1. The Courses
2. Overall Experience
3. Conditioning of the Golf Courses
4. Golf Holes
Like all rankings, this is a personal opinion and may not reflect other viewpoints or necessarily official golf course rankings. When ranking the courses and individual holes, I have neglected my scores on each hole to ensure my opinions are not based on how well or badly I played the course or hole. When ranking the conditioning of golf course, I look at all facets but mainly, greens, fairways and bunkers. As for ranking individual golf holes, I have taken into account the design, terrain and setting.
THE COURSES
1. Cypress Point Club
“For years I have been contending that in our generation no other golf course could possibly compete with the strategic problems, the thrills, the excitement, variety and lasting and increasing interest of the Old Course, but the completion of Cypress Point has made me change my mind.”
- Dr. Alister MacKenzie, Golf Course Architect
There is a reason why Cypress Point is most commonly ranked as the number two golf course in the world and referred to as the ‘best 17-hole golf course’ in the world (the 18th being a letdown in some eyes). Everything about this golf course is truly amazing. A superb design by Dr. Alister MacKenzie flows through three distinct terrain types – inland, duneland and oceanside. While the inland holes are incredible in their own right, it is the duneland and oceanside holes that steel the show. The 8th and 9th holes are among the finest back-to-back par fours in America, the 12th a superb dogleg right, proclaimed as Bobby Jones’ favourite golf hole (also my only birdie of the round), the 13th, a mid-length par four is unforgettable with its green cut into a dune, surrounded by some of the most magnificent bunkers that blend into the surrounding terrain. Perhaps the best three hole stretch in the world, the back-to-back par threes at 15 and 16, followed by the par four 17th, are simply breathtaking. As sated in Darius Oliver’s book, Planet Golf USA, “as memorable as these holes may be, they are but a prelude to the closing section and the sheer exhilaration one feels when stepping onto the 15th tee for the very first time. After crossing 17-Mile Drive, the golfer emerges from a cypress grove to be presented with a coastal golfing scene of almost inconceivable beauty. The visual splendour of this gem would be unsurpassed in golf were it not for the very next hole, the 16th – regarded almost universally as the most spectacular par three on the planet. Completing a three-hole stretch unrivalled anywhere on earth is a par four that heads across the craggy shoreline. Set obliquely to the tee, the fairway ere dominated by a central clump of cypress trees, which forces you to flirt with the water in order to set up an optimum view of the green.“
With its dramatic seaside cliffs, large costal dunes, pines and mythical, sometimes scary, cypress tress, Cypress Point Club will be forever remembered. I feel privileged and thank the Club for giving me the opportunity to experience this MacKenzie masterpiece.
2. Pebble Beach
“Pebble’s celebrated seaside holes are outrageously spectacular, the stretch from the 4th to the 10th without equal in this country.”
- Darius Oliver, Author of Planet Golf USA
Whether a golfer or not, almost everybody has heard of Pebble Beach. This is almost always ranked amongst the top-10 courses in the world. Having said that, I had been told not to expect great things. My mind was open and very much looking forward to playing on the famous course. Firstly, my expectations were far exceeded. You know you’re playing somewhere special. It has an aura that only a few places has in the world of golf.
While I enjoyed the inland holes, the stretch from the short par four 4th to the long par 4 10th was simply spectacular. Standout holes me included the 7th, one of the world’s shortest, yet most spectacular par threes, the 8th, a par four that requires an all-carry second shot over the ocean, and the 9th, a long par four, sloping left to right, with a downhill approach to a small green framed by the glistening white sand and ocean.
While outrageously expensive to play, it was worth every cent!
3. Pacific Dunes
“Every architect dreams of building among the sand dunes, in the same terrain where golf was conceived in the British Isles. For me and my associates, Pacific Dunes is that dream come true.”
- Tom Doak, Golf Course Architect
Tom Doak is a genius. For those that have played at Barnbougle Dunes, you will be familiar with his work. An Alister MacKenzie lover, Doak works with the land and is not afraid to be controversial on occasions.
Pacific Dunes was the first course we played while visiting the popular Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, located in a remote part of Oregon.
