Top of my head, gotta say Pebble Beach, since you mention all types of golfers.

Augusta National.

Every golfer watches the Masters, every golfer wants to play it.

Only freaks in here and other curmudgeons want to criticize it.  But I;d bet even the critics would play it if given the chance.

I think the National Golf Links of America.

If you've played it - and that's more the issue - you've had lots of fun, chances to score well, and the setting is spectacular. I don't know a single person who has played it that would not join if they could.

Pebble's the answer because you can play it

I'd say AGNC and Pebble for reasons of media conditioning, yearly timing and the masses yearning for an ideal.  

First from out of the doldrums of winter, we get the visions of the celebrities and pros coming out of their hybernation, the Pacific ocean with whales and otters cavorting, the whole thing draws golfers in.  Bill Murray joking and playing well like most golfers dream they could do both at the same time...

Then, when the spring sap in the golfers is really running, we get perked up by the music (Carolina Pines or whatever that syrupie music is...) the selling of the illusion of golf perfection, carpet FWs and heavenly cloud greens, and perfect white sand, amidst the magnolias and azealias and the bell is rung and the average golfer salivates on cue.  

But, perhaps the serious golfers might love and admire the craddle, TOC and yearn to walk there.  

Or, maybe the actual answer follows the old saying "drink their booze, schtup their women, but dont say a damn thing about their course" and the real answer is that they love, respect and admire their own course, most.

ANGC.  Huck points up the reasons: the Masters, TV, Bobby Jones, having golf magazines, players and commentators tell us for decades how great the course is.  

By the most golfers of all types?  I doubt it would be an American course since we're talking global here, so it has to be The Old Course.

I get the feeling a lot of the responses that many are from a perspective of golfers' perspective without having played the course.  I find it hard to believe that a majority would choose Pebble Beach after playing it.  Maybe a process that justifies having just paid a stupid sum of money to do so, but not on its merits.  If a poll was taken to list each golfer's top 5, I'm sure it would be on just about every list (not mine) but what do they know?  

I'd say Pebble Beach. I played it a few years back with a great caddie and it was outstanding. Sure it was expensive but it was a once in a lifetime experience. Pebble was full of all types of golfers that day, we played in front of a group of scratch players who hit it long and straight and the group in front on us featured a greybeard who took a mighty swing on the first tee and whifffed twice.Everybody on the course was enjoying themselves because they were playing a shrine.
  On 17 tee we saw a family out on a Sunday stroll who knew nothing about golf but respectfully kept quiet during our shots.  The speed police riding around in golf cars kept the play moving despite the varied golf skills.

  Somewhat off topic here but the clubhouse was really something. Everybody in there was staring at Carmel Bay and smiling. I spent plenty of time people watching everybody walk through the clubhouse;from  newly weds, to a NHL Hockey team to slick movie star types.

 

Kyle,

You must be all in a panic awaiting the outcome of Penn State-Michigan.

Tom asked, "...what COURSE (or a very few) you think is the most loved, the most respected, the most admired by the most golfers of all types."

What did they teach you at Penn State other than you'll probably end up working for a University of Pennsylvania grad?  The question isn't about you.  Do you really think that Manufacturers is the most loved, respected and admired course by the most golfers?  Come on boy, get with the program and stay away from inhaling too many ag chemicals  

Cypress Point.  Fantastic (best) combination of great site and great architect. Screw the "all types of golfers". It has the beauty and the brains.

Kyle,

You must be all in a panic awaiting the outcome of Penn State-Michigan.

Tom asked, "...what COURSE (or a very few) you think is the most loved, the most respected, the most admired by the most golfers of all types."

What did they teach you at Penn State other than you'll probably end up working for a University of Pennsylvania grad?  The question isn't about you.  Do you really think that Manufacturers is the most loved, respected and admired course by the most golfers?  Come on boy, get with the program and stay away from inhaling too many ag chemicals  

I've yet to see a course listed apart from mine that hasn't had its share of derision and criticism. Maybe you all need to take off the Top 10 blinders and realize the most loved course is probably some rinky-dink muni in Podunk, Iowa.

I think if most golfers got to PLAY Mannies (which is eminently more possible than ANY of the golf courses listed... Pebble? Cypress? PLEASE, I'd venture that less than 5% of all golfers will ever sniff the air on these courses, let alone play them so how is that even a consideration? How can MOST golfers LOVE something they'll never see?) it would be on this list.

Furthermore, my first sentence references the opinions of other golfers... not my own. Everybody loves Mannies for one reason or the other. Everybody would go back given the chance.

you would have to put Paxon Hollow near the top of phila area courses.  the only problem being that it is played by so many people that it tends to get over crowded at times.  Classic look and feel yet at a yardage of 6000 makes it very playable for many people.

This is going to change depending on which country's golfers you are surveying.  In the UK I'd guess TOC, ANGC and then, perhaps, Wentworth?

The answer will, in great part, depend on the exposure a course gets and that in turn, will depend on professional tournaments being played there.  I struggle to believe that your average Joe golfer is going to be aware of, let alone hold close to his heart, anywhere that doesn't host professional tournaments.