With the PGA Tour returning this coming week to Torrey Pines I find myself reminiscing about my rounds at the beautiful oceanside course in LaJolla, CA.  While considering those times I am reminded how lucky I have been in my golf days to play some of the countries best and most prestigious courses.

I have been lucky enough to play 27 of Golf Digest’s Top 100 Public courses in the US, and 11 of the Top 100 Overall (Public & Private).  How, you may ask?  Whenever I travel I make sure to check the best courses in the area and do my best to go out and play them.  While it takes a big chunk out of my bank account, these trips fill my memory banks with beautiful days and great shots.

My most memorable shot took place at Torrey Pines South Course.  Some of my best Buddy rounds happened at Bethpage Black on Long Island.  Or The Ocean Course at Kiawah.  Or TPC Sawgrass.

The list goes on, and so I decided to list them.  Here are my Top 10 courses that I have played, in order of MY favorites:

1. Pebble Beach Golf Links: Pebble Beach, CA
2. Bethpage Black: Farmingdale, NY
3. The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island: Kiawah Island, SC
4. Oakland Hills Country Club (South): Birmingham, MI
5. Whistling Straits (Straits Course): Kohler, WI
6. TPC Sawgrass: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
7. Streamsong (Blue Course): Streamsong, FL
8. Torrey Pines (South Course): LaJolla, CA
9. Kemper Lakes: Kildeer, IL
10. Erin Hills: Hartford, WI

These are the best of the best – the courses we’ve all heard of and dream of playing.  But what about some of the courses you haven’t heard of?  Maybe they’re not on the Top 100 Lists, sometimes not even the best in their state.  Here are my favorite courses which you may not have heard of:

1. The Highlands Course at Primland: Meadows of Dan, VA
2. Rush Creek Golf Club: Maple Grove, MN
3. The Bull at Pinehurst Farms: Sheboygan, WI
4. The Legend at Giants Ridge: Biwabik, MN
5. Sedgefield Country Club: Greensboro, NC
6. Half Moon Bay: Half Moon Bay, CA
7. Stonewall Orchard Golf Club: Grayslake, IL
8. The Virtues Golf Club (Longaberger): Nashport, OH
9. Tullymore Golf Club: Stanwood, MI
10. Mistwood Golf Club: Romeoville, IL

What do you think?  My favorite courses – well, at least of the ones I have played.  What are your favorites?  Do you have one that isn’t shown here that you love?  Let’s discuss it…