Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture => Topic started by: Craig_Rokke on August 02, 2006, 08:25:37 PM
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A friend of mine thought it was something that I've played
over 200 courses. I said "that's actually not that many."
"I'm familiar with a group of guys that probably average a lot more." I'm sure there a several dozen here on GCA with over 500 courses under their belts. The thing that impresses me is how well so many here remember the details of all these courses. Certainly a lot better than I do.
Just curious--how many courses have you played?
(It's good to know these kinds of statistics in case the wife ever thinks I'm playing too much ;))
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Including today's round at The Mines, I've played 208 different courses. (started golf at age 10 and now I'm 32)
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1. Five Ponds Golf Club(hs)(H)
2. Mountain Valley Golf Course - Maple/Oak(H)
3. Mountain Valley Golf Course - Oak/Pine(H)
4. Mountain Valley Golf Course - Pine/Maple(H)
5. Penn State University Golf Courses - Blue Course(h)(pat)
6. Penn State Univeristy Golf Courses - White Course(h)
7. Toftrees Resort(t)(p)
8. *Falcon's Fire Golf Club (Kissimmee, FL)(r)
9. Bensalem Country Club(hs)
10. *Torresdale/Frankford Country Club(hs)
11. Doylestown Country Club(hs)
12. Lookaway Golf Club(e)(hs)(H)
13. Jericho National Golf Club(hs)
14. State College Elks Golf Club(p)
15. Rolling Meadows(r)
16. *Country Club of Hershey - East Course(q)
17. *Manada Golf Course(q)
18. *Llanerch Country Club(q)
19. Wyncote Golf Club(t)(hs)(q)
20. Pine Crest Golf Course(hs)(q)(t)(r)(p)(e)(h)
21. Middletown Country Club(hs)(t)(r)
22. Huntingdon Valley Country Club(hs)(p)
23. *Philmont Country Club - South Course(t)
24. Island Green Golf Course(p)
25. *Macoby Run Golf Club(hs)
26. Northampton Valley Golf Club(r)(p)
27. Cherry Valley Country Club(e)(p)(h)
28. *Hopewell Valley Golf Club(p)
29. *Stanton Ridge Golf Club(p)
30. *Fox Hollow Golf Club (Somerville, NJ)(p)
31. Spring Mill Country Club(p)
32. Bucks County Country Club(r)(hs)(t)(p)
33. *Whitemarsh Valley Country Club(p)
34. *Commonwealth National Golf Club(p)
35. Horsham Valley Golf Course(r)(t)
36. Talamore at Oak Terrace Country Club(t)(e)
37. *Old York Road Golf Club(hs)
38. *Yardley Country Club(hs)
39. Limekiln Golf Course(r)(p)
40. Neshaminy Valley Golf Course(p)
41. *Adirondack Golf and Country Club (Peru, NY)(r)
42. *Downingtown Country Club(t)
43. *Seaview Marriot Resort - Bay Course(t)
44. *Cedarbrook Country Club(hs)
45. Jeffersonville Golf Club(hs)(p)
46. *Green Valley Country Club(t)
47. Hickory Valley Golf Course - Presidential Course(pat)
48. *Westover Golf Club(t)
49. Fairways Golf Course(r)(p)
50. *Twining Valley Golf Course(r)
51. *Olde Homestead Golf Course(p)
52. *Three Ponds Golf Course(r)
53. Schuylkill Country Club(p)
54. *Hidden Creek Country Club (Sterling, Virginia)(r)
55. *Sandy Run Country Club(hs)
56. *Standing Stone Golf Club(p)
57. *Meadowbrook Golf Club(p)
58. *Lenape Heights Golf Course(p)
59. *Lewistown Country Club(p)
60. Bella Vista Golf Course(p)
61. *Raritan Valley Country Club(p)
62. Bethpage State Park - Black Course(p)
63. Bethpage State Park - Red Course(p)
64. Makefield Highlands Golf Club(p)
65. Pine Hill Golf Club(p)(q)
66. Architects Golf Club(p)
67. Rolling Green Golf Club(p)
68. *West Shore Country Club(p)
69. *Lulu Country Club(p)
70. *Manufacturer's Golf and Country Club(p)
71. *Bethpage State Park - Yellow Course(p)
72. *Cobb's Creek Golf Course - Olde Course(p)
73. *Beechtree Golf Club(p)
74. *Philadelphia Cricket Club - Flourtown Course(p)
75. *Sand Barrens Golf Club (West-North)(p)
76. *ShoreGate Country Club(p)
77. *The Club at Morgan Hill(p)
78. *Riverview Country Club(p)
79. *Bethpage State Park - Blue Course(p)
80. *Pine Barrens Golf Club(p)
81. Reading Country Club(p)
82. *Galen Hall Country Club(p)
83. *Lancaster Country Club(p)
84. *Woodway Country Club(p)
85. *Meadowlands Country Club(p)
86. *Neshanic Valley Golf Club(p)
Appended based on how I found it, and the asterisk means I've played it once.
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Kyle,
Have you played Mountain Lake..
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Nope, not yet... just took a tour with the super. I'll be making my next trip down in October when they overseed and will get the chance to play then.
Really looking forward to that day.
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Kyle-
Do you start in October?
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About 730 in 30 states and 4 countries. I'd love to be playing more because I still get totally jazzed to play any course for the first time. The funny thing is that I've probably played more bad, modest, and unassuming courses than anyone I know on this board.
Compared to guys like Matt Ward and Mark Fine, though, I'm small potatoes in terms of overall numbers. I also know 3 guys who don't participate here who each have over 1000 and another guy who's somewhere around 2500.
Now, that's nuts! ;)
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Kyle your cheating, you are counting a 27 hole golf course as three different golf courses. That's not right. It's one golf course, you can count it as two if they have 4 nines or two 18 hole courses. At least in my book. Of course I'm a purist ;D
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Kyle-
Do you start in October?
Beginning of November, just making the trip in October for a few days and to see overseeding happening.
Like running over a conductor before a violinist: business before pleasure.
;D
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Mike-
Will you be assembling a list like Kyle for our perusal? ;)
Speaking of Matt Ward, when he admitted having played those 2 upstate, totally out of the way courses, that's what got me thinking about the number of courses some guys have played.
Kyle-Did you overlook your favorite course to walk?
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About 730 in 30 states and 4 countries. I'd love to be playing more because I still get totally jazzed to play any course for the first time. The funny thing is that I've probably played more bad, modest, and unassuming courses than anyone I know on this board.
Mike,
Did you ever make it to Indiana to play Limberlost GC? That would be a good one to add to your list of unassuming courses!
I've played 175 different ones so far...I do have a list of all of them with location, designer, last time played and a few various other random stats...I used to rank them all...gave that up though when I decided I no longer cared about the difference between #142 and #143 ;D
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Mike,
You must have been salivating when you saw this thread...So, have you played that course close to home that I offered to pay half. I am waiting on the bill.
Don't you think there is something wrong with your hit and run mentality. Have you ever considered it a character flaw of some sort.
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Kyle your cheating, you are counting a 27 hole golf course as three different golf courses. That's not right. It's one golf course, you can count it as two if they have 4 nines or two 18 hole courses. At least in my book. Of course I'm a purist ;D
...and Cirba counts pitch and putt courses
...and knows their designers
...and their design history
And they ARE rated as three seperate courses, though I should probably list the A-B, B-C, and C-A courses at HVCC seperately as well.
Hmmmmm....
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Mike-
Will you be assembling a list like Kyle for our perusal? ;)
Kyle-Did you overlook your favorite course to walk?
He has it, I have a copy on my desk right now.
I think it was 80 some pages in that iteration.
Craig? Do you mean the Jeff? It's on there....
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Is Lederach on there?
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20. Pine Crest Golf Course(hs)(q)(t)(r)(p)(e)(h)
What do all the abbreviations mean? I figured out public, private, resort, but what about the rest, and why so many on Pine Crest?
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Mike-
Will you be assembling a list like Kyle for our perusal? ;)
Speaking of Matt Ward, when he admitted having played those 2 upstate, totally out of the way courses, that's what got me thinking about the number of courses some guys have played.
Kyle-Did you overlook your favorite course to walk?
Craig,
I don't want to suck up Ran's disk space with the listing unless there is some completely unexpected pent-up demand from others to see it.
I'd be happy to email you a copy if you'd like.
John,
Character flaw? Hit and Run? Jeez John...I think I just like to see golf courses given their almost infinite variety. I guess I could drink heavily and kick small animals in my free time instead, but instead enjoy hitting a small ball around in various pastures. Beats the intensive mental therapy that I'd pay for in it's stead, in my book.
BTW, I've inquired to the new club near my house but they are permitting only play with a member which is understandable. I'm hoping to see it soon but haven't been invited yet.
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20. Pine Crest Golf Course(hs)(q)(t)(r)(p)(e)(h)
What do all the abbreviations mean? I figured out public, private, resort, but what about the rest, and why so many on Pine Crest?
Cory, that's at what point I played the course and how I came to play it. HS is High School Match, Q is a Qualifying tournament, t is a tournament, p is as a pro, e is as an employee and h is as a "home" course meaning I used it for when I was playing enough to keep stats like GIR and Fairways Hit. I have spreadsheets of every round at my "h" courses from 2000-2005.
Craig,
Yep, haven't updated the list with Lederach or Philmont North yet.
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No list...
But I have played a "links" course built on clay in Montana, about 600 miles from the ocean.... ;D
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Once you get over 500 courses there may be a problem...If it is not a problem with commitment that may show itself as a patern in your life it could be OCD...Here is a link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsessive-compulsive_disorder
note: I will be sending a certain little membership director a small token of my admiration..
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I thought about trying to post my list since I have it, but I too as Mike mentioned above thought I might overload either my computer or this site.
Also, although I love going back to look at some of the strange places I have played over the years, I too figured that nobody else would be very interested. It is fun to go back and remember some of those places I have forgot about, many of which most have probably never heard of. Not to mention the great people that I have gotten to meet and play with.
By the way as of yesterday 1140 in 42 states. Hopefully 1141 & 42 tommorrow and Friday.
ps John, I sincerely hope there is no cure for this disorder. The only cure I can forsee is my health precluding me from keeping up this pace many years down the road.
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Turb,
The day you called me after Kinderlou to say you were going out of your way to meet me at the Art Hills renovation of a Ross..I knew there was no cure for you.
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Turb,
The day you called me after Kinderlou to say you were going out of your way to meet me at the Art Hills reno..I knew there was no cure for you.
By the way John mark your calendar for May 7-10, 2007 that is the AIST Steel Show in Indianapolis and means that I will be up in your neck of the woods (relatively speaking anyway) so we need to make sure we get out somewhere for a round. By the way I am sitting here in my VN shirt I wore today. Take Care.
