Best day on a golf course?

[Michael Morandi]

For me it was on Sunningdale after the 2012 Hurricane that hit the west of England. The sky was ethereal. And the course was in sync with it.

[Chris Hughes]

Very interesting question...


...I'll have to think about that for a good while before I can answer (if at all)...

[Phil Young]

For me it was the 1st round of the 1986 U. S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. It was raining on and off, windy and a bit chilly. Watching the greatest players in the world get pushed to their limits and then some was a lesson in what set the best apart from those a level below them. I'll never forget watching Jack Nickaus hit driver, fairway wood and mid-iron to the green on 9, all three shots played into the wind.
      Walking each hole several times that day, getting a bit soaked despite my rain outfit and umbrella, I was absolutely staggered by the course itself, how each hole flowed seamlessly into the next.
      It was a wonderful day that I will never forget...

[Chris Hughes]

For me it was the 1st round of the 1986 U. S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. It was raining on and off, windy and a bit chilly. Watching the greatest players in the world get pushed to their limits and then some was a lesson in what set the best apart from those a level below them. I'll never forget watching Jack Nickaus hit driver, fairway wood and mid-iron to the green on 9, all three shots played into the wind.
      Walking each hole several times that day, getting a bit soaked despite my rain outfit and umbrella, I was absolutely staggered by the course itself, how each hole flowed seamlessly into the next.
      It was a wonderful day that I will never forget...

Very cool... 


Completely expands my thought process -- was only thinking about when I was "playing" golf...

[Sam Morrow]

If everyday on the course isn't the best then you're doing it all wrong.

[Ira Fishman]

I have had hundreds of them. Yes, I know that is not a logically possible answer as the question is posed. But a relatively recent one comes to mind. In August 2023, we played Elie for our second time. It was a late afternoon tee time.  On the 12th tee which is about as far from the clubhouse as you can get, it started blowing and raining. We were having so much fun that we played on despite getting soaked. The rain stopped after several holes, but by the time we finished we were one of only a few groups left on the course. Dusk was descending, and we were cold and wet. And fully alive and energized from a glorious day of fun on a truly glorious golf course.

[PCCraig]

Managed to spend my 15th wedding anniversary this past Fall on the Monterrey Peninsula. Started the day with a round at Cypress, then walked Pebble at twilight on the way to dinner at Chez Noir in Carmel.


Tough to beat.

[cary lichtenstein]

My first visit to Pine Valley, being absolutely stunned by the uniqueness and beauty of every single hole

[Mark Mammel]

Sunday at the Master's 1992, Freddy Couple's year, with my wife. She arranged for tickets for my 40th birthday! As we had an 8 month old at home, we couldn't stay for Monday's finish- but what a weekend we had.

[Dan Gallaway]

Pacific Dunes, May 2020.  Perfect mid-50s day with winds 10-15.  Our group had two threesomes and everyone but me was on their first trip to Bandon Dunes Resort.  Managed +1 through 12 holes.  Stopped for a whisky, which turned into two.  The second group caught up with us, we each grabbed another drink and headed for the 13th tee as a group of 6.  Enjoyed the rest of the round as the only people on the course.  Score faltered....

[Tommy Williamsen]

One day sticks out: the day my son and I won the Father/Son tournament at our local club. He was about ten and played like a champ. It was so much fun just to watch him.

[Jamie Pyper]

My lifelong dream was to host my four siblings and their spouses on a family reunion tour of Ireland, which came together in the Summer of 2023. Our final round was playing St. Patrick's with all my brothers while my sister and all our spouses walked alongside, which has never happened before over a lifetime of golf.  Glorious day together included my eagle two on Number 9, but way more entertaining was watching my youngest brother take eight blows (including penalties) to get out of a particularly snarly pot bunker, much to our laughter, and since we had it on video, we did what any loving brothers would do and sent it on to his friends to share with the world.  We didn't know it at the time, but this was to be the last round of golf, the last pint, and the last laughter our family would all share together as he would be taken quickly afterwards by cancer. This was the best day I have spent on a golf course. 

[PThomas]

For me it was the 1st round of the 1986 U. S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. It was raining on and off, windy and a bit chilly. Watching the greatest players in the world get pushed to their limits and then some was a lesson in what set the best apart from those a level below them. I'll never forget watching Jack Nickaus hit driver, fairway wood and mid-iron to the green on 9, all three shots played into the wind.
      Walking each hole several times that day, getting a bit soaked despite my rain outfit and umbrella, I was absolutely staggered by the course itself, how each hole flowed seamlessly into the next.
      It was a wonderful day that I will never forget...

