Having trouble with the RATINGS ? There's a reason

[Peter Pallotta]

I only know one great golf course from playing, but I feel 'familiar' from readings/photos with many of the favourites listed here. And it strikes me that what so many have in common, and maybe the only thing they have in common, is that they all do 'more for less'. It's striking the wonderful golf they offer and the memorable experience(s) they provide, but all so 'quietly'. Maybe in most cases it's partly a function of age -- the passing of time having softened the edges and smoothed out the presentation. But it sure feels that there's something else too: a light touch in architectural conception. Even with courses that were originally 'high end' and high profile, the masters of the craft (from the past and the present) seemed to have such sure hands, and such an assured approach -- as if they weren't trying to impress anyone but themselves. My goodness, St George's Hill (just to name one) looks to be special indeed. Ah, Colt. "Talent". It ends all discussion and debate; it just 'is'.       

[mike_beene]

Your Honor speaks truth. Reminds me of the old cartoon " your honor, a 25 year jail sentence would jeapordize my client's job at the supermarket"
Here's to 17 more!

[Ira Fishman]

I only know one great golf course from playing, but I feel 'familiar' from readings/photos with many of the favourites listed here. And it strikes me that what so many have in common, and maybe the only thing they have in common, is that they all do 'more for less'. It's striking the wonderful golf they offer and the memorable experience(s) they provide, but all so 'quietly'. Maybe in most cases it's partly a function of age -- the passing of time having softened the edges and smoothed out the presentation. But it sure feels that there's something else too: a light touch in architectural conception. Even with courses that were originally 'high end' and high profile, the masters of the craft (from the past and the present) seemed to have such sure hands, and such an assured approach -- as if they weren't trying to impress anyone but themselves. My goodness, St George's Hill (just to name one) looks to be special indeed. Ah, Colt. "Talent". It ends all discussion and debate; it just 'is'.       

I agree with you wholeheartedly, but GCA.com is heavily slanted toward those type of courses, which is why I trust people on here so much. But as we have covered in so many other threads, we are the distinct minority.


Ira

[Kirk Gill]

I wonder how many people are committing to courses that they've only played once. And then I wonder, after having played these courses many, many times, and being limited to only their 10  courses, how many would drop from regular rotation, having been discovered through experience to not be as exciting or wonderful as that first, single play might have indicated. I think of women that I've known, and pursued, and then dated, only to find that all of the things that drew me to that person in the first place didn't hold enough water to keep me interested, and invested.

[Niall C]

I agree with Kirk, about golf courses at any rate. If I was choosing 10 courses to play in rotation for the rest of my life I'd want to be pretty sure that they stood up to repeat play. For instance there's a couple of courses on the Top 100 Fun list that I've played half a dozen times and after a couple of plays my estimation of them went down significantly. Still good but not to the extent as they appear at first sight.

Niall

[Sean_A]

I think my approach would be to fulfill my greed as an aggregate rather than trying to get the best of everything from each course.


Kington
Alnmouth Village
Pennard
TOC
Elie
Sacred 9
Woking
North Berwick
Merion
Mid Pines


My only unsure choice is the Sacred 9 because its not a looker.  But I need a few courses which I can play very quickly.  Maybe Reigate Heath could fill the bill.  I suspect if I played a few of the prime US 9 holers they would make the list.


Ciao

[Tim Martin]

I think my approach would be to fulfill my greed as an aggregate rather than trying to get the best of everything from each course.


Kington
Alnmouth Village
Pennard
TOC
Elie
Sacred 9
Woking
North Berwick
Merion
Mid Pines


My only unsure choice is the Sacred 9 because its not a looker.  But I need a few courses which I can play very quickly.  Maybe Reigate Heath could fill the bill.  I suspect if I played a few of the prime US 9 holers they would make the list.


Ciao

Sean-Anything get consideration on the modern side? Thanks.

[Sean_A]

I think my approach would be to fulfill my greed as an aggregate rather than trying to get the best of everything from each course.


Kington
Alnmouth Village
Pennard
TOC
Elie
Sacred 9
Woking
North Berwick
Merion
Mid Pines


My only unsure choice is the Sacred 9 because its not a looker.  But I need a few courses which I can play very quickly.  Maybe Reigate Heath could fill the bill.  I suspect if I played a few of the prime US 9 holers they would make the list.

Ciao

Sean-Anything get consideration on the modern side? Thanks.

Not too seriously.  Though, with the exception of a few courses, I haven't played any of the Doak/C&C/Devries/Hanse darlings.  It just doesn't seem like the new courses pull off the charm of the oldies.  I am sure some of this is down to bigger properties necessitated by modern ideals that results in longer green to tee walks, longer courses, too many tees, the house being separated from the course, lots of bunkers etc.  It all seems so much more complicated with modern courses....too many briefs to fill.


Ciao

[Sam Andrews]

Four is all I need:


Rye
Brora
Woking
Porthcawl

[Niall C]

I think my approach would be to fulfill my greed as an aggregate rather than trying to get the best of everything from each course.


Kington
Alnmouth Village
Pennard
TOC
Elie
Sacred 9
Woking
North Berwick
Merion
Mid Pines


My only unsure choice is the Sacred 9 because its not a looker.  But I need a few courses which I can play very quickly.  Maybe Reigate Heath could fill the bill.  I suspect if I played a few of the prime US 9 holers they would make the list.


Ciao

Sean


That's a great point about looking at the set rather than each individual course. As I am now on the wrong side of fifty I'm becoming more and more enamoured with 9 hole courses and I think a few of those would work well as a breather and to give variety. I note you are basically split 50/50 between links and non-links, was that deliberate ?


Niall

[Sean_A]

Niall

I spose I was thinking of playing with less wind, so yes, a decent split of courses.  I still think of links as best on a lovely winter's day.

Ever since I played Reigate Heath, 9 holers have become more interesting to me.  Alnmouth Village and Castlerock Bann have increased that interest.

Ciao

[archie_struthers]

 


Yikes, its so hard not to include the obvious in the list but here goes


in no particular order of preference


Pine Valley
Merion
Sand Hills
Portrush
Portstewart
Royal County Down
Galloway (yep)
Rolling Green
Shinnecock
Pebble
Indian Creek
Oakmont


bakers dozen sorry Pat


but you are so right got another ten or twenty that I would love to throw in the mix

[Tim Martin]

Yikes, its so hard not to include the obvious in the list but here goes


in no particular order of preference


Pine Valley
Merion
Sand Hills
Portrush
Portstewart
Royal County Down
Galloway (yep)
Rolling Green
Shinnecock
Pebble
Indian Creek
Oakmont


bakers dozen sorry Pat


but you are so right got another ten or twenty that I would love to throw in the mix

Archie-I would love a crack at Indian Creek. Where does it stack up with the Philly Flynn courses? I know the land is very different. Thanks.