If you could play one course in the World, which one?

ShivasIrons

Given the choice of any course in the world, where would you play? Why?

For me it's the National Golf Links of America, I like the history and design.

FixdePitchmark

Enniscrone

jamesbondings

TPC Sawgrass, that 17th, granted id need to take a bucket of balls with me but it would be worth it!

sydneybound

Augusta.

gman127

Has to be Augusta, if nothing else because it would be so hard to get onto. Most other courses you could potentially play if you've got the cash!:cool:

Cornetto

Castledermot Pitch and Putt, a place of resplendent beauty, will be surprised if there's not an Irish Open held there soon.

scrubber72

augusta

jokser250

Cornetto wrote: »

Castledermot Pitch and Putt, a place of resplendent beauty, will be surprised if there's not an Irish Open held there soon.

Haha played there few years ago , massive greens and a long walk between holes haha , gave up the game 18 months ago to focus on the big game

plumber77

Augusta

jokser250

Augusta

denishurley

Old Course at St Andrews

DuckSlice

Has to be Augusta. Simply because it doesn't matter how much cash you have if you don't have an invite you ain't playing there.

Benicetomonty

Augusta as well. Then Pine Valley. Enough money would get me anywhere else I needed to go.

Mr. Larson

Sawgrass. Before I ever played golf I played PGA Tour Golf on a 286Mhz PC and played the TPC's at Sawgrass and Avenel probably over 1,000 times. The love affair with golf was born with Sawgrass. Never been there but yet somehow know every hole inside out. Augusta too but Id have to play the back sticks off both and would probably not break 100 at Augusta.

Rippeditup

Augusta.. Just for the fact it is near on impossible to play..
Outside of that Sawgrass just to see how many balls it would eat up

spacecoyote

Would really have to be Augusta alright.

Though Cape Kidnappers in New Zealand is pretty spectacular.

As is Thracian Cliffs in Bulgaria where the match play was held last year

SnowDrifts

Sawgrass can be played by anyone and it's not that expensive either! It's one of the few elite courses in the US which is pay and play.

ShaunC

My ideal course would be Pebble Beach, probably the best links course in the world outside of Ireland, but I would need about 4 buckets of balls:rolleyes:
And only $500 a round :-(

mike12

Augusta as well, could play most coursesbut itsit's the one that's out of reach. Lots of the US open courses are public courses.

ForeRight

I couldn't look past this masterpiece if I had a choice...

http://youtu.be/0GdSCVN2lyg

Wichita Lineman

Augusta for me, not just because it's hard to get to play there but just because it looks FANTASTIC!!!

mjsc1970

Crans-sur-Sierre i think its called, the one they play on the European tour in the Swiss alps i think, looks amazing on telly.

Though i think id also have to keep slapping myself in the face if i was ever to tee it up in Augusta

thewobbler

This is a genuinely pointless thread unless Augusta is removed as an answer. Regardless of whether it's even 'that' good a course, it's possibly the only course in the world that would drag a 'you really played there?' from a non-golfer. It's not bucket list, it is the list.


My bucket list includes Castle Stuart, Loch Lomond, Bandon Dunes, Sawgrass, St Andrews, some exclusive club in GA, USA, and The Predator. And for some odd reason, Doral Blue.

Mr. Larson

SnowDrifts wrote: »

Sawgrass can be played by anyone and it's not that expensive either! It's one of the few elite courses in the US which is pay and play.

That's pretty cool. If I am ever in Florida I WILL play it so.

The fact that it's more accessible though, wouldn't change the fact that it would be the one course in the world Id play if I could play only one.

Augusta is a magical spot. No question. But part of the Augusta mystique is the whole pressure cooker environment, the playing of the pitch off the tight lie under pressure, with the world watching, the back 9 on Sunday, the best players duke'ing it out on Sunday.

No matter when any of us might hope to play, be it a Sunday or a Tuesday in September, it wouldn't be the same.

So. Which course would I like to play if I could be a Pro for a day? Augusta on Sunday Masters. Which course would I like to play as me?

Sawgrass. Just a superb layout with some amazing holes and iconic tee shots.

Trampas

Royal Melbourne.

Russman

SnowDrifts wrote: »

Sawgrass can be played by anyone and it's not that expensive either! It's one of the few elite courses in the US which is pay and play.

It can be played by anyone, but its crazy expensive to do "just golf" - I called them a few months ago about arranging a game (a few of us had a free day on a holiday to Orlando and were considering driving up) - and was quoted $410 per head Mon-Fri.

Its cheaper if you actually stay in the resort, I stayed there in 2008 and had two games on each of the two courses and the price wasn't anywhere near that. Don't know the exact amount per green fee, it was part of a package, but the overall price was probably 20% higher than, say a similar 10 day trip to Myrtle Beach.

Unbelievable course though.

To the Op, has to be Augusta.

