[BuyCheapest]

I perfer nice wide fairways and straightforward holes water is ok as long as there is not a lot of it, it usually doesn't bother me too much if it is a short distance to hit over. Greens nice and level, no sand. yes... I like boring courses those are the ones I'm most comfortable at.

[artofeyyy]

I perfer nice wide fairways and straightforward holes water is ok as long as there is not a lot of it, it usually doesn't bother me too much if it is a short distance to hit over. Greens nice and level, no sand. yes... I like boring courses those are the ones I'm most comfortable at.

I like wide fairways narrowing as you get up by the green. I like the chance to hit a bump and run and not have a green surrounded by hazards. I do not like blind shots. I like down hill shots and am luke warm with uphill ones. I like a course with dog legs that may require a bit of thinking as to what you will hit off the tee. I like courses with lots of tee boxes so if you play it a lot you can play from a variety of tee boxes and use all the clubs in your bag.

[Yb4bulVR]

I like a course that lets you play golf. By that I mean it gives you opportunities for recovery shots. It may mean that you are punching or even chipping out from under a tree, or hacking out of 3" rough, but you still have a chance to swing the club and save something from the hole. I dislike a course where every errant shot is out of play, either in water or OB. That isn't to say that a course has to be dry and open. My home course has water in play on 7 holes, but most of those do offer some sort of bailout if that shot seems to be the best option. I don't mind heavy rough or tree lined fairways, as there should be some penalty for a poor shot, but there should also be chances for recovery shots too.

I agree with Nicklaus philosophy that hazards should be generally visible from the tee so that the player can make an intelligent club and shot choice. There shouldn't be any shocking surprises. I consider courses that are full of invisible hazards and blind tee shots to be tricked up and gimmicky... all that's missing is the windmill. They are the product of an unimaginative architect.... he should go back to designing putt-putt courses.

I just want to be able to play golf, and not always be dropping and adding penalty strokes.

[Franchise]

It should be a test, but not silly. Reward for good shots and penalties for poor ones. Par 3s should be of different lengths so you use different clubs off the tee. Some hazards, but also give you an opportunity to recover from mediocre shots. Memorable holes/views are nice but not mandatory.

The greens have to be in good shape. I can live with spotty tee boxes and fairways, but the greens have to roll true (and generally speasking, the faster the greens are, the better).

The one thing I can't stand is a layout that makes it impossible to walk and carry. I like the exercise and I play better when I walk and carry.

[Ceriopal]

I like the layout of my country club, but when I play elsewhere and I get to a shot and I say "What was the designer thinking?" that's doesn't make me happy.

[Spisivavona]

I like courses that have a lot of elevation change, a fair amount of doglegs, multi-tiered greens that are fast and ample water and bunkers.
I dislike courses that have no bunkers, no water, slow greens and where every hole is straight.

[!!Aaroncheg]

I like a course that lets you play golf. By that I mean it gives you opportunities for recovery shots. It may mean that you are punching or even chipping out from under a tree, or hacking out of 3" rough, but you still have a chance to swing the club and save something from the hole. I dislike a course where every errant shot is out of play, either in water or OB. That isn't to say that a course has to be dry and open. My home course has water in play on 7 holes, but most of those do offer some sort of bailout if that shot seems to be the best option. I don't mind heavy rough or tree lined fairways, as there should be some penalty for a poor shot, but there should also be chances for recovery shots too.

I agree with Nicklaus philosophy that hazards should be generally visible from the tee so that the player can make an intelligent club and shot choice. There shouldn't be any shocking surprises. I consider courses that are full of invisible hazards and blind tee shots to be tricked up and gimmicky... all that's missing is the windmill. They are the product of an unimaginative architect.... he should go back to designing putt-putt courses.

I just want to be able to play golf, and not always be dropping and adding penalty strokes.

Well written, agree with every point.

