Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture Discussion Group => Topic started by: Michael Chadwick on December 03, 2024, 04:32:24 PM
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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
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54181573821_442da72f2a_c.jpg)
Brambles 1 tee
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54182010870_136d8cd5c2_c.jpg)
Brambles 1 green
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54181847193_095397cd97_c.jpg)
Royal Dornoch 2
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54180690332_eab4e3e1db_c.jpg)
Cal Club 3 tee
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54181573891_34a38f4eff_c.jpg)
Cal Club 3 green
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54180689317_7579bbaab5_c.jpg)
Brora 4 tee
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54181864019_b0260d4893_c.jpg)
Brora 4 green
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54182011910_fe62ccb53e_c.jpg)
Tree Farm 5
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54181847433_a438440a3a_c.jpg)
Old Barnwell 6
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54181574291_da32484cd3_c.jpg)
Old Barnwell 6 green
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54180689572_554e5e4dea_c.jpg)
Wilshire 7
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54181864274_f062643555_c.jpg)
Ballyneal 8
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54180688777_8ea625bba5_c.jpg)
Turnberry 9
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54181862884_1abeb53c58_c.jpg)
Rustic Canyon 10
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54181846573_9f551dc729_c.jpg)
Shoreacres 11
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54204763259_91a115484d_c.jpg)
Old Elm 12
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54182011570_7f32c51841_c.jpg)
Castle Stewart 13 tee
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54181846983_2f852ee140_c.jpg)
Castle Stewart 13 green
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54182011415_40649d2329_c.jpg)
Old Course 14 tee
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54181574441_f37a4c69a0_c.jpg)
Old Course 14 approach
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54181864824_a663df6da6_c.jpg)
Old Course 14 approach
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54181848358_9610bdaf78_c.jpg)
Aiken 15 tee
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54181848343_0c6125573f_c.jpg)
Aiken 15 green
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54180688422_195a2c5d5c_c.jpg)
Kingsley 16
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54181863289_3834c81303_c.jpg)
Prestwick 17 tee
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54181575676_033a56f70f_c.jpg)
Prestwick 17 approach
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54181848048_a7ddf6095b_c.jpg)
Prestwick 17 green
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54180689012_e1509e37b9_c.jpg)
Valley Club 18
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Michael
A fine selection. You're a lucky man to play all those courses in the one year.
Niall
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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@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. ;D
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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
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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!
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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
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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
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54183908499_9af452f3db_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qy3GfX)
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
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54182738632_e7eee57fdb_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qxWGuQ)
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| 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 |
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
:-*
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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.
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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
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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! :)
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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)
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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.
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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😡…
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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.)
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Interesting, as you say, Mark. I hadn’t given it a great deal of thought before but I think my top 6 would be: 2, 5, 9, 13, 14, 18.
On reflection I’ve taken 4 out as I was conflating the drive with that of 5, which is a much better version of a similar hole. Personally I found 8 and 12 to be solid but no more. I did like 18 and you’re right in that 2 is great and a better hole than 4 for sure. 13 is unique which is enough to have it in my top 6 on its own but I still don’t know if I think it’s a good hole or not. 9 was fun.
What I liked best about 14 was its ability to look like a hole that needed an aerial route, but against all the odds, was able to be conquered by Whitty playing the ground game all the way from the tee! :-\
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The 13th at Balcomie Links is fantastic. Great long par 3. I really enjoyed the back-to-back par 3's of 13 and 14 which present a great juxtaposition in their composure.
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2024 Eclectic 18
1- Carnoustie
Par 4
401
2- The Eden
Par 4
445
3- Poppy Ridge
par 3
165
4-Crail
par 4
455
5- The New
Par 3
172
6- Cruden Bay
Par 5
531
7-SFGC
par 3
187
8- Roosevelt
par 4
351
9- Musselburgh Old
par 4
367
Front 9
par 34
yardage 3074
10- Dunbar
par 3
202
11- Cal Club
par 4
407
12- Elie
par 4
466
13- Lake Merced
par 3
149
14- North Berwick
par 4
375
15- Mill Valley
par 4
413
16- Royal Aberdeen
par 4
411
17- TOC
par 4
449
18- Olympic
349
par 4
back 9
par 34
yardage 3221
total yardage 6295
par 68
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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.)
