Top 5 Courses You Have Played

[ahelix]

1. North Berwick

2. The Old Course

3. Bandon Trails

4. Elie

5. Quivira vs We ko pa saguaro

 

Honorable mentions: all of the other Bandon courses, Troon North, Grayhawk, Carnoustie 

[Mauiman76]

1. Pacific Dunes

2. Kapalua Plantation

3. Whistling Straits

4. Chicago Golf Club

5 Challenge at Manele

[Chanceman]

11 hours ago, crcunningham said:

1. Monterey Peninsula - Dunes (CA)

2. Colorado Golf Club

3. Canterbury (OH)
4. Glenwild (UT)

5. Chambers Bay (WA)

 

Honorable Mentions
Gearhart Golf Links (OR), Lahinch (IE), Mid-Pines (NC), Pinehurst #2 (NC),  Tetherow (OR), Waterville (IE), West Hill (UK), WildHorse (NE), Wilderness Club (MT)

Yes I kind of liked Gearhart as well. Good call. 

[TK3]

7 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

 

When did Michigan steal Whistling Straits? Quite the heist. Lol.

Shhhh

i don’t think anyone else saw my flub…I’m taking a mulligan!

[Carson33]

12 hours ago, ahelix said:

1. North Berwick

2. The Old Course

3. Bandon Trails

4. Elie

5. Quivira vs We ko pa saguaro

 

Honorable mentions: all of the other Bandon courses, Troon North, Grayhawk, Carnoustie 

Elie!!! What a gem that place is.

[qs26]

15 hours ago, ahelix said:

1. North Berwick

2. The Old Course

3. Bandon Trails

4. Elie

5. Quivira vs We ko pa saguaro

 

Honorable mentions: all of the other Bandon courses, Troon North, Grayhawk, Carnoustie 

Love Elie, Berwick and especially the Old Course. Was wondering what you have setting Berwick in front of TOC?

[cardia10]

1. Carnoustie

2. Prestwick

3. Honors Course

4. Laurel Valley

5. Sage Valley

[ahelix]

1 hour ago, qs26 said:

Love Elie, Berwick and especially the Old Course. Was wondering what you have setting Berwick in front of TOC?

 

For me it was the quirks (stone walls, hitting from the beach), the laid-back vibe, beautiful views, and we got lucky with good weather. Best of all, the course just felt like a great book. Just about every hole was interesting for some reason, and you'd get more and more excited for the next hole, and the ending was perfect...  I didn't even play particularly well, but the variety and beauty of the holes made for such a memorable round.

 

I event went back through my Arccos for a trip down memory lane (hole-by-hole video) :
 

1: I was super nervous and confused with the 1st and 18th fairways kind of merging into one, so I took a line too far right and got stuck along the fence/beach on the right

2: I hit a nice drive taking on some of the beach

3: Hit a big drive right in front of the wall... but then hit the wall with a low FAST ball and ended up 30 yards BACK lol

6: Holy F, I got stuck in the DEEP front greenside bunker and had a hard time getting out (if that doesn't happen to you at least once, you didn't play in Scotland)

7: Mis-hit an iron and ended up in the water running across the front of the green--fun green esp depending on pin position

8: Hit a 330y drive (wind at my back), which is always fun. Tons of bunkers by the green

11: Loved this hole along the beach, got on in 2 with another big drive and a long hybrid

13: One of my favorites... Ended up RIGHT in front of the stone wall by the green with a pin close, and I took on an aggressive flop shot... so much fun!

14: So easy to end up on the beach left here!

15: Redan, needs no description as the most copied hole in golf

16: What a wild green... with that huge gulley in the middle

18: What a fun way to come Home, with a drive-able par 4, reminiscent of ToC 18th hole with the parked cars on the right

 

Obviously ToC wins out by virtue of the history made there... but for me as a high'ish handicap player, I enjoyed these more laid back spots like North Berwick and Elie. Carnoustie was cool, too but the whole experience of playing there just feels more serious. I'd take these (previousl) hidden gems over world famous Open rota courses all day. Obviously the best trip is a mix of all of it.

[qs26]

23 minutes ago, ahelix said:

 

For me it was the quirks (stone walls, hitting from the beach), the laid-back vibe, beautiful views, and we got lucky with good weather. Best of all, the course just felt like a great book. Just about every hole was interesting for some reason, and you'd get more and more excited for the next hole, and the ending was perfect...  I didn't even play particularly well, but the variety and beauty of the holes made for such a memorable round.

