[Tom_Doak]

I've been to India as well, and I'm curious what golf offerings it has, or any neighboring countries for that matter, to entice one to travel there.

I did get a round of golf in thou, but it was a DS 3 at best. It did have a neat short par 4 with a massive banyan tree blocking most of the green, that was different.

Kalen:


My comments was just meant to say that Scott is playing it safe with his requirements for golf destinations, to ensure that he will get what he came for, but no more.


The good courses in India are few and very far apart, and I saw a few duds as well.  But, I probably never would have gone to India at all if not on a golf discovery tour, and I never could have appreciated how big and how crazy diverse the country is had I not visited Calcutta and Hyderabad and Sri Lanka and the Nilgiri Mountains and Mumbai -- for golf! -- in the span of two weeks.


I did think that the Victoria Resort in Sri Lanka and Himalayan GC in Nepal were great courses, and Nepal in particular was a life-changing experience for me, in a way that Pinehurst could never, ever be.

[Scott Warren]

This was a great tip! When we couldn't get on The Cradle last Friday, we pivoted because of this comment and played a $65 twilight round on #3. If it had been one of our full rounds, we would have been disappointed, but it plays like a really good executive course, even more so because we picked different tees for each hole.  Pat is right: the holes, while short, are tons of fun and the greens are so good that, if this course had another 1,000 to 1,500 yards, it would be in everyone's Pinehurst rotation.  The greens had interesting movement to them despite being pretty small. 

Terrific. Given I found a condo to rent on the 16th hole of #3, sounds like a great twilight loop that will likely end at darkness not far from my front door!

[Sean_A]

I've been to India as well, and I'm curious what golf offerings it has, or any neighboring countries for that matter, to entice one to travel there.

I did get a round of golf in thou, but it was a DS 3 at best. It did have a neat short par 4 with a massive banyan tree blocking most of the green, that was different.

Kalen:

My comments was just meant to say that Scott is playing it safe with his requirements for golf destinations, to ensure that he will get what he came for, but no more.

The good courses in India are few and very far apart, and I saw a few duds as well.  But, I probably never would have gone to India at all if not on a golf discovery tour, and I never could have appreciated how big and how crazy diverse the country is had I not visited Calcutta and Hyderabad and Sri Lanka and the Nilgiri Mountains and Mumbai -- for golf! -- in the span of two weeks.

I did think that the Victoria Resort in Sri Lanka and Himalayan GC in Nepal were great courses, and Nepal in particular was a life-changing experience for me, in a way that Pinehurst could never, ever be.

If the goal is to watch a sports event in person you have to go where the event is held. It's not really a question of safe destination.

Ciao

[Tom_Doak]

Sean:


I meant “safe” more in terms of “you are not risking disappointment “

[Ken Cotner]

FWIW, the PN/MP/SPGC mix is hard to beat. For context, I live a couple hours away and my parents lived on SPGC for the last 25+ years of their lives. I played that trio last spring during SPGC construction and again in September after the bulk of the SPGC work was done. Our group collectively was really impressed with the "new" SPGC. Personally, with no constraints, I'd play #2, PN, SPGC, MP, and Tobacco Road on a continuous loop.

[Cliff Hamm]

Played Southern Pines last week, after having played it about 5 years ago.  Nothing of depth to add ,as much has been written, but it is now spectacular, especially the greens. Pace of play was also excellent, a bit over 4 hours. $75 is a steal and puts it as one of the best values anywhere.  In a short time the price will at least double...

[Edward Glidewell]

I did think that the Victoria Resort in Sri Lanka and Himalayan GC in Nepal were great courses, and Nepal in particular was a life-changing experience for me, in a way that Pinehurst could never, ever be.

Isn't this true of anywhere in the United States, though? If we're talking solely as a place to play great public access golf courses in the US, Pinehurst is potentially at the top of the list now -- I think only Bandon is the only place with a legitimate claim as better overall, but even if you shell out the $500 to play #2 you could still likely do a Pinehurst trip for significantly less money than Bandon without getting a significantly lesser golf experience.


If you're talking about an overall cultural/historical experience, then sure, Pinehurst isn't going to do anything special for most Americans. Neither is Bandon or Streamsong or anywhere else.

[Tim Martin]

I did think that the Victoria Resort in Sri Lanka and Himalayan GC in Nepal were great courses, and Nepal in particular was a life-changing experience for me, in a way that Pinehurst could never, ever be.

