Courses that disappointed you

[JSlonis]

Mike,

Thanks for the reply.  There are some really polarizing views of Bethpage.

I liked it okay, but I guess I was expecting more.  I share many of the same thoughts as Wayne does on this topic.

It would have been interesting to see what Doak, C&C, Forse & Co, and some of the other architects would have done with Bethpage given the same project that Jones was given. 

[Lou_Duran]

MPCirba,

Whatever you are, a round of golf with you is always welcomed.

Do you remember who joined us for the last couple of holes and how he went on and on about how much he liked my irons?  You can't know how much I miss those outings.

[Mike_Cirba]

MPCirba,

Whatever you are, a round of golf with you is always welcomed.

Do you remember who joined us for the last couple of holes and how he went on and on about how much he liked my irons?  You can't know how much I miss those outings.

Lou,

I clearly remember, and the great thing about golf is that it clearly transcends all other differences. 

I can't even begin to tell you how nervous I was playing those last couple of holes in the company of that man.   Thank God he was so gracious and friendly to our awe-struck group.

Let me know when you're back east.   I'd really enjoy getting together, Lou.

Mike

[Gerry B]

using the criteria of rankings and predetermined high expectations:

medinah 3
oakland hills
baltusrol lower
Congressional
LACC North
Wentworth
Kingston Heath
Redtail
Aronomink
My 1st 2 visits to The Country Club and Capilano - 3rd time was a charm in both cases
Pinehurst #2
Eastlake

not that they were bad courses  - was just expecting more

[Lloyd_Cole]

Pretty much every 'Upscale Daily Fee' I've been invited to in the NYC area.

Lloyd,

Would you put Branton Woods in that category??

John

I must say I can't remember the name of any of them except one maybe had 'Bear' in it...

Branton Woods rings a bell.. yes, I have the yardage book. I remember nothing. Now, bear in mind with me being the most forgetful man alive that doesn't mean some of the holes weren't fine, but it does mean I didn't make a note to return.

[Tim Book]

Unfortunately I jumped into the discussion to late and may now be just piling on but cast another vote for:

The Glen Club, Kemper Lakes, TPC Sawgrass and Apache Stronghold.  I had the misfortune of playing both TPC and Apache while they were in pretty poor shape.

Expectations can definately be a course killer.

[Philippe Binette]

Gullane no1

totally dissappointed.... lack of character, when there's North Berwick West at 75 Pounds 10 minutes away, you can't charge 100 Pounds for Gullane no1

[Sean_A]

Gullane no1

totally dissappointed.... lack of character, when there's North Berwick West at 75 Pounds 10 minutes away, you can't charge 100 Pounds for Gullane no1

I too was disappointed with #1, but pleasantly surprised by #3 so it all evens out.  I tell you what, Gullane would be a great club to be a member of.  The members can have their touristas and cake.  Its a good deal.

Ciao

[Chris_Blakely]

Pretty much every 'Upscale Daily Fee' I've been invited to in the NYC area.

Lloyd,

Would you put Branton Woods in that category??

John

I must say I can't remember the name of any of them except one maybe had 'Bear' in it...

Branton Woods rings a bell.. yes, I have the yardage book. I remember nothing. Now, bear in mind with me being the most forgetful man alive that doesn't mean some of the holes weren't fine, but it does mean I didn't make a note to return.

I actually enjoyed Branton Woods.  I thought Bergstol did a good job there.  If Bear Brook (in NJ) was one of the courses you are talking about then I can see that course fitting your description.

It is a mute point anyways because Branton Woods is private now!

Chris

[Brian Cenci]

As on Wall Street, the only way to disappoint is to mismanage expectations...

For me it was Pinehurst #2. I was young. After all the hoopla I was expecting a religious experience.

First tee...no big deal. First hole...whatever. Second tee...more the same. Second green...whoah.

But by then, I was already disappointed. To this day I don't think there are any particularly unforgettable tee shots on the course. But the greens are spectactular. But I was expecting a great golf course, and was let down to find "only" world class green complexes.

I have since gotten over it, and quite enjoy the course.

mjw

Matt,
     I would agree.  I can name 5 Ross' I would rather play.

-Brian

[Brian Cenci]

I expected a bit more from Double Eagle for a course on everybody's top 100 list. The conditioning and aesthetic presentation are very good and stretch of holes from 4-7 along with 17 are darn good, but its not quite on a level with most of the other top 100 level courses I've seen. Forest Highlands is the better Weiskopf/Morrish course IMO.

Desert Forest as I've said before was too narrow for my tastes. Being the first course in the area counts for something I suppose and the greens are very good, but it wasn't what I expected from the raves it gets here.

Troon North New Pinnacle was rather ordinary IMO. I can think of a few public courses in New Mexico that are 1/4 of the price of TN that I liked as well or better to mention other AZ area courses.

The Irish Course at Whistling Straits also makes my list, as does Wuskowhan Players Club and its forced carries on almost every hole.

I can agree with you on Wuskowhan Players Club, but the Irish course is solid.  Don't understand why people hate it.

-Brian

[Brian Cenci]

Disappointed after I played:

* Oakland Hills - Can't see how this is consistently ranked in the top 20 in all publications.  Greens are fun but everything else isn't too special for me (take away #11 which is a great hole).  I prefer other Ross layouts like Inverness, Pine Needles, Franklin Hills and Holston Hills over it.

* Hawktree - I do like Engh but this is one of my least favorites.

* Pinehurst No. 2 - see Oakland Hills.

[Andy Troeger]

Brian,
I don't hate the Irish Course, I just don't think its fabulous or worth $140 or whatever their current price is. There are some good holes although its a bit over the top throughout. I don't care for the finishing stretch at all though, #15 has some character but 16 is just brutally difficult and #18 is a par five with no real layup option. Also #9 is just brutal as well. There are quite a few courses (including the Meadow Valleys) that I'd rather play.

[Lou_Duran]

Mike Hendren,

For a coastal FL course, I LOVED Camp Creek.  I think it is one of those borderline courses that can rate any where between 75 and 200 modern.  However, not being a rater, I am probably wrong.

As to the site, I spent a bit of time there and I was told that it was pretty flat in its natural state.  According to management, the elevation changes and low-scale dune formations you witnessed were largely man made.  I don't have my notes here in CA, but I think I verified this information by observation and non-related party accounts. 

[Gary Slatter]

I have never played a course that disappointed me!  Some I have avoided, some I was forced to play (Torrey Pines) but honestly it's usually how I play uninteresting courses that disappoints me, more than the course.  Playing one of my favourites Doral Blue after it had been "improved" was disappointing, but it wasn't the courses' fault.

[Brian Cenci]

Brian,
I don't hate the Irish Course, I just don't think its fabulous or worth $140 or whatever their current price is. There are some good holes although its a bit over the top throughout. I don't care for the finishing stretch at all though, #15 has some character but 16 is just brutally difficult and #18 is a par five with no real layup option. Also #9 is just brutal as well. There are quite a few courses (including the Meadow Valleys) that I'd rather play.

Andy,
     When you take into account cost I can se your point regarding the Irish course and #18 is weak IMO but overall I think the course is fun, unique and takes you into a different world for your 18 holes, that means a lot to me in quality of a course.

-Brian