OLD SILO - The #1 Public Golf Course in Kentucky

Next Sunday we'll be playing Old Silo, the number 1 ranked public golf course in Kentucky. This place gets rave reviews from everyone I have spoken to that have played it. The course is located just East of Lexington, Kentucky. I'll be sure and post pictures since it is a cart only course and I'll have my digi cam.

Oldest Municipal Golf Course West of Pittsburgh

Located just a few miles from the heart of downtown Cincinnati is one of the elder statesmen of municipal golf courses in the United States, Avon Field Golf Course. Although only a par 66, this course offers a slightly hilly terrain, plush fairways and postage stamp sized greens. Avon is definitely a must play, if only once. As far as who designed it, it is a toss up between William Diddle and Langford/Moreau. The course has many "Ross-like" characteristics to it as well. Avon Field was home to the great Jimmy Woods. My friend Mike is an Assistant Professional there. Click here to see some pics...

Shepherd's Hollow Golf Course, Michigan - July 2005

Last summer Marty took me to Sherpherd's Hollow in Michgan. This course is a very highly ranked public course in Michigan. $85 for 18 holes, with cart. Pretty steep. Impeccable conditions, yet crappy range. Range balls should have been included for that price as well. Shepherd's Hollow may just be the toughest golf I have ever played. Click here to see a few pics...

The Fort GC - Indianapolis, IN

The Fort Golf Resort. Pete Dye replaced (re-design fee, $1.00) the original William Diddle designed Fort Benjamin Harrison Army golf course with one of the best public courses in the midwest states. After Fort Ben was designated for closure, most of it became a state park. As a young private, I was stationed at Fort Ben from March 1987 - June 1987. I met my friend Tim there for a round of golf last June. It had been more than 18 years since I had been back to the base. $72 with cart (same price walking) , definitely worth the drive. I went back and played it again in September 2005. Lots of great holes, nice, yet not too harsh, many nice elevation changes. No houses on the course! Be sure and play here! Click here for pics of The Fort GC.

Arcadia Bluffs - Michigan

At the end of June, Marty (AKA Lefty) and I will be traveling to the Grand Traverse Resort for 3 days to play Spruce Run, The Wolverine and The Bear. The highlight of the trip will be playing the acclaimed Arcadia Bluffs course that overlooks Lake Michigan, with caddies! This course is ranked as the 10th best public course in the USA!

The Orchards - Robert Trent Jones Jr.

Although I try my best to avoid using a golf cart and playing cart golf whenever possible, I seem to be doing it frequently. I also hate houses on or any where near the golf course. The Orchards is "cart golf" with lots of houses, but I loved it anyway.

A 4 hour round, super quick greens (in April up north no less) and all 18 holes were great. $45 with cart, spring rates. BTW, the prices jack up to $85 in the summer. I would rather play here than Shepherd's hollow and they charge $85 as well. This course now ranks in my all time top 10 (I have played about 118 different golf courses now).

The 2002 USGA US Amateur Public Links Championship was played here in 2002. It was won by current PGA tour member Ryan Moore. The Orchards is the only Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed golf course in the Detroit metro area. They have a great driving range as well. When nearby Detroit, be sure and play this golf course!

Click Here to see the pics.

Warren Valley GC (West) Donald Ross

Warren Valley GC (West). Donald Ross would be rolling over in his grave if he saw the poor condition this nice 36 hole Ross golf complex is in. It is suffering badly to say the least. There were some really cool holes; elevated tee boxes to dog leg par fours. Small grees throughout. The West 18 measures about 6200 from the blue tees and the East 18 measures out at about the same. Only play here if you are a Ross purist looking to add a couple more Ross courses to your list, otherwise steer clear. It is safe to say, I'll never golf there again. Click here to see the course.

My top 10 favorite golf gourses played...

These are my top 10 all time favorite golf courses I have played, in no particular order:



1. The University Club (SC) Pete Dye
2. Portsmouth Elks CC (OH) Donald Ross
3. Camargo Club (OH) Seth Raynor
4. Oleander GC (GA) Dick Wilson
5. Charleston National GC (SC) Rees Jones
6. Fort Jackson (Original Design) GC (SC)
7. Windermere Club (SC) PB Dye
8. The Fort Golf Resort (IN) Pete Dye
9. The Orchards Robert Trent Jones Jr. (MI)
10. Oasis CC (OH) Arnold Palmer

Portsmouth Elks Country Club - Donald Ross

Mike, VJ and I traveled to McDermott, Ohio to play a classic Donald Ross designed course, Elks Country Club. What an awesome golf course! If this place was located closer to a well populated area, it would be private. I thought it was much, much better than Maketewah Country Club (another Ross gem) in Cincinnati. Click here to see all the pics of the course. Portsmouth Elks CC ranks in my top 10 all time favorite golf courses.