The Best Back Nine in Golf

[Mike Clayton]

Chris

Whilst 14 at RMW isnt the most spectacular hole on the course I dont think its devoid of interest simply because you have to hit a really nice little fade off the tee - anything pulled just a little finishes in the teatree left - and its a terrific green with its high point right in the middle.The bunkering is awfully good as well but by that stage in the round you just take the awesome bunkers for granted.

'A well known critic of Metro' -somehow I have apparantly earned this reputation mainly ,i suspect, because of a newspaper article I wrote before the 1997 Aus.Open where I questioned the reverence many had for the perfect fairways.Ive been a member since 1975 but most members completly misinterpreted my point which was ,perfection is fine but its not the measure of a course

Ran

Ive never thought about it but the front 9 at RMW is better than the back.Fortunatly though it doesnt matter.

[John_D._Bernhardt]

Cypress Point, Augusta National and TOC are just to good to pick between.

[john f]

Surprised no one has mentioned Sand Hills. The only thing lacking I would say would be a short drive & pitch par 4 (but 11 or 13 might qualify). The other I can think of from TV (but not in person) is Riviera.

[john f]

Surprised no one has mentioned Sand Hills. The only thing lacking I would say would be a short drive & pitch par 4 (but 11 or 13 might qualify). The other I can think of from TV (but not in person) is Riviera.

[ClarkW]

I hate to jump in and break up the Aussie lovefest as well as the Augusta vs. Cypress debate, but I would have to throw in a random vote for Waterville. Although the earlier mention of Portmarnock was interesting, I would have to say that Waterville's back nine is stronger and more diverse. A pair of par threes and trio of par fives that are beyond reproach plus a wide assortment of wonderful par fours (all with the exception of the equally famous and boring Liam's Ace at number 16) adds up to a stellar back nine.

[cardyin]

The back nine at The Country Club of North Carolina. The 10th isn't the greatest, but starting with the 11th, it's a succession of one great hole after another circling a large lake amidst longleaf pines and blooming dogwood trees in the spring.  The 13th hole (a downhill par 3 with the lake in the background), the 14th, an uphill 445-yard par 4 over the lake
and the 15th, another stern par 4 doglegging right and then over an inlet with the lake on the left, may be the best and most scenic three holes in a row anywhere.  When I used to compete in the North-South Amateur, I frequently started the day just standing behind the 14th green and watching the morning unfold.

[Will E]

Mor-Far is one of the strangest courses I've seen, the back nine isn't the best in golf (TPC Sawgrass is: ),but it sure is interesting.

[Rich_Goodale]

I'm not sure if I fully agree with Shooter re TPC-Sawgrass (15 is a bit weak and 18 is not as good as it looks on paper), but he's not far off and I think we give far too little credit to that course.  It is as good as any modren course I have played--and most of the older ones too.

[nandoal]

Bel-Air Country Club, one of the toughest backsides in the west

[John_D._Bernhardt]

Augusta, Cypress then TOC but what great back nines they are.

[Bob_Huntley]

Cypress the best back nine, no way, best back seven, maybe.

[Brad Miller]

Bob, 18 and 10 or 14?

[ChipOat]

J Slonis:

Nobody on this earth loves and appreciates Merion more than I.  After 35 years, it's still my favorite course.  I'll agree that Merion's back 5 plus #'s 11 and 12 are as good as it gets.  10 and 13 might be a tad weak for a "world's best" back 9, though.

All:

Not sure what my answer would be although Pine Valley and Shinnecock are in the running and Augusta, because of Ike's tree, is not.  National may be my favorite but I'm not sure it's the "best".  #15 at Pebble isn't my favorite hole and #'s 11 and 12 are pretty ordinary, so that's out.  Teeth of the Dog is a possibility.  TPC Sawgrass is another great one. Harbor Town, too - hey, that's 3 Pete Dye courses!

Like "the most beautiful woman" - too many great choices.  The fun is in the deliberations!

[Paul Turner]

Surprised there's no mention of Ballybunion

[Bob_Huntley]

Brad:

You are spot on, 10 and 18.

Bob

[ed_getka]

I can see in Geoff's book where #18 was a better hole in the past than it is now, but #10 looked weak even in the beginning. Does anyone have any insight into #10 as to whether it was ever a good hole?

[Mike_Cirba]

As much as I'd like to say Pine Valley, I think Merion's back nine is its equal.

Still, I have to wonder if it isn't really Muirfield.

[Stan Dodd]

I propose Carnoustie, when it playing links style and not the mockery of the 99 Open.  There is not one shot you can relax on and 16-18 require all your best.

[Bob_Huntley]

I am not sure that Pacific Grove Municipal Golf Course has the best back nine in golf, but if points were given  for the degree of improvement between the front and back nines, there is not a course in the country to compare.

[Rick Emerson]

Having just played North Berwick I decided to look at this thread and bump it. I don't know if North Berwick's back 9 is the best but it was the most fun back 9 I have ever played. I played it into the teeth of a stiff breeze which I hear is the opposite of the usual wind and maybe that has something to do with it. Every hole from 13-18 is fun and wild with incredibly memorable and strategic features. And into the wind 10-12 were turned from maybe just good under normal circumstancesto as hard as you could ever want. I thought into the wind the holes probably played the way they origionally played with the old ball and equipment downwind. I can see how Cypress  Point could top it but I haven't played there. I have seen and walked in person both the Old Course, Augusta, and played Royal Melbourne West and while they are all great, I still stand behind North Berwick as most fun and for me that equals the best.


I'd also like to hear other peoples' opinions on this one. What in your opinion is the best back 9 in golf?

[Bill_McBride]

For me it's a tie between The Old Course and Pasatiempo. 

[Mike Schott]

For me it's a tie between The Old Course and Pasatiempo.

I haven't played nearly the number of great courses as most of you but Pasatiempo was in my thoughts as well. There are no weak holes and a few (10, 11, 14, 16, 17) are exceptional.

[John Ezekowitz]

Perhaps it is because it is recent in my memory, but the back nine at Cabot Cliffs should be high up there in my opinion. Of course the 4 cliffside holes get significant attention, but the holes not on the water are superb as well. I especially like 13, the uphill par four with the mini alps mound in front of a saucer-shaped green.


If I had to criticize, I think 14 (downhill par three) is a bit bland and 17 has never struck my fancy, but those are minor quibbles. I also might wait a couple of seasons to go until the greens are truly grown in and able to be cut a bit tighter.

[Tim Passalacqua]

Another vote for Pasatiempo!

[Kalen Braley]

Pasa is my vote too, just terrific!