Favorite courses?

[Lick_My_Vols]

Anybody have courses that they would recommend playing across the southeast? My usual group takes a few golf trips each year and are always looking for ideas. Here are a few that I would suggest (unfortunately we usually go to Myrtle Beach or resort spots in Western NC)

1) Oyster Bay - Myrtle Beach, SC - A classic in my opinion
2) Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in 'Bama - Have yet to play a bad one.
3) Harbour Town - Hilton Head, SC
4) Myrtle Beach National - Kings North, Myrtle Beach
5) Bay Hill Club, Orlando
6) Tunica National

Here are a few local courses in East Tn. that I would recommend:

1) Egwani Farms - Blount Co.
2) River Islands - Kodak, Tn
3) Rarity Bay - Monroe/Loudon Co. Line in Vonore, Tn.
4) Nob North - Cohutta, Ga. (Not far from Cleveland, Tn)
5) Bear Trace at Cumberland Mtn. - Crossville, Tn
6) Lambert Acres - Blount Co. (Cheap, open to public, wide open, 27 holes)

[10 uh C VOL]

Another good place to play here in Alabama is Farmlinks (http://www.farmlinksgolfclub.com/default.aspx?id=2). This is a golf course that is expensive ($125) but is all inclusive which includes unlimited golf, food, beverages, range balls, etc. It is also unique in that each hole has different grass on the tee boxes, fairways, and rough.

[BrassVols]

Definitely agree on Oyster Bay, though it doesn't have the prestige it did 10-20 years ago.

One I would add to MB is Caledonia. It's as close to playing Augusta National as we'll ever get in terms of course condition and beauty.

Here's some recommendations on Charleston area courses:

Kiawah Island

Play all 4 of Ocean Course, Osprey Point, Turtle Point and Cougar Point if you can. The Ocean Course is a must play once in a lifetime for any true golf addict. It can be brutal on day when the wind is bad, but hey, that's part of the experience. The other courses are less expensive and top notch.

Seabrook Island

Ocean Winds is worth a play, too. It's got a couple holes on the Ocean and several others exposed to the wind.

Isle of Palms

The links Course used to be Top 100 in the US but is not as good as the Ocean Course...not even close. the two finishing holes are on the ocean, that is, when 18 isn't IN the ocean. They just finished rebuilding it as the green had basically been washed away.

I play the Harbor Course a lot and enjoy it. It's a tight little bitch Par 70, with the back 9 running along the ICW.

Mt. Pleasant

Rivertowne - Fairly new Palmer course that has hosted an LPGA event. Lots of variety in shots and great scenery along the Wando River and Horlbeck Creek. Course is extremely well conditioned but pricey for a non-resort course.

Dunes West - Just across Hwy 41 from Rivertowne, very well conditioned links style course that's grip it & rip it off the tee. Some approach shots are difficult, as are some greens. Built on antebellum plantation with beautiful "old South" feel. If you hook your 2nd shot into the woods on 15, give me a yell and I'll be glad to refresh your beverages. ;-)

Charleston National - Very interesting history with this course. It was originally built by some members of Augusta National to be a private club for them to play at in Charleston (Mt Pleasant airport is right across Hwy 17). It was built in a heavily wooded coastal forest on Hamlin Sound and was going to only have 50 lots built on. It opened 2 weeks before Hugo hit Mt. Pleasant in 89 and took out about 30,000 trees from the development. The developer decided to sell it due to the damage. A couple of holes were rerouted and clubhouse moved to accommodate housing development along the water, but for the most part the course layout is the same as originally planned by Rees Jones. The good part is that it's a semi-private course now with pretty reasonable greens fees. It does not have the ultra manicured look of the resort courses or Rivertowne & Dunes West, but from tee to green it's always in great shape. Shot-wise it's a lot of target golf, as the much of the back nine is built out on marshland with bridges connecting everything.

Summerville

Pine Forest - This course is brutally long off the tee with water on the right of most holes and greens that border on ridiculous. Word has it that it's slope was initially highest in the state of SC, but they were "bribed" to reduce it so that the Ocean Course retained that distinction. Very pretty setting and reasonably priced, but you better bring game.

Legend Oaks - Some of the beauty of this course has been usurped by development, but in terms of layout it may be the most strategic course layout in Charleston. There is not a par 4 or 5 tee shot for which you don't have to make a decision based on placement of fairway bunkers, doglegs, water and large Oak trees.

Stono Ferry - On the Stono River, this is a really fun course to play. Some of it is set up links style, while other holes involve forced carries over water and marsh. Out in the middle of nowhere, but worth the drive (and it's a good bargain).

Private courses - In the event you're fortunate to know someone, Bulls Bay and Daniel Island are elite, must-play courses. Both are in the six figure range for initiation fees, so if the opportunity were to present itself don't pass it up!