Having got on the “bogey train” from hole 4 to 8, I managed to finish with a 79 (eight over par) and loved every part of the golf course. It is on a spectacular piece of property, amongst pines, sand hills and the Pacific Ocean. While it’s the Oceanside holes at the 4th, 10th, 11th and 13th, that is breathtaking, its the design brilliance of the inland holes that makes Pacific Dunes, placing it ahead of the resorts other three courses, in my opinion.
4. Pasatiempo
“Many good golfers consider the second nine holes at Pasatiempo the finest in existence.”
- Dr. Alister MacKenzie, Golf Course Architect and Author of The Spirit of St. Andrews
As an avid MacKenzie fan, Pasatiempo was a must visit, for it is his most beloved course and most personal project. MacKenzie and his wife built a cottage by the sixth fairway, lived there during his final years, and had his ashes spread across the 16th fairway – his favourite golf hole.
Similar to Royal Melbourne, another MacKenzie course, the greens at Pasatiempo are incredible. Leave the ball above the hole; you are doing so at your own peril. While the weather was perfect (a 1 in 100 day we were told by the staff), the golf was ordinary at the beginning and getting better to finish. All the same, Pasatiempo was a very enjoyable and demanding golf course, asking for the best out of you on every shot.
While the front nine was beautiful, it was a little restricted by housing on one side. The back nine, however, was superb. Highlights were aplenty, including the tee shot on the 10th over a giant ravine, second shot on 11, again over a ravine, a fickle approach on 12, a beautiful short par three at 15, the mid-length par three finishing hole, over the same ravine at the 10th and the world-class par four 16th hole, proclaimed as MacKenzie’s favourite hole (pictured above). “The short holes are specially good, and I think the sixteenth hole is the best two-shot hole I know. I certainly do not know of any hole which gives so great an advantage for length and accuracy.” The approach to this green was one of the most difficult faced on the entire trip. Hitting a five iron from a hanging lie, you need to carry a ravine while avoiding a huge bunker front left, another bunker front right and out of bounds left. Once on the green, your work is not done. This is perhaps the most severely undulating green, with three tiers, sloping from back to front. Making a par here was one of the real highlights of not only my round at Pasatiempo, but the entire trip.
5. Bandon Dunes
“From the moment I stepped out on these wild, wind-shaped sand dunes, I knew this would be the opportunity of a lifetime.”
- David McLay Kidd, Golf Course Designer
You could forgive yourself for thinking that you were playing golf in the British Isles, at the many famous courses through Ireland or Scotland. However, Bandon Dunes was the first course at one of modern golf’s most extraordinary success stories, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.
Unlike Pacific Dunes, the inland holes, while good, do not make the golf course what it is. Rather, it is its stunning seaside holes that create the drama and exhilaration all golfers love to feel. The first site of the Pacific Ocean comes at the 4th hole, a terrific short par four, doglegging to the right with the ocean framing the green. The next two holes follow the shoreline, before the 7th takes you back inland. Other standout ocean holes were played at 12, 15 and 16, while the 14th hole was the best of the inland holes, requiring a drive to thread a cluster of fairway bunkers followed by a beautifully and somewhat blind angled green set at the foot of a sand dune.
I am yet to experience the best of links golf in England, Scotland and Ireland. For now, Bandon Dunes is as close as it gets and has whet the appetite for more.
THE OVERALL EXPERIENCE
1. Cypress Point Club
With an average of 30 golfers playing each day, Cypress Point is one of the world’s most exclusive golf clubs. The opportunity to experience Cypress Point is as rare as they come. Thankfully, the Head Golf Professional, Casey Reamer, gave my father and I this opportunity.
Although ultra-exclusive, Cypress Point does not know the word snobbery.
Once at the Club, I have never felt more welcome at a golf club, be it in America or Australia. The staff are genuine, hospitable and happy to chat. Unfortunately I didn’t meet Mr. Reamer but Terry, one of the Golf Shop employees looked after us like members. Terry has provided Cypress Point Club with the least amount of years of service. “I’m still a junior here, I began 17 years ago,” said Terry.
There is a real understated feel about the place – the Clubhouse, although not being allowed to go inside, is very simple, the locker rooms small, and the Pro Shop tiny. The amenities are very few and far between. It’s all about the golf course and the love of the game. Just the way the 250 members like it.
2. Pebble Beach
There is very few places in the world of golf that have an aura. St. Andrews has it and Cypress Point has it. After making par on the first hole, easing my tension, I knew we were playing somewhere special.
