Our Favorite 5

[Andy Silis]

                  1) Cypress Point
                  2) San Francisco Golf Club
                  3) NGLA
                  4) Crystal Downs
                  5) Pacific Dunes

[redanman]

Darrin

I figured that you hadn't been there to Mid Pines.  It is such a pure place.  I am in a little bit of a minority but I prefer it to Mid Pines.  Pine Needles is a better "test" and that's why I think it gets mentioned before Mid Pines.

As for #8 Pinehurst, I really tried to like that course, but it just didn't fit together well for me, the greens were supposed to be a bit of an homage to #2's, but they didn't integrate for me and the routing fails miserably.  The clubhouse looks great as you come up 18 though.

For those interested in Ross public access courses, there was a book released last year with zero fanfare Great Donald Ross Golf Courses You Can Play , by Paul and B.J. Dunn, which has names, numbers, directions.  Hard for a Ross fan not to have it.

[THuckaby2]

To Rich G.:  Yes, you do need to see Cruden Bay.  But a great man once said the world was divided into those who favor NGLA and those who favor Shinnecock.  Given you seem to be in the latter camp, I have no great hopes that you will find much all that great about Cruden Bay, the NGLA of Scotland.  It will be fun to hear about though!

TH

[Richard_Goodale]

Of course, Tom.  But if you also heed the word of another great man (perhaps the same one?), you should know thaf if you can find a course that combines the fun or NGLA with the challenge of Shinnecock, you have achieved Nirvana.  It is in Sutherland, Scotland.

[THuckaby2]

That great man is indeed wise... and very correct.  Now if I only knew any members there....  

TH

[Dan Kelly]

There are two kinds of men in this world:

(1) Those who refer to others, sarcastically, as "great men."

(2) Those who refer to themselves, sarcastically (?), as "great men."

Both kinds, I have little doubt, prefer Royal Dornoch -- though, of course, only a truly Great Man blessed with easy access to those mystical links could resist lording his privilege over lesser (?) men.

Modified: Oh, darn. Forgot the smileys! Of course, truly Great Men will be able to see through my bluster to detect the pure silliness within.

[THuckaby2]

DK - very pithy.  But the great man I referenced was not a member at Dornoch.  And I was not being sarcastic at all.  It's just a phrase I like to use.  I mean it as a compliment.

TH

[Coral_Ridge]

Using the caveat that I have played the golf course, here goes;
    
           1) Pebble Beach    
           2) Sea Island (pre-remodeling job)    
           3) The Prince Course
           4) The Ocean Course (TOC   )
           5) Troon North (Monument)

While I loved these courses, I'm sure that a true list of one's favorites or best would be much more accurate if you had the opportunity to play the courses  many times.  In my case I have played each just once, with the exception of Pebble Beach (twice).

[Richard_Goodale]

Dan K2

I was referring to the Duke of Sutherland's ultra private course along Loch Dughall, near Ardmore, just outside of Laxford Bridge.  It was designed by MacKenzie during one of his holidays to Lochinver.  And, no, I am not, yet, a member, but if and when my wife's peerage comes through, I might just be able to play that legendary course......