From Rob Shim of Dublin, Ohio: Hi Matt, Thanks for your help on "Out of the Inbox: Jacksonville." We've recently completed our trip to the Jacksonville area. The courses we played, in order: Amelia Long Point, Ponte Vedra Inn Ocean, Amelia National, Pete Dye's Valley Course, and the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass (pictured above). All of the courses were phenomenal. We got to meet Bill Hughes, GM of TPC Sawgrass, who came out and greeted us at the 17th at Valley. This was day after Tiger's announcement so we were doubly impressed that he had time to come out and greet fellow Ohioans. This alone made the experience of a lifetime (along with seeing Tiger's announcement from across the street). The only downside was that grasses were brown from cold weather. I will write again for advice on our next destination when that is determined.

Rob, What was your favorite course? What was the best value for your money? How much did you pay to play each course? And how did you do on 16-18 at the Stadium?

--Matty G.

Do you have a question you'd like answered on this blog or in the magazine? Send it to: www.golfdigest.com/contact/mattyg

I'm tweeting from Kiawah this week/weekend. Follow me at: http://twitter.com/WheresMattyG

From Tim Thompson of Sunnyvale, Calif.: "Matt, I just read your report on Santa Barbara. [Here's the link.] Actually, if you were staying in Buellton, and you headed west on Highway 246, you'd be going down the road to La Purisima, No. 33 on Golf Digest's list of America's 50 Toughest Courses. We did that last summer on our annual buddies trip, but we avoided Sandpiper because of the price. We heard it was a nice course with million-dollar views, but if the course weren't on the ocean, it would be very average. We did play Rancho San Marcos [pictured above]. We thought it was a very good layout, but the course was dead--I guess they have water issues in the summer, and not to say anything about that to us beforehand, and still charge us $90 for an afternoon twilight, a lot of guys in our group were less than pleased. I know you can't rip courses, but to be honest, the Central Coast Golf Trail, just up Highway 101, has much better courses. For our trip, the best course of the weekend was Monarch Dunes, about 40-miles north in Nipomo."


Thank you, Tim. I appreciate the feedback and the additional info about the Central Coast Golf Trail. On the issue of my critiques: Generally, if I find a course where there's nothing good to say about it, then yes, you're right, I don't "rip it." Instead, I don't write anything about it, and it generally falls prey to the laws of supply and demand. I believe that in Golf Digest, people would rather read about where to play instead of where not to play. And I'd like to think I'm in the business of celebrating the courses or the resorts who are doing "it" right. I make a point of ignoring the ones who have a flawed business model, horrible service or just don't get "it." And even then, in the cases of the new Pete Dye Course in French Lick, Pebble Beach, Whistling Straits or the walk-up price at Pinehurst No. 2, I continue to say those places are overpriced. And I say the Ocean Course at Kiawah is too hard (and too expensive) for the average golfer.

As for Sandpiper, I actually said something similar to what you've heard:

Given the location, pristine condition and holes running along the water, Sandpiper understandably gets a lot of the area's golf buzz, but that comes at a price--$175 on weekends. William F. Bell, who was brought in to build Torrey Pines after his father died, also designed Sandpiper, and there is a resemblance.

Sandpiper has some memorable holes, but it has too many generic ones to consider it a great course. Four out of the six holes that have ocean views were my favorites: the fifth, sixth, 11th and 13th. The starter told me about one guy who recently played the par-3 11th (pictured above), with its elevated tee shot to an oceanside green, and announced, "I now know where I want them to spread my ashes." A worthy spot, but a somber thought on a perfect October afternoon.

Tim, I'm sorry Rancho San Marcos wasn't in great shape when you were there. I was there in October and had no complaints, other than it's narrow in spots and I lost a lot of balls. I called Rancho San Marcos for a response to your note. I spoke to Kyle Oliver, first assistant pro, who has been there for six years. Oliver says they haven't had water issues since 2004. "That's weird," said Oliver. "The course was in great shape last summer. In fact, Greenskeeper.org has awarded us Best Playing Conditions in Santa Barbara County in 2008 and in 2009. I wish those guys would've come to us if they had a complaint."

