Opinion & Analysis
What’s your hidden gem?
Golf is expensive. I know, quite the earth-shattering observation. But seriously, golf is so expensive that it’s driving people away from the game and keeping newcomers out of it. The last thing a beginner wants to do is drop thousands of dollars on a set of clubs and spend an additional $100 every time to tee it up. It can be frustrating and financially draining.
So where can golfers play at a decent price and still have a great experience? You just have to know where to look.
There are courses around the world that offer amazing scenery and intriguing layouts without burning through your wallet. These are the diamonds in the rough, the hidden gems. They’re the hole-in-the-wall pizzerias that have way better food than the over-priced, sit-down Italian restaurant with the long wait and pretentious vibes.
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of playing one of these courses with my dad.
At the North Shore of Oahu, there sits a large field of green grass adjacent to the beautiful Hawaiian ocean. On this patch of land are randomly scattered checkered flag sticks stuck into four and a quarter-inch, round holes. They call this area of grass, sticks and holes Kahuku Golf Course.
My description is being slightly facetious, of course. Kahuku does have distinguishable greens, bunkers and fairways. It is, however, rudimentary in nature.
The clubhouse would compare more readily to a chicken coop than a functioning pro shop, but it truly captures the character of a hidden gem.
My dad, being on vacation in Hawaii, didn’t have any golf balls with him, so he asked to buy a sleeve inside the “pro shop.” The manager, a Hawaiian native, said they don’t sell golf balls. Instead, he put a box of used golf balls on the counter and told us to take a couple, and to “just give them back if you don’t lose them.” Yes, he really said that.
We asked if we needed a tee time. He pointed to the first tee and said to go after the group teeing off. We paid the $15 dollar greens fees (no typo) and slung some clubs over our shoulders. It all seemed so simple.
The course itself, although it only has nine holes that you play twice in order to play a full 18, had nothing but interesting holes and phenomenal views: a few drivable par fours, long par 5’s and challenging par 3’s right on the water. We kept our camera’s handy throughout the round. Even at a resort course with $200 greens fees, the cameras can usually stay safe in their case aside from the signature holes.
This is what a hidden gem looks like, and we’re on a mission to find more golf courses around the world just like it. We want to hear your story, see your pictures, and get informed about the less expensive options to play golf without sacrificing the golfing experience.
Below are pictures from my “hidden gem” nominee. Tweet (@GolfWRX) or post your story in our forum to share your nominee with GolfWRX and our readers. By submitting, you have a chance to see your picture and story featured on our front page!
Not quite Augusta National’s club house, but still something of a Crow’s Nest.
The Men’s/Women’s Locker Rooms are just outside, down the stairs to your right (pictured above in blue and green).
“We don’t sell golf balls. Take a couple and bring them back if you don’t lose them.”
Stopping to pose at a local muni? That’s what makes this place a hidden gem.
Sergio-type lag right here.
View from No. 7 tee box, a par 5 of 560 yards.
View from No. 4 tee box.
This picture captures the true character of Kahuku, and embodies the concept of a hidden gem.
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We’ve finally reached The Masters and excitement is at an all-time high. The world of golf has been fractured for the better part of two years, but for a week at Augusta National, all of the outside noise will disappear. All of the best players in the world will be together seeking to make history.
In addition to betting on The Masters champion. This is one of the few weeks of the year where there are so many more markets to explore, with value to be had in plenty of different categories.
Throughout this article, I’ll discuss all of my favorite props and players for the 2024 Masters.
Placement Bets:
Tony Finau Top 5 +750 (DraftKings):
I badly wanted to include Tony Finau in my outright betting selections, but I simply ran out of room on my card. Additionally, it’s slightly difficult to see him hitting the putts necessary to win the Masters on back nine on Sunday. However, I do strongly believe he will play great golf this week at Augusta National.
In his past 24 rounds, Finau ranks 4th in Strokes Gained: Approach is always amongst the best drivers of the golf ball in the game. Back in 2019, Finau had a great chance to win The Masters. I expect him to be hanging around over the weekend once again in 2024.
