Great Places to Play
As the year draws to a close, it is common for us to reflect and form goals for the New Year. And while I am not quite there yet, I am making plans for next year’s golf schools.
My team and I are planning on doing some traveling in 2013, hopefully to a course near you.
So as we formulate our plans, we could use your help narrowing down our list of Great Places to Play.
Personally, I didn’t go to far from home the past couple of years, but of the courses I hit… here are my Top Eight:
- Augusta National – Augusta, Georgia
- Cypress Point – Pebble Beach, CA
- Whistling Straits – Sheboygan, WI
- Chicago Golf Club – Chicago, IL
- Monterey Peninsula Country Club, Pebble Beach, CA
- Boot Ranch – Fredericksburg, TX
- Briggs Ranch – San Antonio, TX
- TPC – Craig Ranch, TX (Always great coming home..)
Augusta National and Cypress Point are obviously gorgeous and of course at the very top of the list, but my true favorite is Whistling Straits. I swear that course has at least 9 holes that could be Signature Holes. I ran a golf school there last summer and during the school we played both the Straits course and the Irish course. The students and I had an AMAZING time.
To me, playing new courses is one of the greatest reasons why we choose golf to play. The beauty of the courses make the game even more special. You can play near the ocean, up in the mountains, or even a new home of golf in Nebraska.
So please comment below, let me know your favorite courses… and maybe you will find a Perfect Connection Golf School coming to a course near you!
52 Comments
Hi CJ from a warm but windy Cape Town, South Africa
I think you must include our tip of the world if you are planning a world golf tour. We are blessed with many splendid courses, Sun Cityk in the north, Pearl Valley in Cape Town, Pinnacle Pont and Fancourt (3 courses) all along the garden route.
Many more fantastic resort courses to choose from!
Hope to see you soon.
Jamiel,
thanks Jamiel for the post. You are 100% correct that I need to make it to South Africa. Back in college I had a teammate that was from South Africa and I was shocked when he showed me pictures. It was nothing what I expected. So beautiful and the courses look awesome. Get me some people together for a golf school jamiel and I will be there!
Keep em Long and Straight,
CJ
CJ, apart from the 3 courses mentioned by Jamiel you should also consider Blair Atholl and Leopard Creek. We play golf all year round and we should be able to arrange a visit for you; maybe on the way from Oz, just to check it out. Playing in Scotland was an experience, but with doubtful weather one often misses out on a planned game there.
Nico Maas,
Thanks Nico for the blog post. Are these courses in Scotland? I googled Blair atholl and it said scotland, but I am a bit confused because of your email address. Let me know. I am always looking for places to come visit and host a golf school so please keep in touch.
Keep em Long and Straight,
CJ
Some great courses CJ.
I would add a few closer to my home.
Royal Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
The National, Victoria, Australia
The Pines, Sanctuary Cove, Queensland, Australia
All must play golf courses on your visit to Australia.
Cheers
Troy Vayanos,
Thanks Troy for the recommendations. Merry Christmas. I hope to head down there soon.
Keep em Long and Straight,
CJ
CJ,
In case you decide to come to the Central Europe in 2013, you are kindly invited to visit some of the golf courses in Slovenia; Arboretum (where I play the most), Smlednik Diners (the newest one), Bled (the oldest one), Otocec…to name just a few http://www.slovenia.info/?golf_igrisca=0.
And at the end of the year I wish you and your team a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Andreja
Andreja Jenko,
Thanks Andreja for the invitation. I will definitely look into that. ARe they resorts where I might be able to do a golf school there? Any help you give me would be much appreciated, but I will definitely check out that link. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Keep em Long and Straight,
CJ
CJ,
Of course you can do a golf school at any mentioned golf courses
.
Here are some more details for the four golf courses: their web pages and some characteristics as presented on a European golf site 1golf.eu:
In alphabetical order:
Golf course Arboretum
Presentation: http://www.golfarboretum.si/GOLF_ARBORETUM_EN,,.htm
Characteristics: http://www.1golf.eu/en/club/golf-arboretum-d-o-o/
Golf course Bled
Presentation: http://www.golfbled.com/
Characteristics: http://www.1golf.eu/en/club/bled-golf-country-club/
Golf course Diners Smlednik
Presentation: http://golf-ljubljana.si/en/home.html
Characteristics: http://www.1golf.eu/en/club/diners-golf-country-club-ljubljana/
Golf course Otocec
Presentation: http://www.terme-krka.si/en/golf/igrisce/
Characteristics: http://www.1golf.eu/en/club/golf-grad-otocec/
I’d love to see you and your golf school here because I’m really big fan of your method and would love to try it in person
.
Andreja
Andreja Jenko,
Thanks Andreja for the great info. I really appreciate this. I will forward this to my team and see what they can setup and organize. I hope to see you in September.
