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Best golf courses in small towns


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Black Wolf Run

 

Koehler WI population 2120

 

Top 100 course

Whistling Straits is higher rated and Haven is smaller yet.

 

 

 

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Taylor Made Stealth 2 10.5 Diamana S plus 60  Aldila  R flex   - 42.25 inches 

SMT 4 wood bassara R flex, four wood head, 3 wood shaft

Ping G410 7, 9 wood  Alta 65 R flex

Srixon ZX5 MK II  5-GW - UST recoil Dart 65 R flex

India 52,56 (60 pending)  UST recoil 75's R flex  

Evon roll ER 5 32 inches

It's our offseason so auditioning candidates - looking for that right mix of low spin long, more spin around the greens - TBD   

 

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I guess I'll pick some from my state. There are a bunch of good courses in smaller towns since that's about all MS has lol

 

West Point MS has around 10k people and has 2 of the best courses in the state. The original course is Old Waverly which hosted a women's US open in 99. The newer course is Mossy Oak golf club. Its a Gil Hanse design and golf digest had it as the #3 best new course in 2017. Golfweek had it in the top 100 modern courses as well. 

Driver- Tmag 2017 M2 tour issue 8.5* actual loft 7.8* w/ HZRDS Green PVD 70TX"
Fairway Metal- Taylormade SLDR Mini Driver 12* w/ Fujikura Rombax TP95-X"

Utility- Mizuno MPH5 1 iron w/ Aldila RIP 85X (depending on course/ conditions)

Irons- Mizuno MP- FLI HI 2i w/ Aldila Proto ByYou 100X
          Mizuno MP59 4i-6I w/ PX 6.5

          Mizuno MP69 7i-PW w/ PX 6.5

Wedges- Scratch 8620 Driver/Slider set.  50*, 54* bent to 55* and 60*

Putter- Taylormade Spider Tour w/ flow neck
Ball- Bridgestone Tour B X

Bag- Sun Mountain C130 Supercharged

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The municipal course in Carthage, MO is one of the best in my area for the price. Next in line would be Peoria Ridge in Miami, OK which can often be had at a better price if you book online. An even nicer course (from what I hear since I've never played it) is the Shangri La course in Grove, OK. There are plenty of wonderful courses to be found all over rural USA.

Driver: :mizuno-small: ST190 9.5* Fujikura Atmos Blue 5S
Fairway Wood: :mizuno-small: ST190 15* Fujikura Atmos Blue 6S
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Victoria Hills in DeLand FL. It's an amazing course the you would swear you are playing in the foothills rather than in Florida. It's probably 30-40 minutes outside of Orlando, depending on where you are staying in Orlando.

 

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Victoria Hills in DeLand FL. It's an amazing course the you would swear you are playing in the foothills rather than in Florida. It's probably 30-40 minutes outside of Orlando, depending on where you are staying in Orlando.

 

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Have you played World Woods or better still Black Diamond Quarry?

 

 

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Taylor Made Stealth 2 10.5 Diamana S plus 60  Aldila  R flex   - 42.25 inches 

SMT 4 wood bassara R flex, four wood head, 3 wood shaft

Ping G410 7, 9 wood  Alta 65 R flex

Srixon ZX5 MK II  5-GW - UST recoil Dart 65 R flex

India 52,56 (60 pending)  UST recoil 75's R flex  

Evon roll ER 5 32 inches

It's our offseason so auditioning candidates - looking for that right mix of low spin long, more spin around the greens - TBD   

 

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We just played at a sweet little challenging club in Jackpot, Nevada, population just shy of 2,000..!

 

http://www.jackpotgolfclub.com/

 

Very well kept course with lots of tough holes-several being blind shots from the tees. Brand new carts/buggies/trolleys too which were super nice electric jobs. Great little practice green and a not-too-bad range, both right by the clubhouse which has a nice pro shop, grill & full bar.

 

If ever travelling through Northern Nevada (maybe headed into Idaho..?!), totally worth a stop to play a round or two and maybe get some gambling action.

 

Cheers!

In my       :ping-small: DLX Cart Bag:
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Victoria Hills in DeLand FL. It's an amazing course the you would swear you are playing in the foothills rather than in Florida. It's probably 30-40 minutes outside of Orlando, depending on where you are staying in Orlando.

 

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I like Mission Inn at Howey in the Hills, FL.  It too is relatively close to Orlando. 

Driver -     Rogue ST Max
Woods -   Rogue ST MaxRogue ST Max 3, 5 & 7 Wooda 
Irons -      Rogue ST MAX OS  5 - AW
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Putter -    ER2
Rangefinder -  NX9 Slope
Ball -  Vice Pro Soft Drip

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How small do you consider "small"? Because it would be tough to beat Pinehurst, North Carolina, population 15,945!

