PGA.com Best Links-style courses in the US

http://www.pga.com/yahoo/golf-courses/quick-nine/best-links-style-courses-in-us-quick-nine?atrack=Yahoo_2_golf-courses

From that link, we get the 'Quick 9' list of the best links-style courses in America.

The list:
9. Pebble Beach Golf Links
8. Newport National Golf Club
7. Shinnecock Hills Golf Club
6. The Ocean Course
5. Chambers Bay
4. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort
3. Erin Hills
2. Whistling Straits
1. Nags Head Golf Links

I suppose the list was meant to be all in good fun, but I have a few issues with it.

First, Pebble Beach is a "links" in name only. The turf conditions, both naturally caused and man-made, generally prevent the running style of golf seen at links courses. Even the turf type is not links turf. No, Pebble is certainly no links course, unless we are to redefine the genre.

Second, the four courses at Bandon Dunes being grouped into one entry is a travesty. I could, perhaps, see one of the courses left off the list (I think Bandon Trails is a sandy heathland course, but that is another matter) but grouping them all together is simply strange. And given some of the other entries on the list, a obvious show of ignorance.

Third, Chambers Bay and Whistling Straits are built on reclaimed land with massive earth moving done to create the courses. That alone is not a disqualifier, but does prompt a more detailed look.

Fourth, Erin Hills is located 25 miles, is more, from the shores of Lake Michigan. That is not linksland by any conventional definition.

Finally, there is Nags Head, perched at Number 1. This is simply not a links course. I've played the majority of my golf on bermuda turf and I can tell you it's not links turf. Not to mention houses...I'll stop. But I have no state pride here. More embarrassment at the general ignorance of golfers. Saddens me, really.

Your thoughts?

Playing New Courses

What drives people to continue playing new golf courses? Surely it must not be boredom with their home course, otherwise they would pick a new one. I can not speak for everyone, to be sure, but I am certainly not driven by boredom. Typically I find myself motivated to play a new course simply for variety and fun. However, other times, I play a new course because I intend to learn something specific about golf design and/or features. But both of these amount to one thing, I play new courses "because they are there."

New courses are simply fun to play, even when the course is poor quality. There is always some level of excitement in seeing new features and holes for the first time. Even on courses that have been seen before, the excitement exists in seeing new features that were missed previously. New courses also provide variety. This variety can be anything from different shot types into greens to having to shape shots off the tee when that may not be required at the home course. Playing new courses, seeing this variety, keeps the golf game sharp by having to play new and different shots, rather than the same ones time after time.

Sometimes, though, I find myself going to new courses to see specific things. Perhaps, it may be that the course is generally highly regarded and worth seeing. It may be that a course is worth seeing because it was done by a specific designer on a specific type of site. But these courses are visited with a specific purpose and desire for growth in course design knowledge. 

At all times though, for the same reasons skydivers jump and climbers climb, I play new courses simply because they are there. Most of the time, I really need no reason to play a new course beyond  the fact that the door is open and the cash drawer accepting of my money. 

I don't intend to ever stop playing new golf courses....well, unless I manage to play every golf course that is currently in existence. Of course that will not happen. It is simply too much fun to go and play new golf courses, either with friends or with strangers who I meet on the first tee. That is one of the great joys of golf.

The Dunes Golf & Beach Club and Arcadian Shores

Johnny B playing some Jones family golf tomorrow. Robert Trent Jones, Se. classic at The Dunes and a Rees Jones design at Arcadian Shores. Dunes and Arcadian Shores are both prior Golf Digest Top 100 in America and Dunes is currently ranked among the Top 100 Public Courses in America. Should be quite a fun day. Photo tours and reviews to come shortly.