, it was a bit steep for reasonably good golf in spots but there was a number of very solid holes with smallish greens.  The 4th is an atrocity, almost unplayable (which is also ill-served by the cart path cutting across the fairway at the worst possible spot short of the green), and I was relieved to later learn it wasn't original.  The climb from the 4th to the 5th was a haul, as advertised.   The 5th looks to have been truncated into a weird, blind par three at some point from the aerials, but I really liked holes 2 and 3, loved 7 and 8, and the 9th was cute with that tiny green befitting the hole's length. 

I'm not sure looking at the old aerial what the original sequence was (perhaps you can?) but the changes seem to have created hole 4, truncated hole 5, deleted a hole playing up to the practice green near the 5th tee, and somehow changed/created? 6.   Thoughts on that?

Oh, and I'm pretty sure I would have love to play the original! 

[Tony_Muldoon]

Queens Park (Bournemouth) - Could be one of the best Municipal restorations in England

Although it's been a few years I also have very favourable memories.
I take it you mean, the potential is there to be one of the very best Municipals if they spent some money?
My recollection is the first 4(?) holes have been reduced in length with a high net in places to protect the residential houses alongside? Hard to think how these could be saved,so a major rethink is necessary. 
Seems unlikley and it's regretable becuase the rest of the course is quality Braid. 
I understand there was once an event where Seve played it and they could do a lot to promote the place.
I was amazed at the value andI will return before I return to the more famous Mayrick Park.








Played 100 rounds in a year for the first time ever, 30 courses were new, including 9 x 9 holers.

The ones I had no prior expectations of, but particularly enjoyed were Porters Park and Portpatrick, Dunskey.  They might never be Doak 7's but provide lovely interesting and enjoyable golf.  Crail Craighead has no reputation on here, but if travelling there, it should be seen.

Duff House Royal shows a flat site can be exciting.  Really there's no excuse for all the mediocrity out there.

Frazerburgh and De Pan more than lived up to all the good things I'd heard.

A 4th visit to Rossapenna leaves me more convinced than ever its a great destination. I was a llittle apprehensive that the shine might have gone off St Paricks, but it was again a high point.

Look forward to travelling in 2025 and seeing as many GCA'ers as possible.

Happy New Year

[PThomas]

35 first time plays, up to 1,157 courses played




7 in Japan....where the pro shops have VERY few items to buy!  they are leaving a lot of money on the table!



Other notables: 


Old Barnwell
Whisper Rock Lower
Black Desert
Dunbar
Renaissance Club
Kilspindie - the worst winds I've ever encountered, 53mph!!  ball kept falling off tee
Clear Creek
Sedge Valley
St. George's Canada
Pinehurst 10

[Greg Hohman]

 Mike,
 
I don’t want to hijack the thread…
 
The club opened nine holes in 1908, expanded to 18 in 1910. The course was reduced to nine in 1919. Eight of the original Ormiston greens remain, reportedly. Mt. Lebanon purchased the course in 1947. As of 2007, it had employed only four head golf professionals in its 100-year history. The course has been designated a Western PA landmark.

I have a 1931 Castle Shannon Golf Club routing, Unfortunately I don’t appear to have asked anybody to post it for me at the Ed Oden routings thread. I’m struggling to reconcile it with your two images.
 
The original 18 routing is one of my «holy grails».

[Jim Tang]

New for me...


Tara Iti
Te Arai South
Te Arai North
Sedge Valley (my favorite at the resort)
Kenosha
Medinah No. 3 (had played the old version but the new version is an entirely different course)
Loc La Belle


Revisited


Ballyneal x 3 (spent an entire week at Ballyneal in June, something I've always wanted to do)
Rock Creek Cattle Co.
Black Sheep
Lido
Mammoth Dunes
Sand Valley

[Thomas Dai]

Courses played (some several times):

Minchinhampton Old
Cleeve
Kington
Llandrindod Wells
Knighton
Llanidloes
Machynlleth
Sunningdale Heath
Henley
Blackwell
Morfontaine
Morf’ Valiere
Cheltenham Links
Sandringham (Sandy) Links
Royal Melbourne West
Kingston Heath
KH Furrows
Victoria
Metropolitan
Gunnamatta at The National
Peninsula Kingswood North
Barnbougle Dunes
Lost Farm at Barnbougle
Cape Wickham
Ocean Dunes
Royal Dublin
Portmarnock GC
Portmarnock (Yellow)
Portmarnock (Jameson) Links
The Island

Courses visited/part-walked but for various reasons not played:

King Island Golf & Bowls
Bougle Run at Barnbougle
7 Mile Beach
Oakley
New Zealand GC

Lots of fascinating places visited and numerous delightful people met including many posters herein.
Only ‘murch’ purchased: 1 x Barnbougle and 1 x Cape Wickham sun hats
Roll-on 2025!
 
