Two for the Golfers

[Rich]

First, out of all of the golf courses in the world, which would you like to play the most?

Second, what is the most famous course you've had the opportunity to play? Did it live up to its reputation or were you disappointed?

I'll start.

As I watched the Masters, I think Augusta is probably the course I'd like to play the most. Part of it is the fact that there is little to no chance I will ever get to play there and part of it is the tradition, beauty and quality of the course. I'd love to play Pebble Beach too, and some courses in Scotland, but since they're public there's some chance I can get there in my lifetime.

I haven't played any really famous courses, but I played a course called World Tour in Myrtle Beach which duplicates famous holes such as #18 at St. Andrews and Amen Corner at Augusta. Not the real thing, I know, but as close as I've come.

How about you?

[Channing]

(1) Most Famous Course I have Played: The Old Course at Saint Andrews. Absolutely lived up to its reputation. First 14 holes the wind was calm, and it was a fairly manageable course. Last 4 holes the wind was up and it was a totally different experience. How Tiger managed to go around there without knocking it into 1 bunker all week is beyond me (I think it was there).

(2) Couse I most want to play: Augusta.

[colchar]

Most Famous I Have Played:

Royal Troon. Superb course, absolutely superb.

Would Like To Play:

Turnberry or St. Andrew's (I'll probably play Turnberry when I'm home there this summer).

[hurleyfor3]

Would most like to play: Pine Valley, by a whisker over Pebble Beach. PV gets the nod becuase it's private, whereas anyone can play a round at Pebble for less than the street price of four good Cubs tickets.

Best I have played: Oakmont, several times. Have also played Bay Hill.

The single hole I would most like to play is probably #13 at Augusta, followed by #8 at Pebble.

[rasputin]

I'll chime in with Augusta National, Pebble Beach, and the Old Course at St. Andrews. As for the single holes I'd most like to play, it would be 12, 13, and 15 at Augusta, 7 and 18 at Pebble, and the Road Hole at St. Andrews. Alas, I haven't played any famous courses.

[gw67]

I've played Pinehurst and three very nice courses in Virginia that have hosted the pros and amateur events; Cascades (beautiful course at the Homestead), Golden Horseshoe and Kingsmill in Williamsburg. I would recommend all of them. I went to Holy Loch a couple of times many years ago and we played some challenging courses in the highlands and western Scotland (no famous ones). I was surprised that all were public. As I recall, the locals told us that there was only one private club in Scotland.

The course that I would like to play is Whispering Straits in Wisconsin with Pebble Beach a close second. A couple of my retired (and richer) golfing buddies have played Whispering Straits and they described it as a spectacular seaside course that is fun to play.

gw67

[GopherBlue]

I haven't played any really famous courses, but I played a course called World Tour in Myrtle Beach which duplicates famous holes such as #18 at St. Andrews and Amen Corner at Augusta. Not the real thing, I know, but as close as I've come.

How about you?

I played a course in Myrtle Beach that duplicated famous places of the world - Egyptian pyramids, Dutch windmills, Golden Gate Bridge, Neverland ranch . . . shot a 3 over par 39 on the front 18, and was 1 under on the back 18 before being fired on by a pirate ship and lost my focus.

That little gem was a close second to my other favorite - Torrey Pines South Course - not bad for a City of San Diego Parks & Rec course.

Would love to play: St. Andrews.

[colchar]

Best I have played: Oakmont, several times.



I would love to play Oakmount.

[Indoor66]

The most challenging course I have ever played is Pine Valley in New Jersey.

[DUKIECB]

The most famous course I've played is Forest Oaks where the PGA tour stops in Greensboro.

I would most like to play Augusta with Pinehurst #2 coming in a close second.

[OldPhiKap]

Most famous I've played: Augusta National, Pebble Beach, Sawgrass, Kiawah.

One I'd still like to get: St. Andrews.

[Bostondevil]

This is the most gorgeous course I've ever been bird-watching on.

http://www.springisland.com/club/scripts/library/view_document.asp?GRP=9759&NS=PG&APP=80&DN=17HOLE

I've been in the house you can see in the picture. It belongs to some relatives.

