Hands Down #1 Bucket List Golf Course

[ILMgolfnut]

38 minutes ago, JackB44 said:

Without question my bucket list #1 is St. Andrew’s in Scotland.

Do it! It can be done, and without paying an arm and a leg to a tour operator for a tee time and a ride on their bus.

[Byrnzee]

3 minutes ago, Jnoble89 said:

For your viewing pleasure, a two minute viewing experience of Sand Valley in all it's glory.

 

 

I was able to play in June of last year. Unbelievable experience. Mammoth Dunes was wide open and a super fun course. SV was more of a challenge but an incredible design.

The halfway house there was the best I’ve ever been to. Dollar breakfast sandwiches in the morning, tacos in the afternoon, and ice cream sandwiches you’ll be dreaming about for months to come. Drinks are only $3-5 as well.

My friends and I are already talking about going back so we can play Lido and Sedge Valley. Would highly recommend for anyone considering a stay-and-play!

[skeough20]

26 minutes ago, Dpersad said:

It was my 40th birthday this year. My wife (with help from my parents and my in-laws) planned and sent the two of us on a trip down to Pebble Beach. In the span of 5 days I got to play Spanish Bay, Spyglass Hill, and Pebble Beach. 

 

That pretty much took care of my #1 bucket list course. 

 

Obviosuly Augusta would be the new #1. Cypress Point not far behind. But neither of those are in any way realistic. 

 

My next top choice would probably be Fairmont Chateau Whistler golf course in British Columbia Canada. I love with mountain golf, or Seaside golf, and being stuck in the central prairies of Canada leave me with very few opportunities for either. 

 

The Old course would be cool, but all things being equal, I've never been a lover of links golf. I was in Ireland and Scotland last summer. I golfed Killarney in Ireland and the scenery was incredible. On a lake with the hills in the background. 

 

I suppose my new #1 (realistic) bucket list course would have to be Kapalua. Followed closely by Wailea. Hawaiian golf? Sign me up!

 

Dpersad, I have played the Whilst courses and I would rate them as Big Sky, Nicholas North, Chateau Whistler and Whistler golf course. Big Sky is flat but with Mount Currie in The background is amazing. Chateau Whistler is a true mountain course though. You're playing on the mountain. Another course that you play if you like ocean side is Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs on Cape Breton island in Nova Scotia. It is a true seaside course and it's they are in the top 100 courses of the world and both are in the top 3 of Canadian courses.

[GolfSpy_KFT]

10 minutes ago, Byrnzee said:

I was able to play in June of last year. Unbelievable experience. Mammoth Dunes was wide open and a super fun course. SV was more of a challenge but an incredible design.

The halfway house there was the best I’ve ever been to. Dollar breakfast sandwiches in the morning, tacos in the afternoon, and ice cream sandwiches you’ll be dreaming about for months to come. Drinks are only $3-5 as well.

My friends and I are already talking about going back so we can play Lido and Sedge Valley. Would highly recommend for anyone considering a stay-and-play!

If you make the trip let me know! If we are around I'd be happy to take you guys out on the lake and then to a couple local establishments for beverages and food!

[skeough20]

22 minutes ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

So if we take money out of the equation and you are gifted a free round anywhere, where is that course going to be?

Given that, I would have to choose between, St. Andrews because of the history, Augusta because it the course of the Masters and I would say Cabot Cliffs in Nova Scotia. A true links course on the North Atlantic. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

Just now, skeough20 said:

Given that, I would have to choose between, St. Andrews because of the history, Augusta because it the course of the Masters and I would say Cabot Cliffs in Nova Scotia. A true links course on the North Atlantic. 

My wife is from the Cabot area but unfortunately we moved to Europe before COVID and never got a chance to play. 

Great choices!!!

[MadisonGolfbum]

For me, Augusta National. I’ve been fortunate to go to the Masters several times, and the feeling I get when I step on the grounds is like no other.


Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[SVCRATES]

Gotta be one of those untouchable courses like cypress point or augusta for me.

[Wheelieb]

If you are in Florida, specifically the Jacksonville area, volunteer for the Players Championship. Once you are done with the event you get to play the Stadium course for the price of the cart fee, which when I did it was 35 dollars. Amazing course to play once you get past the awe of standing on the first tee and getting the jitters out. Can honestly say my next bucket list course is probably Bethpage Black now.

