What are your favorite PUBLIC courses you've played?

[jamo]

Some of my favorite courses are semi-private. The are in great shape and the price is usually a little high, but you get what you pay for.

[GolfSpy Dave]

For myself - combining both quality of the course and value (important, I think, because of today's economy) - I like Poppy Ridge in Livermore, CA (http://www.poppyridgegolf.com/virtualtour/tour.html) and Half Moon Bay Ocean Course (http://www.halfmoonbaygolf.com/index.php?page=the_courses-the_ocean_course) in Half Moon Bay, CA.

 

 

With Poppy Ridge, one can get discounted green fees through www.golfnow.com. At Half Moon Bay, one just needs to sign up for a free email newsletter to get green fee discount info.

Is that the course(s) next to the Ritz Carlton? I just stumbled across their existence two weeks ago. They look amazing. What is a usual round go for? Hotel had room + unlimited golf for $500.

[MmmmmmBuddy]

Is that the course(s) next to the Ritz Carlton? I just stumbled across their existence two weeks ago. They look amazing. What is a usual round go for? Hotel had room + unlimited golf for $500.

That sounds like an amazing deal.... more details please..

[GolfSpy Dave]

That sounds like an amazing deal.... more details please..

Here is the link to the golf page for the hotel. Watch the slideshow. Really does not look like norcal to me.

 

http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/HalfMoonBay/Golf/Default.htm

[GolfSpy Dave]

Here is an add for another good public course in my area. Good add too. Especially the pricing.

http://us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=96f6162ae379b8ef0433ffc33&id=3bdae442ca&e=b7b7f6f0ca

[Addicted2Golf]

I'm planning on taking a Michigan trip this summer, I'll have to keep my eye out for these two. Anything in particular draw you to them, or were they just near the place you stayed? Michigan seems to be really well represented in lots of Top 100 lists, and the green fees don't seem outrageous.

 

We stayed at the Boyne Highlands resort and played those courses and they threw in Crooked Tree as a package deal even though its off property. Of all the Boyne area courses we played, those were my favorite. Arthur Hills was just beautiful with lots of tall pines and some changes in elevation. Crooked Tree has lots of great views of Traverse Bay on its back nine. Arthur Hills is a real test at 6,900 yards and 139 slope from the blues (they call it purple).

[MmmmmmBuddy]

It is Official... Chambers Bay. Tomorrow AM. 8:40. Many pics to come. i love this course.

[buttmuncher]

I got to play at Kapalua. It was really beautiful, even though I chopped it up.

[lmh3]

My favorite public courses that I have played, in no specific order:

 

Bandon Dunes

Poipu Bay

Princeville (Prince Course)

TPC Scottsdale

Bethpage Black

Pinehurst 2

Pinehurst 5

Pebble Beach

TPC Sawgrass

 

Non US courses:

Old Course St. Andrews

Royal County Down

Ballybunion

Carnoustie

[GolfSpy Dave]

My favorite public courses that I have played, in no specific order:

 

Bandon Dunes

Poipu Bay

Princeville (Prince Course)

TPC Scottsdale

Bethpage Black

Pinehurst 2

Pinehurst 5

Pebble Beach

TPC Sawgrass

 

Non US courses:

Old Course St. Andrews

Royal County Down

Ballybunion

Carnoustie

 

 

I can just cut and paste this for the bucket list thread. At least I get to go to pebble for the open this year.

[jamo]

I can just cut and paste this for the bucket list thread. At least I get to go to pebble for the open this year.

 

Have you ever played there?

[GolfSpy Dave]

Have you ever played there?

Not yet. Out of my price range at this point.

There is one thing in the works with a guy-who-knows-a-guy-who-knows-a-guy type scheme that may get me out there, but at this point with a two teacher family with kids, my coastal golf is better served at Pacific Grove Muni. $50 for a fun ocean course... Still a three hour or more drive to get there though.

[Tony Covey MGS]

I've played Shenendoah and Kaluyut at Turning Stone resort. Both are very nice, though the latter is extremely difficult (thigh high heather all over the place).

 

Both of the Orange County National Courses are solid.

 

Saratoga National is my favorite local course.

 

Orchard Creek is a sub-$50 course carved through apple orchards that I really enjoy as well.

 

I've done Ocean City Maryland a couple of time. Love Man O' War and Links at Lighthouse Sound. Rum Pointe is very nice as well.

[Flv02]

My list:

 

TPC Myrtle Beach (MY favorite course I have played so far)

Myrtle Beach National's King's North (The Gambler and island greens make it unforgettable)

Heathland, Moorland, and Parkland at the Legends (such a good deal)

As far as local courses go my favorite is The Links at Union Vale. I don't know if you guys from Saratoga have come down and played that (it's about a 2 hour drive from your testing facilities). I work there when I get home from school in the summer so I play there for free which helps But it truly is a great course (it is semi-private though)

[TK3]

Hi Guys, If I may,

 

WeKoPa (both courses - Scottsdale)

Talking Stick North (Scottsdale)

Wolf Creek (Mesquite - NV)

The Wolf (Paiute - LV)

Branson Creek (Missouri)

Farmlinks (AL)

PaaKo Ridge (NM)

The Tribute (Dallas, TX)

 

All very affordable and ALWAYS in excellent condition.

[par rules]

I have not played that many, but here are my favorites, not in any particular order:

 

Cinnarbar Hills

Indian Wells - Celebrity Course

Half Moon Bay - Ocean Course

Torrey Pines - South Course

[revkev]

By public courses I'm assuming we mean public access courses like resort courses.