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I won't bother posting the details because I am lazier than that, however I keep detailed track of these things (yes, I am a nerd) and I have played 287 different courses to date in about 18 states.
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Turb,
The day you called me after Kinderlou to say you were going out of your way to meet me at the Art Hills reno..I knew there was no cure for you.
By the way John mark your calendar for May 7-10, 2007 that is the AIST Steel Show in Indianapolis and means that I will be up in your neck of the woods (relatively speaking anyway) so we need to make sure we get out somewhere for a round. By the way I am sitting here in my VN shirt I wore today. Take Care.
I'm not so optimistic to own a 2007 calendar...but when I get one consider it marked. My daughter is going to school just north of there and I am starting to collect green apples again..
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Never really counted how many I played but I am sure it must be several hundred or more.
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Well thank you for this thread. I just spent a little more of the evening spreadsheeting golf courses than I originally intended.
I was a little underwhelmed by my final count - 135. It seems like I've played so many more courses. I've probably missed some, given that I just counted tonight and I've never tracked, but I'd guess my ultimate total is no more than one or two dozen higher than this. The time served as a nice trip down memory lane
Mike, while my total is way lower than yours, I bet I could give you a run for your money on % of total played that are bad, modest, or unassuming. I've also had the privilege of seeing some world class courses in the last few years, so I really can't complain.
I've played in 23 states and 2 Canadian provinces, so my courses played to # of states ratio is rather low relative to some of the posts I've seen so far.
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I'd estimate between 170 and 250.
Played in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland, France, USA, Thailand, China, Malaysia from memory.
I'd estimate at least 150 of them have been played in Australia.
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Not as many as I would have liked to have. Dunno how everyone gets on all these private clubs.
Oh well, I'm young yet.
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81 and counting
47 in England
13 in Ireland
8 in Scotland
7 in Wales
5 in France
1 in USA (Pebble Beach)
I'm playing about 4 new ones a year - as much as family life, money, and other sporting commitments (cricket) allow. Royal St Georges in November is my next newbie.
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Whilst I try to focus on quality over quantity I've always kept a record of the courses I've visited.
It's over 400 courses now - with just over 260+ in Australia and 150+ in the UK....with less than 5 in the USA....which I'd like to add to in time ;)
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A quick top-of-the-head list only comes to 72 different courses for me. The real total is maybe a dozen more than that but certainly fewer than 90 and perhaps fewer than 80. Here's the breakdown by state/country:
32 in South Carolina
13 in Ohio
7 in Pennsylania
6 in California
6 in England
5 in North Carolina
2 in Georgia
1 in Tennessee
I know I'm missing a handful in South Carolina and possbily one or two each in Ohio, Pennsylvania and North Carolina.
I've probably played a total of about 1200-1250 rounds of golf in a little over 12 years since I took up the game, with a couple hundred of those being 27 holes and maybe a hundred of them just being nine holes. However, almost 1100 of those rounds were on the four that have been my home courses at various times with at least 850 rounds being on the course where I learned to play golf.
Here's a followup question. How many courses that you've played have you only played once? For me, something like 38 of my 72 total courses were single-round wonders. But a good many of those I have every intention of playing again first chance I get.
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By the way as of yesterday 1140 in 42 states. Hopefully 1141 & 42 tommorrow and Friday.
Jeez, if you've played that many aren't you obligated to knock out the missing 8 states?
Looks kinda like Sam Snead's or Tom Watson's record in majors: incomplete without career grand slam (or, in your case, the State Slam).
Mark
That's a good point, and something that I probably should pay a little more attention to, because like Sam before you know it you are past your prime and it becomes harder to pull off. I probably would have done it by now had I remained single, but now with the family and small child at home those "golf for golf's sake" trips are few and far between. My golf trips now are strangely reminicent of business trips. But I did actually knock off another state a month ago almost by accident, so that is cool.
I hope to get up to the way NE corner of the country to knock off most of the ones I am missing one of these years. Too bad when I went to AK years ago on a business trip it was winter time and I didnt get that one knocked off, that will be a hard one to get done.
I am trying to remember without going to check, is Congressional in VA or MD? I dont think it is technically in DC is it?
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Not as many as I would like to, but many more than my wife thinks I have!!
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I keep an excel spreadsheet with an accurate count. I have played 615 courses including 99 in Maryland, 105 in Florida and 124 in Pennsylvania. Only 14 courses outside the US.
Of course the number of courses that I have visited is probably double this. So many courses to play, so little time!
I have played nothing near the number of courses my buddy Terry Inslee has. I believe Terry has played between 2,200 and 2,300 courses. He is a maniac!
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to paraphrase Judge Smails, "Don't you people have JOBS!"
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The only reason I know is because when I started golf as a kid of 13, I started collecting a scorecard from each course I played (an outgrowth of collecting football, baseball cards and comic books), and I've kept that practice going over the years. So today, I have a card from each course I've played.
About 10 or so years ago, inspired by Cornish and Whitten's "The Architects Of Golf", I put them online and also then researched the design origins of all of them, and many more.
Ok, maybe I am crazy. :(
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You asked for it:
Alabama - 8
Arizona - 4 (We-Ko-Pa, A. Stronghold, Wildfire-Faldo, TS-N)
California - 9
Connecticut - 8
Delaware - 1 (Bear Trap Dunes)
Florida -14
Hawaii - 11 (over 3 islands, never played on Oahu)
Maine - 23
Maryland - 8
Massachusetts - 102
Nevada - 1 (Las Vegas National, boo)
New Hampshire - 19
New Jersey - 2 (Twisted Dune and Plainfield CC)
New York - 6
North Carolina - 33
Oregon - 4 (BD, PD, BT, and Pumpkin Ridge Ghost Creek)
Pennsylvania - 13
Rhode Island - 8
South Carolina - 4 (Legends-Heath, Heritage, Pawley's Plant., and River Oaks, blah)
Vermont - 14
Barbados - 1
Bermuda - 5
Canada - 2 (both in New Brunswick)
Germany - 1
Ireland - 8
Scotland - 14
For a grand total of 323, give or take a couple. I add quite a few every year. The last few were Shelter Harbor in RI (Tues.), Ross' Oakley CC near Boston, Mink Meadows (9) on the Vineyard and Bethpage Black. Already planned for later this year is 2 more in Vermont, a couple more in RI, a couple in NY, at least one or two more in MA, and next year will be several more in CA, and about 10 more in Ireland among others.
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Boy, this thread is making me feel better and worse about myself at the same time.
Worse - I'm envious of the breadth and depth of golfing experience displayed by those on this site.
Better - I was thinking it was a little nerdy to admit in a thread a couple of days ago I keep score cards and yardage books and take them out from time to time to relive those rounds. Spreadsheets? Exactly accurate counts? Coding systems? It's somewhat comforting to find out you fall on the near side of nerdiness and obsession.
Andy
And Mike - I think I spotted that character flaw John was talking about in your choice of tag lines :).
AD
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Upon further review, this thread reminds me of locker room conversations of my youth about how many women you've slept with.
So is it better to have played many courses once, or one course many times?
Andy
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So is it better to have played many courses once, or one course many times?
It depends on the course. I'd rather have played Pasatiempo five hundred times than to have played five hundred different goat ranches.
But seriously, I'd always rather play fewer courses more often than play dozens or hundreds of courses one time each. Let's compare like with like...
If I could play the same public course in South Carolina every week for a year versus playing fifty different public courses I'd choose to play the same course every week.
If I could play every good-to-great course on Long Island once versus playing just one of them a dozen times I'd pick one and play it a dozen times.
If I ever make it to Dornoch I will play Royal Dornoch at least four times before spending a day to go play at Brora, Golspie, Tain, etc.
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I know you guys love the internet but you ever had a longterm relationship with real people who play the game.
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I'm only around 150, BUT based on a thread earlier this year, I may be the clubhouse leader in playing NLE's. Probably due to budget constraints that lead me to seek cheap golf...
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I know you guys love the internet but you ever had a longterm relationship with real people who play the game.
Interesting question. I'd be very surprised if the vast majority of participants here - freaks without a doubt - still didn't have a regular club or a regular group of guys and don't play most of their golf at either one private club or a normal rota of local publics.
The vagabonds would still seem to me to be the exception, not the rule. You just hear from them a lot here because the discussion is so often about far-flung courses, and who the hell else plays those but vagabonds?
BTW, my answer to the Topic here would echo that of shivas, word for word. I don't have the faintest clue.
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Tom,
Very true. I play 140 rounds or so a year; all but maybe 20 are at my home club, and most of those are with the same 8 or 10 guys.
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Most of my friends are "golf friends", who I at least try to play with whenever possible.
I've also met many other people and contacts and "good aquantainces" through golf and don't think one needs to just sit home at a single club to do it.
The bottom line, despite John's insistence on something sinister or faulty in my character, is simply that I've been completely fascinated by golf courses since I stepped on my first green 35 years ago. I've never lost the excitement of seeing and playing a new course, and the more courses I hear or read about, the more I am desirous of getting there.
Walking on as a single and joining up with a group of strangers has been a source of adventure and comraderie, and makes me feel more optimistic about people and the human condition. 90% of the time it's a real joy, and it's all part of the experience.
Not to mention, I have wonderful memories of so many places, people, and courses that I've never even considered that I should ever stop.
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Cats make nice pets..
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Mark,
Thanks, but as I mentioned, I know a few people who dwarf my travels for golf, including some on this board like Matt and Mark Fine.
John,
Actually, I was a cat guy most of my life, but inherited a Mini Schnauzer as part of blending families in the past two years. We love her, but she's very, very bad.
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I know you guys love the internet but you ever had a longterm relationship with real people who play the game.
John,
When you say "real people" does that imply local people who we met in some way other than through the Internet? If so, my answer is "very few".
At the semi-private course I played every week for my first eight or nine years there was a group of guys I played with most of the time. I don't play there any more and in fact several of the other guys have moved on as well so I guess there's no going back. At the first private club I belonged to I did not have a regular game with anyone in particular although there were several guys I'd play with off and on.
At my current club we have a men's group that plays together several times a week and that forms my "usual suspects". I enjoy these guys a lot but having only been a member here for eight months I can't claim it's a long-term thing yet. Ask again in a couple years because I don't plan on going anywhere.
In contrast with all that is my core of longterm golf buddies who I've met over the Internet and get together with every chance I get. There's a few of them in Ohio, a couple in Pennsylvania, one in New Jersey and several others spread around all over the US and Canada. And that's not including the new best friends I've made here over the past two years, which probably doesn't yet qualify as "long term".
