Golf’s 18 Most Famous Holes (Back Nine)

most famous holes

We knew competition for places would really heat up on the back nine and, sure enough, a number of historic, not to say important, holes have missed out on the top spot. You’ll nod your head at some of our choices while others might cause you to wince. Just remember, it’s all about fame. 10th—Riviera […]

21 Best Holes of the 21st Century

21st century

Though new course construction has slowed considerably over the last decade or so, there have still been a lot of notable openings and countless great holes built in the 21st century. Here, in no particular order, are 21 of our favorites—seven par threes, seven fours, and seven fives. Par Threes 16th Hole, Streamsong Red (Bowling […]

5 Destinations for the Truly Intrepid Golfer

intrepid

Many of us have dreams that someday—some glorious, tantalizing, reach-out-and-touch-it day—we’ll be able to take our clubs to some far-off place where the language, money, scenery, food, and beer might be different, but where golf is still the greatest game of all. Here are five countries for intrepid travelers to visit that, contrary to all […]

Golf’s 18 Most Famous Holes (Front Nine)

famous holes

Over the years, we’ve all seen a thousand lists ranking golf’s 18 “best” holes. But seldom have we come across any naming the best-known holes in the game. Whether it be by TV exposure, social media fandom, or just plain old reputation, certain holes acquire a measure of fame over time. They may not be […]

The Best New Mexico Golf

new mexico golf

Black Mesa Golf Club, Baxter Spann’s tremendously stimulating high-desert layout 25 miles north of the delightful city of Santa Fe, turned 18 earlier this year. Spann, who tries to go back for a game every year, says it is undoubtedly the finest site he ever worked on and the “most dramatic, fun, and beautiful course” […]

8 States Where the Best Golf Might Actually Be Public

public golf

Three-quarters of the U.S.’s roughly 16,000 golf courses are open to the public. You’d hope a good number would show up on the country’s most widely read top-100 course ranking, but there’s room for only 17 of them. The second-most searched top-100 list includes a few more courses where “Joe Schmo” can book a tee-time, […]

The Brilliance and Beauty of Bland Golf Holes

bland holes

Colton Craig learned an important lesson about golf course architecture in the most unlikely of places. Walking through the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, full of what he calls “wild exhibits that stimulated the artistic side of my brain,” the Oklahoma City-based designer came to an empty room with white walls. “The vacant room was […]

6 Hidden Gems in Northern Europe

northern europe

There are “Royal” clubs and European Tour venues on the Belgian, Dutch, German, and Danish coastlines, so calling them “hidden gems” might be a bit of a stretch… but this is northern Europe we’re talking about. Here’s half a dozen beauties in northern Europe which most definitely warrant a visit. Royal Ostend (Belgium) Unlike its […]

7 Hidden Gems in France

France

When talking about golf courses in the far north of France to a largely American audience, the term “hidden gem” may be a little redundant. We know many readers are keen travelers and like to experience the game away from home, but it’s likely even the most intrepid won’t know the golf on the Brittany, […]

15 Hidden Gems in Ireland

hidden gems Ireland

Has anything or anyone benefitted more from the internet than Irish golf? Images of Waterville, Tralee, Old Head, or Royal County Down speed along the information superhighway and soon the world wants to visit. Courses that once charged 25 Pounds/Punts for 18 holes and lunch, and which people only knew about by reading the World […]