Best FOUR holes is difficult!  This should give us new respect for just how difficult it is to create a truly great golf course.

Examples:

Merion 16-18 is spectacular but #15, while a fine hole, would be no big deal if it wasn't at Merion.

Pebble 6-9 would be a cinch if #7 didn't require so much wind to be a real test (we've done that thread before).

Pine Valley 13-16 includes 2 of the greatest holes in all of golf but #14 would just be another downhill par 3 if it wasn't at Pine Valley.

Cypress #17 has Stupid Trees in the fairway.

Shinnecock 11-14 is a definite possibility but, since I like strategic holes that are also tough, I'll vote for Merion #'s 2-5.
#'s 2 and 5 are masterpieces, #3 from the new back tee is now as tough to make par as #17 and #4 is a better par 5 than #15 is a par 4 IMO.

The point I'd emphasize is that the ground just doesn't give even the best of architects the opportunity to build 4 outstanding holes in a row.

The Rawls Course?  Were you serious?

Pebble Beach must win this thread, although I would have said 7 thru 10 because that's what the eye says when you're out there.  Six is a better hole than ten, but ten is part of the group.

At Pacific Dunes my first choice would be 3,4,5,6 -- a par five, a long par 4, a par 3, and a short par 4, which loop back to the same point quite neatly.

And I've always thought 12-15 at High Pointe was about as good as I could do.

Pac Dunes 5-8 or 4-7 or 13-16 or 14-17 or 15-18

15-18 at Dallas National

Matt,

Under your guidelines I would pick 2-5 NGLA.  2nd place would be 6-9 at The Creek.

Jeff F.

David -- my good man -- diversity is the heart of the game. You did mention 6-9 at PB and I can't disagree it's a solid contender. But, when courses max out a particular par for all the holes or even three of them you have a one dimensional perspective.

I simply upped the ante on y-o-u-r thread -- it's very hard to find four distinguished holes that have the par sequence I outlined.

Chris - Amen on the four hole stretch at Prairie Dunes (8-11) as being the better stretch of golf. 8 and 10 are two of the favorite holes I have ever played.

Matt - If you like a stretch that includes a short-4, long-4, par-5 and par-3 I will put holes 3-6 at Pinehurst #2 against whatever you throw at me.

Jeff -
6-9 at The Creek? really? 7-8 are somewhat mediocre in my est.

However, if you were to permit me to include putting out on 5, and making the walk to 6 tee, I would have to agree with you. That's one of the finest strolls in golf, which gives way to one of the best views. As far as where you start the 4 hole stretch vs. where you end up, there are few that can offer that kind of variety.

what about Fishers 3-6?

Piping 6-9?

Misquamicut 9-12?

Seminole 15-18?

Eastward Ho: 4-7?

Riviera 7-10 (incl. 8 as orig. designed)

Hey Brian - I remember that stretch on Dec. 30, 1998 when I went 5-4-13-2!!!   Great stuff. I got stuck in the bunker to the right of the greenside bunker and refuse to take a drop. I desparately want to play there again.

One more - 14-17 at Lake Las Vegas Southshore should be in the discussion but I am sticking with 14 - 17 at CPC.

It's hard to argue with most of the choices mentioned thus far. BUT, It is hard to beat the stretch from 8-11 at Maidstone, which I had the pleasure of playing last week.


Why confine the question to the U.S.?

World wide, I go with Carnoustie 15-18.

Pine Valley #13-#16 and I would throw in the last two if I could make it six holes.  

Chipoat: we agree with the holes but I disagree with your contention that #14 is just another downhill par three.  I would agree that I think it would be a better hole if it were still and island green surrounded by sand as it was in its early life.  It being surrounded by trees detracts from the uncertainty of the downhill shot with the carry over the lake.  I realize that the rail line runs just off the back of the green but all things considered, the membership should buy the rail line, reroute it somewhere less obtrusive and then cut down those offending pines.  

Now that would make a great par three.