Above is the par 4 second hole at Wannamoisett CC, an absolute masterpiece designed by Donald Ross in 1914. In the background is the signature par 3 third.
Let me start off by saying this list is more of a common-man golfer’s list. I’ve played some pretty nice courses but the majority of them have been publicly accessible tracks. As my golf obsession has grown over the years, and the more diverse courses I’ve played, I’ve become much more interested in the design and intricacies of the layouts created by the architects. For example, if you are playing a Donald Ross course you know you will be starting off with a relatively easy first hole, and all the greens will slope from back to front so you must stay below the hole or else face the dreaded 3 putt.
For the most part, I’ve looked at some of my favorite courses I’ve played, who designed the tracks, and then determine if there are any groupings of like-courses they’ve designed. In order to make the list, I MUST have played either a design or redesign by them. You will not find names such as Gil Hanse or Ben Crenshaw on this list, since I’ve never played one of their tracks (I played TPC before the Hanse redesign).
For the list itself, I’ve played anywhere from 1-10 of each of the designer’s courses.
So without further ado, we lead off with none other than…
1) Donald Ross
My man. Who else could have the top spot here? What started out as a joke a few years ago, “This is a Donald Ross course” (what does that even mean???) has morphed into me SEEKING out Ross designs because you know exactly what you are getting (now I know what it means): a relatively easy first hole, many elevated greens, greens that slope from back to front, and a fair course. Donnie (I like to call him Donnie) has designed some absolute masterpieces that I’ve played. My two favorite Ross tracks have come in the last 9 months and they are elegant: Wannamoisett Country Club in Rumford, RI and Rhode Island Country Club in Barrington, RI. Both of these courses fit the Ross mold to a tee, and neither one has a single bad hole. If you ever have a chance to play either of these, do yourself a favor and do it. They are both golf dreamland.
Other notable Ross courses I’ve played: Oak Hill Country Club (Fitchburg, MA), Metacomet Country Club
Pictured above is the 16th green at Ross’s Rhode Island Country Club.
2) Rees Jones
Rees come in at number 2 on my list mainly because his gem at TGC Sacconnesset is easily a top 5 course for me. Each hole is beautifully designed. More importantly, it plays very fair – if you hit good shots, you will be rewarded. If you spray it, you will suffer.
Favorites: TGC Sacconnesset (pictured below is the tee shot of the par 4 419 yard 17th), Blackstone National
3) Brian Silva
The local boy from Framingham has designed so many excellent tracks it’s hard to keep count. Here is a murderer’s row of courses to choose from: Cape Cod National, Black Rock Country Club, Red Tail, Waverly Oaks, Acushnet River Valley, Highfields. Whew, I’m out of breathe just listing those out. You are in for a treat at any of those courses Silva has designed. Just be ready for that 200 yard par 3 he loves!
Favorites: Black Rock Country Club (Hingham, MA) (pictured below), Cape Cod National, Red Tail
4) Mike Strantz
Mike Strantz is a guy you may not have heard of if you’re from New England. I’ve ventured down to the Myrtle Beach/Pawley’s Island on a few different golf trips and have played two of his greatest designs: Caledonia and True Blue. These are two drastically different courses: Caledonia being shorter and tighter whereas True Blue is large and sprawling filled with waste bunkers everywhere. Caledonia, in my opinion, is the best course I’ve played to date.
Favorites: True Blue, Caledonia
Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, above, is one of the finest golf courses you can play in South Carolina.
5) Tom Fazio
Living in the northeast, you won’t have access to many Fazio designed tracks. In fact, I think the (now private) International Oaks course in Bolton, MA is the only Fazio design in New England. But I have played a few of his courses, most notably TPC Myrtle Beach (excellent golf course, home to Dustin Johnson), and the Barefoot-Fazio layout which is where I broke 80 for the first time.
Favorites: TPC Myrtle Beach, International Oaks, Barefoot-Fazio
6) Geoffrey Cornish
I like to call him Old Reliable. He designed the most courses out of anyone in New England. He and Silva teamed up for some time so you’ll likely see their names together. Chances are you’ve played several of his courses while out with your buddies, slugging back bud diesels and ripping stogies.
Favorites: Norton Country Club, Foxborough Country Club, Indian Ridge
7) Robert Rulewich
Another name that might not be all too familiar, as the majority of his courses are elsewhere, notably throughout the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Alabama. He lands on my list because he designed Meadow Brook Golf Course, which is the very definition of a “hidden gem” down in Richmond, RI. Another course that seemingly has no bad holes, plays very fair, and is a lot of fun to play.
Favorites: Meadow Brook Golf Course (18th hole pictured below)
8) Walter Travis
An old-timer, he is credited with designing another one of my favorite courses to play in Maine, Cape Arundel Golf Club. It’s the home course of both George H.W. Bush and George W Bush – ever hear of them? This is an all-time old school track, with very little room from green to next tee. The greens here are fabulous, with many undulations and mounds protecting them as its only 5,880 from the tips.
Favorites: Cape Arundel (pictured below is the 165 yard par 3 13th)
9) Robert Trent Jones, Sr.
I’m sure RTJ, Sr. would be much higher on this list if I’ve played more of his courses, alas, I’ve only played two once each so I’m not overly familiar with his work. However, the two I played, Royal Ka’anapali and Ferncroft CC were incredibly beautiful layouts that I enjoyed thoroughly.
Favorites: Royal Ka’anapali, Ferncroft Country Club (view from behind the 18th green below)
10) Arthur Hills/Drew Rogers
I’m coupling these two together because they designed one of my favorite courses, Newport National, and I needed to have that on here in some way. They created a great layout in southern RI – give it a whirl if you’re ever in the area.
Favorites: Newport National Golf Club (the 148 yard par 13, which offers a peninsula-like green, is shown below)
The New England Golfer 