SnowDrifts

I think Sawgrass a bit cheaper during the summer months. I got a 2ball for $300 about 5/6 years ago. It was just unfortunate that I wasn't the one playing it. The list for me would be Augusta, Sawgrass and Pebble Beach. Would love to play Liberty National and Bayonne both in New Jersey overlooking Manhattan. The latter being a rare quality links course for the US.

Dermoth

ShaunC wrote: »

My ideal course would be Pebble Beach, probably the best links course in the world outside of Ireland, but I would need about 4 buckets of balls:rolleyes:
And only $500 a round :-(

Had the pleasure of playing it last year. It's a great course but incredibly weather dependent (fog). As for the number of balls, it's actually not that bad. Tough to score on (tiny greens) but lost balls not too much of an issue.

bustercherry

Cypress point

First Up

The number of Augustas here is a good illustration of the power of hype. The most overblown, over rated and seriously unpleasant place I've played (twice). Maybe it tests the top players for one week a year but for the average player it is a hilly, wide open track just off one of the least classy streets in a town and State that have plumbed new depths in tack.
It also looks NOTHING like the chocolate box image portrayed during the one week a year they allow the world see inside their precious gates.
If you are in GA, play East Lake in Atlanta. Now that's a golf course.
But for me it's Carnoustie.

ShivasIrons

So Far it's

Augusta -15, Sawgrass - 2, Royal Melbourne, Crains Sur Sierre, NLGA, Pebble Beach, Cypress Point, Enniscrone, St Andrews, Carnoustie and Castledermot Pitch and Putt one each.

Augusta is by far the favourite!!

superhooper

First Up wrote: »

The number of Augustas here is a good illustration of the power of hype. The most overblown, over rated and seriously unpleasant place I've played (twice). Maybe it tests the top players for one week a year but for the average player it is a hilly, wide open track just off one of the least classy streets in a town and State that have plumbed new depths in tack.
It also looks NOTHING like the chocolate box image portrayed during the one week a year they allow the world see inside their precious gates.
If you are in GA, play East Lake in Atlanta. Now that's a golf course.
But for me it's Carnoustie.

So you're in the Garcia camp. Would like to here more of your experiences there. What was most unpleasant? Are you saying its too hard for the average player?

FixdePitchmark

ForeRight wrote: »

I couldn't look past this masterpiece if I had a choice...

http://youtu.be/0GdSCVN2lyg

This might be odd,

And perhaps it is a case as they say the images do not do it justice. Apparently you never get a feel for the change in elevation.

I have to say - I was fairly underwhelmed by the front 9 on that flyover.

But, I do love the masters as a golf event - but I just wonder are we so blinded by the event the reality is not the same.

But - I guess that is another debate , and most golfers would still pick it as number 1.

FixdePitchmark

First Up

Obviously we are intrigued - Do you mind elaborating ?

How did you get to play it ?

And why, you were not impressed with it as a course, the green complexes seem amazing from the big event.

sawdoubters

naas golf club

First Up

The tees the members use are nothing like the ones in the Masters. Well forward. No rough and you can hit it almost anywhere and still have a shot. The greens are trickey but no harder than some other courses like Westchester, Brookline, Winged Foot, Congressional or East Lake that feature on the Tour. I'm sure they polish them for the Masters but on a normal day, nothing special.

I found the atmosphere suffocating. Privileged, elitist fat cats so up themselves it wasn't true. Most of them are lousy golfers and you get the feel they are more interested in congratulating themselves for being in this exclusive place than actually playing.
I've been lucky enough to play some top class and exclusive US course and in all other cases, once inside it was relaxed, informal and good fun. In Augusta you are walking on eggshells.

PARlance

They must struggle with the inter clubs

ForeRight

First Up wrote: »

The tees the members use are nothing like the ones in the Masters. Well forward. No rough and you can hit it almost anywhere and still have a shot. The greens are trickey but no harder than some other courses like Westchester, Brookline, Winged Foot, Congressional or East Lake that feature on the Tour. I'm sure they polish them for the Masters but on a normal day, nothing special.

I found the atmosphere suffocating. Privileged, elitist fat cats so up themselves it wasn't true. Most of them are lousy golfers and you get the feel they are more interested in congratulating themselves for being in this exclusive place than actually playing.
I've been lucky enough to play some top class and exclusive US course and in all other cases, once inside it was relaxed, informal and good fun. In Augusta you are walking on eggshells.

Are you a pro or what is it that gets you playing on all those fantastic courses?


Great insight from you but I think it's the fact that Augusta national is everything you say it is that has people topping it as the course they most want to play.

The course you can't actually play unless you are somehow in a loop which you are and I'm very envious.

Even with everything you say I still think my knees would be wobbling just standing on the first tee. The history of the place and knowing it so well due to watching the masters every year would still excite me.

First Up

ForeRight wrote: »

Are you a pro or what is it that gets you playing on all those fantastic courses?