The thing that most of the long-distance friendships have in common is that these guys play golf the same way I do. They walk, they like to play pretty quickly (some are better at that than others), they would rather play 36 in a day than sit around the clubhouse drinking beer and they tend to be more enthusiastic than highly skilled. I really can't claim that sort of compatibility with very many golfers I know locally. So I don't buy your implicit argument that longterm golf relationships are somehow more valid if you live in the same town or belong to the same club than if you communicate through the Internet and travel to play golf together.
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JakaB
I am a vagabond which plays with regular groups. Meaning, I don't have one core group of guys I play with. It is really four core groups and a few lesser groups (GCA people are in this class). About half are at my club and half not. I rarely play games with strangers - GCA folk being the rarity in the past few years.
I don't really know how many courses I have played. It amazes me when folks mention a 1000 or so. If I had to guess it is probably somewhere around 200, maybe a bit less. I would be very surprised if I see 200 more courses before I die! Like Brent, I tend to revisit courses I like and play in events they host. Golf in recent years has become so expensive (because of the ball I am told) that I have lost a bit of interest in seeking out the new thrills on offer.
Ciao
Sean
I am also a vagabond with regular groups. I have just racked my brain and I don't believe I have ever played a round without a friend along...Tournaments excluded. I have never gone off to play a new course by myself and have never played when on vacation unless it was a golf vacation with friends.
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This is interesting.
But John - didn't you travel solo that trip to CA where we played Olympic and Pasa? Didn't you travel solo to the Dixie Cup?
Or do we all count as friends?
;)
BTW, I am pretty much like you on this issue - I don't play much if any solo golf, outside of tournaments.
TH
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Of course you all are my friends...I brag about how close me and Doak are all the time. Stranger than the trips you mention was my last second trip to Bandon last year...that one pushed the envelope but of course those guys loved me..it's amazing.
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Of course you all are my friends...I brag about how close me and Doak are all the time. Stranger than the trips you mention was my last second trip to Bandon last year...that one pushed the evelope but of course those guys loved me..it's amazing.
Indeed yes, that was strange - and brave.
But yes the frienships made through this site and its predecessors do continue to be amazing to say the least.
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Could someone please post a list of
all the golf courses in the world so I can check
off which ones I have played and count them?
My memory is going.
Thanks,
-- Thor
:-)
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Couldn't even hazard a guess. :o :o
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Huck,
I take it vagabond is a sort of complimentary title right? I am certainly a vagabond and a very real one. I play on a regular basis with another vagabond freind and sometimes even more of us travel as a merry band of vagabonds. I am also willing to travel solo if that is what is required.
Now that I consider this, I think of myself more as a "Woody Guthrie" of golf. Yeah... that's the ticket.
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Paul:
Well, if you look at the oft-replayed "Who are You Guys" thread, you'll see I describe myself as a vagabond. So as much as I do like to be self-deprecating, well... I'd sure call it a complimentary title.
I just do continue to believe there are more who play most of their golf with the same guys and/or at the same place then there are true solo travellers, playing whenever and wherever and with whomever. But those that do exist seem to flock to this forum.
Perhaps that made some sense. I'm not too confident.
;D
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Huck,
I think I get it. Sort of a Sheep Ranch thing. I like to romanticize the image. I can imagine hoppin' box cars ridin' the rails. just stoping for a little golf and later beans over an open fire. Golfing Troubadours.
I guess I also am easily carried away.
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I can't begin to tell you how many different coures I have played, but I have played many "different" courses, as in, "Well, this is different......"
;)
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In late 2002/early 2003 I decided my goal was to play 500 golf courses before I turned 30. Well little did I know that I would play 66 in 03, 82 in 04, and 87 in 05. Now I am within range of 500 even though this year has seen a signficant drop off in courses played. I guess I should revise my goals. Although it seems like it becomes less and less about quantity for me now, and more about a good experience.
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Cory,
I think that is great considering it is your profession. Sometimes I purposely drive through road construction when a less congested detour is available...
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Over 400, near 350 in California alone. I'm 45 and hope to get to 1000 once I retire at 55. Since I joined this site, I now want to play that many in the British Isles.
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I don't know for sure...I have more than 200 ball markers so I guess it is somewhere close to 250 or so. Nearly all are private courses. I'm much more interested in playing courses I highly regard multiple times than I am adding to a list of courses played.
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Another meaning of the question might be, "How many times have you started on one course and ended up on another?" I know it happens, at adjacent courses like Shinny and NGLA, sometimes even on purpose!
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103 courses so far
46 in New Zealand
22 Australia
20 England
6 Scotland
9 Hawaii/ USA
Will be adding to the list next year, both in and outside of New Zealand.
First Nicklaus Signature course to be opened out here is top of the list. Opening March/April 2007 is top of the list.
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I had some time to kill and started writing down the courses I can remember playing-I'm amazed that it's already over 100 and I'm sure there are another 20 or 30.
How do you guys keep track of this?
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close to 300...245 public...
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It is a little embarrasing to admit because it suggests a self indulgent and mispent adulthood. But, I've played 750 in the US and 180 in Great Britain and Ireland and 20 in the rest of Europe. Oh and one in Morocco. This year I have played fifty new (to me) courses.
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I've only played 65, but that number is due to grow in the coming year.
Courses are ranked from courses I could play for the rest of my life and not get tired of, to courses that I never want to play again.
1. Crystal Downs Country Club - Frankfort, Michigan
2. Whistling Straits – Straits Course – Haven, Wisconsin
3. Hamilton Farm Golf Club – Gladstone, New Jersey
4. Whistling Straits – Irish Course – Haven, Wisconsin
5. Spring Hill Golf Club – Wayzata, Minnesota*
6. Forest Dunes Golf Club – Roscommon, Michigan
7. Robert Trent Jones Golf Club – Gainesville, Virginia*
8. Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club – Arcadia, Michigan
9. Minocqua Country Club – Minocqua, Wisconsin
10. Pilgrims Run Golf Club – Pierson, Michigan
11. Tullymore Golf Club – Stanwood, Michigan*
12. Bucks Run Golf Club – Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
13. Sedona Golf Resort – Sedona, Arizona
14. Orchard Hills Country Club – Buchanan, Michigan
15. Thousand Oaks Golf Club – Grand Rapids, Michigan
16. Stonewall Golf Club – Lake Manassas, Virginia
17. Boyne Mt. Monument – Boyne Falls, Michigan
18. Hunters Ridge Golf Club – Marion, Iowa
19. Blackthorn Golf Club – South Bend, Indiana
20. Edina Country Club – Edina, Minnesota
21. Stonebrooke Golf Club – Shakopee, Minnesota
22. The Architects Golf Club – Phillipsburg, New Jersey
23. Mines Golf Course – Grand Rapids, Michigan
24. Spencer Golf & Country Club – Spencer, Iowa*
25. Prairie Green Golf Course – Sioux Falls, South Dakota
26. Carroll Country Club – Carroll, Iowa
27. Brooks Golf Club – Okoboji, Iowa
28. Lake Creek Country Club – Storm Lake, Iowa
29. Westwood Golf Club – Newton, Iowa
30. Jester Park Golf Club – Granger, Iowa
31. Veenker Memorial Golf Course – Ames, Iowa
32. Compass Pointe Golf Club – Pasadena, Maryland
33. Baker National Golf Club – Medina, Minnesota
34. Elbel Municipal Golf Course – South Bend, Indiana
35. Cadillac Country Club – Cadillac, Michigan
36. Heron Creek Golf Club – LaGrange, Indiana
37. Falcon Head Golf Club – Big Rapids, Michigan
38. LeMars Municipal Golf Course – LeMars, Iowa
39. Katke Golf Course – Big Rapids, Michigan
40. Spencer Municipal Golf Course – Spencer, Iowa
41. Fairfax National Golf Club – Centreville, Virginia
42. Fox Run Golf Course – Council Bluffs, Iowa
43. Oakland Acres Golf Club – Grinnell, Iowa
44. Breda Golf Club – Breda, Iowa
45. Homewood Golf Course – Ames, Iowa
46. Sheldon Country Club – Sheldon, Iowa
47. Pocahontas Golf Course – Pocahontas, Iowa
48. Meadowbrook Country Club – Hartley, Iowa
49. Cherokee Country Club – Cherokee, Iowa
50. Pheasant Acres Golf Club – Rogers, Minnesota
51. Meceola Golf and Country Club – Big Rapids, Michigan
52. The Rose Golf Course – Leroy, Michigan
53. Storm Lake Municipal Golf Course – Storm Lake, Iowa
54. Estherville Golf and Country Club – Estherville, Iowa
55. Spring Hills Country Club – Mallard, Iowa
56. Shamrock Golf Club – Cochran, Minnesota
57. Traer Golf and Country Club – Traer, Iowa
58. Woodlyn Hills Golf Course – Milford, Iowa
59. Little Sioux Golf and Country Club – Sioux Rapids, Iowa
60. Lewiston Country Club – Lewiston, Minnesota
61. Emmetsburg Golf and Country Club – Emmetsburg, Iowa
62. Newell Golf Course – Newell, Iowa
63. Laurens Golf and Country Club – Laurens, Iowa
64. Hull Country Club – Hull, Iowa
65. Frankfort Golf Course – Frankfort, Michigan
State Totals:
Iowa - 28
Michigan - 16
Minnesota – 7
Indiana – 3
Virginia – 3
Wisconsin - 3
New Jersey - 2
Maryland - 1
South Dakota - 1
Arizona – 1
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I had some time to kill and started writing down the courses I can remember playing-I'm amazed that it's already over 100 and I'm sure there are another 20 or 30.
How do you guys keep track of this?
Unfortunately some of us on here are not only hopless Golf Vagabonds, we are also engineers and thus have that helpful anal side. I have been keeping track of some crude form of information on courses I have played in a data base that I have maintained since 1995. Sometime later I tried to go back and add any courses that I had played before that time that I could remember.
So that is how I do it anyway. In fact my list is so old that it is in Lotus 1-2-3 instead of Exel. I still load my old version of Lotus on any new computers I get so that I can still open and add to my evergrowing list.
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I had some time to kill and started writing down the courses I can remember playing-I'm amazed that it's already over 100 and I'm sure there are another 20 or 30.
How do you guys keep track of this?
Mike,
My story is pretty much like a couple others on here. I started playing golf when I was six and started collecting scorecards, so I've got a scorecard from all but 11 or so of the courses I've played. I've got an excel spreadsheet with the information now so its easy to add in a new course. I'm even one that has a brief list of courses that I want to play too :)
Jonathan,
Its interesting that your list starts and ends in the same town! Crystal Downs is certainly very worthy. I've played maybe 10 others from your list as well and would place many of them similarly. I did prefer Pilgrim's Run, Tullymore, Arcadia Bluffs, and Blackthorn to the Irish Cse.
