Exclusive or High end private golf courses

[J.D.]

In another thread, I read a poster's comments about being able to play the most exclusive golfcourse we never heard of.

Four years ago I passed up a chance to play for free at one of the most exclusive golf courses in the world that you never heard of (Sanctuary), (snip)... even though you can't beg or buy your way onto this course, you have to be invited, usually to a charity tournament. At charity auctions a round for a foursome typically goes for $3000 and up.

Every one on this forum would probably sell their first born to play Augusta National. (Pistol, We Know, We Know) So not counting A.N. and Pebble, what courses in your region would you die to play. Is it worth spending the extra payola to play? or is it comparable to say the Label makes the course when most clubs have 18 holes, fairways and rough and sand traps and water and is like wearing Tommy Hilfiger / Polo labeled clothes when Dockers are just as good?

For me, Vaquero Country Club or Dallas National would be fun, but Ill never get on those...

[petermo]

I've only played 4 courses in the US - 3 of them private clubs and one in a housing estate. I didn't even realise that Maidstone on Long Island was as exclusive at it is even when my host, a pretty laid back guy, was fairly casual as we passed Shinnecock Hills saying "Oh, that's Shinnecock". I've also been fortunate enough to have been hosted at Philadelphia Cricket Club which was great, it's a former site of the US Open and in Chicago I played Crystal Lake which was also beautiful although it was April 1 and cold as charity. The other course I played was Blue Bell Country Club, an Arnold Palmer design, near Philly which was still quite new - it was also freezing in mid-April.

I'll be visiting my American family in September to see the new grand daughter and with a bit of luck might even get in a game or two although eating crab cakes (not Hoagies!!) is a priority.

My Dad played Pine Valley in about 1952 and it's been a life's ambition to do so too but unfortunately I don't know any members.

[C-Tech]

Outside of Augusta, I can't think of a course I am just dying to play that I haven't or couldn't. If you've got enough cash, you can play Pebble and that would be my only other dream round outside Augusta. I doubt I'll ever take the time to go to St Andrews although that would be a blast.

Exclusivity just isn't that big a turn-on for me. I guess I am more of a "blue collar golfer". I just play it for the challenge and the fun, not interested in the prestige end of it at all.

I have already played Arizona National which is rated one of the 5 best courses in the state of Arizona. Did that twice and it wasn't even expensive. Nice course, but I didn't see anything all that extra special about it.

[JungleJ]

Originally Posted by C-Tech

Outside of Augusta, I can't think of a course I am just dying to play that I haven't or couldn't. If you've got enough cash, you can play Pebble and that would be my only other dream round outside Augusta. I doubt I'll ever take the time to go to St Andrews although that would be a blast.

Exclusivity just isn't that big a turn-on for me. I guess I am more of a "blue collar golfer". I just play it for the challenge and the fun, not interested in the prestige end of it at all.

I have already played Arizona National which is rated one of the 5 best courses in the state of Arizona. Did that twice and it wasn't even expensive. Nice course, but I didn't see anything all that extra special about it.

I am actually not a big fan of "exclusive" clubs. I don't mind, say Pebble Beach or St Andrews, charging a lot of money to play their courses. Even Muirfield, although extremely exclusive, does make tee times available to the public. I think that is as it should be.

Like C-Tech, for me it's all about the course. I would certainly never say no to a round at Loch Lomond or Rye, but I wouldn't work hard to wangle an invitation to those clubs.

[deronsizemore]

I would love to play Valhalla as it's only about 30 minutes from where I work. I think it's around $300 to play though.

[Bigvivec]

I like good courses, period...played a nice one in NC the last time I was there for $21 bucks...it isn't always about the money...as far as any of the big names, I'd like to play them all, they are NICE courses...but as far as dreaming about courses I'd like to get on, unless I get a raise I'd just be mad all day if I dropped $500 bucks to play anywhere...

[ringin]

I'd love to play Medinah one day. It's a fairly exclusive club, so that would be a nice treat given the chance. My buddy's uncle is a member there, so who knows, one day it could happen. Locally, Riveria CC or Bel Air CC are very exclusive, and I don't even know what it would cost to play there, but either of those would be a very nice. I will get up to play Pebble one day, but I'm certain I'll get to play Augusta as soon as that cold snap blows through Hades.

[C-Tech]

Originally Posted by Bigvivec

I like good courses, period...played a nice one in NC the last time I was there for $21 bucks...it isn't always about the money...as far as any of the big names, I'd like to play them all, they are NICE courses...but as far as dreaming about courses I'd like to get on, unless I get a raise I'd just be mad all day if I dropped $500 bucks to play anywhere...