Great insight from you but I think it's the fact that Augusta national is everything you say it is that has people topping it as the course they most want to play.

The course you can't actually play unless you are somehow in a loop which you are and I'm very envious.

Even with everything you say I still think my knees would be wobbling just standing on the first tee. The history of the place and knowing it so well due to watching the masters every year would still excite me.

No I'm no pro. I got to play those courses through business; in some cases charity events too.
Of course the history resonates at Augusta and the whole Magnolia Lane bit is special. But the reality of the golf course fell way short of the hype and personally I found East Lake (Bobby Jones' home course) more interesting and a much nicer place.

ForeRight

First Up wrote: »

No I'm no pro. I got to play those courses through business; in some cases charity events too.
Of course the history resonates at Augusta and the whole Magnolia Lane bit is special. But the reality of the golf course fell way short of the hype and personally I found East Lake (Bobby Jones' home course) more interesting and a much nicer place.

They are some very special courses you've got to play.

If you need a caddy on your next business trip drop me a pm.

FixdePitchmark

First Up wrote: »

No I'm no pro. I got to play those courses through business; in some cases charity events too.
Of course the history resonates at Augusta and the whole Magnolia Lane bit is special. But the reality of the golf course fell way short of the hype and personally I found East Lake (Bobby Jones' home course) more interesting and a much nicer place.

But that is the reality for many of the courses that have history , St. Andrews for example. It is hard to calculate how much this history adds to the overall experience.

I wouldn't give up the chance to play it. I can't see anybody giving up the chance.

It would give such an insight into one of the biggest golfing events of the year

First Up

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

But that is the reality for many of the courses that have history , St. Andrews for example. It is hard to calculate how much this history adds to the overall experience.

I wouldn't give up the chance to play it. I can't see anybody giving up the chance.

It would give such an insight into one of the biggest golfing events of the year

Agree about St Andrews but that is really a celebration of the origins of the game. If you get a chance, go on a Sunday and take the walking tour; wonderful.
When I got the invite to Augusta I was thrilled but to be honest, I didn't get that much of an insight into the Masters. The set up was hugely different, so a lot of the challenges you see at the Masters just didn't arise. I'd say we were 100 yards forward on some tees. It is kept in great shape (it gets very little play) but it wasn't dollied up - and the water was muddy brown, not dyed!
Totally understand why people say it's the one they want to play but if you do, be prepared to be underwhelmed.
And Augusta the city really is a kip!

The_Kew_Tour

Augusta all day long.

Some unreal courses around the world, but this one would be heaven. The 13th hole is one hole I would love to play someday.

FixdePitchmark

Yes spent a bit of time in that part of America and was a real eye opener, I had images of the American dream.
Jaysus - just one avenue over , of many of the towns, and it is real downtrodden.

BTW - just asking , not in your case.

But in general - how do you get to play these places.

I'll never say never.

First Up

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Yes spent a bit of time in that part of America and was a real eye opener, I had images of the American dream.
Jaysus - just one avenue over , of many of the towns, and it is real downtrodden.

BTW - just asking , not in your case.

But in general - how do you get to play these places.

I'll never say never.

Invited by members in most cases but I'm not going into detail here.

Slicemeister

Harbour Town, solely from the way it looks on TW.

stockdam

So many to choose from but it's got to be Agusta for me.

Single holes would be the Extreme 19th at Legend Golf and Safari Resort, 17th at Sawgrass, 17th and 18th at St Andrews........etc

For a laugh, Nullarbor links.

Right now any course would do to get me off my backside and playing.

The_Architect

So I'll second National Golf Links, Cypress Point & Royal Melbourne.

Probably the top three courses I would like to see that I haven't yet seen.

bailey99

Is golf a wonderful game in that bar a handful of courses around the world..........if your willing to pony up a couple of hundred quid at most, you can tee it up and play any course you want.

If your into soccer you can't play in Wembley, if your into the GAA you can't play in Croke Park, but pay your 200 euro and you can tee it up in St Andrews in the middle of July or August and walk in the footsteps of giants!

What a game!

FixdePitchmark

bailey99 wrote: »

Is golf a wonderful game in that bar a handful of courses around the world..........if your willing to pony up a couple of hundred quid at most, you can tee it up and play any course you want.

If your into soccer you can't play in Wembley, if your into the GAA you can't play in Croke Park, but pay your 200 euro and you can tee it up in St Andrews in the middle of July or August and walk in the footsteps of giants!

What a game!

I love golf,

But - the other examples you give, you get to play there on the basis of merit and ability - or if the organisations decided to allow minors, or for the purposes of developing the game let others play.

I find that far more fascinating and of merit versus, If you have 200 euro and lets face it , have 400 to 500 euro for some of the others - you get to play it, if you know the right people .

Doesn't do anything for me , versus Maradona a kid from a Favela playing in the world cup final stadium .

PARlance

Madonna.... Brilliant
She has probably sold out Wembley in fairness