The (2015) Rankings Are Out! The (2015) Rankings Are Out!
So much to line your birdcage with all at once! What to do? Save the ink cartridges.
You longtime readers know how I feel about the course rankings that are too high on experiential factors and depressingly low on timeless design appreciation. But to recap: Golf Digest's still doesn't carry the weight it should because the list includes Resistance to Scoring as a category, which might as well be called resistance to fun, resistance to character and resistance to soul.
Imagine a ranking of great films rewarding only those that run over three hours, or saying great restaurants get points for difficulty of making a reservation.
The big news this year: Augusta National overtook Pine Valley for the top spot this year. Neither reflects the brilliant vision of their founders who are held up as saints at both clubs. Yet neither is worthy of being known as the best course in America after letting Tom Fazio inject his special brand of mediocrity and his shameful lack of understanding of the foundation and soul of Bobby Jones and George Crump's creations. Architecturally, The National Golf Links of America is on another level right now. And it won't surprise you to learn they have not had a Fazio on the property to do any damage.
Then there is Golf Magazine, which debuted its World Top 100 a day after Digest this year and, while generally more in line with my architectural tastes, adds two courses that no one but royal family members can or would be ignorant enough to access. These are (literally) private courses that almost no one will ever see. One in particular is an embarrassment to the idea of semi-refined golf architecture, with a ranking inclusion so clearly out of place (attested privately by horrified Golf Magazine panelists) that it devalues the entire exercise by its very inclusion.
I won't bore you with the ongoing and pathetic Golf Magazine love affair with Nine Bridges, but instead, let you revel in the joy that is new World No. 76, Ayodhya Links...
Thursday, September 10, 2015 at 08:26 PM
Reader Comments (52)
Personally this is my favourite list; http://www.golfcoursearchitecture.net/Article/Architects-Choice-Top-100-Golf-Courses-in-the-World/2823/Default.aspx#.VfJfGxGqqko
I'm on a mission to play the top 50 as voted by the architects (with the exception of Augusta....)
Or is that already a criteria?
It is a self perpetuating list. Worthy courses aren't eligible because Digest raters aren't playing them.
There are five or six courses in Philly alone that are good enough (and materially better than many on the list)
but are not getting enough raters to be eligible because the GD panel is too busy trying to get on the two world top 10 courses in the area.
It appears to be another David Smith, Kevin McGrath, Masa Nakijima, or Fergal O'Leary nomination.
Even with that, it probably bests the likes of Alotian, Canyata, Pikewood, Rich Harvest Farms and Butler National for mention.
GD's criteria and access insurance taint this years list as always, but it does seem less oppressive than past years.
Silly.
"Neither reflects the brilliant vision of their founders....."
The body slam delivered to Fazio may be well deserved for his work at ANGC. However, lets not lose sight of the fact that he was approached to address a perceived need and not the reverse. Given their reputation, I can't imagine he was given carte blanche to make changes without there being restrictions involved. Only the fly on the wall knows for sure. Architects are not required to tell a potential client they'll decline work if not allowed to fulfill the vision of the founder. Laudable if they did but a business hardly imposes constraints on itself prior to bidding or they just don't bid. Thankfully the classics are getting more respect today with restoration being heard more often than redo. Not like the early days of the Donald Ross society when a considerable amount of selling was involved if the BOD wasn't of a preservation mindset. Evidently there wasn't much selling of the idea at ANGC. Probably not even required at PV given the Fazio family connection.
As for the Resistance to Scoring aspect, it seems that's exactly what Crump had in mind, whereas Colt was less penal: Reference first two paragraphs under photo of PV #18
http://golfclubatlas.com/in-my-opinion/thomas-macwood-george-arthur-crump-portrait-of-a-legend/
Crump's definition of fun can be debated, Geoff. I agree with you on character and soul.
I find golf design fascinating , but will defer to those of you that are fortunate enough to have played some of the beautiful designs on those lists. I have played a few good designs by Pete Dye , Robert Trent Jones JR , Arthur Hills , Jack Nicklaus , and Tom Weiskopf. None were private and all were fairly tough . Pete Dye courses seem to be the best blend of difficulty and interesting golf. As I have become a better player , I have gained more appreciation of course design . I have played a few courses designed by lesser known architects that looked as good off the tee and were more fun to play than some those by famous architects. I am eagerly awaiting my invitations to play Augusta and Pine Valley , but my dream is to play some of the links courses in Ireland and the UK. Give me an Eddie Hackett course on the west coast of Ireland and a nice smooth Irish whiskey afterwards .
And to a certain great golfer, the winner of more majors ever, showing up at your ''work'' a few times for a 7 figure number, with greens designed by some staff member, really takes the good work you may have done in the past, and pees on it. And s that lays a deuce on ''your'' course and its costs to play.
That list can be used for cleanup work, once that poop has been deposited.
Better money spent: 100 greatest courses, or great deck designs. one may serve a purpose, the other may as well be a lap dance with no touching.
Regarding Dornoch, I'd prefer to play there (or Ballyneal or Somerset Hills) over Pine Valley, Winged Foot, and Merion so I don't think it's such a stretch.
In case it matters: I didn't check to see where the courses I've mentioned fall on the list - I don't have the patience to wait for the bloated sites to load.
Are they actually in Philly or New Jersey? Seems like Philly people like to take credit for courses actually in Jersey. Just sayin'.
The ratings of every magazine are fatally flawed. How does anyone accepting free private jets to play courses on the ballot NOT be influenced? I know this happens. It's called influence peddling. Every panel and panelist has an agenda.
So you still cant say what is number one other than PV?
The problem with Elleston being on the list is there can be no debate as to its merits because so few play it and we have to take the word of the very few good judges who have been there. I have played it and it's good and probably deserving of a place in the 100 but it makes Augusta look like a public course.
The problem with Elleston being on the list is there can be no debate as to its merits because so few play it and we have to take the word of the very few good judges who have been there. I have played it and it's good and probably deserving of a place in the 100 but it makes Augusta look like a public course.
And Fazio is a member at Pine Valley, has been most of his life as I recall. But I was not aware he was given permission to use a shovel there, will need to read up on the "updating with Mr. crump in mind" which is purely his own fantasy. The only thing the place needs is some tree trimming.
Tom Fazio seems like a very nice man and I enjoy several of his designs but I don't think he makes any of these courses better after he tinkers with them.
I feel better after a good rant.
Someday the USGA will ask him to update a Dye course and I can't wait to hear what Pete has to say about that.