Gary Woodland Top 20 +550 (DraftKings), Gary Woodland to make the cut -110 (DraftKings):
Last season, Gary Woodland had his best ever finish at The Masters in his eleven tries. The 39-year-old finished T14 and played incredibly steady across all four rounds.
In Woodland’s most recent start at the Texas Children’s Houston Open, he struck the ball incredibly well. He led the field in Strokes Gained: Approach (+8.8) and Strokes Gained: Ball Striking (+10.0).
Gary has been working with Butch Harmon and absolutely flushing the ball both in tournaments and during practice.
Woodland appears to be healthy once again and in a great place physically and mentally. If he can build off his impressive performance at Augusta last year, he can place inside the top ten in 2024.
Additionally, the make the cut number on Woodland seems generous considering the number of players who miss the cut will be relatively small this week. Woodland is striking it well enough to make the cut even if he’s hindered by a balky putter once again.
Thorbjorn Olesen Top 20 +400 (FanDuel):
The Thunder Bear, Thorbjorn Olesen, made his Masters debut in 2013 and finished an incredibly impressive T6 for the week. In the two additional starts he’s made at Augusta National since then, the Dane has continued to be incredibly solid, finishing T44 and T21.
This week, Olesen heads into the week playing some good golf. He gained 3.8 strokes on approach and 5.52 strokes around the green at last week’s Valero Texas Open on his way to a strong T14 finish. Back in January, he won the Ras Al Khaimah Championship on the DP World Tour.
Olesen has the skill set to be successful at Augusta and seems primed for a good performance this week.
Top Nationalities:
Sergio Garcia Top Spanish Player +280 (DraftKings):
I believe Sergio Garcia can get into contention this week with the way he’s striking the ball in addition to his good vibes with a refurbished version of the Scotty Cameron that he used at the 1999 PGA Championship at Medinah.
I am slightly concerned about the emotional letdown he may face after losing in a playoff at LIV Miami, but I believe a veteran and former Masters champion should be able to regroup and focus on an event far more meaningful.
This is essentially a tournament head-to-head with Jon Rahm at +280. While Rahm deserves to be respected this week, the history of the lack of success of defending champions at The Masters is difficult to ignore.
Joaquin Niemann Top South American Player -230 (FanDuel):
While I hate paying this much juice, I don’t see a world in which Joaquin Niemann isn’t the top South American this week at The Masters. Joaco comes in playing better golf than anyone in the world not named Scottie Scheffler and has a serious chance to win the green jacket.
He only needs to beat two players: Emiliano Grillo and Camilo Villegas.
Tournament Head-to-Heads:
Justin Thomas -110 over Collin Morikawa
JT isn’t having his best season but is playing a lot better than he is getting credit for at the moment. In the past three months, there are only six players on the PGA Tour who have averaged 1.7 Strokes Gained: Tee to Green or better. Justin Thomas (+1.7) is one of the six and is currently tied with Rory McIlroy (+1.7).
Morikawa, on the other hand, has been extremely poor with his irons, which is incredibly uncharacteristic for him. I can’t help but feel like something is completely off with the two-time major champion.
Tony Finau -110 over Wyndham Clark
I explained in the placement section why I’m so high on Tony Finau this week. With how well he’s striking the ball, it seems as if his floor is extremely high. I’m not sure if he can make the putts to win a green jacket but I believe he will be in the mix similarly to 2019 when Tiger Woods emerged from a crowded pack of contenders.
Clark is a debutant, and while some debutants have had success at The Masters, it certainly poses a challenge. I also don’t believe Augusta National suits Clark as well as some of the other major championship venues.
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It’s been over nine months since we saw Brian Harman parlay a dominant performance at Royal Liverpool into a claret jug. After another major offseason filled with a feud between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, talks of a merger, and a multitude of questions regarding the future of the game, the golf world is desperate for all of the best players in the world to come together again for a major championship.
We return to Augusta National with excitement at a fever pitch. Scottie Scheffler has separated himself as the best player in the world heading into the Masters. At the moment, the 27-year-old seems to be an unstoppable force. However, questions about Scheffler’s up-and-down putter once again resurfaced as he missed multiple short putts at the Texas Children’s Houston Open including a 5’11” putt to force a playoff with Stephan Jaeger.
Additionally, a handful of the PGA Tour’s top players such as Justin Thomas, Rory McIlroy, Will Zalatoris, Patrick Cantlay, Tommy Fleetwood and Jordan Spieth make their way to Augusta National with their current form in question.
Plenty of LIV golfers may be up to the task of conquering Augusta, but with so much time in between the last two majors, it’s not always easy to decipher how their games will stack up against Scheffler and co.
Last year, some important changes were made at Augusta National. The par-5 13th (Azalea) was lengthened by 35 yards and now measures 545 yards. Last year, Azalea played as the toughest of the four par 5s, and players averaged 4.74 for the week, which was down from 4.85 in 2022. However, eagles, birdies and bogeys were all up, so the lengthening achieved less pars, which equals more excitement.
Without further ado, let’s get into the course breakdown and analyze some important statistics for Augusta National.
Augusta National is now a 7,510-yard par-72 with lightning-fast Bentgrass greens. The course’s primary defenses are the contoured greens, swirling crosswinds, the topography of the course, which creates uneven lies and the small landing areas that golfers will need to hit to avoid tight run-off areas around the greens.
Past Winners at the Masters
- 2023: Jon Rahm (-12)
- 2022: Scottie Scheffler (-10)
- 2021: Hideki Matsuyama (-10)
- 2020: Dustin Johnson (-20)
- 2019: Tiger Woods (-13)
- 2018: Patrick Reed (-15)
- 2017: Sergio Garcia (-9)
- 2016: Danny Willett (-5)
- 2015: Jordan Spieth (-18)
- 2014: Bubba Watson (-8)
- 2013: Adam Scott (-9)
- 2012: Bubba Watson (-10)
- 2011: Charl Schwartzel (-14)
- 2010: Phil Mickelson (-16)
In this article and going forward, I’ll be using the Rabbit Hole by Betsperts Golf data engine to develop my custom model. If you want to build your own model or check out all of the detailed stats, you can sign up using promo code: MATTVIN for 25% off any subscription package (yearly is best value).
Key Stats For Augusta National
Let’s take a look at the six most important metrics at Augusta National and determine which golfers boast top marks in each category over their last 24 rounds. This should give us a good starting point for building out a betting card.
Strokes Gained: Approach
Approach is historically the most important statistic at Augusta National. The sloping, speedy greens and run-off areas create small landing spots that can be difficult to hit.
Last year, Jon Rahm ranked 6th in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach. Overall, five of the past seven winners at Augusta have ranked in the top 6 in the category. Distance helps, but Augusta National is a second-shot golf course.
Total Strokes Gained: Approach in past 24 rounds:
- Scottie Scheffler (+1.30)
- Corey Conners (+0.99)
- Shane Lowry (+0.88)
- Tony Finau (+0.85)
- Austin Eckroat (+0.85)
Course History
More so than any other course on TOUR, familiarity with Augusta National is crucial. Only one player has ever won the Masters on their first try — Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979. Meanwhile, there are 17 golfers in history who have multiple green jackets.
In most cases, the Masters champion has shown some good form at Augusta in the past. Prior to Scottie Scheffler’s 2022 victory, he finished T19 and T18 in his first two trips to the course. Prior to 2023, Rahm had finished in the top-10 of four of his six starts at The Masters.
Total Strokes Gained: Total at Augusta National in past 36 rounds (per round, minimum eight rounds):
- Will Zalatoris (+2.91)
- Jon Rahm (+2.28)
- Jordan Spieth (+2.22)
- Scottie Scheffler (+2.22)
- Dustin Johnson (+2.01)
- Rory McIlroy (+2.00)
- Hideki Matsuyama (+1.90)
- Justin Rose (+1.85)
- Rickie Fowler (+1.72)
- Russell Henley (+1.60)
Par 4 Scoring Average
Since plenty of players can reach the par 5s at Augusta in two, par-4 scoring becomes more important. The golfer who separates themselves on the par 4s will be able to gain ground on the field.
Par 4 Scoring Average in past 24 rounds:
- Scottie Scheffler (+3.88)
- Chris Kirk (+3.92)
- Jordan Spieth (+3.93)
- Peter Malnati (+3.93)
- Xander Schauffele (+3.93)
Strokes Gained: Around the Green
Golfers with a solid short game tend to fare well at Augusta National. The run-off areas are treacherous, and players will often be scrambling to get up and down.
The majority of players who have won at Augusta National have a great short game and have shown consistent ability to get up and down from tough spots.
Total Strokes Gained: Around the Green in past 24 rounds:
- Hideki Matsuyama (+0.71)
- Scottie Scheffler (+0.66)
- Patrick Reed (+0.61)
- Xander Schauffele (+0.53)
- Lucas Glover (+0.51)
Strokes Gained: Off the Tee
Augusta National is most definitely a second shot golf course. Golfers can get away with a missed fairway here and there, however, it’s important that the misses with driver aren’t too wide of the target or there is serious trouble to be had.
Total Strokes Gained: Off the Tee in past 24 rounds:
- Bryson DeChambeau (+1.04)
- Rory McIlroy (+0.85)
- Scottie Scheffler (+0.84)
- Xander Schauffele (+0.71)
- Ludvig Aberg (+0.68)
Strokes Gained Putting: Fast Bentgrass
The USGA calculates that, on average, the greens at Augusta National are the fastest greens in the country. Three-putting is fairly common at Augusta and golfers must be able to combat the speed of the greens with effective lag putting.
Total Strokes Gained: Putting on Fast Bentgrass in past 24 rounds:
- Justin Rose (+1.43)
- Sahith Theegala (+0.97)
- Min Woo Lee (+0.88)
- Cameron Smith (+0.70)
- Patrick Reed (+0.70)
Statistical Model
Below, I’ve reported overall model rankings using a combination of the six key statistical categories previously discussed.
These rankings are comprised of SG: App (25%); Course History (16%); Par 4 Scoring Average (10%); SG: Putting on Fast Bentgrass (16%); SG: OTT (16%). and SG: ARG (16%).
Last year, Jon Rahm ranked first in this model
- Scottie Scheffler
- Xander Schauffele
- Hideki Matsuyama
- Tony Finau
- Justin Thomas
- Shane Lowry
- Will Zalatoris
- Corey Conners
- Si Woo Kim
- Rory McIlroy
- Stephan Jaeger
- Jordan Spieth
- Chris Kirk
- Keegan Bradley
- Wyndham Clark
- Sahith Theegala
- Russell Henley
- Collin Morikawa
- Matt Fitzpatrick
- Patrick Reed
My 2023 Pick:
Jon Rahm (+950) (FanDuel)
A few months ago, I never thought that I’d be able to say that Rahm would be going slightly under the radar heading into the 2023 Masters. It’s not that Rahm has done anything wrong, but both Scheffler and McIlroy have undoubtedly surpassed him as the scorching hot, super-elite, top of the market betting favorite category.
Since his win at Riviera, the Spaniard has finished 39th at Bay Hill, withdrew at The Players Championship, and failed to get out of the group stage at the WGC Dell Match Play. On the other hand, Scheffler won The PLAYERS Championship and McIlroy finished third at the WGC Dell Match Play.
Rahm has made six starts at The Masters and has come in the top-10 in four of them. The 28-year-old has incredible power off the tee, a requirement at Augusta which always plays longer than the scorecard indicates. He’s also incredible around the greens and ranks third in the field in Strokes Gained: Short Game, which is a combination of around the green play and putting, in his past 24 rounds.
As we’ve seen over the years at The Masters, having the ability to chip and putt your way out of difficult situations is a fundamental aspect of getting it done at Augusta National.
While Scheffler has made a strong case to be viewed as the world’s best player, I still believe that title belongs to Rahm. This will be the year Rahmbo joins the ranks of Seve Ballesteros, José María Olazábal, and Sergio Garcia as natives of Spain to don a green jacket.
2024 The Masters Picks
Brooks Koepka +2500 (DraftKings)
In order to win the 2024 Masters, a player will have to go toe-to-toe with Scottie Scheffler, who’s hitting the ball as anyone in golf over the last two seasons. When building a betting card this week, it’s important for me to choose players that I believe can stare Scheffler down on the weekend at Augusta National. Brooks Koepka fits that bill.
Koepka’s lackluster performance at LIV Miami is concerning, but he’s the type of player who can turn it on quickly during the week of a major championship. Although I’d have preferred, he played well last week, I’ll take the odds discount we got as a result of his most recent results.
Prior to LIV Miami, Koepka appeared to be in solid form. He finished in the top twelve in four of five starts on LIV this season. When it comes to the five-time major champion, it’s well known that he has another gear for major championships. Everything he’s done both in the off-season and during the LIV season is to gear up for the year’s first major at Augusta National.
In his past five starts at Augusta National, the 33-year-old has three top-7 finishes, including two runners-up. The two years when he played poorly (2019 and 2020) were when he was nowhere near 100% healthy. All signs point to Brooks being in a great place physically as we enter major season.
Last year, Koepka was the 36 and 54-hole leader prior to letting the green jacket slip away to Jon Rahm. He used the result as a springboard to win his 5th major at Oak Hill at the PGA Championship.
Brooks enters the week looking to get one step closer to achieving the career grand slam and golf fans would be foolish to rule him out.
Joaquin Niemann +2800 (BetRivers)
Full disclosure, I bet Niemann the second he was invited to The Masters back in February at +8000. Although the odds have shortened dramatically since then, I can’t pretend that the Chilean isn’t one of the players who has a real chance to win the 2024 Masters.
While I was speaking with Niemann back in March, he told me how much he loves Augusta National.
“Yeah, it’s a place that I love. I’ve been playing good golf. Especially last year, I wasn’t playing my best golf, and I had a good week there and made triple on 11 that kind of killed me a little bit.
I feel like I’m getting more ready and more prepared every time. My game is getting better too. I know that I’m playing good enough to be in that situation that I can have a chance to win the Masters and it’s all about how I react to that situation.
So yeah, I’m going to prepare myself to be ready for that situation if it happens and I can fight for the title on the Sunday which would be awesome.”
As Niemann alluded to, the Chilean was able to have his best career finishes at The Masters (T16) despite not being in the best form. This year, Niemann comes into the week playing better golf than anyone in the world with the exception of Scottie Scheffler. The 25-year-old has won three times since December and has shown the world why he was regarded as one of the games future stars since he was a teenager.
Historically speaking, Joaco’s win at Riviera a few years back seems to be an indicator of potential success at Augusta National. Fourteen players have won at both historic courses including Hideki Matsuyama, Jon Rahm, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Nick Faldo, Tom Watson and Ben Hogan.
Niemann has all the shots to be successful at Augusta National. His low stingers will come in handy on plenty of holes down the stretch and he can work it both ways, playing the high draw or the low fade. He also putts best on Bentgrass greens and likes them fast. Whether PGA Tour or LIV, talent will always reign supreme, and I’ll always bet on that talent.
Cameron Smith (+4000) (FanDuel)
Cameron Smith is another player who we should get an odds discount on based off of the results at LIV Miami. Smith was forced to withdraw prior to the second round due to food poisoning. In my opinion, the number has drifted to a place where I’d consider it a “bet the number” play on the talent.
Smith is a contender for the green jacket anytime he tees it up at Augusta National. The Australian absolutely loves the golf course and has four top-10 finishes in his last six trips to the golf course. In both 2020 and 2022, Smith had a real chance of winning The Masters and came up just short, finishing T2 and T3 in those two tries. In his past 36 rounds, he ranks 4th in Strokes Gained: Total per round at Augusta.
In order to be successful at Augusta National, players must be creative around the greens and be shot makers who have plenty of ways to get around the golf course. Cam has all the shots required to be successful at the course at his touch around the greens will continue to serve him well in his hopes for a green jacket.
Smith is arguably the best putter in the world and has the capability to win a golf tournament on and around the greens. He’s already taken down Rory McIlroy at the home of golf on his way to a claret jug and is one of the few players who can stare down any of the world’s top golfers on the back nine at Augusta National.
Justin Thomas +4000 (FanDuel)
With how he’s been playing since his 2022 PGA Championship win, you may be shocked to see the name “Justin Thomas” in this preview. However, JT has drifted to a place on the odds board where I believe it’s worth taking a shot on the talent of a two-time major champion in his prime.
It’s not all bad for Thomas this season. He finished T6 at the signature Pebble Beach event, T12 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open and T12 at the signature Arnold Palmer Invitational. In his last 24 rounds, JT ranks 8th in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach, 14th in Strokes Gained: Around the Green and 29th in Strokes Gained: Putting on fast Bentgrass greens.
Despite missing the cut last season, Thomas has played pretty well at Augusta National. He ranks 13th in Strokes Gained: Total in his past 36 rounds at the course. He finished T4 in 2020, T21 in 2021 and T8 in 2022.
I believe the 2024 edition of The Masters is completely wide open. The past few years has been frustrating for Thomas fans, but I believe his peak form may be a bit closer than people realize.
Sergio Garcia +12000 (FanDuel)
Earlier this season, Garcia dueled with Joaquin Niemann before finally losing on the fourth playoff hole late into the night. Despite the loss, the 44-year-old seemed to gain confidence in his game. The results that followed weren’t spectacular, but in terms of his ball striking he’s shown some flashes of vintage Sergio.
At LIV Miami last week, Garcia played well on a massive golf course, losing in a playoff to Dean Burmester. He continued pumped the ball into the fairway and hit massive iron shot after massive iron shot. He also used a refurbished Scotty Cameron that he used in the 1999 PGA Championship at Medinah. The putter served him incredibly well until he missed a short putt on the 18th hole to win the event. Overall, he gained 7.1 strokes putting at Doral.
Sergio Garcia is once again headed to Augusta National with a chip on his shoulder. Of course, having a chip on the shoulder is nothing new for the fiery Spaniard, but this year, the 2017 Masters Champion will arrive at Augusta with his game clicking on all cylinders.
Sergio winning a second green jacket is seemingly an almost impossible feat, but magical things tend to happen on the hallowed grounds of Augusta National.
Adam Scott +11000 (FanDuel)
Betting Adam Scott over the past handful of years has been a Masters staple for me, and like many traditions, has been a hard one for me to let go of.
Last week, Scott finished T14 at the Valero Texas Open in a windy and difficult week. I believe the wind will be a major factor this week at Augusta National, and the more difficult the tournament plays, the more I favor Scott. Scott also ranks 5th in his past 24 rounds on Strokes Gained: Putting on Fast Bentgrass and has the short game these days that could help him contend in a major.
Since his win in 2013, Scott’s history at The Masters has been spotty. He has some poor finishes alongside a T9 in 2017 and a T18 in 2019. He’s been playing some solid golf this season, finishing T8 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open and T19 at the Genesis Invitational.
(All photos in piece belong to LIV Golf)
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Since 2013, I have created a filtering process to help determine the players who are most likely to win the green jacket based on criteria that have strongly predictive outcomes to success at Augusta. The list of players that can win at Augusta is usually filtered down to 20-24 players and in that time I have correctly shortlisted every Masters champion.
This includes last year’s winner, Jon Rahm. Even though Rahm essentially walked away with the green jack and did not make it very close, there were some close calls on top of the leaderboard as I had filtered out Phil Mickelson (t-2nd) and Patrick Reed (t-4th) as the LIV Tour is still behind on providing advanced analytics for their tour. Russell Henley was also filtered out and finished t-4th, five strokes from Rahm’s winning score of 276.