 

I event went back through my Arccos for a trip down memory lane (hole-by-hole video) :
 

1: I was super nervous and confused with the 1st and 18th fairways kind of merging into one, so I took a line too far right and got stuck along the fence/beach on the right

2: I hit a nice drive taking on some of the beach

3: Hit a big drive right in front of the wall... but then hit the wall with a low FAST ball and ended up 30 yards BACK lol

6: Holy F, I got stuck in the DEEP front greenside bunker and had a hard time getting out (if that doesn't happen to you at least once, you didn't play in Scotland)

7: Mis-hit an iron and ended up in the water running across the front of the green--fun green esp depending on pin position

8: Hit a 330y drive (wind at my back), which is always fun. Tons of bunkers by the green

11: Loved this hole along the beach, got on in 2 with another big drive and a long hybrid

13: One of my favorites... Ended up RIGHT in front of the stone wall by the green with a pin close, and I took on an aggressive flop shot... so much fun!

14: So easy to end up on the beach left here!

15: Redan, needs no description as the most copied hole in golf

16: What a wild green... with that huge gulley in the middle

18: What a fun way to come Home, with a drive-able par 4, reminiscent of ToC 18th hole with the parked cars on the right

 

Obviously ToC wins out by virtue of the history made there... but for me as a high'ish handicap player, I enjoyed these more laid back spots like North Berwick and Elie. Carnoustie was cool, too but the whole experience of playing there just feels more serious. I'd take these (previousl) hidden gems over world famous Open rota courses all day. Obviously the best trip is a mix of all of it.

Completely agree about the quirks. My first time playing it was while I was at school in St Andrews and got to take the boat over. 13 might be my favorite hole ever. 

[Dancin]

1. Te Arai North

2. Ballyneal

3. Tara Iti

4. Pacific Dunes

5. Prairie Dunes

 

Playing Sand Hills for the first time in August so this may change

[ESOX ZO]

On 7/3/2025 at 11:33 AM, Dancin said:

1. Te Arai North

2. Ballyneal

3. Tara Iti

4. Pacific Dunes

5. Prairie Dunes

 

Playing Sand Hills for the first time in August so this may change

Strong Tom Doak presence in there! Loved the North course, how'd you feel about the South?

[Dancin]

The south is probably the wildest Coore Crenshaw I've ever played but it's an eye candy course without a lot of substance compared to the other two. Definitely the weakest of the three but it fits in well for the resort to have an easier, eye candy course. 

[doglegs]

1. Old Course

2. North Berwick

3. Whistling Straits

4. Bethpage Black

5. Kingsbarns

 

Honorable mentions: Arcadia Bluffs, Valhalla, Pinehurst 2, Erin Hills, Streamsong x3

[nojohcan]

1. Olympic Club Lake

2. The Camargo Club

3. Quaker Ridge

4. Baltusrol Lower

5. Sand Valley

 

Honorable mentions: Erin Hills, Balty Upper, We-Ko-Pa Saguaro, Lawsonia Links

[tad950]

On 7/8/2025 at 7:13 AM, Dancin said:

The south is probably the wildest Coore Crenshaw I've ever played but it's an eye candy course without a lot of substance compared to the other two. Definitely the weakest of the three but it fits in well for the resort to have an easier, eye candy course. 

Being an aged mid handicapper, I prefer easier, eye candy courses. And I’m a sucker for ocean views. The South was one of my favorite courses on my friend’s bucket list trip to Australia and NZ. And we played some absolute gems. Hopefully I’ll get to play the North before I’m too decrepit.

[Chanceman]

3 hours ago, tad950 said:

Being an aged mid handicapper, I prefer easier, eye candy courses. And I’m a sucker for ocean views. The South was one of my favorite courses on my friend’s bucket list trip to Australia and NZ. And we played some absolute gems. Hopefully I’ll get to play the North before I’m too decrepit.

For your next trip to Aus can I suggest Barnbougle / Lost Farm / Cape Wickham / Ocean Dunes as the ideal itinerary. Basically that’s 4 top 100 courses all very close together - well a short flight anyway. About $200 each.

[tad950]

8 hours ago, Chanceman said:

For your next trip to Aus can I suggest Barnbougle / Lost Farm / Cape Wickham / Ocean Dunes as the ideal itinerary. Basically that’s 4 top 100 courses all very close together - well a short flight anyway. About $200 each.

Yes. We played 2 rounds at Barnbougle Dunes. 1 at Lost Farm. And Bougle Run, a hoot to play. I think King Island was considered, but we were already at 13 scheduled rounds (I stayed longer and played 3 more rounds on my own.) and 5 flights. Not including the international flights for the US. We had to draw the line at some point. 😀 That trip was a big add for my Top 100 World list. Since Te Arai South was open only a few months, it was yet to be on the list. But because of the location, name brand architects, and press/marketing, I figured it was a lock to make the list.

