1. Pine Valley
2. Shinnecock Hills
By far the most demanding driving course in the world due to the number of angled fairways and semi-blind landing areas (although Oakmont and Pine Valley are more penal if you miss the fairway), Shinnecock Hills is a pure golf course with strong holes from start to finish. It has no weak holes, and I believe that the back nine is not only the best back nine in golf, but also the best nine holes in golf. That is not to suggest that the nines are unbalanced as the front nine is also elite with a great opener and a terrific stretch from holes 5 through 9 as the course builds majestically from start to finish. I also believe Shinnecock Hills has a very underrated closing hole and I rank it among the game's best par four 18th holes (behind only Oakmont's, Merion's and Pine Valley's 18th holes). The course has undulations everywhere, with more subtle movement on the front nine, and a grander scale on the back nine. The greens are small and difficult to hold as they often have false fronts, or sides, or backs or all of the above. For the most part, the greens are like potato chips with small swales and humps that accept only well executed approach shots, and are perfectly integrated into the surrounding areas. A perfect 10 if there ever was one, holes 7, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16 and 18 are world class and holes 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 15, and 17 aren't far behind.
3. Cypress Point
What makes this course great is the exact opposite of what is pointed out about Pine Valley above as it is the greatness of the best holes (rather than the greatness of the worst holes) that makes Cypress Point stand out. The best holes at Cypress Point, are among the games very best (namely 9, 15, 16 and 17), and the stretch of holes from 13 - 17 is the best five hole stretch in golf. Oh yeah, and it is the most scenic course on the planet too.
4. Royal County Down
This is the best 15 hole course in the world! Unfortunately, the last 3 holes can't maintain the pace of the first 15 and it makes it hard to consider this to be the best course in the world when the last three holes are slightly better than mediocre, at best. However, for my money, Royal County Down has the best front nine in golf (followed closely by Crystal Downs) and on the back nine, holes 10, 13 and 15 are world-beaters too.
5. Augusta National
Outside of the extra thrill that goes with playing Augusta (which is immense), the course itself is a slightly less impressive version of Pine Valley in that it has great holes (10-13), but the weakest hole at Augusta is also great (probably 17 or 8). As such, it is only one of 7 courses on this list (along with Pine Valley, The National Golf Links of America, Shinnecock Hills, Oakmont, Merion and Sand Hills), that has no weak holes. Holes 10-13 is the best four hole stretch in golf, but outside of those four, the course lacks another true world-beater.
6. Oakmont
A truly unique course and another of the few courses in the world and as noted above, one of the 7 courses I've played that has no weak holes. Holes 2, 3, 4, 5, 12, 15 and 18 are all world-beaters, and 1 and 10 might be the two toughest par fours in the world to make par. As a result, an argument could easily be made that this is the best course in the world (as well as the most difficult). The only thing keeping this course from being rated higer, in my opinion, is the lack of truly great land. Although the land is not bad, it is not at the level of any of the courses above it on this list (or below it for that matter). However, what it lacks in compelling topography, it makes up for with the fastest and most difficult greens on the planet, as well as the most severe bunkering of any course in existence. All told, Oakmont is a punishing, but great golf course.
7. Merion (East)
Another course with no weak holes, Merion is the poetic answer to Oakmont's brute force. I have not played a more difficult course, while smiling the whole time, than Merion. One of the game's great walks and tests. Merion doesn't punch you in the face all round like Pine Valley and Oakmont do, but at the end of the day, when you add up your scores, you will almost certainly be at a number above your handicap. This course has no easy pars, in spite of a half dozen short par fours, and it steals stokes one at a time. Thus a hole played well often ends up being a bogey, and a hole played great may only yield a par. In my opinion, Merion is the hardest course for a single-digit handicapper to make pars in the world. Other courses may force more double-bogeys, but Merion will give up less pars and birdies than any other course on this list.
8. National Golf Links of America
The most fun golf course in the country is also one of the best. One of the game's best "places" for pure ambiance, The National is 18 holes of pure bliss. Although I do not believe it has any letdown holes, The National should be judged by a different standard than the others on this list as it is unconventional to its core and every hole on this course is a joy to play. The scale of the course is unmatched in the world and each hole presents itself like a puzzle offering choices off every tee. There simply is no equal in the world of golf in terms of strategy and choices. If I had only one more round to play before I died, I would want it to be here.
9. Royal Portrush (Dunluce)
Like Royal County Down, if not for a few weak holes, including a lackluster finish, Royal Portrush might be considered the best course in the world. One of the great views in golf is approaching Royal Portrush from the north and seeing the course laid out in front of you against the Irish Sea. Holes like 5 and 14 are world-beaters, and several others, including 4, 6, 8, 13 and 16 are also world-class. However, a relatively weak start at 1 and 2 lead to a weak 3rd hole and 17 and 18 are also weak when compared to the rest of the course. That being said, in between is golf at its best.