From memory I might go with just four holes…2, 8, 9 and 13. These strike me as the sweet spots of the course.
Ciao
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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.)
From memory I might go with just four holes…2, 8, 9 and 13. These strike me as the sweet spots of the course.
Ciao
I can see that. I do think 3 is a really good par 3, though, and the difficulty of the tee shot on 18 can obscure what is a really, really tricky green. In my list 11 and 12 are certainly towards the back, though 12 has a really good green/green site
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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.)
From memory I might go with just four holes…2, 8, 9 and 13. These strike me as the sweet spots of the course.
Ciao
I can see that. I do think 3 is a really good par 3, though, and the difficulty of the tee shot on 18 can obscure what is a really, really tricky green. In my list 11 and 12 are certainly towards the back, though 12 has a really good green/green site
Yes, I can see 3 being touted. It’s an unusual hole. 18 is also good. The bigger surprise for me is my lack of love for 4 and 5. These holes fail to charge me up. 4 should be a winner all day, but I find it ugly.
Ciao
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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.)
From memory I might go with just four holes…2, 8, 9 and 13. These strike me as the sweet spots of the course.
Ciao
I can see that. I do think 3 is a really good par 3, though, and the difficulty of the tee shot on 18 can obscure what is a really, really tricky green. In my list 11 and 12 are certainly towards the back, though 12 has a really good green/green site
Yes, I can see 3 being touted. It’s an unusual hole. 18 is also good. The bigger surprise for me is my lack of love for 4 and 5. These holes fail to charge me up. 4 should be a winner all day, but I find it ugly.
Ciao
I'm with you on 4 and 5. I can see why I should like them (particularly 4, where bravery off the tee substantially reduces the approach shot distance) but I don't.
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4-Crail
par 4
455
Is that the Craighead, rather than the Balcomie?
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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.)
From memory I might go with just four holes…2, 8, 9 and 13. These strike me as the sweet spots of the course.
Ciao
I can see that. I do think 3 is a really good par 3, though, and the difficulty of the tee shot on 18 can obscure what is a really, really tricky green. In my list 11 and 12 are certainly towards the back, though 12 has a really good green/green site
Yes, I can see 3 being touted. It’s an unusual hole. 18 is also good. The bigger surprise for me is my lack of love for 4 and 5. These holes fail to charge me up. 4 should be a winner all day, but I find it ugly.
Ciao
I'm with you on 4 and 5. I can see why I should like them (particularly 4, where bravery off the tee substantially reduces the approach shot distance) but I don't.
Completely aligned with both of you. Also believe 2,8,9 & 13 are the four best holes on the course. The others Mark mentioned are next. 14 & 16 pretty good. Quite like 1 actually. 4 better than 5 & 6, both of which are new holes (90’s) that could have been much better. 7 a bit of fun.
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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.)
From memory I might go with just four holes…2, 8, 9 and 13. These strike me as the sweet spots of the course.
Ciao
I can see that. I do think 3 is a really good par 3, though, and the difficulty of the tee shot on 18 can obscure what is a really, really tricky green. In my list 11 and 12 are certainly towards the back, though 12 has a really good green/green site
Yes, I can see 3 being touted. It’s an unusual hole. 18 is also good. The bigger surprise for me is my lack of love for 4 and 5. These holes fail to charge me up. 4 should be a winner all day, but I find it ugly.
Ciao
I'm with you on 4 and 5. I can see why I should like them (particularly 4, where bravery off the tee substantially reduces the approach shot distance) but I don't.
