[Ice]

We all know what Golf Digest says, and what's the most popular on tour, etc... But all that stuff aside, what is your top three courses in America?

My top two lie a few hundred yards from each other on the Monterey Peninsula. Cypress Point and Spyglass Hill are the most beautiful, intricate, and diverse golf courses I have ever seen. Alister Mackenzie was correct when he sad nobody would ever design a course better than Cypress. Third is a tough one. I think my nod goes to Erin Hills in Wisconsin. It's too new to be on any Best lists or get too famous, but anyone I talk to who has played there says there is no links style course not in the ocean better. You're not stuck in the woods which takes away from a course for me. Pine Valley was recently named the best in America,but simply the fact that you see nothing but trees takes away from it for me.

[ANGRYGOLFHULK]

I'll answer this question based on courses that I have played. Bethpage black is one of my favorites because I grew up near it and it does not have the congested feel of teh Long Island area. Pinehurst #2 because of the fact that you can hit the ball anywhere and still have a shot at the green. Now once you get to the green its a different story and thats what makes the course a short game dream or nightmare. My third would be the river course at kingsmill resort in VA. It is just a beautiful course that is fun to play. And kingsmill let my wife ride in the cart with me for free so I will always be a fan of theirs.

[PGA_09]

Based on courses I have played, my top three is:

Merion
Pebble Beach
Pine Valley

[Ice]

PGA_09, on 09 January 2013 - 10:28 PM, said:

Based on courses I have played, my top three is:

Merion
Pebble Beach
Pine Valley

How the heck did you get on Pine Valley??

[PGA_09]

I was an assistant pro at a high end course right near Pine Valley and got to know a few folks that are members there. I've been lucky enough to play it a few times over the years.

[revkev]

If its courses I've played its Blackwolf run championship course, Pebble Beach and Bethpage Black -

If it's based on what I've played or seen live it's Oakland Hills, Shinecock, Blackwolf Run Championship

If its based on any courses that I've at least seen on TV or live it's

Augusta, Oakland Hills, Shinecock

Pebble is spectacular in terms of its beauty - I'm not so sure I thought it was as great a course as lots of others think but that's the problem with playing a place once - maybe it was a bad day for the course, maybe it was a bad day for me maybe its far more intricate than I could grasp. Bethpage is behind Pebble for me only because I played it before all the updates - it was most certainly the most difficult course I've ever been on and I've played Whistling Straits from the tips before they redid the sod to make it playable for its first PGA. A part of its (Bethpage's) difficulty was its lack of conditioning though.

Oh and I'm assuming US courses here - I'd go Augusta, Old Course, Oakland Hills if we can pick any course in the world that we've seen.

[Walkerjames]

My top 3 that I have played
Kananaskis country GC Mount Kidd course.
Silvertip Canmore AB
( I know that there not in the USA but North America close enough LOL)

And Rustic Canyon. Moorpark CA (FYI Moorpark backwards is Krap room)

[txgolfjunkie]

Walkerjames, on 10 January 2013 - 10:51 AM, said:

My top 3 that I have played
Kananaskis country GC Mount Kidd course.
Silvertip Canmore AB
( I know that there not in the USA but North America close enough LOL)

And Rustic Canyon. Moorpark CA (FYI Moorpark backwards is Krap room)

I live in Houston, work for big oil and we have operations in Calgary. I played 54 holes at Kananaskis and 36 at stewart creek in 48 hours. Coming from flat land to that...it was like I died and gone to heaven. Of course, the late July weather helped and the long daylight. I have a new found respect for Canada golf.

[Ice]

revkev, on 10 January 2013 - 11:09 AM, said:

If its courses I've played its Blackwolf run championship course, Pebble Beach and Bethpage Black -

If it's based on what I've played or seen live it's Oakland Hills, Shinecock, Blackwolf Run Championship

If its based on any courses that I've at least seen on TV or live it's

Augusta, Oakland Hills, Shinecock

Pebble is spectacular in terms of its beauty - I'm not so sure I thought it was as great a course as lots of others think but that's the problem with playing a place once - maybe it was a bad day for the course, maybe it was a bad day for me maybe its far more intricate than I could grasp. Bethpage is behind Pebble for me only because I played it before all the updates - it was most certainly the most difficult course I've ever been on and I've played Whistling Straits from the tips before they redid the sod to make it playable for its first PGA. A part of its (Bethpage's) difficulty was its lack of conditioning though.

Oh and I'm assuming US courses here - I'd go Augusta, Old Course, Oakland Hills if we can pick any course in the world that we've seen.

Michigan love. I like it. I don't think OH is as good as is hyped up to be. I put it fifth in Michigan after Crystal downs, lost dunes, forest dunes, and Kingsley. Shinnecock was close for me. I like that one a lot. Some day I need to actually play all these!

[Walkerjames]

txgolfjunkie, on 10 January 2013 - 09:23 AM, said:

I live in Houston, work for big oil and we have operations in Calgary. I played 54 holes at Kananaskis and 36 at stewart creek in 48 hours. Coming from flat land to that...it was like I died and gone to heaven. Of course, the late July weather helped and the long daylight. I have a new found respect for Canada golf.

I grew up in Calgary so I played these courses a lot they use to have a Alberta residence deal at kananaskis I think it was like $40 to play it was nice. Now I live in Los Angeles and I miss the mountain courses.

[bumpandrun]

Top 3 I have played

1. The Ocean Course - Paspalum greens are unbelievable
2. The South Course at Mauna Lani - #15 is unbelievable (see the tee shot below)
3. Tie - Caladonia in Myrtle Beach (Mike Strantz was a genius) and National Golf Club (formerly Pinehurst National until they were forced by the resort to change the name).

These could change quickly if I ever get out to Bandon Dunes! Also, my parents just moved to Santa Fe so looking forward to the courses out there.

[GolfSpy MBP]

OK Lemme think now. I've played a lot of sweet Canadian ones but my US list is limited.

Top Played US course(s):
Kapalua Plantation

Top Course(s) visited:
Bandon (all)
Sahalee

Top Courses as seen on TV etc:
Agusta
Pine Valley
Shinnecock

Not to hijack your thread with Canadian picks but it's all I got
http://scoregolf.com...-in-canada-2012
Canada Played:
5. Capilano G&CC
21. Shaughnessy G&CC
23. Victoria GC
92. Marine Drive GC

[SMRT]

I have not been playing long enough to have played a lot of courses but my list is:
#1 - Ko'olau on Oahu (See pic)
This course is rated one of the most difficult in the nation for good reason. It is basically in a rain forest so it is very wet. There are lots of forced carries over ravines and it is sloped everywhere so when you do land in the fairway you are not garunteed a good lie. It was the most fun and had the best views of anywhere though. I recommend everyone play it once just for the views. If I get back to the island I will play again.

#2 - The North Course at Pelican Hill
Played both the North and South. The Notrh was just a better course I thought. You were not close to the ocean but overall the view was better and there was less distractions.

#3 - Any course that is not Links style. I get bored with those.

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[Rickles]

If we are talking dreams:
1. Augusta National: I've got practice round tickets this year. I'm so psyched!
2. Pine Valley
3. Cypress Point

Best I've played
1. Congressional
2. Shady Oaks
3. Austin Country Club