The lists of 100 best courses are compiled every year by a variety of golf magazines in a very subjective process so what makes the list is in the eye of the beholder. But no matter how you slice it for a course to appear on the list at all means they are in a very exclusive group and it is worth taking notice.

Golf Magazine came out with their top 100 for the year in the U.S. and the World and many of the household names still dominate the top ten. Pine Valley is at the top, Augusta, St. Andrews, Oakmont, and Muirfield and in the top ten. But what is more interesting is what new sites have been added to the list. Enjoy a look at some of the new entries shown below.

Tom Doak and Jim Urbina designed a seaside treat in Old Macdonald at Bandon Dunes in Oregon a tribute to the great Charles Blair MacDonald who designed some of the most memorable courses in the Golden Age of American design of the 20’s and 30’s. This one was number 43 on the U.S. List.

Old Macdonald Bandon Dunes, Oregon (John Henebry)

At number 70 in the U.S. Fazio did a stunning course called Grozzer Ranch on the treed rocky bluffs overlooking Lake Coeur d’Alene in western Idaho. Here he employed some very imaginative design features that only enhance an already breathtaking visual golf experience.

Grozzer Ranch Coeur D

In Arkansas Tom Fazio did an Augusta National like gem called The Alotian that is number 76 on the U.S. best 100 on a rolling, wooded tract studded with azaleas in spring and an ambiance of relaxed exclusivity.

The Alotian Arkansas (Rob Brown)

Some design tweaking to Caves Valley Golf Course outside of Baltimore, Maryland moved this Fazio design onto the U.S. list at number 82. This was the site of a Walker Cup and a U.S. Senior Open in the last decade but the members have continued to put a concentrated effort into refining the course and made it into something special.

Caves Valley Owings Mills, Maryland (Larry Lambrecht)

Looking at this list makes you understand how much catching up there is to do if you intend to play a significant percentage of the greatest courses in the world. So start making plans!!!

(Click here to see Golf Magazine’ World 100 Best Courses for 2011)

(Click here to see Golf Magazine’s US 100 Best Courses for 2011)

August 2011