Some thoughts on the Golf Course critics and their lists
10/01/2009
I’ve spent a great deal of time analyzing the major golf course critics in the
world. I think I have captured the essence of the process that these raters/critics
go through. Below I have put a little blurb about each one that I think can add
some value to the golfing world. However, as I’ve posted on many places in my
site (and I will re-iterate again here)…it is vital that each golfer know what
they like in a golf course in order to get the most out of these lists.
Furthermore, understanding the nuances of the lists will also add to their
usefulness.
Golf Digest…Golf Digest is the most widely distributed golf magazine in the
world. Therefore, their lists get read more than anyone else’s. However, golf
course architecture experts don’t seem to value the lists put out by GD as much
as others. Perhaps this is due to the fact that GD seems to like the beautiful golf
courses of the world better than other types of courses. However, they also
have a legacy for loving difficult golf courses. Beautifully brutal, perhaps.
Golfweek…The lists put out by Golfweek are unique. For starters, they have a
Top 100 Modern and a Top 100 Classic golf course list. However, by simply
using the information that Golfweek provides it is quite simple to derive their
inclusive Top 100 list. In either case, Golfweek has a clear and transparent
process that seems to gravitate towards courses with sound golf course
architecture. I like to say that Golfweek is all about the golf and prefers to leave
the glitz behind. This is similar to Ben Hogan saying, “I don’t like the glamour, I
just like the game.” If this mindset is similar to yours, check out Golfweek.
Golf Magazine…The lists put out by Golf Magazine appear to be a hybrid
between Golf Digest and Golfweek. They certainly appear to value traditional
golf course architectural concepts, but they also include some fantastically
beautiful golf courses. If you can appreciate both styles, take a look at the
pages within Golf Magazine.
Golf World...The Golf World readers choice lists are put together via a survey
that all Golf World readers can submit. The lists include favorite public courses,
private courses, and resorts. Frankly, these lists take a lot of flak from the golf
course experts. However, I REALLY like the resort rankings. Why? The readers
are required to have visited these resorts in the last 12 months in order to rate a
course and/or resort. The criteria listed on the survey includes; golf course
quality, value, playing speed, and other amenities to name a few. It is my opinion
that not all golfers go to a resort strictly for golf. Therefore, some people might
like to see the overall rankings and also see the rankings of the specific criteria
before they make a decision regarding which resort to take their family to. Some
examples of potentially important information are: What other amenities are
available, what is the cost-benefit analysis (or value) of this resort, is the golf
course good enough for them to enjoy it, how are the dining options, etc, etc,
etc. For a resort trip, there are many pieces of the puzzle that need to fit to
ensure a good family trip besides the golf course. That is why I like the resort
lists. If this appeals to you or you are thinking of taking a vacation that involves
golf, check out the Golf World lists.
Top 100 Golf Courses of the World…I found these lists online. They have a
process in which they amalgamate all of the third-party rankings and then add in
the opinions of their readers to derive their Top 100 lists. Due to this process,
there are not a lot of surprises in their lists. However, you get a real good feel of
what the golf course community as a whole feels about each and every course.
Frankly, I have seen two wildly divergent opinions on this type of process. Some
really don’t like it at all, as they use others work to derive their lists. While others
really like it. The interesting thing about these lists is that they are not limited to
one area of the world. In fact, they have a Top 100 in the World but they also
have a Top 100 in the USA, Britain and Ireland, Continental Europe, England,
Ireland, Scotland, and Spain. Furthermore, they have a list called “Your Gems,”
in which readers can send in their thoughts relative to courses they think should
be on the Top 100 list. This is where the surprises are and, frankly, it makes for
interesting reading.
Golf Blog 100…This site takes the opinions of the top Internet bloggers and puts
all of their thoughts and opinions together to come up with a Top 100 list. Some
hidden gems pop up and courses show up at unusual spots on their list when
compared to the traditional golf course critics lists. I really like the site as it gives
you a fresh look at these courses through a new set of eyes.
As an aside, some of the “bloggers” on the Golf Blog 100 have excellent sites
that stand on their own as useful places to visit. I have a link to “Now on the
Tee” on my site already, however;
“Playing the Top 100 Courses” deserves mention for its founders first hand
experience playing many of the world’s best courses
and
“Golf Course Gurus” deserves mention for their numerous lists and articles. But
also they have the most outstanding group of pictures and picture viewing
technology that I have ever seen on a blog. Many times, I have simply put their
slideshows on full screen and let it play. If you like to look at wonderfully
beautiful golf courses, give it a shot. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed with
some of these pictures.
As an FYI…if I’ve missed a good site related to ranking golf courses, please let
me know.