Completely aligned with both of you. Also believe 2,8,9 & 13 are the four best holes on the course. The others Mark mentioned are next. 14 & 16 pretty good. Quite like 1 actually. 4 better than 5 & 6, both of which are new holes (90’s) that could have been much better. 7 a bit of fun.
I have played Balcomie only twice. 8 is a really wonderful hole playing up what seems to be a spine to a challenging green. An underrated hole generally in my view. Balcomie properly is lauded for its setting, but the fact that people offer so many holes as good ones evidences the quality of the architecture.
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Sorry for the confusion it is the 4th at Balcomie. I really appreciated the golf hole and it fit my routing well. My goal was sub 7k and sub 70. I wanted to highlight some more 9 hole options as well this year. As I didn't get to see as much golf this year as I would like. I guess building 18 holes in 5 months does that to a man.
I wish I had an image that I could share of the new 3rd at Poppy Hills. That par 3 is insane and it's maybe the best hole. That I have ever built. The green is almost 80 y long with the back half being a punch bowl that transitions to a central part of the green that feels like a box at a skate park, with the front of the green being a cool subtle pocketed plane ensconced by bunkers. There hole not only is visually striking from the tee but provides the visual backdrop for the second hole as well. It's very unique. I can't wait for more people to experience it this spring/early summer.
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Sorry for the confusion it is the 4th at Balcomie. I really appreciated the golf hole and it fit my routing well. My goal was sub 7k and sub 70. I wanted to highlight some more 9 hole options as well this year. As I didn't get to see as much golf this year as I would like. I guess building 18 holes in 5 months does that to a man.
4 at Balcomie is a short par 4 (~330 yards, I guess without looking). Do you mean the 5th?
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I put mine into an article:
2024 Eclectic 18 (https://golfclubatlas.com/in-my-opinion/2024s-eclectic-18/)
I also selected a second team. The main course is a beefy par 73 at roughly 7,500 yards (yikes!), whereas the bench squad is a par 69, 6800 yards---weird.
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I put mine into an article:
2024 Eclectic 18 (https://golfclubatlas.com/in-my-opinion/2024s-eclectic-18/)
I also selected a second team. The main course is a beefy par 73 at roughly 7,500 yards (yikes!), whereas the bench squad is a par 69, 6800 yards---weird.
Funnily enough, the 6,800 yards par 69 is longer per shot than the 7,500 par 73 (assuming 36 putts, which is generally how we think of par).
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I put mine into an article:
2024 Eclectic 18 (https://golfclubatlas.com/in-my-opinion/2024s-eclectic-18/)
I also selected a second team. The main course is a beefy par 73 at roughly 7,500 yards (yikes!), whereas the bench squad is a par 69, 6800 yards---weird.
Funnily enough, the 6,800 yards par 69 is longer per shot than the 7,500 par 73 (assuming 36 putts, which is generally how we think of par).
Which is the weird part!
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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! :)
You had a very fine year WW. But jeepers, 17 Knighton. I gotta call foul on this. 15 yard penalty for pretending a 9 holer has 18 holes.
BTW…I ran into Isaac of your parish the other day at Cleeve Hill. He seemed content.
Ciao
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You had a very fine year WW. But jeepers, 17 Knighton. I gotta call foul on this. 15 yard penalty for pretending a 9 holer has 18 holes.
A rather fine year indeed.
As memorability features in my eclectic I couldn’t resist leaving out the 17th/8th at Knighton, a place where the vision of you slaloming Franz Klammer like down the steepest of fairway slopes has remained in my memory ever since! :)
I wasn’t able to include it as the 8th however. A hole from Machynneth was required so another featuring you was included, this time the memory is of you chatting with the railwayman member who as a volunteer greenkeeper was clearing out a deep, muddy ditch.
Volunteer courses like those at Knighton and Machynneth are the essence of golf and long may they continue.
