Top 5 US Open Venues

[Phil Benedict]

Interested in rankings of the US Open rota.  My personal top 5 are as follows:

1.  Shinnecock - Great variety, routing and setting.
2.  Oakmont - Ultimate ball-buster course.  Will be great to see it without the trees.
3.  Winged Foot - Best parkland venue; technology resistant.
4.  Pinehurst - Unique short-game test.
5.  Bethpage Black - True public course makes for a unique feel.

[Mike_Sweeney]

I would replace Pebble for Pinehurst, Merion for Winged Foot or expand to 7.

[David Kelly]

3.  Winged Foot - Best parkland venue; technology resistant.

Its not technology resistant if they have had to add hundreds of yards since the last time they held the US Open.

[Tim Pitner]

1.  Shinnecock
 

[Tom Huckaby]

1. Shinnecock
2. Pebble Beach

then every third year we get something else, like the ones mentioned.

That's how it would go if I were king.

[Sean Leary]

A friend who played in the last Open at Shinnecock said that for the first two days, it was the most perfect tournament course he had ever seen.  Too bad it gets remembered for what happened on the weekend...

[Scott Coan]

Oakmont has identified some pretty impressive Champions:
1927   Tommy Armour      
1935   Sam Parks Jr.      
1953   Ben Hogan      
1962   Jack Nicklaus   
1973   John Miller      
1983   Larry Nelson   
1994   Ernie Els           

So has Pebble (T.Kite not withstanding...):
1972   Jack Nicklaus
1982   Tom Watson
1992   Tom Kite
2000   Tiger Woods
   

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

Shinnecock and Pebble. If one must go to 3 then add Oakmont. I say leave it at two and lets play golf and more often than not the Champion will be one for the ages.

[Phil Benedict]

I figured Pebble would have its devotees.  I know it's irrational but somehow being a regular tour stop makes it less special to me.  And the regular tour stop is among the worst because of the celebrities.  I associate Pebble Beach as much with Jack Lemmon as Jack Nicklaus.

[LenBum]

A friend who played in the last Open at Shinnecock said that for the first two days, it was the most perfect tournament course he had ever seen.  Too bad it gets remembered for what happened on the weekend...


Yes, unfortunately you're right Sean. And your friend was among many of the players who said that. I still get upset thinking about what might have been had the USGA listened to what was recommended to them Friday afternoon.

[Glenn Spencer]

Merion
Victoria National
The Ocean Course
Oakmont
The Black

[Wayne Freeman]

Glenn, of course Victoria and Ocean have never hosted U.S. Open golf tournaments, so maybe they're on your "want it there " list.  For a combo of greatness, drama, majesty, and worthiness I think you have to go with (in no particular order):

                               Shinnecock
                               Winged Foot
                               Bethpage
                               Pebble
                               Merion
     It is pretty tough though to leave Oakmont out.

[Glenn Spencer]

Wayne,

I think they make great venues. I keep hearing about how the USGA wants a Midwest and a Southern course-Pinehurst can't keep hosting it every 6 years can it? The way Kiawah Island has given back to the game, they deserve it as much as anyone in my opinion. If I have to say previous hosts, that could still host it (this is why I said those) I guess I would say Winged Foot and there aren't many to choose from. Olympic is one of my favorites from TV.

[Kenny Lee Puckett]

Today's Top 5 U.S. Open Venues that test the total game that can be held with the total circus:

Oakmont
Merion
Winged Foot
Shinnecock
Pebble Beach

My Top 5 Favorite All-Time U.S. Open Sites not on the above list:

Myopia Hunt Club
Chicago Golf Club
Bethpage Black
Riviera
The Country Club

My Top 5 "Allow no spectators, just let them play, and I'll watch on TV"

Pine Valley - To see how they would do
National Golf Links of America - Who cares if they go low...
Seminole - Play it in the summer/Firm and Fast
Cypress Point - And hope for some really nice wind
Pacific Dunes - Wind from two different directions over the 4 days.

JWK

[Jim Franklin]

1. Oakmont
2. Winged Foot West
3. Shinnecock (as long as the USGA doesn't ruin it like '04)
4. Pebble Beach
5. Merion

[Peter Pratt]

I'm surprised so few have mentioned Pinehurst #2, which always gets raves as an Open venue and a regular course...

[wsmorrison]

The usual suspects:

Shinnecock Hills
Oakmont
Merion (I hope it is dry)
Pebble Beach

And this not so usual suspect but worthy none-the-less:

Huntingdon Valley B and C nines (the pros would bitch like crazy)

[Gene Greco]

Indeed, "the usual suspects" but it must be six:

1. Pebble Beach
2. Shinnecock
3. Bethpage Black
4. Oakmont
5. Merion
6. Winged Foot West

[Michael Dugger]

I like the Olympic Club, for a change of pace, nobody has mentioned it yet?

Southern Hills was also a doggone tough test for the pros.

I can't stand that Rees Jones turned the 18th at Congressional into a par 3.  You do not end the U.S. Open with a par 3, dude.  It's the course that caused John Daly to crash and burn.

Nobody has mentioned Oakland Hills, either, why no love?

[Glenn Spencer]

I like the Olympic Club, for a change of pace, nobody has mentioned it yet?

Southern Hills was also a doggone tough test for the pros.

I can't stand that Rees Jones turned the 18th at Congressional into a par 3.  You do not end the U.S. Open with a par 3, dude.  It's the course that caused John Daly to crash and burn.

Nobody has mentioned Oakland Hills, either, why no love?

Do you mean Upset Hills? Many reasons. The US got punked in the Ryder Cup, Steve Jones beats Tom Lehman as Lehman gets about 3 bad bounces on Sunday and loses by a shot.
Andy North, T.C. Chen and Denis Watson battling it out.

[Gerry B]

merion - 2 of the 4 had unbelievable finishes

oakmont - a perennial favorite

myopia hunt club -tradition points (4 of the 1st 10)

olympic club -some great finishes here- fleck holding off hogan / casper coming from way back as arnie folds the tent / payne stewart's bad luck - the green on 18 and the divot on the final day

pebble beach  / shinnecock

[Wayne Freeman]

 Michael-  it's so tough to just pick a top 5-  obviously some awesome courses then become second tier. A lot of it just depends on your perception or perhaps your individual experience at that course.  
    For me-  Southern Hills, Pinehurst #2, Olympic, Riviera are right there, and Oakland Hills, The Country Club and Garden City not far behind.  I also loved Interlachen, St. Louis, Canterbury and Myopia Hunt (have yet to play Chicago).  
   One thing's for sure:    Open courses are for the most part an incredible treat and feast for the senses.