Ha Ha. So obvious, I didn't even think of it.

 

Thread Winner...close the doors.

 

That said I'll nominate Fredrick, MD as runner up. Within 10 to 15 miles of town there are no less than 8 quality courses. One constantly rates in the top 3 of the state. One annually hosts a US Open Qualifier, one is an Arthur Hillls design and one is a PB Dye (Pete's son) design.

 

I could play any of them for the rest of my life and be content.

 

 

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Have you played World Woods or better still Black Diamond Quarry?

 

 

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Played Black Diamond once, great course. My game was all over the place that season. I don't know how this one slipped my mind. It's another course you kind of forget you're in Florida.

 

As for World Woods, no I haven't had the chance. I was supposed there with some friends once in a tournament but it got rained out.

 

First thought for this thread was Streamsong, but I wanted you try and show some love to a hidden gem.

 

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Harbor shores, Benton Harbor Michigan.

 

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/

Rounds per year: 80-90. 

Handicap: 11.6

In my Bag:

Driver - Taylormade SLDR (Adjusted 1/2 to the draw side and 8* loft)

Fairway Woods: 3 & 5 Taylormade SLDR

Irons 4-AW: Taylormade M2 (2016)

Wedges: Volkey SM6 56* and SM7 60*

 

Balls: ProVx - preferred, Calloway Chrome second.

 

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Kebo Valley Club In Bar Harbor, ME

 

 

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https://forum.mygolfspy.com/topic/60456-titleist-t-series-irons-2023-forum-review/

 

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Ha Ha. So obvious, I didn't even think of it.

 

Thread Winner...close the doors.

 

That said I'll nominate Fredrick, MD as runner up. Within 10 to 15 miles of town there are no less than 8 quality courses. One constantly rates in the top 3 of the state. One annually hosts a US Open Qualifier, one is an Arthur Hillls design and one is a PB Dye (Pete's son) design.

 

I could play any of them for the rest of my life and be content.

 

 

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Bandon Oregon, from everything I have heard from close friends, is a very close second.  I'm making every effort to make the trek in 2019.

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I haven't played it yet but I will nominate:

 

Arcadia Bluffs in Arcadia, Mi population 610

 

Ranked #13 Public course in US

 

This is on my bucket list for this year along with

 

Greywalls in Marquette, Mi ranked #10 in Michigan.

 

I'll never get to play Crystal Downs or the Kingsley Club, so these and maybe Forest Dunes will have to work.

 

I'd probably nominate The Gailes in Oscoda, Mi too. That's getting checked off in July.

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I don't know about rankings, but I always enjoyed the following Texas/Louisiana tracks on business:

 

Pine Dunes in Frankston, TX - Population 1,229

Eagle Pointe Golf Club in Mont Belvieu, TX - Pop 3,835 (60% increase from 2010 census)

Bluffs on Thompson Creek in St Francisville, LA - Pop 1,712

White Bluff in Whitney, TX - Pop 2,087 - But I heard the course is shut-down in a showdown between owner and member...maybe our poster from Whitney, TX can chime in. 

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  • Lefty
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Awesome! Thanks for all the responses. One day im packing only what will fit in my truck, (mostly golf gear ), picking one of these places, and spending a whole season playing golf everyday! At least thats the dream. Keep em coming!

 

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I've been following this topic since Day 1, and I was hoping to put together a bucket list of courses I could hit during our travels.

But I'm left really wondering what truly qualifies as a "small town"?

 

I could be wrong, but imho a population of 15,000 no longer really qualifies, and suburb cities of major metropolitan areas doesn't either.

And instead I'm thinking little towns out in the middle of BFE that are diamonds in the rough (pardon the pun) and best known tracts nobody knows about. ....

Thats what i was thinking!

 

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I don't know about rankings, but I always enjoyed the following Texas/Louisiana tracks on business:

 

Pine Dunes in Frankston, TX - Population 1,229

Eagle Pointe Golf Club in Mont Belvieu, TX - Pop 3,835 (60% increase from 2010 census)

Bluffs on Thompson Creek in St Francisville, LA - Pop 1,712

White Bluff in Whitney, TX - Pop 2,087 - But I heard the course is shut-down in a showdown between owner and member...maybe our poster from Whitney, TX can chime in. 

How good is the Bluffs at Thompson Creek? SWMBO mentioned that she got some package deal offer from them recently and it seemed really cheap for what you got. The place looks cool online. 