Atb
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1. Crystal Downs long par 4
2. U of Michigan medium par 4
3. Sedge Valley long par 4
4. Culver short par 4
5. Oakland Hills S long par 4
6. Lawsonia long par 4
7. Belvedere long par 4
8. Prairie Dunes long par 4
9. Arcadia Bluffs Slong par 4
10. Lookout Mountain med par 5
11. Flossmoor med par 3
12. Blue Mound med par 4
13. Shinnecock short par 4
14. Dornoch long par 4
15. Sweetens Cove long par 4
16. Friars Head med par 4
17. Honors Course short par 5
18. Lido par 4 (depends on tee and hole location)
I wish I had time to do a 2024 eclectic of all our individual 2024 eclectics. Does anyone out there care to do a compilation?
Merry Christmas
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I wish I had time to do a 2024 eclectic of all our individual 2024 eclectics. Does anyone out there care to do a compilation?
I have struggled to complete my own 2024 eclectic, so I thought I would give this a shot. Limited to courses I have played and holes chosen previously in this thread...I came up with the following:
1 - Old Barnwell - Par 5 - 510
2 - Eden Course - Par 4 - 445
3 - Piping Rock - Par 3 - 187
4 - Fishers Island - Par 4 - 397
5 - Royal St. Georges - Par 4 - 416
6 - Panmure - Par 3 - 414
7 - Rock Creek Cattle Co - Par 4 - 486
8 - Prairie Dunes - Par 4 - 440
9 - Maidstone - Par 4 - 415
Out - Par 36 - 3,710
10 - Lawsonia - Par 3 - 239
11 - Sand Hills - Par 4 - 408
12 - Elie - Par 4 - 466
13 - North Berwick - Par 4 - 387
14 - Old Course - Par 5 - 530
15 - Mid Pines - Par 5 - 550
16 - Kingsley - Par 3 - 225
17 - Prestwick - Par 4 - 394
18 - Olympic Lake - Par 4 - 349
In - Par 36 - 3,548
Total - Par 72 - 7,258
I did everything from the back tees, so it is an awfully long course, and not the distance at which I would opt to play. For a quick run through, I think it would be a pretty fun course.
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I'm way too lazy to re-write all this but we made it for a podcast a few weeks ago. Love doing this exercise as it gets me in a highly reflective space. Hopefully it doesn't discredit my tastes.
(https://www.cookiejargolf.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PHOTO-2024-12-03-14-12-10.jpg)
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Tom,
Nice one.
I spy with my little eye another nomination of the magnificent 8th/17th at Knighton!
And a few other Taffy specials too! :)
Atb
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Tom,
Nice one.
I spy with my little eye another nomination of the magnificent 8th/17th at Knighton!
And a few other Taffy specials too! :)
Atb
I spy with my little eye another nomination of the magnificent 8th at Knighton! 😎
Ciao
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Hoping to do one of these as I've played some pretty ecentric and quirky stuff this year including a bunch of old nine holers but there's more golf to be played (thankfully) for me in the Aiken/Augusta area before 2024 comes to a close.
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I put mine into an article:
2024 Eclectic 18 (https://golfclubatlas.com/in-my-opinion/2024s-eclectic-18/)
I also selected a second team. The main course is a beefy par 73 at roughly 7,500 yards (yikes!), whereas the bench squad is a par 69, 6800 yards---weird.
Drew,
You yardage hog, you! :)
Were these all courses you played for the first time this year or were some repeats? Wow...very impressive in either case!
I'm limiting mine to net new courses. I should have about 34 or 35 by year end but finding i wish I took more pics after reading your essay.
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Tom,
Nice one.
I spy with my little eye another nomination of the magnificent 8th/17th at Knighton!
And a few other Taffy specials too! :)
Atb
I spy with my little eye another nomination of the magnificent 8th at Knighton! 😎
Ciao
It is such a memorable hole - my understanding on these eclectics has changed over the years. For me it's not all about picking the absolute best holes, but your best memories on a golf course at any given time. Cresting that hill at Knighton on 8 is amazing. I don't know what you guys think but I'm yet to find a golf course that I don't derive any enjoyment from!