[Chatta Vol]

Bear Trace Harrison TN (i got the hook up on on greens fee)

Wolf Creek in Las Vegas (WC is featured on the Tigers Woods video game and i swear i remember every shot i hit when i play that game, it's really weird the detail they put into those games)

Bears Best also in Las Vegas (notice a theme ;) We took a trip out to Vegas last summer. Bears Best designed by Jack nicklaus but not really "designed" by him because it's a compilation of all his favorite holes form all over. Ther was one hole, can't remeber what part of the country it was from but the sande in the bunkers was black sand! very cool.

Oh, also The Honors course here in (Chatt/Ooltewah)

[Lick_My_Vols]

Bear Trace Harrison TN (i got the hook up on on greens fee)


Oh, also The Honors course here in (Chatt/Ooltewah)



I've played the Bear Trace in Harrison several times and enjoy that course also. I don't know the numbers for the Bear Trace in Crossville or Harrison but I have never seen either course packed and don't know why. Both are top notch and even at the most expensive rate in peak season they are both reasonable green fees for the condition of the courses.

On the other hand, I've never had the opportunity to play The Honors but I've talked to several who have and they all claim that the course is manicured Augusta style.

[Stoli]

I can't speak to the regional courses but I played another East Tennessee course today that I think most folks will like. For those that have read the off the beaten path golf course thread, you should know that I tend to hack around the goat ranch type courses. Well this course is not a goat ranch and it was reasonably priced.

Pine Lakes in Rockford (close to Mcghee Tyson airport) is an 18 hole course. It is pretty open for the most part but you have to deal with some water on two holes. The fairways have nice grass and the greens are in pretty good shape. There were quite a few people playing but the course seemed to move faster than most. It was $19 to walk 18 holes and it is the nicest course that I have found that you can play around here for the price range. They don't mind folks walking and I liked that. For whatever reason, some courses seem to frown on walking and I think it is because they think people walking slow down the pace of play. Personally, I think people hunting balls or foursomes where the whole party walks to every players ball is what holds courses up. I played with 3 other guys that I ran into on the course and two of us were walking and the other two were riding and we didn't hold anybody up. Now, we were held up because of the reasons mentioned above a couple of times. The only disadvantage is that it is close to the airport so some low flying jets landing will come through from time to time. Overall, this is a nice course and good value.

[RynoVol]

It was my home course in the 80s. Wide open, more for hackers like me than serious golfers. Liable to see the odd tank top or two once in a while.

[Lick_My_Vols]

It was my home course in the 80s. Wide open, more for hackers like me than serious golfers. Liable to see the odd tank top or two once in a while.


Played there once. Decent course but nothing like its neighbor, Egwani Farms.

One has a great chance at any public course in East Tennessee to see a few tank tops... I love the ole brown leather work boots (unlaced), jorts, and the ole t-shirt with the sleeves cut out!! Matter of fact I'm playing in a 4 man select shot tourney in a few weeks and we might just wear that as our team uniform!!!!

[Stoli]

Yep, I saw the tank top yesterday. The guy working the counter said pretty much anything goes dress wise as long as you have a shirt on. I saw a guy out playing in denim overalls in high 80s weather one time.

[TREX]

Ross Creek at Clifton is a good course at a reasonable price.

http://www.golflink.com/golf-courses/course.aspx?course=1681156&utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=ssp&utm_campaign=yssp_golf-courses

It is one tough SOB in spots. Only played it once but plan on returning this year.

[el Jeffe]

Anybody got an update on Rarity Bay? I like to play it, but last I heard the fairways were in terrible shape. I need to take my son down there to play soon, but don't want to waste a trip.

[VenomousVol]

You guys haven't truly experienced golf unless you played at Woody's in Oliver Springs. I think it shut down, but it was THE most redneck course in the history of the game. A nine hole course built in a low lying area with a creek running through it. Wooden swinging bridges were used to cross the creek. Crawdad holes all in the fairways, absolutely no dress code. Not unusual to see shirtless fat guys drinking beer and playing. Best I remember it was $13 to ride 18. They even had an old bloodhound that layed around the clubhouse. I bet Leggo has played there.

[Chatta Vol]

I caddied at The Honors Course for about a year when it first opened up.

We got to play it on Monday mornings.

[RynoVol]

You guys haven't truly experienced golf unless you played at Woody's in Oliver Springs. I think it shut down, but it was THE most redneck course in the history of the game. A nine hole course built in a low lying area with a creek running through it. Wooden swinging bridges were used to cross the creek. Crawdad holes all in the fairways, absolutely no dress code. Not unusual to see shirtless fat guys drinking beer and playing. Best I remember it was $13 to ride 18. They even had an old bloodhound that layed around the clubhouse. I bet Leggo has played there.

Dude, you just almost perfectly described Pumpkinvine Golf Course down here in GA. Nine holes, creek running through it. Beavers (animal, not woman) crossing fairways to get to their dams. Shirtless fat guys (hey, it gets hot). Dog hanging around the clubhouse. The price is the same. Scary.
Maybe it's really a franchise to cater to the redneck golfer in all of us.

