What Are You Into These Days?

[Andrew Harvie]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that most people here have the opportunity and privilege to travel a little bit and get to see golf courses, if they so choose. With that, tastes are ever-changing. I can remember personally, when I saw Banff Springs, I became obsessed with heavily-detailed, artistic bunkers; when I saw Shinnecock, I was equally enthralled by the massive angles opened up by Flynn's wings at the back of the green (18 is such a brilliant example of that). Recently, Muirfield really captured my attention, because I felt like it did nearly the most possible for the site it was given. In that regard, it reminds me of Pinehurst No. 2.


With that in mind, where are you at with your own tastes? What intrigues you, or what will you go out of your way to see?


For me and building off my experience at Muirfield, I'm very interested in golf courses so low-key and low to the ground that it relies heavily on subtle contour, rather than the big, macro movement some of the golden age stuff is blessed with. I'm an Apogee West defender for this reason (its not without its own issues, but I think it is a very good set of greens), and similarly, Brambles is high at the top of my list as well. I've always been a fan of Talking Stick, and Sandglass' concept is atop my curiosities, to name a few that interest me along the lines of low-to-the-ground, making the most out of little.


That's not to say I wouldn't go out of my way to play something with big contour because generally, those courses are a comfortable amount of the America's best layouts, but I find myself walking away more impressed when someone can a) turn nothing into something, and b) avoid the desire to get too crazy, too extreme, and too wild all because someone has the money to do so.


On the other side of the coin, I've become very fond of the small-town nine hole golf courses chock-full of quirk. In Canada, there's a fair bit of weird and wacky small-town golf courses that are good/interesting, and it's rewarding to figure out which ones are worth telling someone from Toronto/Montreal/Calgary/Vancouver to go to.


What are you into these days?

[Ira Fishman]

Our visit to the Sand Belt was eye opening. Fast and firm is my “friend” because it really is my only option. But the bunkering and green complexes in the Sand Belt made fast and firm dangerous even beyond UK&I links courses. And to your point about courses without a lot of contour, Royal Melbourne East and Kingston Heath are in a small group with PH2 of those that I have played. I am not sure where to find more such courses.

[John Handley]

Having played many of the top courses in Scotland and Ireland (which I love), I am now on to England golf.  And it's awesome.  I managed 2 trips last year and played Sunningdale New/Old, Royal St Georges, Hankley Common, West Sussex and Huntercombe.  Then went back with 12 guys for Royal Lytham, Formby, Royal Liverpool, Swinley Forest, St George's Hill, Berkshire Red and Walton Heath Old.  Just freakin' fantastic.


This year it's Moortown, Alwoodley, Ganton, Woodhall Spa, Hunstanton, Royal West Norfolk, Sherwood Forest and Hollinwell. 


Already planning a 2026 trip to SW England. 


I run in pretty strong golf centric circles of guys who are well traveled.  I am amazed how many of them are not really aware how good  England golf is.  I am doing my best to be a one-man promoter of England golf within my sphere of influence. 


I book trips under www.legendarygolftrips.com and have booked some guys into Liverpool area this year: Wallasey, Hillside, West Lancs, Birkdale, S&A, Lytham and Formby.  I can't wait to hear their feedback.


Once I get through the must hits, I am really looking forward to hitting the sleepers like I did with Huntercombe.  On my radar are New Zealand, Liphook, Broadstone, The Addington, Purdis Heath and Coombe Hill.


Did I mention how I am into England golf these days?   

[Tommy Williamsen]

Nothing dramatic, but this year, I plan to play golf in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. They are the only states in which I have not played.

[Tim Martin]

On the other side of the coin, I've become very fond of the small-town nine hole golf courses chock-full of quirk. In Canada, there's a fair bit of weird and wacky small-town golf courses that are good/interesting, and it's rewarding to figure out which ones are worth telling someone from Toronto/Montreal/Calgary/Vancouver to go to.

What are you into these days?

Andrew-There is a treasure trove of nine hole courses in New England with some hiding in plain sight.

[Andrew Harvie]

On the other side of the coin, I've become very fond of the small-town nine hole golf courses chock-full of quirk. In Canada, there's a fair bit of weird and wacky small-town golf courses that are good/interesting, and it's rewarding to figure out which ones are worth telling someone from Toronto/Montreal/Calgary/Vancouver to go to.

What are you into these days?

Andrew-There is a treasure trove of nine hole courses in New England with some hiding in plain sight.

