Castle Stuart in Northern Scotland
We’re all familiar with America’s Greatest Courses — I mean, there will be a shake-up every now and then. You know, like Augusta dethroning Pine Valley for the No. 1 spot last year. Most of the courses that make Golf Digest’s Top 100 list are old (meaning many were built before you and I were born). But what about the best new tracks? Naturally, there are rankings for those, too. Jim Frank, a former editor of Golf Magazine, has compiled a guide to the top ten Best Courses of the Year.
Just the pictures — which Jim keeps referring to as “golf porn” — are worth a look. My favorite is the one above of Castle Stuart. Jim writes:
In northern Scotland, a few miles from Inverness and across the firth from legendary Royal Dornoch, Castle Stuart accomplishes the impossible, looking as if it’s been on the land forever while being less than two years old.
Designer/developer Mark Parsinen spent months walking the land, looking not only for the ideal locations for fairways and greens but also judging the view golfers would have on every shot. It is that attention to detail—along with land heaven-sent for golf—that makes Castle Stuart memorable.
Mark that one for the bucket list.
December 28th, 2010 on 4:53 am
Brilliant golf courses Stephanie.
I think I like the Ritz Carlton Golf Club one the best but it’s a tough choice.
Cheers.
December 28th, 2010 on 9:35 am
Visually I liked the one near the Grand Tetons. But the first one, Old MacDonald, at Bandon Dunes is on this year’s hit list. At least we’re in the planning stages for a Bandon Dunes trip, which is a more expensive proposition than either our trip to Scotland or to Ireland. But three of my usual foursome read the book, Dream Golf, and we’re all dreaming about the Pacific Northwest.
June 7th, 2011 on 5:47 pm
all looks amazing, but check out Ardglass Golf Club, N.Ireland, not long but can destroy any golfer of any handicap, and they keep coming back again and again.
June 11th, 2011 on 8:54 pm
I really like the idea behind Commonground. IMO, the golf industry should be building/remodeling golf courses with the idea of “how little money can we spend and still have a good course”. My good friend in the mechanic at Huntsman Springs and I hope to visit him and play it someday.