[Greg Tallman]

Does Baja California Sur count?
 

[Jon Spaulding]

Assuming playing public/resort:

On vacation with family and playing 18 holes a day(or less in my case),  sitting on the beach or frolicking with sea turtles at Princeville the balance of the day would win.

If we're in pure golf-orgy mode, again assuming vacation(primetime with optimum weather), I'd choose Bandon based on recent media reports

Private club tourism choice would be Long Island or Philly area.

[David Stamm]

I agreed with CA in reply #30 above...

I know Brad, I was just making a general statement. Anyway, we can discuss the merits of public Cal golf when you come out in April to visit Ryan!

[Doug Ralston]

Dale, John, Tiger etc;

I am here!

Of COURSE I am going to mention the money factor in 'tourism golf'. If you want to pay $200+ per round and the same for a room, certainly hard to beat California, Florida, SC, NC or even Oregon [Bandon]. But if you like $25-$50 for a round on a sensational course, of COURSE you will love Kentucky.

And yes, from Kentucky [where I do NOT live BTW, I golf there] you can find some great 'border' courses like Sultan's Run, The Tennessean, Greystone, Twisted Gun, Stonelick Hills etc. Yes, even French Lick, though that will be overpriced by Spring John  .

I wish I had the dough to play all those great courses we discuss here.

BTW, I too would WANT to rate Michigan very high, because it has so many great publics. But as was pointed out, the short season hurts.

So yes, oh frugal ones; see you in Kentucky!  

Doug

[David Stamm]

Private club tourism choice would be Long Island or Philly area.

Agreed my friend!

[David Stamm]

  Of course if private is in play we have Pine Valley, so we win!



 

Bill, if PV wasn't there I think you'd still win!

[Brad Tufts]

Will do David.....I'm pining for a bit of an early Spring so I can hit balls enough to give Ryan his 4 shots and feel guilty.  

Of course, it was 7 this morning in Boston, and it won't get above 20 until Saturday  .

[Ken_Cotner]

Alberta.

[Andy Hughes]

15 off the top of my head:

Shepherd's Hollow
Bay Harbor
Blake Lake
Tullymore
Arcadia
Forest Dunes
Gailes
Pilgrims Run
Timberstone
Greywalls
True North
High Pointe
Angels Crossing
Elk Ridge
Belvedere

Sean, how does that work out vacation-wise? Are the courses spread about the state, or can you make camp in one place and play 5 or 6 of 'em a la Myrtle Beach or Pinehurst?

[Brad Tufts]

Good question on MI.  

I also once did some research on golf in Alberta, and it's currently in my "future trip" file.

[Paul Payne]

I would have to agree with the Red Wing man in the number and quality of tourist type golf courses in Michigan.

On the other hand if you speak of regions and not necessarily states I love the south, Georgia, Tennessee, SC and NC. I tend to stay away from the tourist meccas like Myrtle Beach, or the high to overpriced like Kiawah (Ocean is the only course worth the fee IMO).

But elsewhere in that region are hundreds of great courses to be found. Most of the time the green fees are reasonable and they are usually uncrowded. I have traveled for business in the region for years and off the top of my head, here is a short list of the courses I like (not in any order):

The Frog - GA
Georgia National - GA
Hard Labor Creek - GA
Stone Mt. - GA
Hermitage - TN
Tennessian - TN
Mount Vintage - SC
Aiken CC - SC ( realllly good oldie!)
The Pinehurst area - NC (of course)

I used to keep a record book listing all of the courses I played. I could go back and look for more but I guess my point is that for good quality and reasonable green fees you can't beat the south. The weather is not bad either. I like leaving MN when it is 15 degrees and arriving in the south to play a deserted course because it is 50!

[Billsteele]

Where is the love for New Mexico? It has two big time favorites of this board in Paako Ridge and Black Mesa. Pinon Hills is also a terrific course. There are other solid choices such as the UNM golf course and Cochiti. It is Arizona lite...much lighter on the wallet, much lighter on tourists. Lodging is relatively cheap. The scenery is terrific and the longest drive is to Farmington for Pinon Hills. There is little wow factor in the extra-curriculars but big time wow in the golf. How could I have possibly beaten Matt Ward and Adam Clayman to the punch on this?

