What is everyones dream course to play on the USA East Coast

[krtgolfing]

Easy. Augusta National.

[jcook10]

I have two less historic courses that have been on the top of my list as of late. I blame Evan Schiller and his photos for my recent obsession. But the two courses are The Creek on Long Island and Union League National in New Jersey. Both look incredible.  

[teejaywhy]

On 1/23/2025 at 5:07 AM, MrSandbagger said:

I was having this conversation with my friends about which course we would like to play the most, one of the lads was fortunate enough to play Pine Valley and Merion while the us other 3 had played nish lol. After doing some digging and picking out the courses that are perceived the best on the East Coast we had the debate in which courses we would like to play the most, my top 5 was; Pine Valley, Fishers Island, Shinnecock, NGLA and Winged Foot to play in that order. I would be interested to see what other people would choose and if any of you had played these courses could provide insight into what you truly thought to them. 

 

Those five would be on top of my list as well, maybe Merion instead of Winged Foot.

 

NGLA would be my #1

 

 

[Jgolfer99]

Great topic!  For me I would love to play a ton of them, but there are only (3) that would truly make my golf heart sing if I ever got a chance to actually be there. 

-Augusta

-Shinnecock (with 2004 greens so I could relive my Retief Goosen memories)

-The Country Club Brookline (so much incredible golf history there)

 

[GowerND11]

23 hours ago, jcvandamme said:

As a fellow rural PA teacher, I agree with all of the courses you listed. Just keeping it in PA, I would love to play CC of Scranton, Philly Cricket, or Aronimink as well, though I realize they might be a level below what you listed.

Yeah would definitely include all of them, and Lancaster CC. I did get the chance to play CC of Scranton last year, and will hopefully be doing it again this year. GAP has a stroke play event there, and while I am only an 8.6, I will gladly tee it up there even with no expectation of doing anything worth while. It's a truly amazing course. 

[Ty_Webb]

6 hours ago, jcook10 said:

I have two less historic courses that have been on the top of my list as of late. I blame Evan Schiller and his photos for my recent obsession. But the two courses are The Creek on Long Island and Union League National in New Jersey. Both look incredible.  

 

The Creek is really good. Don't know the other one. In Long Island terms, there's obviously Shinny and NGLA, then Maidstone, Friar's Head, and Garden City Mens Club just a smidge below them, then the Creek and Piping Rock just a little further behind. I haven't played Garden City, Maidstone, or Piping, but the Creek is right up there.

[JKreborn]

15 hours ago, Hawkeye77 said:

Having said that, I know there are some incredible golf courses in the eastern parts of the U.S. and if I was ever near one I'm sure I'd love to play it.  

 

I used to make it to the east coast with regularity, ironically when traveling across the pond. Such an easy flight from LHR to JFK. Now that I am based in TX, I have less reason to go. I do have quite a few mates at some of the nice clubs that are willing to share. Shoot me a PM if you ever have reason to be there and maybe I can help you out. 

[Chanceman]

Strangely enough Shinnecock Hills is the one I would one day most like to play even though I would probly shoot 150. Seems to have an interesting history, the site is amazing and the US Opens there are always slug fests. And that clubhouse!

[Pure716]

On 1/23/2025 at 12:27 PM, act0fgod said:

It's always strange to me when people have played high quality private courses and mention public courses as bucket list.  I guess no rush because you can always play but when someone gives an invite you have to go cause that might be your only chance?  Or a magazine rater?

 

For me I want to get back to the first course I ever played.  I can honestly remember the first shot I ever hit.  For some reason my dad thought a 5 iron was the best club as far as ease to hit and distance so that's what I used off the tee.

You hit the nail on the head (bolded portion). I am not a magazine rater, although I know a few. I was a PGA Professional for a number of years which gave me many amazing, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.  It didn't make sense to visit any of the resort courses at that time of my life.  They didn't do much for PGA members and would always be there provided I was willing to pay the green fees. Now I no longer work in the golf industry and have crossed off nearly every private club on my bucket list. This leaves those resort courses I never tackled (Like the Ocean course, Pebble, or St Andrews).

Edited January 25 by Pure716

[ChrisL52188]

I would pick 3.... Shinnecock Hills or National Golf Links or Sebonack.

 

But for pure golf course architecture? Pine Valley and it's not even close. I would love to see that place.

