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Dream Courses that you CAN ACTUALLY PLAY!!!

And if we do this - make sure you post the NORMAL rate. Not specials or specific time rates. That way if people want to play it they know upfront what the cost will be.
 
Should we do it in this thread? We would need a name change...

In North Central Alabama, I don't think Horse Creek can be beat for the price. Just outside of Jasper, for 40 bucks you can play a challenging, beautiful course with interesting designs and epic elevation changes.
 
shewythemuss said:
I know I should say St Andrew because you can play it anytime and you just have to get lucky in the ballot,but I've always fancied having a crack at Carnoustie to see if it is as hard as they say it is,and you can pay and play,other than that I would have to say Macrahanish dunes looks great and is again available to the public.
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I've always fancied Carnoustie as well, can't put my finger on why though, just do.

I've got an old golf magazine issue where one of the letters to the editor is a guy complaining about the top course list and the top public list; I think there's a good point in the "who cares because i'll never be close to playing them", and I think that can easily be solved by more lists (top 100 courses for under $100, or under $250, things like that); because I think in the end what people such as myself are looking for in those lists is a guide to gather information on where would be a great place to play golf in areas that I am unfamiliar with. Telling me that a place like Bethpage (which, as i understand, is nearly impossible to get on), or places like Whistling Straits and Pebble Peach (nearly a grand combined to play) are great public courses, helps me very litte. We know they're great, they host major championships.

I do like that they do lists that include the augusta's of the world, for the same reasons why anyone would make a best of list, people want to see and debate what the best is, even if these lists just boil down to millionaire ego measuring contests
 
I've "attempted" to play Bethpage Black a couple times last year but the weather wasn't havin it. Actually experienced one of the craziest storms ever 6 holes into the round. I WILL finish 18 this year...
 
Jacob Robertson said:
Should we do it in this thread? We would need a name change...

In North Central Alabama, I don't think Horse Creek can be beat for the price. Just outside of Jasper, for 40 bucks you can play a challenging, beautiful course with interesting designs and epic elevation changes.
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I think a new thread would be worthy. Only problem would be comparing courses nationally, so I think for now, I'll just list all the states. I'll help to update the first post as new posts come in (along with whatever Mods have the ability to do so).

EDIT: Before I do so, do you think the thread would be better suited here? Or in the courses review section?
 
I'd have to say the old course at St. Andrews would be at the top of my list. Although, I did live about two miles away from Timberstone at the Pine Mountain Resort, which is supposedly one of the top ten courses in Michigan (or the U.P. don't remember which), never played there though.
 
GamecockGolfer said:
I think a new thread would be worthy. Only problem would be comparing courses nationally, so I think for now, I'll just list all the states. I'll help to update the first post as new posts come in (along with whatever Mods have the ability to do so).

EDIT: Before I do so, do you think the thread would be better suited here? Or in the courses review section?
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I think probably in the courses review? not sure though....
 
Me and France are looking to venture to Bandon, OR in February for a 4night stay and play all their courses. Its fairly priced with the airfare and the stay, plus all 4 courses are in the top 55 Public courses in the US.
 
Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill, St. Andrews and Celtic Manor....oh and the Belfry
 
I would have to say pebble as well and in the next year I am going to play the old course at St. Andrews (freakin excited):)
 
BeanieAZ said:
More of a location than just a single course, but I'd love to get over to Oregon and play all the Bandon courses!! I heard a 5th is in the works...
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I am playing Old MacDonald tomorrow. I played Pacific and Bandon in November after the prices fell but since I am in Oregon now and will not be in November I chose to go ahead and play now.

There is a ranking of the top 100 by price.

Here is that Golf Digest list: http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-courses/golf-courses/2009-08/100greatestestpublic_byprice

I have played Old Works, Quarry Oaks, Black Mesa, and The Harvester which are near the top of the list. All are really good courses, I have played maybe 10 or 12 more on the list as well. All are good with out regard to price.
 
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Bandon
 
ghsace said:
That's what I'm talking about - to me - that makes it a BETTER COURSE than Pine Valley or Cypress Point. I mean who cares how good your course is if only a select 400 people a year get to play it?
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Not sure I agree with that sentiment. I've played 19 of the top 20 and don't happen to be a member of any of them. Courses are great because of the quality of design, the great history that has occured on them and the quality of the shotmaking, not one's bank account. I think life if such that if karma is on your side the unobtainable becomes obtainable when you least expect it.
 