Driver- Tmag 2017 M2 tour issue 8.5* actual loft 7.8* w/ HZRDS Green PVD 70TX"
Fairway Metal- Taylormade SLDR Mini Driver 12* w/ Fujikura Rombax TP95-X"

Utility- Mizuno MPH5 1 iron w/ Aldila RIP 85X (depending on course/ conditions)

Irons- Mizuno MP- FLI HI 2i w/ Aldila Proto ByYou 100X
          Mizuno MP59 4i-6I w/ PX 6.5

          Mizuno MP69 7i-PW w/ PX 6.5

Wedges- Scratch 8620 Driver/Slider set.  50*, 54* bent to 55* and 60*

Putter- Taylormade Spider Tour w/ flow neck
Ball- Bridgestone Tour B X

Bag- Sun Mountain C130 Supercharged

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I've been following this topic since Day 1, and I was hoping to put together a bucket list of courses I could hit during our travels.

But I'm left really wondering what truly qualifies as a "small town"?

 

I could be wrong, but imho a population of 15,000 no longer really qualifies, and suburb cities of major metropolitan areas doesn't either.

And instead I'm thinking little towns out in the middle of BFE that are diamonds in the rough (pardon the pun) and best known tracts nobody knows about. ....

I live a half-an-hour west of Primland and Olde Mill Resorts.  The population of those two county's combined is less than the population of towns of Pinehurst and Southern Pines.  Yet, I will drive by Primland and Olde Mill on my way to Pinehurst every time it's an option. 

 

Some places are just diamonds, forget the "rough".

 

The lesser known curses in the Pinehurst area are better than almost anywhere else.  Number 2, Pine Needles, Mid Pines, Dormie etc. get all the attention but there isn't a bad golf course in the area.  Just my opinion!

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Kebo Valley Club In Bar Harbor, ME

 

 

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I was going to throw in the Samoset in Rockland, too.

 

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I always try to remember that I'm not good enough to get mad!

 

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I've been following this topic since Day 1, and I was hoping to put together a bucket list of courses I could hit during our travels.

But I'm left really wondering what truly qualifies as a "small town"?

 

I could be wrong, but imho a population of 15,000 no longer really qualifies, and suburb cities of major metropolitan areas doesn't either.

And instead I'm thinking little towns out in the middle of BFE that are diamonds in the rough (pardon the pun) and best known tracts nobody knows about. ....

That's a thread to start - you set the parameters. I saw 70k can me up and I'm thinking, small town? Not in my book.

 

I'd say under 10k not within 40 miles of a metropolitan area.

 

Others might say more remote.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Taylor Made Stealth 2 10.5 Diamana S plus 60  Aldila  R flex   - 42.25 inches 

SMT 4 wood bassara R flex, four wood head, 3 wood shaft

Ping G410 7, 9 wood  Alta 65 R flex

Srixon ZX5 MK II  5-GW - UST recoil Dart 65 R flex

India 52,56 (60 pending)  UST recoil 75's R flex  

Evon roll ER 5 32 inches

It's our offseason so auditioning candidates - looking for that right mix of low spin long, more spin around the greens - TBD   

 

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Thunderbird - both north and south courses in Huron, Ohio. 

Left Hand orientation

:taylormade-small:SIM 2 D Max with Fujikura Air Speeder Shaft 

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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/

Whittaker Woods was close to me when I level up that way, Harbor shores opened the same year I move to South Carolina, so I haven't played that. Whittaker Woods for the money will be nice to play, I haven't yet, but i will be near there in a few weeks. I have not played Swan Lake, although I've heard it's nice. I've played a couple courses near Gull Lake a few years back. Can't think of the names off the top of my head.

 

I do want to take a trip back home for just Golf, but with my entire family in that area it will be impossible.

Lefties are always in their Right Mind

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How good is the Bluffs at Thompson Creek? SWMBO mentioned that she got some package deal offer from them recently and it seemed really cheap for what you got. The place looks cool online. 

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. 

Cobra Connect 5 Competitor - Team Chad

  • :cobra-small: King Radspeed 10.5* w/ Hzrdus RDX Blue 60 6.5 tipped 1/2" - Peacoat/Red
  • :cobra-small: King Radspeed Big Tour 3 Wood w/ Hzrdus RDX Blue 70 6.5 Tipped 1/2"
  • :cobra-small: King Radspeed Tour 5 Wood w/ Motore X F1 70 X Flex 
  • :cobra-small: King Utility 4 21* w/ Tensei Pro White 100 X Flex
  • :cobra-small: King Tour MIM Copper Irons 5-G w/ AMT White X100 Onyx
  • :cobra-small: King MIM Black Wedges 55* & 60* w/ AMT White X100 Onyx
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  • Lefty
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