 

You can pick any course in The Hamptons and be very happy, basically. Atlantic Golf Club for example.

 

Edited May 24 by ChrisL52188

[ChrisL52188]

On 1/24/2025 at 5:22 PM, Ty_Webb said:

 

The Creek is really good. Don't know the other one. In Long Island terms, there's obviously Shinny and NGLA, then Maidstone, Friar's Head, and Garden City Mens Club just a smidge below them, then the Creek and Piping Rock just a little further behind. I haven't played Garden City, Maidstone, or Piping, but the Creek is right up there.

What are your thoughts on Sebonack?

[Ty_Webb]

3 minutes ago, ChrisL52188 said:

What are your thoughts on Sebonack?

 

I've not played it or even really seen much of it. I imagine it's pretty good - good pedigree and very expensive, but can't say for sure. I doubt if it's as good as its neighbors.

[ChrisL52188]

On 1/23/2025 at 10:48 AM, sabram said:

I've played most of the ones discussed so far in this thread. The ones I have not and would love to see are NGLA and Shinnecock. 

 

A few sort of "under the radar" bucket list courses I'd love to play are Glens Falls and Monroe GC, both upstate NY, Mountain Ridge in W Caldwell, NJ and  Mountain Lake in Lake Wales FL.

Hollywood Golf Club in Deal is a must play too.

 

Walter Travis's finest design.

Edited May 24 by ChrisL52188

[sabram]

10 hours ago, ChrisL52188 said:

Hollywood Golf Club in Deal is a must play too.

I played it before the restoration work. I'd love a chance to see it again

 

[dyd12]

As of now I would say fishers island, place looks magical

[drscott266]

On 5/24/2025 at 12:45 PM, ChrisL52188 said:

What are your thoughts on Sebonack?

Sebonack is great, nothing like its neighbors, but its own experience. Very well manicured and interesting layout. 

[drscott266]

On 5/24/2025 at 6:12 PM, ChrisL52188 said:

Hollywood Golf Club in Deal is a must play too.

 

Walter Travis's finest design.

One of the best courses I had never heard of before meeting a member. It’s back tees are no joke!

[ChrisL52188]

Another real hard golf course would be Metedcnock National in Jackson NJ. 

 

But honestly... If I were forced to pick just one course for life? I would pick Shinnecock Hills, it's the ultimate championship course with multiple US Opens. Pine Valley would be awesome too but I think Shinnecock Hills would be slightly more fun to play. But I'll never get on so I am just pondering...

 

Pine Valley is extremely penal golf course in terms of design and no other course is like it in terms of that. That's exactly why it's wonderful and ridiculously hard. It would be awesome to experience for sure. But it's the ultimate golf course in terms of design. Before or since, no other course has matched Pine Valley in terms of that design. 

 

 

I know they are having the Ryder Cup at Behtpage, but imagine how crazy the Ryder Cup would be at Shinnecock Hills?

Edited May 31 by ChrisL52188

[ChrisL52188]

On 1/25/2025 at 5:23 AM, Chanceman said:

Strangely enough Shinnecock Hills is the one I would one day most like to play even though I would probly shoot 150. Seems to have an interesting history, the site is amazing and the US Opens there are always slug fests. And that clubhouse!

Those greens at Shinnecock would crush anyone. Yeah I would probably shoot 150 too.

 

Seriously how the hell did Retief Goosen putt so well in the final round in 2004? Among the best display of putting ever at a US Open, I mean it was that good.

Edited May 31 by ChrisL52188

[Chanceman]

I played Bethpage Red one April before the Black was ready for play. So one day I’ll get back there to complete the job. And 150 sounds reasonable.

[ChrisL52188]

7 minutes ago, Chanceman said:

I played Bethpage Red one April before the Black was ready for play. So one day I’ll get back there to complete the job. And 150 sounds reasonable.

Bethpage Black is pretty brutal. Yes 100-150 is pretty reasonable lol.

 

The hardest course in the world would be Bethpage Black with the greens of Winged Foot. It would be impossibly hard. People would quit golf if Behtpage Black had severely slope greens like at Winged Foot. It would be that hard.

 

Edited May 31 by ChrisL52188

[McMunch]

For me its Shinnecock (walked it at the '95 Open) Fisher's and Friar's Head.

