Feedback: Top 100 Courses You Can Play
Posted at 8:20 AM by Charlie Hanger | Categories:
golf courses
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public golf courses
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resorts
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Top 100 You Can Play
After you have explored our list of the Top 100 Courses You Can Play let us know what you think in the comments section below.
Posted by: PDL | Aug 20, 2008 12:49:40 PM
Having played both Black Mesa and Broadmoor East in the last two weeks, my only reaction to the ordering in this list is "You've got to be kidding!" Misorderings of this magnitude discredit any ranking. Fix your method. Ranking courses is essentially a fool's errand but need not be more foolish than absolutely necessary.
Posted by: andy | Aug 20, 2008 2:05:16 PM
no cog hill? 1 course in the chicagoland area? this list is a joke. enjoy that $400 greens fee at Harbor Town...biggest waste of money in the history of golf.
Posted by: Mike | Aug 20, 2008 2:59:41 PM
The Blackwolf Run River course is overrated. Not worth the fee charged. The Bully Pulpit in North Dakota is a beautiful course in the Badlands and a tremendous bargain. Easy to get to, just off I-94.
Posted by: Art Blea | Aug 20, 2008 10:33:33 PM
Black Mesa is an experience that transcends golf. The score is only an afterthought, can't count that high anyway. It's like a beautiful woman that kicks you around, but you keep going back for more.
Posted by: mike riley | Aug 21, 2008 12:38:09 PM
Please check out Newport National in Middletown RI for next years top 100 you can play list. It is as good, or better than than the 5 courses that I have played on the list:; Spanish Bay, Pinehills, etc..
Posted by: bogey55 | Aug 21, 2008 3:36:33 PM
You guys spend too much time at pricey resorts. Ever hear of Lawsonia you idiots.
Posted by: Steve C. | Aug 21, 2008 7:04:25 PM
Get REAL: It is pretty hard to imagine playing courses w/ green fees requiring a loan. Also, I have played several of these courses (12) and if Bully Pulpit in Medora, ND, isn't one of the best, I will give up my golf obsession.
Posted by: Connor Dougherty | Aug 21, 2008 9:43:49 PM
I think the list is pretty well rated, but go to Truckee, CA, and Old Greenwood and Coyote Moon may be two of the nicest courses I have ever played. This list is too much about reputation. You guys can not rate the course better because it charges 500 dollars. Pick courses that are truly different from anything else. Not how the amenities are or the manicure.
Posted by: Clint Allen | Aug 23, 2008 12:27:35 AM
Who, what and how is this list put together? First on the list that should be moved down is Shadow Creek.(everytime I play this course there is either a problem with the fairways or the greens, BIG FUNGUS or ? growth PROBLEMS, I have had my money refunded twice.) Replace it with Cascata. Cascata while pricey is well worth the value on EVERY level of accessment. SUPERB experiance all around for Vegas area golf. The course to REMOVE on the list is Rustic Canyon. Why is this course even listed? Replace it with Moorepark CC. Probably THE BEST bang for the golf buck.(nationwide)
Trump National in LA should definately be moved down the list. Very over priced and over rated.( so you can see the ocean??)Reflection Bay should be replaced with The Falls. Much better course design and flow. Beautiful back nine as well. Wolf Creek should also be moved UP the list. Very EXCEPTIONAL desert golf experiance. Also add Pelican Hill (Newport Coast, CA, OC) Both courses VERY nice Fazio experiances. The Wynn course while pricey also should be moved up the list as it is exquisite Fazio on the strip. Otherwise Thank you for the list. I will excercise some exploratory golf experiances and continue to give you my piece of mind as I consider myself a diligent and vigilent value seeking golfer.
