[jimhoward]

Not so many responses to this post so I thought I would add one.

For me it would be Augusta for sure. It might say Pine valley except its so exclusive and private I don't know enough about it.

For my top 10 and only considering courses that I have actually played it would be

Cypress Point - needs no explanation
TPC Sawgrass - love #17
Pebble Beach - love #7
San Francisco Golf Club - exclusive makes you feel special
Emirates Golf Club - incredible views of Dubai
Spanish Bay - love the over-the-water par 3 and the bag pipe guy
Streamsong Black - great holes with forced carry and false fronts
Spyglass Hill - iconic
Royal Chang Mai Golf Club - exotic location, cool women caddies that barely speak english
Nashville Golf and Athletic Club - its my home course a great track and we have lots of country music stars, every round is a brush with fame.

Im sure everybody's list is different

[Dahabs]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

So , after watching the Masters this afternoon I have a question. If you could blink your eyes and play any golf course in the world, what would you choose? It’s very hard for me to choose anything but Augusta National, although I’d also love to play Pebble Beach or the Old Course at St. Andrew’s. I’ve had the good fortune to play many great tracks, including The County Club in Boookline, Winged Foot, Shinnecock, Beth Page Black, The Ocean course on Kiawah Island (three times), and many rounds at the TPC at River Highlands. Of those, the Ocean Course was my favorite. But dam, how could any golfer possibly not choose Augusta National, unless they are lucky enough to have already played it?

Augusta National is #1 on my list. Pebble Beach would follow soon after. I've played St Andrews, Carnoustie, Turnberry and Troon. Would love to go back to Scotland and play St Andrews, Royal Dornoch ...

[Rwirish]

Turtle Mound in The Villages.

PGA greens.

[thevillages2013]

Originally Posted by Rwirish

Turtle Mound in The Villages.

PGA greens.

I see your Turtle Mound and raise you an El Santiago! Cups are bigger!

[elle123]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

So , after watching the Masters this afternoon I have a question. If you could blink your eyes and play any golf course in the world, what would you choose? It’s very hard for me to choose anything but Augusta National, although I’d also love to play Pebble Beach or the Old Course at St. Andrew’s. I’ve had the good fortune to play many great tracks, including The County Club in Boookline, Winged Foot, Shinnecock, Beth Page Black, The Ocean course on Kiawah Island (three times), and many rounds at the TPC at River Highlands. Of those, the Ocean Course was my favorite. But dam, how could any golfer possibly not choose Augusta National, unless they are lucky enough to have already played it?

Pebble Beach for the cliffs and ocean view.

[Mrs. Heck]

Sure, Augusta National, from the super-friendly tees.

[dougawhite]

I had the good fortune to play a round at Winged Foot in Westchester County. wasn't a very good golfer back then, and only so so now, so it was not a great day of golf for scoring, but great for the experience. I remember taking a big divot on the fairway and the soil and grass were as delicate and fine as you'd see on any green.

[airstreamingypsy]

My golfer daughter says Sandy Lane, Barbados.

[SHIBUMI]

Yes, Augusta has to be #1 on bucket list. The purity of it all. Played Scottish courses and not impressed with these former sheep herding fields. The surroundings are better than the courses. Pebble beach has about 6 good holes, rest are mediocre at best.

Ocean Course at Kiawah, scenery better than the golf course.

Scenery does not make a great golf course, pure golf does. If you want scenery
go the mountains, if you want golf go to Augusta.

Amen.

Originally Posted by tophcfa

So , after watching the Masters this afternoon I have a question. If you could blink your eyes and play any golf course in the world, what would you choose? It’s very hard for me to choose anything but Augusta National, although I’d also love to play Pebble Beach or the Old Course at St. Andrew’s. I’ve had the good fortune to play many great tracks, including The County Club in Boookline, Winged Foot, Shinnecock, Beth Page Black, The Ocean course on Kiawah Island (three times), and many rounds at the TPC at River Highlands. Of those, the Ocean Course was my favorite. But dam, how could any golfer possibly not choose Augusta National, unless they are lucky enough to have already played it?

[justjim]

I have been to Augusta National twice. Last time was in 2014 when we watched Bubba win. First time was just my son and me on a Friday the last year Arnold Palmer played the Masters. It’s not an easy walk around Augusta National. It is by far the most beautiful course I ever saw or walked as a spectator. My son and I played Bay Hill shortly after the Arnold Palmer invitational a few years ago. It was a challenge at my age and handicap then. As an octogenarian , I’m just pleased to play a bit of golf period. Fore.

[mikemalloy]

I can't see how anyone can disparage St. Andrew's and then put Lahinch in their top 10. It has a completely blind par 3 over a mound and two fairways that actually cross each other. It's hard for me to rationally rank Augusta because of it's tradition and the immaculate condition of the course. For scenic beauty I've never played a course more picturesque than Kuari Cliffs in New Zealand. Also amazing is it's sister course Cape Kidnappers. I say that and I've played Pebble many times.
One of my favorites is Arcadia Bluffs in northern Michigan. It's not far from Crystal Downs which I've never visited.
Seems to me that golf courses are like food and beautiful women. People have favorites. Sorry I never got to play Pine Valley.

[Keithtama]

No reply at all would have been my choice for you.

[sowilts]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

So , after watching the Masters this afternoon I have a question. If you could blink your eyes and play any golf course in the world, what would you choose? It’s very hard for me to choose anything but Augusta National, although I’d also love to play Pebble Beach or the Old Course at St. Andrew’s. I’ve had the good fortune to play many great tracks, including The County Club in Boookline, Winged Foot, Shinnecock, Beth Page Black, The Ocean course on Kiawah Island (three times), and many rounds at the TPC at River Highlands. Of those, the Ocean Course was my favorite. But dam, how could any golfer possibly not choose Augusta National, unless they are lucky enough to have already played it?

All the courses at St Andrews. Played all of them. Was suggested to play Carnoustie. Very difficult can see why it is so difficult. All of the courses I played while stationed at RAF Chicksands were fantastic.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by SHIBUMI

Played Scottish courses and not impressed with these former sheep herding fields..

Originally Posted by mikemalloy

I can't see how anyone can disparage St. Andrew's and then put Lahinch in their top 10.

Both Golf Digest & GOLF put Lahinch in their Top 40 in the world. GD at 27 & GOLF at 37. Alister MacKenzie designed both Lahinch & Augusta National (which I can no longer find in GD's 75 Greatest). []Access Denied

Not that either of them are the infallible. They both put Portmarnock in their Top 100 and if they were giving out $100 bills on the 1st Tee, I wouldn't play it again.

I seldom agree with Mr. Shibumi, but I think his characterization of St. Andrews is accurate.

It sort of like Bob Hope/George Burns syndrome. If you're around long enough, folks will think you're good at whatever you do. Burns wasn't much of anything, until he was in his 90's.

[Old Traveller]

Augusta greens are not that fast and penal outside of the Master's tournament. Country Club of North Carolina is as pretty as Augusta. I agree there are only 6 great holes at Pebble, the rest are meh and it's a 6 hour round of golf. But, the 8th hole at Pebble is my favorite of all. Whistling Straights is much better overall. Love Medina #3 in Chicago. Hazeltine National has the highest tech and best grass, greens, collars and fairways, they are perfect. I'd vote Ballybunion as the best to play in the world.