Best Public 9 Hole Course - State by State

[Cliff Hamm]

Of course, more times than I can remember... I live in Jamestown. Wish it could be renovated and kept firm as it has tremendous potential.  Biggest drawback is it can be a bit, and at times more than a bit, slow. Fun course, but likely too easy for low handicappers... I wouldn't know...


Hope all is well...

[Ronald Montesano]

I've amended my initial NY post.

Why does it matter if a course is private, public, epicurean, ecumenical, ergonomic? Accessibility was not a stipulation in the opening post of this thread.

I add Sailfish Sands to the mix. It is a reversible nine near Stuart, Florida.

[Kalen Braley]

Umm.... its stipulated in the thread title... 

[Lawson Klotz]

Hillsboro Country Club (TX) was built in 1938 by the WPA. A handful of really interesting holes. The golf course has always been open to the public.

[Jordan Beasley]

I consider Dixie Red Hills to be a must-play when in southern Utah.

[Chris_Blakely]

These are my favorites from the Midwest:


Ohio
Mound (Miamisburg, OH) designed by Alex “Nipper” Campbell, very cool greens
Eaton CC (Eaton, OH) another Alex “Nipper Campbell course, very cool greens
Athens CC (Athens, OH) design by Donald Ross
Elm GC (Athens, OH) built in the 20’s, but this one may have closed, very hilly fun course
Perry CC (Perry, OH) fun hilly course will built-up 20’s greens
Adams County (West Union, OH) opened in the 20’s has some wild greens
LC Boles Memorial (Wooster, OH) opened in the 30’s has several unique greens
Switzerland of Ohio (Beallsville, OH) wild terrain, you will not think you’re in Ohio
Michigan
Iron River (Iron River, MI) designed by William Langford
Keweenaw Mountain Lodge I believe Landford & Moreau were involved here
Gateway (Land O Lakes, WI) five holes in Wisconsin and four holes in Michigan designed by Robert Bruce Harris in the 40’s
Crystal View (Crystal Falls, MI) built in 20’s very very hilly terrain, wonderful built-up old school greens
Grand Beach (Grand Beach, MI) Bendelow design opened in 1912
Treetops – Threetops 9-hole par 3 course on crazy terrain
Forest Dunes – Bootlegger 10-hole par 3 course designed by Keith Rhebb and Riley Johns (designers of Winter Park, FL 9 Hole)
Indiana
Centennial Park (Munster, IN)
Culver Academies (Culver, IN) Langford & Moreau
Maxinkuckee CC (Culver, IN) Langford & Moreau for 5 or 6 holes
North Dakota
Medicine Hole (Killdeer, ND) Jim Engh design
South Dakota
Meadow Creek (Volga, SD)
Minnesota
Camby (Camby, MN) Built in 1920, rolling terrain with small built up greens
Iowa
Wildwood Municipal (Charles City, IA) built in 1917, great walk over gently rolling terrain, remaining original greens are a blast to putt on
Chris

[Ed Brzezowski]

Clayton Park in Delco Pa. may be the best in the world!!!!

Ice tea just came out of my nose.  Stop   Please

[Adam T]

Steve:

One of the world's leaders in 9-hole courses has been featured here on GolfClubAtlas before: https://golfclubatlas.com/feature-interview/feature-interview-with-mike-dutton/. Mike Dutton's article has some incredible data on 9-hole golf courses. You should absolutely reach out to him for guidance.

New England is loaded with phenomenal public and private nine-hole courses. I have knowledge of Connecticut, Massachusetts and Maine though most of my recommendations have already been listed.

I am currently trying to play all of North Carolina's 9-hole courses. Per Mike's recommendation I consider that list to be standard length (not-executive) courses that only have 9-holes at the facility (The Cradle at Pinehurst does not count). We have neither the breadth nor depth of 9-hole courses here in NC that I grew up playing in Connecticut, though there are some fun ones I would recommend:

• Pennrose Park in Reidsville (near Greensboro) is open to public play and is a good little Ross course with a memorable finish
• Plymouth CC near the OBX is supposedly a William Flynn designed, Ellis Maples built course that would be NC's only Flynn. I saw it this past summer and had a nice time.
• Also in that vicinity is a fascinating property called Cashie Golf Club which I am convinced was designed by someone who knew what they were doing. Sound golf strategy and very tough, but handsome crowned green complexes.