Keep em Long and Straight,
CJ
In the phrase that you wrote…..”I didn’t have to go to far….” the spelling is incorrect. It should be…..”I didn’t have to go too far.”
Actually we have quite a deal here. You can teach me how to golf and I can teach you how to spell.
T.G Miller,
Thanks T.G. for the blog post. I will forward your blog post to my copy writer. I would think he would have caught that. Merry Christmas.
Keep em Long and Straight,
CJ
Actually, you could also read it as “didn’t go to far-from-home”, which would make it pun intended…
G’day CJ ,Mate as others have said before come down to Oz ,great courses in my home state of Victoria and recognised by top Golfers throughout the world Name courses such as Royal Melb (2 courses ,West & East entwined to make a championship course for all PGA EVENTS )Victoria just across the road ,Kingston Heath also only a few miles away along with Huntingdale in approx the same locale .In total there are approx a dozen courses that comprise the sand belt courses and all within about 15 miles radius as the crow flies .Most by different designers and all worthwhile and you will find something to like about each ,without doubt. Have a great Christmas and Safe ,happy New Year .Tez
Terry Smith,
Thanks Terry for the great recommendations. I will definitely keep those courses in mind. we are in the very early preliminary stages of setting up a trip to Australia and New Zealand for some golf schools. Keep in touch and lets keep talking. I may have some more questions for you.
Merry Christmas.
Keep em Long and Straight,
CJ
Someone previously mentioned Bandon Dunes,, heading out there next year for a “Bucket List” golf trip with some other guys,, any thoughts on this place?
Alan Sabath,
Thanks Alan for the blog post. I have heard nothing but great things about Bandon and I definitely want to go there. I am planning a trip in Scotland though for this year. Maybe you should come to Scotland in September. Merry Christmas.
Keep em Long and Straight,
CJ
Dear CJ,
Even my beloved native Scotland does not have a course to quite match Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. It offers pure links golf with a variety of challenges for golfers of all skills. Grahame McDowell, Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke have all honed their skills there. A treat not to be missed.
Seasons Greetings,
Alastair Campbell
Come to Bearwood Lakes in Berkshire England you would be sure of a warm welcome,regards fron Engand.
Think India. Home to more than a billion people. My home course Delhi Golf Club is a great place to play. Check it out at http://www.delhigolfclub.org/
CJ
A couple of courses I like in the San Antonio area are Silverhorn and the Palmer course at La Cantera
Mike Kadled,
Thanks Mike for the blog post. I need to play La Cantera and have not heard of Silverhorn. I am playing Old Dominion tomorrow and TPC on Christmas Eve, but will Keep Silverhorn on the list for the next visit down here. Thanks for the help buddy.
Keep em Long and Straight,
CJ
Valderrama is the place to play the rest of your life. Not long but you have to drive perfectly on every hole. The greens are fantastic and I have yet to find a weed anywhere on the course. As a measure of its difficulty, when GMac won the Andalusian Classic a couple of years ago he was the only player to be under par after 4 rounds. He was 3 under.
Joe Almond,
Thanks Joe for the blog post. Valderama looked great on TV. I need my blog posters to write in also and let me know they are members of these courses. Let me know and we will tee it up.
Keep em Long and Straight,
CJ
Hi Joe.
You have just described why Valderama is NOT the course to play for the rest of your life!
If the only player in a top quality field to break par was GMack, then us mere mortals would never break 100!
There are many more golf courses in this area of the South of Spain that are far better for the average handicap golfer.
CJ
You could come all the way down to Australia during your winter and play great and scenic golf courses. Just pick an Australian State of your choice and you will find golf courses that will challenge the best in the US and welcome your golf school. You can even leave all your guns behind (if you have any), including single shot ones, and you will feel completely safe anywhere. I must warn you, that if you come down here you will always want to come back. So give yourself that Christmas present.
Have a Merry Christmas and we look forward to viewing your 2013 golf tips over the internet in 2013.
Al,
Thanks Al for the blog post. Australia is definitely on my list. I will look at that potentially in 2013. Merry Christmas to you and thanks for your support.
Keep em Long and Straight,
CJ
You’ve left the greatest of them all off the list – Pine Valley. No other course is like it – 18 unique holes & not a weak one on the course. It’s reputation is well-deserved.
Mike,
Thanks Mike for the blog post. Pine Valley of course is on my wish list. Are you a member? Let me know and I will be glad to tee it up with you. I have heard nothing but great things, obviously from the number 1 or 2 course in the world, depending on the year.
Keep em Long and Straight,
CJ
You’ve left the greatest of them all off the list – Pine Valley. Nothing else compares.
Mike,
Thanks Mike for the blog post. I need you to get me on Mike. I would be glad to tee it up with you. Let me know when were going and I am in.
