my all-time favorite courses

[EightBlue]

a great way to introduce myself is to talk about my favorite courses and the reasons why.


1) Merion . Played as a guest in a corporate event. Blown away. Prove that a course doesn't have to be 8000 yards to be difficult. A shotmaker's course, forcing you to use every club in your bag. Never been a big one of private clubs, but if I was ever offered a membership I would jump at it.

2) Erin Hills , outside Milwaukee in the middle of freaking nowhere. The closest thing to true links style golf I have ever seen. A course designed to host a US Open. In my opinion, its a better test of golf then Whistling Straits. (No Lake Michigan views though.)

3) The Prince Course , Princeville Resort, Kauai. Favorite public course. As I like to call it Jurassic Golf. Imagine playing golf in the middle of a jungle. About 5 holes which would be the signature hole at almost every course. If you are ever in Hawaii, you must stop here.

4) Willingers . Northfield, MN. I am almost afraid to post this here because i don't want more people to know about this course. phenomenal condition and great value ($40) for a course that is as challenging as anything. When they grow the rough it can be unplayable. they had an open qualifier a few years ago and 75 got through. Willingers and rush creek have the best greens in Minnesota. This would be my everyday course if it wasnt 45 minutes away.

5) Pine Meadows . Mundelein, IL. I play this course everytime we go to visit my wife's parents. Designed by Joe Jemsek, the same guy who designed Cog Hill Dubsdread, I actually like this course better. Straight forward, but challenging. (An absolutely brutal stretch of Par-4s on the front. 4 out of 5 are 430+).

6) Purgatory GC , Noblesville, IN. Must be 300 bunkers and really freaking hard. Its one course that i would not recommend for anyone whose doesn regularly break 90. From the tips, it can play 7900. A bit overplayed, but an incredible test if you are every around indianapolis.

7) The Honors Course . Somewhere in Tennesee. I played this right after Tiger shot 78 and WON the NCAAs. really hard and lots of heather/marshes.

8) Threetops . I love hard par-3 golf courses. really a great test. The par-3 course at Oxmoor Valley in Birmingham would be a close second. I love all of the courses at Treetops but this one is special.

9) Rush Creek . Maple Grove, MN. I play here 40 times a year so it better be on the list. Great Bob Cupp design with a ton of original holes. There used to be an LPGA tournament here and could probably host one without much prep. Long course which makes you hit every club in your bag. From my tees its 6900 yards with 2 300 yard par-4 (which may be the two of the hardest holes on the course). Let me know if you ever want to play.


Other Courses I really like but didn't make the top 9 (or i didn't feel like writing up.)

• Chaska Town Course, Chaska, MN
• Whistling Straits
• Ross Bridge, Birmingham
• Hazeltine National
• Black Sheep, Sugar Grove, IL
• Bethpage Red
• Maidstone, East Hampton, NY
• The Glen Club, Glenview, IL