Jack actually lost a ball that round

[Peter Sayegh]

My lifelong dream was to host my four siblings and their spouses on a family reunion tour of Ireland, which came together in the Summer of 2023. Our final round was playing St. Patrick's with all my brothers while my sister and all our spouses walked alongside, which has never happened before over a lifetime of golf.  Glorious day together included my eagle two on Number 9, but way more entertaining was watching my youngest brother take eight blows (including penalties) to get out of a particularly snarly pot bunker, much to our laughter, and since we had it on video, we did what any loving brothers would do and sent it on to his friends to share with the world.  We didn't know it at the time, but this was to be the last round of golf, the last pint, and the last laughter our family would all share together as he would be taken quickly afterwards by cancer. This was the best day I have spent on a golf course. 

I was going to answer but I won't after reading this.

Thanks for sharing Jamie.

[Mike Baillie]

First, I was fortunate as a junior golfer over 50 years ago to play hundreds of enjoyable rounds with Jamie and two of his brothers in our hometown of Stratford, Ontario.  The youngest brother noted was a pre-schooler then.  Reply #11 above.


My best two days on a golf course.  Both 36 holes.


2009 in Muirfield with a long time friend.  Managed to win the 1st match with a birdie on 17 then following lunch the 2nd round.  Observed member groups in front and behind us playing foursomes or alternate shot in a manner quite different than North Americans who seldom play that format.  Basically the partners were forecaddies for the tee shots or approach shots of their partner. Our best efforts needed to maintain our place closer to the group infront so the group behind didn't wait  An up and down par on 18 got me another 1 up win and more importantly another pint in the clubhouse, after changing into jacket and tie again.  As we settled our bill the secretary not only had us sample some kummel but took us on a tour of the clubhouse.


2016 at Cabot Cape Breton.  Two rounds on the Cliffs on a great sunny August day with 3 fellow members from my club in the Toronto area.  The others all better players than me but all of us could play the course in some effective manner within our capabilities.  All four of us managed to birdie 18 on the 2nd round in that type of variety.  After a bit of time on the white sectionals by the 10th green / 11th tee off to The Red Shoes pub to finish the day.

[Phil Burr]

It would be so easy to choose the day when my father gifted me as a high school graduation gift a morning at Pebble Beach & afternoon at Cypress Point.  But it’s not even close.


Sometime in the mid-90s, I played Rancho Canada East in Carmel CA (NLE) with my mom, dad & brother.  My mom was a determined late arrival to the game who couldn’t break 150 yards off the tee in an era where women’s tees were usually 5500+ yards.  In other words, the only par fours she ever hit in regulation came from a lucky bounce off her 3 wood.  Strangely, however, she did make 3 aces with her Ginty 7 wood.


She rarely broke 100 at our home club.  Her career low there was 97.  That day at Rancho Canada, she was happy to be joined by the three men in life for the first time in five years.  She played well that day.  When she bogeyed the 18th after a typical driver-3 wood-7 iron hole, the rest of us went up to her and asked her what she thought.  She said “ I thought I played OK; did I break 100?”.  When we told her she had finished in 84, she dissolved in tears of disbelief.  It was the last time I played with her and the last 18-hole round of her life.  What a great day!  We celebrated with lunch at the Tap Room.

[Michael Morandi]

Tough to beat Jamie and Phil’s best day on a golf course. Keep them coming.

[Mike Worth]

I have 2.


1,  In 2002, I went to a US Open practice round at Shinnecock.  I arrived at 6:45 am and went to the first tee. Waiting for the first players to appear, I saw the sign with the first group of "Woods, O'Meara, Scott" and one other I can't remember.  I looked around and there were maybe 5 others besides myself watching.  I'm thinking I can watch Tiger play with literally no one else around.  The group teed promptly at 7 am.  By the 3rd tee, more spectators showed up, so many in fact that the Woods group become unwatchable, so I made my way over to the 12th tee where Mickelson was by himself.  I think I saw John Daly playing #12 as well.  Eventually I ended up in the spectator stands on 15 fairway where 15, 16 and 17 form sort of a gladiator pit with raucous fans and cheering.  I walked up 18 just as Tiger was walking off -- there must have been fifty 12-15 year olds yelling "Tiger, Tiger, sign this."  Tiger had a distressed look -- he didn't stop to sign autographs but wasn't mean about it -- he legitimately wanted to go back to bed, I think.  I was amused when NY Times published an article about that practice round. https://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/12/sports/golf-notebook-woods-hits-stride-and-strikes-pose.html. 