[VenomousVol]

Dude, you just almost perfectly described Pumpkinvine Golf Course down here in GA. Nine holes, creek running through it. Beavers (animal, not woman) crossing fairways to get to their dams. Shirtless fat guys (hey, it gets hot). Dog hanging around the clubhouse. The price is the same. Scary.
Maybe it's really a franchise to cater to the redneck golfer in all of us.

That's funny. I didn't think there would be anything close to Woody's in the world. Maybe that's where they moved to when they shut down.....

[FloppyEarsMcGee]

My favorite course would have to be inter.

[GhostofJohnnyMajors]

You guys haven't truly experienced golf unless you played at Woody's in Oliver Springs. I think it shut down, but it was THE most redneck course in the history of the game. A nine hole course built in a low lying area with a creek running through it. Wooden swinging bridges were used to cross the creek. Crawdad holes all in the fairways, absolutely no dress code. Not unusual to see shirtless fat guys drinking beer and playing. Best I remember it was $13 to ride 18. They even had an old bloodhound that layed around the clubhouse. I bet Leggo has played there.

LOL! You must be talking about Tri-County Golf Club out in Oliver Springs, was Woody's what the locals called it? I went there one time around 10-12 years ago. First tee: dude in acid washed jorts with no shirt on takes a swig from his Budweiser can, places it on the ground in order to hit. Ball goes about 10 feet. Cursing. Ever play South Hills in Oak Ridge before it closed down? Was never an uncommon occurrence to lose your ball in the middle of the fairway. However using the term "fairway" is generous, their fairway would have been the equivalent of 2nd cut of rough on most local courses.

[VenomousVol]

LOL! You must be talking about Tri-County Golf Club out in Oliver Springs, was Woody's what the locals called it? I went there one time around 10-12 years ago. First tee: dude in acid washed jorts with no shirt on takes a swig from his Budweiser can, places it on the ground in order to hit. Ball goes about 10 feet. Cursing. Ever play South Hills in Oak Ridge before it closed down? Was never an uncommon occurrence to lose your ball in the middle of the fairway. However using the term "fairway" is generous, their fairway would have been the equivalent of 2nd cut of rough on most local courses.

That's the one. I played South Hills a bunch too, if you got one of the old lp gas powered carts you could get it up to about 30mph by shifting to neutral and coasting down that huge hill after the 14th hole. The ride down damn near made up for the shitty course.

[GhostofJohnnyMajors]

Got to play Arcadia Bluffs in Michigan while visiting the in-laws last week. It generally rates as one of the top 10 public courses in the US and it is easy to see why. The course lays out on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan, it is often compared to Whistling Straits in WI, home of the PGA Championship back in 2003 or 2004 I believe. Greens were ridiculous, 2-putting any of them from a reasonable distance was an amazing accomplishment. Play the twlight special so you can watch the sunset over Lake Michigan (and to also make the price more reasonable as well)

http://www.arcadiabluffs.com/

[BANG]

Wow, I leaving Saturday for Lake city, Michigan to visit relatives. Arcadia is like 40 miles away:biggrin: How much was the twilight special( I'm currently laid-off:blush:)? Any other recommended places to play in that area?

[GhostofJohnnyMajors]

Wow, I leaving Saturday for Lake city, Michigan to visit relatives. Arcadia is like 40 miles away:biggrin: How much was the twilight special( I'm currently laid-off:blush:)? Any other recommended places to play in that area?

My wife's family lives outside of Grand Rapids so we just drove up to Arcadia for the day. Not too sure about other courses in the area, I'm sure there are plenty though, it is a beautiful time of year to play up there. If you tee off after 4pm it is $110 which is a good deal compared to the $185 for tee times in the morning. Might be a little steep for the unemployed and in the interest of full disclosure I only played it because the father-in-law was paying and wanted to show us the course. Usually I am the $30 max for 18/cart type of guy. My wife would string me up by my testicles if I was playing this type of course with a baby on the way. It is a great course though.

[spacemountain]

1. Mount Mitchell: Burnsville, NC. Just gorgeous, very few houses and right at the base of the mountain. Bent grass throughout. Exception experience.
2. TPC Atlanta: What a bitch. Very tough course.
3. Bryan Park Champions Course: Greensboro, NC. This a great place. County owned facility but with two courses. You want to play the Champions course. Very affordate at $45 or so for tournament level golf. I think the NC Amateur is there this year.
4. Any of the Cliffs courses in WNC. I've played them and they are damn nice.
5. The Ocean Course, Kiawah. Wow. I played there and it was 108 with a heat index of 122. The front nine has little breeze but the back nine is right on the ocean and feels wonderful coming down the stretch.


My most underwhelming golf course experience without a doubt it Pinehurst #2. That course sucks. Muni-level fairways and just generally a dog except for the greeens. Definitely not worth the $200 or whatever it is to play. The other Pinehurst courses are much better.