Atb

[Richard Hetzel]

Richard,


What did you love about Canterbury?  As a native Clevelander, this course was the pinnacle for me for a long time and was a special treat when we could play in their annual high school tournament.  I feel like it doesn't get a lot of press these days, but it has a lot of special shots in my mind, as well as the best greens in Cleveland.

It was pleasing to my eye and there didn't seem to be anything out of place or contrived. Tree removal certainly helped as well. In fact, I liked it better than Camargo Club. It just might be my favorite Ohio course so far, and I have played quite a few. It also helped that I got along well with George, it was a fun day. Not only was the course itself welcoming, everyone at the club was as well. It's a special place, wish I lived closer and could join. It definitely flies under the radar in Ohio and the Midwest.

[MCirba]

Mike,
 
I don’t want to hijack the thread…
 
The club opened nine holes in 1908, expanded to 18 in 1910. The course was reduced to nine in 1919. Eight of the original Ormiston greens remain, reportedly. Mt. Lebanon purchased the course in 1947. As of 2007, it had employed only four head golf professionals in its 100-year history. The course has been designated a Western PA landmark.

I have a 1931 Castle Shannon Golf Club routing, Unfortunately I don’t appear to have asked anybody to post it for me at the Ed Oden routings thread. I’m struggling to reconcile it with your two images.
 
The original 18 routing is one of my «holy grails».

Greg,


Thanks for that additional info!


Happy to post it for you if you send to my email.

[Mark Pearce]

In retrospect 2024 was a poor year for me and golf.  I don't think I had any new plays at all and only played the following courses:


Elie
Crail Balcomie
Crail Craighead
Goswick
Tyneside
St Andrews Eden
Bamburgh Castle
Beaconsfield
Berkshire Red
Berkshire Blue
Silloth
Appleby


That's only 6 days of golf (the Berkshire courses were a 36 hole day) at courses I'm not a member at, which must be the lowest number for many years.  I'm (reasonably) confident 2025 will be better!

[Peter Sayegh]

Sadly, nowhere in Scotland...

All the Pinehurst area courses (except PCC #10 and the privates) and countless Myrtle Beach options.
Worst year ever discovering new courses. Maybe five or six of 'em.

[Wayne Wiggins, Jr.]

First Time plays
La Gorce
Fenway
Quaker Ridge
Diablo
Shinnecock Hills
NGLA
Maidstone
Whitemarsh Valley

Favorite: NGLA
Surprise: Whitemarsh Valley
 
Repeat play
Olympic (Lake)
Olympic (Ocean)
Olympic (Cliffs)
Aronimink
Silverado (North)
Merion (East)
Hollywood
Lake Merced
Cal Club
LACC (North)
Myopia Hunt

[Tim Martin]

First Time plays
La Gorce
Fenway
Quaker Ridge
Diablo
Shinnecock Hills
NGLA
Maidstone
Whitemarsh Valley

Favorite: NGLA
Surprise: Whitemarsh Valley
 
Repeat play
Olympic (Lake)
Olympic (Ocean)
Olympic (Cliffs)
Aronimink
Silverado (North)
Merion (East)
Hollywood
Lake Merced
Cal Club
LACC (North)
Myopia Hunt

Wayne-I don’t know Whitemarsh Valley doesn’t get more accolades and guess it’s because of all the great courses in the GAP. It would be the best course in it’s town/area in a lot of other places.

