Best golf courses in small towns

[downlowkey]

Ballyneal Golf and Hunt Club - Holyoke, CO (population - 2313).

 

To avoid stirring up the links vs heathland powder keg; I'll just share that the course was built on a sand cap, is riddled with natural dunes and it's almost always windy. I have been lucky enough to play all over the world and Ballyneal is easily in my Top 5 facilities.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[sixcat]

.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Pinehurst (and as a result, the surrounding area) grow out of a health resort?

And now, with all the other courses added in the area, instead turned it into a golf destination, relying on those that travel there to play and stay in their hotels - instead of a small town in which its course(s) are supported primarily locals?

 

So, and just to add, I don't think resort courses, or ones attached to casinos, should count either.

But that's just my opinion. ...

My apologies for sounding condescending in my original post.  It was not my intent.  But after re-reading my post along with your response, it certainly came off that way.  

 

With that said, I'm not sure what the first paragraph above has to do with any part of this conversation.  Augusta National began as Berkman's Fruitland Nursery.  It doesn't negatively reflect upon it's current fame as the home of The Masters.  How Pinehurst began or what it began from has no reflection upon it's current designation as the Cradle of American Golf.  It is what it has become, not what it once was!

 

As for the remainder of your above post, that's why I asked what the OP's definition was of a "small town".  Any number of parameters can be placed upon something so heavily influenced by personal opinion.  Obviously, we all consider different parameters resulting in varying opinion. 

 

If the overriding parameter is a very small community that does not fall into the "resort" or "destination" category, and is a virtual unknown, I once played two courses in South Carolina that were truly remarkable.  Palmetto Golf Club wouldn't fall under the parameters established in this thread.  But Musgrove Mill would.  It's in the middle of nowhere but an outstanding golf course!

[revkev]

I will give you one that's associated with a Baptist retreat center in Central Wisconsin called the Golf Courses at Lawsonia.

 

The one course was once a top 100 course but it's either been surpassed or forgotten.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[Undershooter]

I haven't played it since last fall and it was in pretty good shape. Lots of elevation to contend with on the course. I've played it before with the greens in perfect shape...and I've played it where the greens were really struggling. I would just call first before making a trip out there. 

That's sort of what I gathered from their reviews online. It looks like the course was struggling earlier this year. I'll have to get out there some time to see it though. The layout alone interests me.

Thanks for the tip btw. I'll definitely call. 

[Undershooter]

Depending on the time of year (during class or not during class) Oxford MS has a population of less than 20k and I'm a big fan of the Country Club of Oxford. They held a web event there this spring for the first time. 

[RedHacker48]

Spring Valley is a Beautiful course in central Iowa. The zip code will tell you it's in Livermore, Iowa which has a population of 359, but really it's out in the middle of a corn field. I high recommend hitting up this hidden gem if your traveling through central Iowa.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[Peanut05]

We have one a few miles from here in Choudrant, Louisiana (pop. 973 back in 216 and it hasn't really grown since then).  It's Squire Creek and it's a private course, but it was ranked as the 2nd best in the state behind The Country Club of Louisiana.  It is always in perfect shape.  They held the US Women's Mid-Am there 3-4 years ago.  

[Undershooter]

We have one a few miles from here in Choudrant, Louisiana (pop. 973 back in 216 and it hasn't really grown since then).  It's Squire Creek and it's a private course, but it was ranked as the 2nd best in the state behind The Country Club of Louisiana.  It is always in perfect shape.  They held the US Women's Mid-Am there 3-4 years ago.  

A guy I know is a member there. Very nice course from what I understand!

[josmi15]

My golf partner and I hit up Rock Hollow in Peru IN. It was awesome. Wrote about it a few years back, still trying to make it back. 1 hr drive

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[PMookie]

The toughest course I've ever played is in the little town of El Dorado, AR, Mystic Creek Golf Course. It's fun, but very hard. Pretty setting, great layout, just TOUGH.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[adog]

So when i started this whole question, i was thinking about wildhorse in gothenburg, Ne. I've never been there, but it seems like one of those places where you could live reasonably cheap and play golf at an amazing course for a season and not break the bank. Thats kinda what i was looking for. Places like that.

 

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[Peanut05]

The toughest course I've ever played is in the little town of El Dorado, AR, Mystic Creek Golf Course. It's fun, but very hard. Pretty setting, great layout, just TOUGH.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Playing there tomorrow morning.  We need to head back up there soon and get another round in. 

[Jmikecpa]

Fishers Island Club in Fishers Island, NY.  Population is less than 300 and you need to take a ferry to get to the course.  One of the best tracks I have ever played and one of the coolest golf experiences as well.

[dvdmrtndl]

Apple Mountain, Freeland MI. Pic is from the top of a ski hill that drops down around 150 ft to the fairway. Beautifully maintained course. They also have a par 3 about halfway up the hill.

