[Tommy Williamsen]

What courses have you played that generally a well traveled golfer wouldn't probably play unless they were niuts?


I'll start with two. The first one is in a country many people have never heard of: Lesotho. It is Maseru GC.





The Second is Elephant Hills GC in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

[jeffwarne]

https://www.golf.com/news/columns/2019/08/28/bamberger-7-best-things-golf-shelter-island/


I had no idea Michael had written this last year...

[Ira Fishman]

Not quite as exotic as Africa, but I have played Mt. Massive which is nearly 10,000 feet above sea level. It is in Leadville Colorado which is far better known for long distance biking and running races.


Ira

[MCirba]

Great article about Goat Hill....thanks for sharing it, Jeff.
Sounds so much like my kind of place.

[Mark Saltzman]

Bridport Golf Club, Bridport, TAS, Australia -- to play here, you're likely skipping a round at a world top-100.

[jeffwarne]

Bridport Golf Club, Bridport, TAS, Australia -- to play here, you're likely skipping a round at a world top-100.

I drove over to Bridport GC and walked a couple holes one evening-torn between walking the entire course and getting my order in at a local restaurant in town before last orders at 8.
I liked what I saw but to your point you are liable to be skipping one of two incredible courses down the street.

Wynard golf club(near the airport in Burnie-aerial below) I just got a walk around the 9 holer under the last orders wire

I walked around a few holes at several other remote 9 holers in Tasmania as my back was out at least 1/2 the days I was there.

Queenstown GC deserted and locked up tight at midday on a Sunday with no honor box and a nasty sign saying members only
Sheffield Golf Club(town famous for murals) looked like a few interesting holes.
Strahan Golf Club-looked quite forgettable with a couple cool greens and a dingy neighborhood surrounding it
Roseberry Golf Club- the 8th and 9th holes climb and ascend one of the steepest hills I've seen in golf 8  seems about 10 miles long
Feycinet Golf Club-looked like good elevation change and some decent stuff-only drove through after a hike up to a view of Wineglass Bay



Tarraleah-stumbled on this gem driving from Strahan to Hobart
Felt like a an English heath/parkland. An old hydroelectric town where the plant had closed(the course was built in the 40's) and was down to 20 members.
My wife and I played 9 holes and had a nice chat with the gentleman in charge-We had the place to ourselves on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Several very good holes and a real English club feeling with Large pines and vegetation.

[Tommy Williamsen]

Not quite as exotic as Africa, but I have played Mt. Massive which is nearly 10,000 feet above sea level. It is in Leadville Colorado which is far better known for long distance biking and running races.


Ira

That course at Leadville is a blast and cheap as well.

[Thomas Dai]

Have a read of Ran’s latest Featured Interview above, the one with Paul Jansen and also Toms comments - https://golfclubatlas.com/feature-interview/feature-interview-with-paul-jansen/. - quite a few examples of off the beaten track golf.
Atb

[Pete_Pittock]

Christmas Valley in Christmas Valley, Oregon, which is about halfway between Bend and Lakeview.  9 holes (1964) and 3500+. It is out and back, so safest play was left. Vague recollections except a par 3 that was the most severe fall-away green I have ever played. Single irrigation, as evidenced by satellite view. There are a couple of sandy deserts in the area. Unless you live there the only reason to play is a quest to play all the golf courses in Oregon. (By the way, still there until Sheep Ranch opens).

[Tommy Williamsen]

Have a read of Ran’s latest Featured Interview above, the one with Paul Jansen and also Toms comments - https://golfclubatlas.com/feature-interview/feature-interview-with-paul-jansen/. - quite a few examples of off the beaten track golf.
Atb

I should have mentioned that the article gave me the idea for the thread.

[Tom_Doak]

Tommy:


I've been fortunate to see quite a few of these places in the past 4-5 years, in making my travels for The Confidential Guide redux.


Elephant Hills was on my list, but I don't know if I'll get there.  Masa did, and was not too keen on it.  But it IS a golf resort with a hotel right next to Victoria Falls, so if you have to be "nuts" to play there, their business model is a bit off!




I counted last night and found I have managed to see 55 of the 100 courses on Paul Jansen's list.  I'm curious if anyone else here has gotten to half, but I would bet against it.


I need to think a bit more this weekend so I can make a post about other courses which should be on his list.  He had about 15 from Britain & Ireland, and while I would agree with some, there are many that are more deserving.  [Clyde Johnson would be a good source on these, and Jeff Warne obviously.]