I have a bucket list of courses that I would like to play before I meet my ultimate demise. There are others but my three realistic ones are...

1. Old Course St. Andrew's
2. Pebble Beach - I would love to see the Monterey Peninsula from the 18th tee
3. Harbour Town Golf Links - Just played it in July... loved every minute of it and I just soaked in everything on the 18th. Played alone...no forecaddie or anything.

Alex
 
First on my list would be the Old Course at St. Andrews. My wife and I started looking into it as an anniversary gift to each other. The are a few different travel agency that setup your air-fair hotels, etc, as well as booking your tee times at several different courses. They are a bit pricey but not as bad as I thought when you consider how much golf you get to play and the fact the St. Andrews round is booked so you aren't waiting in the ballot system.

As for Bethpage I have heard it is simply a first come first served situation. A friend keeps saying we need to go and play it, it is about 2 hours from me so we thought we would drive up real early and camp out to see if we could play. One thing I will say is my swing coach said a legit scratch golfer he is friends with played the black course just before the open and shot 97 and felt good about it. The score was so high because any shot not in the fairway couldn't be found and he tracked all the penalties.

Also a mini-review since I am from Connecticut below is a copy and post from the top 100 public course and I have added the prices. All are with carts.

1. Lake of Isles (North), North Stonington

This is one of the casino courses owned and operated by Foxwoods. I haven't played it although it is on my list, I do know it is $155 per person but after 3:00pm they no longer take tee times and it become first come first served and there is a big price break.

2. Wintonbury Hills, Bloomfield

Best course in CT IMHO, great value at $89 per person. I typically play with specials from golfnow.com or ezlinks.com but even at full price it is worth the money. A Pete Dye designed course it is a par 70 with a very links style front 9 and a much more New England traditional feel to the back. The greens are fast and subtle, so bring your 'A' putting game if you want to score well. It is a fairly grip it and rip course meaning there aren't many dog legs or blind shots. But like I said the greens are tough so being on in reg is no guarantee of a par.

3. Oxford Greens, Oxford

This would be one of the best courses in the state if not thee best if it weren't for the greens. Most are somewhat domed and the are all always rock hard. Short irons and wedge a typically repelled by the greens there. Great for short game practice but if you hit two good shots you should be reward with birdie opportunities not hoping to get up and down for par. Last time I play it was $79 per person but it was early last season.

4. Fox Hopyard, East Haddam

At $120 per person I think there are other courses I would rather play so I haven't play it yet. Others I know who have played it said it isn't worth the money.

5. Shennecossett, Groton

Probably the best on this list for price versus quality. A links style course owned by the town of Groton. Several holes boarder the harbor and the view from the 16th green and 17th are classic New England. (if my wife still has the picture of the view I will post it) a par 71 course that is challenging but fair. And when it is as low as $40 per person you can't go wrong. The normal price here is $63 per person but if you give them your E-mail they run specials ever week, just print the coupon in the E-mail and bring at your tee time.

As final note, there is a private course in Greenwich, CT called Stanwich and from what I have heard this course might just be the nicest golf course in the world. It has been rumored that the PGA waneted to have a tournament there but the membership of the course squashed the idea. I have never heard what the annual membership dues are but the initiation fee is $100,000 so I imagine it isn't cheap this is one of those courses you just can't afford to play or at least I can't lol. Unfortunately a friend had an in there through a coworker. I guess if you work at the course you can get few tee time now and then. The coworkers spouse worked there and he was going to hook my friend and I up but unfortunately she quit before my friend could make the arrangements.
 
NoLine said:
Not sure I agree with that sentiment. I've played 19 of the top 20 and don't happen to be a member of any of them. Courses are great because of the quality of design, the great history that has occured on them and the quality of the shotmaking, not one's bank account. I think life if such that if karma is on your side the unobtainable becomes obtainable when you least expect it.
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I hope you are right NoLine hahaha. Only time will tell :D
 
Surprisingly, out of the top 15, I've played 2 of NY's best courses and been on the grounds of NH #1
 
1. St Andrews old course - prices depend on time of year
2. Augusta - no idea if it is even possible to play
3. Lahinch €120 per round
and 4. Doonbeg €100 per round
 
Leatherstocking - $125 for a round
Saratoga National - $120 a round

Mt. Washington @ Bretton Woods - No idea, but god is it beautiful.

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Saratoga National:

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Leatherstocking

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