Anyway, thank you, Tim--for the tip about the Central Coast Golf Trail. The next time I'm in the area, which I love, I'll check it out.

In the summer of 2008 I wrote one of the only Away Game's about a property located outside of the U.S. I wrote about Mayakoba, near Cancun, Mexico (pictured above). I've remained domestic-centric with stories in the travel section of Digest for one obvious reason -- a sensitivity to the effects of the economy. My next story outside the U.S. will be about Wales, as a walk up to the Ryder Cup.

Contrary to the belief that the only thing happening in golf this week is that Tiger touched his chest in an attempt to touch our hearts (or that Sergio enjoys match play), Mayakoba is also hosting a PGA Tour event. Last I checked Joe Durant was leading by two (12-under) and John Daly is in the mix (minus 6).

The course at that resort, with two lodging options, is designed by Greg Norman. Other than Doonbeg, El Camaleon is probably my second favorite Norman course that I've played. I liked Doonbeg after The Shark was brought back to make the course more playable. (The first version was slightly ridiculous.) I also hear the course he did on Lanai is worth the trip. The last time I was there, I only had time to play the Nicklaus course.

Anyway, here's a link to the Away Game about Mayakoba. I still have dreams about being back to the Rosewood, boating to my room, getting a massage at the spa surrounded by cenotes and eating delicious fish tacos on a private beach (pictured above). A dream is about all I can hope for. Those are free. The Rosewood is another resort out of my price range. If it's in your price range, I highly recommend it.

Most of the tour players are staying at the Fairmont, which is more affordable, and more conducive to the needs of young families.

Here's a link to the Away Game about my trip to Mayakoba.

--Matty G.

A few months ago I wrote an Away Game about the scenery, golf and lodging on the North Shore of Kauai. (Here's a link to that story). No, the "scenery" was not in reference to Taylor the surf instructor, although the girl is almost as visually stunning as the Na Pali Coast (see below). In the article I said the Makai course was undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation and that it would reopen "in early 2010."

Well, I'm pleased to report that the 18-hole championship course is open (pictured above). And for a guy trapped in the frigid cold and buried in the snow of the Northeast, looking at that picture (pick one), it makes me want to catch a cab to JFK. (At the very least -- hit a heated stall at Randall's Island driving range, tucked under the not-so scenic Triborough Bridge.)

Designed (in 1971) and renovated by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., the Makai will charge $200 as a standard rate (which is now as much as the neighboring Prince Course, ranked No. 67 on Golf Digest's list of America's 100 Greatest.) Pay $400 and play three rounds at the Makai within seven days. Stay at least five nights (rates start at $610 per night) and get unlimited golf for two (includes free rental sets).

The other nine holes at the Makai, the Woods course (no relation to Tiger), is scheduled to open April, 1.

The St. Regis Princeville Resort opened in October. Here's a link to their website.

Happy Friday from Taylor the surf instructor. (And she's not just a pretty face.) Here's a link to more about her ability to teach and her aspirations to be a chef.

FYI -- Taylor's favorite course: "The Makai."

(Then it's mine too.)

--Matty G.


(Photographs provided by Makai Golf Course and Walter Iooss Jr.)

A few weeks ago I interviewed Mia Hamm, one of the greatest athletes of all time. I asked her about her passion for golf, her travel habits, if her husband, Nomar Garciaparra, has a funky pre-shot routine in golf (like he does in baseball), and I asked her about her upcoming charity golf match with Annika Sorenstam. The complete Q&A won't come out until the first week of May, but because the match with Annika is Friday, Feb. 19, at the Origins Golf Club in WaterSound, Fla., I thought I'd release a portion of our conversation today, as an audio file (see below).

"Mia is one of the greatest female athletes of our generation and an inspiration to so many people worldwide," says Sorenstam. "I am a big fan of hers, and we are honored to have her take part in the ANNIKA Experience at WaterSound."