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Jeff Brauer suggested "Another meaning of the question might be, "How many times have you started on one course and ended up on another?" I know it happens, at adjacent courses like Shinny and NGLA, sometimes even on purpose! "
I was playing the old Arran course at Turnberry in 1996 and "just by accident" wound up on the Ailsa. What a shame.
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I have never kept count, but I started when I was 7 years old, and I'm sure it is well in excess of 500.
One thing that I have always tried to do is multiple plays on the best courses, e.g., on 2 of our trips to Ireland, we played as follows:
Dornock 5 times
Ballybunion 3 times
Old Course 2
Royal County Down 3
Carnoustie 2
Troon 1
Muirfiled 1
Old Head 1
Turnberry 5
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I've been keeping track of every course I've played in a book since the beginning of the 2002 season.
Year-by-year totals are:
2002: 27
2003: 29
2004: 34
2005: 37
2006: 17 (and counting)
Some courses I've played in more than one year so the total number of different courses is 117 after a Tuesday round at the St. Cloud (MN) Country Club. I went through the Minnesota Golf Association's list of courses and have played 50 more courses in the past. I then went through the rest of the country for courses I played before keeping track and came up with another 60 or so. So my total is about 240 give or take two or three either way. I've also played in 24 states and three Canadian provinces.
I still play almost all of my golf at my home course, but I do travel quite a bit for my job and bring the sticks with whenever I can. Combine that with my parents now living in Arizona and that helps the total a bit.
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I have played at least 100 in Ireland, from what I can remember.
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Well this has had me thinking for the last day or so!
I've got good records for the last six years or so, but for the thirty before then I've had to rely on my memory! I've now created a spreadsheet which tells me:
115 in total
58 in England
48 in Scotland
5 in Ireland
4 in mainland Europe
These courses vary from 9 hole pay and play courses to Open Championship venues. In the last few years I've set out to play as many different courses as possible (funds and time off work permitting) so would hope that the number will continue to grow. I've a further 10 new courses planned for the remainder of 2006 in Spain, England and Scotland.
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It's not that hard once you start.
It sure as hell is when you have 38 years to cover and can't remember back farther than 5 with any degree of confidence....
;D
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About 150 or so, with roughly a third here in Alabama, a third abroad, and a third in the rest of the U.S. I prefer to play with friends or with my wife, but I'll go it solo sometimes, usually if I'm traveling on business.
My wife hasn't played very many courses but would have an impressive Doak-scale ratio. Mine would be pretty low given all the junky courses I've played.
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redanman:
I admit I could make a decent approximation. I did once go through the NCGA and SCGA lists to see which I could recall playing, and that was nearly 300. But so many I was sorta sure of, didn't recall that well... I gave up.
But the most important thing is this: OBVIOUSLY if I was to attempt to jar my memory using geographical and/or photographic aids, I certainly wouldn't use those second-rate products from that upstart company in Mountain View.
;)
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about 300 for me
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One thing that I have always tried to do is multiple plays on the best courses, e.g., on 2 of our trips to Ireland, we played as follows:
Dornock 5 times
Ballybunion 3 times
Old Course 2
Royal County Down 3
Carnoustie 2
Troon 1
Muirfiled 1
Old Head 1
Turnberry 5
Cary,
After 5 trips around the course, it seems like you'd know how to spell it (and what island it's on). :) Seriously, multiple plays are a good idea for courses of special interest.
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I'm betting my average "Doak Scale Ratio" is about a 3.
Played my share of 7's thru 10's but the majority of courses I suspect would rate less than 4.
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I'm betting my average "Doak Scale Ratio" is about a 3.
Played my share of 7's thru 10's but the majority of courses I suspect would rate less than 4.
Mike,
Isn't that about where any Doak Scale average would be given a high enough sample?
Always thought the Doak 3 was the "average" course.
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One thing that I have always tried to do is multiple plays on the best courses,
That this strategy is vastly superior to the "campaign mentality" should go without comment; however, sadly most use tour operators who satisfy golfers' basest desires for golf "porn."
Re: Dornick, give him a break...obviously he was confusing his Ireland golf tour with his Oklahoma golf tour.
Are you saying I shouldn't have commented? :)
As to "Dornick" . . . Mark, don't be so bourgeois.
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I'm betting my average "Doak Scale Ratio" is about a 3.
Played my share of 7's thru 10's but the majority of courses I suspect would rate less than 4.
Mike,
Isn't that about where any Doak Scale average would be given a high enough sample?
Always thought the Doak 3 was the "average" course.
you're correct Kyle...Tom also says anything 5 and aboe has his seal of approval
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I have had this goal to play 1000 courses befor they haul me off to the home. I started keeping count about 1982-3. I am now up to 567, and have score cards for most of them.
In 1987 I made my first trip to St. Andrews with exactly 99 courses under my belt. I went up to the starter about 6PM and told him my story of wanting The Old Course to be #100 - and he said something like "Just wait right over there laddy and I'll find a way to get you out there after the member tournament is over." I am looking at a picture on the wall with me on the Swilken Bridge with the clock on the R&A Clubhouse reading 9:30 in the evening.
Two years ago, I planned it so Muirfield would be #500.
My license plate reads GO41000. However, it's getting a little harder to find new courses in the places I regularly travel.
It's a good journey and a nice goal to have out there.
Doug
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About 500 in 15 countries...
Almost NONE in the last 5 years :'(
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Well, at last post, the number of courses I had played was 65, that number has increased to 89, thanks in part to a spectacular seven months spent in Northern California. Again, I simply rate courses on whether I could play it everyday and never tire of the design, to courses I would never care to see again.
1. Crystal Downs Country Club - Frankfort, Michigan
2. San Francisco Golf Club – San Francisco, California
3. Whistling Straits Straits – Haven, Wisconsin
4. Monterey Peninsula Country Club Shore – Pebble Beach, California
5. Pasatiempo Golf Club – Santa Cruz, California
6. Spyglass Hill Golf Course – Pebble Beach, California
7. The Olympic Club Lake – San Francisco, California
8. Hamilton Farm Golf Club – Gladstone, New Jersey
9. Whistling Straits Irish – Haven, Wisconsin
10. The Meadow Club – Fairfax, California*
11. Mayacama Golf Club – Santa Rosa, California
12. Spring Hill Golf Club – Wayzata, Minnesota*
13. Forest Dunes Golf Club – Roscommon, Michigan
14. Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club – Arcadia, Michigan
15. CordeValle Golf Club – San Martin, California
16. The Peninsula Golf and Country Club – San Mateo, California
17. California Golf Club – South San Francisco, California
18. Cinnabar Hills Golf Club – San Jose, California
19. Lake Merced Golf Club – Daly City, California
20. Robert Trent Jones Golf Club – Gainesville, Virginia*
21. Sonoma Golf Club – Sonoma, California
22. Minocqua Country Club – Minocqua, Wisconsin
23. Pilgrims Run Golf Club – Pierson, Michigan
24. Harding Park Golf Course – San Francisco, California
25. Dark Horse Golf Club – Auburn, California
26. Tullymore Golf Club – Stanwood, Michigan*
27. Sedona Golf Resort – Sedona, Arizona
28. Half Moon Bay Golf Links Old – Half Moon Bay, California
29. Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club – Menlo Park, California
30. Orchard Hills Country Club – Buchanan, Michigan
31. Northwood Golf Club – Monte Rio, California
32. Bucks Run Golf Club – Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
33. Thousand Oaks Golf Club – Grand Rapids, Michigan
34. Stonewall Golf Club – Lake Manassas, Virginia
35. San Juan Oaks Golf Club – San Juan Bautista, California
36. StoneTree Golf Club – Novato, California
37. Boyne Mountain Monument – Boyne Falls, Michigan
38. Hunters Ridge Golf Club – Marion, Iowa
39. Blackthorn Golf Club – South Bend, Indiana
40. Edina Country Club – Edina, Minnesota
41. Stonebrooke Golf Club – Shakopee, Minnesota
42. The Architects Golf Club – Phillipsburg, New Jersey
43. Mines Golf Course – Grand Rapids, Michigan
44. The Links at Bodega Harbour – Bodega Bay, California
45. Half Moon Bay Golf Links Ocean – Half Moon Bay, California
46. Walt Disney World Resort Magnolia – Orlando, Florida
47. Spencer Golf & Country Club – Spencer, Iowa*
48. Prairie Green Golf Course – Sioux Falls, South Dakota
49. Carroll Country Club – Carroll, Iowa
50. Brooks Golf Club – Okoboji, Iowa
51. Lake Creek Country Club – Storm Lake, Iowa
52. Westwood Golf Club – Newton, Iowa
53. Jester Park Golf Club – Granger, Iowa
54. Veenker Memorial Golf Course – Ames, Iowa
55. Compass Pointe Golf Club – Pasadena, Maryland
56. Baker National Golf Club – Medina, Minnesota
57. Elbel Municipal Golf Course – South Bend, Indiana
58. Cadillac Country Club – Cadillac, Michigan
59. Heron Creek Golf Club – LaGrange, Indiana
60. Falcon Head Golf Club – Big Rapids, Michigan
61. LeMars Municipal Golf Course – LeMars, Iowa
62. Katke Golf Course – Big Rapids, Michigan
63. Gleneagles Golf Club – San Francisco, California
64. Spencer Municipal Golf Course – Spencer, Iowa
65. Fairfax National Golf Club – Centreville, Virginia
66. Fox Run Golf Course – Council Bluffs, Iowa
67. Oakland Acres Golf Club – Grinnell, Iowa
68. Breda Golf Club – Breda, Iowa
69. Homewood Golf Course – Ames, Iowa
70. Sheldon Country Club – Sheldon, Iowa
71. Pocahontas Golf Course – Pocahontas, Iowa
72. Meadowbrook Country Club – Hartley, Iowa
73. Cherokee Country Club – Cherokee, Iowa
74. Pheasant Acres Golf Club – Rogers, Minnesota
75. Meceola Golf and Country Club – Big Rapids, Michigan
76. The Rose Golf Course – Leroy, Michigan
77. Storm Lake Municipal Golf Course – Storm Lake, Iowa
78. Estherville Golf and Country Club – Estherville, Iowa
79. Spring Hills Country Club – Mallard, Iowa
80. Shamrock Golf Club – Cochran, Minnesota
81. Traer Golf and Country Club – Traer, Iowa
82. Woodlyn Hills Golf Course – Milford, Iowa
83. Little Sioux Golf and Country Club – Sioux Rapids, Iowa
84. Lewiston Country Club – Lewiston, Minnesota
85. Emmetsburg Golf and Country Club – Emmetsburg, Iowa
86. Newell Golf Course – Newell, Iowa
87. Frankfort Golf Course – Frankfort, Michigan
88. Laurens Golf and Country Club – Laurens, Iowa
89. Hull Country Club – Hull, Iowa
State Totals:
Iowa – 28
California - 23
Michigan - 16
Minnesota – 7
Indiana – 3
Virginia – 3
Wisconsin - 3
New Jersey – 2
Maryland - 1
South Dakota - 1
Arizona – 1
Florida – 1
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I've played 175 different ones so far...I do have a list of all of them with location, designer, last time played and a few various other random stats...I used to rank them all...gave that up though when I decided I no longer cared about the difference between #142 and #143 ;D
FWIW...I hit 200 a few weeks ago at the Marty Sanchez Links de Santa Fe. Currently at 203.
