Next up in my Favourite Courses series is Tom Doak. Tom is considered one of the true greats of modern golf course architecture. Five of the top fifty courses in the World have been designed by Tom - Pacific Dunes (18), Tara Iti (28), Barnbougle Dunes (36), Cape Kidnappers (43) and Ballyneal (45) - and he has many other great courses to his name.
Tom is not scared to state an opinion and his Confidential Guide is often said to be the ultimate guide to the world’s golf courses. The 5th edition of the series is about to be published, covering Asia, Australia and New Zealand - essential reading for anyone planning a trip to those parts.
When I asked Tom to give me his Top 10 Favourite courses he made a good point. He said that is was kind of silly to try to pick 10 from the 1,500+ courses he has seen. But the good news is he did it anyway! Here they are:
ST ANDREWS - THE OLD COURSE
Duh.
UK Golf Guy Review
NORTH BERWICK - WEST LINKS
Left off many lists of great courses because it's not challenging enough for great players. Not a problem for me!
UK Golf Guy review, Scottish Golf History, Planet Golf
PRESTWICK
The original home of The Open fell off the rota in 1925 because it is too short and too cramped for large galleries, but the thrilling nature of the golf holes has never been in question.
Golf Club Atlas feature, Planet Golf
ST ENODOC GOLF CLUB
Lesser known links in the west of England, features stone walls as hazards, beautiful views of Daymer Bay, an ancient stone church inside the course, and the biggest bunker I've ever seen.
St Enodoc Website, Golf Empire, Golf Club Atlas
NATIONAL GOLF LINKS OF AMERICA
The first great course in America, built by C.B. Macdonald as a homage to the great Links of the UK.
UK Golf Guy Review, NGLA website, 1968 Sports Illustrated Article
CYPRESS POINT
The most beautiful piece of land devoted to golf.
Graylyn Loomis, Golf Digest, Playing the Top 100
HIMALAYAN GC, POKHARA, NEPAL
Set in a deep river canyon at the base of the Himalayas, with the 27,000 foot peak of Annapurna looming on the horizon.
Himalayan Golf Course Website, Skratch Video
ROYAL MELBOURNE
The ideal golf course that Augusta claims to be - perfect, tight playing surfaces, plenty of room for the member to get around, zero water hazards, yet a course that makes great players grind.
UK Golf Guy Review, No Laying Up Tourist Sauce, Shackleford Golf Channel Analysis
BARNBOUGLE DUNES
A true Links, roamed by wallabies and wombats, with some of the best short par-4 holes in the world.
UK Golf Guy Review, Top 100 golf courses, Golf Club Atlas Review, Planet Golf Review
ROCK CREEK CATTLE COMPANY, DEER LODGE, MONTANA
Laid out over a 40,000 acre Montana ranch, the long loop of holes features mountain vistas, a rushing trout stream, elk, buffalo, and great golf.
Rock Creek Website, The Walking Golfer
A big thanks to Tom for taking the time to do this. You can see others in the ‘Favourite Courses’ series here.
