Top 40 Public Courses - Matt Ginella's list

[sabram]

Here's a link to Matt Ginella's (Golf Digest/Golf Channel commentator) list of his top 40 public courses.

 

http://www.golfchannel.com/news/matt-ginella/top-40-us-public-courses/

 

How many of those have you played? What is the lowest ranked course you've played on the list (and/or your least favorite of the ones you've played on the list? Which public courses have you played that you would include on the list that you prefer to the lowest lowest ranked (or your least favorite) one on the list that you've played? (Don't list more than ten or more than 2 from any single state)

 

I've played 18 of the 40 on Matt's list.

 

The lowest ranked one I've played on the list is #38 Blackwolf Run. My least favorite one that I've played on the list is either #35 Tidewater or #33 TPC Scottsdale. (I prefer BWR to either of those)

 

Ten public Courses that I've played that I'd put on the list before including Tidewater or TPC Scottsdale are:

 

The Sagamore (NY)

Sand Hollow (UT)

Wolf Creek (NV)

Conestoga (NV)

Vista Verde (AZ)

Golden Horseshoe Gold(VA)

Royal New Kent (VA)

True Blue (SC)

Rustic Canyon (CA)

Wildhorse (NB)

[TheBoomer]

Crandon Park in Florida should be on that list.

[sabram]

[quote name='GoogleMe' timestamp='1360540630' post='6402127']
Crandon Park in Florida should be on that list.
[/quote]

I've played Crandon. Loved the huge Iguanas. Which course have you played that you would take off the list in order to add Crandon?

[One Gray GLI]

I'm pretty biased because I live on long island...but Bethpage Black is pretty incredible, and I've only played it once in my life, it's the only public course on that list I've played.

Although, the reservation system is a bit of a nightmare..I wish they'd modernize it a bit more, 7pm comes and it's a bum-rush to get the early tee-times.

[sabram]

[quote name='One Gray GLI' timestamp='1360542899' post='6402445']
I'm pretty biased because I live on long island...but Bethpage Black is pretty incredible, and I've only played it once in my life, it's the only public course on that list I've played.

Although, the reservation system is a bit of a nightmare..I wish they'd modernize it a bit more, 7pm comes and it's a bum-rush to get the early tee-times.
[/quote]

They could have also included BP Red on the list and I wouldn't argue.

[One Gray GLI]

[quote name='sabram' timestamp='1360543269' post='6402495']
They could have also included BP Red on the list and I wouldn't argue.
[/quote]

Agreed actually, didn't think about that one..that first hole at Red is intimidating too..especially with some spectators there..

Some tough, long par 4's there too. I birdied #15 (452yd par4, uphill second shot) during a practice round with my college team and felt like I made an eagle. Haha

[stevopagolf]

I have played 14 of the 40 courses and 6 of the top 10. I would like to see a list of top municipal/non resort courses that are under $100 which to me would better represent the majority of the "public's" ability to play them. Pebble is awesome but at $500 is that in reach for the "public" ?--- And for that you get a 6 hour round.

Between overall cost and slow play, golf is suffering big time.

Of that list, the Dunes Golf and Beach Club, Caledonia and Bethpage are the only ones I know that I have played for $150 or less.

I live in the Metro Philadelphia area and the best public course I have played in this area is Hominy Hill in Monmouth County NJ a great county run course, Glen Mills south of Philadelphia is also excellent. These are the top two I can come up with off the top of my head.

[esketores]

If a course is over $100 to play how truly "public" is it?
To me a public course is one I can afford to play twice a week every week.
An expensive "public" course almost becomes more of a resort than a golf course for the common man.
But then I find anything over $50 a round to steep to be played on an eight times a month basis.

[itw419]

[quote name='stevopagolf' timestamp='1360544767' post='6402679']
I have played 14 of the 40 courses and 6 of the top 10. I would like to see a list of top municipal/non resort courses that are under $100 which to me would better represent the majority of the "public's" ability to play them. Pebble is awesome but at $500 is that in reach for the "public" ?--- And for that you get a 6 hour round.

Between overall cost and slow play, golf is suffering big time.

Of that list, the Dunes Golf and Beach Club, Caledonia and Bethpage are the only ones I know that I have played for $150 or less.

I live in the Metro Philadelphia area and the best public course I have played in this area is Hominy Hill in Monmouth County NJ a great county run course, Glen Mills south of Philadelphia is also excellent. These are the top two I can come up with off the top of my head.
[/quote]

I think Matt said he plans on doing a more budget friendly list in the future.

[Chris_NH]

[quote name='esketores' timestamp='1360545414' post='6402747']
If a course is over $100 to play how truly "public" is it?
To me a public course is one I can afford to play twice a week every week.
An expensive "public" course almost becomes more of a resort than a golf course for the common man.
But then I find anything over $50 a round to steep to be played on an eight times a month basis.
[/quote]

I think the designation of "public" is: can you play it if you want to? Not: can you afford to play it regularly? As we all know, there are many courses that we can never hope to play because we can't get on them, even if we're willing to shell out $500 (or more). So an expensive course still affords one the opportunity to check it off one's bucket list, even if one can't afford to play there regularly.

[sabram]

[quote name='esketores' timestamp='1360545414' post='6402747']
If a course is over $100 to play how truly "public" is it?
To me a public course is one I can afford to play twice a week every week.
An expensive "public" course almost becomes more of a resort than a golf course for the common man.
But then I find anything over $50 a round to steep to be played on an eight times a month basis.
[/quote]

Good points, but I think $50/round is an awfully low hurdle for the top 40 courses in the country. But Ido agree that "value" needs to be considered in detrmining top courses. In the ones I listed that I would add to the list to replace some that are on there, there are some great values, especially fro afternoon tee times.

Sand Hollow (UT) $50 after 1 pm
Conestoga (NV) $90 after 1 pm
Vista Verde (AZ) under $75
Rustic Canyon (CA) around $50
Wildhorse (NB) under $75