Posted by: Steve P | Aug 27, 2008 1:05:00 PM
After reading the September issue's "Top 100 Courses You Can Play", my friend Tom and I decided to play the only two courses on the top 100 list in our state of Maryland - Bulle Rock and Beechtree. I used the Father's Day marker where my wife said I could play 36 holes on Father's Day, but it rained last Father's Day so I saved it up and used it last weekend. We drove the hour and a half from Montgomery County, where we live with our familys to the Havre De Grace/Aberdeen area in northern Maryland where the courses are located within five miles of each other. Bulle Rock is number 30 and Beechtree is number 91 on your top 100 list. Bulle Rock is a Pete Dye designed course where they play the LPGA Championship. It's a great, challanging layout. You need to stay on the fairway or you are hosed; the rough is a little deep. Its a must-play course if you have the chance.
Beechtree is a Tom Doak designed course. He also designed Pacific Dunes and Sebonack among many other top notch courses. Beechtree ranks up there with the very good courses. It was 25% cheaper than Bulle Rock, but almost just as nice. Unfortunately the starter informed us that they are closing the course on Pearl Harbor Day, December 7, since the owner has decided to develop the property for housing. Evidently there is a big military base reallignment to happen whereby the nearby Aberdeen Proving Ground is to pick up thousands of new jobs. As the owner's representative said "The benefits of moving ahead with a residential development far outweigh operating the property as a golf business." I assume he is refering to the "economic" benefits.
Its a sad day for golfers when a golf course owner decides its more economically feasible to build houses on a top 100 golf course than to operate it as a top notch golf facility. Perhaps the next list for Golf Magazine should be Top 100 Courses that You Can't Play anymore". Hopefully its a short list and will remain that way.
Posted by: Steve F. | Sep 1, 2008 7:18:14 AM
Your list should really be the "Top 99 You Can Play" as the owner of Beechtree Golf Club (#91) has decided to bulldoze the place and build townhouses! What a shame that a developer (obviously not a golfer) decides it is best to take a top 100 course and build over 700 townhouses! This a phenomenal tract...Maybe he should read the newspaper and polish up on the new home market in MD! I hope he goes under like most of the other builders have in the past year! Play this gem by December 7 before it is gone forever!
Posted by: Warren Bailey | Sep 6, 2008 12:16:49 AM
Your top selections from the State of Washington are spot on (except that Semiahmoo has been over-rated)!
It's difficult to imagine creating a real links course that's better than Chamber's Bay. All it needs to rival the famous links courses of the British Isles, is deeper bunkers and Guinness on tap. Can't wait for the 2015 U.S.Open.
It's unfortunate that you allowed a typo to mislead readers on White Horse (not "White House") on the Kitsap Peninsula. After our second round, I hit on the characteristic that-- for me-- makes a course great: the urge to return ASAP because I just KNOW I can play it better. Don't expect flat lies, because they're rare. And, as a reviewer wrote, "Don't expect average shots to be rewarded!"
Posted by: Michael | Sep 9, 2008 6:04:48 PM
Though I can never imagine affording more than half the places listed here, I do applaud you for highlighting Rustic Canyon, in Morrpark, Ca. I read a previous blogger, whom assumably has his head shoved up his @$$, say Rustic Canyon is a joke. Where else can you play a truly challenging, links-style course for under $100? Yes, Moorpark is a great course. But, how's it unique? How's it different? You have Lost Canyons and Tierra Rejada, that offer identical, if not more challenging golf experiences. I love how all of you cannot simply make a suggestion, without bashing the decision makers for this list. Remember, my angry friends, that most of these courses are recommended for this list...by players. Get over yourselves. Celebrate what's great about this game...and this country, and that we all can play any of these courses. They're public. Congrats on a great list, and handling the exposure to those who have no idea how to communicate without prejudice and anger.
Posted by: kenneth clift | Sep 10, 2008 1:30:15 AM
Having played Pebble Beach many many times I will say it is the best all-around golf course I have ever played. But to say that courses like Pebble are "courses you can play" is to stray from the spirit of the topic. First, your article states that you can play PB for $500. No you can't. PB requires a 2 day stay at the resort to have the right to pay $500 for green fees. That room will cost $1000 (~$500 per day) and that is a room next to emergency generator. At that level of financial committment I don't think it is a far stretch to say Olympic Club should be on the list, too. Heck, all you need to do is ask around the office and see if anyone is a member and play as a guest. That is how I played the Ocean and the Lake Course a couple times. This list misses the spirit of what many of us. Talk golf courses under $100 in each state and rank them. Talk about Pacific Grove Golf Course. A $50 links-influenced course along the same stretch of ocean as Pebble Beach. Talk about Wente Vineyards. A Nationwide Tour stop that has turned quickly become the Oakmont CC of that tour. A player can get a tour course in the wine country for $85 during the week. The list goes on and on....