I had seen the golf course a thousand times. I’ve watched U.S. Opens and played video games. And now I’m there, playing the golf course, one of the most famous in the world and I loved every minute of it!
Playing the stretch of golf from the 4th to the 10th was incredible, particularly in the weather we were lucky to have – blissful sunshine and not even a one club breeze.
3. Meadow Club
This was Dr. Alister MacKenzie’s first American course and is set in a most delightful valley, a short drive from San Francisco. Although so close to a big city, you would never know it. Not once do you se a house on the golf course – rare in a state that has a population more than double of Australia.
At the first tee we were joined by a member and guest. Brad and Jeff were their names, both from San Francisco. They were great guys to play with, joined them for a couple of beers after golf, followed by dinner in the clubhouse with Brad’s wife, twin boys and daughter. The evening came to an end, Dad and I went to pay the bill, and Brad said, “there is no need to pay, it would my pleasure.”
4. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort
Four golf courses, lodging, ample food and beverage options and an amazing practice facility – all of this by the Pacific Ocean. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is for the golfing purists. It is all about the golf and not much else.
Each round, we were paired up with other golf lovers and true gentlemen. Drinks and dinner followed along with a good chat about all things golf, Bandon Dunes and its four courses.
5. Pasatiempo
As an avid Dr. Alister MacKenzie fan, Pasatiempo was a must-visit golf course. To see and play at the place MacKenzie loved so dearly was a terrific experience. To play and successfully par MacKenzie’s favourite golf hole in the world – the 16th, was even better. Although I didn’t play well, Pasatiempo was a true highlight of the trip.
CONDITIONING OF THE GOLF COURSES
1. Cypress Point Club
Fairways freshly cut with stripes and patterns you thought you only saw on television, greens rolling fast and true, and with caddies compulsory for all members, bunkers raked to perfection. It doesn’t get much better!
2. Pebble Beach
Equal to Meadow Club, the poa greens at Pebble Beach were pure to putt on – fast and true. The fairways were a mixture of poa and rye, although quite soft, played very well.
3. Spyglass Hill
Tighter lies than at Pebble, the fairways at Spyglass were like carpet – a pleasure to play from. Fortunately I was hitting my driver straight and found the fairways more often than not.
4. Pasatiempo
Striped fairways that had been freshly cut and again, their poa greens were a pleasure to putt on (except when above the hole).
5. Meadow Club
While the fairways were a little thinner that those listed above, the greens were better than the rest, perhaps equal to Pebble Beach.
INDIVIDUAL GOLF HOLES
Given we played 198 golf holes during this trip, to list only the top-5 would lave out some amazing holes worth mentioning. Thus, I have listed my top-5 par threes, fours and fives.
Par Threes
1. Cypress Point Club
15th hole - 135 yards
Although not as famous as its sister, the 16th, I loved the 15th hole at Cypress Point Club. It has more options from the tee, dictated from varying pin placements. Depending on the wind, a short to middle iron must cross an inlet to the green that is guarded by wicked bunkers on all sides, their infamous ice plant and the Pacific Ocean! It truly is a work of art.
2. Cypress Point Club
16th hole - 233 yards
This spellbinding and dramatic golf hole is the most feared and famous par three in the world. To reach the green, you must carry your tee shot 220 yards over the Pacific Ocean! Yes, you heard right.
For those that cannot reach the green, MacKenzie has provided an alternate route, where a fairway on the left can be reached with a middle iron. Whichever option the golfer chooses, concentrating when standing over the ball is difficult, as this hole is truly one of a kind.
7th hole - 109 yards
What an amazing setting the golfer is faced with when reaching the 7th tee. At just 109 yards, the wind strength could be the difference between hitting a sand wedge or three iron. The green is the size of a pimple, surrounded by bunkers and framed by the ocean.
11th hole - 148 yards
Like the previous par threes listed above, the Pacific Ocean acts as a hazard on this beautiful hole at Pacific Dunes. This smallest green on the course is raised and surrounded by bunkers short, left and right. With the ocean on your left, any shot pulled left will invariably find the hazard.