The match will be 10 holes, in a par-3 configuration. Mia and Annika will have a different junior golfer as a partner on each hole. The event will benefit local charities and the ANNIKA Foundation, which  "teaches children the importance of living a healthy, active lifestyle through fitness and nutrition and offers aspiring junior golfers opportunities to pursue their dreams."

Here's a portion of my interview with Hamm, who says she has a low score of 76 and used to break 80 frequently, but that was before she gave birth to twins.

(Poor Mia, she thought she was playing with Annika, not against her):

Even George Will would agree, Hamm's record as a collegiate soccer player at North Carolina has to be one of the best sports stats ever--she was 94-1 and won four national championships. Hamm still remembers the loss. "We played UConn at UConn," she says. "I think the score was 3-2."

--Matty G.

(Photographs by Getty Images.)

So . . . what’s the update on Erin Hills?

There really isn’t one, other than on Feb. 6, surrounded by the comfy confines of Pinehurst, the USGA’s Executive Committee did NOT vote Erin Hills the host of the 2017 U.S. Open. The good news is: they didn’t vote. Lord knows they had enough going on: the unpopular groove rule, the popular Michael Whan (the new Commissioner of the LPGA) and the introduction of Jim Hyler (the USGA’s new President), who’s pouch of popularity currently sits in the drawer of limbo.

On the subject of the Open venue, seven years from now, that's also in limbo, at least until June, when the USGA will make the official announcement the week of the Open at Pebble Beach.

I’m told by several sources that the USGA asked another potential 2017 venue for “more information.” I’m guessing this is Cog Hill and I’m also guessing that if Cog Hill is to be considered, that venue needs to guarantee that local politicians and the police will completely cooperate with necessary road closures and various forms of mass transportation in and out of Chicago proper. (It’s a blog, I can do some educated guessing.)

And while I’m at it, I think the USGA is going to demand so much from Cog Hill that they can’t possibly deliver, therefore, Erin Hills wins.

Only a little more time will tell.

--Matty G.

Click here to read my recent Golf World cover story about Bob Lang (former owner of Erin Hills) and more about the golf course in Wisconsin.

Four years ago I was assigned a Golf Digest Q&A with Paula Creamer, who was 19 at the time.

From a driving range on the side of the road in Long Island, to posh Palm Springs, I chased her around the country getting to know a young, but fierce, competitor who predicted a U.S. victory in the 2005 Solheim Cup -- and then backed it up with her sticks. (Creamer went 3-1-1 and embarrassed an LPGA legend, Laura Davies, beating her 7&5 in singles.)

I considered the opportunity to do a Digest Q&A with Creamer my break, on the heels of her breakthrough. I had dealt with pros on all three tours for years, but none as young, or as refreshing, as Creamer. Where some say she was cocky, I thought she was simply comfortable being confident. Some warned me that her parents would try to control the outcome of the Q&A. That was not even close. Although I met Paula's parents, they had no interest in being involved in any of our interview sessions. They might still tag along on Paula's adventures, like any interested set of parents who can afford to do so, but it has always been clear to me that Paula was driving the boat of Creamer ambition, and God help the tip of any iceberg that got in her way. (See Laura Davies.)

Creamer, now 23, has eight tour victories but no majors; she has a pile of cash, but she still doesn’t know how to use an ATM card. In our most recent conversation, she was still not afraid to be open about the status of her tour, Tiger and travel -- and she’s still predicting the future. Coming off a year that was stalled by an iceberg, in the form of some physical adversity, she's back at the helm, and she's predicting her best year yet.

Here's the link to our recent conversation.

Here's a link to the Q&A that appeared in the January, 2006 issue of Golf Digest.

And here's a few more perspectives on the life of Paula Creamer:

--Matty G.

Repeating explanation: In almost every trip to report an Away Game, I try to find a round of affordable golf to include in my itinerary. "Affordable" is as relative a term as a list like this is subjective. So for the purpose of this list, here’s how I’m defining affordable: A course that charges less than $125 on weekends during peak season for non-residents. I’m ranking them in reverse order, based on the green fee. The least expensive on my list earns the top spot. (Courses 10-6 on my list are in the previous post.)