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Jonathan,
I wasn't going to make this comment until you laughed at Tullymore on the other thread... ;D
Personal preferences can be an interesting thing. I thought Whistling Straits-Irish was exceptionally overpriced and I guess overrated too, and I have Tullymore in my top ten.
In addition to Tullymore, Crystal Downs and the Straits, I'd also put Arcadia Bluffs, Pilgrim's Run, and Blackthorn ahead of the Irish without any hesitation. The only other course I've seen on your list is Elbel Municipal...and I have to give the Irish that one :)
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about 252 public, about 60 private
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Andy - There is an interesting story behind the Tullymore laughter which will be released in my Biography when I pass away! ;) However, you are exactly right, to each his own!
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I never thought about this as a mathematical deal, but I can easily come up with a hundred or so.
Be here's a challenge.
I figure I've played upwards of 45 nine hole courses, including two or three with sand greens.
I think the nine-holeer make up more about a third of my total.
Anyone else have that many nine-hole courses?
Ken
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How many different courses?
Since I played about 40 tournaments a year every year for about 25 years, after the redundancy factor, you do the math on the amount of courses in tournaments alone. Frankly, I have no idea.
Does it matter? And if so, why?
The better question is do you want to know the ones I'll never forget, and why?
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So, I started this "quest" to play 1000 different golf courses before I die - it is a noble goal - and I have been keeping track. So far I am at 564 - and will add a few more with a 3rd trip to Scotland next week. (Old Course Reverse is not the same as TOC!)
I have tried to make the centenary courses special - for example, #100 was TOC in St. Andrews and #500 was Muirfield 3 years ago.
Since I travel so often to the same places, it is getting harder to add to the list - last week I added 2 from RTJ Golf Trail in AL, but have just about exhausted my opportunities there.
I go on Medicare this May, so you know how old I am - I think I have a shot as getting this done providing the health holds out - I walk and carry every place I go unless they force me to ride - I am a member of USGA Walking Section.
Go For 1000!
DB
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Jonathan -
Thanks for the update and I knew that a few California courses would end up near the top of the list.
I'm glad your visit to California gave you more options on where to play for the rest of your life ...
Mike
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Golf Courses I Have Played…
Inland Empire California area:
Canyon Crest CC
Indian Hills CC
Victoria Club
Indian Hills CC
Jurupa Hills CC
Riverside Golf Club
Paradise Knolls
El Rivino CC (Closed)
Goose Creek CC
El Prado - Butterfield
El Prado - Chino Creek
Arrowhead CC
Shandin Hills
San Bernardino Public
Green Tree Golf Course
Apple Valley CC
Spring Valley Lake CC
Hesperia CC
Crystalaire CC
PGA of Southern California - Champions
PGA of Southern California - Legends
Oak Valley GC
Cresta Verde CC
Mountain View CC
Eagle Glen CC
Seven Hills
Landmark at Hemet
Diamond Valley Golf Club
Fairmount Park Golf Club
General Old Golf Course
Golden Era Golf Course
Soboba Springs CC
Green River - Orange
Green River - Riverside
Hidden Valley Golf Club
Moreno Valley Ranch GC
Quail Ranch GC
Sun Lakes CC
El Rancho Verde Golf Club
Empire Lakes Golf Course
Los Serranos - North
Los Serranos - South
Whispering Lakes Golf Club
Western Hills
Trilogy Golf Club at Glen Ivy
Temecula/Fallbrook area:
Bear Creek CC
Temecula Creek
Cherry Hills
Temeku Hills
SCGA Golf Course
Cross Creek
Menifee Lakes
Pala Mesa Resort
Redhawk
The Golf Club of California
Pauma Valley CC
San Luis Rey Downs
Castle Creek CC
Orange County:
Aliso Creek Golf Club
Anaheim Hills GC
Costa Mesa G&CC - Los Lagos
Costa Mesa G&CC - Mesa Linda
Coyote Hills GC
Los Coyotes CC
"Dad" Miller GC
Mile Square Golf Club
San Clemente Golf Course
Tijeras Creek Golf Club
San Diego Area:
Shadowridge CC
Rancho Santa Fe CC
Torrey Pines North
Torrey Pines South
Lake San Marcos
Cottonwood Golf Course - Ivanhoe
Morgan Run Resort
Maderas Golf Club
The Crosby
Los Angeles Area:
North Ranch CC
The Riviera CC
Hillcrest CC
Porter Valley CC
Braemar CC
Industry Hills - Zaharias
Industry Hills - Eisenhower
Sierra La Verne CC
Upland Hills CC
Brookside #1
Brookside #2
Diamond Bar Golf Club
Lakewood Golf Course
Marshall Canyon Golf Course
La Canada-Flintridge CC
Montebello Golf Course
Oakmont CC (Glendale, CA)
Spanish Hills G&CC
Via Verde
Palm Springs/Coachella Valley:
Mission Hills Resort Pete Dye
Mission Hills Resort Gary Player
Mission Hills CC Dinah Shore Tournament Course
Mission Hills CC Pete Dye Challenge
Mission Hills CC Arnold Palmer
La Quinta Resort Mountain
La Quinta Resort Dunes
Landmark North (Golf Club at Terra Lago)
Landmark South (Golf Club at Terra Lago)
Bermuda Dunes
Palm Springs Municipal
Tahquitz Creek
Desert Dunes
Desert Falls
Desert Island
Mesquite CC
Avondale Golf Club
Marriott's Desert Princess
The Golf Resort at Indian Wells
Monterey CC
Palm Desert Resort CC
Palm Valley CC
Rancho Las Palmas CC
Central/Northern California:
Pebble Beach
Poppy Hills
The Alisal Ranch - River Course
Coyote Hills GC - New
Coyote Hills GC - Old
Crow Canyon CC
Bayonet and Blackhorse (Blackhorse)
Stevinson Ranch
Outside of California:
North Carolina:
Pinehurst #1
Pinehurst #2
Pinehurst #3
Pinehurst #4
Pinehurst #5
Pinehurst #8
Florida:
Stoneybrook West
Nevada:
The Dunes GC
The Badlands
Desert Rose
Arizona:
The Reserve (I think that's what it's called)
I think that's about 130 golf courses I've played...
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My golf nerd database tells me 88 in Arizona. From memory, I count another 18 in Ohio, California, Nevada, Florida and Puerto Rico.
106 (give or take).
Tom
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I made a list of all the courses I have ever played a couple of years ago.
The totals are, Sydney 82
NSW country 37
Victoria 14
Queensland 7
Netherlands 39
Belgium 3
England 4
Scotland 5
Ireland 7
Portugal 11
Spain 8
Grand total. 217
The first course I ever played was Lane Cove Country Club
and the last new course was The Vintage(Greg Norman design) in Australia
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For those who know me the answer is a lot ;) More importantly I can remember something from every one. How long that memory will last, who knows ;D
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Jonathan,
Your list started out great but I almost fell out of my chair laughing just imagining that you have played 9 courses which you ranked lower that Shamrock. You have my sympathy. :)
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David Ober,
You have to come East young man! Learn you will, yes.
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Guess I'll add my state-by-state too...
103 Indiana
21 Michigan
18 New Mexico
14 Florida
13 Arizona
7 Tennessee
5 Ohio & South Carolina
4 Wisconsin & Kentucky
2 Illinois & North Carolina
1 Georgia, New York, Oklahoma, California, and Canada.
Total 203
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I have been golfing since nov 2001 and have played 153 different courses. Full listing:
http://www.geocities.com/billo39206/
I plan on adding the WS Irish course this year when I go back to play Lawsonia again! Can't wait!
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Too many :)
Most courses have been entirely forgetful and I wouldn't go back, but my highlights are: And my rankings per Doak Scale
Home courses: Rivermont CC, The Honors Course (7), Wolf Run (7) (honorary--only played there 3-4 times)
US:
Augusta National GC (10--pre tree planting)
National Golf Links (10)
Shinnecock (9)
Winged Foot, (East and West) (7.5 & 9)
Baltusrol (upper/lower) (7 & 8)
Oak Hill shorter course a 7 "famous course" an 8 on holes 1- 15 and a 5 on holes 16-18 for a total score of 7
Atlanta CC (7)
East Lake pre renovation was better architecturally but the condition was awful (6)
"New" East Lake is another "Atlanta Dumb Blond" (6) still
White Columns (5.5)
Atlanta Athletic Club (5 for both) have NOT see new courses
Hawks Ridge (6) "Augusta National w/hardwoods--NOT!!"
Golf Club of GA (Creekside a 0) Lakeside a (5)
(Both Hawks Ridge and Golf Club are snoozers architecturally but everyone goes nuts because of the amenities and conditioning!!)
Peachtree (8)
Atlanta National (0)
Crown Colony (TX) 5
Adios GC (5)
Medalist GC changes every year but last viewing a 7
Birmingham CC east course (5) West (6)
Holston Hills (6)
UK and N. Ireland
RCD (10)
TOC (10)
Muirfield (8)
Dornoch (9)
TOC (New) (6)
Birkdale (6)
Wallasey (6)
Porthcawl (7)
Liverpool-Hoylake (7)
Berwick (6) but tons of fun to play
Nairn (5)
Walton Heath (6.5)
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Can't believe that I have NOT added my state-by-state info here, so here goes!!!...
66 - Illinois
32 - Florida
20 - Iowa
15 - Missouri
14 - Ohio
11 - Hawaii
11 - Indiana
11 - Wisconsin
10 - California
05 - North Carolina
04 - Oregon
04 - Texas
03 - Georgia
03 - Minnesota
03 - New York
03 - South Carolina
03 - Tennessee
02 - Kansas
02 - Mississippi
02 - Nebraska
01 - Maryland
01 - Massachusetts
01 - Michigan
01 - North Dakota
01 - Pennsylvania
--------------
10 - Scotland
--------------
239 - GRAND TOTAL
I've been playing for about 28 years now (since I was ten), and have collected a logo ball from each unique course. I'm only missing about half a dozen, and am trying to backfill those into the collection. Kind of a neat "walk through history" as I look at all the logo balls in their racks in the order which they were played. And you all thought I was anal... 8)
...oh yeah, I am!!!!!!!!!!! :o
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658 over the past 15 years.