[u8MmZFmF]

I really like a course that makes 'sense' I guess. Some character attributes like water, elevation, variety in the holes in always great but I am not a big fan of courses that have 3 par 5's on the front side and 1 on the back and that type of thing. I also can't stand to feel like I am playing on a farm somewhere that the holes go side by side and the only thing distinguishing the hole is a small tree line. It kills me when I knock it in the fairway and my buddy is 3 fairways over and can still make the green.

[BuyCheapest]

I like courses that have a lot of elevation change, a fair amount of doglegs, multi-tiered greens that are fast and ample water and bunkers.
I dislike courses that have no bunkers, no water, slow greens and where every hole is straight.

Just like my course Bake LOL.

[Patgaepx]

I agree with Nicklaus philosophy that hazards should be generally visible from the tee so that the player can make an intelligent club and shot choice. There shouldn't be any shocking surprises. I consider courses that are full of invisible hazards and blind tee shots to be tricked up and gimmicky... all that's missing is the windmill. They are the product of an unimaginative architect.... he should go back to designing putt-putt courses.

I just want to be able to play golf, and not always be dropping and adding penalty strokes.

I'm with that. I played a course on a Navy base that had a forced carry that you couldn't see anywhere until you were right up on it. Par 5. Tee and second shot was good....till I walked over the hill. It Had like 10 yards of land to walk around the water hazard. Picture on the score card wasn't anything like real. Man that made me mad.

[!!Aaroncheg]

I'm not talking about Links vs Woods or anything like that. Rather do you prefer narrow fairways, lots of doglegs, water on a lot of holes, elevated tee's or greens. Large PGA style greens or small postage stamped sized ones?

I don't mind narrow fairways at all & water is a fun obstacle. Huge greens are nice for your GIR but I prefer the small ones for some reason.

My absolute #1 criteria though is plenty of elevation changes, I love courses which have huge elevation changes from tee to green. Forced carries over ravines, water, etc. Nicely designed doglegs are great too.

I don't like straight holes with 100 yd wide fairways, very boring. No elevation differences at all is a big no-no also.

Courses which separate each hole well are nice, I prefer the feeling of solitude when on a course & don't like looking over & being to see another 2-3-4 holes.

Then you get the courses which seem to toss some lame 120 yd par 3 with absolutely no challenge or thought process tossed into it. It's as if the architect was done with the layout & all of sudden figured out they were 1 hole short, so they squeezed in a crummy par 3 somewhere.

[smirnoffdear]

My absolute #1 criteria though is plenty of elevation changes, I love courses which have huge elevation changes from tee to green. Forced carries over ravines, water, etc. Nicely designed doglegs are great too.

Then you'd love Utah! Either north in the Salt Lake City area, or south in St. George.

[Emalodoulouts]

This is a tough question. I prefer my courses to be be able to play around 6800-7300 yards. I like a nice straight forward layout,No gimmicky holes.
I hate golf courses where the driver might come out maybe 4 times a round.

I don't mean straight forward as in no doglegs.

[thushioli]

I like well defined fairways heavily lined with tress. I like a few sandtraps per hole as long as they're in good condition. I don't like elevation changes that much and i hate blind shots.

[DF9sLGSU]

I like a course with variety. Doglegs, elevation changes, varying distances on the par 4's so that you have to make strategic choices. Unlike Lefty, I want the course to play around 6400 yards. I hate having to hit driver, 3W into every par 4. I don't mind a few par 4's over 400, but not a steady diet, I am just not long enough off the tee for that.

[Dodoerabe]

This is a tough question. I prefer my courses to be be able to play around 6800-7300 yards. I like a nice straight forward layout,No gimmicky holes.
I hate golf courses where the driver might come out maybe 4 times a round.

I don't mean straight forward as in no doglegs.

This is real close to what I was going to say.

I really don't have too much of a preference. I have played all types of courses. As big lefty mentioned, I too HATE gimmicky holes.