P.S. to Mark S.:  Bridport Golf Club was a more viable alternative when we were building Barnbougle, and there was nowhere else to play -- although I only ever walked it.  I wondered if it would continue after Barnbougle opened, but it still serves its purpose for the locals.  Likewise, my construction crews have appreciated the two courses at North Berwick, Bridge Pa [aka Hastings Golf Club] and another pasture course I can't remember the name of near Cape Kidnappers, and even the Deer Lodge Muni . . . although I don't remember anyone playing at Holyoke GC.  [We did play at Wray one night.]

[Sean_A]

I guess my first question is, would folks recommend others taking on the hassle and expense to play these courses or are we on about if in the near neighbourhood check the course out?

Ciao

[Greg Tallman]

Grenada GC - bizarre little 9 holer on the island of Grenada. Criss-crossing holes, a true horseshoe hole that you couldn’t cut any corners... hilariously entertaining.

[Ira Fishman]

I guess my first question is, would folks recommend others taking on the hassle and expense to play these courses or are we on about if in the near neighbourhood check the course out?

Ciao

As it relates to my post about Mt. Massive, definitely not worth a special trip for the golf. But Leadville is a really cool town, and the Mountains surrounding it are spectacular. If you are in Colorado, it is worth stopping in for a visit. Plus as Tommy notes, the course (9 holes) is great fun. Your shots will never travel as well. My Sister has lived in Leadville for 20 years so if you decide to visit, let me know.


Ira

[Tommy Williamsen]

I guess my first question is, would folks recommend others taking on the hassle and expense to play these courses or are we on about if in the near neighbourhood check the course out?

Ciao

Only a crazy man would play Maseru and a golf nut play golf in Victoria Falls.

[Daryl David]

Two 9 holers that were a blast.


Tia Tapu Golf Club near Christchurch NZ


http://www.taitapugolf.co.nz/




Valdres Golf Club near Aurdal Norway


http://valdresgolf.ipage.no/

[Tommy Williamsen]

Two 9 holers that were a blast.


Tia Tapu Golf Club near Christchurch NZ


http://www.taitapugolf.co.nz/




Valdres Golf Club near Aurdal Norway


http://valdresgolf.ipage.no/

They look fascinating. You didn't get to the Lofoten Links by any chance? I hope to get there next year.

[Daryl David]

Two 9 holers that were a blast.


Tia Tapu Golf Club near Christchurch NZ


http://www.taitapugolf.co.nz/




Valdres Golf Club near Aurdal Norway


http://valdresgolf.ipage.no/

They look fascinating. You didn't get to the Lofoten Links by any chance? I hope to get there next year.

I did get to Lofoten on the same trip. 


I owe Valdres to Tom Doak who steered me in that direction.  It’s about 2.5 hours from Oslo. Beautiful drive. Same designer as Lofoten. Jeremy Turner.

[Jeff Evagues]

Rarotonga GC. 9 holes in the Cook Islands. Stopped there on a South Pacific cruise.

[Carl Rogers]

Lake Lure, NC has an interesting Ross 9 holer.  Mountain roads make for tedious drive from Asheville.  Very mom & pop.

[MKrohn]

Given I'm from the arse end of the earth, golf in the southern hemisphere, Africa, NZ, Sth Am and if you want to go north of the equator (Asia) is not that exotic.


I'm keen on here: https://twistedsifter.com/2010/05/himalayan-golf-course-worlds-most-exotic/

[Thomas Dai]

Golf comes in all sorts of shapes and forms and budget levels and it can be enjoyed in all sorts of shapes and forms and budget levels too. Let's just keep on enjoying it, which at the moment ........
atb

[Tommy Williamsen]

This course is in Antsirabe, Madagascar. I didn't play it but did walk a couple of holes. You're right Thomas, golf is enjoyed everywhere. BTW, I couldn't find Foulepoint.

[Chris_Blakely]

Lake Lure, NC has an interesting Ross 9 holer.  Mountain roads make for tedious drive from Asheville.  Very mom & pop.

Lake Lure is Stiles and Van Kleek.

[Greg Gilson]

Been here a couple of times. Cuba's 1 course. Couple of great photos in the "clubhouse" of Fidel putting!
 https://www.varaderogolfclub.com/en/home.asp 

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