[vandyland]

17 hours ago, CFreddie said:

Tobacco Road is a BLAST- prob the most fun I’ve ever had on a golf course.

Would agree! I loved my one round at Tobacco Road and I shot one of my lowest scores ever. The stretch of holes on the back 9 from 12-16 is BONKERS (in a good way). 

[Cfhandyman]

Choice number 2 would be a little off the beaten path and a little closer to home, but still a plane ride away. 

[Dpersad]

3 hours ago, Fletcher Martin said:

Cypress is definitely up there.  But I would also say Sawgrass, Augusta, Spanish Bay are also at the top of my list. 

As the lucky beneficiary of getting to play Spanish Bay, I would say Spyglass Hill might even be a better course. Of course, if you love links golf (I don't), Spyglass is a gem.... and the views are incredible. But the combination of seaside views and then old growth forest on spyglass is hard to beat. 

[Dpersad]

28 minutes ago, Cfhandyman said:

Choice number 2 would be a little off the beaten path and a little closer to home, but still a plane ride away. 

Where is this place?

[bens197]

5 hours ago, Jmikecpa said:

All solid choices. When I moved to Long Island I played all of those courses in about a three week stretch. Best month of golf ever. 

Long Island is a treasure…which you already know.

Even the less acclaimed courses are gems.  

[funkyjudge]

2 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

So if we take money out of the equation and you are gifted a free round anywhere, where is that course going to be?

Pine Valley (only 35-40 miles from where I live), if I can get an invite.  I was invited to play at Pine Valley about 34 years ago with a member who was also a client of mine, and when the day came it was pouring down rain .... and I mean raining torrentially. He gave me a "rain check", and when we got to play together a couple months later, it was at one of the other private clubs where he was a member. Still a nice golf course, but not Pine Valley or anything close!

[dosduce]

On 8/9/2021 at 10:41 AM, Tiftaaft said:

Just an informal survey & comments:  

Do you use ball alignment marks (either manufactured or self inflicted) when putting?  

I prefer a clean ball and while I sometimes play a triple track Cally - I place my ball on the opposite side.  Maybe old school, but I find alignment marks distracting (tried to use it for a period of time, but didn't find my putting improved measurably using alignment... I can close pull my putter across the line as easily with or without the lines ;)). 

Just curious how many find the lines on balls advantageous to your success on the greens.

 

[Cfhandyman]

48 minutes ago, Cfhandyman said:

Choice number 2 would be a little off the beaten path and a little closer to home, but still a plane ride away. 

 

20 minutes ago, Dpersad said:

Where is this place?

It is the new and lovely Cabot St. Lucia designed by Coore and Crenshaw on the northern tip of the island of St. Lucia in the Caribbean.  

[funkyjudge]

3 hours ago, Dpersad said:

It was my 40th birthday this year. My wife (with help from my parents and my in-laws) planned and sent the two of us on a trip down to Pebble Beach. In the span of 5 days I got to play Spanish Bay, Spyglass Hill, and Pebble Beach. 

 

That pretty much took care of my #1 bucket list course. 

 

Obviosuly Augusta would be the new #1. Cypress Point not far behind. But neither of those are in any way realistic. 

 

My next top choice would probably be Fairmont Chateau Whistler golf course in British Columbia Canada. I love with mountain golf, or Seaside golf, and being stuck in the central prairies of Canada leave me with very few opportunities for either. 

 

The Old course would be cool, but all things being equal, I've never been a lover of links golf. I was in Ireland and Scotland last summer. I golfed Killarney in Ireland and the scenery was incredible. On a lake with the hills in the background. 

 

I suppose my new #1 (realistic) bucket list course would have to be Kapalua. Followed closely by Wailea. Hawaiian golf? Sign me up!

 

I played both of them on my 25th Wedding Anniversary trip.  I absolutely loved Kapalua's Plantation Course!

[funkyjudge]

7 hours ago, "Mr. 72" said:

Royal County (Hands) Down.  I would make a trip out of just playing this course. The town is a blast. The hotel is excellent, and it's just a short walk across the parking lot to the club house. I will NEVER pass up a chance to go there.

ABSOLUTELY!  That one's also on my list!

