Last month, Golf Digest published its annual list of the 100 GREATEST COURSES! Being a fan of comparative lists (Top 10 on Golf Channel, ESPN's 50 Greatest Athletes of All Time) this issue used to get me really excited. But soon you realize that the vast majority of the course compared and rated you (meaning the average non-millionaire golfer) will never get to play. In fact, the top 6--Pine Valley, Augusta National, Cypress Point (especially if your Black), Shinnecock Hills, Oakmont and Marion--are all ultra-exclusive private clubs. Pebble Beach is the first "public" course on the list--and it will set you back $435 a loop to play there.
So really, the 100 GREATEST COURSES! is nothing more than an opportunity for really rich guys in one club to have bragging rights over really rich guys at another club. Meanwhile, the rest of us are left with "phony knowledge" (aka Bullshit) to share when discussing the list. "Oh yeah, Pine Valley deserves it just based on the greater variation in potential lies and hazards than Augusta" is one we can all use.
Enough complaining, let's talk about where I've actually played.
My highest ranked course is #17--Whistling Straits (Straits). Never broke 90--never shot over 100--just like every other Pete Dye course I've played. Windy and rainy the first time (98), windy and not rainy the second time (94). The second time I actually met Mr.Dye overlooking the 17th green (that's a story for another blog). The par 3's really make this course. All four of them on are the lakeshore and are exposed to the elements with crazy-shaped greens and impossible pin positions in some wind conditions. Wonderful use of the contours of the native land--and of course the most penal bunkers (when you remember they are bunkers, Dustin Johnson) in the country.
Next is #44--TPC Sawgrass (Players Stadium). 94 from the Blended Tees after one round and one range session in five months. Dry on 17 as well (followed by a three putt). We played in February when the rough was dormant--so it didn't play nearly as tough as it does during the Players. The front 9 is pretty non-descript--although the par 3 3rd is a great little hole with the bulkhead green and the pond. 16, 17 and 18 are worth the price of admission by themselves. Great clubhouse too.
Next is #63--Blackwolf Run (River). Never broke 90--never over 100 in three rounds (plus one on the "Championship" hybrid course). The par 3 4th is my biggest nemesis hole in Wisconsin. I've aimed into the driving range left the last two times and still managed to push it into the pond right. The elevated tees on 5 and 8 provide the best inland views in Wisconsin and the narrow chute you shoot through from the tips on 8 looks like its only wide enough for about three balls to fit through. Like all Dye courses though, things always look more intimidating from the box then they actually are when you get out to the landing area.
The only other course in the 100 that I've played is #97--Kapalua (Plantation). It's all about the view, Brah. Three different off-shore islands, huge fairways, spectacular drops, long drives and killer headwinds. Tough greens to putt too. Driving range is weak.
I've also attended tournaments at several of the 100 as well.
#2--Augusta National. It is true when they say TV doesn't do the place justice. If Pine Valley is beating out this course, it must be absolutely mind-blowing. BTW, my ashes will spread in the bunkers behind 13 Green. I've got people willing to risk arrest for that to happen.
#31--Medinah. Big course with great water carries and plenty of risk/reward in the layout. Unfortunately, the US collapse on Sunday at the Ryder Cup has made me want to banish everything about the course from my memory.
#62 Olympia Fields. Not really that impressed when we went to the US Open there. Although having 50-thousand people packing the place every day made it difficult to really appreciate the layout.
For the first time this year, Golf Digest also ranked its Second 100 Greatest as well.
Whistling Straits Irish has made that list at #161. Never broke 90 in five rounds there--never shot over 100. The blind tee shot on teh par three named "Dubsdred" (with its 12-foot tall flagstick) is one of my favorite shots in all of Wisconsin. The only difference from the Straits course is no view of the lake.
You may notice that Wisconsin's other beauty--Erin Hills--is not in the rankings. GD has a minimum number of reviews required for each course in the 100-greatest--and Erin hasn't met that minimum yet. It is however included in the 100 GREATEST PUBLIC COURSES! This is the list that I always look at more closely--since I actually have a chance to play these courses.
So far I have played:
#2--Whistling Straits (Straits)
#9--TPC Sawgrass (Players Stadium)
#14--Blackwolf Run (River)
#19--Kapalua (Plantation)
#39--Whistling Straits (Irish)
#62--Blackwolf Run (Meadow Valleys) Shot a 90 there from the tips shortly after it opened.
#77--The Bull--oh for 2 in breaking 100 there. That course just eats my lunch--which is strange since its a Nicklaus design and he always sets it up for guys who hit high fades.
So in the overall 100 GREATEST! I've played four--and five of the top 200. In the 100 Public I've played seven. I'll be adding Erin Hill to that number later this year. Tomorrow: The state by state best.
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