best golf courses played

[MSchott]

After going to Ireland, I have to revise this a bit. My top 5 would now be:

Shinnicock Hills

Lahinch

Oakmont

Tralee

Pacific Dunes

And leave out Pine Valley and Seminole? I haven't played any but the overwhelming consensus is that other than Oakmont and Shinnecock none of these are at that level.

[onkey]

Kingsbarns was indeed excellent. But I could not stop thinking it was basically man-made. St Andrews is the opposite so has the scent of authenticity. For the same reason I am not so keen to play Whistling Straits which is entirely bull-dozer made. The more natural courses seem to be truer golf. I know that architects are needed to mould the land into an actual golf course but that should be to a minimum. Other brilliant and natural UK courses are Carnoustie, Turnberry and Birkdale. In the US the king is Pebble Beach. Alister McKenzie had the philosophy of using the land and making only minimal changes. Royal Melbourne's land is perfect for golf, Augusta screams golf paradise, Cypress point (apparently) is amazing. Its the land.that makes the course.

I have to agree about placing "natural" courses in my top favorites.  Take a long drive along the Scottish coast and you will see more gems than you could ever imagine.  Although I didn't get to play it, I took a walk around Royal Dornoch and it earned a special place in my heart.

[phan52]

Quote:

Originally Posted by phan52

After going to Ireland, I have to revise this a bit. My top 5 would now be:

Shinnicock Hills

Lahinch

Oakmont

Tralee

Pacific Dunes

Originally Posted by MSchott

And leave out Pine Valley and Seminole? I haven't played any but the overwhelming consensus is that other than Oakmont and Shinnecock none of these are at that level.

Shinnicock is on a level of its own. It was tough to leave Pine Valley out of my top 5. Winged Foot as well. Both of those places were awesome and a great experience. Neither were at the level of Shinnicock and Oakmont though, plus I just seem to enjoy links type golf, hence the other three. Personal preference.

And Seminole had a nose-in-the-air vibe that places like Shinnicock, Oakmont and Winged Foot didn't. The golf course, while great, was not on their level as well. Seminole doesn't even make my top 10 when I consider the whole experience. I don't need to go back.

[DaveP043]

Excuse me for reviving this old topic, but I'm new here, and feel like jumping in with both feet.  My favorite courses, out of all that I've played:

Royal Dornoch

Old Course St Andrews

Lahinch

Pinehurst #2

Kapalua Plantation

TYhe hardest course I've ever played, by a big margin, was Carnoustie's Championship Course.

[golfbarefoot]

Camargo Club is up there