No. 5--The Quarry and The Legend at Giants Ridge in Biwabik, Minn. ($89). I’m grouping them together because if you were willing to get to Biwabik, which is practically in Canada, you’d never play just one. I prefer The Legend (opened in 1997, ranked No. 72 on our list of America’s 100 Greatest Public), over The Quarry (opened in 2003, ranked No. 20), but it's splitting rocks because they’re both good and they’re both a bargain. Two different looks, The Legend (pictured above) runs along a river and a lake and sits at the base of what functions as a ski resort most of the year. When it opened, my colleague, Ron Whitten, wrote a review of the Quarry: “Hands down, the finest course in Minnesota. It’s a combination of Pebble Beach, Pine Valley, Merion and Tobacco Road, with a bit of architectural Tabasco sauce sprinkled in for the occasional jolt.” That might be a bit of literary hot sauce, but you get the idea. (Twilight, $60, start time varies. Replay rate is $58.)
 
No. 4--The Olympic Course at Gold Mountain Golf Club in Bremerton, Wash. ($76, includes a cart). Washington golf isn’t all Chambers Bay. When I was in town to scout the future Open venue, I was told I had to get to Gold Mountain, which is covered in trees. And now I’m passing on the tip. The Olympic course hosted the 2006 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship and it will host the 2011 U.S. Junior Amateur. The cold, wet weather is obviously a factor, but I love the deal they’re running until March: Pay $100 and get 30 days of unlimited golf. (Twilight, $27, starts at 3 p.m.)  

No. 3--Black Forest at Wilderness Valley in Gaylord, Mich. ($75). Tom Doak has built only two public courses in his home state of Michigan. He told me Black Forest is where he was experimenting with a lot of bunkering techniques that he still uses today, and that if he had to do it all over again, he’d make this course more playable for the masses. It’s tough, but far from unfair. The blue tees (6,496 yards) have a slope of 143. The slope from the white tees (6,129 yards) drops to 127. I played a combination of both tees and had all I could handle. One of Doak’s favorite holes is the 10th, and it’s my favorite as well. It’s a long and narrow par 5--tunneling ants have had more room to work. (Twilight, $50, starts at 3 p.m.)

No. 2--Wailua Municipal Golf Course on Kauai, Hawaii ($70). The Bethpage Black of Hawaii, Wailua has hosted three U.S. Amateur Public Links Championships. The first nine was built in the 1930’s; the second nine was added in 1961. It’s only three miles from the Lihue airport, so it’s an easy stop on your way to or from the North Shore. It has several holes running along the water, including my favorite, the “signature” 173-yard 17th. You will not be run over with polish--if there’s a dress code, they don’t enforce it--but you might be run over by the pace of the locals, so I suggest you keep up with the group in front of you. (Twilight, $30, starts at 3 p.m., and it’s first come, first serve.)  

No. 1--Coronado Municipal Golf Course in Coronado, Calif. ($35). If Bethpage Black is my favorite course near my favorite city in the country, Coronado (pictured below) is my favorite course near San Diego, my second favorite city. The last time I played there was with my brother and a best friend from high school. Most of my brother’s clubs ended up in the neighboring San Diego Bay (I think he kept his driver and his putter). It was quite a scene at a course known for its high quality and a low fee. Advanced tee times (8-14 days) are $60. All other tee times can be obtained through a daily lottery and phone calls. (Twilight, $15, starts at 1 p.m. in the winter.)

So there you have it, my list of top 25 public courses, and a list of top 10 based on value. Any other lists you're looking for? I'm taking requests.

If you want a useful link, click here for the list of America's 100 Greatest, re-ranked by price.

--Matty G.

In almost every trip to report an Away Game, I try to find a round of affordable golf to include in my itinerary. "Affordable" is as relative a term as a list like this is subjective. So for the purpose of this list, here’s how I’m defining affordable: A course that charges less than $125 on weekends during peak season for non-residents. I’m ranking them in reverse order, based on the green fee. The least expensive on my list earns the top spot. It seems only fitting to pick up where I left off:

No. 10--Bethpage State Park (Black) in Farmingdale, N.Y. ($120). I wrote an extensive review in my list of my top five public courses in the country. The Black is my favorite. Here's a link to that review. (Or, you can click next to "previous post" at the bottom of this page.)   

