Love Ballyowen at Crystal Springs. Playing it next week

For me, the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is hard to beat. There are multiple courses on property that are considered "must play" by many golf publications. The cost is not astronomical and can even be considered reasonable if you're willing to play multiple rounds in one day (1st round is full price, 2nd round is half price, 3rd round is free and 4th round, they pay you $100). The hardest part is getting there but once you arrive, you won't regret it.

I don't get to travel for golf as much as I'd like, but I've played a few of the better known in California, Nevada, Arizona area and my favorite is Whitehawk Ranch in Northern California, and second probably Gainey Ranch in Scottsdale.
Whitehawk is a mountain course and always in top shape (weather permitted), and you can take me there anytime (except winter) and I'll be as happy playing there as anywhere in America. Top fee is $139 with several options to get it down to around $90.
Gainey is a private 27 hole that always looks like the postcard pictures of the finest courses, and you have to stay at the Hyatt to be able to play. Price varies from $165 down to $80 depending on when you play.

I second Abdon's pick for favorite public course(s). Certainly not "under-rated" since Golfweek magazine rates all five courses in the Top-12 courses in the USA that you can play. There is a reason that December will be my 10th year in a row.

10 years! I sure hope you get a special "welcome back" gift when you check-in. I forgot to mention the "welcome back" gifts you get from Bandon when you check-in. Over the years, I've received unique ball markers, pins, wine bottle stoppers and leather bound notebook pad holder. My 10th year will be in May 2023 and I can't wait.

Here in So.Cal there’s an old school course designed by Billy Bell Jr., it’s by the water called Sandpiper Golf Course located just north of Santa Barbara. I think it’s a big boy course and could hold a big enough event. If they want to.

Not far but even more north of it is a course called La Purisima GC. It’s not really a first class course, but it sure has everything to challenge anyone’s game.

Notable: Bayonet Black Horse GC, both the Bayonet course and the Black Horse course.

I have never been to Bandon but have heard great things. I think the courses that are part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail are great and underrated. Yes, some are published in GolfWeek Best in the State but you don't hear a lot of notoriety about them or talked about a lot. A hidden gem I feel. I am planning on heading back in 2023 to play a few more.

Prices are great too. The last trip I did with my son was 14 rounds of golf for around $600 total.

I agree. Capitol Hill, the RTJ location near Montgomery AL, is my home "course." It's a 54 hole complex, with three unique courses. The Symetra Tour will be there for an event in a few weeks. Throughout all Trail locations, the quality is first rate, the service is great, and you can't beat the prices.

George,

My son and I played Capitol Hill (Leg and Senator), great tracks. Different track as well. I want to play the Judge. My next trip I want to play The Shoals, Hampton Cove, Silver Lakes and Ross Bridge. My son's favorite was Cambrian Ridge the last time.

If you are heading to Streamsong later this month lest connect.

Tyler

Queens town Golf Links on the eastern shore of Maryland always was a treat. I have not played it in years, but loved it!

Pacific Grove Golf Links, Pacific Gove, California. The back nine is AWESOME. The famous golf architect Jack Neville, who also crafted Pebble Beach Golf Links, designed the back-nine to perfection in 1960. The natural terrain of the rocky peninsula appears untouched, as if the only task required to create this course was to sow the seed. The 12th through 15th offer classic links style golf on the very tip of the Monterey Peninsula, surrounded by Pacific Ocean. The back-nine surrounds the Point Pinos Lighthouse, which opened on September 28, 1855, making it the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the West Coast. Hole #16 offers an elevated tee box with panoramic views that plays down to the rugged coastline with Crespi Pond (a fresh water pond) to the right of the green. Pacific Grove Golf Links has a reputation for being one of the best municipal golf courses in the State of California and is dubbed "the poor man's Pebble Beach" for good reason! It can be crowded on the weekends but weekdays are almost always open.

George Wright Municipal, Boston MA.It's simply a tough well kept muni. Good luck trying to par 9&10 from the tips.

I really love Suneagles at the old Fort Monmouth property in NJ. Such a cool track.

Also love the Disney World courses, specifically Lake Buena Vista.

Torrey Pines North, especially since the renovations!