1.Pine valley-the most unique and testing course on the planet
2.Royal co Down-a completely different hole at every turn and an idylic setting,the worlds best links
3.Cypress point-the most awe inspiring location for a golf course and 17 top quality holes...the inland ones are as good if not better
4.Augusta- need i say more
5.Carnoustie-the best laid out golf course in the worls bar none a true and fair test of ones ball striking no tricks frills,just raw and pure golf

I wasn't trying to be argumentative or imply that I didn't like the article but was a little thrown off by the title and the disclaimer that he didn't play the courses. My apologies, Jeff.

No worries Brandon… we're always up for a good debate around here. Basically it would be far better if I could play them all to make sure I'm right.

I wasn't trying to be argumentative or imply that I didn't like the article but was a little thrown off by the title and the disclaimer that he didn't play the courses. My apologies, Jeff.

No worries - we didn't take it as argumentative. Plus, it gave me a chance to daydream about Halle Berry for a few moments.

Cypress or Pebble? Hmm, I'll take Cypress, personally.

To borrow a phrase I learned just today: "One need not have slept with Halle Berry to appreciate how beautiful she is."

Point well taken.

I wasn't trying to be argumentative or imply that I didn't like the article but was a little thrown off by the title and the disclaimer that he didn't play the courses. My apologies, Jeff.

However, I have to argue that Cypress doesn't belong on this list over Pebble.

It's just too hard to have a list that doesn't include Merion, Shinnecock, Ballybunion, Lahinch and the like...

I also have Turnberry and Loch Lomond as nothes on my golf bag. I agree that they are both great courses, however to put them in a top 5 I would have to put "total experience" into the equation. For Turnberry you have history (golf and WWII contribution), hotel ambiance (grand dining room, sitting in the bar drinking your beverage of choice while listening to the piper), and one fantastic club sandwich eaten overlooking the 18th. For Loch Lomond you have the luxurious accomodation (especially The Point), ice cold beer served in pewter goblets at The Spikes Bar, pounding pyramid stacked ProV1s down into the range, dinner at Rossdhu after drinks in the lounge.

As I said, both courses are great, but I really think everything else that goes along with "being there" kicks both up a few notches. Only one, Loch Lomond, would seriously be in my own runnig for top 5 courses, but both would easily make my top 5 golf experiences. Although the caddies at Loch Lomond were a bit stiff by Scotish standards, but then the clientele probably requires that.

I would really like to play Pine Valley or at least see some of it. Augusta National is about as untouchable as Halle Berry but I feel like I know so much about the course because of the Masters coverage. Pine Valley on the other hand is perhaps either the best kept secret in the US or the most overstated track in the history of golf, I'll likely never know.

Sahallee - NEC Invitational 2002
TPC at Snoqualmie Ridge - Boeing Classic (Champions Tour)
Gold Mountain - U.S. Public Links 2006

Newcastle, Chambers Bay (coming soon), Desert Canyon, Apple Tree

Those are the elite of the elite in Washington we have many more above avg. courses as you know Jeff.