Composite Golf Courses: A Long, Odd History
Ben Crenshaw has consistently ranked Royal Melbourne’s Composite course among the top two in the world. He’s not alone. Greg Norman and Nick Faldo have expressed similar sentiments. Unquestionably, the Composite is Australia’s best golf course. What can be questioned is whether Royal Melbourne’s Composite course is an actual golf course. Or should it be […]
The 10 Most Historic Clubs in the U.S.
As with few other sports, golf treasures tradition. Atop the history heap sit the greatest players, the most memorable championships, and the premier playing fields. In the United States, it was the golf and country clubs that fostered the growth of the game, beginning in the 1880s. Which are the most historic American clubs of […]
The Five Greatest PGA Championship Moments
Golf’s oldest professional major, the PGA Championship, dates to 1916. Compelling storylines and dramatic finishes define the PGA, both during the match-play years (1916–1957) and since. With the strongest field of any of the four major championships, it’s no wonder that so many exciting moments have involved the game’s greatest players. As always, to narrow […]
The 10 Best “Hills” Courses in American Golf
In Alister MacKenzie’s Golf Architecture, published in 1920, he espoused 13 General Principles of Architecture. Number four stated: “The greens and fairways should be sufficiently undulating, but there should be no hill climbing.” Yet, he also preached about the necessity of variety and placed great emphasis on utilizing natural features. In diametric opposition to what […]
The Five Greatest U.S. Open Moments
The U.S. Open—the national championship of the United States—has witnessed more than 100 years of pulse-quickening drama. Combine the most challenging course setup conditions in golf, with the emotion of competing for such a prized title and it’s easy to see why lasting memories, both good and bad, resonate with such intensity. As always, to […]
8 Prominent Courses That Once Went by a Different Name
Marketing pros explain that there are various reasons a business should change its name. Among them are to freshen the brand, to attract next-generation customers, to avoid brand confusion, or even to escape PR disasters. Golf courses are no different. A surprising number of today’s heralded layouts once went by a different name. Here are […]
Golf’s Ultimate Tests of Precision
Chasing bullseyes: Harbour Town Golf Links is golf’s ultimate test of precision Swing from the heels. Grip it and rip it. Let the big dog eat. Not at Harbour Town, you don’t. A bomber’s paradise? Harbour Town is anything but. “I get angrier here than anywhere else,” said Jack Nicklaus back in the day. “This […]
The Five Greatest Masters Moments
Extraordinary stories and lore practically define the Masters. Any listing of the top 10 moments might well include tales of Jones, Sarazen, Hogan, and Palmer—or perhaps the Watsons (Tom and Bubba), Faldo and Norman, Player and Mickelson. To narrow it to a top five, however, we employed a single criterion: To what extent did the […]
Top Epic Masters Meltdowns
Bold risks, dramatic comebacks, Amen Corner roars, and heroic victories are integral parts of the Masters Tournament’s lore. Unfortunately, so are splashed approaches, missed putts, Amen Corner groans, and titanic tumbles. Over the past 89 years, Augusta National has seen it all. Here are the seven most unforgettable Masters disasters. 7. Rory McIlroy’s prayers go […]
The Seven Best Golf Courses That Tangle with Train Tracks
Until 110 years ago, riding the rails was the preferred mode of transportation to reach golf clubs situated in the countryside. In fact, the building of golf courses often went hand in hand with where the railroad stopped, making it a leisure-time marriage of convenience and enjoyment. While passenger train travel has ebbed significantly in […]
