[dogdesign]

I here courses described as such all of the time, but being a budget golfer, I have never truly experienced such a course. What makes a course, such as, say, Pebble Beach, nicer than a well kept muni? Is it just an aesthetics thing? Is it services provided? Difficulty? What, to you, constitutes a "nice" course?

[GinaIsWild]

I here courses described as such all of the time, but being a budget golfer, I have never truly experienced such a course. What makes a course, such as, say, Pebble Beach, nicer than a well kept muni? Is it just an aesthetics thing? Is it services provided? Difficulty? What, to you, constitutes a "nice" course?

History, aestheitcs, service, and pricetag make Pebble what it is. I mean obviously if you go out and play a fantastic course for 40 bucks, do you really think Pebble Beach is 7 times as good? Of course not.

When you tee it up there, you're paying for the privledge to see those waves crash in, and basically get a taste of the Pro life. They're rarely a course that's held a PGA event that's under a 90 green fee.

[VladFal]

I think course condition and layout are what make a course "good." I'll never play Pebble Beach, St. Andrews or Pine Valley, but have played a lot of public courses in the $50-$75 range that I would consider excellent courses.

I got to play one of the Trump courses in NJ a few years ago as a guest, and was very impressed, but that was a one time thing and not part of my "golf reality." LOL

[Qahtwugc]

Well manicured greens and fairways and not having the rough be overgrown. I have played alot of courses in NJ that just dont seem to care and it bothers me and I do not play there again.

[JacksHH]

To me it is all about layout and conditions.

[fuslkdhfma]

Sorry but any course that I'm playing on is a great course.Hehe Watching 2 crazy kids & listen to them argue will do that for you 2...

[Suvuseh]

I here courses described as such all of the time, but being a budget golfer, I have never truly experienced such a course. What makes a course, such as, say, Pebble Beach, nicer than a well kept muni? Is it just an aesthetics thing? Is it services provided? Difficulty? What, to you, constitutes a "nice" course?

I think it a combination of everything you said...but the most important aspect of it is in comparison to what you are used to. The course I play that I deem nice may be considered average at best by many of the forum members here. When I play Grand Cypress in May, it will be the NICEST course I have ever played bar none. Some there will view it as a nice course and I will probably view it as an amazing course.

All in the eyes of the beholder and what you are accustomed to / expecting.

[Sandra_18X]

For me a course has to have some character. It has to have something different from other courses that I played. It has to be challenging yet fun at the same time. I think manicured greens and fairways are important, but a course has to have it's own style for me to consider it "Great."

[limpoporanique]

For me it's layout AND conditioning(mainly greens). I've played some course that have been in really good shape but the layout was bad, and courses that the layout was good but the conditioning was only decent and I come away disappointed from both. A good course needs both of these things as well as some memorable holes IMO

[new-nickname-zanovo]

It has to have a good layout. For me, the condition of the greens and fairways are the most important. I also like a course that is scenic and nice to look at.

[bppstorr]

Hard to explain in words, but a well conditioned course is a pleasure to play. Especially from the fairway. Nothing quite like a nice tight fairway like that is still lush and won't hurt your wrist. A good layout doesn't hurt either.

[ImmimiFruff]

In no particular order....

Holes that have some water running through a fairway or surrounding the green
Driving range and/or putting green onsite
Free drinking water every 3 holes
Dress code that's enforced
Nicely stocked Pro Shop with more than just the courses logo merchandise
Large 19th hole
Greens that are well maintained
Bunkers that have actual sand in them
Cart girls that you see more than just 2x a round
Trees....lots of trees
No ridiculously long Par 3's

[ggiifdfalls]

Do the greens roll true?
Is the layout creative?
Is the course set-up challenging but fair?
Does the staff act in a way that shows they appreciate my patronage?
Are the practice facilities "free" (I hate paying for range balls before a round)?
Would I bring a friend from out of town there to play?

If a course gets a yes from those questions then it's a great course to me.

[Donlupedron]

Do the greens roll true?
Is the layout creative?
Is the course set-up challenging but fair?
Does the staff act in a way that shows they appreciate my patronage?
Are the practice facilities "free" (I hate paying for range balls before a round)?
Would I bring a friend from out of town there to play?

If a course gets a yes from those questions then it's a great course to me.

That's a pretty good list. I would add - are there no (or very few) bare areas where there should be grass? Are the tee boxes all flat and not sloped? Is it obvious that the management and staff care about the course and its condition?

[xtrslots]

To me it is all about layout and conditions.

x2. The layout is the big one for me. I play muni courses around here that are normally about 6300 yards from the backs. I prefer to play courses from the backs (it's what I have to play for tournaments and such) that are around 67-6800 yards.

The course is "nice" because of its upkeep, the attention to detail (i.e. bunkers raked, rough mowed), and the way it plays. You could have a 7200 yard course, but if every hole is straight with little/no trouble, then it is not going to seem 7200....

[Saqwnht]

I here courses described as such all of the time, but being a budget golfer, I have never truly experienced such a course. What makes a course, such as, say, Pebble Beach, nicer than a well kept muni? Is it just an aesthetics thing? Is it services provided? Difficulty? What, to you, constitutes a "nice" course?

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.

[pinawinekolad]

Large 19th hole

There is a course near me that actually has a 19th hole. It's a 110 yard par 3 over a pond. It is usually used to settle who buys the first round in the bar or to settle a bet.

[MyLeva]

I here courses described as such all of the time, but being a budget golfer, I have never truly experienced such a course. What makes a course, such as, say, Pebble Beach, nicer than a well kept muni? Is it just an aesthetics thing? Is it services provided? Difficulty? What, to you, constitutes a "nice" course?

The layout and conditions and the friendliness of the people that work there.

The Golf Club at Quincy meets my definition. It's a great course with several interesting holes, always in good condition and the staff is incredibly friendly and laid back.

I've played some snooty courses and don't care for them no matter how the layout and conditions are.

Also, some courses just have majestic views. Like playing along the Ocean for 4 or 5 holes is very cool and can make a course "nice" even if the layout isn't as good as some others.

At the same time we have a local course that has 3 majestic holes, and I never play there because the greens are complete garbage.

[JacksHH]

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.

[ImmimiFruff]

that's actually a cool idea....

There is a course near me that actually has a 19th hole. It's a 110 yard par 3 over a pond. It is usually used to settle who buys the first round in the bar or to settle a bet.