Tennessean Bryan Tinsley takes issue with Golf Digest's 50 Best 19th Holes list.

First thought, the article is very interesting and romantic. It was very enjoyable to read the article and imagine having a bourbon at Pine Valley post a 12 penalty-stroke, 41-putt 105. However, the article should be about 19th holes that the average reader could potentially have a drink in. Even if I were a very rich man, I would never have a chance to see all the private clubhouses in America. Most of your readers, at best, will only have the chance to see one or two of the locations described. A follow-up article on great public 19th holes would be a terrific read. Just a thought...

Bryan, Thanks for writing. In response to your letter, thought you should know that 20 of the 50 bars listed in our March issue are open to the public and we have since featured two of them in our April (Pinehurst) and June (Atlantic City C.C.) issues. Our July issue will feature another 19th hole open to the public.

But I understand your concerns. I'm a public golfer. I do not have a private club membership. I'm one of you.

I promise you, in 18 months when we revisit the list, we will have an even stronger commitment to public watering holes.Feel free to nominate one in your area!

Bottoms up,
Ron

--Bob Carney

North Carolinian Tom Corrigan begs to differ on our choice of a Pinehurst bar for the 50 Best 19th Holes.

Of all the bars in all the hotels in Pinehurst, you picked the wrong one. The Pine Crest Inn stands foresquarely first for foresomes. Where else can you chip into the fireplace? The Ryder Cup Lounge is for stiffs.

Tom, of all the lists in all the magazines in all the world, you read ours and (some of us would argue) got it exactly right.

--Bob Carney

Michael McMullen of Newburgh, New York, writes to amend our list of Golf Digest's 50 Best 19th Holes.

After reading your top fifty list of Best 19th holes I noticed that the regular guy's golf bar is strikingly absent. I am sure that after playing a round at Pebble Beach that the Tap Room for a 21-year-old scotch is just the thing. While you did mention the Newport C.C. you overlooked its blue collar cousin across the bay, the Jamestown Golf Course. The 9-hole layout is challenging and fun but the best part is the pub/pro shop downstairs. The Newport Storm and Sierra Nevada is ice cold and the girls behind the counter make a cheeseburger that is worthy of anyone. Bear in mind that most of the readers of your magazine are muny players and members of the burger and beer crowd. Sorry, no whole roasted garlic.

You're right, Michael. We are light on the regular-guy hangouts: The grill at Spook Rock Golf Course in Ramapo, New York, the Ross Room at Warren Valley near Detroit, the bar at Royce Brook in New Jersey or the one at Centennial in Carmel, New York (standard but highly serviceable). But based on your description, I suspect that Jamestown has won the pub-slash-pro shop division. I'll have a Dark and Stormy.

--Bob Carney

T.M. Ferguson, a self-described "Brown Bag Golfer", takes exception to our private-club heavy 19th hole story in March.

I am writing to express my frustration about your article in the March 2008 issue "GD 50 Best 19th Holes." I understand, as an editor, you have carte blanche access to many golf courses and resorts around the world as "experts canvassing the country."I felt like I was reading "Oprah's Favorite Things" and how most of us will not have the opportunity to try your selections. It was nice of you to include a few places that are open for the general public, even by public standards, still on the high dollar end. Not very original. The finishing touch would be to see Augusta on the list.

T.M., I feel your pain. Having grown up on public courses, first in Detroit and later around New York City, I, too, feel a pinch of resentment against lists of things I can't get to. On the other hand, I like to know about them because--who knows--I might get an invite some day. It's like courses. We can make a public list of great courses, and have, but most readers like to know which are the best period--public, private, whatever.

Your underlying point, though, is a good one. We're spoiled. We have to remind ourselves of that periodically and appreciate it when you do.

--Bob Carney