[rjsimper]

Where is the love for New Mexico? It has two big time favorites of this board in Paako Ridge and Black Mesa. Pinon Hills is also a terrific course. There are other solid choices such as the UNM golf course and Cochiti. It is Arizona lite...much lighter on the wallet, much lighter on tourists. Lodging is relatively cheap. The scenery is terrific and the longest drive is to Farmington for Pinon Hills. There is little wow factor in the extra-curriculars but big time wow in the golf. How could I have possibly beaten Matt Ward and Adam Clayman to the punch on this?

Just because a state is not mentioned in this debate does not represent a lack of love...but let's be honest here.

Paa-Ko Ridge versus Pebble Beach
Pinon Hills versus Rustic Canyon
Black Mesa versus Pasatiempo
Twin Warriors versus Spyglass

It's like the local little league all-star team going up against the Yankees.

And that's meant as no disrespect to NM, but it's categorically absurd to suggest that it's in the same class as HI, SC, or AZ's class, let alone CA.  There's no lack of respect, just people who are honest with their opinions.  

I would happily play golf for a week in New Mexico, especially throwing in the value component...but give me a budget for 4 days of golf and let me choose one state, any time of year, for my last "tourist" trip of my life, and New Mexico might crack the outside of the top 10 at best.



 

[Scott Coan]

The Australian state of Victoria wins hands down, with each and every course open to the tourist as long as they are able to play on a certain day and pay a certain price...

Royal Melbourne
Kinston Heath
Metropolitan
Victoria
Commonwealth
Woodlands
Peninsula
Yarra Yarra
Huntingdale
National - Moonah
National - Old
St. Andrew's Beach
Portsea
Barwon Heads
13th Beach

[Billsteele]

Ryan-With the exception of Rustic Canyon, most of the courses on your list require a home equity loan to play. Nowhere am I suggesting that Paako Ridge is better than Pebble but for a lot of people the value component is an important one. If the premise of this thread is that, given an unlimited budget, what is the best for tourist golf, then I am off base. But, if the considerations most people take into account in planning a vacation are taken into consideration, New Mexico is up there. If value is a consideration, New Mexico is hard to beat. If you can afford $700 a night for lodging and $150-$450 a round for golf, the Monterey Peninsula trumps it every time.

I would also suggest that Paako Ridge/Black Mesa are comparable to Rustic Canyon both dollar wise and in overall experience. So, my little league all-star team does well in Williamsport  but not Yankee Stadium.

[rjsimper]

Ryan-With the exception of Rustic Canyon, most of the courses on your list require a home equity loan to play. Nowhere am I suggesting that Paako Ridge is better than Pebble but for a lot of people the value component is an important one. If the premise of this thread is that, given an unlimited budget, what is the best for tourist golf, then I am off base. But, if the considerations most people take into account in planning a vacation are taken into consideration, New Mexico is up there. If value is a consideration, New Mexico is hard to beat. If you can afford $700 a night for lodging and $150-$450 a round for golf, the Monterey Peninsula trumps it every time.

I would also suggest that Paako Ridge/Black Mesa are comparable to Rustic Canyon both dollar wise and in overall experience. So, my little league all-star team does well in Williamsport  but not Yankee Stadium.

That's why I pitted Rustic against Pinon Hills, which are both comparable value propositions in their respective markets, and I believe Rustic Canyon is ten times the course Pinon Hills is.

I do plan to be a New Mexico golf tourist, though, some day in the relative near future.

[rjsimper]

If you can afford $700 a night for lodging and $150-$450 a round for golf, the Monterey Peninsula trumps it every time.

I believe, as a corollary, I have the most undisputed answer of all to the question posted in this thread.

The greatest state for tourist golf?

"Wealth"

[Billsteele]

Ryan-No argument here on that one.

[John Goodman]

I make no book for my state topping Cally or SC or NC, but I will humbly suggest the Bama Golf and BBQ Tour (I call it "'Cue School").  Some outings for you:

Capstone Club (Hanse) and Ol' Colony (Pate), Tuscaloosa, with lunch at the original Dreamland ("Ain't Nothin' Like 'Em [ribs] Nowhere")

Limestone Springs (Pate) and any of the Bham Trail courses, or Ballantrae (Cupp) or Timberline (Pate), lunch at Pat James' Full Moon, Tin Roof or Bob Sykes' in Bham

36 at the RTJ Grand National courses at Opelika, lunch at Chuck's

36 at Farm Links (Hurdzan/Frye), Sylacauga; both rounds, range balls and lunch included in $100 price

36 at RTJ courses at Muscle Shoals, lunch at Big Bob Gibson's in Decatur

Doak 6ish on the golf; Doak 9 (at least on the 'cue); easy on the pocketbook all the way around.  Plan your trip around race day at Talledega or an SEC football weekend and you're all set.
 

