Top Five Courses in Your Area

[Bonvivant]

Just now, mcanadiens said:

My buddy, the Rakopotamus had me play my first-ever round at Rollandia and then inflicted Pipestone on me for the second round.

Some friend...lol. I miss Rollandia, and if it were still around, I think I would play it at least a couple of times a year. Went down to The Practice Center Clearcreek earlier this year. That place is actually a challenge. P.B. Dye with some extremely raised greens. For a par 54, it's a beast. Think I shot 79.

[bkuehn1952]

In Washtenaw County, MI:

Radrick Farms (Semi-Private) - top notch practice area and better conditioning gets them the nod over U of M

U of M - (Semi-Private) - no practice area except for the outstanding set-up for the golf teams and I think the Course management lets the conditioning get a bit rough when the teams are not on campus.

Pierce Lake (Public - County Owned) - a fun, fair and challenging course.  Typically in fine shape.

Leslie Park (Public - City Owned) - The varied terrain results in no two alike holes.  Conditioning is very good.

Eagle Crest (Public - University Owned - Eastern MI Univ.) - Unusual for the area because it has lots of water penalty areas.  A fun layout but pace of play is hindered by the search for balls.

Honorable Mention - Washtenaw Golf Course (Public) - formerly an equity membership club, they have changed hands a few times.  They retain the excellent conditioning from its private days.  A shortish, tight layout from the old days remains fun and challenging.  Time will tell if the new owners are as committed to the conditioning as before.

I purposely have not included the two equity membership courses (Barton Hills and Travis Pointe).  I have played both multiple times and they are in typical superb condition, for which their members pay a high price.  The other private course, Polo Fields (non-equity), is also nice but they have a major power line running through the course, which is not a very attractive feature.  The land is very flat and there are a couple goofy holes.

 

Edited July 27, 2020 by bkuehn1952

[CarlSpackler]

1 hour ago, mcanadiens said:

There are arguments that can be made for Pipestone.

I suppose I left it off my list primarily because I haven't been there in eight or nine years. My buddy, the Rakopotamus had me play my first-ever round at Rollandia and then inflicted Pipestone on me for the second round. Needless to say, that was a very long day and I've never gone back.

So because it kicked your arse as a beginner... 🤣

Cassel is a solid course for sure, but it's not what I would consider a top course.

[mcanadiens]

11 minutes ago, CarlSpackler said:

So because it kicked your arse as a beginner... 🤣

Cassel is a solid course for sure, but it's not what I would consider a top course.

So, I'm entertaining your suggestion of Pipestone. Like I said, I haven't been there in a long time. Plus people up north tend to talk up Cassel Hills.

What courses, then, would you rate over Cassel Hills not already mentioned? 

[CarlSpackler]

1 hour ago, mcanadiens said:

So, I'm entertaining your suggestion of Pipestone. Like I said, I haven't been there in a long time. Plus people up north tend to talk up Cassel Hills.

What courses, then, would you rate over Cassel Hills not already mentioned? 

I will stick with Pipestone. If we are talking bang for the buck, Homestead would rate up there.

Venturing a little further south, I would suggest Shaker Run or Majestic Springs. I haven't been to either since my return from Florida, but I hear that they are both still very nice. I would have put Windy Knoll up there at one point, but not any longer based on what I am hearing. In it's prime, I would have added Moss Creek. Very sad story there. Going further north, I would add Arrowhead in Minster and Turtle Creek in Greenville. I'm not really sure where to draw the line.

[mcanadiens]

4 minutes ago, CarlSpackler said:

I will stick with Pipestone. If we are talking bang for the buck, Homestead would rate up there.

Venturing a little further south, I would suggest Shaker Run or Majestic Springs. I haven't been to either since my return from Florida, but I hear that they are both still very nice. I would have put Windy Knoll up there at one point, but not any longer based on what I am hearing. In it's prime, I would have added Moss Creek. Very sad story there. Going further north, I would add Arrowhead in Minster and Turtle Creek in Greenville. I'm not really sure where to draw the line.

Our guy suggested 20 miles somewhere, so most of those suggestions are outside that.

I like Homestead well enough. I'd actually prefer to play it, but the course is pretty basic compared to Cassel Hills. 

Remember this bastard hole. 

 

 

 

[jsgolfer]

6 hours ago, DaveP043 said:

In the Washington DC area, most of the "best" are private, so I haven't played many of the Maryland courses.  I've been on most of the northern Virginia courses, and although there are a number of good courses, none seem particularly special to me.  Of the ones I have played, I'd say the best will include:

Congressional CC - host of US Opens, US Senior Opens, and numerous PGA Tour visits.

River Bend CC - Of the northern VA privates, I think this has the best course, following a full renovation about 10 years ago.

That's enough, really.  Woodmont CC in Bethesda MD has hosted US Open qualifying many times, and was set to host the Women's US Amateur, but I've not played it.  Trump's championship course in Sterling VA  is a solid course that I have played, but it doesn't seem special to me.  Robert Trent Jones GC course in Gainesville has hosted major events, including a number of President's Cups, but its another one that I haven't played..

I agree with Dave, both Congressional and Riverbend are my 2 favorite courses in the area.   Riverbend is my favorite Virginia course.  After that it would be Baltimore CC - East Course and Caves Valley.  Number 5 would be tough, TPC Avenel or Trump National would be the choice for the courses I’ve played, if I had to make a choice, it would probably be Trump as I’ve played that many times and I like the new routing they did..

