By Amy Dusek
Give your spine a workout and your senses a thrill on these world-class golf
courses.
Chiropractors generally have a great golf game. It’s not the custom-designed
clubs that deserve all the credit—as a D.C. you understand the mechanical
precision through the body needed for championship golf.
Golf is a sport of privilege—one that involves skill, luck and grown-up
toys like golf carts and ball washers. Many golf addicts dream of playing the
Augusta National, and they’ll keep dreaming—it’s a private
course. In honor of chiropractic’s love affair with golf, Today’s
Chiropractic LifeStyle has assembled the 18 ultimate public golf courses to
play at least once in your lifetime.
The Ultimate Domestic Courses
Bethpage State Park,
Black Course
Farmingdale, New York
Bethpage is part of the New York State Parks system, making it the most affordable
on our list. Bethpage’s signature course, the Black Course, hosted the
U.S. Open in 2002 and will host the tournament again in 2009.
Interesting fact: Before becoming a home for championship golf, Bethpage State
Park was the Yoakum family estate.
Why it’s famous: The Black Course is difficult, and it has one of the
highest slope ratings in the Northeast. Many men play the “ladies”
tee, which has a men’s course rating of 73.1 and a slope rating of 140.
Fees: $78-$98
Contact info: (516) 249-4040; nysparks.state.ny.us
Harbour Town Golf Links
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
The 18th hole of Harbour Town Golf Links is easy to identify thanks to two great
landmarks—the Calibogue Sound and the Harbour Town lighthouse. This award-winning
course, designed by Pete Dye, is the home of the Heritage Golf Classic where
the pros compete for the champion’s tartan jacket. Dye, in consultation
with Jack Nicklaus, designed the links to reflect a Scottish course, which makes
the tartan jacket a perfect prize.
Interesting fact: The course measures 6,973 yards (from the Heritage tees) and
is a par 71 course, deceptively short by today’s standards. Accurate and
consistent golfers will do well on this course.
Why it’s famous: The collaboration of two golf design giants—Dye
and Nicklaus—makes this course memorable.
Fees: $220-$250
Contact info: (877) 728-3171; seapines.com
Kapalua Resort
Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii
This Hawaiian resort offers three world-class golf opportunities—the Bay
Course, the Village Course and the Plantation Course. The Bay Course offers
a laid back experience along Kapalua Bay. The Village Course is nestled in the
foothills of the West Maui Mountains. The Plantation Course is where you can
play like the pros. It’s the annual first stop on the PGA Tour, home of
the Mercedes Championships.
“Kapalua [The Plantation Course] is a gorgeous course that rolls along
the ocean,” says Ron Oberstein, D.C., of San Diego. “Too many tourists
play it, so it plays slow, but there are ocean views on a lot of the holes.
Plus, it’s in great condition.”
Interesting fact: Kapalua Bay has been honored as America’s Best Beach
by Stephen “Dr. Beach” Leatherman.
Why it’s famous: The island tradewinds, ample supply of pineapples and
mountainside and oceanside holes.
Fees: $140-$225
Contact info: (877) 527-2582; kapalua.com
Kiawah Island Golf Resort,
Ocean Course
Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Home of the 2005 World Golf Championships World Cup, The Ocean Course at Kiawah
Island Golf Resort has hosted golf’s greatest pros. The Ocean Course offers
seaside views of the Atlantic Ocean, and each hole puts you in touch with unspoiled
nature. Since its opening in 1991, the course has received several accolades
including “America’s Toughest Resort Course” by Golf Digest
and “Golf Course of the Year” by the National Golf Course Owners
Association.
Interesting fact: The Ocean Course made its big screen premiere in the movie
“The Legend of Bagger Vance” starring Matt Damon, Will Smith and
Charlize Theron.
Why it’s famous: In its short life span it has hosted several notable
tournaments.
Fees: $170-$290
Contact Info: (888) 854-2924; kiawahgolf.com
Pebble Beach Golf Links
Pebble Beach, California
Some consider this course the eighth natural wonder in the world—it’s
that spectacular. For golfers it offers challenges on each hole. The 18th hole
is a 548-yard par 5, and few dare to reach the green in two strokes. The left
side of the entire hole borders the Pacific Ocean, leaving a severe penalty
for failure.