No. 9--French Lick Resort (Donald Ross Course) in French Lick, Ind. ($120, includes a cart). The Pete Dye Course, just up the street, received the Golf Digest award for Best New Public Course in 2009, but the green fee is silly ($350) and the Ross Course gives you more fun for your buck. The par-70, 7,000-yard layout is also plenty of test, even for the best golfer of your group. Built in 1917, the Ross Course hosted the 1924 PGA Championship (won by Walter Hagen) and still features flat-bottom bunkers, square greens and a series of par 3s that will give you fits. (Twilight, $65, starts at 4 p.m.)

No. 8--The Classic at Madden’s on Gull Lake in Brainerd, Minn. ($119). Madden’s Resort had a few courses on property but in the mid-’90s they wanted a bigger draw for serious golfers. They went out and hired none other than . . . their superintendent, Scott Hoffman. As I stood on the 10th tee, Hoffman came out and explained he had to cut down some trees, move a few rocks and very little earth because the course was already there, he just started mowing the grass. In a Tom Doakian display of minimalism, that’s exactly how it feels as you make your way around a beautiful piece of property, 60 feet of elevation change and sweeping views of enticing approach shots with a backdrop of red oaks. If my favorite public courses in the country list went to 30, instead of just 25, this course would be on it. It ranks No. 40 on Golf Digest’s list of America’s 100 Greatest Public. (Twilight, $80, starts at 3 p.m.)

No. 7--The Bog in Saukville, Wis. ($95). An Arnold Palmer design that opened in 1995, the course is named after the neighboring Cedarburg Bog, 1,750 acres of a national landmark. It’s located 25 minutes from the Milwaukee airport and 35 minutes from the American Club, so it’s perfect for a round on the front or back end of a trip to Kohler (or Erin Hills). Buyer beware: the week of this year’s PGA Championship at Whistling Straits (Aug. 9-15), the Bog is going to gouge you with an inflated green fee. Prices will be $150 on Monday and Tuesday, and $175 for 7:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. shotguns, Wednesday through Sunday. But that just means it will go from a status of “sweet deal” to “decent value” during the week of a major. (Twilight, $79, starts at 3 p.m.)  

No. 6--Montauk Downs State Park in Montauk, N.Y. ($92). Listed as a Robert Trent Jones Sr. design, locals say the great C.B. Macdonald had some say in the original layout back in 1928, when they charged $3.50 on weekends. Rees Jones is currently involved in a renovation of the course (pictured below), located 120 miles east of New York City (there are only a few more miles left before you hit the Atlantic Ocean). Montauk is my favorite small town in the country and after I had two eagles in one round at “The Downs,” that solidified its spot on this list forever. It reminds me (a little) of Bethpage Black and they’re both owned and operated by the state. (Twilight, $54, starts at 4 p.m.)

I'll post my top 5  on Friday . . .

If you want a useful link, click here for the list of America's 100 Greatest, re-ranked by price.

--Matty G.

This is it, the last five of my top 25 favorite public courses in the country:

Repeating disclaimer: My unofficial scoring system is obviously based on the quality of the golf course, but I also factor in service, green fee, a pinch of nostalgia and a smaller pinch of how I played. (It's hard not to like a course when you break 80.)