I don't golf but they are great places to find birds. (I once met Michael Jordan on a golf course when I was out with my binoculars and a field guide, hope he didn't think I was spying on him. Yes, I shook his hand, I mean, you know, it was MICHAEL JORDAN!)

[Rich]

There must be a story behind that! Either you're rich or famous or you know someone who's rich or famous to play Pine Valley.

[77devil]

Course that I haven't that I would most like to play - Augusta National - Almost played it a few years back but got bumped by my boss as I explained in another thread.

Most famous - Pine Valley - It is the most difficult course I have ever played and with a slope of 155 it is a unique test of skill.

[billybreen]

I'll answer for me and my dad, who as an avid golfer has played far more courses than I have. I enjoy golf as a spectator and occasional participant, but I only really play in the few times when 1) business dictates it or 2) my dad drags me there.

Me:
Most famous courses: Brookline Country Club (home of the '99 Ryder Cup)
Most want to play: Augusta National

Dad:
Most famous courses: I'm pretty sure he's played everything but Augusta National. Troon, Carnoustie (hole in one on the 8th), St Andrews, Pinehurst, Firestone, Kiawah, Pebble Beach, Harbour Town (pro-am the last 10 years in a row, including, as chance would have it, today), the home courses of the last 5 or 6 Ryder Cups.
Most want to play: Augusta National

[rthomas]

Pinehurst. It doesn't get better.

[Mal]

1. Augusta, no hesitation, and not just because the Masters ended yesterday. Pebble Beach is second, followed by St. Andrews and Whistling Straits. Would also love to play Bethpage Black and The Country Club in Brookline (our version of St. Andrews, although as I understand, what the members play is significantly different from the Open configuration).

2. Tie between Crooked Stick, which I've played several times, and the Ocean Course at Kiawah. Both are wonderful, Crooked Stick for the layout (and the occasional Pete Dye walking his dog sighting), and Kiawah for the setting. I will say that the wind at the Ocean Course was brutal, however, and probably added 5-7 strokes to my score, and I'm a pretty decent player.

The only other "famous" tracks I've played are Cog Hill (Dubsdred), which ground me down to a pulp on the back nine, and Kapalua, which was such a gorgeous setting I hardly remember the golf. But neither of them made as much of an impression as the other two.

[Turk]

Nice question. I'm in an annual golf trip with a bunch of buddies, and after the usual Myrtle / Florida blah blah blah, we decided to go for it and went to Scotland last fall. Played seven courses in seven days. We rolled the dice but crapped out trying to get on the Old Course. However, we were quite content to settle for the New Course ("new" = 1896, right next to Old), Jubilee, and Edens in the St Andrews complex. We also played Carnoustie. Unlike most "trips of a lifetime", it exceeded expectations on every level - it is golf the way it was meant to be played. There wasn't a bad course in the bunch. So now we're fantasizing about setting up an Ireland trip in 5 years...

Over here, I once played 36 at Merion just outside Philly (only time I ever played with a caddie - guy was great and he saved me a shot a hole at least), and TPC Sawgrass in Jax.

My fantasy list is:
1. Augusta
2. Pine Valley
3. Pinehurst (I keep lobbying for it for the annual trip, but I keep getting outvoted due to lack of "nightlife" and cost, so we end up in the usual middlebrow Myrtle or Florida resort tourist traps most years...)
4. Oakmont
5. Pebble (blatant east coast bias, no offense intended...)

I don't ask for much, do I?

While we're here, let's give a special shout-out to the Duke golf course; it will always have a special place in my heart... Thanks to a Phys Ed golf class, I learned how to go from a "swing harder" goon hacking in the 100s to breaking 90 most of the time by the time I left Durham. To me, it's everything you need in a Carolina golf course: gorgeous track through the pines, some hills, some water, some woods, no houses, walkable, etc etc etc. I don't think I could ever get sick of playing there. I last played it 4-5 years ago (took an extra day off during a business trip and got 36 in) and need to scratch the itch again... Too bad the Devils didn't get the Raleigh bracket or it might have happened last month....