Posted by: Ryan Biegler | Sep 11, 2008 7:07:41 AM
I think it is hard to argue with your top 10, from there of course there would be disagreement.
I do think that another popular ranking would be Top 100 you can play for less then 100 dollars. And while this would throw out almost every course in Myrtle beach, Vegas, Palm springs, During Peak season, it would be an interesting debate.
Posted by: DICK MODZELESKI | Sep 17, 2008 1:47:31 PM
BANDON DUNES IS FLAT OUT OVER RATED, THE BEAUTY OF THE COURSE IS WONDERFUL AND TO CAPTURE THIS PICTURE ALONE IS WORTH IT BUT I THINK THAT MANY MAGAZINES DO AN INJUSTICE TO GOLFERS STATING THIS AS A PLACE TO GO. FIRST OFF THE MANAGEMENT COULD CARE LESS ABOUT YOUR GOLF EXPERIENCE, WE PLAYED TWO ROUNDS A DAY FOR 4 DAYS AND WHEN TOLD AFTER THE FOURTH ROUND WE WANTED TO STOP WE WERE TOLD WE WOULD BE CHARGED IF WE PLAYED OR NOT, AND THAN ON THE FIFTH ROUND ON THE THIRD DAY WE WERE TOLD TO PICK UP THE PACE OF PLAY AS THE RECORDED OUR TIME AS 4 HOURS AND 40 MINUTES THE DAY BEFORE AND WE WERE EXPECTED TO PLAY IN 4 HOURS AND 20 MINUTES AND THAT BIG MIKE WOULD HAVE TO COME OUT IF THE PACE WAS NOT BETTER. WHAT IS WITH THAT WHEN YOU ARE PAYING $200.00 A ROUND AND WALKING A COURSE THAT IS NOT VERY FORGIVING. THE EXPERIENCE OF HAVING GONE ONCE IS JUST THAT AND THERE WERE 8 OF US, I WAS TOLD BY ONE MARSHALL THEY CAN DO LIFE SAVING EXERCISES BUT YOU WILL NEVER GET A GOLF CART. WE ASLO ASKED FOR AN EXTRA HOUR TO CHECK OUT AS OUR ROUND ENDED AT 11 30 AND CHECKOUT WAS AT 11 AM, AND WERE TOLD WE HAD 15 MINUTES TO BE OUT OF THE ROOMS. I JUST THINK THOSE THAT WRITE ABOUT THIS PLACE ACTUALLY HAVE NEVER GONE THERE TO PLAY GOLF, OR IF THEY DID THE MANAGEMENT KNEW THEY WERE WQRITERS AND ACCOMODATED THEM. tHIS STORY IS THE SAME FOR EACH MEMBER OF OUR GROUP AND THERE NAMES AND EMAILS ARE AVAILABLE IF NEED BE.
Posted by: Bruce Thatcher | Sep 17, 2008 1:48:55 PM
How much does "The Donald" pay you guys to keep Trump National LA in your list? Yes, the scenery is beautiful, but the course is tight, tricky, overpriced and, quite frankly, not much fun. To compare it to Pebble Beach is simply ridiculous. Same ocean, that's all they have in common.
Posted by: Rich Lively | Sep 18, 2008 12:25:19 PM
As I type this, my fingers are a bit tired and my back a bit sore - yesterday I played 91 holes of golf in central Minn after reading your "top ten" list before venturing up here for a week's vacation. In the process, I played 3 of the top ten (#2 - Deacon's Lodge - I played twice). All three are within 40 minutes of each other - Deacon's Lodge and Madden's Classic (#4) are great courses with spectacular par 5s in particular. Both courses are less than $100, which makes them even more worthy of high ranking.