[Mr22putt]

Here in Vancouver, BC....I'm not going to list 5 courses in the area (although I could).... but will list 2 private courses that rank high in Canada

Capilano G&CC

Shaughnessy G&CC

[NM Golf]

Albuquerque NM Area

1. Sandia Golf Club (Resort/public)
2. Twin Warriors Golf Club  (Resort/public)
3. Paako Ridge Golf Club (Going private in 2021)
4. University of New Mexico Championship Course (Public)
5. The Canyon Club (Private)

If you included the Santa Fe Area, you would have to put Las Campanas at the top, as I think it's the best course in the state. 

[gbogey]

I haven't played a few of the private courses that are highly regarded locally but of the ones I've played:

1. Spring Creek Ranch (private)
2. Colonial (private)
3. Mirimichi (public)
4. TPC Southwind (private)
5. Glen Eagle (public)

[phillyk]

On 7/26/2020 at 5:24 PM, Double Mocha Man said:

It'll be interesting to see if Phillyk agrees with me.  In no particular order:

1. Loomis Trail (NCAA Championships played there several years ago)

2. Eaglemont (But now unfortunately closed)

3. Shuksan 

4. North Bellingham

5. Avalon (South turning to North - 27 hole course)

What is the definition of "area"?  I'm using 30 miles.  If it's 100 miles I'm including Chambers Bay.

If I am limited to 20miles from my house, Bellingham courses are out.  I only have Avalon and Skagit G&CC, the other local tracks are not worth playing (Gateway and Overlook), for me.  One of these days I’ll play Swin. 

If I include Whatcom/Skagit counties as my “area,” I’d rather have Eaglemont on there but it is closed.  So definitely Semiahmoo, Loomis Trail, and Bellingham G&CC.  I generally like North Bellingham, so I’ll put it on there. Skagit G&CC would likely come next, but it’s closely grouped with Avalon, Sudden Valley, Shuksan and Lake Padden.

[Hoganman1]

Great Lists. It's clear we have a lot of excellent courses here in the States. As a variation we could do a side question as to what are the best three you have played in the US. Mine would be Oakland Hills in Michigan, Pinehurst #2 here in NC and The Ocean Course at Kiawah in South Carolina. Oh how I wish I could add Augusta National to the list, but alas; I've never played there.

[nevets88]

On 7/27/2020 at 11:07 AM, nevets88 said:

Within 20 minutes of me is Deepdale GC (less than 10 minutes), Engineers CC, Sands Point CC, Glen Oaks, Old Westbury.

Make it 30 minutes and there's Winged Foot, Wykagyl.

I forgot Garden City and Piping Rock. It probably should be Garden City, Engineers, Sands Point, G Oaks, Piping Rock.

30 minutes, Winged Foot, Quaker Ridge, Wykagyl. (Westchester CC and The Creek 35 minutes out)

[iacas]

On 7/27/2020 at 10:03 AM, Hoganman1 said:

I'm talking about courses you've played, public or private. Also, I consider area to be within a 20 mile radius of where you live. I know golf publications always put out lists of what they consider to be "the best". I'm just curious as to what those who post here think. Remember, it's your opinion and you cannot be wrong.

Some people don't have five courses within 20 miles, let alone five good courses.

[CarlSpackler]

6 hours ago, Hoganman1 said:

Great Lists. It's clear we have a lot of excellent courses here in the States. As a variation we could do a side question as to what are the best three you have played in the US. Mine would be Oakland Hills in Michigan, Pinehurst #2 here in NC and The Ocean Course at Kiawah in South Carolina. Oh how I wish I could add Augusta National to the list, but alas; I've never played there.

Oakland Hills would be my top course as well. I love that place. I will soon be adding Valhalla and Firestone CC. 

Edited July 28, 2020 by CarlSpackler

[TourSpoon]

The best courses in my area that I have actually played:

1. Seminole 

2. PGA National Champion (Bear Trap)

3. Mayacoo 

4. Dye Preserve

5. Emerald Dunes 

There are quite a few more but these are hard to beat. 

[jetsknicks1]

Within 20-30 miles, in no order. All are public courses.

Ocala Golf Club. A muni and my home course. There’s an argument about whether it’s the oldest or second oldest course in the state.

Stone Creek Country Club.

Silver Springs Shores Country Club. Zack Johnson holds the tournament record (Hooter’s Tour) and Ted Potter Jr holds the non tournament record.

Candler Hills Country Club.

Ocala National Country Club.
 

 

[bwdial]

1 hour ago, jetsknicks1 said:

Within 20-30 miles, in no order. All are public courses.

Ocala Golf Club. A muni and my home course. There’s an argument about whether it’s the oldest or second oldest course in the state.

Stone Creek Country Club.

Silver Springs Shores Country Club. Zack Johnson holds the tournament record (Hooter’s Tour) and Ted Potter Jr holds the non tournament record.

Candler Hills Country Club.

Ocala National Country Club.
 

 

Have you ever played the Donald Ross course in Palatka?  I know that's a little beyond the 20 mile radius, but I saw it on a list of his courses and thought it was interesting.

Anyway, the five BEST near me - Sugar Hill... about 30 miles northeast of Atlanta - are:

• TPC at Sugarloaf - Duluth, GA (I've never played, but I've attended two tournaments there)
• The River Club - Suwanee, GA (Never played it, but I know someone who has)
• Atlanta Athletic Club - Johns Creek, GA (site of 2001 PGA Championship)
• Bear's Best - Suwanee, GA (played once... collection of Jack's favorite holes he designed)
• Chateau Elan - Braselton, GA (never played, but I hear it's nice)