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Tom,
Nice one.
I spy with my little eye another nomination of the magnificent 8th/17th at Knighton!
And a few other Taffy specials too! :)
Atb
I spy with my little eye another nomination of the magnificent 8th at Knighton! 😎
Ciao
It is such a memorable hole - my understanding on these eclectics has changed over the years. For me it's not all about picking the absolute best holes, but your best memories on a golf course at any given time. Cresting that hill at Knighton on 8 is amazing. I don't know what you guys think but I'm yet to find a golf course that I don't derive any enjoyment from!
I thought I recalled a nice wee CookieJar piece on Knighton.
Went looking for it on YouTube but alas couldn’t find it.
Atb
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Fun! I tried to not re-use any courses.
Here's mine:
1. Portstewart, Par-4[/size]2. Ardglass, Par-33. Trinity Forest, Par-44. Riviera, Par-35. Royal Portrush, Par-46. Shoreacres, Par-37. Lido, Par-58. Pebble Beach, Par-49. Royal County Down, Par-410. Wilshire, Par-311. The Park West Palm, Par-312. Portmarnoch, Par-313. Minikahda, Par-514. White Bear Yacht Club, Par-415. Olympic Club (Lake), Par-316. Cypress Point, Par-317. Landmand, Par-418. Sutton Bay, Par-5OUT: 34IN: 33TOT: 67[/color]
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This was a fun exercise. I played exactly 18 different courses this year; 8 new courses and 10 repeats.
1. Boyne Highlands (Donald Ross Memorial) #1 Par 4 The Course has interesting ‘tribute’ holes. The individual holes were impressive, but as conglomerate the course lacked a cohesive character. For example, #17 is modeled after Wannamoisett with a tiny green surrounded by 3 inch rough next to the green. Then #18 is modeled after Oakland Hills with no rough around the green and much larger green. The hole I chose (#1) is modeled after Seminole #6. At least the tee ball is similar. As an architect junkie, this course was a pleasant surprise.
2. The Loop (Red) #2 Par 4 I wish this green was in my backyard. It is my favorite green I’ve ever played. In 2024 I spent 9 hours at Forrest dunes… 3 hours were on this green. (On 6 visits to the property, I’ve never seen it crowded, on a beautiful Sunday in July I was the only tee time between noon and 5pm.)
3. Links on the Bayou #3 Par 4 (Alexandria, Louisiana) A local Mike Young course with literally no elevation change, this straight away hole has pushed-up, turtle back green that makes for a challenging approach.
4. Greywalls. Par 4. Maybe because I drove 5 hours from Traverse City to play here, but I don’t get the love for Greywalls. The internal green contours are excellent, but not my cup of tea. #4 is a good representation of the entire course. Split fairway with options. Huge green has interesting slopes. I highly doubt that I will ever return here.
5. Charleviox Muni Par 5. A great little golf course by William Watson. Would play here again. Walked in less than an hour.
6. Streamsong Blue. Par 4. I blush over greens that runaway from the player. Interesting optioned filled drive. My favorite hole on the Streamsong property.
7. Belvedere (Charleviox, MI) A reverse alps. A testament to great routing of this property. A hole that plays from the lowest part of the property to the highest, and is one of the better holes on the course. Doubt that’s been achieved on many courses.
8. Crystal Downs. The 2nd shot on par 5’s is often indifferent. I don’t think an architect can master it. After experiencing a handful of great courses, I want heroic or strategic second shots; not penal. I have an appreciation for long par 5s that reward the second shot with an unobstructed view of the green, while punishing poor shots with a blind 3rd shot approach; for example: Lawsonia #9 or Streamsong Blue #17. The 8th at Cyrstal doesn’t do that! It rewards being on the right coming into the green, but she is so womanly that you don’t know what’s about to happen. Not only have I not played a better par 5; I haven’t experienced anything remotely as good. Is there a better uphill hole? (an uphill that forecast everything she has to offer, you can’t see the particulars, but you know exactly what you are supposed to do, but seem incapable of doing it.) On this little list, no hole is within the same realm.