Keep em Long and Straight,
CJ
My Favorites:
Ireland:
1. Lahinch
2. Ballybunion
3. Tralee
Scotland:
1. Gullane No. 1
2. Royal Dornoch
3. St. Andrews
4. Cruden Bay
Robert Eaton Kelley,
Thanks Robert for the blog post. I am heading to Scotland in September and have Turnberry, Glen Eagles, Kings Barns, and the Old course on the list , but I will have to try to add some of the ones you suggested. thanks for the blog post.
Keep em Long and Straight,
CJ
The courses in the Pebble Beach area are, of course, magical.
But in the Sierra Foothills, The Ridge (Auburn) is a ton of fun.
Nice elements, plenty of vertical, and of course all the wild life
you find at that elevation.
Fritz S,
Thanks Fritz for the blog post. I have not heard of that course so I will have to look into it. Thanks for taking the time to write in.
Keep em Long and Straight,
CJ
G’day CJ,
Being Australian I have played many great courses in every state in Australia. But the two most spectacular courses I have played are Badlands in Las Vegas and Red Mountain in Phuket, Thailand. By the way CJ and readers, Phuket is a great place for a golf holiday with mamy fabulous courses all within a radius of 20 miles. Added bonus is the wonderful food.
Bruce Midgley,
I appreciate the blog post. I have played the Badlands in Vegas and it is a good course. What courses do you recommend in Australia?
Keep em Long and Straight,
CJ
Dalhousie Golf Club in Cape Girardeau, MO is awesome!
Charles McCall,
Thanks Charles for the blog post and the recommendation. I have not heard of that course and will keep it in mind. Hope you have a Merry Christmas.
Keep em Long and Straight,
CJ
CJ,
Get yourself over to the UK and play some real courses, Muirfield, Wentworth, Gleneagles, Turnbury, Sandwich, Lytham, Worfield!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The list is endless
Allan Coates Worfield Capatin 2014
Bandon Dunes
He ted heading out to Bandon Dunes next year with a group of guys for a “Bucket List” golf trip,Heard it was a real great place any tips or thoughts would be appreciated, thanks
TOBIANO Kamloops BC Canada
Dave,
Thanks Dave, can you give me more info about it.
Keep em Long and Straight,
CJ
Your top 2 are my top two, except I prefer Cypress over Augusta. And I like Spyglass and Penble better than Monterey. Oakmont would have to be in my top 10, too, although I played it before all the trees were taken out.
Tedd,
Thanks tedd for the blog post. Augusta and Cypress can’t be included in the list just because of what they are. The view at Cypress is breath taking, but Augusta is simply Augusta. It’s like walking on hallowed ground.I would like to play Oakmont and I have not played Pebble. I caddied for one of my students at Pebble which was nice. We played our practice round with Jay Haas and the Walrus. Pretty cool experience.
Keep em Long and Straight,
CJ
Morning CJ
I am a member at a course in Ontario, Canada. It is called Kingsville GC in Kingsville, Ontario, about 45 minutes from Windsor which is across the river from Detroit, Mich. It is beautiful layout with 27 challenging holes plus lots of other facilities, it would be fabulous if you could come up here and spend a little time with us. Take a look at the course, I’m sure you would love it, just might make one of your top 8.
Thanks
Brian Webb
Brian Webb,
Thanks Brian for the blog post. I looked up the course and it looks great. Very beautiful. I would love to come up and spend some time there and do a golf school. Could you do me a favor and contact customer support at support@perfectconnectiongolfswing.com and tell them about your place. they may call you and do some research on having a golf school there. Best wishes and thanks for taking the time to write in.
Keep em Long and Straight,
CJ
Hi Buddy
What about the UK, home of golf. Comparisons in England, Ganton, Lindrick, Woodhall Spa, Royal Lytham, Royal Birkdale, Formby, Royal Liverpool. The list is endless, come over and give them a try. The difference between USA courses and UK most of ours are natural.
Michael Yates,
Thanks Michael for the blog post. I am putting a golf trip together that we will announce very soon. We will be going to Scotland and playing Turnberry, Kings Barns, Glen eagles, and the Old Course. I am looking for some places to teach after this golf trip so if you could contact customer support at support@perfectconnectiongolfswing.com and steer us in the right direction that would be a great help. We would need a nice hotel nearby and obviously a facility that has a nice chipping green and putting green.
Keep em Long and Straight,
CJ
All the Bandon Dunes Resort courses are fantastic. Go once and you’ll definitely return. Wolf Run – near Indianapolis, IN and Dunes Club, New Buffalo, MI
Mike McFerron,
Thanks Mike for the blog post. Bandon Dunes is definitely on my list to go play. i have heard nothing but great things about that place.
Keep em Long and Straight,
CJ