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658 over the past 15 years.
That is 43.87 courses per year ...
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I am up to about 145 in 17 differerent states......
Some standouts from the norms I enjoyed were..
Soengehata
Washington county GC(WI)
Rockford CC(IL)
Glen Echo(Il)
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I've hit 37 different states.
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Do some of you people actually work for a living??
Approx 175 different courses in 24 states.
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I played my 905th course this morning. Looking to play my 1000th in two years.
As Doak or Klein will tell you, for years I was a list junkie. I think I've finally lost interest and have stopped tracking "what list" and "how many" I have played. I honestly can no longer tell you how many of the top 100 on any list I've played.
After I reach 1000, I'm going to stop counting the number of courses I've seen too.
It's ironic but I rarely play anything more than a 4-5 (Doak scale) anymore and I kind of like it. I played the Garl course at Eaglebrooke (Lakeland FL) yesterday and after a mundane front I thought the back nine was quite well done. I love being surprised and finding courses that are fun and under the radar.
JC
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Do any of you have jobs or families? Your course lists are insane!
My 3 year golf anniversary is coming up in another 4 months. By then I will barely have broken the 40 barrier. What a newbie!
CA: 27 (Central Coast, Palm Springs, San Diego)
Bandon, OR: 3
Whistler, BC: 4
Idaho Falls, ID: 2
Palatine, IL: 1
Sedona, AZ: 1
Kauai, HI: 1 (Poipu Bay, returning next week to add to this list)
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I just played Bethpage Black last week for the first time for #281.
It's getting harder and harder for me to add new courses. I only added 13 new ones this year. Good thing Dan Moore invited to the Brat Tour.
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I've been had by ~250 courses, 100 of which are in Scotland, 50 in California, 10 in Texas, 30 in 7 other foreign countries, and 60 in 16 States of the US of A.
I only get to 5 or so new ones every year now, but they are good 'uns!
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I am now at 661 which means I played 46 new courses since August 2006. Still miles behind Terry Inslee!
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I am now at 661 which means I played 46 new courses since August 2006. Still miles behind Terry Inslee!
Rob,
768 on this end, and miles behind Matt Ward, Mark Fine, Paul Gruzeski (who?), Bob B., and many others. I think we're frankly in the middle of the pack, my friend.
However, I bet we have a lot of overlap on our lists...
Why do I feel that for every course I liked, you didn't, and visa versa? ;)
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194 total.
126 in South Carolina
20 in Illinois
15 in North Carolina
12 in Scotland
7 in Georgia
5 in Florida
3 in Iowa
2 in California
1 in Maryland
1 in England
1 in Brazil
1 in Texas
1 in Nassau
195 will be, barring any last minute invites, The Cliffs at Keowee Falls, a new Nicklaus course, in 10 days.
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4 - Arizona
6 - California
4 - Hawaii
10 - Maine
26 - Massachusetts
4 - New Hampshire
1 - New Jersey
2 - New York
8 - North Carolina
2 - Vermont
1 - New Brunswick, Canada
18 - Ireland
Thats 86 Total.
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86? Bush league....I'm around 350 or so I think...
Last several were:
Spanish Bay, Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill, Old Del Monte, The Preserve last week, and then CC of Buffalo, Leatherstocking, and Cranwell Resort this week.
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Mike
#661 was The Ridge at Back Brook in Ringoes, NJ. I loved it so I can only assume that you hated it....if you had a chance to play it. Of course you will probably impose your negative bias against Fazio if you have not been there.
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Mike
#661 was The Ridge at Back Brook in Ringoes, NJ. I loved it so I can only assume that you hated it....if you had a chance to play it. Of course you will probably impose your negative bias against Fazio if you have not been there.
Rob,
BINGO!!
A Doak Scale 4 at best, my friend. It's the course where the term "anti-strategy" was invented! ;D
On the other hand, you can't tell me I have a bias against Fazio when I think that Trump National in Bedminster, NJ is a Doak Scale 8.
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Have you lost your mind man? I made the comment to my Dad while we were playing The Ridge that it was far superior to Trump-Bed. I hope course #2 at TB is better than #1. Granted it had a few good holes but many of the green complexes were unsuitable for the shots required. The first three par 3's required the same club...a six-iron. BBBBOOOORRRIIINNGGG! Then You have a three wood into #17...nice mix!
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I know a lot of you have played a lot of courses, but has anyone played all the courses in a particular state or country?
To my knowledge, Ralph Kennedy, the fellow that donated all of his scorecards to the USGA, has the most courses played...3035 courses in 13 countries and in all 48 states at the time (1952) a fascinating article was written in the July 1952 National Geographic.
Jim Finegan has played a single course, Philadelphia Country (though he is a member of multiple courses), more than 10,000 times.
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"Don't you people have jobs?"
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From what I recall, and I'm sure I've missed a couple, it's 100 on the nose.
87 in Canada
10 in USA
2 in UK
1 in South Africa
I'm so ashamed :'(
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Here are courses whose names I could remember. There must be 10 or so I'm forgetting in 20 years of play.
9 - Alabama
3 - Arizona
6 - California
1 - Florida
6 - Indiana
16 - Maryland
5 - Michigan
3 - New York
2 - North Carolina
9 - Ohio
10 - Pennsylvania
19 - South Carolina
3 - Texas
1 - Utah
1 - Virginia
5 - West Virginia
That makes 99! Assuming I haven't forgotten any (which I'm sure I have), I should go somewhere special for #100 this weekend!
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Guess I'll add my state-by-state too...
103 Indiana
23 New Mexico
21 Michigan
17 Arizona
14 Florida
12 Colorado
7 Tennessee
5 Ohio & South Carolina
4 Wisconsin, Illinois & Kentucky
2 North Carolina
1 Georgia, New York, Oklahoma, California, and Canada.
Total 203
I've added 23 more since April, up to 226 now. Should crack 230 shortly, 240 might have to wait for 2008. Updated the state by state tally above.
Wayne,
I'd be very impressed if someone managed to play every course in their state. Even in New Mexico there are probably 100 courses and only about 30 of them are particularly worthwhile (and I'm being relatively generous there). I'd like to play all of those 30 and some of the others, but I'm not driving to Hobbs, NM to play the couple random courses there!
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Wayne,
I'd be very impressed if someone managed to play every course in their state. Even in New Mexico there are probably 100 courses and only about 30 of them are particularly worthwhile (and I'm being relatively generous there). I'd like to play all of those 30 and some of the others, but I'm not driving to Hobbs, NM to play the couple random courses there!
Oh, but you must visit the Clayton GC.
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When I was a teenager, and completely addicted to the game, I used to lie in bed at night and recite the us open champions from ww2 forward. Then as I played alot of golf in my twenties, I used to recall all the courses I'd played, state by state.
Some years ago, at around 200 or so, I gave that up.
Now I can't remember much of any of them...I just play the superintendent's rota at Bandon Dunes...first tee time each thursday...alternate shot matches with my partner Eric Johnson (who yesterday wrapped up hosting the match play at the Mid Am), against Ken from the Trails and Jeff from Pac., alternating courses each week.
Tom
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Have you lost your mind man? I made the comment to my Dad while we were playing The Ridge that it was far superior to Trump-Bed. I hope course #2 at TB is better than #1. Granted it had a few good holes but many of the green complexes were unsuitable for the shots required. The first three par 3's required the same club...a six-iron. BBBBOOOORRRIIINNGGG! Then You have a three wood into #17...nice mix!
Rob,
Agreed that the par threes are not the absolute strongest suit of TN (you forgot to mention they all run in the same direction ;))but the 4th green is super, I really like the 7th, the 10th does a nice imitation of some of the qualities of ANGC 16, and 17 sort of sucks.
However, the par fours and fives at TN have it ALL over RABB.
You must love hitting wedge layups for your second shots on par fives, and enjoy challenging a hazard from the tee only to be "rewarded" with a much tougher approach. ;) ;D
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This entire thread is a bit like that horrible moment when your wife rolls over and asks you: "Okay, fess up, how many women have you slept with in your life . . . . and can you remember all their names?"
Not to hijack the thread, but since there are many married guys in the Treehouse, please supply the answer you gave to the inevitable question and no, I don't want to know the truth.
As to how many courses in my 40 years of playing: "If you can count them all, you must not have played that many."
If you bothered to write them all down, your time would have been better spent playing a new one.
My answer to the other question is: "Only one that really mattered . . . . ."
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First of all, I used to think that I had played a lot of courses but upon rereading this threads, it is apparent that isn't the case. It does make me regret that I didn't use my PGA privileges more when I was in the business.
Gib, as far as your question goes, I'm not touching it.
I will answer later once I can come up with a number (for the courses that is) but I would bet that it is under 100.
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I just played Bethpage Black last week for the first time for #281.
It's getting harder and harder for me to add new courses. I only added 13 new ones this year. Good thing Dan Moore invited to the Brat Tour.
I finally got Bethpage Black this summer as well, I guess I better sit down and update my list to see where I stand now.
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I know a lot of you have played a lot of courses, but has anyone played all the courses in a particular state or country?
Wayne, that is actually what my recent attention has been turned to. I have played 242 courses in SC, and I am trying to hit all the little Ma & Pa places on my golf map that I have never been to. It actually works out well, because when I am off the beaten path seing customers I just get out my map in the afternoon, and I can usually find some little out of the way place that I have never been. I would estimate that I have been to roughly 3/4 of the courses in SC. Although the architectural merit of some of these places isnt much, you really meet some interstesting and great people at some of these places.
They keep building courses too fast for me to play them all in the US ever, but I realistically think I can hit all of SC's courses in several more years.
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I just took the time to try and figure it up, I think that I am at 155 in 8 states. I am sure that I forgot 10 or so courses.
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I find it incredible that people have played 1000 courses. I can't imagine there are 1000 courses I want to play. I will never get anywhere near that number even if I didn't keep going back to the courses I really like. I couldn't have played more than 250 courses and it may be less than 200 or it could be as little as 150 - I don't really know. Often times I turn down games because I am not interested in spending the money and time for something I doubt will be more than slightly interesting or unique. That is why this site is fantastic. Folks whack up pix and it gives me a better idea of how to spend my resources. Thanks all.
Ciao
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Now... I just play the superintendent's rota at Bandon Dunes every Thursday morning, alternating courses each week.
I'd trade that for a huge lifetime course list anyday!
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Sean,
I find it incredible as well that some have chosen to play so many different courses so far afield. To my way of thinking, I'd rather play the courses I love over and over (thankfully for many of them, I get to). I think Jim Finegan playing his beloved Philadelphia Country Club so often (more than 10,000 times) is absolutely charming and insightful. Give me 50 favorites and let me play them 20 times each, or better yet, 20 favorites 50 times each. Each is much better than playing 1000 different courses.