No. 1--Bethpage State Park (Black) in Farmingdale, N.Y. ($54 for state residents, $120 for everyone else). The positive: It’s everything that’s right in an overbuilt, overpriced and overprivatized industry. As the world of golf makes layered adjustments, I hope for a future of more parks with multiple golf courses that cater to state-residents, but don’t gouge the out-of-towners. The Black is my favorite, not just because of the way the golf course builds with a steady stream of intensity, climaxing first at holes 10 through 12, and then again at 15 through 17, but I also appreciate the following: it’s always in great condition, it’s walking only, the extra space built in between tee times, you don’t see any houses throughout the course and it’s void of typical pretentiousness at a place with a rich history. The lineage of design goes back to A.W. Tillinghast (some say Joe Burbeck). Regardless, we owe a degree of gratitude to the USGA for putting the spotlight back on blue-collar golf when it rediscovered the Black in 2002. The negative: Trying to get a tee time (the price you pay for affordable and accessible). I suggest trying mid-week afternoons during shoulder seasons. A lot of people criticize the 18th hole (pictured above) for being a weak finish, but I'm OK with it. After holes 15 through 17, I'm grateful for a short par 4. Favorite hole: No. 15, because it reminds me I have a lot of work to do before I can consider myself a real golfer.  

No. 2--Spyglass Hill in Pebble Beach ($340). The positive: Yes, it’s hard (a 75.5 course rating from the back tees), but it’s not unfair. Hole by hole, it’s a better course than Pebble Beach. After you finish this Robert Trent Jones Sr. design, you’ll be exhausted and humbled, but your lasting impression will be more respect and admiration than frustration. Don’t rush your tee shot on the third hole--look to your left and admire a slice of Cypress Point, one of my top 3 (public or private) courses in the world. The negative: The price. Favorite hole: No. 4, because of the shape of the green (here's a link the diagram of the hole), No. 12, a round-wrecking par 3 (link), No. 14 (link), a double dogleg par 5 with a little water as a last line of defense.

No. 3--Pacific Dunes in Bandon, Ore. ($275). The positive: It’s Tom Doak’s highest ranking public course in the country, and I consider Doak the best of the most modern architects. This will sound sappy, but I’m being sincere: The ocean views from the tops of the dunes on the edges of the coastline can be described as none other than a spiritual experience--especially if you’re alone with a caddie in a rainstorm, hat-to-Softspikes in Gore-Tex, score no longer matters, you’re just happy to be alive and playing golf at Bandon Dunes. The negative: I think I’ve covered anything that could be considered a negative when I reviewed the other two courses on the property--Bandon Dunes and Bandon Trails (see list 6-10). And if $275 is out of your price range but you want to experience all that Bandon Dunes has to offer, click here for a recent Ambush detailing the resort's off-season deal. Favorite hole(s): 4, 7 and 13--three of the better par 4s, west of Bethpage Black.

No. 4--Pinehurst (No. 2) in N.C. ($410). The positive: You won’t play anything like it anywhere else in the world. The walk through the mini-museum that is the main clubhouse, the Southern setting, caddies with character, the history of the course and resort, all add to the experience. The fact that Jack Nicklaus told me it’s his all-time favorite design isn’t a horrible endorsement. He said, “If I had one golf course, from a design standpoint, one that I really love, it would probably be Pinehurst. There's a totally tree-lined golf course where trees are not a part of the strategy.” The negative: The trees impact my strategy, the price impacts how often I can play, and those damn greens that never hold my low approach shots impact my score. (Also worth noting, Pinehurst has been running a ridiculously good off-season deal: A night of lodging, a buffet breakfast and a green fee at No. 2 for $222). Favorite hole: No. 5 (442-yard par 4) that I insist is a par 6.

No. 5--Forest Dunes Golf Club in Roscommon, Mich. ($150). The positive: An ambitious staff, the unique Adirondack architecture of the clubhouse, a spacious practice area and a well designed course that’s in impeccable shape, all for a relatively reasonable green fee (see other prices of courses on this list). It’s a Tom Weiskopf design that was basically abandoned for a few years, but it was well worth the rescue. Trust me, it’s not in my top 5 because it sucks. The negative: Roscommon is commonly referred to as, “Middleofnowhere, Michigan” because it’s not easy to get to (about 70 miles from the Traverse City airport). Favorite hole: No. 17, a short par 4 (278 yards) with a long history of humbling chops like me.


My list of Top 10 Affordable Courses in the Country will post on Wednesday.

--Matty G.

Click on the "previous post" below for courses 6-10, 11-15, 16-20 and then 21-25.