The last of the courses on this list with no weak holes. Sand Hills could be the best course in the world, but it is not as varied as Pine Valley, nor as scenic as Cypress Point. Also, the greens are fantastic, but are a slight notch below the truly elite greens I've played such as Pine Valley, Augusta, Oakmont, Crystal Downs, Prairie Dunes or Pinehurst. The course also lacks a certain level of memorability in the early stretches of the back 9, as holes 10-12 & 15 are a bit of a blur, albeit a very good blur. However, the course really picks up steam at the par 3 13th (notwithstanding the less memorable 15th) before ending with one of golf's great finishes at 16, 17 and 18. If not for a realitively tame stretch from 9 - 12, this course would be higher on my list.
11. St. Andrews (Old)
Most love it or think it is a goat ranch. I love it. I would have it even higher, but there can be no explaining away the weak loop (8-10) at the far end of the course. The remaining holes are thrilling to play, and on a course that many criticize, it has arguably the best par 3 (11), best par 4 (17) and best par 5 (14) in the world.
12. Crystal Downs
13. Fishers Island
14. Pebble Beach
Fishers Island is as great as it is hard to get to. After a 45 minute ferry ride from New London, CT, and then a cross-island drive, one of golf's great jewels awaits. Fishers Island is a Seth Raynor design, and has all of the typical template holes that are found on other Raynor courses, but at Fishers Island, Raynor is more subdued. For example, the Redan hole is only a shadow of the typical Redan holes Raynor designed, and but for the scorecard calling it "Redan," I would have thought it possible that it wasn't even supposed be be a true Redan template hole. Double Plateau, Road and Short, are also all at Fishers Island, and all are more subdued than other Raynor holes by the same name. The same can not be said for the 5th hole, Biarittz, as it is one of the more dramatic Biarittz' I am aware of, and is frankly, one of the more dramatic holes in the world-- 225 yards, uphill, tight against the Atlantic coastline. Both a brute and a beauty. Although the grass containing and in front of the "Biarittz" trench is at fairway length, it is a sublime design. The 4th hole, "Punchbowl" is also dramatic as it is part Alp, part Punchbowl in its design and the grass surrounding the green is a full five feet high. Notwithstanding the great replicas noted above, as well as the fabulous 11th, Eden, there a remarkable original holes as well, including the stretch from 12-14. Fishers Island is a joy to play and a true masterpiece. If not for the fact that some of the holes are fairly mediocre, most notably 15, 17 and to a lesser extent, 1, Fishers Island would be likely be in the Top 5 on this list.
14. Pebble Beach
The ultimate enigma. Ten great holes (4-10, 14, 17 and 18), 4 average holes (2, 3, 13 and 16) and 4 weak holes (1, 11, 12 and 15). There are few places in the world better than the 7th, 8th or 18th tees, but there are also few places on otherwise great courses as pedestrian as the 1st, 2nd, 12th or 15th tees.
15. Pacific Dunes
It's hard to say that Pacific Dunes has any "weak" holes, but some of the holes, including 8, 15 and 18 are not to the same standard as the rest of the course. However, this course has more world-beaters than any course built in the last 50 years (2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11 and 13). In addition, the 13th hole is one of the best Par 4s built in the past 75 years and the course has a great flow to it with a mix of long and short Par 4s and great Par 3s. The Par 5s are not to the level of the other holes, but are excellent in their own right.
16. Prairie Dunes
The best collection of short par 5s in the world (7 and 17), although there are only two, they are spectacular. Also, among the great green sites in the world (along with Pine Valley, Pinehurst and Oakmont), and best greens in the world (along with Pine Valley, Augusta National, Oakmont and Crystal Downs). Not to mention, perhaps the best topography of any inland course in the world. Prairie Dunes is a joy to play, in spite of the course being extremely difficult due to the wind, shoulder high "gunsch" (which is what they call the rough here and is so gnarly that you don't usually even bother to look for your ball in it) and tumbling lightning-fast greens.
17. San Francisco
A true classic and a great golf course, it lacks many bells and whistles (although 7 and 12 are spectacular), but what it lacks in variety, it makes up for with great golf hole after great golf hole. Of the courses on this list, I'm not sure there is one I'd rather play day after day than San Francisco.
18. Pinehurst (No. 2)
Arguably the best green sites in the world, is also a solid test from tee to green, if not a touch boring. Recent renovations may bring some life into the tee shots which elevate this course 100 years after it was built as the tee shots are now more visually stimulating, if not a bit mundane in spite of the changes. On all but one hole (3rd), there is really no significant choice as to which route to take off the tee. The first, seventh and thirteenth holes have the option of hitting less than driver, but are not particularly strategic in that regard, just shorter Par 4s. The Par 5s are the weak point in the course, although the 16th hole is a beauty.