[HardcoreLooper]

Hominy Hill GC on Colts Neck, NJ. I think there's more horses than people in that town. At least there were when I was growing up. Held the Publinx back in the 80s.

 

Sent from my SM-J727VPP using Tapatalk

[JAGolfore]

I know the Pete Dye and Donald Ross courses in French Lick, IN are great. And that's a small town. Population 1,769 as of 2016. But it is a resort town.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[Lefty78]

So when i started this whole question, i was thinking about wildhorse in gothenburg, Ne. I've never been there, but it seems like one of those places where you could live reasonably cheap and play golf at an amazing course for a season and not break the bank. Thats kinda what i was looking for. Places like that.

 

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

This type courses are my favorites, the big name courses are enjoyable but this is the type I seek out.  I've driven across country and found several courses like Wild Horse.  Wild Horse was very enjoyable, I was two under after five holes before it kicked my butt the rest of the way.  

 

Some of these courses have probably changed but I enjoyed them at least once in my travels in the past 15 years:

Wild Horse, middle of Nebraska and Quarry Oaks eastern Nebraska were both terrific.

I like both courses at World Woods in Florida along with tons of other courses in the Sunshine state. 

In Iowa, The Harvester is great, Amana Colonies is pretty good as well. 

North Dakota has Bully Pulpit is good and Hawktree is better.

Old Works in Montana is terrific.   

One of my favorites was Black Mesa in New Mexico but I hear it is in bad shape...but what a layout!

Up in the northeast, lots of good courses but two I particularly enjoyed were Okemo Valley, in Vermont, and The Ledges in southern Maine. 

Lots of courses around the south as well as in Oregon and Arizona were just as memorable but easier to find.

There are many more but these bring back good memories.

[PMookie]

Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail has three course in Prattville, AL, just North of Montgomery, Capitol Hill. I've played two of them and they're very nice!!!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[palvord]

Have you been to Swan Lake in Plymouth, IN. Great spot for a stay and play with the guys or your wife.

 

Whittaker Woods is on my list. Have you played it? Might get there on the way back from Gull Lake Resort this year. We do Gull Lake every 4th of July, they have 6 courses associated to the resort, two on property and 4 a short drive away. Get spot for serious guys outing. We do a shamble, 2 man scramble, 4 man scramble, 2 man best ball, 4 man best ball. Points are awarded for score, closest too & some other stuff. Two top guys pick a Ryder Cup Team for 6th and final round. Good times.

 

https://www.swanlakeresort.com/

 

http://www.golfwhittaker.com/

 

https://www.gulllakeview.com/golf/golf-courses/

Last year I went to Gull Lake with a large group of guys towards the end of July. What a great time! Can't wait to go back this year.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[Putt4eagle]

For what it's worth, I went through this thread and, to the best of my ability, and plotted each of these courses on a Google map. Was kinda nice to see some of the courses from 95k feet above the earth, lol. Anyone can edit, add or delete courses. To add something, just search for it and then Add it to the map in the pop-up window. Have fun.... 

 

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1UxJv3C0VB8wzF1egtZW6_blYZ9FPkQaw&usp=sharing

[Putt4eagle]

Meh, yeah this qualifies. The TPC is Silvis, IL 61282 is where they play the John Deere Classic. It's $150 in the summer and if you play well there July, you get to play in the British Open. Or as they call it, The Open. 

[JohnSmalls]

Edgewater Golf Club which is technically in Lancaster, SC is an absolute diamond in the rough. Despite the technical location, it isn't in the town. It's so far in the middle of nowhere that you have to get lost to find it. One of the best $30 rounds you can find. Nice challenge and the course is in great shape.

[Big money]

St. Andrews

[palvord]

Arcadia Bluffs in Arcadia, MI

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[mustanggolf]

Bandon Oregon!!   Population 3,037

 

 

This one is RURAL..   Silvies Valley Ranch Golf Club  https://www.golfdigest.com/story/silvies-valley-ranch-retreat-and-links-prepare-to-be-fascinated-by-a-remote-oregon-golf-course-and-its-not-bandon-dunes  

 

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/goat-caddie-golf-seneca-oregon-slivies-valley-ranch-mcveigh-tygh-campbell-akbar-chisti/

 

GOAT caddies..  LOL

[Thin2win]

Brewster, WA has a pop of ~ 2000 and Gamble Sands. Which is a David McLay Kidd design and just finished as the #1 ranked course in Washington.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using MyGolfSpy mobile app

[Undershooter]

Can't believe that I didn't think of this one sooner. Gunter's Landing in Guntersville Alabama (pop of 8400ish) is an excellent track! It's has a lot of elevation changes and was in phenomenal condition when I played it. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone traveling through North Alabama.