Golf Course Gurus

Now that’s an opening hole!

The stunning Tara Iti on New Zealand’s east coast. Certainly one of the best international courses built this century.

@jayblasi Played there on Saturday and loved it!

Very special day at Waverley GC. 16 of us from N America were welcomed w/ warmth and kindness by an amazing membership. Memories for life.

Waverley in New Zealand. Had to play through about 80 sheep on the 1st hole.

@jliebertgolf I don’t see it being top 10. It would have to be a longer list for me.

@GolfCourseGurus You ever see the Links course at Cabot Cape Breton jumping in there?

Top 10 courses built in the past 40 years outside the U.S. 1. Cape Wickham 2. Cabot Saint Lucia (Point Hardy) 3. Tara Iti 4. Cabot Cliffs 5. Cape Kidnappers 6. Playa Grande 7. Punta Espada 8. Tralee 9. Kingsbarns 10. Cabot Highlands (Castle Stuart)

@ferguson_turds @snoqskier 14 is a hole most people love or hate. I personally love 16, but I probably like uphill holes more than most people. Really like 17. I think 18 is a weak finish.

10 best holes at Bandon; giving two holes per course: Bandon Dunes: 16 & 4 Pacific Dunes: 4 & 13 Bandon Trails: 11 & 5 Old Mac: 3 & 16 Sheep Ranch: 1 & 11 10 Worst holes: Bandon Dunes: 8 & 11 Pacific Dunes: 15 & 5 Bandon Trails: 18 & 6 Old Mac: 12 & 9 Sheep Ranch: 4 & 18

@kmbaert I need to get to Asia myself. Quite a few courses I want to play there. The language barrier is a bit intimidating.

I need to play: Hirono NSW Morfontaine Kawana Diamante Ellerston Royal Hague Utrecht de Pan South Cape Naruo Royal Adelaide Lanhai Santapazienza

@alexcasebeer @snoqskier 17 is great. I just love that triple tier green at 5 and how often it yields 1 and 3 putts. That tee box also makes me officially feel “away from it all” which is always a nice place to get to mentally haha

@GolfCourseGurus @snoqskier I’d replace 5 and 17 at Trails. Absolutely love that hole. Fun list to think through!

@GolfBurner There were some changes I liked for the better and a couple that I didn’t. Whether it is the pre or post renovation version, it is great.

@GolfCourseGurus Yes - live in the Midwest. Yes - I saw Inverness post renovation. I didn’t see it before, so I have no point of comparison, but I really liked it.

Since everyone has been asking me (ok, fine, literally nobody), these are my ten favorite U.S. Courses…as of this minute 1. Sand Hills 2. Chicago Golf 3. Crystal Downs 4. Shoreacres 5. Old Elm 6. Hollywood 7. Pacific Dunes 8. Inverness 9. Moraine 10. White Bear Yacht Club

@GolfLover67 Pacific, Bandon Dunes, Trails, Old Mac, and Sheep. I like them all so much though that I’d take two rounds at each if I had 10 to play. For match play give me Pacifc and Sheep. For stroke, the two Bandons. For the best finishing stretch, the last six at Old Mac.

Love this post. It’s one of the few places where I remember all the holes you are talking about. I don’t find too much fault with your selections even if might pick a few options slightly differently but all those make sense. What’s your 1-5 of the courses and how would you split ten rounds?

@19holesgolf I actually like Tralee quite a bit more than St Patrick’s. The greens and surrounds at St Patrick’s just got silly after a while; especially on a firm course in a windy location. Tralee is a magical spot with holes that I find to be much more enjoyable and memorable.

@GolfCourseGurus How is Tralee on this list over St Patrick’s

@wayner99 I agree that 16 is prettier than it plays, but I love the do or die nature of 17. It’s reminiscent of 16 at Cypress where you can bail out left if you want, but the heroic all-or-nothing tee shot it offers is incredibly memorable. Everyone talks about what they did on that hole.

@GolfCourseGurus Cliffs is more scenic and has some great holes, like 2 and 15, but 16&17 are extremely scenic but aren't great holes. 17 is a hole where you drive the green or are in the drop zone. 12 is also just too hard of a hole with nowhere to miss.

@snoqskier I was struggling with holes to dislike at Trails haha. I don’t love having a kicker slope into a center fairway bunker and the green isn’t as good as others there. I agree, 10 could take its place pretty easily.

@GolfCourseGurus I don’t get the dislike for Trails #6. Can see the reasoning for the rest of your choices. I would replace 6 at Trails with 10

@Daib212 Going to see both Te Arai courses for the first time next week. I like their chances of breaking onto this list.

@GolfCourseGurus St Patrick’s, Barnbougle Dunes and Lost Farm, Te Arai N&S, Emirates Dubai (for the way it changed Middle East golf). That’ll do for now. 🙂⛳️

@Realgsansone I need to get out there. We didn't include it on our recent trip to the Emerald Isle.

@GolfCourseGurus Missing Hogs Head

@wayner99 I feel the opposite ha ha. I personally thought Cliffs buried Links in terms of design, interesting terrain, memorable holes, and overall fun. Love to see different courses appeal to different people though 👍

@GolfCourseGurus Cabot Links is better than Cabot Cliffs. And Point Hardy.

@Zayd_LFC It just didn't do it for me. I've actually been surprised how highly it has been ranked so far. I need another loop there.

@GolfCourseGurus St Patrick’s Rossapenna has to be in this list

@kmbaert It doesn't get enough love. It is SO good from start to finish and the property is absolutely stunning.

Played all of those since 2020. CW is number 1.