[Channing]

While we're here, let's give a special shout-out to the Duke golf course; it will always have a special place in my heart... Thanks to a Phys Ed golf class, I learned how to go from a "swing harder" goon hacking in the 100s to breaking 90 most of the time by the time I left Durham. To me, it's everything you need in a Carolina golf course: gorgeous track through the pines, some hills, some water, some woods, no houses, walkable, etc etc etc. I don't think I could ever get sick of playing there. I last played it 4-5 years ago (took an extra day off during a business trip and got 36 in) and need to scratch the itch again... Too bad the Devils didn't get the Raleigh bracket or it might have happened last month....

Ill second a thumbs up for the Duke course. However, the UNC course is also great (I think it is a Fazio design).

I said the best course I ever played was the old course, but I got an opportunity to play a lot of great courses playing Junior golf as a kid.

Remaining on my wish list, aside from Augusta, are:

(1) Cypress Point (I actually have this ranked a little higher than Pebble on my own personal list)
(2) Pine Valley
(3) Shinecock Hills
(4) Murifield
(5) Cape Kidnappers (New Zealand)
(6) Pebble

[ugadevil]

Most famous I've played: Augusta National, Pebble Beach, Sawgrass, Kiawah.

One I'd still like to get: St. Andrews.

Ok PhiKap...the last two posts I've read of yours have now been about how you'd be at Augusta National on Sunday and how you've played Augusta National. If I may ask, how'd you pull this off? In what ways can I follow in your path to where I could do either of these things?! Teach me!:D

Nicest course I've played: The Pearl in Calabash, NC. I haven't been lucky enough to play many great courses, but I still love to play wherever I'm at.

Want to play: check the avatar.

[OZZIE4DUKE]

My wish list is Augusta, Pebble Beach and Pine Valley. Pinehurst #2 comes next.

I've played Harbor Town at Sea Pines Plantation, where they play this week. I made a nice par on 18 from the back tee. I've also played the TPC Course in Scottsdale, AZ.

[dukemomLA]

I have to preface this with the understanding that I SUCK at golf. (But love to watch the game). I've (attempted) to play at the Old Course at St. Andrews, Pebble Beach, and Pinehurst. Not very well, but...give me an E for effort.

But....as a female/non-rich republican/non-Southerner...I WILL NEVER play at Augusta National as long as it continues to be run by those-old-white-bigoted-fogies. Sorry, it sticks in my craw and annoys me -- year after year. WHY can I watch (almost) moment to moment coverage (between all the channels to which I subscribe) of ANY tournament on the planet.... except (Surprise, Surprise)....duh, The Masters. Shame, Shame. Disgusting. Personally I think the 'South should rise again" and take over these blooming azaleas.

[gw67]

I just re-read the thread and have some more thoughts. For the bird watchers out there, Rum Pointe and Lighthouse Sound near Ocean City, Maryland are terrific courses. Rum Pointe overlooks Assateague Island National Seashore while Lighthouse Sound is on Assawoman Bay. The number and variety of birds from spring through fall on these courses is amazing. With regard to critters, many of the Northern Virginia courses have a large number of critters but they don’t hold a candle to the mountain courses in Virginia. Over the years, my golfing buddies and I have seen about every animal that lives over there, including one bear.

I no longer have the game but I would love to play Bethpage Black. I have walked Congressional a few times and would love to play there but not from where the pros hit it.

One additional course I played that is not famous but is rated the best in the Mid-Atlantic region is Bulle Rock in Maryland. The LPGA plays there and I watched them a couple of years ago. I got to play it last year and it is a “manly” course even from the distance the ladies played.

gw67

[ugadevil]

....as a female/non-rich republican/non-Southerner...

Hmmmmm....may you never meet a girl from the University of Georgia. Bless your heart.

[mkirsh]

Would love to play:
Augusta
Pebble
St. Andrews
Whistling Straights
Kapalua
Beth Page black
Sawgrass
(I could probably list about 200 of these, but I'll stop there)

Have played:
Congressional - have been lucky enough to get on the Blue course twice and the Gold once
Torrey Pines - played 2 weeks after the Buick one year, course was set up very difficult
RTJ - where the host the President's cup - amazing course, maybe the best I've played
Ocean Course - brutal wind, had to add 4 clubs at one point
TPC Avanel - Nice enough course, but I understand why the pros kill it


I've also shot a 59 at Bay Hill, but was using video Tiger at the time.

