Top Golf Courses in the US
It is estimated that there are around 30 million golfers in the United States today; 22% or 6.6 of the 30 million are women. Not surprisingly, the number of golf courses and facilities across the country are just as amazing; the total number of golf courses is approximated to be a little below 16,000. More than 70% of these courses are open to the public; the rest are strictly by membership.
Golf Digest has been publishing a yearly list of the top golf courses in America since 1985. They use a point system in ranking the courses; each course is given corresponding points for each category. The categories used for the 2005 list are the following: shot values; resistance to scoring; design variety; memorability; aesthetics; conditioning; ambience; and bonus walking. Up until 2005, they had what is called the “Bonus Tradition†category. The Bonus Tradition category takes into consideration the overall contribution, if any, of golf courses to the history and development of the game. However, the editors have noticed that this category is inherently biased against the newer courses; the magazine has also become the object of harsh criticisms from golfers, architects, and readers for using this category. To present a more realistic and accurate ranking, they have decided to dispense with this category for 2005.
The Top Golf Courses in the US for 2005, according to Golf Digest are:
1. The Pine Valley Golf Club. Pine Valley is located in Clementon, New Jersey. George Arthur Crump, a New Jersey native and a locally well-known golfer, with the help of renowned English designer, H.S. Colt, in built it in 1918. Pine Valley enjoys a history rich in tradition; it is considered as a premiere course locally and internationally. Golf Digest has also consistently ranked Pine Valley as number one.
2. The Augusta National Golf Club. The Augusta National Club of Augusta, Georgia, is one of the most exclusive and controversial clubs in the country. Built in 1933 by Alister Mackenzie and Bobby Jones; the club has been plagued by controversies, from open support from the KKK to its male only member restriction. Nonetheless, Augusta is one of the premier courses in country; it hosts the prestigious Masters Tournament ever year. The course has recently undergone renovations and expansions; partly in response to criticisms that Tiger Woods found the course too easy.
3. Shinnecock Hills Golf Club of New York occupies 260 acres of land. Initially, Shinnecock was a collection of courses designed by several persons. Construction for the new course under the helm of the architecture firm Tooney and Flynn commenced in 1928. The new 18-hole was opened to the public in 1933. Shinnecock is regarded as one of the most perfect yet brutal courses in the United States.
4. Cypress Point Club in Pebble Beach, California is considered as one, if not the most beautiful course in the country. Built in 1928, Cypress was designed by Alister Mackenzie. The club hosts the Bing Crosby and AT&T tournaments every year; the breathtaking ocean backdrop and constantly changing winds make this course both memorable and challenging.
5. The Oakmont Country Club of Oakmont, Pennsylvania is a National Historical Landmark. It was designed and built by Henry Fownes, an enigmatic and well respected businessman, in 1903. The Oakmont has hosted the most number of major U.S. championships than any other club in the country; it has also earned the reputation as the most difficult and fastest course.
6. The Pebble Beach Golf Club of Pebble Beach, California was built in 1919. Jack Neville and Douglas Grant designed it. The club has hosted several PGA Tours and U.S. Opens; it also hosts the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am yearly. Like the Cypress Point Club, Pebble Beach boasts of beautiful scenery: an ocean view, thick forests, and immaculate grounds. Its perfect sunny weather and windless winters are also among its main attractions.
7. The Merion Golf Club of Ardmore, Pennsylvania was built and designed by Hugh Wilson, an amateur golf architect, in1912. Merion boasts of having hosted the most number of national tournaments; and it will be hosting the Walker Cup in 2009. Merion has consistently been cited as one of the country’s best golf courses.
