Top Golf Courses I've Played - 2009

It's been a good year for golf. While locally I've been rather limited in the courses I've played, Malaika and I visited Scotland and I was lucky to play some of the best courses you could ever hope for.

A more definitive list of top courses that I have played in my life will be forthcoming, but the following were the highlights of 2009.

Pacific Dunes
Every year I head to Bandon Dunes golf resort and every year I remember how lucky I am to play Pacific Dunes. From the opening hole with the wider than it looks fairway, the stunning cliff-side holes, the tricky undulating greens, and finishing with some of the wildest greenside bunkers you can find, Pacific Dunes is a special place.

That's me at the short par-4 6th hole from the first time I played the course way back in 2001. I've tried numerous times but have failed to drive the green. This was probably my closest attempt, using a 3-wood downwind that landed just left of the putting surface before rolling left into the cavernous bunker.

Only two more months till I head back.

Bandon Dunes
I remember seeing a picture of Bandon Dunes in a golf magazine and saying that I had to go play there. I got the chance in 2000 after moving to Seattle and it was a complete revelation to see what golf was truly about.

I've been back so many times that an old caddie at the resort says hi if we happen to meet at the first tee. I haven't seen him there in the past two years, but maybe he'll be there in March.



Bandon Trails
Some say it's a better design than Pacific Dunes or Bandon Dunes. I don't believe that but Bandon Trails is one of the best courses in the world. The set of par 3s are probably the best at the resort (see the 17th to the right), and some of the par 4s are sublime.

The only course I have left at the resort to play is Old Macdonald - I'm going to go in 2011 if I can.




Bandon Crossings
It's not associated with the resort, but it's a fun course to play. Built in a minimalist style, despite civilization intruding on a few holes and a few lengthy green to tee walks, it's a worthy addition to any Bandon trip.


Eagle Eye
One golf course I've always enjoyed is Eagle Eye in Michigan. It's not minimalist, in fact, it's probably the exact opposite. As a Pete Dye disciple, Chris Lutzke put together a real challenge that could have been called TPC Lansing.

Many of the holes are reminiscent of holes that Dye designed, including #17, which is an exact replica of the 17th at Sawgrass. Despite that bit of golf cheese, the rest of the course is so well designed, you can forgive that small transgression.


Machrihanish
Probably best known for the intimidating Cape-like opening tee shot across the beach, Machrihanish offers a challenging design set far from civilization. Make sure you score early as the inward nine is difficult and long, especially if the wind is into you.

Machrihanish Dunes is next door - you could hop the fence next to the 10th tee and the old (unused?) airport and play a few holes if you want. If Machrihanish Dunes is as good as some say, it'll be worth the trip, but it's a long way to go if you're driving around Scotland.


Royal Dornoch
It's a great course, and my favorite of the entire trip. The style of the course, especially the bunkering, reminds me of Bandon Dunes, however, the design is more sophisticated and challenging.

Deep pot bunkers line the course and many of the greens are elevated, which are almost all open to approach shots played along the ground. The only real disappointment is the similarity between the 8th and 17th tee shots.

While Dornoch may be far to the north, it's a town worth visiting and spending a few days. It's a required destination when we return to Scotland.

St. Andrews - The Old Course
It's the home of golf and a must play if you consider yourself to be a serious golfer. I was lucky enough to walk on my first day in St. Andrews. The weather was perfect, I made a couple of birdies, and didn't embarrass myself in front of the twenty or so milling around the 18th green. Who could ask for anything more?


Carnoustie - Championship Course
Carnoustie may not be as scenic as Royal Dornoch, or have as much quirk as The Old Course, but if you want conduct a test of your ball striking skills, this is the course to play. Narrow fairways, which tend to be flanked by bunkers and out-of-bounds, and well protected greens are challenges on the Championship course. Thankfully the putting surfaces tend to be flatter than other Scotland courses giving you the chance to keep your score close to your handicap.


Kingsbarns
Considered by many St. Andrews locals to be the best course to play in the area, Kingsbarns is a modern marvel.

Created out of formerly flat farmland, the course offers views of the North Sea on every hole thanks to the terraced golf course design. There are some spectacular holes, including the par 5 12th, however, if you're looking for pure Scottish golf, look elsewhere.

The course is "Americanized" with two par 3s and two par 5s on each of the returning nines and some long walks between holes. It's a course worth playing but keep in mind that it's more expensive than The Old Course.


North Berwick - West Links
Home of the famous Redan, the course offers so much more. Quite possibly the most scenic course on my Scotland trip, it also has the advantage of being quirky and charming.

Among the challenges are wild greens, a stone wall on a few holes, and a large population of gannets on Bass Rock. The town has a great bird sanctuary, and nearby Gullane has quite a selection of other golf courses, including the exclusive Muirfield.

One tip - if you're driving to the golf course, avoid the closest parking lot. Your drive on the 18th hole isn't nearly as scary if you're not worried about breaking your windshield.


Chambers Bay
It'll be interesting to see how the pros tackle Chambers Bay in the 2015 US Open. A long, challenging track with rolling fescue fairways and large undulating greens, expect to hear plenty of praise and an equal amount of complaints (or measured statements) from the contestants.

It's one of my favorites, but Chambers Bay has all of the elements I look for in a golf course.

Scenic beauty? Check. A test of your game? Yup. Links golf? Well, close enough.

Best of all, it's only 1 hour away.


TPC Sawgrass
More than just the island green, TPC Sawgrass is the paradigm of left brain golf. Play logically, and you will do fine. Just don't compound a mistake with a mental error.

Maybe I'll remember that the next time I play the home of The Players.