Honestly, I don't think there are more than a couple of hundred courses worldwide that are absolutely must sees. I would concentrate on those and play the ones that resonate the best the most. I know, people will say, "How do you know which you'd love the most unless you play them all?" They'll also argue that there's good to be found in all courses. Well, I'm a glutton for my own loves and would like to play my home course 10,000 times. I'm going to have to live to 100 and play golf a lot more than I do now. Hey, that sounds pretty darn good to me!
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Sean,
I find it incredible as well that some have chosen to play so many different courses so far afield. To my way of thinking, I'd rather play the courses I love over and over (thankfully for many of them, I get to). I think Jim Finegan playing his beloved Philadelphia Country Club so often (more than 10,000 times) is absolutely charming and insightful. Give me 50 favorites and let me play them 20 times each. That's much better than playing 1000 different courses.
Honestly, I don't think there are more than a couple of hundred courses worldwide that are absolutely must sees. I would concentrate on those and play the ones that resonate the best the most. I know, people will say, "How do you know which you'd love the most unless you play them all?" They'll also argue that there's good to be found in all courses. Well, I'm a glutton for my own loves and would like to play my home course 10,000 times. I'm going to have to live to 100 and play golf a lot more than I do now. Hey, that sounds pretty darn good to me!
Wayne
It must be some sort of hunger that drives people to play so many different courses. I don't have that sort of hunger, but that is neither bad nor good, just part of what makes people so different. I can understand this in a way. For years I wanted to play all 14 Open Rota courses and eventually did complete the list on my 40th birthday. However, looking back, it doesn't give me any particular thrill or satisfying memories. Consequently, I haven't really set anymore goals where courses are concerned. I will play what is on easily on offer and hopefully be content.
Ciao
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I hope I didn't imply that I look down on those that do play a lot of different courses. I think differences of opinions are a good thing. Though, like you, I find it a bit mysterious.
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I can fully understand people wanting to play every club in the state or county, but I fall into the camp of wanting to play a number of quality courses more often and get to know them well rather than racing around ticking boxes.
Rather than playing 10 great courses in 10 days which many people do on their Scotland or Ireland tour, my personal preference would be to visit 3 or 4 venues and play them for a couple of days or play 5 and return to the best 2 and see them on a different day, with new pins, etc.
This year I've played around 12 different courses, 10 of which are GB&I top 100 and of those I've played half of them several times. My only new ones are Brancaster (R West Norfolk) and Alwoodley with the BUDA boys. In this house quality wins over quantity everytime.
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205 for me. Have only been averaging 8 new courses per year the last 5 years but have not been trying too hard.
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Someone on here asked me in the last week or two where I was on my yearly quest to play 100 different courses. I told them I needed to sit down and enter some courses into my laptop as I had fallen a little behind this year. Well this thread jogged my memory, and so I did it.
I am well on pace for this year with 86 different ones so far this year, and that puts me at 1221 total
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Someone on here asked me in the last week or two where I was on my yearly quest to play 100 different courses. I told them I needed to sit down and enter some courses into my laptop as I had fallen a little behind this year. Well this thread jogged my memory, and so I did it.
I am well on pace for this year with 86 different ones so far this year, and that puts me at 1221 total
Turboe, you are freakin amazing. I am only playing my 9th round of the year today, let along 86th!!!
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The sheer numbers of courses you all seem to have played amazes me only a little less than the fact that your numbers are so specific. Is this kind of anality a trait that is common and advantageous to golfers? Probably.
In the same way that I tend to say "a little before 5:00" rather than "4:49," I'll say that I've played a few less courses than....... anyone on this board. :)
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The sheer numbers of courses you all seem to have played amazes me only a little less than the fact that your numbers are so specific. Is this kind of anality a trait that is common and advantageous to golfers? Probably.
I doubt it's advantageous if you're talking about becoming a better player.
The best players I know of tend to be pretty one-dimensional when it comes to golf courses.
But it doesn't surprise me that some of the folks who are interested in the golf courses themselves end up "collecting" courses.
I'm an equipment nut, and have been accumulating golf clubs for about 35 years, as an offshoot of my obsession.
As far as having precise count of courses, I never kept track during the past ~50 years of playing the game. But after I started reading GCA.com, I took out a legal pad one evening and began writing courses down by state.That was a couple of months ago.
I currently have just over 170 courses on the list, and I think it's pretty complete. Every now and then I think of one i forgot, and add it to the list.
Ken
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I know a lot of you have played a lot of courses, but has anyone played all the courses in a particular state or country?
There was actually a 60 year old gentleman who played all the courses in Sweden a couple of years ago. Can't remember his name but I think we had around 450 courses or so back then.
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The sheer numbers of courses you all seem to have played amazes me only a little less than the fact that your numbers are so specific. Is this kind of anality a trait that is common and advantageous to golfers? Probably.
In the same way that I tend to say "a little before 5:00" rather than "4:49," I'll say that I've played a few less courses than....... anyone on this board. :)
I think the "anality" as you put it comes from being an engineer and the fact that if I was going to start quantifying different golf courses years ago, it only stood to reason that I would build a spreadsheet to do all the work for me. I have just continued to add to that spread sheet for the last 12 years and thus it is very easy for me to just look at the bottom of the page I am on and see exactly how many courses I have played.
I think the sticking with one course you like vs. trying to play them all is also just a deep rooted personality trait. I was always struck by how many friends of mine would eat at the same restaurant over and over and never venture out. Whereas I was always a guy that wanted to eat at everyplace in town so that I could decide which I loved best.
I remember living in Buffalo and eating wings all over the place and guys that I knew who were from there that swore by one place and even thought they had lived there all thier life had never even tried a couple of the places that I found to be better. I could never understand the mentality that would allow someone to never try the other place and not have some deep curiousity about how the other place was. I am not saying that this mentality is in any way better, and am just saying that it is not the way I am wired. That might explain my inability to date the same girl for very long in college or for several years thearafter as well (unfortunately I didnt establish a spreadsheet and ratings criteria for that though).
It wasnt long after I read MacKenzie's Spirit of St. Andrews that I started thinking about the relative merits of one golf course vs. another that the next logical step for me was, "Well I guess I better get to playing them all to make the comparison".
Anyway I better run it is 10:04 (not a few minutes past 10). Sorry I can't help it.
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Found a link to this thread from 07...and I have added about 300 new courses since then to my list...making 635 total.
AL-8, AZ-5, CA-34, CO-26, CT-10, DE-1, FL-28, GA-3, HI-13, ID-7, IL-6, IN-19, KS-2, LA-1, KY-1, ME-32, MD-11
MA-131, MI-4, MO-10, MT-2, NE-4, NV-7, NH-23, NJ-8, NM-3, NY-39, NC-53, OH-1, OK-3, OR-4, PA-19, RI-11
SC-8, TX-3, UT-2, US Virgin Islands-1, VT-22, VA-1, WA-6, WV-2, WI-2, WY-1.
Barbados-1, Bermuda-6, Canada-4 (NB-2, BC-1, ON-1), Curacao-1, Germany-1, Ireland-18, Mexico-3, Scotland-25
42 states, 1 territory, 8 non-US countries.
I have visited many other countries where I have never played golf (maybe 15 or so), but I think I have played golf now in every state where I have set foot (no, airports don't count). I have yet to make a non-airport visit to AK, AR, IA, MN, MS, ND, SD, and TN. Virginia is the state where I have spent the most physical time playing only one round...I'm usually there for a week each year in the winter, in the mountains.
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I need to get cracking....only played 22 the last 2 years. I am going to try and play 50 new courses next year.
Ohio-168, Michigan - 79, South Carolina - 41, Kentucky - 27, Pennsylvania - 23, Indiana - 19, New York - 13, Connecticut - 11, North Carolina - 7, New Jersey - 7, Georgia - 7, Virginia - 3, West Virginia - 1, Tennessee - 1, Canada - 1
Total 408
I have a logo golf ball from every single course as well.
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Looks like I was at 281 at the end of 2007. I'm at 357 now. About 12-13 new courses per year.
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My count, by country:
England 112
USA 99
Scotland 16
Portugal 8
Spain 8
Ireland 7
Wales 6
France 5
Australia 1
Mexico 1
Total 263
Of the US courses, I've played courses in NJ, NY, TX, AZ, CT, RI, MA, FL, PA and SC
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I actually keep track of this!
240 in 22 different countries:
Netherlands 69
Spain 28
Scotland 26
England 25
France 22
Belgium 10
Portugal 8
Canada 8
USA 7 (Oregon and California)
Italy 7
Ireland 6
N-Ireland 5
Germany 3
Indonesia 3
UA Emirates 2
Morocco 2
S-Africa 2
Malaysia 2
China 2
Dominican. Rep. 1
Luxemburg 1
Mauritius 1
Inland 181
links 47
seaside 12
classic 80
new (>1960) 160
Mainland Europe 148
British Isles 62
North America 16
Rest of the World 14
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It is a little over the top but I hit 1400 courses this year. 200 of them are in GB&I. Don't feel like I need to play many more.
I know guys who are way over 2000 and one who is closing in on 3000. Pretty fascinating.
I'd like to say that I remember them all but I don't. I have score cards from all but a couple dozen I played in my teens. Every once in a while I all look at them and see what I can remember.
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103 Indiana
23 New Mexico
21 Michigan
17 Arizona
14 Florida
12 Colorado
7 Tennessee
5 Ohio & South Carolina
4 Wisconsin, Illinois & Kentucky
2 North Carolina
1 Georgia, New York, Oklahoma, California, and Canada.
Total 203
I'm at 416 courses now. I have scorecards for all but two, both of which I played as a kid and are long since NLE. I still need to get overseas...
Indiana (106), Arizona (44), New Mexico (38), Colorado (33), California (25), Michigan (23), Florida (20), North Carolina (13), Ohio (12), New York (10), Tennessee (9), Illinois (9), Georgia (7), Wisconsin (6), Texas (6), Oregon (5), Oklahoma (5), South Carolina (5), Kentucky (5), Utah (5), Idaho (4), New Jersey (3), Nevada (3), Washington (3), Maryland (3), West Virginia (2), Kansas (2), Wyoming (2), Alabama (2), Montana (1), Connecticut (1), Virginia (1), Arkansas (1), Pennsylvania (1), Canada (1).
I'd like to play golf in every US state. 16 more to go.
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My goal has been 1000 courses before I die - and once -in-a-while I share that goal with people I meet while playing. Most people have no realistic chance of even getting close to such a goal - they just don't travel enough.