19. Carnoustie (Championship)
20. Turnberry (Ailsa)
See Carnoustie and Pebble Beach reviews above. Like Pebble Beach, Turnberry has great holes (4 - 10, 15, 16, 17), average holes (11, 12, 13, 18) and weak holes (1-3, 14). And as a result, as referenced in the Carnoustie review above, it has higher highs than Carnoustie (9 & 10), but lower lows (1-3). Still, one of the world's great courses.
Los Angeles Country Club gets the slight nod over the other two great George Thomas designs in Los Angeles, Riviera and Bel-Air, because it is a combination of those two courses and has less weak holes than either. Bel-Air has the best topography, Riviera the most championship and LACC is right in the middle, with better than topography than Riviera and more championship holes than Bel-Air. The recent renovations of LACC make it more visually spectacular than the other two and its natural areas, a la Pine Valley/Pinehurst provides some unique hazards and spectacular visuals. In time (because the renovations were just completed), I believe the second hole will be considered one of the great par 4s in the country and the collection of par threes is varied and excellent (drop shot 4th, long 7th, uphill 9th and tiny 16th). Both the 1st and 18th run parallel to one another and occupy relatively flat land, but the remaining 16 holes twist and turn over rolling hills which help make this the best of the Thomas LA triplets.
Riviera probably has the most diverse green shapes and sizes in the world, outside of Pine Valley. They are not heavily contoured, but they vary from the very large 14th and 15th to the tiny 10th and 16th, with everything in between. Some are elevated (2nd, 6th and 9th) whereas others allow for run-up shots (5th, 7th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 15th). Some allow for both run-up shots and aerial approaches, depending on your angle and the pin position (1st, 4th, 8th, 10th) and the 18th sits in a natural amphitheater. As for the holes themselves, Thomas did a great job utilizing (creating?) the hill in which the clubhouse sits to add variety to an otherwise predominately flat landscape (1st tee, 2nd green, 3rd tee, 9th green, 10th tee, 18th green). A great championship course with terrific par 4s and threes and long par 5th (except for the 1st which is a reachable par 5), Riviera provides a tough challenge, especially considering the Kikuya rough which makes delicate chip shots almost impossible. The 10th hole is arguably the best short par 4 in the world as it provides a multitude of options and allows for scores anywhere from an eagle to a quad with relative regularity. I would put only the 8th at Pine Valley and 5th at Crystal Downs in its class. Like the other two Los Angeles courses Thomas built, the collection of par 3s at Riviera are exceptional. The long 4th, unique 6th, gull-wing 14th and tiny 16th provide incredible visuals and great variety. If the terrain was more rolling, this course would have the potential to be one the top 5 courses in the world.
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21. Garden City
Garden City Golf Club is one of the few courses I have played where I was initially disappointed by the course, only to reverse myself and now see the true merits of the course. I account for this rare miss with the fact that the course looks visually spectacular from overhead (Google Earth) but because most of the hazards are low profile, I was underwhelmed the first time I played it. However, on my next visit, I was blown away by the course as I began to appreciate the subtleties of the course and came to the realization that although low profile hazards lack the visual appeal of bolder counters, they play the same. With this epiphany, the beauty of the course presented itself to me. Sandy soil with rugged rough provide for a links-like experience, and the fairways and greens play firm and fast. There is not an easy or indifferent hole on the course (outside of the 12th hole, which is a fairly straightforward par three. The par three 2nd hole is one of my favorite Redan-type holes (the green does not fall away so it is not a true Redan) as the extremely deep front left bunker set in front of the diagonal green is especially intimidating that early in the round. Other great holes include the par 5 4th hole, the par 4 10th, 11th and 15th as well as the great Eden par three 18th. The stretch of par 4s from the 8th through 16 (all of which are par 4s except for the aforementioned 12th) is one of the best stretches of golf in the world. I would rank this course even higher except the greens, while excellent, are not as varied or challenging as most of the courses above.
22. Los Angeles (North)
23. Oakland Hills (South)
Oakland Hills is a great test and is solidly above average from tee to green on every hole. The greens are among the most difficult in the world (along with Oakmont, Augusta National, Crystal Downs and Prairie Dunes), and it also has a world-beater or two (11 and perhaps 16 and/or 17). The course lacks some of the charm of the courses listed above it, but it is by no means boring. Heavily bunkered and long, it is a championship course indeed, but the green complexes make it one of the world's best.