[Simon Barrington]

Queens Park (Bournemouth) - Could be one of the best Municipal restorations in England

Although it's been a few years I also have very favourable memories.
I take it you mean, the potential is there to be one of the very best Municipals if they spent some money?
My recollection is the first 4(?) holes have been reduced in length with a high net in places to protect the residential houses alongside? Hard to think how these could be saved,so a major rethink is necessary. 
Seems unlikley and it's regretable becuase the rest of the course is quality Braid. 
I understand there was once an event where Seve played it and they could do a lot to promote the place.
I was amazed at the value andI will return before I return to the more famous Mayrick Park.

HNY Tony,

You are correct, it was a wonderful surprise, a rustic somewhat overgrown (but not overplanted) course with great "bones"
JHT first then James Braid remodelling.

It has some really quite heroic holes on it, no surprise given the period and those two involved (one man's penal being the other's heroic and all that). The routing is fun and they got the best out of some really quite undulating land.

There were a great deal of shots that challenged and had to be thought out carefully (distance and direction as some rolling fairways made you think what slope do I want for the next stroke, it was firm & fast that added to the challenge and took me back spiritually to playing 54-a-day at Huntercombe as a beginner (for £1.50 on a Daily Junior Ticket!).

Really has aspects and feel of an "earthy" & less kempt Huntercombe, Addington, or New Zealand.

Could renovate and restore the well-placed bunkers to the shaping in old B&W's (perhaps with some of the new low-maintenance approaches as there is evidence of dogs playing in these) and with some badly needed tree-management it could really shine.

Fairways, rough etc. in decent shape and greens could easily be mowed out further to reveal the design and strategy, but it runs on a small staff. It is a Park, but very much Heathland in nature & play.

There are (as you say) several shortened early holes due to concerns of boundaries (some very large fences with creepers growing over them too), but that didn't bother me as the challenges are akin to Sunningdale Heath on those holes, distance really isn't everything.

There were several "tiger" tees (probably a legacy of the pro Events still played there into the 1980's) that had been simply left overgrown, they could be brought out of suspension, but suspect for general municipal play best to keep them very much in reserve (if they are out there playable, they will be used by folk who really should play forward for safety and speed of play, so I get it)

Left the course with the broadest smile on my face, it was a weekday and quite quiet, but round in 2hours 40mins as a single having been let through three times (the speed of play, watchfulness, courtesy and pride of the players out that day was another welcome aspect).

It is a very busy public park, I have seldom seen so many dog-walkers on a course with paths criss-crossing the site, so need to be on your wits, but not excessively so. It seems (from speaking with the Manager afterwards) that dog-walkers feel much safer in the golfing environment as opposed to the non-golfing public parks which I hadn't considered really before.

Well worth a visit with incredibly modest fees, starting at £20/round and only £780 for an annual unlimited 7-Day Pass!
It's a time warp, of the best type...

[Matt Bosela]

Another quiet year - first time plays are marked with an asterisk:


- Burlington G&CC (Ontario)
- * Cardinal Lakes GC - Heron Course (Ontario)
- * Chateau Whistler (British Columbia)
- * Copper Creek GC (Ontario)
- Eagle Valley GC (Ontario)
- * Golden Bear Club (South Carolina)
- * London Hunt Club (Ontario)
- Lookout Point CC (Ontario)
- Niagara National GC (Ontario)
- * Old South (South Carolina)
- Port Colborne CC (Ontario)
- Sawmill GC (Ontario)
- St. Catharines GCC (Ontario)
- Wanakah CC (New York)


Of those, the most architecturally interesting is Lookout Point but that's one of my home courses so looking beyond that, I'd say London Hunt Club was probably the one that resonated most.


Chateau Whistler was special for the views and the fact I was joined by my 15 year old son for that round. In fact, I played almost half of my 45 total rounds with my son and that was unquestionably the highlight of the year.


I've only taken one actual golf trip since 2019 so I hope to get back to playing with more of you all in the years to come.

[Tommy Williamsen]

Richard,


What did you love about Canterbury?  As a native Clevelander, this course was the pinnacle for me for a long time and was a special treat when we could play in their annual high school tournament.  I feel like it doesn't get a lot of press these days, but it has a lot of special shots in my mind, as well as the best greens in Cleveland.