9. Streamsong Red Par 4 Are there short par 4s that the best play is over the green? I am not long enough to play this strategy, but this hole makes me want to go far past ‘pin-high’
10. Country Club at Golden Nugget (Lake Charles, LA) Par4 As a Louisiana native and resident, there are no Doak 6’s in the state and perhaps only 5 Doak 5’s. This isn’t one of them! Nevertheless, it continues to be ranked as one of the top 5 courses in the state. Interesting short par 4 with lots of options off the tee. The Fazio course next door is equal in terms of quality.
11. The Loop (Black) My second favorite green at the Loop. I find it more intriguing approaching from the Red direction, but tremendous fun from the Black too.
12. Tamahka Trails Par 4. My home course. Outside of the cart path crossing the fairway, this is one of the better holes in Louisiana. A severely front to back titling green played from a downhill lie. A joy to play.
13. Mystic Creek (El Dorado, Arkansas) A wannabe ANGC, but in a housing development. Worth a stop if in the area. A surprising Doak 6, with interesting greens set amongst towering pines. Par 4, 13th is a tough hole requiring a towering long iron approach off a hanging lie.
14. Streamsong Black. Short Par 4. Wildest green on a course full of them. I have lots to say about Streamsong Black. Played all three courses, and then spent the next two days playing the Black exclusively, so I am a fan; however, since discovering that the intent of Hanse wasn’t for the greens to be so large (my understanding is that they just began to maintain the surroundings as greens) has complicated my assessment.
15. Oakwing Golf Club (Alexandria, LA) Jim Lipe design. Nothing memorable. Former home course, #15 is #1 Handicap hole and is a design nightmare. 420 yard par 4 that requires a iron layup or 260 yard carry on tee shot. Only on this list because I had to squeeze this course in.
16. Arcadia Bluffs (South Course) Par 3. Northern Michigan has become my summer vacation spot. I have never played a course more enjoyable. I prefer the South Course 10-0 over the Bluffs, and this Par 3 testifies to why. I can’t figure out if is more Minimalistic or Manufactured. It’s just fun so long as you got a yardage book. The South Course has increased my desire to see Chicago.
17. Koasati Pines (Louisiana) Par 4. Uninteresting course with lots of water.
18. Field’s Ranch (East). Par 5. The exact same closing hole as #18 Streamsong Black. Does Gil get a pass on this? Heroic Architecture? I can’t carry a ball 220 yards, but hit both of these 530+ yard holes in two with 7 irons. Playing these huge holes like this makes me think if an entire short course would be better use of the land.
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Thinking it might take me a little time to come up with mine, using only newly played courses from 2024.
I played 63 different courses in 73 total rounds (over 66 days), of which 34 were new. of which 12 were of 9 holes or less.
New Courses played in 2024 are as follows (courses less than 18 holes are indicated);
Mount Lebanon (PA) (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)
Rivers Edge (NC)
North Shore (NC)
Ironclad (NC)
Castle Bay (NC)
Olde Point (NC)
Braintree (MA)
Mount Bruno (Quebec, CN)
Grand-Mere (Quebec, CN)
Forest Lake (PA) (9)
Tyoga (PA)
Summit Springs (ME) (9)
Poland Spring (ME)
Grindstone Neck (ME) (9)
North Haven (ME) (9)
Merchantville (NJ) (9)
Woodway (CT)
Half Moon (Jamaica)
Rose Hall (Cinnamon Hill) (Jamaica)
Rose Hall (White Witch) (Jamaica)
Old Bridge (NJ)
Forest Hills (GA)
Augusta Municipal (GA)
Old Barnwell (SC)
Augusta CC (GA)
Houndslake (SC)
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I barely got in the 18 courses. There was a lot of quality, even if lacking quantity.