I've been to Hooper, which I love, and have a long list ready to go. Sadly, I've only played Kittansett, Ekwanok, and Hooper in that part of the country. A glaring omission I need to amend!

[Sean_A]

In the past few years I have gotten into small town/rural/hilltop/low key 9 holers. To be fair, I have always enjoyed small town courses. There is a reversible 9 holer in Nederland I want to see.

I would like to continue heading up to Scotland several times a year. There is a healthy number of courses I want to see.

I am also interested in trips to small town New England.

So far as specific archies…. I would like to play some Travis and Emmet courses.

Ciao

[Tim Martin]

In the past few years I have gotten into small town/rural/hilltop/low key 9 holers. To be fair, I have always enjoyed small town courses. There is a reversible 9 holer in Nederland I want to see.

I would like to continue heading up to Scotland several times a year. There is a healthy number of courses I want to see.

I am also interested in trips to small town New England.

So far as specific archies…. I would like to play some Travis and Emmet courses.

Ciao

Sean-When you get to New England try and see some Wayne Stiles courses both solo and in partnership with John Van Kleek.

[Kyle Harris]

3 acres of greens and the occasional hardwood.

[Steve_ Shaffer]

I'm trying to get back to golf as I injured my right shoulder as a result of a fall. Doing a lot of Shoulder Impingement Exercises.
No fractures. My advanced age of 80 is helping. Time will tell.

Steve Shaffer

[Tom_Doak]

I’m trying to get into Continental golf so I can finish the last volume of The Confidential Guide.  Portugal the past few days!

[Simon Barrington]

I’m trying to get into Continental golf so I can finish the last volume of The Confidential Guide.  Portugal the past few days!

Interested in your views on both Troia & Estela if you got to see those...enjoy some piri piri chicken or local fish washed down with stone bottles of local Lancers Rose!

[Jim Roth]

i have been very into trying to find ways to convince folks at my club that a philosophy of "benign neglect" would be better for the play/look/and feel of our classic course.  Use less inputs/ less water....   too many are concerned with perfect manicuring throughout the property,  green grass everywhere,  bunkers perfectly sculpted.   I look at places like Essex county in mass, Rockaway Hunting club and fishers Island as carrying this philosophy.  Greens and down the centerline are well maintained, but the further you move away the less need there is for perfection. 

Brown grass in some circumstances is welcomed... bunkers are more natural, maybe even unraked,  the rough might be a little inconsistent,  all with the idea of the course looking more "natural" and players having to play it as it lies. 

too many courses strive for perfection at the expense of what I think are better playing conditions.   

[Tim Gavrich]

I'm into restrained design + lack of fuss and reasonable cost for the experience.

[Kalen Braley]

Like Steve, I also took a tumble last fall, but unfortunately fractured my shoulder and have been doing PT to get back into the game. Interestingly enough, I was literally enroute to an off-the-beaten-path course that looks intriguing and as best as I can tell, never been discussed on GCA.com.

I'll be going back in May and whether I can play or not, plan to take some pics and do a course review to share here.

P.S. To answer the question, also very much into discovering unknown/little known gems and shining a bit of light on em.

[MCirba]

I still love to seek out courses of architectural and/or historic interest, but I'd concur with Sean Arble that I'm also finding myself seeking out cool courses with nine holes or less, particularly if they have some history.  In 2024 I played 74 rounds on 63 total courses (16 of nine or less).   Those short courses are listed below and those with an * are new courses for me.


Scott Greens (PA) 9
Phoenixville (PA) 9
Mount Lebanon* (PA) 9
Plainfield West (NJ) 9
Shady Rest (NJ) 9
Shelter Harbor* (NY) 9
Sag Harbor* (NY) 9
Poxabogue* (NY) 9
The Bridge (Short)* (NY) 5
Maidstone (East)* (NY) 9
Inland Greens* (NC) 9
Forest Lake* (PA) 9
Summit Spring* (ME) 9
Grindstone Neck* (ME) 9
North Haven* (ME) 9
Merchantville* (NJ) 9


Hoping to find a bunch more in 2025; along with New England the Hudson River Valley in upstate NY seems to be a haven for them.

[Niall C]

For a number of years now I've been playing rustic, out of the way, honesty box type courses that are often only 9 holes with a wooden shed for a clubhouse, and to be honest I've had my fill of it so I'm now planning a trip to the US to do a tour of Tom Fazio courses. Also on the agenda is to add to my growing Peter Millar tee shirt collection.


