I've Got the World on a String...

Let the arguments begin, as Golf Digest publishes its first ever ranking of the 100 top golf courses in the world. 

Personally, I find it hard to argue with a top 5 that includes Pine Valley, Cypress Point, Augusta National, Royal County Down and Shinnecock Hills (of course, I haven't actually played Nos. 1 and 3, and while I was lucky enough to play No. 2 twice, it was unfortunately back in the Paleozoic Age). 

The short 15th at Cypress Point.  The longer 16th that follows (its green can be seen at the top right) is the more famous of the back-to-back one shotters, but Mackenzie's bunkering here is sublime.

In addition to RCD, the top twenty includes links perennials Royal Dornoch (No. 6), The old Course (No. 7), Muirfield (No. 8), Royal Portrush (No. 16) and Turnberry (No. 19).  Turnberry I think is perhaps ranked a little too high, as it features far too many indifferent holes, though she is awfully pretty, it must be said (and the good holes are indeed very good).  At the same time Balybunion (No. 27), Lahinch (No. 64) and Waterville (No. 93) don't seem to garner the respect they deserve, at least in the opinion of your humble blogger.

I suspect that the ranking that will generate the most discussion will be famed Pebble Beach at No. 15, and to be honest I would have had it even lower.  For decades I've been calling it the most overrated golf course on the planet, admittedly in part to generate argument but also in reaction to its price tag.  It's obviously an exhilarating place to play, but it has many more mediocre golf holes than is generally realized.  It has at least two greens that need to be blown up before the 2019 U.S. Open, No. 14 where they only have one holeable location at Open green speeds and No. 17, where the best players in the world are forced to lay up in bunker because they can't hold the back of the hourglass green.

The dramatic ninth hole at Royal County Down, with the Slieve Donard Hotel and the Mountains of Mourne providing the backdrop.

I also used to call No. 18, the finishing Par 5, the most overrated hole in golf, because nothing interesting ever happened there (at least in U.S. Opens or Crosby Clambakes AT&T Pro-ams).  Until recently, nobody could reach it so it was a yawn of a three-shotter, and no one ever sank a putt on that green (except Tom Watson in '82, and he didn't need his).  But while the distance gains have made many classic golf courses obsolete, it has actually made Pebble's 18th into a somewhat interesting strategic hole, as players now have to make an actual decision as to whether to take it on.

As an aside, another FNBF*, Art Trojan, with whom we played Royal Liverpool a few years ago, is a Golf Digest course rater.  So anything you don't like on this list, feel free to blame Arty.

Of even greater interest to those of of a dweebish bent, is this Ron Whitten listing of Game Changers, the most important golf courses by decade,beginning with the 80's (the 1880's, that is).

*Former New Best Friend