Top 10 Golf Courses of 2017

They say any day on the golf course is better than a day at work. While that is certainly true, there are a few golf courses I played this year that are heads and shoulders above the rest. Courses that I will remember for a very long time. Check out the list and let me know what courses you played this year in the comments!

10. Warren Golf Course

http://www.coorecrenshawquest.com/2017/10/warren-golf-review.html

Often ranked one of the best courses in Indiana, I can't see what can top it. The back 9 is spectacular and the front 9 gives you the best of parkland golf. The staff is super friendly and I can't wait to play this again after they host the US Senior Open in 2019.

9. Aviara

http://www.re-gripped.com/2017/02/aviara-golf-club-review.html

Aviara is one of the prettiest courses I have ever played. In amazing shape, the shape of the course leads to amazing shots and everything here is just fantastic. I was looking forward to playing the 18th hole and it didn't disappoint. It is a real capper to the round and I highly recommend playing here if you are in the San Diego area.

8. La Quinta Mountain

http://www.re-gripped.com/2017/02/la-quinta-mountain-review.html

This course has it all. An amazing routing, crazy mountain views and really fun greens. I am such a fan of this course you might call me a fanatic. Every time I go to Palm Springs I ask, can we play the Mountain? I hope the answer every time is "yes"!

7. En-Joie

http://www.re-gripped.com/2017/07/en-joie-golf-review.html

Perhaps my favorite parkland course I have ever played. I am originally from Upstate NY and while I don't see myself relocating back there from California, if I did, I would join this course in a heartbeat and try to play it as much as possible. In a state with world-renowned golf courses, En-Joie holds its own with the best of em and is a must play if you are in the Southern Tier.

6. Old York CC

http://www.re-gripped.com/2017/07/old-york-country-club-review.html

There are plenty of top tier golf courses in New Jersey but OYCC flies under the radar and shouldn't. The course is super interesting to play and engages all facets of your game. I want another crack at this apple when I am back East which is a great testament to the course!

5. Sand Valley

http://www.coorecrenshawquest.com/2017/09/sand-valley-golf-resort-review.html

What can be said about the Top New Course of 2017 that hasn't already been said? Well, it is a bear but a fun bear with a tremendous amount of sand, one of the best routings I have played since Sand Hills and one of the best 19th holes in the business. As the course matures, it is going to be really something.

4. Mission Hills- Dinah Shore

http://www.re-gripped.com/2017/06/review-mission-hills-dinah-shore-course.html

This course is a classic and home to an LPGA major for good reason. Tight fairways, tough pin placements but it adds up to a whole lot of fun. It is perhaps my favorite Palm Springs course and definitely one of the top 10 courses I played in 2017.

3. Mammoth Dunes

http://www.re-gripped.com/2017/09/mammoth-dunes-golf-review.html

This course might be one of the most fun golf courses I have ever played and I only played half the holes! There are so many ways to play each hole that you could just play this course over and over again and never play it the same way twice. Truly a gem I can't wait to get back to play.

2. Black Sheep

http://www.re-gripped.com/2017/09/black-sheep-golf-club.html

I had such high expectations for Black Sheep and they met and exceed them. The club is friendly, the logo is fantastic but more than that, the course is sublime and mindblowing (a links-style course amongst the corn). If I lived in Illinois, I would be a member in two seconds.

1. Clear Creek Tahoe

http://www.coorecrenshawquest.com/2017/10/clear-creek-tahoe.html

This course has it all. Pine trees, mountain views, serenity, fascinating hole layouts, undulating greens. As soon as I played it, I wanted to play it again. It was the most relaxing/engaging round of golf I have played in a long time. If I could play this every day, I would!

Well that is it for the list! I had a great 2017 on the links and can't wait for 2018!

Trinity Forest Reviewed

Every course has been great on my quest to play all the Coore/Crenshaw designed courses but some are more great than others. Check out my review of Trinity Forest!

http://www.coorecrenshawquest.com/2017/01/trinity-forest-golf-club.html

Top 10 Courses Played 2016

It's the end of the year, time to look back and reflect and look forward to the year ahead. I am so thankful that I got to play amazing courses this year and am looking forward to all the amazing tracks next year. While 2016 is still a "thing", I thought I would share my favorite courses that I played this year:

10. Terranea.

Sure its only a par 3 course but WHAT a par 3 course! With the ocean views, the ragged rough and the fantastic conditioning, Terranea makes you think you are playing a Scottish course with a high end resort attached. I loved this course, I just wish it wasn't so expensive but its worth it to play at least once! http://www.re-gripped.com/2016/07/links-at-terranea-golf-review.html

9. Los Verdes.

Often called the poor man's Torrey Pines, this is the only seaside course you can play in SoCal under $50 and it should cost much more than that (especially on the backside). The only knock on the course has been the pace of play but I had no such problems teeing off before 7am! This is a course I would love to play over and over again! http://www.re-gripped.com/2016/02/los-verdes-golf-review.html

8. Bel-Air.

Bel-Air simultaneously reminded me of Riviera and Augusta which are two lofty comparisons. A classic course in every since of the word, the re-designs coming to it are going to make it even better. If you get an invite, definitely go! http://www.re-gripped.com/2016/03/golfing-bel-air-country-club-review.html

7. Shadow Ridge.

The best conditioned course in Palm Springs, this course is both fun and challenging. Some courses just suit your eye and this course suited my eye to a T. Love this place and can't wait to go back! http://www.re-gripped.com/2016/06/shadow-ridge-golf-course-review.html

6. We-Ko-Pa.

Desert golf at its finest. It has everything you could want, desert washes and cacti. Roadrunners and fairways. Amazing shot choices off the tee. WKP has been the best desert course I have ever played (which is saying something considering how close I live to Palm Springs). http://www.coorecrenshawquest.com/2016/06/we-ko-pa-saguaro.html

5. Ballyneal.

This course is a true thinking player's course. Every tee shot, every approach shot, every chip and putt gives you multiple options and multiple ways to screw up. Out in the middle of nowhere, you will be glad to find this course and play it! http://www.re-gripped.com/2016/08/99-holes-in-heartland-ballyneal-golf.html 

4. Wild Horse.

This was such a fun course! The routing and the isolation you feel amongst the ridges and swales of grass is impressive. Often ranked in the top 100 of courses you can play, I can see why. You need to play this course more than once to get a true sense of how to play it but that will give you an excuse to play here again and again. http://www.re-gripped.com/2016/08/99-holes-in-heartland-wild-horse-golf.html

3. Rams Hill.

The conditions are amazing and the routing is golfer friendly (almost every tee shot is downhill somehow). This is SUCH a fun course its too bad its 3.5 hours away from Los Angeles. Really, get this course closer to me and I will be there every weekend! http://www.re-gripped.com/2016/06/golfing-rams-hill-review.html

2. Sandpiper.

If there is one golf course in SoCal I wish I could be a member of, its Sandpiper. Being 2 hours away from where I live its jusssst a bit too far away to join up there but I would give almost anything to play its challenging front nine and its knock-your-socks-off back nine. Really an amazing course. http://www.re-gripped.com/2016/02/golfing-sandpiper-review.html

1. Sand Hills Golf Club.

The routing fantastic, the conditioning superb, the silence golden. Often ranked in the top 20 in the WORLD, Sand Hills show you why in a variety of ways. It was a pleasure to play this course and can't wait to play it again (a true test of a top course!).

Coming up in 2017:

A golf trip to Ireland and Scotland! Potential trips to Tahoe and Sand Valley in Wisconsin! Maybe getting on to a few private courses in Texas and Colorado. Things are happening and they will all be blogged about here!

99 Holes In The Heartland- Sand Hills Golf Club

Ranked Top 20 in the world. #2 on my Golf Bucket List. Crazy hard to get to and even harder to play, I feel extremely lucky today to be able to tell you all about my trip to Sand Hills Golf Club. Check out all the hijinks on my Coore Crenshaw Quest website!


http://www.coorecrenshawquest.com/2016/09/99-holes-in-heartland-sand-hills-golf.html

Ultimate Golf Bucket List

I recently put together a bucket list as a goal to visit my favorite course designers Coore and Crenshaw. It got me thinking, what would be my bucket list of Top 10- must play courses? You know, the ones that if you got invited to play you would hop on a plane and fly across the country or the world to play. THOSE ones?

Before we get to the courses, here are some that are in the "close but not quite" category. Places I would love to play but just didn't make it: Torrey Pines (North and South), Royal Melbourne, San Francisco/California Club/Lake Merced, Lahinch, Makai, LACC, the Quarry, Streamstrong (Red), Bethpage (Black), Pacific Grove, Cabot Cliffs, Kapalua, Pasatiempo and Cruden Bay.

In looking through my list below, one thing is clear, I have a thing for the sea.

Most of the courses that DID make it (with two notable exceptions) have links to the sea, whether as a true links course or at least you can enjoy links sausages near the sea. There is something about the sea air and the views which put these courses over the edge for me. With that proviso, awaaaaaay we go!

10. Shinnecock (USA): There is a theory I once heard that the music that you liked at 16 becomes your favorite music throughout your life. All other music is crap in comparison. For me and Shinnecock, it is all about Corey Pavin's miracle 4 wood to win the tournament amongst the swales of grass. Aside from that memory, this course just exudes beauty, just look of these pics! The history of this course, the beauty, how could you not want to play it? http://www.shinnecockhillsgolfclub.org/

9. Bandon Dunes (USA): 4 amazing courses in one resort. How can you choose just one? They have a Coore Crenshaw course and other amazing tracks but for today, I think we should choose Bandon Dunes, the original. The course looks amazing and with the undulations and wind, this course really makes you think and engages every aspect of your attention and your game which makes this a MUST play for me. http://www.bandondunesgolf.com/golf/golf-courses/bandon-dunes

I GOT ON! Check out my review here: http://www.re-gripped.com/2018/05/bandon-dunes.html

8.  New South Wales (Australia): The first non-US course on the list and its a doozy. Near Sydney but miles away from a city feel, this course is perched on a small spit of land right on the ocean. The reviews of this course are all amazing and the holes look out of this world but I think my favorite is number 5.  http://www.nswgolfclub.com.au/welcome/index.mhtml

7. Ocean Course Kiawah Island (USA): While I blog extensively about the Masters, while I might pine extensively about the British and Scottish Opens, while there are tourneys I avidly watch, if I could only watch one golf tournament a year, it would be the Ryder Cup. The passion, the teamwork, the this is my favorite tournament bar none. Kiawah is an amazing Southern US island with world class courses particularly the Ocean Course which hosted the aforementioned Ryder Cup. This is a beauty that I need to play ASAP. http://www.kiawahresort.com/golf

6.  Royal County Down (UK): I am American, no question but like most of us mutts, I adhere to identities outside of the US particularly my Irish heritage. There are so many great Irish courses but tops on this list has to be RCD. When I heard that RCD was going to be the course for the Irish Open I pressed record faster than you can say "Jack Rabbit Slims" so I could soak in every bit of this course. It looked amazing on TV and I am guessing looks 20 times better in person. I mean, c'mon just LOOK AT THIS! https://www.royalcountydown.org/

5.  Pebble Beach (USA): This course is always on top 10 lists. It seems almost cliche that it appears on my list but there is a reason its on here and its for this picture alone. The history of this course, the location, how can you not play this? Well the price is a bit much but for a bucket list save your pennies and play this track!  http://www.pebblebeach.com/

4.  Augusta National (USA): The only non-links course on this list but on this list for a reason. There are three reasons to play Augusta 1) The history. Freddie's chip staying up on 12, Nicklaus in 86, Jordan destroying the course. 2) This course is the gold standard for green. Of course, this has some lousy consequences as other courses spend way too much water and fertilizer but to play the original immaculately maintained course must be a thing to behold. 3)  The exclusivity. To make this list a course gets on here party if you get a call to play you go, no questions asked. I doubt anyone in the golf community would ever hang up on a call from Augusta.

3. North Berwick Golf Club (UK): This is the top public course on my list and if the top 2 courses weren't private, this might in fact be number one on my list. It has beautiful views of the sea, deep in the golf coast of Scotland. But that isn't what makes this course tops on my list. Instead, every single review lists this course as one of the best in the world but quirky. This is probably exhibit A for quirkiness. For me, its not just enough to play a nicely manicured course, it has to be engaging and make you think. It has to show you something unusual and memorable. This course as this in spades and I want to go. http://www.northberwickgolfclub.com/

2. Sand Hills (USA): One of the ultimate links courses and yet it is not anywhere near the ocean. In fact this course is in the middle of Nebraska. An ultra exclusive club that is super tough to get on but super worthwhile. Just check out this glowing review! Triple bonus points goes to the fact that Coore and Crenshaw designed this beauty which puts it close but not number one on my list.

I GOT ON! Check out my review here! http://www.coorecrenshawquest.com/2016/09/99-holes-in-heartland-sand-hills-golf.html

1. Cypress Point (USA): This course has it all. An iconic hole? Check. An amazing stretch of holes by the sea that are immaculately cared for and almost every hole memorable? Check. What puts this course over the top of all others is the exclusivity. Almost no one can play this course unless you know a member and get a coveted invite. I have no idea who is a member of this course or how I could get on but my golfing life would be complete if I could play this track. This course is the very definition of fly-and-play as soon as the phone rings.

So, that's it, that is the list. Overall I think a pretty good collection eh? What's on your list, what's numero uno? Tell me in the comments!

Coore Crenshaw Bucket List [UPDATED]

Golf is not just a collection of famous golfers and famous golf names but also of famous course designers. Designers and their courses are often like writers and their penmanship, you can immediately tell the writer by the pen strokes (or in the case of people reading my writing, that it looks vaguely like English but they have no other clues about what is going on in the sentence).

As I have gotten back into golf, I have gotten more and more into course architecture. This has been spurred on by reading Geoff Shackelford (and playing the amazing track that he designed at Rustic Canyon) and also reading the amazing book Wide Open Fairways by Bradley S. Klein.

All of this research has laid the groundwork for me to come to appreciate Coore and Crenshaw's design aesthetic. C+C Music Factory (as I call them) are all about shotmaking and using the natural features of the land rather than bulldozing over it. I love courses like that and want to play ever single one of them if I can.

You might be saying to yourself, ReGripped, which ones do you want to play most, a top 10 list if you will.  Well You, here You go!

1. Sand Hills. I say this course name to most golfers and they go d'wah? It only happens to be the 11th best course in the country. The issue is that it is in Nebraska so most people aren't aware of it but from every review I have seen, golfers LOVE this course and it is my number one "bucket list" destination. The problem? It is private and I am not an heir to the Omaha Steaks fortune in order to play it. Of course, I hope someone reading this can get me on (call me Jenny 867-5309).

I GOT ON!!! Check out my review here! http://www.coorecrenshawquest.com/2016/09/99-holes-in-heartland-sand-hills-golf.html

2/3. Bandon Trails/Preserve. Growing up on the East Coast, if someone had said to me that THE golf destination I would want to go to was on the Oregon Coast instead of Florida courses, Myrtle Beach, etc. I would have thought they were crazy. But here we are, in crazy town as I am chomping at the bit to go to Bandon, in no small part to the course having 2 C+C courses (a regulation course, Trails and a par 3 course, the Preserve). Golfing 36 holes a day, walking next to the ocean, enjoying C+C courses? Sign me up! Plus the Bandon resort is managed by Kemper Sports, a top notch golf management company (a theme that will come up repeatedly on this list) so after I lose a ton of balls on perfectly maintained courses, I can have great food and a great time at this track. http://www.bandondunesgolf.com/

4. Streamsong Red. Despite all those nasty, terrible things I said above about Florida, it does have great courses and what is quickly becoming one of the best in the nation is Streamsong. This course used to be a phosphate mine and C+C turned up the jams and made it into a world class course. The change alone is fascinating enough but the pictures that Ashworth recently took of the place would convince any golfer to go. http://golfman.ashworthgolf.com/streamsong/reclaiming-the-mine?=CID:aw:social:reclaimthemine
Of course, this place is once again managed by Kemper so put that as reason 412 to go. http://www.streamsongresort.com/best-florida-golf/streamsong-red/

5.  Kapalua Plantation Course.  When you say Hawaii, I say, of course! I was recently on Maui and while I didn't get a chance to play the same course that PGA event is played on every year, I mean to rectify that on the next trip. This course has crazy elevation gains and losses (lots of downhill tee shots, my favorite) and beautiful views of the Pacific. Have a Mai Tai, will travel, that is my motto so next time in the islands, its Kapalua for me! http://www.golfatkapalua.com/plantation-course.html

UPDATED: I have played Kapalua! What an amazing experience, my first C&C course and it was a doozy. Check out my thoughts here: http://www.re-gripped.com/2015/12/kapalua-golf-review.html

6/7. We-Ko-Pa/Talking Stick. Most of the courses on this list are all over the place. Hawaii, Florida, Nebraska. I live in California and don't exactly have Trump money to go around and play all of these places so where can I go that's close to SoCal and get some bang for the ol C+C buck? That my good friends is Arizona with not 1 but 3 golf courses by the dynamic duo. Not only 3 courses but 3 courses within 30 minutes of each other. I fly into Phoenix and get to Talking Stick with 2 different C+C tracks each with their own unique character to them. http://talkingstickgolfclub.com/ We-Ko-Pa has Saguaro which from the tee shot on this website alone, is worth the price of admission. http://wekopa.com/golf/saguaro-course/

8. Barton Creek. Not everything has to be deserty, coasty or phosphatey. Texas has some great golf courses and its time I turn my attention to the rolling hill country near Austin and Barton Creek. The 18th, going across a creek to a "low lying" green (whatever that means) is supposed to be impressive and if I can get my BBQ on along with some birdies, so be it! http://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/austin-barton-creek/golf/crenshaw-cliffside 

9.  Dormie Club. I just love their website, the "#2 best course you can play". Its great, I'm sure they try harder (as the old car rental ads went). The photos of this place look great, tons of pine straw, weirdo bunkers and pine trees. Basically Pinehurst No. 2 but much, much more reasonable prices. Plus 3/4 of their pictures are in black and white, I don't think I could wrong here. http://www.dormieclub.com/

10. Friar's Head. I started this list with a private course and I am going to end this list with a private course. Of course, what a course by course! I mean, just look at the pictures of this beauty! http://www.friarshead.org/Home.aspx Lord knows how I can play this course but I would be willing to brave the LIE in order to do, and that says a lot.

UPDATED!

After this list was compiled, news that Cabot Cliffs, designed by C+C had a "soft" 2015 opening and starting full blast in 2016 and C+C would also have their Trinity Forest Course open in Dallas in 2016. Further, Sand Valley in Wisconsin is set to get up and going in 2017. Given this...

11.  Cabot Cliffs. I love all things Canada. Moose, maple syrup, hockey. The latest from C+C not only resides in Canada bumping it up several notches but involves the word "cliffs" and based on the early images of this course, there are plenty of those to tickle the fancy of any golfer. This is a must go methinks! https://www.cabotlinks.com/golf/cabot-cliffs/

12.  Trinity Forest. I have family in Dallas but why bother visiting them if they aren't near a C+C course :P? Well that will all be solved in 2016 when TF opens. This course is already primed for greatness, having the Byron Nelson Classic already slated to be there plus hosting college golf tourneys, I bet this puppy is going to be great. The downside is that it is private but I hope I can get an invite and play the latest and greatest from C+C. http://www.trinityforestgc.com/golf-course/

13.  Sand Valley. In the middle of nowhere Wisconsin, Sand Valley is slowly but surely creeping into existence. I am super excited about this course and will hopefully get out there in 2016 for the soft opening (fingers crossed!). http://www.sandvalleygolfresort.com/

14.  Colorado Golf Club. Ultra private and apparently ultra hard, CGC just south of Denver this course seems like a really tough but fun test. I am planning a golf trip to the heartland and if I can manage it, I really hoping to play this track! http://www.coloradogolfclub.com/

There are a bunch of other Crenshaw and Coore (as they like to call themselves) courses out there but every list must end and if I can get to play this entire list, I will consider my golf career well spent.

Want to see what other courses C+C have designed? Check it out here! http://www.cooreandcrenshaw.com/portfolio.html