I'd give this thread a 4.
Perhaps we should craft a definition for a thread which earns a rating of 4:
"Comprised mostly of brief opinions. Worthy of modest attention and potential contribution. In case of Internet service outage, do not travel no more than 5 minutes by car to resume participation."
Potential contribution:
I enjoy these lists, though it's less exciting than it used to be, since there are only a few new courses each decade, let alone year.
The one list I know of that values Old Macdonald as the second best course at Bandon Dunes.
I've balked at making this comment for years, but I will offer that I simply don't understand why The Dunes is considered a top 50 course. This has to be the single most biased and sentimental choice on the list. One of my problems seeing this as a great course was my poor health and outlook at the time; I was tired and half drunk much of that trip, which made me less appreciative. Still, I thought The Dunes was narrow and overgrown with trees. Strategic choices seemed both limited and ordinary, and greenside short game play was not particularly inspiring or playful. It's a beautiful, secluded place, but the golf course was merely good to me, and it was only nine holes, so I don't get it. It has a compelling history; it is Mike Keizer's first golf course project and features a prestigious Midwestern membership. As a result, I think there is significant bias in its favor. Apologies to my member friend(s), but I thought it was time to question that ranking.
We're never getting rid of that pesky Sand Hills GC at the #1 spot. Maybe they can induct it into a new Hall of Fame and retire it. Sand Hills will always be #1. The strongest lock in the rankings.
Surprised Kingsley is ahead of Rock Creek, and Dismal River (Red). Wade Hampton is 10th; it must be very nice. I think Stone Eagle is better than The Quarry (in La Quinta), but the raters don't think so. Fazio courses get more respect in the Golfweek list than they do on Golf Club Atlas.