Situated about halfway between New York and Philadelphia in rural western New Jersey, The Ridge is an upscale, golf-only Tom Fazio design notable for its excellent conditioning and unique red rock terrain. The course seems to fly under the radar a bit given its location and fact that it is in a very competitive region for golf, but is nonetheless a very solid course that is well-worth a play. … More Review: The Ridge at Back Brook
While it’s an interesting piece of trivia that Grover Cleveland hosted the 1912 U.S. Open, today’s course is a flat, easy, short municipal course with mostly bland architecture besides a few memorable original greens. This is a cheap option with a lot of history for locals but probably isn’t worth extended travel to see. … More Review: Grover Cleveland Golf Course
The only course Virginia to host a major championship, Belmont is now a sporty 12-hole municipal course with strong practice facilities and especially notable greens and bunkering. This is an excellent option for local golfers and an innovative course worth seeing if in the area. … More Review: Belmont Golf Course
While it lags behind its sister course architecturally, Kapalua’s Bay Course is a cheaper, more playable option and features similar stunning water views. As it currently stands, this is a nice resort course, but has the opportunity to become great if David McLay Kidd’s renovation is a success. … More Review: Kapalua Golf (Bay Course)
A historic Club reinvigorated by a landmark renovation by Andrew Green, Congressional’s Blue Course now lives up to its lofty reputation as the best course in the D.C. area. This is the type of course that is worth traveling to see and one I look forward to watching the pros tackle in the upcoming PGA and Ryder Cup. … More Review: Congressional Country Club (Blue Course)
A classic Donald Ross parkland design, Monroe is a wonderful course highlighted by excellent conditioning and standout greens and bunkering. This is an excellent members’ course that continues to improve and is absolutely worth a play if in the area. … More Review: Monroe Golf Club
A 10-hole par 3 course in northern New Jersey, Twin Willows features a strange design with very small greens and some truly wild bunkering. It isn’t very good, but it certainly is interesting. … More Review: Twin Willows Par 3 Golf Course
With breathtaking views and a wonderful routing maximizing strategy and variety, Pacific Dunes is a world-class course and easily my favorite at Bandon Dunes. If you only have time for one round at Bandon, this is the course to play. … More Review: Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Pacific Dunes)
The recently reopened White Clay Creek is one of Delaware’s better public courses with a challenging design defined by forced carries, narrow greens, and its ever present namesake running through or along these holes. I enjoyed my round here and hope that a new owner can keep the course open. … More Review: White Clay Creek Country Club
A typical NYC municipal course, Silver Lake features some fun land movement and greens, but falls into many of the pitfalls of other City courses with poor conditioning, tree overgrowth, and slow pace of play. This is a viable option for locals but not a course I’d recommend traveling to see. … More Review: Silver Lake Golf Course