[pinawinekolad]

To answer the question in the OP.

Condition, layout, and price. Any course that's over $75 for 18 and a cart better be darn near perfect. If it is underwhelming at all, I will spend my money elsewhere.

I played TPC San Antonio's Canyons course back in April. The week before the Vallero Open was there. They had used most of the water available for the PGA course. The course was a $250 course that had sand spots on the green. It was a good thing I didn't have to pay for the round. It was supposed to be a top tier course, but it ended up being a worse course than the local muni that's $30 for 18.

[MyLeva]

Maybe its just me, but I think some are confusing great fun and nice course. Or maybe my view of them are different.

If I go play golf at Augusta National, they can be as rude to me as they want, I would still consider it a nice course.
The same goes with a few other places. However it might not be as fun a round.

To me a nice course is only about the conditions and layout.

The only reason I would disagree is if the staff is snooty I won't enjoy my time on the course. I've played a few courses where I felt like I needed to staple my W2 to the cart.
Obviously, we can limit this to where there's courses worthy of hosting a major or a tour event and those are typically going to be in nicer condition and more challenging/options then most others.

[pinawinekolad]

Maybe its just me, but I think some are confusing great fun and nice course. Or maybe my view of them are different.

If I go play golf at Augusta National, they can be as rude to me as they want, I would still consider it a nice course.
The same goes with a few other places. However it might not be as fun a round.

To me a nice course is only about the conditions and layout.

For me, if I'm going to spend my money, the course better be in great condition with a fantastic layout, but fun to play. I need the total package. If they want me to make a second tee time, I better have a fantastic overall experience.

[JeremyBalll]

To me a nice course is one that is well maintained and has a driving range, chipping green, and putting green. Course conditions are the most important. Some nice views and a efficient layout (not having to walk a great distance between the green and the next tee box) are a plus.

[JacksHH]

To answer the question in the OP.

Condition, layout, and price. Any course that's over $75 for 18 and a cart better be darn near perfect. If it is underwhelming at all, I will spend my money elsewhere.

I played TPC San Antonio's Canyons course back in April. The week before the Vallero Open was there. They had used most of the water available for the PGA course. The course was a $250 course that had sand spots on the green. It was a good thing I didn't have to pay for the round. It was supposed to be a top tier course, but it ended up being a worse course than the local muni that's $30 for 18.

The only reason I would disagree is if the staff is snooty I won't enjoy my time on the course. I've played a few courses where I felt like I needed to staple my W2 to the cart.
Obviously, we can limit this to where there's courses worthy of hosting a major or a tour event and those are typically going to be in nicer condition and more challenging/options then most others.

For me, if I'm going to spend my money, the course better be in great condition with a fantastic layout, but fun to play. I need the total package. If they want me to make a second tee time, I better have a fantastic overall experience.

So for those here, if they were not all that nice to you at Augusta National, you would not consider it a nice course?

Not fun round or great time golfing, but a nice course?

I also dont think cost has anything to do with it.

[kHy87gPC]

You don't have to play Pebble Beach to play a nice course. In my opinion, a nice course is one that is well maintained, fun to play and the staff treats you like they appreciate your business. That's all it means to me. It doesn't have to be a $250 and up resort to qualify. I've played $50-$60 daily fee courses which qualify.

My thoughts exactly. "Nice" is more about maintenance and service. "Spectacular" like Pebble is design, views, maintenance, and service. Most munis = good, most semi-privates = nice, in my definition anyway.

[offinoNem]

A nice course is just that, a nice course. It is generally beautiful to look at, well maintained, with challenging golf holes.

[pinawinekolad]

So for those here, if they were not all that nice to you at Augusta National, you would not consider it a nice course?

I probably would love the course. But when I was asked what I thought of my once in a life time round at Augusta, I would say "The course was special, but the people there are jerks. If I had choice to play it again, I would pass."

Not fun round or great time golfing, but a nice course?.

If my lack of talent made the round not fun, that isn't the courses fault. If I'm on the course with enjoyable people, regardless of course conditions, it is a great day golfing.

I also dont think cost has anything to do with it.

Cost isn't every thing for me. Places like Whistling Straits, Pebble Beach, TPC Sawgrass are all once in a lifetime courses so cost isn't that big of a deal. But local courses, cost is definately part of the discussion.

[avaincmolla]

for me its all the conditions the course is in and the layouts. Cost has nothing to do with it. ive played $130 rounds and $20 rounds some on great courses and other on dog tracks. but some of my favorite and nicest courses around here you can get on for $40. I love playing new courses even if i have to travel pretty far and my favorite ones are always one ones that are in the best conditions.

[desmond001]

A nice course has nice, flat teeboxes, fairways and greens that are taken care of, rough that is fair and that you don't lose your ball in just because it's in there. Sand traps with sand in them. A lot of times, a lot of rain and then the sun beating down on them turns them into hardpan. The layout is important, you don't want to play a course that the layout contributes to a slow pace of play. Basically, the course is taken care of. Tee times are important. You don't want to have the starter send people out as soon as people hit their second shots if the 8 minutes (or 9 or 10) haven't passed yet. Sending people out like that saturates the course immediately and it can only get worse as the day goes.

Things besides the course that make the course "nice" are good carts (I prefer electric carts but it's not a prerequisite), a friendly staff, good marshals, cold and fresh water on the course, decent ball washers and beverage carts. Back to the course, if there are blind tee shots, have a bell to ring when your group is clear so the group on the tee knows it's safe to hit. Or, put a mirror on a big pole so people on the tee can see when the area gets clear. (I play a course that has both of these, and I've never seen it on any other course)