My favorite course was in a little town in North Central Arkansas called Big Creek. It was built by Ault, Clark & Associates and is just a gem. It costs less than $50 to play and since it is such a small town, there are less than 20K rounds played on it annually. Maybe I am just way to easy to please, but this is a beautiful layout with plenty of challenges amid rolling terrain with mature trees and lots of water features. I also played Branson Creek where the discounted rates were $100+ and was touted as one of the great new courses...it left me flat.

[Fourputt]

If I'm going to go out of my way to play a course I do want it to be a good course. I don't really care if it's private or not, and exclusivity is highly overrated. I didn't mention Sanctuary in the other thread for any reason other than so show just how badly I hate foul weather golf. I'd probably be willing to drop $200 to play there in any sort of reasonable weather, but that just isn't possible to do. Not even if you walked up with $2000 could you get on the course. And I've never lost any sleep over missing out on the opportunity.

It's the golf itself and my playing companions that are the most important elements in the game to me. Playing a fun course with good friends is all I ask of the game. Whether its public or private is inconsequential.

[drstroud]

The most "exclusive" or private club I've played is probably Lake Nona in Orlando. I'd love to play Augusta which would be my first choice if the magical powers that be granted me the ability to play any course. Pebble Beach is still on my radar. In fact, I was going to play last year with my dad and brother but the stay and play package (which guarantees a tee time) was $2700 or so. Too much for me.

[Fourputt]

Originally Posted by drstroud

The most "exclusive" or private club I've played is probably Lake Nona in Orlando. I'd love to play Augusta which would be my first choice if the magical powers that be granted me the ability to play any course. Pebble Beach is still on my radar. In fact, I was going to play last year with my dad and brother but the stay and play package (which guarantees a tee time) was $2700 or so. Too much for me.

As long as people are willing to pay such an outrageous fee, the price won't go anywhere but up...

[J.D.]

Originally Posted by Fourputt

If I'm going to go out of my way to play a course I do want it to be a good course. I don't really care if it's private or not, and exclusivity is highly overrated. I didn't mention Sanctuary in the other thread for any reason other than so show just how badly I hate foul weather golf. I'd probably be willing to drop $200 to play there in any sort of reasonable weather, but that just isn't possible to do. Not even if you walked up with $2000 could you get on the course. And I've never lost any sleep over missing out on the opportunity.

It's the golf itself and my playing companions that are the most important elements in the game to me. Playing a fun course with good friends is all I ask of the game. Whether its public or private is inconsequential.

I totally understood your original post. I was tickled about your description of the course. Im always amazed at the snootiness of people who talk of their courses in hushed tones and have secret handshakes. As if the very mention of some hallowed country club somehow elevates your status.

Ive played all the private clubs here where I live and Im not impressed with the quality of each.

JD

[RoyalWulff]

I will play whatever course I can and be happy. Though its not really exclusive, but rather pricy I would love to go play TPC Sawgrass.

[petermo]

I don't think the exclusivity is as important as the course itself - an example is Gary Player's new course near Johannesburg, Blair Atholl, where it's impossible to play unless your with a member or on the Golf Digest rating panel. It's said to be terrific and I'd obviously like to play it but nearby we have a Jack Nicklaus signature course that anyone can play, Pecanwood, both tracks at Sun City (GP Country Club is rated #1 in SA) and there are many other 1st class courses, nearly all of which are private or estate courses that anyone can play and at reasonable prices. There are 2 others that one can't play without a member, River Club, which is in great condition year round but otherwise overrated and the Links at Fancourt which was the venue for the President's Cup - having played it once in foul weather, I'm not anxious to repeat the experience.

If anyone wants a cheap golfing holiday SA is hard to beat with the most expensive round likely to be less than $150 including cart. Airfares from the US return come in at about $1500 and after that it's so cheap it feels like it's free!

[mr_bogey]

I guess I am very lucky since I got to scratch that Augusta National itch back in 1984. I also got a number of rounds at Sea Island - the coolest thing about all of those rounds is that they were all free. The one sorta near me that I would love to play is the TPC in Jacksonville - I was gonna get to play it (for free) once about 25 years back, but we got rained out and the opportunity never repeated (divorce can have many awful consequences, but that is another thread...).

[essurfer]

Ive played just about every course in my area. If I could, I'd travel to DC and play congressional. That be a blast!

[troll4poker]

As most others I would love to play Augusta, however, in my *region* I have been able to play Crooked Stick in Carmel, IN. Courses within a reasonable drive that I would love to play are Valhalla in Louisville, KY, Victoria National in Newburgh, IN and Medinah #3 in Chicago, IL. All of these courses are within a few hrs drive with Valhalla being the furthest at 5 hrs.