I think this could be fun to see how our lists morph from year to year.
My 25 Favorite Courses Played Thus Far (12-5-2010)…
Tier 1 (100 out of 100 on The Plumart Scale
)
The Golf Club…To me this is the ultimate golfing escape; wonderful setting (secluded and private), great property, amazing routing that takes the golfer on an adventure with a few twists and turns in “vibe”. And the stretch of holes from 13-17 is some of the best golf I’ve ever seen.
Sand Hills…Perhaps I could duplicate my thoughts on The Golf Club; great golf escape, wonderful setting, great property with amazing routing. Given that I am from Ohio and live in Georgia, seeing the land features of the Nebraska sandhills are akin to being on the moon. Truly stunning!
NGLA…The anticipation of playing this course was difficult to deal with, given the significance of the course in the world of golf course architecture. And when I approached my ball on the first green, reality lived up to all the hype and anticipation. The course is off-the-charts good without a single weak hole.
Kiawah Ocean…I find this course to be truly incredible. Challenging, but playable. Beautiful, but with sharp teeth. The challenges are vast and diverse, the holes offer variety, and the wind (if present) will make you think before you hit every shot…or pay the price. Great stuff!!
Tier 2
Canterbury…In my mind, this course is vastly underappreciated. Amazing routing on a small piece of property. Perfect turf for golf. Great greens with a great mix of undulation and speed. And quirky/interesting holes mixed in with standard golf holes.
Sebonack…Two holes away from being, arguably, the greatest course in the world (excluding anything Trump does, of course
). Seriously though, the course is crazy good. Beautiful, challenging, hard to get to the greens, and hard to hole putts.
Pinehurst #2…I played it last summer and thought it was outstanding. I have a gut feeling this thing might pop up to Tier 1 on my list after C&C finish their work. Subtle strategy needs to be discovered/employed…and I love that aspect of Ross’ work.
Dismal River…Like Sand Hills, the landscape of this region of Nebraska is really cool to me. Dismal has more dramatic golf holes/shots than its neighbor and I like that. I find it to be a little more challenging than Sand Hills and I think they are a perfect compliment to each other.
Harbour Town…An amazing journey. Unique and interesting. I’ve never seen a course quite like it…or at least like it and done as well. I love its unique nature and can’t wait to play it again and apply the strategies I think I learned the first time.
Pete Dye Golf Club…Plain and simple good golf. Risk/reward on seemingly every hole. Beautiful views in every direction. A course that offers a great challenge, but a course I could play everyday.
Ballyneal…Much like Harbour Town, I’d call this course unique and interesting. An ideal mix of golf and nature. Some of the greatest greens I’ve ever seen. And I am still amazed at how the golf course and the landscape seem to be one and the same with no separation.
Tier 3…(I’ll limit my description on these)
Sea Island—Seaside…great mix of beauty and golf.
Inverness…Solid Ross course. A great course to study to see how outside architects can detract from the original course.
Cuscowilla…Solid C&C, 1-13 are top-notch golf holes.
Pine Needles…Really nice Ross with great flow.
Shadow Creek…Pleasant golf. 15 is under-rated and over-looked as a golf hole.
Maidstone…8-14 are spectacular, the rest is solid. 6 green is AWESOME!!!
Holston Hills…A course I could play every single day of my life.
Seminole…If I was a better golfer, I think I’d like it even more.
East Lake…It means more to me than most other people. I, essentially, discovered golf on this course; Bobby Jones, Donald Ross, and how a golf course can transform a community.
Augusta Country Club…Really, really pleasant and good golf. Like Holston Hills, I could play it every single day.
Yeaman’s Hall...An amazing club with a well routed course with great greens.
Tier 4…
Pinehurst #4…Fazio’s version of #2. Played really fast and firm when I was there. And I didn’t mind the look of the pot bunkers.
Paiute (Wolf)…FUN, FUN, FUN!!!
Inwood…Quirk at its finest. Cemented Strong as my favorite architect!!