My Fifteen Most Enjoyable Courses to Play (for the fun of it)

For me, this is a fun list – not to be taken too seriously.  So, it’s not up for debate or for comparison with the Top 100 lists.  It is simply a mentioning of some courses that offer up a good day on the course – for me at least, and maybe for you as well.

1. Old Course – St. Andrews

The most unique, and sometimes bizarre; the birthplace of golf, Old Tom Morris, it wreaks of history; imaginative holes, countless playing options, a public space, an amazing town in the background, and it’s hard to actually lose a golf ball!

2. North Berwick – Scotland

Some of the most unique holes in the world, entirely quirky, blind shots, beautiful, James Braid, use of stone walls as features, Redan, Pit, Perfection, and Gate; amazing short holes.

3. Prestwick – Scotland

A different kind of quirky, blind holes, history of Opens, Old Tom Morris, holes that were once played in opposite direction, the Cardinal bunker, Himalayas and Sahara, and Railway, used to be only 12 holes.

4. Pacific Dunes - Oregon

As good as Scotland without having to cross the ocean.  Tom Doak’s work here is outstanding, as is the dramatic scenery.  I enjoy the sequence of holes here as much as anywhere in the world… he let the site dictate rather than any arbitrary rules.

5. Ballyneal - Colorado

Doak’s work here again, this time links in Eastern Colorado.  Every hole is so unique.  A course I could never tire of playing – even in 40 mph winds – there’s room!

6. Gatlinburg CC - Tennessee

Yep, I said it – and it’s on the road to Dollywood!  Actually designed by Wm. Langford. I’ve been playing this public course since I was a kid.  There are back-to-back, par fives – twice!  And a par three with a tee elevated 200’ above the green. On the edge of the Smoky Mtns.  Gimicky? …perhaps so.  Fun? Absolutely!

7. Ottawa Park GC - Ohio

Another muni, this one is in Toledo.  Players line up to play here every day.  It’s short and it’s fun; what public golf courses should aspire to be.

8. Quail Creek CC - Illinois

My home course back in Illinois.  I learned to play here, worked on the maintenance crew, and then came back to renovate it in 2010.  The PGA Tour made a stop here from ’67-’74.  Those who play it always come back.  I consider myself lucky to be a member – a special place.

9. Old Elm - Illinois

Ultra private and flies under the radar as a result.  Unique circumstance of being designed by H.S. Colt, but actually built by Donald Ross.  I’ve been working here on restoring the original design intent since 2010.  It may be short by some standards, but it is impeccably maintained, greens like glass and it’s a joy to play.

10. Shoreacres - Illinois

One of my all-time favorites, a Seth Raynor gem, amazing creek feature appears throughout the routing, a Redan, A Biarritz, a Road Hole, Short, Eden – all the favorite template holes.  The clubhouse sits on a high bluff along Lake Michigan.  Wish I were a member! (But I would never get any work done!)

11. Oitavos Dunes – Portugal

I played a big part in this one, a links style course in Portugal, #68 in the world, an environmental wonder, views of the Atlantic on all 18 holes, back to back par threes and par fives, out and back layout, certainly the best in Iberia.  Most Americans will miss it because it is located in Continental Europe.  A special opportunity for any architect, this was mine.

12. Newport National – Rhode Island

One of the best public courses in New England, I co-designed it with Arthur.  Former site of a landscape nursery, views of the ocean, links characteristics, always firm and fast…and slightly brown!  Back to back par threes made the routing work!  Had a mature character the day it opened.

13. CC of Columbus - Georgia

Donald Ross went down to Georgia! … and he built this little gem.  It’s short and it’s tight.  The greens are some of the smallest I’ve ever seen.  I renovated it almost ten years ago.  Home of the Annual Southeast Am.  Another club where I would love to be a member and play every day.

14. Ballybunion – Ireland.

Only played it once and look forward to the return.  Played in the rain and 40 mph winds – could hardly stand upright… and it was memorable.  Holes that cross one another; same at nearby Lahinch.  My first introduction to links golf and it has always stuck with me in my work.

15. Any one of a thousand more!  I will likely be adding to the list later this year with trips planned to National Golf Links and Maidstone on Long Island, and a few others.  You never know what fun might come next!

There you have it… a blend of old and new, private and public, domestic and international, parkland and links.  Are there some good ones missing?  You bet there are…. lots of them too!  But these courses come to my mind in particular because I had so much fun playing them and because I so enjoyed the experience and brand of the golf that was created.  I suspect others have their own favorites, so drop a note with some of your favorite courses to play and why.