I like being challenged with the driver. So that when you stand on the tee, you say to yourself: "I have to hit this near perfect to have a chance on this hole. If I don't it, will be a struggle." Now I don't want to have that challenge on every hole, maybe 3-4 times a round. I just don't like playing a course where I have to hit a 4-iron off the tee on most the par 4s because of gimmicks.

I prefer bigger greens. Mostly because the bigger greens can be cut lower so they play faster. But also because on smaller greens you could miss a shot by 15 feet and have a chip out of the rough, when if it was a big green, you would have a legit birdie putt.

I don't like blind tee shots. Unless you have course marshals, you are just asking for trouble with blind tee shots.

I don't have a problem with flat courses or elevation changes. One course I play has one flat approach shot, the rest are all uphill or downhill. Kind of a nice change of pace.

Most of the time I am just happy to be playing.

[EnvellFen]

"Scenic" Elevation is cool.

Hate Water and Creeks/ravines directly in front and back of greens.

Prefer tree areas that are cleaned out so at least you can find the ball.

[Kayacterype]

I love elevated tees - I always feel like I go further. I'm not as fond of elevated greens, but I enjoy the surprise if I'm close to the hole. I don't like a lot of carries, but don't mind water even though I often end up in it. I don't like large greens - I hate having to putt a mile. I prefer to chip. I hate long flat par 5's.

[Audi_z]

The course I play the most has a lot of "grief" built into it, but is still a fun course to play. Water comes into play on the right side on 13 holes. Not real deep water, but the bottom has a lot of moss that hides the ball. The other five holes can have water if it rains enough, but most of the time those 5 have a dry wash, with a lot ball eating brush available. The left side, on all 18 holes have people's fenced back yards. The fairways are some what narrow. Maybe 25 yards +/- ? 7 holes have elevated greens. 14 holes have trees that come into play if you miss the the fairways. 10 holes have slopes, that if you miss the fairway right, the ball can run down the slope into the water. Most all the greens are are on the small side, with the largest (guessing) probably under 1200 square feet. Lots of waste areas to catch errant ball flights. Sand comes onto play on 14 holes. They also have dog legs on about half the holes. It has 4 par 5s, 9 par 4s, and 5 par 3s. (par 71) A few of the greens are tiered.

So, I have to say I like all the various obstacles that can be built into a course.

[trilochana.nejman]

I'm not talking about Links vs Woods or anything like that. Rather do you prefer narrow fairways, lots of doglegs, water on a lot of holes, elevated tee's or greens. Large PGA style greens or small postage stamped sized ones?

I don't mind narrow fairways at all & water is a fun obstacle. Huge greens are nice for your GIR but I prefer the small ones for some reason.

My absolute #1 criteria though is plenty of elevation changes, I love courses which have huge elevation changes from tee to green. Forced carries over ravines, water, etc. Nicely designed doglegs are great too.

I don't like straight holes with 100 yd wide fairways, very boring. No elevation differences at all is a big no-no also.

Courses which separate each hole well are nice, I prefer the feeling of solitude when on a course & don't like looking over & being to see another 2-3-4 holes.

Then you get the courses which seem to toss some lame 120 yd par 3 with absolutely no challenge or thought process tossed into it. It's as if the architect was done with the layout & all of sudden figured out they were 1 hole short, so they squeezed in a crummy par 3 somewhere.

There's not a whole lot I could add to that as your post pretty much sums up what I like in a course. I particularly agree with the "solitude" part. I like courses where each hole is like being in a separate "room".

There are, however, some links courses that I've played that despite being out in the open still have that private feeling on most holes, but those are rare. I also don't care for courses with basically the same theme throughout. There's a course near me called "The Woods at Cherry Creek" which is the narrowest course I've ever played. It's noted for its tree-lined, narrow fairways, but it's like that throughout the entire course and it gets a bit claustrophobic after a while.

But overall, what you wrote pretty much says it all for me.


-JP