1. Ashland Golf Club (Ohio), Par 4, 313-353 yds. New play and part of the original nine holes by Willie Park.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54237179422_9c39f94d09_o.jpg)
2. Crail Balcomie, Par 5, 440-495 yds. New play and wonderful hole set along the coast.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54238074001_a24390e91f_o.jpg)
3. St. Andrews Strathyrum, Par 3, 143-153 yds. New play because all the courses were so wet, but a nice little par 3 with no bunkers and 3 tiers.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54238073831_d274018176_o.jpg)
4.Musselburgh Links, The Old Course, Par 4, 322-431 yds. New play and loved approaching Ms. Forman’s.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54238311409_c577cbd5b5_o.jpg)
5. St. Andrews Eden, Par 3, 119-146 yds. Repeat play, love both 5 and 8 in a very quaint setting.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54238073966_1e61f6c183_o.jpg)
6. Carnoustie Championship, Par 5, 485-520 yds. New play and hard to beat Hogan’s Alley, especially after making a birdie.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54238315978_bdf6d2e0d6_o.jpg)
7. Elie, Par 4, 217-252 yds. New play and not your typical pick for Elie, but I played in strong howling winds and used my 5 iron on this hole to keep it straight and in play off the tee. This is a blind drive and I drove the green by 25 yards, something I will always remember about Elie and its unique holes.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54238485380_53be43e945_o.jpg)
8. Pikewood National, Par 5, 527-562 yds. New play, loved the views, angles and whole experience at Pikewood. This hole asked you to take on as much as you could, and it was enjoyable.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54238311429_046d929e07_o.jpg)
9.The Trout Club (Ohio), Par 4, 251-410 yds. New play, not much to write about from this course but this downhill par 4 with trouble around, was an interesting hole.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54238073981_a2c3c79e0d_o.jpg)
10.Gleneagles Golf Club (Ohio), Par 4, 260-405 yds. New play, again not much architecturally to write about, but the 10th was a short par 4 with a decision off the tee and a well protected green.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54238073891_4ca67a3eee_o.jpg)
11. Camargo, Par 3, 121-140 yds. Repeat play, any of their par 3s are spectacular, but this short is surprisingly terrifying.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54237179542_8000cdec17_o.jpg)
12. OSU Scarlet Course, Par 5, 448-562 yds. A wonderful routing and this par 5’s green is wonderful.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54237179242_793c86904c_o.jpg)
13. Urbana CC (Ohio), Par 4 275-315 yds. Repeat play, love this par 4 and it exudes old school small club vibes. I smile every time I play this hole.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54238316193_bb73888f6c_o.jpg)
14. Yeaman’s, Par 4, 370-420 yds. New play, the Knoll hole sets so wonderful upon the land, a course I enjoyed thoroughly.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54238311544_00f79ac9a7_o.jpg)
15. St. Andrews Jubilee, Par 4, 317-345 yds. Repeat play, nothing easy about this course, but the length of this hole is not the problem. The drive is narrow and the approach is difficult with short not being an option.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54238349513_aea551d0f2_o.jpg)
16. Golf Club of Dublin (Ohio), Par 4, 266-385 yds. Repeat play, usually in a scramble for me, and this year was no exception. A nod to the Spectacles Bunkers at Carnoustie, though nothing like when I saw them for real in 2024.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54238073916_bff32d5c3e_o.jpg)
17. The Old Course, par 4, 417-449 yds. Repeat play, love getting the chance to enjoy this hole.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54237179632_9d9c382e1b_o.jpg)
18. Scioto CC, Par 4, 420-485 yds. Repeat play, a strong finishing hole, to a beautiful idyllic setting.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54238311469_5bdc43747b_o.jpg)
OUT: Par 37, 2,817- 3,322 yards
IN: Par 36, 2,894- 3,506 yards
TOT: Par 73, 5,711- 6,828 yards