Golf Magazine Top 100 Lists Are Out...

And we'll have our quibbles, though I did enjoy Joe Passov's write up and praise for a certain project.

The Top 100 United States

The Top 100 World

Comments

[JPB]

You wouldn't be talking about L.A.C.C. North would you Geoff?:)

[Taylor Anderson]

A couple of observations...

There were 5 new entrants in the US list. 3 from Fazio, 1 from Doak and 1 from MacKenzie. It was good to see Gil Hanse's Boston Golf Club rocket up the ratings. Los Angeles moved up the list quite a bit. Did it undergo a renovation?

On the world, DLIII's Diamante is new to the list at #58 in the world. Pretty impressive. Just 2 spots behind the also new and much heralded (deservedly...) Castle Stuart.

Regardless of the silliness of the ratings, or how much clout you put behind them, it's interesting to review none the less.

[Troglodyte]

Geoff,

Congrats on Passov's plaudits for LACC. I've played a couple times with Joe and was impressed with his knowledge and thorough attention to a course's nuances and overall design. So that was no faint praise.

[BrianS]

Hmm, I see 2 of Trump's Courses on the list. No doubt bought and paid for by the Donald himself - no chance they are actually good courses now is there ?

[Frasier Crane]

Good work Brian! Make the statment and then ask yourself if it's true! Thanks for all your input and for making the Internet great!

[Carl Nelson]

Brian, I've played Trump Bedminster a few times. It's not bad (better than Whistling Straits, IMO) but it doesn't make me say, "gee, I hope I can get back here soon."

[Pete the Luddite]

Every year I promise myself not to comment on these lists, but I can't help myself.

NOTHING in Alabama from the RTJ Trail or elsewhere in the state?!?

Only 2 in the Top 100 in ALL of NC- Pinehurst 2 and an old Fazio home course?!? Really?....Really?.....

Why not call it the Top 100 List, sponsored by Fazio, Trump, etc.? SHEESH!!!!

Remember folks, like wine, the best course is the one you like. Forget about the lists. Unless you're a shallow oenophile, in which case you'll love the Top 100 golf list. :)

[jjshaka]

One of saddest days of my life was when the world discovered Pasatiempo- goodbye glorious, cheap golf from the 80's

[Carl Nelson]

My favorites are in the 41-50 group: Ballyneal, Maidstone, Somerset Hills. I'd play any of those over the 10 that I've played in the 1-40 groups.

I'd bring Milwaukee and Pasatiempo up from the last decile too.

[Chuck]

Fishers Island moved up a bit (in the World list); is that because they allowed Course Raters to play? Or because they forbid Course Raters from playing?

[Troglodyte]

Of course, rating any course against another is pretty much an exercise in folly. In what way is one better than another? It's harder? That doesn't make it better. It's prettier? that doesn't make it better. I know, I know, greater minds than mine have wrestled with this conundrum and decided a rating system can be fair and balanced. I don't buy it.

Look... conditioning, weather, tee selection, season, and one's personal perception all play a part in preferences. I say enjoy them. Do I agree with these ratings? Not on your life. Do I really care? No.

I know my favorites and I know why they're probably better than any committee of self-appointed raters have ranked them. And that's good enough for me.

[BrianS]

@ Carl, thanks for the info. Never played either of the two, but on this site, typically you get nothing but disdain, hence my original sarcastic commentary.

I was sad to see one of the few that I have played, the Cascades at The Homestead, slip of the list - its a wonderful course.

[Jim]

Delighted to see the venerable #2 in the top 10.

[Tim]

YOU can read about the Trump Courses in the California-Nevada golf magazines because they lick his azz and buy advertisements. Just Pathetic rags.

[Longy]

Royal Adelaide ! Please. Three good holes does not make a great course.

[F. X. Flinn]

The USA 60s are interesting to me because I've played Cherry Hills, Newport and Pasatiempo. The Santa Cruz 18 stands out for the golf, Newport for its timelessness and clubhouse, and CH is one of those big brawny testers like Oak Hill (or used to be) with a special place in golf history. I guess you throw it in a mix and they come up more or less tied -- but if I had to pick one to play everyday for the rest of my life it would be Pasatiempo.

[Jordan]

I counted less than 20 "public" courses on the Top 100 U.S. List. And that includes Pebble and Shadow Creek, which I'll never spring for. While I read these rankings whenever they come out, they grow less and less interesting the older I get. Because for some reason, I can't seem to get invited to the other 80 courses.

[Longy]

Royal Adelaide ! Please. Three good holes does not make a great course.

[Press Agent]

I think BrianS makes a good point. You can't say that politics, BS, and money play a role with some of the courses, but not with others. If it's felt that a place on the list can be bought or wiggled into, then you have to look at every spot on the list the same way. You can't say "oh, my favorites made it on the list because they deserve to on merit, but those other ones made it on because someone made pay-offs".

[Anarchist]

Jordan

I have a solution to your problem. Get an account at golfclubatlas aka golfclubaccess and in no time you will have those invitations to the 80 golf courses you want to play but can't at the moment!

[hondo]

Great buzz on Boston Golf and Old Sandwich, good to see them recognized. Played Merion from back tees including couple of "open" setups, bear of a course worthy of ranking. Good to see older, relatively short courses like Maidstone, Somerset Hills and Kittansett still right in the mix.