2.  My other best day was in Scotland in 2009.  I had my sister and Uncle with me.  I've shared on this board I cared for my sister for 18 years before she passed in 2021.  So the trip was a mix of family and golf events.  My uncle agreed to help with my sister while I played golf (pre agreement of 3 rounds). Having already played Castle Stuart and Dornoch, I set out to play Brora on a Sunday morning.  I called the course on Saturday as I was unsure if the clubhouse would be open early Sunday.  I was told it didn't open until late morning and they explained the honor box, etc.  So I teed at first light -- by myself -- me and the sheep and got around in less than 3 hours.  It was mid-October when the weather could be iffy but I lucked out -- not too cold and only rainy when I played Dornoch.  After playing Brora, I returned back to my lodging in Dornoch, and scooped up the family for a tour of Dunrobbin Castle.  A wonderful day. 

[Jason_Bernardon]

How about the best day on 2 golf courses?


For me it started being toured around an under construction Roost at Cabot Citrus by Andrew Harvie. Golf carts on Ranger mode are a lot of fun! This was followed by 10 or so holes of golf on the recently completed holes, which included a good dose of dirt golf. (Holes 1 and 18 really stand out to me, but need to see more). I capped off the day with a very pleasant 9 holes at Winter Park.


One of the more unique and unusual days of golf I’ve ever experienced.

[Mike Schott]

Must have been 25-30 years ago in early May at Garland Resort in mid-Michigan. Two of my best friends and one's wife. The golf was not special but we had so much fun. It snowed a bit, the sun would come out, it snowed again, and repeat. Hot chocolate from the cart girl. Such great memories. Sadly one of these best bud's passed away far too young just over 3 years ago but the memory of this trip lives forever.

[Richard Fisher]

Two playing days
Luffness, March 1997, 50 holes on a perfect spring day on an almost empty golf course
Muirfield, the following day: 36 holes on another perfect spring day on an almost empty golf course, plus a proper HCEG lunch: my playing partner and I then drove the six hours back to Cambridge
Two spectating days
Harlech - September 2002, Wales winning the Home Internationals for the one and only time to date, and on home soil
Brancaster - March 199? Oxford coming from behind on a day of dreadful visibility to win the University Match in thrilling style
And one more
Ganton - September 2003,  watching an old friend help GB&I to win the Walker Cup was a pretty good day too
Those were all Very Good Days

[archie_struthers]

 


Played 54 holes in one day at Sand Hills in 2001 ...absolutely beautiful day.


For some reason the 2nd shot on #10 was incredibly fun that day , and got to try it three different times

[Matt Bosela]

What a lovely topic.  The one that pops immediately to mind is my first visit to Muirfield in August 2017.


60 degrees and glorious sunshine all day. An incredible group of eight guys all experiencing one of the best courses in the world for the first time. After nervously snapping my opening drive into the long stuff on the first hole and making double bogey, I'd settle down and make an eagle and four birdies, including a tap in birdie on 17 and finishing it off with a 25 foot curler for birdie on the last to shoot a ridiculous 72, certainly one of the rounds of my life.


Add to that the remarkable extravaganza that is the Muirfield lunch, the afternoon round of alternate shot (so fun) and finishing off the day on the gorgeous Muirfield patio, downing a couple pints and some wine over great conversation and basking in the golden hour sunshine.


Here's a photo from the patio, with notable GCA'ers like Andrew Lewis, Matt Schmidt, Chris Hufnagel and of course, Howard Riefs (RIP - simply the best guy you can imagine).  I'll never forget that day or that entire trip.

[Jason Topp]

Despite my less than mediocre game, my best days so far have been competitive rounds where I felt great about the result rather than finishing beaten up which is my typical experience. 


About 15 years ago I got on the edge of contention in a club championship and finished 4th.  I beat my brains out the next ten years trying to improve enough to actually have a chance to win, and instead screwed up my game so badly that I started to become concerned that I could not even compete in a friendly foursome, no less a competition.   


My best day was a few years ago in the net flight of our club championship.  I played extremely well the first day and shot 77 against an 12 handicap which basically narrowed the competition to me and one other guy.  I knew the second day would be a challenge, but I played well again and found myself with a five shot lead with three to play.   After a rough couple of holes, I knew that if I made a bogey on the last, my opponent would need an eagle.  I played very conservatively, avoiding water and left myself 50 yards in for my fourth.   My opponent host a great third to 8 feet.


All I needed to do was to hit a pitch to the middle of the green and two putt.   Instead, I shanked in the water.  I then faced another pitch over water, over a bank and I needed to get it up and down and hope my opponent missed.   Somehow, I did it.   My opponent hit a great putt that lipped out and I won.


Only the participants pay attention to the net flight, but after so many dark days, it was a thrill to actually come through for once.   


That thrill is what I still chase in the game.   I love a great golf course and playing with wonderful people, but trying to hit a good shot that is meaningful for me is still the heart of the game as I experience it.

[PThomas]

FAR too many to pick just one

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