[dosduce]

21 hours ago, Byrnzee said:

#1 for me right now probably has to be Old Head of Kinsale in County Cork, Ireland. We were able to visit the clubhouse and eat lunch there on a 2022 trip with my family. Unfortunately didn't get a chance to tee it up there, but I hope to in the next few years!

 

[ILMgolfnut]

9 minutes ago, Cfhandyman said:

It is the new and lovely Cabot St. Lucia

The Cabot courses all seem to be awesome. They've bought Castle Stuart, which is now Cabot Highlands; their courses in Canada, this one and a new one in Florida. And I see they have one opening next year in British Columbia which looks superb.

Edited January 26 by ILMgolfnut

[dosduce]

Went to Ireland for our honeymoon.  We stayed at Ashford Castle for a few days and many other castles and manor houses all over the country.  My wife who hates golf, got me 18 holes at Old head and sat in the club house having tea and lunch while enjoying the views.  Old head is my favoriete!

 

[ILMgolfnut]

23 hours ago, CFreddie said:

I'm going to knock off two more courses next year on my trip to Scotland (Old Course & Royal Dornoch) -

Played both, three days apart. Loved both. In between, I played Cruden Bay, which is another bucket-list course. And I only finished 11 holes at Cruden, so I need to go back and do the back nine.

BTW, if you're there at the same time I am, you're invited to join me at Fortrose & Rosemarkie, which is 45 miles from Dornoch. Very enjoyable James Braid design on a narrow peninsula (below). You will find Braid courses all over the UK; it's rumored he had no time to eat or sleep because he was designing so many courses.

Edited January 26 by ILMgolfnut

[jbern]

I'm checking off Arcadia Bluffs this year, which has been on my bucket list since the first summer I golfed.

My #1 anywhere is Royal Isabela in Isabela, Puerto Rico. We vacationed in PR in 2013 and this course was brand new. I didn't golf at the time, but the club was offering walks along the course during sunset for like $5 per couple. So my wife and I went and the views were incredible! Now that I'm fully obsessed with golf, I've wanted to get back there!

 

Edited January 26 by jbern

[taylorjonasher]

There's a few that are on my list. Any time I get to play somewhere new I get excited and giddy, but these are all courses that I think I would enjoy playing.

- Augusta National. 

- Medinah CC. 

- Winged Foot (both west / east). 

- Dromoland Castle, Ireland

- Pinehurst #2. 

[DaveP043]

The "perfect world" fantasy list would start with Augusta National, and Cyprus Point. 

I've played a fair bunch of the courses others have listed here, Kapalua, The Old Course and a good number of others in Scotland, Whistling Straits (all but the Irish), Sand Valley/Mammoth Dunes, Pinehurst/Pine Needles/Tobacco Road, a fair number in Ireland (the Republic, not Northern), and within a month I'll have been to Pebble Beach. 

In the group of "possible but unlikely" I'd include Northern Ireland, (RCD probably), the Sand Belt in Australia, the amazing New Zealand courses, and Cabot courses in Nova Scotia.

[TSauer]

Man... scrolling through this thread quickly makes me realize why I love this game so much. There are SOOO many astounding courses all over the world.

[ChuckZ]

1 hour ago, ILMgolfnut said:

The Cabot courses all seem to be awesome. They've bought Castle Stuart, which is now Cabot Highlands; their courses in Canada, this one and a new one in Florida. And I see they have one opening next year in British Columbia which looks superb.

Player Cabot Cliffs before it was open to the public.  What a treat.  Also played the Links course.  A great trek.  Nova Scotia is beautiful.  My number one on the bucket list is Augusta National but do not know anyone there and if I did can no longer walk golf courses.   Augusta is a piece of paradise.  Have been there many many times to watch the Masters .  Always wondered what it would be like on the other side of the ropes.  Have friends who have played there and they say it is definitely a piece of heaven.  Just think of all the greats who walked those sacred grounds.    

[ILMgolfnut]

Just now, ChuckZ said:

Have friends who have played there and they say it is definitely a piece of heaven.

I have a good friend who is a retired sportswriter. He and his dad, also a sportswriter, would go cover the Masters, then the day after the tournament, they would have a lottery for media members and a lucky few would get to play the course. He won the lottery one year. Said TV just does not do it justice.

[TG8]

Greywolf Golf Club in Canada! 
Played on gspro last night and its unreal