Best Course in Your City/State

[Timothyjack]

The best course in my city is the Pacific Palms Hotel. Its right in my backyard, literally. My back yard bumps up against the 9th tee of the Babe course. They have the Eisenhower " Ike" and the Babe course. Both are pretty difficult, but maintained very well. Im partial to the Ike. The babe is target golf and not so much fun.

[ejimsmith]

Originally Posted by Timothyjack

The best course in my city is the Pacific Palms Hotel. Its right in my backyard, literally. My back yard bumps up against the 9th tee of the Babe course. They have the Eisenhower " Ike" and the Babe course. Both are pretty difficult, but maintained very well. Im partial to the Ike. The babe is target golf and not so much fun.

i was agreeing with you until you said that the Babe is not much fun.  To each their own I guess, but I prefer the "links" style of Babe over the "players course" Ike.   IMHO, both are tops in the LA area.

[Timothyjack]

Originally Posted by ejimsmith

i was agreeing with you until you said that the Babe is not much fun.  To each their own I guess, but I prefer the "links" style of Babe over the "players course" Ike.   IMHO, both are tops in the LA area.

Ok. Ill change my comment. Its fun, but not as wide open. I sometimes have issues with my driver and the Babe has been tough in past rounds.

[VOX]

Although RI is a small state, we have great courses. Partially because of climate topography and the shoreline and partially because Donald Ross had his summer home here.

Our best are:

Misquamicut

Newport

Wannamoisett

Rhode Island

[ejimsmith]

Originally Posted by Timothyjack

Ok. Ill change my comment. Its fun, but not as wide open. I sometimes have issues with my driver and the Babe has been tough in past rounds.

i find myself teeing off w/ my 3wood more often than the driver on the Babe.  i'll even do that on the par 5s because of the tight fairway.   i think the Babe got me to focus more on my course management because of all the trouble out there.

[ghalfaire]

Originally Posted by BallCrusher

Is there anyone in Arizona with a recommendation for best course?

I am amazed that no one from the great state of Arizona has weighed in.  We certainly have our share of excellent courses in the state and it is difficult to pick just one.  Many of these course I have not played and most don't have the national renowned of some courses mentioned in other posts.  But based on nothing more than my opinion and my enjoyment in playing the course I'd pick  Longbow in Mesa followed by Falcon Dunes @ Luke AFB.  I know many of my fellow desert rats will not agree and will go with the courses of Troon, Greyhawk, TPC in Scottsdale or other courses like Superstition Mountain, Southern Dunes, etc. outside of Scottsdale, but for me it is these two because I like them better and for no other reason.  I find them fun to play, not too expensive, and while both are challenging even a hacker like me can shoot a good score upon occasion.

[saevel25]

Were i use to live, near canton, ohio, i would have to say,

Private

1) Brookside Country Club

2) Firestone North

Public

1) The Quarry

2) Windmill Lakes

[Ben]

The Riviera CC

Los Angeles CC

Bel Aire CC

Sherwood CC

Saticoy CC

Oakmont CC

Industry Hills

We've got it made in LA. Then Palm Springs is only two hours away.

[davieboy1872]

gleneagles, St Andrews and Turnberry.

[Lefty-Golfer]

in city area

Aronimink - have played and is awesome

Pine Valley - have not played but i am told it is as good as it rep.

others i have played

Philly Cricket Wis & MH

Huntington Valley

Philly CC

Phil-Mont

Gulph Mills

Manufactures

Philadelphia has a tremendous amount of classic old outstanding clubs.

[Lefty-Golfer]

Forgot Merion...not sure how i forgot that i guess because i have not gotten that invite yet!!!

[skates]

Grew up in worcester MA and that had Worcester Country Club which held a US open a while back has to get the nod from me. It is crazy exclusive and at one point the membership was like 100k. It also hosted one of the first ryder cups. Probably not the nicest course but one of a ton of history and its literall a 5 minute walk from the house I grew up in

[BallStriker]

Washington State (based on courses I have played)

1.  Gold Mountain (Olympic)

2.  Chambers Bay

3.  Semiahmoo

4.  Canterwood

5.  Loomis Trail

I have not played Sahalee, Snoqualmie Ridge or the new Salish Cliffs (which may be top rated courses from those who have played them).

[clubchamp]

Originally Posted by Lefty-Golfer

in city area

Aronimink - have played and is awesome

Pine Valley - have not played but i am told it is as good as it rep.

others i have played

Philly Cricket Wis & MH

Huntington Valley

Philly CC

Phil-Mont

Gulph Mills

Manufactures

Philadelphia has a tremendous amount of classic old outstanding clubs.

I haven't had the chance to play Aronimink but Merion and Pine Valley are both spectacular with a slight edge to Pine Valley.

[Topper]

Even though winters can be harsh, I otherwise feel pretty fortunate that golf in Central NY includes access to a lot of nice course with very reasonable fees.  I'm only mentioning the courses I've had the opportunity to play that I think are a notch above when you combine great course layout, maintenance, and attention to "little details" which add to the overall experience.  Keep in mind that this excludes private courses (no access) and courses built around housing developments (because I hate them).  I have almost a dozen new courses on my "hit list" this year to find more to add to my list below.

