[Bill Shamleffer]

I have walked quite a few of the courses already mentioned above, but I have only played one of them.  If I could only play one course for the rest of my life and it had to be one of the courses I have already played, it would be St. Louis C.C.  However, I also considered The New Course (St. Andrews), Swope (In Kansas City), and A.L. Gustin (in Columbia, Mo.).

[Cory Lewis]

My favorite course will always be Royal Dornoch, there is just this thing in the air there that is hard to describe.  My father and I played it on two consecutive days and we were treated to two completely different wind directions. It was the first time I understood how the wind could dictate strategy.  It was also the beginning of my fascination with golf architecure.  Having played the course in completely different conditions, I began to understand the placement of certain bunkers, and also how the terrain was used to both help and hurt the player.  It also helps that the second time we played it, we were alone on the golf course, very special feeling.

[Jin Kim]

Close call between Sand Hills and Carne; I'll go with Carne because it's near the ocean.

[Dean Paolucci]

Sleepy Hollow

[Tim Leahy]

Have only played there twice and haven't played there in 20 years, but the Olympic Club in SF was very special, like playing in a cathederal.

[Bryce Mueller]

Mine is Pine Valley and its not close, at all.
I just played it for the first time a few weeks ago, and to me, it is in another class by itself above any of the other great courses i have been luck to play (CPC, Pinehurst #2, Shinnecock, etc, etc). As a scratch golfer who loves nothing more than getting beat up by a hard course, it was the ultimate test, and I have never played a course with such diversity among holes. I feel very cnofident it will remain #1 on my list for my life, and quite frankly, I am surprised that so many people who have played it don't have it at the top of their list.

[JESII]

Mine is Pine Valley and its not close, at all........
 I am surprised that so many people who have played it don't have it at the top of their list.

That would be like saying Tiger is your favorite golfer, everybody knows it but won't admit it.

[Ash Towe]

Royal Melbourne West.
Wonderful routing,  you need to be able to play all the shots,  always plays firm and fast.  I could go on,  plus you can play all year round and is accessible if you can afford it.

[Tim Gavrich]

Yale, followed oh-so-closely by Pinehurst No.2 and Newport.  The sheer magnitude and intimidation factor that is present on so many holes there is something I'd enjoy experiencing for the rest of my life (I'd better get studying! )  Holes 8, 9, and 10 makes my favorite three-hole mid-round stretch in golf.  I also love par-70 golf courses; on bad days, it's easier to break 80 .  Big, crazy greens with big, crazy-deep bunkers guarding them.  Lots of different short shots to be played!

[Patrick Schultheis]

I'll jump in with the Stanford Golf Course.  A fine golf course, typically great weather, great memories of times in college, post-college and post-marriage with my father-in-law and friends.

Go Stanford!

[mike_beene]

The Old Course.As much as anything because you are in town.I find more interest in that setting than in being in a rural area or secluded club.

[Bryce Mueller]

JES,
thats a good point, i just thought we were listing our favorite course, not a course we want to say is our favorite. For instance, I think stanford's course is a terrific college course, and a lot of fun to play, but i would think that almost anybody would be able to list 5 courses within 100 miles that are infinitely better than stanford.

[Doug Ralston]

Easily Eagle Ridge At Yatesville Lake State Park, KY. A previous post gives you a few pix and hints as to why. It is far too difficult for a hacker like myself, but just such a blast to try. I never walk off of that course without wanting to keep playing. Isn't it wonderous how 'the game' and 'the place' combine, unlike any other sport, to create a diverse experience that only golf can deliver.

I grew up in the Appys and the mountains are always a place for me to rest. It is pleasing that such a game as golf could bring me 'home'.  I live way to far from such roots, in places were convenience in life trumps richness of experience.

Thanks ER. Great place.

Doug

[Wayne Freeman]

I'm really surprised that no one has picked Cypress Point yet.  Well, that's my No. 1 favorite.  It's eminently playable, incredibly beautiful, and won't beat you up time after time. It's got sufficient challenge, and can be enjoyed day after day for a lifetime. I only played there once about 10 years ago, but remember every hole and shot and cherish the memories.

[Mark Arata]

Cypress Point is by far the best 16 hole course I have ever played, and as soon as I dry out, I hope to play the other two...........

Cypress and Pacific Dunes are my two favorite courses, I have never seen two courses that combined such breathtaking beauty with such great golf architecture........but I will keep looking!

[Tim Bert]

My favorite - 47 holes into the day

[Kyle Henderson]

Hillandale in Durham, NC.  It's where I grew up, hunted for balls in Ellerbe Creek, played my first round, went sledding, went parking with my girlfriend, just a couple of blocks from where my parents still live.  

Now there's a course that I never expeceted to see posted as a favorite. I will never underestimate the power of nostalgia again.

Tobacco Road is my choice if I only get one more round.

But, taking weather patterns into consideration (i.e. summer humidity, frequent electrical storms, ect.), I think I'd rather play at Cinnabar Hills through the course of many years (especially given that it has 27-holes(cheating?))

[cary lichtenstein]

Too many to have a favorite, 31 flavors

[Andrew Mitchell]

I know its been mentioned before but its got to be Royal Dornoch for me. It's a combination (in no particular order) of the varied and different shot selection & options it offers; the scenery (the view which opens up in front of your eyes as you walk to the 3rd tee); the clean fresh air (so different to the majority of the rest of the UK) and the genius of a hole like Foxy to confuse and baffle you.

[Dave Collard]

My heart is still in Royal Dornoch, my golfing love....  
with the gorse in bloom, the incredible turf, the
unfathomable textures, the wind and the sea and
the Scottish people playing golf.

[ForkaB]

I'm trying to be contrary here, but I can't.

Dornoch is the best golf course I have ever played and the most fun too.  Even though I know it like the back of my hand, every time I go there the back of my hand seems to change......

[JESII]

I'm trying to be contrary here, but I can't.

Dornoch is the best golf course I have ever played and the most fun too.  Even though I know it like the back of my hand, every time I go there the back of my hand seems to change......

I did not really know how to answer this thread until I read that. Thank you Rich, once again, very very helpful.

Huntingdon Valley CC.

[Andrew Thomson]

Mine is a toss up between Royal Dornoch and Royal Melbourne West.

but because I'm patriotic, I'll go with the latter.

[Andy Troeger]

Mine currently would be Pete Dye's The Golf Club.

[Jim Adkisson]

Great photo Tim...like so many others, my favorite course (within my limited experiences of world class courses) is Pacific Dunes...Being in the neighborhood (only 4-1/2 hour drive) helps...I have directed my wife that a portion of my ashes are to be added to the bunkers on 13...HOPEFULLY A VERY LONG TIME FROM NOW.  

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