What is the most difficult course to get to play?

[Rick Sides]

A friend of mine and I recently had a conversation about dream courses we would love to play.  His first choice was Augusta, although I know very few people personally that have ever gotten to play it; not just watch the Masters.  What do you think is the most difficult course to get on and why?

[Anthony Gray]

  Old Huckaby

[PCCraig]

Augusta National
The Floridian
Cypress

Here in Chicago;

Chicago Golf,
Shoreacres,
Old Elm,

[Mike Nuzzo]

Wolf Point
To get on you'd need to know the architect, the super or the owner.
And get a little lucky too - because one has more weight than the other two.
Cheers

[Bob_Huntley]

Rick,

It all depends on when you want to play.

At one time is was Royal dar es Salaam on Rabat, Morocco. The king played there and no one else was on the course at the time. He then put on a tournament each year and Billy Casper was generally his guest of honor and frequent winner of the event.

In the States,  I think Walter Annanberg's place in Palm Desert was the toughest ticket.


Bob

[Tom Birkert]

In the UK I'd probably say Queenwood.

In the US, from a UK perspective, from the "ranked" courses I'd guess at Cypress Point, Chicago Golf Club and Seminole.

I think Ellerston in Australia is probably up there too.

[John Keenan]

Bob

Curious if the Annanberg course is still in existence?

I would suspect that other personal courses are quite hard to get on.

John

[Rick Sides]

Mike,
I heard the architect of that Wolf Point is pretty good.

[J_ Crisham]

In the US some tough accesses would be The Jupiter Island Club, Fishers Island, Augusta National. I've found Chicago Golf to be quite doable-I suspect as with the other named clubs it's simply a matter of being in the proper circles.           Jack

[Mike Fowler]

The Alotian, Warren Stephens new course in Maumelle, Arkansas.

[Mark Smolens]

I think I need to spend more time in Jack's circles 

[Brian Cenci]

I've never played it, but tried to, but Seminole Golf Club has got to be up there.

[tlavin]

I'd go with Augusta National, if only on the basis of the limited number of members and the limited amount of time it's open during the year.  That makes it tough to get done, even if one has some connections.

[Phil_the_Author]

From the number of guys, and a few ladies, who have asked me to help, Bethpage Black is a real tough one to manage as well for those who live out of state and even for a few who are in-state...

p.s. - I don't mind helping when I can...

[Will MacEwen]

In Canada, it is likely Redtail, although I think the Quebecor or Powercorp people have some sort of ultra exclusive course in rural Quebec.

[Chip Gaskins]

Morfontaine  (Honorable Mentions: Crystal Downs, LACC, The Golf Club, Fishers Island, Yeamans Hall)

[C. Squier]

I'd suspect it all comes down to where you're from.....I know quite a few guys from Georgia who've played Augusta National.  But they wouldn't know where to start if they wanted to play Chicago GC or Shoreacres, and vice versa for myself. 

ANGC does have one thing going against it, if the legend is true.....you can't ask a member or even hint at the desire to play it, even if they're more than just an acquaintance.  I don't know of any other club that has that unwritten rule for the members to abide by....again, if the legend is true. 

I hold out hope that dumb luck will be my guiding light over time and I'll get to see a few of the places named here  

[Ash Towe]

I think in Australia it would be Ellerston.   It is owned by the Packer family, I think you have to know a family member.
In New Zealand it would be Michael Hill's course in Arrowtown.  However he does allow some outside play, as well as the NZ Open.

[J_ Crisham]

Chip,   I would agree with all of the courses you listed with the exception of Crystal Downs. My understanding is that after mid Sept the course will allow outside play if your home pro makes the call for you. We played here in the 2nd week of Sept and you could shoot a cannon thru the course and not hit anyone. I counted 3 other groups the day we played. As an aside, I found this to be one of the friendliest group of people at a top notch club that I've visited. The staff, one of whom is a GCA member who shall remain nameless, was very engaging and quite helpful. Great place, Jack

[Joe Bausch]

Bausch National in Saint Davids, PA.  A neat little pitch and putt by Whigham and Barker.  Well, come to think of it, a case of cold Budweiser will get you on it in no time. 

[J_ Crisham]

I'd suspect it all comes down to where you're from.....I know quite a few guys from Georgia who've played Augusta National.  But they wouldn't know where to start if they wanted to play Chicago GC or Shoreacres, and vice versa for myself. 

ANGC does have one thing going against it, if the legend is true.....you can't ask a member or even hint at the desire to play it, even if they're more than just an acquaintance.  I don't know of any other club that has that unwritten rule for the members to abide by....again, if the legend is true. 

I hold out hope that dumb luck will be my guiding light over time and I'll get to see a few of the places named here  

Clint, You bring up an excellent point regarding it depends on where you call home. That was my thought regarding what circles you run in. Obviously those of us in Chicago are more likely to have aquaintences at Chicago or the venerable OFCC!         Jack

[Kenny Baer]

I would have to say Augusta; I am from GA and have never had the chance to play it and neither has my father and he is in his mid 50's and has played at least 35-40 of the Top 100 including some pretty exclusive places.

What makes Augusta so difficult is the "don't ask policy" plus the fact that everyone wants to get on; people spend their entire lives trying to get an invite to ANGC and never get the opportunity, there are just so few "regular" guys among their membership anymore.  

I think if anyone spent their whole life trying to get on Chicago, Fishers, PV, The Golf Club, Double Eagle.....ect......they would find a way.

[cary lichtenstein]

Augusta is the most difficult to get to play

[Anthony Fowler]

Pocantico Hills is certainly up there.  Are there any others that are comparable in terms of quality and sheer exclusivity.

[Anthony Gray]

   What does this thread say about american golf ? Most of the private clubs in GB & I allow non-members.