Top 10 Golf Courses For 2008 Ranked By Golf Digest
Hey Rock Heads!
I thought with 2008 coming to a close I’d take a look back on Golf Digest’s top 10 ranked courses for the 2008 season. I know I’m always on the lookout for sweet courses when I’m travelin’ around.
1) Pine Valley G.C. (Pine Valley, NJ)
2) Shinnecock Hills G.C. (Southampton, NY)
3) Augusta National G.C. (Augusta, GA)
4) Cypress Point Club (Pebble Beach, CA)
5) Oakmont C.C. (Oakmont, PA)
6) Pebble Beach G. Links (Pebble Beach, CA)
7) Merion G.C. East (Ardmore, PA)
8) Winged Foot, G.C. West (Mamaroneck, NY)
9) Seminole G.C. (Juno Beach, FL)
10) Crystal Downs C.C. (Frankfort, MI)
Sure is a pretty list to look at. And if you’re anything like this Caveman, you’ve swung a club on exactly ZERO of these courses. So let’s get a real list going. Let me and your fellow Rock Heads know what local courses you love to play on. Or the courses you may not like so much. That way if we’re ever in the area we know where to look (or stay away from!) And to get it started, here’s a few local shout outs from my neck of the woods:
Sleepy Hole (Suffolk, VA) – Only way to describe this course is SEXY! Beautiful layout.
Honey Bee (Virginia Beach, VA) – Great looking course at a great looking price! Watch out for the water though. I’ve sent a ball or two to sleep with the fishes.
Deer Run (Newport News, VA) – The name is for real! I was within a few feet from a deer or two throughout this 18 hole journey. Almost too friendly for me. Oh yeah, and the course and crew are great as well!
Hard to believe there are two courses that are higher-ranked than Pebble Beach and Augusta. Never played them (they don’t make enough golf balls in a year for me to make it through those courses) but they sure look great every time I see a picture or watch the Masters. Also interesting that there aren’t many courses in the “flyover” states between the coasts.
If I could only golf in one state for the rest of my life, I’d pick Michigan. TONS of courses and good weather (some days & for a few months a year, anyway) makes it hard to beat in my book. I’ve never played it, but would love to see Arcadia Bluffs in person: http://arcadiabluffs.com/
You’ll have to wait until ‘the big thaw’ to play this one.
http://www.dacotahridge.com/
Although I am now in New Mexico, here’s a gem for you located in Colorado. It’s called The Golf Club at Bear Dance – Their website is http://www.beardancegolf.com Staying in the fiarway is paramount. And the scenery is breathtaking. Oh, before I forget ……. yes there are bear in the neighborhood.
Gosh what a wonderful list. I agree with Jeff about difficulty. I do also want to agree with the Caveman about Sleepy Hole being a good track. It has been too long since I played there and hopefully they have upgraded but what potential. Honey Bee is a fine course also, especially good for a first day play on a golf outing or vacation.
In my area on the Eastern Shore: The Rookery, Milton DE (nice folks, nice track) Uplands Denton MD tough when the wind is blowing but a great layout. Bay Club Berlin, MD two tracks one all zoysia. The West Course is TOUGH. When they are able to spend some money and get them back to championship form they will be the best buy in the area. It is the BEST buy in golf membership on the entire Shore. Finally, Greenhill Country Club just west of Salisbury was in fantastic shape when I played there last. Long the premiere curse on Delmarva, it is worth every penny to play there.
If you are ever in the north part of New Mexico in the Farmington area, there is a great public track called Pinon Hills, that has alwasy beeen in the top 3 or 4 in the state and the scnery is great. Pick the tees you like and have a great time. Since it is public you will have to do a search for info
Shinnecock Hills comes a close second to Royal County Down
Arcadia Bluffs is an awesome track. Right on Lake Michigan. If you have a chance you must play it. The green fees are usually $180.00 during the week but seniors can go for $90.00 on Tuesday and it is well worth it. It is almost a two hour drive from Gaylord and Treetops but it is a must play in Northern Michigan.
I’m from N. Michigan, and I was pleased to see Crystal Downs C.C. rated in top 10. Although this is an exclusive C.C., they open it up for 1 day in beginning of Oct. for county residents to play it for $10.00- 18 w/ cart. It’s a great opportunity for us duffers to enjoy a great course, and the proceeds go toward a scholorship program for local H.S. Northern Mich. is home to some great courses, i.e., crystal lake golf club, one of golf digests, top 100. For us high hdcp.’ers, why pay $100-$150 to get frustrated on these ridiculously tough courses when you can play other good courses around for a third of the price.