24. Riviera
25. Olympic (Lake)
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Outside of Medinah No. 3, no course consistently rated in the top 30 in the country has more detractors than Olympic. However, unlike Medinah No. 3, I am not one of them. Olympic does suffer from monotony as most of the holes look similar off the tee (due in large part by every hole being lined by trees and there only being a single fairway bunker on the entire course (on the 6th hole). As such, every drive sets up similarly in that you are faced with a tree-lined fairway without much definition or differentiation. That being said, the exceptions are quite notable in that the 18th and 3rd holes are two of the best in the game. Moreover, other great holes like the 2nd and 16th create a memorable experience. Small greens offer their own challenge and there is not an easy par on the course. Although I like Olympic and feel that it is one of the best in the U.S., I can easily see how it could have detractors. However, monotonous or not, no one can dispute the challenge that Olympic presents and the greatness of at least and handful of its holes.
26. Friar's Head
Friar's Head faces the same challenges as Cypress Point and Spyglass Hill in that it has some holes in dunes and some not. However, Coore & Crenshaw learned the lesson of both the good of Cypress Point, and the bad of Spyglass Hill, in making sure that the golfer travels between the dunes holes and the non-dunes holes throughout the round, rather than facing them all at once and then never again as is the case with Spyglass Hill. At Friar's Head, the golfer starts in the dunes at the first, then tees off from the dunes at the second before playing the second shot on the second through the drive on the 7th, before re-entering the dunes on the approach shot to the 7th green and stays in the dunes at the great par three 8th and tumbling 9th and world-class 10th before leaving the dunes again at the 11th. After a short respite from the 11th through the 13th, the golfer returns to the dunes again at the 14th and remains there through the conclusion of the round. While the non-dunes holes cannot match the level of the dunes holes, they are not weak by any means. Holes like the 8th, 9th, 10th, 14th and 15th are world-class, and the 16th, 17th and 18th make for a great finish over tumbling dunesland. This is one of only a handful of course built since the 1950s that is among the world's greatest and is an absolute joy to play.
27. Shoreacres
Shoreacres is an absolute gem. Great variety of Par 4s and Par 3s, with albeit somewhat weaker Par 5s (except for the 14th which is one of golf's best). A true stroll in the park, the unique use of the ravine make this course unique as does Seth Raynor's us of template holes (with presumably only National Golf Links, Chicago GC, Fisher's Island, Camargo and Yeaman's Hall as true Raynor equals). The Redan is a bit weak compared to The National and Shinnecock, but the Biarritz hole is the best I've played, and the Short hole is second only to the Short hole at The National. Wonderful Par 4s still play second fiddle to one of golf's best collection of Par 3s.
28. Royal Troon
Royal Troon gets a bad rap for being relatively mundane, especially when compared to some other of the world's best links, but holes 7 through 9 have great variety and the 8th hole is possibly the best short Par 3 in the world. Deep pot bunkers, wind and length make this a tough challenge, but holes like 7, 8, 9, 11, 17 and 18 make it a joy to play as well, in spite of most people not recognizing the value of those holes.
29. The Camargo Club
The Camargo Club is a Seth Raynor gem northeast of Cincinatti, Ohio. Most golfers have never heard of it, and even fewer have played it; which is a shame, given that it is such a great example of Seth Raynor's work. It is a course that some feel has arguably the best set of par threes in the world. While I would stop short of that assessment (Pine Valley, Cypress Point and Merion are all clearly better), the par threes are fantastic. Like most Raynor courses, there is one each of an Eden, Redan, Biarittz and Short hole, but at Camargo, the scale of those holes is unmatached. The course also has among the largest green complexes in American golf, surpassed only by National Golf Links of America, to my knowledge, and my favorite 6th hole in golf.
30. Valley Club of Montecito
Finding a way to play this course is nearly impossible, as is finding the course even if you are able to play it. Your reward for such tenacity is playing one the best and most subtle Alistair McKenzie courses in existence. Great Par 3s abound and the uphill 15th is one of the best parkland Par 5s in existence. Still, what keeps this course from being even higher on this list is the lack of variety among the Par 4s, and a lack of a great short par 4 that is found on many of McKenzie's other courses.
31. Peachtree
32. Sebonack
33. Pasatiempo
33. Pasatiempo
34. Kingsbarns
35. Maidstone
37. Whistling Straits (Straits)
36. Ballyneal
37. Whistling Straits (Straits)
38. East Lake
39. The Golf Club at Black Rock
40. Bel Air
41. Bandon Dunes
42. Medinah (No. 3)
43. Spyglass Hill
44. Arcadia Bluffs
45. Atlantic
46. Fenway
47. Southern Highlands
48. Kapalua (Plantation)
49. Cabo Del Sol
50. Gozzer Ranch
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