It was pleasing to my eye and there didn't seem to be anything out of place or contrived. Tree removal certainly helped as well. In fact, I liked it better than Camargo Club. It just might be my favorite Ohio course so far, and I have played quite a few. It also helped that I got along well with George, it was a fun day. Not only was the course itself welcoming, everyone at the club was as well. It's a special place, wish I lived closer and could join. It definitely flies under the radar in Ohio and the Midwest.

Richard, when was the last time you played Camargo? They have done a brilliant restoration. Have you played Pepper Pike or The Country Club since its renovation/restoration? Cleveland has an embarrassment of riches.

[Chris Hughes]

Of note:

Glen Arven CC

Camden CC

[Jeff Simpson]

Great year for golf in 2024 and fortunate to see many great places.  Most golf trips this coming year will be in the Carolinas (Tree Farm, Old Barnwell, Old Town, Quail Hollow, Eagle Point, CCNC) and a Sand Valley trip.  Looking forward to another great year.

AL-Shoal Creek
AL-Graystone (Legacy)
AL-Vestavia CC
AL-RTJ Oxmoor Valley (Ridge)
FL-Streamsong (Red, Blue, Black)
FL-The Park
GA-Atlanta Athletic Club (Highlands)
GA-Capital City Club (Crabapple)
KY-Valhalla
KY-Park Mammoth
KY-Keene Trace
MI-Oakland Hills (South)
NC-North Ridge CC (Lakes and Oaks)
OH-Camargo
OH-Maketewah
OH-Moraine
OH-Columbus CC
OH-Canterbury
OH-The CC
TN-Brentwood CC (Home Course)
TN-Honors Course
TN-Richland CC
TN-Troubador
TN-Spring Creek Ranch
TN-Old Hickory
TN-Belle Meade
TN-Temple Hills
WI-Blue Mound
WI-Strawberry Creek
WI-Glen Erin


Hope everyone has an awesome 2025.

[Brian Finn]

2024 was a bit of a roller coaster, including golf trips to Scotland & Michigan, a few rounds in Hawaii, a weekend in Minnesota, leaving my long-term home club, and joining two new ones.  Overall, it was a wonderful year, highlighted by my 13 year old son getting deeply interested in (some might say obsessed with) playing golf. 

New Courses (31):
Monifieth Ashludie, Monifieth Medal, Panmure, Carnoustie Buddon, Carnoustie Championship, Carnoustie Burnside, Montrose Old, Montrose Broomfield, Kingsbarns, Elie, Lundin, Scotscraig, Dumbarnie, Belvedere, The Loop Red & Black, Forest Dunes, Arcadia Bluffs South, Arcadia Bluffs, Rock Barn - Jackson, Pawleys Plantation, Long Bay, Nickerson Dunes, Preserve at Jordan Lake, Kapalua Plantation, Kaanapali Kai, Kaanapali Royal, The Loop at Chaska, Windsong Farm, Minikahda, Kids Course at Old Barnwell

Repeat Plays (13):
Carolina GC, CC of Salisbury, Prairie Dunes, Fort Mill GC, Old Barnwell, Aiken GC, Mimosa Hills, Mid Pines, Hyland GC, Southern Pines, Kings Mountain CC, Lancaster GC, The Divide

I will wait until the 2024 Yank Awards thread to comment more specifically on favorite courses, but in terms of great experiences, I am not sure I will ever be able to top playing the Kids Course at Old Barnwell with my son.  Our smiles grew wider throughout the round and we had a lot of laughs at good, bad, and even a few ugly shots.  He somehow knocked it straight through the tunnel on his first try to about 10 feet from the hole (which I managed to record on my phone) and then followed that up with a punch hybrid up and over the ramp (and penguin bunkers) almost to tap in range.  Pure joy and an unforgettable hour in the sun.

[Thomas Dai]

I am not sure I will ever be able to top playing the Kids Course at Old Barnwell with my son.  Our smiles grew wider throughout the round and we had a lot of laughs at good, bad, and even a few ugly shots.  He somehow knocked it straight through the tunnel on his first try to about 10 feet from the hole (which I managed to record on my phone) and then followed that up with a punch hybrid up and over the ramp (and penguin bunkers) almost to tap in range.  Pure joy and an unforgettable hour in the sun.

Brilliant Brian, absolutely brilliant.
Two days into the New Year and we already have a strong contender for best post of the year.
Atb