“When I played Pebble Beach, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope were still alive,”
says Jim Anchors, D.C., consultant to the president for development at Life
University. “It was an unbelievably beautiful course. I found myself getting
caught up in the scenery and seeing the sea lions that I forgot I was there
to play golf.”
Interesting fact: The course was designed by two California State Amateur golfers—Jack
Neville and Douglas Grant. Today, the course has seen few changes. One of the
biggest changes is a new fifth hole designed by Jack Nicklaus in 1999. The hole
is a par 3 positioned on the bluffs overlooking Stillwater Cove.
Why it’s famous: The course hugs the California coastline, offering cliff-side
fairways, breathtaking views and sloping greens.
Fees: $395-$420
Contact Info: (800) 654-9300; pebblebeach.com
Shadow Creek Golf Course
Las Vegas, Nevada
Shadow Creek lives up to its tagline: an oasis in the desert. The course features
manicured fairways, waterfalls, lush gardens, creeks and lakes. These sights
are normally unseen in the Nevada desert. The trees, the waterfalls and celebrity
service all add up to a memory-making golf experience.
“I’m a member of a group called the Chiropractic Knights of the
Roundtable and during a meeting in Las Vegas I took the time to play this course,”
says Anchors, also the former president of the Georgia Board of Chiropractic
Examiners. “It was unbelievable that this lush course was in the desert.”
Interesting fact: Shadow Creek is for visitors of any of the MGM Mirage properties.
A private limo takes you to the course, where a personal caddie is waiting for
your arrival.
Why it’s famous: The course is connected to Steve Wynn, the man who reinvented
Vegas.
Fees: $500
Contact info: (866) 260-0069; shadowcreekgolf.com
Torrey Pines Golf Course
La Jolla, California
Travel south of Pebble Beach and you’ll find Torrey Pines in La Jolla.
Torrey Pines, named after the Torrey Pine trees indigenous to the area, features
two 18-hole courses (the North and South courses) both with mountain and ocean
views.
“I play Torrey Pines twice a week,” says Oberstein, a Life graduate.
On the days he’s shooting for score, Oberstein plays the North Course,
but if he’s looking for a challenge he’ll play the South Course.
“My favorite hole on the North Course is number six. It’s a par
three on an elevated tee and the green overlooks the Pacific Ocean. On a clear
day you can see all of La Jolla. The third hole on the South Course is built
the same way.”
Interesting fact: Torrey Pines is a well-known stop on the PGA Tour, but did
you know that it has one of the largest on-course golf shops in the U.S.?
Why it’s famous: It’s natural beauty rivals Pebble Beach, and the
recently renovated South Course boasts some of the most challenging holes in
the country, thanks to famed designer Rees Jones.
Fees: $115-$165
Contact Info: (800) 985-4653
TPC Sawgrass, Stadium Course
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
According to Sawgrass legend, the PGA Tour members voted to purchase a 415-acre
tract in 1978 that is now the famous Stadium Course. This course was the first
Stadium Course built specifically for a Tour event. The land was purchased for
$1. Today the course sees 40,000 rounds of golf a year.
Interesting fact: After winning the first TPC Championship, golfer Jerry Pate
threw himself into the pond beside the 18th green. He then pushed course designer
Pete Dye and former PGA TOUR commissioner Deane Beman in as well.
Why it’s famous: The island 17th green. This hole is a short par 3 and
known as the most terrifying seven seconds of golf.
Fees: $180-$322
Contact info: (904) 273-3235; tpcsawgrass.com
Whistling Straits
Kohler, Wisconsin
Wisconsin is not a state you would normally associate with golf. Florida, South
Carolina, and California, sure, but not Wisconsin. The Dairy State is home to
the Green Bay Packers and the Mt. Horeb Mustard Museum (Mt. Horeb is also the
home of Dr. Clarence Gonstead.) and it also lays claim to a world-class golf
course. Whistling Straits, in Kohler, features two Pete Dye-designed courses.
Golf fans have said that Dye sculpted a bit of Ireland and a touch of Scotland
out of the Wisconsin coastline to form the Straits Course and the Irish Course.
“I had the most fun at this course, more than any others I have played,”
says Anchors. “It’s like being in Ireland or Scotland.”
Interesting fact: Vijay Singh won his third career major at Whistling Straits
while defeating Justin Leonard and Chris DiMarco in a three-hole playoff.
Why it’s famous: Pete Dye’s design gives the courses challenging
holes in deceptively serene landscapes.
Fees: $272
Contact info: (800) 344-2838, ext. 700; destinationkohler.com/ws/ws.html
The Ultimate International Courses
Ballybunion
County Kerry, Ireland
Set on Ireland’s beautiful, natural terrain Ballybunion promises a golfing
experience you won’t soon forget. The Old Course is its signature course,
but the Cashen Course, designed by Robert Trent Jones, is also well worth your
time. Holes 7 through 18 on the Old Course are known as some of the daunting,
yet most rewarding holes of golf you can play in your lifetime. The course is
tricky on its own, but when the wind comes into play, it’s even more challenging.
Hiring a caddie is strongly recommended—they’ll save you some balls
and some strokes.
“The Old Course is phenomenal,” says Oberstein. “The first
hole you hit is by a graveyard with tombstones dating back to the 1500s. It’s
like walking on history.”
Interesting fact: One of the course designers, Tom Watson, hails hole 11 as
the best par 4 in golf.
Why it’s famous: You’ll use every club in your bag and every trick
you know on the Old Course.
Fees: $110-$150
Contact Info: +353 (0) 68 27146
Cabo Del Sol, The Ocean Course
Los Cabos, Mexico
Since opening in May 1994, this course has been hailed as one of the “Top
100 Courses in the World” by Golf Magazine and one of the “Top 10
Public Courses in North America” by the readers of Golf Digest. Jack Nicklaus
designed the course with seven holes on or touching water and four full-length
ocean holes.
Interesting fact: The 5th and 17th holes are considered two of the 500 best
holes in the world by Golf Magazine.
Why it’s famous: Jack Nicklaus positioned the course on a mile-long stretch
of rock outcroppings and beach.
Fees: $140-$350
Contact info: 1 (800) 386-2465; cabodelsol.com
Casa de Campo, Teeth of the Dog Course
La Romana, Dominican Republic
In our book, 18 holes set in the Caribbean is the epitome of relaxation. Designed
by Pete Dye, “Teeth” has been honored as the No. 1 course in the
Caribbean by T & L Golf Magazine and No. 34 in the world by Golf Magazine.
To many a golfer’s dismay the course was closed last year from August
through December. Dye felt the 30-year-old course wasn’t up to speed with
today’s golf game. Now the course is open and it grew an amazing 475 yards.
Interesting fact: This course was entirely built by hand—every seed planted
and bunker created—no machinery was used.
Why it’s famous: Seven holes on the “Teeth” course are on
the Caribbean Sea.
Fees: $186-$372
Contact info: (800) 877-3643; casadecampo.com
Club de Golf Valderrama
San Roque, Cadiz, Spain
Valderrama is a private members’ club, but a limited number of public
starting times are available most days of the year. This difficult course has
seen its share of tournaments including the Ryder Cup and the Volvo Masters.
Your experience on the links can change based on the trade winds. The “poniente”
from the land can be hot in the summer. The “levante” from the Mediterranean
Sea is a cool breeze.
Interesting fact: Valderrama features a golf museum. The former Valderrama president
showcases his one-of-a-kind golf memorabilia in the clubhouse.
Why it’s famous: Thanks to the World Golf Championships in Nov. 2000,
Valderrama’s 17th hole became famous to some and quite controversial to
others. Many of the pros sent two, even three balls in the water hazard, while
others tackled the hole comfortably with a birdie.
Fees: 260-290 Euros
Contact info: greenfees@valderrama.com; valderrama.com
Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course
Banff Springs, Alberta, Canada
Throughout our listing of the ultimate 18 courses, nature has played a major
role in the best of the best. Pebble Beach, Torrey Pines and Kiawah all offer
an ocean view. Other courses offer rolling green hills and jungle atmospheres.
Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course places golfers in the middle of Canada’s
Rocky Mountains. The course winds along the Bow River, and Sulphur Mountain
and Mount Rundle finish the majestic landscape. There’s a breathtaking
panoramic view at each tee. Keep an eye out for elk, says Oberstein. They are
known to make their way onto the greens.
Interesting fact: Before you attempt the links, Banff Springs offers a golf
academy and practice facility to help you sharpen your game.
Why it’s famous: Stanley Thompson, Canada’s master golf architect,
constructed challenging holes and used the mountainous scenery to create optical
illusions throughout the course.
Fees: $125-$200
Contact Info: 1 (866) 540-4407; fairmont.com/banffsprings
Kingbarns Golf Links
Kingsbarns, St. Andrews, Scotland
In terms of Scottish golf, Kingsbarn is an infant. It was “born”
in July 2000. Yet, even with its young age, the course looks and plays like
it has been around since St. Andrew’s Old Course, which is only six miles
up the coast. Each hole boasts amazing scenery—more than half border the
sea and other offer views of the surf and shore.
Interesting fact: During construction of the course, a stone bridge built by
French POWs from the Napoleonic Wars was unearthed.
Why it’s famous: In its first two years, Kingsbarns has been named Best
New International Course by Golf Digest, 46th Best Course in the World by Golf
Magazine, and served as co-host of the Inaugural Dunhill Links Championship.
Fees: $170-$200
Contact info: +44 (0)1334 460860; kingsbarns.com
Mid Ocean Club
Tucker’s Town, Bermuda
World-reknown golf architect Charles Blair Macdonald drew inspiration for the
Mid Ocean Club from Great Britain’s best holes. This inspiration is seen
throughout the course and has placed the course among the world’s best.
The course has challenged dignitaries of the past, including Dwight Eisenhower,
Winston Churchill and Babe Ruth, to the golf pros of today.
The Mid Ocean Club is a private course open to the public on Mondays, Wednesdays
and before noon on Fridays. After noon, every second tee time is available to
guests. Caddies are used in preference to golf carts. Soft spikes are mandatory
for all players.
Interesting fact: The course features several changes in elevation including
a tee positioned on a cliff overlooking a lake. The 15th hole is known as the
“Punchbowl” for the green’s shape and plays over a road that
dissects the course.
Why it’s famous: The course is known for its 17th hole, which was inspired
by St. Andrew’s. The putting surface is so challenging that there are
a number of difficult putts, depending on where your ball lands.
Fees: $70-$210
Contact Info: (441) 293-0330; themidoceanclubbermuda.com
Royal Melbourne Golf Club
Black Rock, Victoria, Australia
Royal Melbourne Golf Club makes for a golf outing of a lifetime. The club has
two courses—the East Course and the West Course. The Composite Course
is home to many international tournaments and it has been featured as one of
the world’s top 10 courses.
A few things to note before securing a tee time: All players must hold current
membership of a golf club. A letter of introduction from the secretary or manager
of the player’s home club is required. All reservations must be requested
in writing (email is accepted) at least two weeks prior to the proposed day
of play.
Interesting fact: The Melbourne Golf Club is known as the oldest golf club in
Australia. It dates back to 1891.
Why it’s famous: The PGA TOUR selected the Royal Melbourne as the site
of the 1998 President’s Cup, it’s first international President’s
Cup venue.
Fees: $350
Contact Information: royalmelbourne.com.au
St. Andrews Golf Course
St. Andrews, Scotland
This is the legendary “home of golf.” St. Andrews Golf Course features
six courses, each open to the public. Regular Joe golfers can follow the path
of the greats including Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Bobby Jones and Old Tom
Morris.
Interesting fact: Golf has been played at St. Andrews for 600 years—that’s
six centuries.
Why it’s famous: St. Andrews is known as the birthplace of golf. Tiger
Woods has said that to win at St. Andrews is the ultimate.
Fees: $48-$218
Contact info: +44 (0)1334 466666; standrews.org.uk