Isn't this true of anywhere in the United States, though? If we're talking solely as a place to play great public access golf courses in the US, Pinehurst is potentially at the top of the list now -- I think only Bandon is the only place with a legitimate claim as better overall, but even if you shell out the $500 to play #2 you could still likely do a Pinehurst trip for significantly less money than Bandon without getting a significantly lesser golf experience.


If you're talking about an overall cultural/historical experience, then sure, Pinehurst isn't going to do anything special for most Americans. Neither is Bandon or Streamsong or anywhere else.

How many at least from North America are going to Nepal or more specifically Nepal for golf? I’m sure it’s a terrific experience but seems like an apples to oranges comparison to Pinehurst.

[Tom_Doak]

I did think that the Victoria Resort in Sri Lanka and Himalayan GC in Nepal were great courses, and Nepal in particular was a life-changing experience for me, in a way that Pinehurst could never, ever be.

Isn't this true of anywhere in the United States, though? If we're talking solely as a place to play great public access golf courses in the US, Pinehurst is potentially at the top of the list now -- I think only Bandon is the only place with a legitimate claim as better overall, but even if you shell out the $500 to play #2 you could still likely do a Pinehurst trip for significantly less money than Bandon without getting a significantly lesser golf experience.


If you're talking about an overall cultural/historical experience, then sure, Pinehurst isn't going to do anything special for most Americans. Neither is Bandon or Streamsong or anywhere else.

How many at least from North America are going to Nepal or more specifically Nepal for golf? I’m sure it’s a terrific experience but seems like an apples to oranges comparison to Pinehurst.

Nobody - but Scott is traveling further than that to get to Pinehurst!

[Jason Lietaer]

I think you've got the courses at Pinehurst covered -- I love the place. Didn't know what to expect the first time I went and fell in love with the place. I'll say a couple things that nobody else has said:


1. A buddy who's a member at Pinehurst introduced us to one of the most fun betting games I've ever been part of. After you play a morning round on number 2, sit on the patio for lunch. As groups crest the hill on 18 everybody picks a golfer who they think will hole out in the fewest strokes. You'll have no idea if they're hitting their second shot, or their fourth. Only count the strokes you see. Throw in 5 bucks each per group. Add whatever penalties you want for guys who don't finish out. For us your guy couldn't win if he didn't finish. We laughed so hard for a long boozy lunch -- such a blast.


2. I think the bar at Pine Needles is a special place. The sunken area and the old school vibe. Feels like going back in time.


3. The cradle is pretty fun if you accept what it is -- drinking and hitting golf shots with your buddies by an airstream trailer with the tunes blasting


4. Putting till way after dark at thistle du is something I won't soon forget


5. If you're mobile and can arrange a game at Old Town in Winston-Salem do whatever you can to get it done.  One of the best members' clubs I've ever been to.

[Scott Warren]

I did think that the Victoria Resort in Sri Lanka and Himalayan GC in Nepal were great courses, and Nepal in particular was a life-changing experience for me, in a way that Pinehurst could never, ever be.

Isn't this true of anywhere in the United States, though? If we're talking solely as a place to play great public access golf courses in the US, Pinehurst is potentially at the top of the list now -- I think only Bandon is the only place with a legitimate claim as better overall, but even if you shell out the $500 to play #2 you could still likely do a Pinehurst trip for significantly less money than Bandon without getting a significantly lesser golf experience.


If you're talking about an overall cultural/historical experience, then sure, Pinehurst isn't going to do anything special for most Americans. Neither is Bandon or Streamsong or anywhere else.

How many at least from North America are going to Nepal or more specifically Nepal for golf? I’m sure it’s a terrific experience but seems like an apples to oranges comparison to Pinehurst.

Nobody - but Scott is traveling further than that to get to Pinehurst!

I mean, I did play golf in Cairo with a view of the pyramids on my birthday (Pharaoh course at Dreamland Resort - some good holes...), but I didn't go there specifically to do that, just took the opportunity that was presented. If I were writing the definitive volume of books to profile golf across the globe, I would make those courses in India or Sri Lanka a priority in and of themselves, whereas when I do eventually play golf in those countries it will likely be as a lesser priority on a trip to watch cricket on the subcontinent.

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