 

I’m interested to see what the reviews of 7 Mile Beach are going to be. Hopefully I can get back to that part of the world. A lot of terrific golf there.

Edited July 11 by tad950

[Chanceman]

11 hours ago, tad950 said:

Yes. We played 2 rounds at Barnbougle Dunes. 1 at Lost Farm. And Bougle Run, a hoot to play. I think King Island was considered, but we were already at 13 scheduled rounds (I stayed longer and played 3 more rounds on my own.) and 5 flights. Not including the international flights for the US. We had to draw the line at some point. 😀 That trip was a big add for my Top 100 World list. Since Te Arai South was open only a few months, it was yet to be on the list. But because of the location, name brand architects, and press/marketing, I figured it was a lock to make the list.

 

I’m interested to see what the reviews of 7 Mile Beach are going to be. Hopefully I can get back to that part of the world. A lot of terrific golf there.

Yes, 7 Mile Beach is eagerly anticipated. They keep deferring it but hopefully by Christmas. Tassie’s great and becoming a golf haven. Especially if you can include Cape Wickham.

[TBD203]

On 6/28/2025 at 7:40 PM, TBD203 said:

 

Goddamn things have changed in 10 years. Quoting this now and I will revise it when I get back from Scotland/UK. Current rankings would be:

 

1.) Pine Valley

2.) Royal County Down

3.) Cabot St. Lucia

4.) Pacific Dunes

5.) stuck between Kiawah and Quaker Ridge

1.) Pine Valley

2.) RCD

3.) Royal Dornoch 

4.) Kingsbarns

5.) Eastward Ho!

 

6-7 would definitely include The Old, St Lucia, Pac Dunes. I loved North Berwick but it felt like a course I’d have to play 2-3 more times to really enjoy the quirkiness. 

[ZephyrS4]

5 hours ago, TBD203 said:

1.) Pine Valley

2.) RCD

3.) Royal Dornoch 

4.) Kingsbarns

5.) Eastward Ho!

 

6-7 would definitely include The Old, St Lucia, Pac Dunes. I loved North Berwick but it felt like a course I’d have to play 2-3 more times to really enjoy the quirkiness. 

Drove by Eastward Ho several years back while in Cape Cod….looked awesome!

[TBD203]

1 hour ago, ZephyrS4 said:

Drove by Eastward Ho several years back while in Cape Cod….looked awesome!

They just redid it as well - looking forward to getting back out there hopefully in October!

[ESOX ZO]

On 7/11/2025 at 1:13 AM, Chanceman said:

For your next trip to Aus can I suggest Barnbougle / Lost Farm / Cape Wickham / Ocean Dunes as the ideal itinerary. Basically that’s 4 top 100 courses all very close together - well a short flight anyway. About $200 each.

That's a trip my wife and I would like to do, but traveling so far away it would be hard to not check out Melbourne too. Then you have the decision of which ones to knock off the list. 

[Chanceman]

16 hours ago, ESOX ZO said:

That's a trip my wife and I would like to do, but traveling so far away it would be hard to not check out Melbourne too. Then you have the decision of which ones to knock off the list. 

Happy to help if needed!

[dyd12]

Shinnecock
Atlantic Golf Club
Old Marsh
Metedeconk National (If we're talking just practice facilities it's #1)
Hickory course at Hamilton Farm

not really any particular order but Shinnecock is #1 by far

Edited July 22 by dyd12

[golfday]

Shinnecock

Merion

Oakmont

Sleepy Hollow

Southern Hills

 

Royal Dornoch

The Old Course

North Berwick

Cruden Bay

Kingsbarns

[JKreborn]

In no particular order:

Pine valley

Cypress Point

Royal Melbourne Composite

TOC

Shinnecock

[Buddon _Burn]

1. Turnberry

2. Royal County Down

3. North Berwick

4. Barnbougle Dunes

5. St Andrew's (Old Course)

 

Others I considered including/would toss up between to include in a top 10: Carnoustie, Royal Lytham, Muirfield, West Cliffs, Finca Cortesin, Hillside, Royal St. George's.

Edited July 25 by Buddon _Burn
Forgot North Berwick! Switched out Carnoustie for it.

[Chanceman]

11 hours ago, JKreborn said:

In no particular order:

Pine valley

Cypress Point

Royal Melbourne Composite

TOC

Shinnecock

A hot list. Why not put them in order of your enjoyment not just which is “best”?

[islesmb]

Bethpage Black

Pinehurst #2

The Old Course

Carnoustie

Ballybunnion

[StoutKing]

7 hours ago, Chanceman said:

A hot list. Why not put them in order of your enjoyment not just which is “best”?

That's basically just parroting what the lists say.  I prefer other courses to those