18th hole - 169 yards
Normally, I don’t like the 18th hole to be a par three. At Pasatiempo though, it is a spectacular way to finish. Depending on the wind direction, a mid-iron is often required from an elevated tee. While the green is quite large, to hit it in regulation is no mean feat. There is a huge ravine that one must successfully carry with massive bunkers cut into its ridge front left of the green.
Par Fours
1. Pasatiempo
16th hole - 387 yards
This is MacKenzie’s favourite hole - there is reason for that! At the tee, one must hit a solid drive to set up what must be one of the most heroic second shots found anywhere. Having successfully gotten your drive away, the second shot is played slightly uphill, over a ravine and large fearsome bunker guarding the front right of the green. Once at the green, you are faced with a gigantic putting surface over three tiers, sloping severely from back to front. Like most MacKenzie greens, don’t leave yourself above the hole at the 16th!
2. Cypress Point Club
9th hole - 289 yards
On what has to be the world’s best shot par four, the golfer must choose to go at the green or lay up with a mid-iron. Although not the smart play, for the last six months, I have told myself to hit driver, so I did. The result - bogey!
Standing on the tee, you are faced with a narrow playing corridor that is surrounded by beautiful sand dunes. Be sure to check the view behind you, looking down to the 13th hole and Pacific Ocean. It is truly one of the most beautiful views in all of golf!
3. Cypress Point Club
17th hole - 386 yards
This hole concludes what is the best three-hole stretch in the world. Firstly, the golfer must avoid the most penalising hazard on the hole - the Pacific Ocean lines the right side of the hole. There is also a clump of gnarly cypress trees in the middle of the fairway. The shortest route is the right, bringing the ocean into play. The safest route is left, leaving a longer approach to a green. Miss the green to the right, hope that the ball finds the greenside bunker. If not, the Pacific has another!
8th hole - 428 yards
Wow - is there a more intimidating second shot in golf? Perhaps, but I’m yet to see it. From the tee, a blind drive must be hit left of centre for the optimum line in. The second shot is an all world carry over the ocean, to a tiny green down below, surrounded by bunkers on all sides. I think I was most nervous standing over my second shot here, knowing what was lying beneath me.
13th hole - 444 yards
A spectacularly natural, uphill par four is played here with the ocean on the left and huge sand dune with blowout bunkers on the right. From the tee, there is more room left than appears for the first time player. Most balls will tend to be pushed right where there are a number of bunkers awaiting the miscued drive. The long second shot is played to an elevated green, making it difficult to know where the pin is located.
Par Fives
1. Pebble Beach
18th hole - 543 yards
The tee shot must avoid a tree in the middle of the fairway - left of the tree and right of the ocean being the optimum line. When laying up, a mid-iron is required to finish on the left side of the fairway, needing to avoid a tree that obstructs the front right of the green. Having successfully layed-up in the correct position, the approach shot to a small green must carry a bunker at the front of the green.
With people watching every shot you play here, making a par on the 18th at Pebble was another true highlight of the trip.
2. Spyglass Hill
1st hole - 595 yards
To reach the green in regulation, the approach shot must carry a huge bunker, starting at about 100 yards shot of the green.
3. Cypress Point Club
6th hole - 521 yards
Cypress Point has two back-to-back par fives at the 5th and 6th holes. At first, I was going to pick the 5th here, with beautiful bunkering leading up the green, seven in total that cannot be seen when looking back.
Rather, I have chosen the 6th, for its greensite is one of the most natural and beautiful I have come across in my travels. With a fairway sloping right to left, the tee shot must carry a large bunker on a ridge down the right handside, ideally drawing to maximise distance.
The green is reachable in two for the long hitters. If not, the approach is sure to please, as long s you avoid the bunkers left and long on this relatively small green.
4. Pebble Beach
6th hole - 523 yards
The first real standout hole at Pebble Beach is played from an elevated tee to a fairway boarded by bunkers on the left and the ocean on the right. The second shot is blind, over a steep slope with bunkers catching the pulled shot.
While this par five is a real standout, it is merely a prelude for the next three holes.
15th hole - 535 yards
From an elevated tee, there is a spectacular view overlooking almost the entire golf course at Old Macdonald. Although the green is reachable in two for longest of hitters, the best play is to lay-up at the left centre of the fairway, shot of a large bunker, located 85 yards from the tee. The approach shot is then played uphill to a semi-blind green, where the golfer will not see the ball finish. Club selection is critical.
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