I'm not sure I'll get there either - but, I'm still in the hunt. I am getting close to 800 and have been keeping track since 1980 - that's 33 years.
I got the majority of the courses while traveling on business for about 20 years - and taking my clubs whenever I could. That's out Mon, home Fri most weeks for 20 years.
Now that I am retired, I am running out of places to play without significant travel. I live in the DFW area, and have played almost 250 courses in TX alone - most everything except the high-end privates in DFW.
Like Tommy, I have a file box filled with score cards. I add a new one once in a while - and take a few minutes to look through them - most I can recall - some I just don't remember. It's still fun to look.
There is nothing like seeing a course for the first time - the anticipation of something special. The Old Course lived up to all expectations - played both reverse and modern. Arcadia Bluffs in Michigan was all I could handle as was Tom Doak's Black Forest.
There has been some discussion on this site about the virtues (or lack there of) of "one and done" - play it once and don't come back. I kind of fall into the category of play it once and move on. I like variety - looking forward to Myrtle Beach and 10 new courses.
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I'm up to 581 but am most proud of having played every U.S. Open course as well as the remnants of originals no longer in existence.
I've played in 42 different states as well as in England, Ireland, Scotland, Australia, Argentina, and Canada.
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I'm up to 581 but am most proud of having played every U.S. Open course as well as the remnants of originals no longer in existence.
I've played in 42 different states as well as in England, Ireland, Scotland, Australia, Argentina, and Canada.
Forgot to ask you when you told me that... Does that mean you have played Grover Cleveland aka maybe the worst golf course in the country (and one of the courses I grew up on)?
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Alright, I want to play too...
299 played to date...will cross 300 this weekend in TN, which will be the 28th state in which I have played.
53 SC
49 CA
48 OH
46 NY
20 FL
12 NJ
10 NC
7 NV
6 IN
5 HI, AZ, PA
4 NE, AL
3 CO, MS, GA, MN
2 MT, MA
1 MO, IL, WV, CT, KS, MI, MD
2 International...1 in Ireland and 1 in Argentina.
I was surprised to see I have played more courses in SC than any of the 3 states in which I have lived (NY, CA, OH).
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829. 15 countries, 38 states, 5 provinces
Top states/provinces:
Ontario: 226
Florida: 153
New York: 34
California: 32
North Carolina: 27
Michigan: 26
South Carolina: 26
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Do you guys keep an active count or do you just have excellent memories? I have no idea how many courses I've played. I never kept track since I started golfing in 7th grade. I'm not sure I could even come close to the number; although, to be fair, it certainly isn't anywhere close to some of you guys (the raters in particular). I can't even recall the name of the one course that I played in the UK (it was somewhere in Oxford...that much I do know).
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829. 15 countries, 38 states, 5 provinces
Top states/provinces:
Ontario: 226
Florida: 153
New York: 34
California: 32
North Carolina: 27
Michigan: 26
South Carolina: 26
If only you were a member of a prominent club, then you'd only be one more step away from having a valid opinion ;D
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829. 15 countries, 38 states, 5 provinces
Top states/provinces:
Ontario: 226
Florida: 153
New York: 34
California: 32
North Carolina: 27
Michigan: 26
South Carolina: 26
If only you were a member of a prominent club, then you'd only be one more step away from having a valid opinion ;D
JC, maybe I am. You think I'd let the likes of you know about it..
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658 over the past 15 years.
Up to 874.
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829. 15 countries, 38 states, 5 provinces
Top states/provinces:
Ontario: 226
Florida: 153
New York: 34
California: 32
North Carolina: 27
Michigan: 26
South Carolina: 26
If only you were a member of a prominent club, then you'd only be one more step away from having a valid opinion ;D
JC, maybe I am. You think I'd let the likes of you know about it..
;D
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These numbers are amazing to me. I've played a total of 37 rounds in the last twelve months (I probably average about 40 per year), and played only three courses I hadn't previously played.
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829. 15 countries, 38 states, 5 provinces
So the big question I have is how long before you pass me? I'm up to 1053 but I am slowing down significantly. Only 46 new courses this year and probably even less next year. At your current rate of travel, maybe 2 years?
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829. 15 countries, 38 states, 5 provinces
So the big question I have is how long before you pass me? I'm up to 1053 but I am slowing down significantly. Only 46 new courses this year and probably even less next year. At your current rate of travel, maybe 2 years?
I promise you my 829 rounds have taken much longer than your 1053!
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Carl
I too am astonished at how many courses people play. Is there some sort of tourist tour that pays money for turning up? I guess I am more amazed that guys want to play that much golf. I played five games in North Carolina over ten days and and it was definitely two games too many. Don't y'all get bored playing that much? Perhaps I shouldn't talk. My earlier estimates were at least 50% off when I really started to think about it, but I can't imagine approaching 1000 courses played. I can't even name 1000 courses!
Ciao
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I'm amazed there are people that keep track.
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Over 400 just in the state of California. Over 500 total, but only 4 in Mexico outside of the USA.
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I'm amazed there are people that keep track.
+1. I get the desire to play new and different courses, but I just don't see the point in keeping track of the number as if it mattered or were some badge of honor. I also think there's something to be said, at least for me, to getting to know a particular course well enough that I can have some pretty decent scores.
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I promise you my 829 rounds have taken much longer than your 1053!
Ok, but I didn't play my 800th until I was 30 and as far as I know you are a few years younger than that so you are way ahead of me in that regard.
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I'm amazed there are people that keep track.
+1. I get the desire to play new and different courses, but I just don't see the point in keeping track of the number as if it mattered or were some badge of honor. I also think there's something to be said, at least for me, to getting to know a particular course well enough that I can have some pretty decent scores.
I can't speak for others, but for me it has nothing to do with a badge of honor. I have entered each round played since 2000 into yahoo's handicap tracker, so have a convenient database. The rounds played prior to that are memory based. I am certain I missed some and have played a handful more. I just find it fun to play in different settings, see different courses, etc. I see quite a bit of merit both in seeing many different courses and in seeing a single course countless times. Both have value to me. I played 80 rounds this year so far...38 at home and 42 elsewhere (not all new courses, not all single plays).
Hoover...why so quick to judge? It's not as though everyone is belt-notching. For every top 100 course I play, there are 3-4 local courses few have heard of. I just love to see new and different courses, just as I love to travel to new places, both here and abroad, try different foods, etc. we all have different motivations, and like most everything else discussed on this board, there is no right/wrong. Others want to play over 1,000 courses, play the world top 100, or play in every state. I think those are cool goals to go after.
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Sadly, I am one of those that actually keeps track. Though to be fair, I only recently started really keeping track (I have a spreadsheet covering in) so I'm sure that I've missed some over time, but by my count I've played 220 courses in 30 states and 11 countries
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Hoover...why so quick to judge? It's not as though everyone is belt-notching. For every top 100 course I play, there are 3-4 local courses few have heard of. I just love to see new and different courses, just as I love to travel to new places, both here and abroad, try different foods, etc. we all have different motivations, and like most everything else discussed on this board, there is no right/wrong. Others want to play over 1,000 courses, play the world top 100, or play in every state. I think those are cool goals to go after.
This is why I love GCA. People who are smarter than me sum up my thoughts on this subject more eloquently than I am capable of. Well said Brian!
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Hoover...why so quick to judge? It's not as though everyone is belt-notching. For every top 100 course I play, there are 3-4 local courses few have heard of. I just love to see new and different courses, just as I love to travel to new places, both here and abroad, try different foods, etc. we all have different motivations, and like most everything else discussed on this board, there is no right/wrong. Others want to play over 1,000 courses, play the world top 100, or play in every state. I think those are cool goals to go after.
This is why I love GCA. People who are smarter than me sum up my thoughts on this subject more eloquently than I am capable of. Well said Brian!
I'm not judging anyone. I only said that keeping track of the number of courses I've played is not something that interests me and my list probably isn't that impressive anyway. I'm not saying don't do it. I just don't have the interest or motivation to do the same.
And Brian, you know that I enjoy seeing new courses too. I just don't have permission to do so as often as I'd like. My wife's view is, we joined a club, so I better use it.
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I went back and counted when I saw the Cory Lewis thread on his 1000th course played which I could not even comprehend. I am at 199 right now. I think 200 is a pretty large sized number............except here.
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I went back and counted when I saw the Corey Lewis thread on his 1000th course played which I could not even comprehend. I am at 199 right now. I think 200 is a pretty large sized number............except here.
So true. I was talking to a friend this summer at a golf outing and he was astonished when I told him I had played nearly 300 courses. Then I told him about Cory playing 1,000 courses, sometimes 3-4 in a day, and my buddy said something to the effect of, "so, you're not even very good at being a golf nerd, are you?" I got a good laugh out of that.
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Saltzman's tally for a guy of the age I understand him to be is remarkable. I will dip my lid to him when he adds Bonnie Doon to his list in Feb (by which point he'll probably be past 900!).
I played 85 courses from 12-25 years of age and have played another 101 from 26-30.
I love to see new courses, but most of the great and interesting courses of the world are a fair way from Sydney, so when I get there I like to play them a few times and get to know them a bit rather than playing and then dashing off somewhere different.
My main course-related goal has been to play the best course on each major landmass (North America, South America, GB&I, Europe, Asia and Australia). I have four of the six covered - need to get to Japan and Argentina someday. But then my wife went and got me a World Top 100 plaque for my 30th b'day...
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I know that I'm going to catch hell for this, but so be it. I decided to rack my brain and come up with the number of courses that I've played. I know I'm probably missing a few, but my best guess is that I've played 127 different courses (Ohio - 101; Pennsylvania - 2; West Virginia - 1; North Carolina - 4; South Carolina - 5; Florida - 5; Michigan - 1; Arizona - 7 and the UK - 1).
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I spotted this thread this morning and really have never thought about it but going through my score card collection and the USGA member club / course listing and various lists and state by state rankings and having played every course in NH , 11 that no longer exist and the overseas list (31) , it's over a thousand having started playing this great game in 1956(First course, Sullivan GC (NH)-no longer exists--latest Blue Hill-Canton , Ma.).
Been a great trip so far, I have two on my bucket list--Camargo and Fisher's Island.
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I sat down one day and wrote down every course I have ever played, with help of the internet and a jaded memory. But I can remember something about all 313 course on my list. However compared to some people's lists it sounds like nothing!
Australia 152
British Isles. 43
Continental Europe 100 (Holland 57)
USA. 18
Total = 313
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842 to date, including a paltry 32 this year. Click on the link if you MUST know each and every one..suffice it to say 41 states and 15 countries thus far.)
http://vagabondgolfer.com/lifetime-course-list/
Would like to get to a thousand someday, but now that Cory has beaten me to the magic number (and might I add 20 years younger than I to begin with) apathy is starting to set in!