#12 at Old Head.

I suppose this doesn't count,
 because I'm certain the threadstarter meant,
 in a stipulated round.
But, Sheryl and I were recently fortunate
 to get a tour of a course that everyone agrees
 is an engineering marvel.
We saw the backnine holes
(Our host, obviously focused on avoiding disrtupting players on the front)
when coming upon the 16th green,
there were two golfers.
Rather than turn to avoid the golfers,
he said I had to meet the only other home owner on the property.
When we drove up to the drop shot par 3 17th, complete with artistic inspiring flows of water,
 my host asked the homeowner,
 if there were any extra balls,
 so that I might have a go with one.
 Next thing I know I have four balls
 in my hand and I'm grabbing an 8 iron
 out of one the bags.
I stand up, line up, truned back and requested,
if holed? a life membership?
The two golfers immediately snickered saying
 how that would require homeownership.  
On what was best described by
 C.C Rodriguez as the
 "best hole of it's kind"
the five us watched and cheered
 as the ball went directly at the pin
( Pat, I aimed for the bunker)
and it was really looking good,
 when I felt that 'tin cup'
whisper of a gust, and the ball stopped dead,
 some fiive feet from the hole.

I know it doesn't count,
 but I just wanted to share that experience
 with ya'll.

Hello all.
This is my first post, thanks for the warm welcome Ran.

I was lucky enough to spend 4 nights in Bandon this year for my bachelor party and a few holes from Pacific Dunes are certainly favorites:
#4, #6 and #18 are exceptional.

Another favorite is #6 on Ridgewood CC's Center Nine.
On the score card its called "Scoonie", but the members refer to it as "5 and dime" - they say most people make 5 or 10 on the short but sturdy par 4.

-Ted

Ted -

Welcome to the board. Were you at Bandon in mid-October? I met a bunch of Ridgewood CC guys there then.

My favorite hole of the year would be:

Par 3 - #6 NGLA
Par 4 - #4 NGLA
Par 5 - #18 NGLA

Thanks for the welcome.
I was in Bandon in Late May.
I'm not a member at Ridgewood, I was just lucky enough to get an invite to play this year.

BTW that invite was probably the best wedding gift that we got . . .how many plates do you really need?

-Ted

Neil,

Great pictures. I'm curious as to when the picture of the tenth hole at Shinnecock was taken. I was comparing it to some pictures from the Open trying to contrast (by looking at the colors) how much drier the course may have been at the time versus what might be normal member play. The pictures really don't look all that different.

Thanks

Four on a recent trip to SW Ireland with the EIGCA.

#13, #14 and #15 at Doonbeg
#12 BallyBunion

Doonbeg was the big surprise for me on the tour.  It is truly a stunning piece of architecture visually.  It will never be a test of golf for the big boys but what a great resort links golf course.

Here are some of the photos that James mentioned.  I myself loved the first drive on the 1st hole.



14th green





Approach to the 13th Par 5. Fantastic bunkering.  The scale is difficult to explain.



Cheers,

Brian

Not even close---#13 The Quarry @ Giants Ridge. 323 Yard par 4 with split fairway. The green is as wide as the 2 mounds guarding it. Tee shot selection will be different every time, depending on the wind and the player's accuracy, distance control and guts!

http://www.giantsridge.com/QuarrySiteVT/q-vt.html

Click on both red dots on #13 for views from the tee and from the left fairway.

Brad Swanson:

   "What's wrong with this picture?" is what came to mind looking at Neil's picture of you at #9 Shinny.

For 36 holes that day you hit the ball as straight and far as anyone I've ever played with and then on one of the most picturesque holes in all of golfdom comes that misfired brain synapse. Boy is that ugly! It almost looks as bad as my normal swing, the wind cheating dancing smother hook!

BTW, my favorite hole of the year was the 14th at The Maidstone played with you, Neil and Ben on a shimmering bright sunny morning, birdie to boot!

"... birdie to boot!"

How about a boot-in birdie ?

I know it says "Favorite Hole of the Year," but I found the 15th and 17th holes at The Country Club in Pepper Pike, Ohio to be among the very best holes I've seen all year and I've been to a lot of new and great courses this year.  Other great holes I've seen this year include:

The 218 yard par 3 14th and 427 yard par 4 15th at Royal St. David's.  No bunkers and none needed.

The 508 yard par 5 3rd at Royal Cinque Ports  Gotta put on your thinking cap for this hole.  Terrific two tier green in a bowl.

The 430 yard par 4 12th at Swinley Forest.  A demanding tee shot and one of the great rumpled fairways leading to a difficult green.

The 420 yard 5th at Royal St. George's  The 4th gets a lot of press and I love those 2 bunkers, but overall I think the 5th is a much better hole.

Lastly, the 230 yard 13th at The Addington.  It is one of the toughest par 3s I've played in the UK, but the 151 yard par 3 7th is one of the coolest.

Neil,

Is the fourth picture from Maidstone that you posted above the 15th hole?  It appears to also be a par 3, is that so.....  

It appears to be quite a tee box, you're basically hitting over a corner of the 14th green.  

Mark Chalfant:

That is indeed very interesting that you choose 18 at Toronto. The course is consistently criticized because the last hole is "weak".

I tend to disagree with that assessment too.  

#5 at Cuscowilla.

Perhaps only because he made a 2 putt birdie?

Likely not.

Definitely #5's a well designed hole.  The tee selection makes a difference to me as would play in varying wind conditions.  I might hit any of about 6 different clubs off the tees.

It's my choice as best new hole played this year too, but I don't get out as much as some of you.

Neil,

Is the fourth picture from Maidstone that you posted above the 15th hole?  It appears to also be a par 3, is that so.....  

It appears to be quite a tee box, you're basically hitting over a corner of the 14th green.  

Jimmy,

 That view is from the 15th tee, looking back down the coast over the 14th green to the 13th green, the halfway house, and the 9th hole beyond out of sight.
 The 15th plays back inland, with the tee box above the beach. The picture does not show any more of the 15th than the tee.

Neil