Golf Digest 2021 US Top 100

[Adam G]

Is out here.


Very odd list in some ways. For instance, Muirfield Village above LACC and Friar's Head and tons of Fazios in the top 50 (Wade Hampton #26, Shadow Creek #27, Gozzer Ranch #31, Alotian #35, Congaree #39, Victoria National #47, Butler National #49). I thought they were going to add "fun" and switch things up this year, but I guess not?

[Dan_Callahan]

Interesting that in New England, the Country Club, Kittansett, Myopia, Essex, Old Sandwich, and Boston Golf Club all made it, but Newport CC didn’t.

[Mark Smolens]

Whistling Straits #23? It's not even the best course at Kohler. . . and six spots higher than Pinehurst #2? Even Mr. Dye himself has to be chuckling at that one.

[MCirba]

Seems like someone decided the midwest was under-represented.

[Tom_Doak]

I thought they were going to add "fun" and switch things up this year, but I guess not?

Well, they still have Sebonack rated as my second-best course in the U.S.A., so, I guess not.

[Will Lozier]

When Butler National is ranked 15 spots ahead of Inverness (or any other course after it for that matter), the list loses all credibility.

[Jeff Schley]

I'm a big proponent of Maidstone being in the top 50.  Also would have Valley Club in that tier certainly. I don't want to pick on others who maybe pushed out, but I do feel Maidstone/Valley Club should be top 50.

[Peter Pallotta]

I thought they were going to add "fun" and switch things up this year, but I guess not?

Well, they still have Sebonack rated as my second-best course in the U.S.A., so, I guess not.

Probably for another thread and another time, if any/ever, but I think 'fun' is a byproduct of excellent design rather than its primary goal. Like 'happiness', aim & strive for it ('fun') above all else and you'll never find-achieve it -- only a pale and tepid imitation.

[Jeff Schley]

I thought they were going to add "fun" and switch things up this year, but I guess not?

Well, they still have Sebonack rated as my second-best course in the U.S.A., so, I guess not.

Probably for another thread and another time, if any/ever, but I think 'fun' is a byproduct of excellent design rather than its primary goal. Like 'happiness', aim & strive for it ('fun') above all else and you'll never find-achieve it -- only a pale and tepid imitation.

What if it is an "excellent" penal design?

[PCCraig]

Butler above Shoreacres?!?

[Adam G]

Ha. Or if Fazio (13) has more than Ross (10), Tillinghast (9 including Sleepy Hollow which shouldn't count), Dye (8 ), Doak (5), MacKenzie (5), Raynor (5), Coore and Crenshaw (4), Flynn (3), or Hanse (1).


Have to assume Ohoopee wasn't eligible.

When Butler National is ranked 15 spots ahead of Inverness (or any other course after it for that matter), the list loses all credibility.

[Cal Seifert]

After reading the replies I don’t even want to click the link and give them the ad revenue.

[Ira Fishman]

And I thought that people on gca.com did not care about rankings, yet multiple posts within a couple of hours. Oh well.


Ira

[Terry Lavin]

And I thought that people on gca.com did not care about rankings, yet multiple posts within a couple of hours. Oh well.


Ira

Any post (and I mean any post) about rankings will ALWAYS get plenty of attention because we all have opinions. Some have more of a basis for these opinions, but few resist the urge to share.

[Bernie Bell]

And I thought that people on gca.com did not care about rankings, yet multiple posts within a couple of hours. Oh well.


Ira

Any post (and I mean any post) about rankings will ALWAYS get plenty of attention because we all have opinions. Some have more of a basis for these opinions, but few resist the urge to share.

Plus on gca.com there's never a bad time to rag on Fazio.  I've never played any of those 13, but if they're "better" than Aldarra and Caves Valley, I think I might like to.

[John Kavanaugh]

Is this the first list since Digest prostituted itself by demanding money from raters? Which raters played where, why and how during a pandemic is an interesting subject. Hopefully 2020 was a new low in ballots submitted.

[Steve Lapper]

For every GD rater whose hard currency was spent being part of this (borrowing from Mitt Romney yesterday):


"Aren't you embarrassed?"




Could easily be the single worst list in the last decade.

[Andrew Harvie]

This is definitely not it

[Brent Carlson]

While my preferences are more in line with the other magazines it's nice to have some variety out there.  GD has its own unique brand that favors championship golf courses.  I like it.

[Tim Martin]

And I thought that people on gca.com did not care about rankings, yet multiple posts within a couple of hours. Oh well.


Ira

Not only do people on GCA care about rankings but there are usually pages of posts every time a new list is released. Industry people cite them when they are favorable to a project they are involved with and take shots at them when they aren’t. Members of the subject courses are no different and will grouse when their course falls off or down the list and applaud when their course moves onto or up the list. That’s the way of the world and Tom Fazio must be having a good day.

[Kalen Braley]

And I thought that people on gca.com did not care about rankings, yet multiple posts within a couple of hours. Oh well.

Ira

Not only do people on GCA care about rankings but there are usually pages of posts every time a new list is released. Industry people cite them when they are favorable to a project they are involved with and take shots at them when they aren’t. Members of the subject courses are no different and will grouse when their course falls off or down the list and applaud when their course moves onto or up the list. That’s the way of the world and Tom Fazio must be having a good day.

Agreed Tim,

Always cracks me up when this site bitches non-stop about lists that they are meaningless, unimportant, etc...but then the second one gets posted up the fur starts flying.  Certainly one of the more interesting GCA paradoxes.

I always figured it was a bit like pissing and moaning about the gals in the Miss America Pageant and who should win or be runner up. And it usually comes down to some guy saying "well West Coast blondes are the best", and some other guy " to hell with you, its the Southern Red headed Belles", and off it goes down the rabbit hole.

But its all just personal preferences at the end of the day and from where I sit they all crazy hot and I wouldn't mind spending a few nights with any of them, just like I wouldn't mind playing any of the courses on this list either.

[Tim Martin]

Anyone that likes the list has to at the very least raise an eyebrow as to the ordering. Both Mark Smolens and Will Lozier made reference to a couple of examples in their posts above that seem spot on.

[Tom_Doak]

While my preferences are more in line with the other magazines it's nice to have some variety out there.  GD has its own unique brand that favors championship golf courses.  I like it.

This is one interpretation, but how many of those 13 Tom Fazio courses are "championship golf courses" ?  Maybe Butler National.


In addition to "resistance to scoring", the GOLF DIGEST formula has always rewarded courses that are highly manicured.  Years ago, I realized that my dislike of their list was the direct result of disliking their formula.  Until they change the latter, you're still going to see the same courses on there.  But I won't lose any sleep over it in the meantime.

[John Handley]

this list is a joke for many, many reasons.  But the one that is glaring, and is near and dear to my heart....really?  No Cal Club in the Top 100?  Who puts this list together, Tom Fazio's fan club?

[James Reader]

Seems like even Golf Digest aren’t happy with the list 


https://www.geoffshackelford.com/homepage/2021/5/3/golf-digest-course-ranking-2021-you-get-what-you-charge-for