Until it changes tonight.
Lahinch
CPC
NB
PH2
Somerset Hills
Ballyneal
Woking
Pasatiempo
St. George’s Hill
Bandon Trails
Swinley Forest
Friar’s Head
Primland
PD
Golspie
Mid Pines
The Island Club
Brora
Elie
RD
Pine Needles
Ballybunion Old
Streamsong Blue
Waterville
Kilspindie
In order of my enjoyment in playing the course, not my assessment of architectural merit (although there is a pretty strong correspondence). For example, there are several courses superior to Golspie, Elie, and Kilspindie, but those are just so darn fun to play. I also have a bias toward MP and PN because we have played them the most frequently. Toughest to leave off: Streamsong Red, Ridgewood, Old Mac, Crail Balcomie, and Hope Valley (too much home club bias for HV to include).
To answer Cal’s question, Somerset, Ballyneal, Friar’s Head, SS Blue are all new plays in the past year. Woking moved up because I find myself replaying in my head frequently. Primland moved up because we do not go there because staying there has become outrageously expensive, but I find myself missing the course—unique architecture and maybe the most aesthetically compelling course that is not on the water.
Btw, for those of you who like rankings, top100courses released their new Top 100s for Scotland, Ireland, and England about 10 days ago. St. Patrick’s busted into the Big 5 in Ireland.
Ira