[Mike Hendren]

Cue School

John, since Kavanaugh has been spotted repeatedly in Vegas and California playing low and high rent golf, searching for Prince tickets, and posting on the Iggy Pop thread, I have assumed sole responsibility for membership admission to the Hillbilly Tour.  

Based solely upon the previous post, you're in.  Congratulations.  

Mike

[John Goodman]

Words fail . . .

I haven't been so moved since my wedding day . . .

[Andy Troeger]

Just because a state is not mentioned in this debate does not represent a lack of love...but let's be honest here.

Paa-Ko Ridge versus Pebble Beach
Pinon Hills versus Rustic Canyon
Black Mesa versus Pasatiempo
Twin Warriors versus Spyglass

It's like the local little league all-star team going up against the Yankees.

And that's meant as no disrespect to NM, but it's categorically absurd to suggest that it's in the same class as HI, SC, or AZ's class, let alone CA.  There's no lack of respect, just people who are honest with their opinions.  

I would happily play golf for a week in New Mexico, especially throwing in the value component...but give me a budget for 4 days of golf and let me choose one state, any time of year, for my last "tourist" trip of my life, and New Mexico might crack the outside of the top 10 at best.

The one problem with New Mexico is that it does include quite a bit of driving to get around. Its a huge state for the amount of golf available.

To me the top four have to be California, South Carolina, Hawaii, and Michigan. Of others mentioned, Arizona beats Florida, but Michigan smokes Arizona from my experience. As far as New Mexico, I'll take Paa-Ko and Black Mesa though over anything I've played in Arizona so far. If you include value in the equation then the only one of the above I'd still prefer over NM would be Michigan.

Ryan,
I give you California in a landslide over New Mexico. But Black Mesa vs Pasa might be a battle. Same with Pinon vs Rustic. Would be interesting discussion  I'll give you the other two, even though I love Paa-Ko.

EDIT: Might have to add Colorado and make it a big five...not having been there yet though.

[James Bennett]

Victoria, followed by Scotland.

[rjsimper]

Just because a state is not mentioned in this debate does not represent a lack of love...but let's be honest here.

Paa-Ko Ridge versus Pebble Beach
Pinon Hills versus Rustic Canyon
Black Mesa versus Pasatiempo
Twin Warriors versus Spyglass

It's like the local little league all-star team going up against the Yankees.

And that's meant as no disrespect to NM, but it's categorically absurd to suggest that it's in the same class as HI, SC, or AZ's class, let alone CA.  There's no lack of respect, just people who are honest with their opinions.  

I would happily play golf for a week in New Mexico, especially throwing in the value component...but give me a budget for 4 days of golf and let me choose one state, any time of year, for my last "tourist" trip of my life, and New Mexico might crack the outside of the top 10 at best.

Ryan,
I give you California in a landslide over New Mexico. But Black Mesa vs Pasa might be a battle. Same with Pinon vs Rustic. Would be interesting discussion  I'll give you the other two, even though I love Paa-Ko.

Having played both, I don't think Pinon versus Rustic is any contest at all, though I have no problem with those who differ.  Pinon as a muni certainly has very few worthy competitors, but when I played I saw it as just that, a very very VERY good muni with some pretty holes that was overrated by Golf Digest (5 stars) in it's first "places to play" publication.  

Which nine is the front nine there now anyway...when I played, the first hole was the elevated tee with the pond near the green...and which was the intended routing (i hear they switch it)

[Andy Troeger]

Ryan,
I unfortunately don't get an actual vote, I haven't played either one, but I know I've always heard good things about Pinon here and elsewhere, so I figured it might not be a runaway. I might be wrong

Going to play it by the end of April though and Rustic hopefully whenever I find time to get to California, so I'll have to defer my actual thoughts!

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