Shenendoah at Turning Stone (Verona, NY) - http://www.turningstone.com/golf/shenendoah.php - Greens Fee $100-150 (with cart)

Greens fees are a little steep for me but the course is a beautiful links-style course that is fun and challenging to play.  Everything is immaculate with an emphasis and "harmonizing" with the surroundings.  They even use special "low noise" carts that are really quiet to avoid disturbing wildlife.  The only thing that is a little bit of a downer is that they really don't have a clubhouse.  There is a pro shop and a snack bar but not really a club house. A few of my buddies and I took advantage of fall twilight rates and we were ready for a beer when we finished.  Unfortunately, the pro shop was closed and the bar and patio was being setup for what looked like a wedding reception.  We were told that we should go to the casino.  Not a bad suggestion most times but was not what we were really looking for.

Kaluhyat at Turning Stone (Verona, NY) - http://www.turningstone.com/golf/kaluhyat.php - Greens Fee 100-150 (with cart)

Harder than Shenendoah but still fun.  Again, everything was immaculate.

Sandstone Hollow at Turning Stone (Verona, NY) - http://www.turningstone.com/golf/sandstonehollow.php - Greens Fee $20 (with cart)

This is a 9-hole, Par 3 course that is "not your dad's 9-hole" course.  I think it's overshadowed by Turning Stone's full-length courses so Sandstone Hollow is often overlooked.  Like all the other golf courses at Turning Stone, it's very well maintained.  The layout is interesting and challenging.  The course is heavily bunkered with real bunkers...the kind with fluffy white sand.  Some bunkers are so deep you can't see the putting surface.  For $15 (walking) it's a great opportunity to practice bunker play.  My parents live near turning stone and this is a course that I can quickly play when I'm pressed for time.

Conklin Players Club (Conklin, NY) - http://www.conklinplayers.com/ - Greens Fees $50-65 (with cart)

This course is a great value. The tees, fairways, and greens are aerated and feels like you're walking on a carpet.  The course is beautifully landscaped to the point you'll feel like you're golfing in someone's flower garden.  Absolutely beautiful.  The cart paths are paved with little curbs installed for a relative smooth drive around the course.  All carts are equipped with GPS units. Holes 1-9 are hilly and include a variety of elevation changes, doglegs, and water. Holes 10-18 aren't quite as hilly but include more water and offer a different "look" than the first 9.  If you're travelling on Rt 81 or Rt 17 near Binghamton, NY, you'll regret not stopping to play this course.

Inlet Golf Club (Inlet, NY) - http://www.inletgolfclub.com/photos.html - Greens Fees $35-52 (with cart)

This course reminds me of the Conklin Player Club a little bit.  The tees, greens, and fairways are well maintained.  The fairways and greens are like walking on carpet.  I played last year in August heat and everything was still lush.  Landscaping was excellent with strategically placed flower beds and landscaping to direct cart traffic.  I also like signs and course markings that clearly told me where the next hole was...no guessing.  The course is maintained with attention to detail and is a great value.  If you are in the Adirondacks, you'll regret not taking the time to play a round here.  After the round, have a few drinks in the nice Adirondack style clubhouse and head to Old Forge for additional dinner and entertainment.  I will be going back this year soon.

[CallawayGolf25]

I'm from Michigan, but I've been out in California visiting my dad for a few months... The best course I've played here has been Oak Quarry GC, which is just north of Riverside. Some really awesome scenery... course was in great shape.

In Michigan however, my town hosted the Buick Open on the PGA Tour at Warwick Hills CC, and that's easily the best course right around where I live... There's also another local course called The Captain's Club which is quite nice as well, and a couple of nice private clubs in the area. Oakland Hills is about 50 minutes south...

My personal opinion tho, on best course in Michigan (at least that I've played) is probably Bay Harbor GC. It's hard to say, I've played a lot of Northern Michigan's resort courses... but Bay Harbor is incredible. They have 27 holes: One nine is The Preserve, which is very nice, but typical upscale Northern Michigan golf trough the woods... Then there's The Links and The Quarry. The Links is basically 9 holes of Irish-inspired seaside golf, but up on the bluff overlooking Little Traverse Bay. The views are fantastic, and there are a couple of really great holes, early on, on the edge of the bluff overlooking the water. Then the final nine, The Quarry is cut in and around some inland natural stone and eventually you end up on the par 3 8th, which you're basically hitting into an island green out on the bay, and then finishing on a great par 4 right down by the water. Absolutely beautiful setting. Courses are in top condition. It's frequently referred to as the Pebble Beach of the Midwest... Check out the link, you'll see a few of the holes I'm referring to on the slideshow on the homepage.

http://www.bayharborgolf.com/index.html

Can't wait to play it again...

[preisman]

San Antonio, well the obvious is TPC San Antonio. I played both and really, nothing to complain about. Others that are great would be La Cantara (old site for teh Valaro Texas Open), Brakenridge, and I have to be honest, the golf course on Lackland AFB is great. They are making changes right now to the bunkers, but the greens and fairways are always in top condition.

[TD22057]

Originally Posted by Ben

The Riviera CC

Los Angeles CC

Bel Aire CC

Sherwood CC

Saticoy CC

Oakmont CC

Industry Hills

We've got it made in LA. Then Palm Springs is only two hours away.

Uhh - I think you mean: "really lucky people have it made".  I doubt most golfers in LA or CA have a much of a chance to get on those courses (except Industry of course).  Having said that, I was lucky enough to play the North at LACC last month and it was absolutely spectacular.  No one has invited me to play Riviera yet... :(