I'd have to say the best course I've ever played is Whirlwind Golf Club in Chandler, AZ. They have 2 courses there (I've played them both) and they are always in perfect condition. Every time I'm in Phoenix I make a point to play there.

Course conditions are the #1 thing I base my ratings on, with layout being #2 and scenery #3. I don't really care about service or any of that stuff. The #1 layout/scenery course that I've played is definitely the Kapalua Plantation Course in Maui. I was disappointed in the condition of the course, but the layout and views were awesome.

The Legends in Myrtle Beach. Heathlands Course. Great layout, Great Conditions, Great Clubhouse, Great weather the day I played - Probably the most fun I have ever had playing golf.

I played the Pete Dye golf club in Clarksburg, WV in high school. Unbelievable layout, the greens were lightning quick and every putt broke both ways. Who knew you could build a golf course around old mine shafts. Thats one course I've always wanted to go back and play, moreso than any other.

Before you die...you must play this course....Four Seasons On Nevis...Opened in 1991, this Robert Trent Jones golf course design winds it's way up Nevis Peak, a 3232 foot volcanic slope. The undulating Bermuda grass greens tend to slope away toward the Caribbean Sea. The course has a good irrigation system, fast greens and 72 bunkers. As you play, the course winds through tropical foliage and then opens out again toward the sea.

Almost every hole on the Nevis Four Seasons' Resort golf course has a backdrop of the island centerpiece, Nevis Peak, a 3,200 foot dormant volcano. Unforgettable is the sea view from a crest in the ninth fairway. Equally memorable are the sightings of the shy monkeys who camp in the tropical trees that line the fairways. The golf course is a par 71 with a total yardage of 6,766 yards. In 1996 Golfer Magazine rated it in the top 100 resort golf courses in the world. Non-guests can also play the golf course....I had the good fortune to play it in the early 90's....and it is burned into my brain as the best. Better than Hawaii...

Our group plays the Sandhills region of NC and found this gem a few years ago. It's a Mike Stantz design and just a super layout. If you're ever in the area it's a must play. Strantz has designs in Myrtle Beach and the Sanford NC area also. His Tobacco Road course in Sanford was listed as one of the 10 toughest in the country....Keep it in the short grass!!

Pebble Beach. End of story.

following that, I agree with the idea that conditions are by far the most important thing, specifically the greens. The nicer the greens, the more likely I'll go back. There's a muni track here in Austin called Bluebonnet Hill. Nothing special about the track - flat, short, easy. But they put an emphasis on their greens. They always have nice grass, and for probabaly 80% of the year, they're as good as any mid-range private course in central texas. So they get a LOT of my business.

The Barton Creek course in Spicewood, TX was awesome (forget the local name).

World Tour of Golf Myrtle Beach, amazing course hopefully getting back this year around Thanksgiving.

I just played Arcadia Bluffs in Nortern Michigan. Wow, what a course! The views are unbelievable, and the condition is top notch. Tough track, but you forget how bad you are playing cause it is so beautiful. Lake Michigan as a back drop makes you feel like you are playing on an ocean course. If you are ever in Northern Michigan don't pass on this gem of a course.

Porters Neck Country Club, Wilmington, NC. I'm lucky enough to work there. Rough is always rough, not like most courses in the area, it actually hurts to miss the short grass. 2mil renovation job was just done 2+ years ago to the greens and bunkers, so for most of the year the greens roll about 11 on the stimpmeter, with subtle and not so subtle breaks abound. Fazio design that really makes you manage your way around the course, regardless of handicapp.

And yeah, I'm biased, since I work there, but hey, come on down to Wilmington, fork over some cash, and tell me I'm wrong. There's not a better course in the Wilmington area, and I'd stack Porters Neck up against a lot of the Myrtle Beach courses that reside a mere 1.5 hours away.

Besides, I play for free.

kevina001 wrote:

I'd have to say the best course I've ever played is Whirlwind Golf Club in Chandler, AZ. They have 2 courses there (I've played them both) and they are always in perfect condition. Every time I'm in Phoenix I make a point to play there.

I must agree with Kevin's choice. Whirlwind looks spectacular, although I have yet to actually get to play it. Two other courses in this area would be Gold Canyon (Dinosaur course) and Poston Butte in Florence, AZ. Excellent courses with beautiful scenery and reasonably priced.

The most beautiful was Cruden Bay. Best to play though.....Old Course at St. Andrews, Carnoustie and Merion East.

I would have to say Pinehurst #2. The history of the course and it's fantastic greens were enough to eat my lunch that day.

If I could find someone to get me in in Augusta National......that would be a better dream/nightmare...lol

Revision to my list above. Played Bethpage Black yesterday. Didn't play awful and the course STILL kicked the CRAP outa' me. BEAUTIFUL and FAIR course but freaking HARD!!!!!!

I'm spending the weekend in Philadelphia, Aug 22. Any oob golfers want to play? or advise where to play? thanks in advance..

a lot of the best courses in Phila. are private (Merion, Aronimink, Pine Valley, Rolling Green, Frankford-Torresdale, Phila.CC, etc).
Best public are Broad Run (formerly Tattersall), Glen Mills, Hartefeld National, Wyncote (links style and MY favorite).
btw,
CNNMoney thought youÆd never ask. Check out their Top 10 for cities with the most golf courses:
1. Chicago ù 347
2. New York û 255
3. Los Angeles ù 250
4. Philadelphia ù 238
5. Detroit û 229
6. Phoenix ù 221
7. Dallas ù 208
8. Boston ù 202
9. Fort Worth ù 198
10. Atlanta û 188