 

Lucky to play Black and Red a few times a year. Prefer the Red honestly. The Black is long and tough and just a brutal walk. Its also optically twisted if that make sense. Sightlines are always a little uncomfortable. Crazy elevation and the fairways don't extend up to the green complexes so you're never going to run a skulled iron up there.  Oh and you could be a foot outside the fairway and you cant find your ball. That's fun too.

The Red is the same length but less penal. More fun and less of a beat down.

[ColdOkieGolf]

On 1/24/2025 at 7:06 AM, Poor Mans Ty Webb said:

I'm not going to dispute any of the clubs mentioned already, and I'd love to play any number of highly exclusive courses that I'll probably never have a chance to set foot on in my life...

 

With that said, I'm maybe a little surprised that Bethpage Black hasn't received a mention yet.  I know it's public, I know that probably more than a few on here have played it, and I know it doesn't hold a candle to the exclusivity of Augusta, et. al., but I feel like it's getting tougher and tougher to get a tee time there (I've never played it), and I have to think it's only going to get worse with the RC bump this year.  I feel like I'd have an easier time trying to make Pinehurst No. 2 or Kiawah Ocean happen (if I want to spend the $$$) than BPB.

 

Maybe it's a modest dream, but it's a dream course for me, nonetheless.

I totally agree!  Bethpage Black holds a special place in my heart.  My dad lived in NY and talked about that course for years, even before it became a US Open host.  I've always dreamed of getting out there at some point.

[Schley]

On 5/24/2025 at 7:45 PM, ChrisL52188 said:

What are your thoughts on Sebonack?

Tee to green wasn't as impressive as neighbors, but the greens are very good. Impeccable conditions of course. It's top 100 course, but tough neighborhood to compare with.

[Schley]

8 hours ago, McMunch said:

For me its Shinnecock (walked it at the '95 Open) Fisher's and Friar's Head.

 

Lucky to play Black and Red a few times a year. Prefer the Red honestly. The Black is long and tough and just a brutal walk. Its also optically twisted if that make sense. Sightlines are always a little uncomfortable. Crazy elevation and the fairways don't extend up to the green complexes so you're never going to run a skulled iron up there.  Oh and you could be a foot outside the fairway and you cant find your ball. That's fun too.

The Red is the same length but less penal. More fun and less of a beat down.

Should your skulled irons make it to a green? 😀

[Schley]

18 hours ago, ChrisL52188 said:

Those greens at Shinnecock would crush anyone. Yeah I would probably shoot 150 too.

 

Seriously how the hell did Retief Goosen putt so well in the final round in 2004? Among the best display of putting ever at a US Open, I mean it was that good.

I played one of my best rounds ever with driver and hitting fairways, which is unusual for me. However the greens and chipping around the greens was just so hard. 

[ChrisL52188]

4 hours ago, Schley said:

Tee to green wasn't as impressive as neighbors, but the greens are very good. Impeccable conditions of course. It's top 100 course, but tough neighborhood to compare with.

Thank you for the comments. Did you play National Golf Links? Did you like it better than Shinnecock?

[mshills]

Augusta National and Pine Valley are easily miles ahead of any others. 

 

Been to both as a spectator…..AN numerous times, PV once. I would not be able to select one over the other, but I suspect I’ll never have that choice to make. 😂

 

I know quite a number of people who have played AN, only one who has played PV. AN from the member tees not set up for The Masters is by all accounts quite playable. 

[Schley]

13 hours ago, ChrisL52188 said:

Thank you for the comments. Did you play National Golf Links? Did you like it better than Shinnecock?

Yes and vastly prefer NGLA to Shinny.  It is very playable and enjoyable. Shinny is just so difficult, I can appreciate it although not good enough to enjoy it consistently. 

[TBD203]

On 6/1/2025 at 8:28 AM, mshills said:

Augusta National and Pine Valley are easily miles ahead of any others. 

 

Been to both as a spectator…..AN numerous times, PV once. I would not be able to select one over the other, but I suspect I’ll never have that choice to make. 😂

 

I know quite a number of people who have played AN, only one who has played PV. AN from the member tees not set up for The Masters is by all accounts quite playable. 

Funny - I have played PV, but AN seems like one of the courses that is just unobtainable unless I get incredibly lucky.