Shoot me a message if you'd like more recommendations!

-Adam

[Richard Hetzel]

That's an awesome thread on 9 holers, especially in and around New England. Definitely read it!

[Garland Bayley]

Probably the only Montana 9 hole course that has a photo tour on this website is Jawbone Creek.

https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,62391.0.html

It garnered the following response:

I *love* this tour of Jawbone Creek.  Will play it in a Montana second next time I get out that way.


I guess I'll eventually have to do a photo tour of my own hometown course, Okefenokee Golf Club!

Heck, even Kavanaugh liked the tour, and we all know Kavanaugh doesn't like anything!

I've played Trestle Creek. Easy access just off the freeway, but I prefer Jawbone Creek, the place Tom Doak said he didn't believe existed!

[Stewart Abramson]

Probably the only Montana 9 hole course that has a photo tour on this website is Jawbone Creek.

https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,62391.0.html


I've played Trestle Creek. Easy access just off the freeway, but I prefer Jawbone Creek...

Here's a link to photos of Trestle Creek.


https://www.flickr.com/gp/golfcoursepix/Yd45SQ1tk2

[Garland Bayley]

Yep, nothing at Trestle Creek that a chainsaw couldn't fix.

My recollection is that the pond on the par 3 is elevated above the rest of the course. Kind of a looks out of place moment. Is my recollection correct?

Skipped my tee shot across the pond to close to the pin.

No, I didn't do it on purpose.

My son was quite disgusted that that was how he was getting beat.

[Stewart Abramson]

Yep, nothing at Trestle Creek that a chainsaw couldn't fix.

My recollection is that the pond on the par 3 is elevated above the rest of the course. Kind of a looks out of place moment. Is my recollection correct?

Yes, a lot of very narrow fairways that could use significant tree removal, but that's true for a bunch of local courses that I played int that trip (e.g. the Coeur d'Alene muni, Indian Canyon, Shoshone et al)


I don't recall whether the pond is on high ground.

[Michael Hayes]

I have to add my two cents to this conversation.


Grindstone Neck in Winter Harbor, ME and Eagle Springs in WI are two very sporty and fun 9-holers!

[Simon Barrington]

Hardly unknown, but got to experience a few short form Public courses last week:

Florida -

9-Holes -
Winter Park (aka WP9)
or
Cabot Citrus Farms - The Squeeze

Par 3 -
Cabot Citrus Farms - The Wedge
or
The Park at West Palm - The Lit 9
N.B. just like the oldest Pitch & Putt in the World, Southsea Miniature (by James Braid) it finishes with a Putting-Only Hole!
or
Rogers Park Short Course (Tampa)

[Steve_ Shaffer]

Many in Arizona:




Full 9 Hole Golf Course List for Arizona....33 courses


I've played many: Palm Valley, Encanto, Canyon Mesa,Palo Verde, Tubac.


I don't do "the best." I've relegated myself to 9 holes given my age and medical problems. Canyon Mesa has 8 3par holes and 1 par4 hole .I've played there many times as we go to Sedona for a few weeks in the summer. The scenery is outstanding.  Encanto & Palo Verde are munis with 9 holes in Phoenix. Tubac is south of Tucson and is a good course. It's a resort and was the site of the movie " Tin Cup" .  Palm Valley is over a  cross road in Goodyear to the 18 hole course. It used to be 36 holes.

[Chris Hughes]

Silvermine GC near New Canaan, CT was one I always enjoyed a lot.

[Tim Martin]

Silvermine GC near New Canaan, CT was one I always enjoyed a lot.

Silvermine is private.

[Chris Hughes]

Silvermine GC near New Canaan, CT was one I always enjoyed a lot.

Silvermine is private.

Always wondered why I never had to pay...