Let The Bickering Begin: Digest's World 100 Now Posted

The full list is up at GolfDigest.com. I was pleased to see LACC North and Pinehurst #2 move up after getting mistreated by the panel in last year's American list.

Quibbles? I had few despite reading some outrage over the list. I can't speak for the selections in China, South Africa and South Korea, but it was a pleasant surprise to see the panel reward a surprisingly high number of shorter, funkier classics (Swinley Forest, Victoria, Cruden Bay, North Berwick) that are generally penalized by the Resistance to Scoring mentality (and criteria).

Comments

[FG-17]

The list will most definitely spur conversation and bickering. That is what is so great about golf course architecture and design. Separate philosophies to me. The two that jump out at me are Baltusrol Lower and Oakland Hills. Baltusrol Lower, to me, is simply lacking in character. The upper course has much more feel and fun to it. I have played the lower a few times and come away not being able to route my way through the course upon conclusion of the round. Oakland hills is just totally derive of creativity. The majority of fairways at the landing areas are now 24 yards wide and deep penal bunkers run the sides of the fairways. So many tee shots look the same, nowhere to play but 290 straight down the middle, over the top green complexes where they like to keep the speeds up to simply force the player to have 304 three putts per round. Sad.

[Blue Canyon]

Both Kunming Spring City courses make the list and 3 courses in Korea.
Pack the bags...

[DTF]

Trump International in at #56!

[metro18]

There are one or two in Asia that don;t get a mention. One notable is Red Mountain in Phuket. If anyone is ever in Thailand - do not miss! It is a gem.

[Mark B]

Nice to see the editors finally figured out things like Barnbougle isn't next door to Royal Melbourne and Seminole doesn't play like LACC. :^p

[Talking Head]

DTF,

Trump Scotland is actually quite good. Noteworthy critics such as Geoff, Ran Morrissett, Brad Klein, Joe Passov and Ron Whitten all unanimously like it. IMO, certainly better than Valderrama, Loch Lomond, Royal Troon and Castle Stuart.

[DTF]

Talking Head, I'm sure it is and I'm just fine with it! But there's a good sized faction of folks who cannot reconcile themselves with the fact that Trump has done good....just throwing that out there for their benefit, didn't want them to miss it ;)

[Mike]

If they get rid of the ryegrass and put in some proper links turf (which I understand they are in the process of doing) then maybe it'll deserve its spot.

[Abu Dhabi Golfer]

@metro18

Red Mountain is a barely walkable roller coaster, resembling far to many other Asian courses in this respect.

It's a pretty course, but not much design merit IMO.

The Canyon course at Blue Canyon 10 kms to the north of Red Mountain is a better golf course.

Best Asian course i've played is Kawana. Next would be The Taiheiyo Club's Gotemba course.

[KG]

The china courses listed are not great. Beautiful settings but not great golf. I agree with Abu Dhabi, Red Mountain is beautiful but not top 100. I think Hau Hin has the best course I have played in Thailand, I think its called Black Mountain. There is an earlier article on the site with more discussion from many. Have not played in Korea so I cannot comment there but they got the china courses wrong and the Bali course is not Top 100 either.

[Abu Dhabi Golfer]

A bit surprised that Durban Country Club (on TV last week) didn't make the list.

With respect to RSA, Fancourt (Links) is an odd choice for the list. But, nice to see Leopard Creek included. One of the more fun and definitely most unique courses in the world.

[El Gringo]

Trump Aberdeen is a great course, but that site could have yielded a home run. I wonder if Trump will contine to tweek the design as the Links Trust have done with the Castle Course; another course exposed to strong winds whose aerial design proved to be OTT for the punter. Trump International has a significant advantage over the Castle Course because of its sandy soil. However, the Trump design not only used an odd choice of grass ostensibly to meet an artificial deadline, but the design is heavily biased toward aerial golf; a choice which to some degree negates the value of sandy soil.

The well known critics give the grass a pass thinking the course will improve when proper links grass is in place. The media eagerly rushed to a gala opening to see a course which wasn't ready for play; all in the name of good copy. I think better copy would be for critics to actually critique what is in the ground when they see it. It will be interesting to see if the course can tread water long enough for the 2-3 year period it needs to bring conditions up to some sort of standard normally associated with a top 100 design.

[Chico]

ADG - I agree with you. Durban Cc is in the top 10 courses I have played. I think Trump Aberdeen is a very good course but word has it that they are having difficulty stabilising the dunes and growing grass on the fairways is proving challenging.

[Brad Ford]

I am always depressed by those lists. While anyone can get on virtually all of the courses overseas (I have played most of the courses in Ireland), most of us cannot set foot on most of the American courses.

IMHO: Waterville is significantly better than Portmarnock

[Carl Peterson]

@BradFord, the lists depress me too.

When I think about the most enjoyable rounds that I have had most of them have been on courses that are entirely forgettable. The lists make me worry that those who 'chase' the top courses may be missing out on some of the fun that can be had elsewhere. (That said, if someone really does get his enjoyment by checking-off courses on a list then that's fine too -- I don't want to sound like 'Old Tom Melvin' suggesting that there is only one true way to enjoy the game).

[metro18]

@Abu Dhabi Golfer. SE Asian courses are not meant to be walked. It's too bloody hot and they are not designed that way. Horses for courses - no?
Come down this way and play Ria Bintan. I think you may like it.

[KG]

I've played Ria Bintan and I must say I enjoyed it, perhaps the best Gary Player course I played, and I've played several. Also played the other courses on the Island, the Nicklaus course was ok (Lagoon). I thought the Ian Baker Finch course was a little over the top. But otherwise, some good golf in Bintan. Good surfing as well! The ferry ride to get there is another matter....

[metro18]

KG. Have you played any in Singapore?

[Brad Ford]

@carl Peterson

I get your point. But, I like to play new and interesting courses when I travel. Plus, I find the idea of closed courses repulsive.