The Preserve is also worthy of the ranking (#10), although as a "value" course much more crowded. But, groups allowed me to play through and I was able to finish my 91st hole on "The Gambler," an extra par 3 on the Cragun's Resort 'Bobby' course. Cragun's resort deserves recognition as well among the state's best. Although a resort, I was able to walk on two days in a row, playing the Dutch course one day and Bobby course to finish off the marathon the second day.
I started at 7:52AM and hit the final putt at 7:22PM for 11.5 hours of golf, or 2 hours 18 minutes per round. However, when you then figure in drive time between courses and a lunch break (total time of 1:30), the actual golf time is cut to 10 hours or only 2 hours per round. Definitely a phenomenal day of golf on superb courses, but I think I'll take today off!
Thanks for your advice on the top ten in Minn; the only omission would be Cragun's resort. I probably won't be back in the winter, but definitely plan to make a "buddy" trip next year and enjoy one of the best trails in the country.
Posted by: old golfer | Sep 28, 2008 10:12:05 AM
Here we go. I,ve played Scotlands best, save the money. Play the Bandon group, the Kohler group and Pinehurst even numbered courses, #2,#4,#6 & #8. They compare to any of the best anywhere. If you ever go to Durango, Colorado be sure to play Pinion Hills just south of you in Farmington New Mexico!! What a golf course and totally unexpected. Great layout and conditioning as good as the best. Take advantage while you can.
Posted by: Dan | Nov 5, 2008 9:35:23 PM
I played Moorland Park in California based on this list last year. I have to tell you I was pretty disappointed. What was so memorable able this place is it wasn't at all but it was inexpensive. I am from Maryland and Whiskey Creek near Frederick is WAY more of a golfing experience than this place. Stonewall Golf Club near Manassas Virginia is another course that blows this place away. By the way Whiskey Creek is $100 at peak times and Stonewall about $125...a far cry from the Pebble's of the world. There is a Nicklaus course that has opened in Delaware recently called Bayside that my father, who is 76 this year, says is one of the best golf courses he has ever played. Take some notes Golf Magazine. by the way I am playing Pine Barrens at World Woods next month....stay tuned!
Posted by: Dan | Nov 5, 2008 9:37:10 PM
sorry....I meant Rustic Canyon golf club, not Moorland Park. I have been up for 17 hours time for bed!
Posted by: Dave | Dec 28, 2008 2:33:11 PM
Finally played Pebble Beach this November. This magazine has it correctly rated as #2 public golf course. Ironically, the pace of play (errr, NO pace of play) might be the only thing keeping it from #1.
The comparisons between Pacific Dunes and Pebble Beach will be argued forever. I love them both. But for goodness sake, can't they care just a LITTLE about moving the crowd along at Pebble? 5 1/2 to 6 hours is not a golfing experience, it's an expensive walk with clubs.
Posted by: Mike | Jan 29, 2009 10:31:43 AM
Chambers Bay is a nice layout but the course is, IMHO, not a US Open type course unless they get their greens up to par. the couse has been open for more than a year and the greens are furry and sandy.
Posted by: Steve Weeks | Feb 24, 2009 8:49:15 PM
I am dumbfounded over the selection of Rustic Canyon in Moorpark, Ca., on your list. It doesn't matter that this place is affordable. It is a ridiculous setup with wierd green sites and winds that bellow up to 40 mph during much of the year. There is not one truly memorable hole on the golf course. Go play Poppy Hills in Monterey or the Presidio GC in San Francisco and explain to me how Rustic belongs in the same conversation.
Posted by: Kelly M | Apr 9, 2009 12:34:09 AM
Forget Tamarack Resort in Idaho, at least for now. Bankrupt and closed, the web site says: "As of March 4, 2009, Tamarack Resort is no longer operating. We thank you sincerely for your business and support over the past years."