One of my favorite courses is the Nicklaus designed Long Bay club in Myrtle, would highly recommend it to anyone who's down there. Also have a soft spot for the Duke course, although it kicked my butt when I was in college, I'd love to get back out there and give it another shot.

[OldPhiKap]

Ok PhiKap...the last two posts I've read of yours have now been about how you'd be at Augusta National on Sunday and how you've played Augusta National. If I may ask, how'd you pull this off? In what ways can I follow in your path to where I could do either of these things?! Teach me!:D


Living in the area helps. You get to know people who can hook you up.

I wish I could say it was through merit or skill, but it really is a case of being in the right place at the right time.

[killerleft]

I've played Pinehurst #2, Grandfather Golf & Country Club, and Linville Golf Club. Grandfather is the most scenic course I have played on, Pinehurst #2 the toughest, and Linville is a throwback to an earlier time and lots of fun to play.

I have to throw in with the Augusta crowd as the course I'd most like to play, with St. Andrews a close second.

[Schwarz]

The most famous course I have played is LaCantera in San Antonio, TX. It is the site of the Texas Open. The signature hole had a great view of a Six Flags amusement park.

If I could pick any course to play it has to be Augusta, mainly because I know I never will be able to.

[Chicago 1995]

Most famous I've played:

Cog Hill #3 (Western Open/BMW Championship)
Kemper Lakes (1989 PGA Championship)
Plantation Course @ Kapalua (The Mercedes Championships)
The Champion Course @ PGA National (Honda Classic, 1983 Ryder Cup, 1987 PGA Championship)
TPC @ Deere Run (John Deere Classic)

Of those, Cog Hill was easily my favorite. Kapalua is as pretty as you can imagine, but the course itself isn't of the same caliber as the others. The views are worth it though. And it's a lot of fun to play 18.

My favorite course that's not quite as famous, although it has hosted some LPGA events and the Wendy's Three Tour Challenge is Reflection Bay. I played really well the day I played there, which probably helped, but it's a beautiful course.

Places I'd like to play:

The Olympic Club
Torrey Pines (I was supposed to play there a couple of years ago and got rained out)
Bethpage Black
Augusta

I may get the Olympic Club this summer while on vacation. Also going to Bandon Dunes as part of that trip.

[arydolphin]

Easy choice on most famous I've played: Ocean Course at Kiawah. I played it on the perfect day in December: 70 degrees and sunny with no wind. It's a fabulous layout, the vistas close to the ocean are amazing, and it's a stern test as well. I'm definitely going to play there once more before I leave Charleston this summer, and I'm already planning to come back to watch the 2012 PGA Championship there.

Places I'd like to play, broken down by continent:
North America: Augusta National, Pebble Beach, Cypress Point, Chambers Bay, Plantation Course at Kapalua, Riviera. I'm sure there are more here, but I can't think of them now.
Europe: Old Course at St. Andrews, Old Head, Lahinch, Royal County Down, Waterville
Oceania: Royal Melbourne, Kauri Cliffs, Cape Kidnappers, Barnbougle Dunes

[77devil]

Easy choice on most famous I've played: Ocean Course at Kiawah. I played it on the perfect day in December: 70 degrees and sunny with no wind. It's a fabulous layout, the vistas close to the ocean are amazing, and it's a stern test as well. I'm definitely going to play there once more before I leave Charleston this summer, and I'm already planning to come back to watch the 2012 PGA Championship there.

Places I'd like to play, broken down by continent:
North America: Augusta National, Pebble Beach, Cypress Point, Chambers Bay, Plantation Course at Kapalua, Riviera. I'm sure there are more here, but I can't think of them now.
Europe: Old Course at St. Andrews, Old Head, Lahinch, Royal County Down, Waterville
Oceania: Royal Melbourne, Kauri Cliffs, Cape Kidnappers, Barnbougle Dunes

I think you are the first to mention Old Head and a few other of the Irish greats. Old Head is arguably the most spectacular setting of any golf course in the world. I recommend that you add Ballybunion to the list, if for nothing else, to see the big statue of Bill Clinton in the town square. Bill was on an Irish tour back in the 90's and you'll find his picture in practically every famous clubhouse in Southern Ireland. Local lore has it that he impregnated a good portion of the female population on the trip but legends have a tendancy to be exagerated. :D