[Emil Weber]

The most characterful and fun course I ever played is surely St. Enodoc in England. If you'd ask me to play one course for the rest of my life, it would be Royal Dornoch.

[Ross Tuddenham]

kmoum

have you ever played in brora's golf week?

[Scott Warren]

There is only one course I have seen which combines my personally important elements so well:

Beautiful
Challenging, but not so much that a 9 capper can't hit par once in a while
Flat enough to be a GREAT walk, but not so flat as to be boring
A few memorable features
A bit of history
Cool clubhouse
Location in a decent town and close enough to a nice large population centre
Affordable
 

Sean, I was with you until I saw you weren't speaking of Deal . The above description perfectly sums up why I love it, with the addition of changeability: every time I am fortunate to get there, I discover something new, be it a feature I hadn't appreciated, or a new way to play a hole in a wind I'd not previously experienced.

I'm usually of even temperament, but I glow for a day after each visit to Deal, and am like a kid on Christmas Eve on the train trip down each time.

[Paul Jones]

Lookout Mountain - lesser known Raynor on the border of Tenn/GA.  Entire course, clubhouse atmosphere is all low key except for the great views at the top of the mountain. 

[Mark Pritchett]

I would have to add Aiken Golf Club as a favorite that never seems to get old, easy to walk and pure fun.

[Mark_Rowlinson]

What WAS my favourite course and why?

You asked the question in the past tense. It used to be Royal County Down, but I rather suspect that it would take me apart these days. The situation is incomparable, the imposing dunes, those whiskery bunkers, narrow strips of undulating fairway of wonderful crisp turf, holes of all kinds and invention - so many magical qualities.

Much of the same could be said of The Old Course, although it suffers from the eye-sore of the Old Course Hotel. Again, I haven't played it for some years, and when my wife and I walked round the course last summer I was glad I was not playing because the play was SO slow. Unlike RCD, TOC allows a very average player such as I to get round reasonably unscathed, and very possibly with the same ball I began with.

Of the inland courses Ganton gets my nod, as much for its wonderful atmosphere as its great course. Perhaps it is the fact that I have usually played well at Ganton (better not go back!) that puts it in my mind ahead of Sunningdale or Woodhall Spa, neither of which I have ever played well.

[Mike Vegis @ Kiawah]

Riverside C.C. in Battle Creek, Michigan.  It is the course where I learned the game; it was where I held my first job as bag attendant; and, where I spent a large part of my childhood playing "pasture pool" with my buddies...

[Jordan Wall]

Pebble.

Because I played it with Bob Jenkins and John Mayhugh.
The sun was setting as we finished.
It was an enchanted journey from beginning to end.
Because it's the most beautiful place I've ever been, and because that does matter.
I hit shots I've hit in my head countless times.  And even pulled some of them off.
And because I loved each hole.
Because I can laugh when thinking how people can say forget the ocean instead of enjoying life and being thankful for being at such a special place.

And because as soon as I stepped off 18, I wanted to start all over.

[Rory Connaughton]

Enniscrone
The first time there, we had terrific weather played in a moderate "breeze" on a sunny day.  The sense of isolation down between the towering dunes with the sea and the mountains visible in the distance made me feel quite lucky.  It is not the best links I have played (RCD) but it is very very good and my absolute favorite place to play.
Can't wait to return next month.

[Jaeger Kovich]

Modern: Friars Head

Why: Imagination, Variety, Commitment to the Game and its Traditions

Classic: Quaker Ridge

Why: Beauty, History, Aura, Green Contours, Accuracy of the Tee, #2, #9, #11, #15!

World: Queenwood (temporary rankings, leaving for England/Scotland in 3 weeks!)

[Sean_A]

There is only one course I have seen which combines my personally important elements so well:

Beautiful
Challenging, but not so much that a 9 capper can't hit par once in a while
Flat enough to be a GREAT walk, but not so flat as to be boring
A few memorable features
A bit of history
Cool clubhouse
Location in a decent town and close enough to a nice large population centre
Affordable

NORTH BERWICK.  I don't think its the greatest or best course, but its my favourite.  The great thing about this sort of thing is that one can always hope to find a new favourite coruse. 

Ciao   

Sean, having recently had to pay £95 for a round at North Berwick, its perhaps not as affordable as it should be? Maybe its the insurance policy you get in with the green fee that is proving costly?  

I like your criteria, though some aren't so important to me. I'm not bothered about it being flat enough as some of my candidates are bordering on mountain goat country? And the location is good idea if I've travelled, but then if the course were in the middle of nowhere but with a great B&B or dormey house, that wouldn't hinder it for me. Above all, a smile on my face when I get there, while playing and then for quite some time afterwards are what seals it for me. And I think that a favourite is something that your heart tells you rather than your head? So North Berwick is close, and for all its madness Painswick always makes me happy, but my favourite probably has quite a bit to do with familiarity, as Ben and Rick have suggested.

And so with apologies to Cavendish, Burnham and Brora, its NOTTS GC for me, or Hollinwell as most know it. I was lucky enough to get a few rounds there as a kid and it was a huge step up in quality that really opened my eyes. Even now I am lucky enough to get to play it several times a year, and yet every time I play I always come away with a big smile, and wanting to get back there asap! I also have memories of some great rounds and for caddying for my brother in an Open regional qualifier there, so for all my love of the links, I can't wait to get back up there... on Thursday!!!  

Cheers,

James

James

Its unfortunate that Muirfield is up the road as it drags prices up for all of East Lothian.  Still, £95 to play on the weekend at a place like NB is good value imo. 

One day you will care about the walk and how flatness is a boon - tee hee.  So far as location goes, it makes a difference when family is in tow and that day isn't too far off for you my son.

Scott

"Sean, I was with you until I saw you weren't speaking of Deal Grin. The above description perfectly sums up why I love it, with the addition of changeability: every time I am fortunate to get there, I discover something new, be it a feature I hadn't appreciated, or a new way to play a hole in a wind I'd not previously experienced."

Yes, I would like to know Deal better, but I understand  the membership is very selective in who they invite.

Ciao

[Sean_A]

I  hate this new system whereby on can't delete his post.

Ciao

[Scott Warren]

Yes, I would like to know Deal better, but I understand  the membership is very selective in who they invite.

On the contrary, any club of which I am a member has no right to consider itself selective!

[Jack_Marr]

Enniscrone
The first time there, we had terrific weather played in a moderate "breeze" on a sunny day.  The sense of isolation down between the towering dunes with the sea and the mountains visible in the distance made me feel quite lucky.  It is not the best links I have played (RCD) but it is very very good and my absolute favorite place to play.
Can't wait to return next month.

Probably mine too, along with Lahinch.

Enniscrone has fantastic variety and is completely unpretentious.

[Ken Moum]

kmoum

have you ever played in brora's golf week?

No, but there's always another trip to Scotland... I hope.

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