 

It's interesting for me to see Bethpage black come up so often because I played it back in the late 70's - before it was anything - It was a nightmare - I'd love to have seen the USGA leave it alone and let the pros play it - every green repelled shots, the tees were mostly bare dirt, the traps were like cement - it was also a fantastic layout with a disappointing 18th hole - I'd love to play it today after the make over.

 

I used to live in Sheboygan WI and have played all 4 of those Kohler courses - actually my favorite of those and probably my favorite all time course is one that rarely exists but used to and will again for the Woman's Open this summer - Blackwolf Run's championship course - for those who have been to Blackwolf its the back nine of the Meadow Valley course along with an amalgomation of holes from the front and back nine of the River course - I don't know how a course could be any better than that one.

 

I live in Florida now and have played so many great courses that I don't even know where to start most public although some private.

 

Since I picked the Blackwolf championship as my favorite I'll take the TPC Tampa Bay as best value - I can play it for $59 from May until October - that is incredible for a course like that one - put it anywhere else and you'd be paying $200.

 

I'll also throw out some props for the World Woods courses - Pine Barrens is the higher rated (mid 30's best public courses) but Rolling Oaks is no slouch. In the summer these are also steals for Florida residents - around $35 to play.

[The Artful Duffer]

By far my favorite public course is the Jones Sr layout at Oglebay Resort just outside of Wheeling WV. It's two hours from where I live but luckily only a half hour from my parents so I can usually combine the trips. http://www.oglebay-resort.com/golf/speidel.cfm

Although my favorite place to work on my game is a little 9 hole layout where I first learned the game called Clair-Mar in Powhatan Pt Ohio. $10 for 9 with a cart and $5 replays. I know the layout and yardages like the back of my hand. It's an easy course that wouldn't rate on anybody's top 500 but sometimes you need that comfort course to work out the kinks.

[revkev]

Everyone needs a comfort course Artful Duffer - everyone! Even Tiger Woods has one - it's called Bayhill - he can suck every where else but let him play Bayhill and he's 28 again.

 

I've had a course like that every where I've lived - a place where everybody knows my name and where pars and birdies come like pollen on an early spring day in Florida. If it's in your top 500 it belongs in mine.

[The Dansome]

I haven't really played any of the big name courses out there but the one I have played is by far my favorite.

 

Kapalua Plantation:

[Matt Saternus]

For the Chicagoans, or anyone passing through, The Glen Club is must-play. Full review coming next week.

[msp1404]

used to live in Chicago and one of my favorite courses I have ever played was Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville, IL. Amazing layout, fair prices, excellent condition, and newly renovated this year. Golfspy Matt if you can ever make it down there I suggest you give it a try.

 

Favorite course in NC is the Rock Barn Jones Course, same place they play the Greater Hickory Classic.

[Matt Saternus]

used to live in Chicago and one of my favorite courses I have ever played was Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville, IL. Amazing layout, fair prices, excellent condition, and newly renovated this year. Golfspy Matt if you can ever make it down there I suggest you give it a try.

 

Favorite course in NC is the Rock Barn Jones Course, same place they play the Greater Hickory Classic.

 

I'm familiar with Mistwood. A female pro that I work with plays in the Illinois Women's Open there every year. I will check it out if I'm headed south, thanks.

[apprenti23]

Boy I have a lot of favorites... Don't know where to start!

 

Mostly in the Midwest And most of my true favorites are private but here goes nothing!

 

The falls lake las Vegas

We ko pa

The boulders

Paiute wolf

Timberstone in the UP

Harbor side International port or starboard

Sweet grass in the UP

Whistling Straits

Arcadia Bluffs

Cog Hill Dubsdread

Erin Hills

Black wolf Run

Course at Aberdeen

Purgatory

George Dunne forest preserve national

Caledonia sc

The Bull Sheboygan falls

Boy there were a couple courses I played on the rtj trail when I was in college that I loved but can't recall the names...

Pinehurst no 2- cant wait to see the revisions!

[Matt Saternus]

Matt, does The Glen have a membership option?.....

 

 

Fairways & Greens 4ever.....

 

They do. Not sure what the story is, if you can just buy it, invitation, limited number, etc, but I know there are members.

[TK3]

WeKoPa

Branson Creek

Bethpage Black

Wolf Creek - Mesquite

The Wolf - Paiute Resort, NV

 

All winners

[jaxbeachpackerfan]

Blackwolf Run--River Course

TPC Sawgrass-Stadium Course

Kapalua Plantation

Cascata

Whistling Straits

Treetops--Smith Course

Wailea Gold Course

Brown Deer Park (Milwaukee County)

Treetops--Jones Course

TPC Sawgrass--Valley Course

Grand Geneva--The Brute

[kygolfer1980]

Bandon Dunes

Pacific Dunes

Old MacDonald

Bandon Trails

Pinehurst #2

Pinehurst #4

Pinehurst #8

Tobacco Road

TPC Sawgrass

Whistling Straits(Straits Course)

Blackwolf Run(River Course)

St. Andrews Old

St. Andrews New

Carnoustie

Royal Troon

Turnberry Ailsa

 

This is the list of nice courses I have played that are public. All were great but for me personally, Bandon Dunes and Pacific Dunes were my favorite in the US. In Scotland, Carnoustie was actually the most fun of the course listed. I also played Muirfield and it was my favorite of the trip but it's private and I got on through our booking agent.

[fozcycle]

Seneca Park - Louisville, KY

Hawktree - Bismark, ND

LPGA Legends - Daytona Beach, FL

Founders Club - Pawleys Island, SC

[jaxbeachpackerfan]

I'd like to add King & Bear at World Golf Village to my list. And, for a very affordable and extremely challenging course, North Hampton, across the intracoastal from Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island.