Niall

[Cal Seifert]

For a number of years now I've been playing rustic, out of the way, honesty box type courses that are often only 9 holes with a wooden shed for a clubhouse, and to be honest I've had my fill of it so I'm now planning a trip to the US to do a tour of Tom Fazio courses. Also on the agenda is to add to my growing Peter Millar tee shirt collection.


Niall

This is a good one. I can see the appeal of it. Where exactly are you planning on visiting?

[Sean_A]

For a number of years now I've been playing rustic, out of the way, honesty box type courses that are often only 9 holes with a wooden shed for a clubhouse, and to be honest I've had my fill of it so I'm now planning a trip to the US to do a tour of Tom Fazio courses. Also on the agenda is to add to my growing Peter Millar tee shirt collection.

Niall

🤣

Ciao

[archie_struthers]

 


I'm still looking for the absolute best cheeseburger at a golf course grill!  As of today after 50 plus years of research two stand out .


Thel half way house at Woodcrest CC had the best of my working days (looper) , with a wonderful woman named Phyllis (mother of Bobby " Chez" of  crabcake fame)  Phyllis used some kind of salt that made her burger special and could cook it the most glorious Medium Rare while making her famous tuna and other delicacies. She was the GOAT     ( I do believe she was the sister of Angelo Errichetti , the legendary CAMDEN MAYOR of movie fame.

In my golf career I'm going to go with the outside grill at Saucon Valley ...ate two many times would have had three except I wasn't paying !   


If you can find firm and fast, a mix of difficulty and flow, and a great outdoor grill post golf , you have nirvana

[Tim Martin]

I'm still looking for the absolute best cheeseburger at a golf course grill!  As of today after 50 plus years of research two stand out .


Thel half way house at Woodcrest CC had the best of my working days (looper) , with a wonderful woman named Phyllis (mother of Bobby " Chez" of  crabcake fame)  Phyllis used some kind of salt that made her burger special and could cook it the most glorious Medium Rare while making her famous tuna and other delicacies. She was the GOAT     ( I do believe she was the sister of Angelo Errichetti , the legendary CAMDEN MAYOR of movie fame.

In my golf career I'm going to go with the outside grill at Saucon Valley ...ate two many times would have had three except I wasn't paying !   


If you can find firm and fast, a mix of difficulty and flow, and a great outdoor grill post golf , you have nirvana

Archie-I’ll cast a vote for Quaker Ridge as best cheeseburger at a golf course grill. I haven’t had the one at Saucon Valley’s outside grill but the one in the clubhouse is tremendous.

[John Handley]

Have you had the burger dog at Olympic Club?  It's the best I have come across.

[Peter Sayegh]

Same as I've been into for my golfing life.

Going somewhere new that engenders the following:
-Playing a truly unique hole-be it architecturally sound/beautiful or just absurd.
-Meeting the locals/members.
-Seeing the flora/fauna.

Playing wise, I'm always excited (pained) how short my 8 iron yardage has become.

[Cade Cutchen]

Enjoying people's posts, so figured I would quit lurking for a second and share.

Heathland Golf. This summer I'll be making my first trip to England for a wedding, and I can't wait to see a completely new style of golf. I've been immersing myself in the history of the sand belt courses, and with the ongoing travel reports from Brett Hochstein and Clyde Johnson, my anticipation continues to grow.

Bird Hunting. There is one hole left at Lake Merced that I have not birdied: #15. This has been the case now for 7 rounds, and is becoming a mental burden. Onward.

Communal Golf Spaces. I have spent a great deal of my career thus far at golf facilities that were surrounded by dense urban area on 3 or 4 sides. These courses have been both semi-private and private, but never public. I've been thinking about the courses in the UK, with The Old Course being the best example, of tremendous golf facilities that check the boxes of being harmonious with the surrounding community and in services to golfers and non golfers alike. Maybe this is a modern model for real estate development golf? Michael Keiser and The Commons could be an interesting case study, but I'd like to see how it fits into the resort first. 

[Darragh Garrahy]

Really nice question.


Over the last year or so, having done a fair bit of travel in the years past, I began to realise I wanted to experience the couple of clubs I'm a member at, deeper but also on my my own terms and not have that pressured/dictated by my other golf travel I had scheduled in. So essentially I want some free time to lounge around and spend it how I like at my home club(s) without feeling like I have to play the competition on a Saturday because I've been away the three weekends before playing golf elsewhere (usually a short flight to the UK from here in Ireland).


Trying to schedule less golf and be open to more opportunity when it arises (and end up playing same amount of golf as if I had scheduled it all long in advance !), in a nutshell.

[Tags:]

Tags: