18 replies to this topic

[Brucey Mc]

Having seen mixed reviews of Pinehurst No.2 last week I was thinking, which major venues do people enjoy the most and which the least?

My favourite is Turnberry as it is a magnificent piece of land and has brilliant viewing points and is a cracking course to play, plus has sentimental value to me.

My least favourite is St Andrews, just because we see it too much and it can come across a bit bland on telly (it's different when you are there though).

[Kablammo11]

Least favourite: Augusta

Second least favourite: Pebble Beach

Favourites: Oakmont CC/Carnoustie

 

(My two least favourites died a long time ago from media/golf game overexposure)

[Brucey Mc]

Oakmont is a quirky beast, very un-American in a way.

[IanD]

Favourite : Wentworth

Personal Likes : Firestone & Innisbrook

[fran21356]

I don't think Sunningdale is in the ROTA but if it is that would be my favorite otherwise,

Favorite- Turnberry

Least favorite-Bethpage Black

[Keith]

Favorite(s) - Shinnecock, Winged Foot, Sahallee

Least Favorite - Bethpage Black

[Brucey Mc]

Why the lack of love for bethpage black? I've been there (not played it) and ok it's a municipal course but it looks a toughie. At least it's not your typical tree lined us open course where every hole looks the same.

[shimonko]

Favorite: Turnberry by far, as it seems to eliminate the one-tournament wonders. Watson, Norman, Price and Cink, with Watson nearly again - true time-honored talent.

Least: 5th major - TPC Sawgrass 

[Dazmaniac]

Having seen mixed reviews of Pinehurst No.2 last week I was thinking, which major venues do people enjoy the most and which the least?

My favourite is Turnberry as it is a magnificent piece of land and has brilliant viewing points and is a cracking course to play, plus has sentimental value to me.

My least favourite is St Andrews, just because we see it too much and it can come across a bit bland on telly (it's different when you are there though).

 

Should that not be Trump Turnberry?

 

Fave's:- Any on the Open Championship rota, Valhalla, Whistling Straits, Merion,

 

Don't really 'dislike' any courses to put them on a list, but appreciate folks picking out Augusta, Pebble Beach etc. due to the over exposure they get. The same kind of failing seems to apply to TPC Sawgrass.

 

Whilst not the prettiest or hardest, St Andrews Old Course will always make any list of my fave courses, if only for nostalgic/sentimental reasons (I always found the New Course a tougher test). Got to play the Old Course twice so far in my lifetime (80 and 75) and both rounds were something I'll never forget. It's like playing on hallowed ground and the buzz coming up the last and having total strangers watch and applaud as you hole out on 'Old Tom Morris' is something else.

 

[Brucey Mc]

I agree Daz, St Andrews is a special place when you are there, it just doesn't come across great on television.  I kind of agree with people a bit bored of Augusta and Pebble, having said that I've been to Pebble twice now and I love the place, and they do an excellent burger!

Just had my annual 'bad news' from Augusta so can't comment on that one!

[Keith]

Brucey..I guess in my case the Black course is a victim of it's own hype.  You guys across the pond haven't been subjected to it, but trust me when a big tourney is staged there the media here shouts from the mountain tops. That is due to the course being located in close proximity to NYC and the fact the course is a muni, but it gets overly praised IMO and doesn't measure up, at least to this viewer.  Also not a fan of Rees Jones' tricked up redesign work.  

[karma4u]

I absolutely agree with K11 on his two least favorites. My favorite is Whistling Straits.

[fran21356]

You took the words out of my mouth Keith. As a muni it's world class but as a major chapionship course, I don't think so. The course is in NY and we all know the media are NY centric. "only NY would have such a great course as Bethpage!" Please! I don't like courses that eliminate half of the field before the first stoke is hit and that's what's been done with Bethpage. There shouldn't be 290yd carries to the fairway. The US Open is meant to test every part of a golfers game. This just tests the distance.

[Brucey Mc]

Great insight to bethpage guys. I have been there and thought it looked a great course, didn't have my clubs with me though! I missed most of the us open on the box last time though as there was the rain delay after a few hours play and then I ended up in hospital which didn't have satellite tv so I missed the rest.

[Mav78]

I love Pebble Beach, gota say, it's a bit of an obvious choice but whenever it comes along it's special even on TV. St Andrews is the same, I played there once, I never quite got it, but they say that, bit like a Radiohead record, takes a few plays. if I could play one of the US major courses it would be Whistling Straights, although I love the natural look of Pinehurst.

[LasseThid]

Turnberry & Carnoustie as I've played them both IRL... 

[Bob1527]

Favourite course - Carnoustie,only a short walk from home to tee...

Least favourite    - Any tree lined 'parkland' course...

[alantoft]

Favourites are Carnoustie, St Andrews and Muirfield ( the original - not village).

Least favourite Bethpage.

[Adam T1]

I'm not familiar enough with the courses on your side of the pond so I gotta stick to American ones. I can't say Spyglass Hill because I don't think they have played a major there, so I'd probably have to go with some older, interesting ones: Aronimink and the Country Club in Brookline.

 

Least faves is tough too. I'm not a huge fan of those courses that are supposed to be long and brutal. I despise whistling straits for its tricked up difficulty, although it's a phenomenal course. I'd also throw Bethpage Black in there. Pinehurst #2 would be on this list but I actually liked the "restoration" a lot.