Perfect Ten
Which ten courses around the world would make the best Major Championship host venues if the requirement to admit fans wasn’t part of the equation?
s you’re no doubt tired of hearing, the coronavirus pandemic has brought about great change and uncertainty in almost every sphere of life. While golf has returned in this country, and by the time you read this the PGA Tour should be up and running once more, it remains unclear as to when fans will be allowed at professional events. The PGA Tour is optimistic this could be a reality in July, but others understandably feel that’s extremely hopeful.
AFans are a key component of all live sport and undoubtedly enhance the atmosphere and sense of occasion significantly, but from a golfing perspective, the logistics involved in accommodating them mean thousands of incredible courses will simply never be able to host largescale professional events.
With no fans, however, tournaments could theoretically be hosted anywhere (within reason). As such, we started to ponder alternative Major Championship host venues, casting aside all logistical requirements like transport links, ease of access, grandstands, hospitality, tented villages and so on. If we could choose Major host venues based purely on quality of test and aesthetics, which courses would make the list?
The reality is there are thousands of courses that could fit the bill. We’ve whittled these down to our top ten, being principally guided by the strength of test and design and the visuals for those watching on television. In no particular order...
England Debate rages over which course at Sunningdale is superior, but the Old has the pedigree and history on its side. One of the finest layouts in the country, the Old is a majestic heathland course that plays among pines and heather to incredibly fast greens. It is a course that puts more emphasis on accuracy and strategy than length, something that’s not often the case in the modern game.
Sunningdale
Canada Stanley Thompson does not get the recognition he deserves for his impressive work as a golf course architect – the unheralded nature of Banff Springs in Alberta, Canada, shows that quite clearly. Set among tall trees, huge mountains and along the Bow River, the course is a feast for the eyes.
The 4th hole, the Devil’s Cauldron, is the pick of the bunch, but there are highlights in every direction you turn. The dramatic scenery creates a visually stimulating experience and the course’s 6,938 yards would also provide a tough enough test for the likes of Mcilroy and Koepka.
Banff Springs
USA
It is incredible that Dr Alister Mackenzie managed to design a course some would argue is more spectacular than Augusta National. Cypress Point beautifully transitions its way through forest, hillside, sand dunes and coastline to deliver a spectacular 18 holes which peaks with the three-hole stretch from 15 to 17. It would be a privilege to see the best players in the world take on the iconic 16th, in particular, which is a monster par 3 over a cove of the Pacific Ocean.
Cypress Point
Ireland
A course completely off the beaten track, many consider Carne to be the finest work of iconic architect Eddie Hackett. The size of the dunes here needs to be seen to be believed and the pounding Atlantic waves create a true sense of adventure.
Carne
Scotland
A private estate course, Ardfin is a relatively unknown but challenging layout built across a rugged landscape of rock. It is regularly described as one of the most spectacular courses in the UK and it would certainly test the very best. It gets rather windy in the Inner Hebrides, and as a result, the 6,800 yards can be very challenging to navigate.
Ardfin