If you’re watching at home, the “critical holes” that will likely determine the top finishers will be holes No. 7, 8, 11 and 13. The 11th hole is projected to be the most critical of holes as over the past five Masters the top players have gained nearly a 1.5 strokes for the tournament on that hole alone.
Just like last year’s column I will get the LIV Tour players I’ve filtered out of the way. Since LIV Tour does not provide ShotLink or Trackman data, it’s more of a guessing game as to how certain LIV Tour golfers are playing. I did utilize recent performance as well as performance at Mayakoba and Doral as they were two former PGA Tour courses that have some semblance of crossover to playing Augusta.
Phil Mickelson
Thorbjorn Olesen
Charl Schwartzel
Cameron Smith
Bubba Watson
Admittedly Cameron Smith and Phil Mickelson are hard to leave out, but both have not played well as of late.
Next, I filtered out the amateurs and all first-time professional attendees. The Masters has only been won three times by a first-time attendee: Fuzzy Zoeller was the last to win in 1979. Prior to Zoeller though, it was Horton Smith in the inaugural event in 1934 followed by Gene Sarazen in 1935
Ludvig Aberg
Akshay Bhatia
Wyndham Clark
Eric Cole
Santiago de la Fuente (a)
Nick Dunlap
Austin Eckroat
Stewart Hagestad (a)
Ryo Hisatsune
Lee Hodges
Nicolai Hojgaard
Stephan Jaeger
Jake Knapp
Christo Lamprecht (a)
Peter Malnati
Denny McCarthy
Grayson Murray
Matthieu Pavon
Adam Schenk
Neal Shipley (a)
Jasper Stubbs (a)
Out of the first time invitees the data likes Ludvig Aberg and Eric Cole to play the best at Augusta National.
I also filter out old Masters champions that I do not believe can get into contention anymore.
Fred Couples
Jose Maria Olazabal
Vijay Singh
Mike Weir
Tiger Woods
Recency has a strong predictive value for player performance and missing the cut in the event in the prior week greatly reduces the likelihood of winning the following week compared to players that miss the cut, take a week off, and then play the following week. Therefore I filter out all players that missed the cut at the Valero Texas Open last week.
Byeong Hun An
Harris English
Rickie Fowler
Ryan Fox
Zach Johnson
Tom Kim
Erik van Rooyen
Camilo Villegas
I will also filter out the players that have never made the cut at the Masters:
Kurt Kitayama
Adrian Meronk
A Tradition Unlike Any Other…
Augusta National has traditionally favored longer hitters and even moreso in the past 20 years of the event. Of course there has been exceptions as in 2007 the short hitting Zach Johnson ended up winning the event.
Critics of my filtering system point out Johnson’s victory as a case for short hitters being able to win at Augusta, but they neglect the fact that Johnson’s victory came in historically low temperatures in the 40’s with wind gusts reaching 35 mph. That made the par-5’s almost unreachable in two shots and the course stressed wedge play and short game around the green where Zach had a sizable advantage.
It is projected to rain early on Thursday and then the weather is supposed to be sunny and warm for the rest of the week. It depends on how quickly the course dries up, but if it does dry out fairly quickly that will give the longer hitters the advantage as they will be able to reach certain par-5’s in two shots that the shorter hitters cannot reach if they don’t hit a quality tee shot and there may be par-5’s that some of the long hitters can reach in two shots with a short iron. Therefore I will filter out the following players due to a lack of distance off the tee:
Corey Conners
Lucas Glover
Emiliano Grillo
Brian Harman
Si Woo Kim
Chris Kirk
Shane Lowry
Colin Morikawa
JT Poston
Justin Rose
Sepp Straka
Out of these players the data likes Lowry and Morikawa the most. Both have good history at Augusta and they both just narrowly missed the distance benchmark set in the filter and both are excellent long iron players.
Last year I created a new formula to better determine ball height as Augusta has historically not taken too kindly to a low ball flight. Out of the 5 players filtered out for low ball flight using the new formula the best finish was only t-29th by Si Woo Kim. This year I’ve filtered out the following players.
Matthew Fitzpatrick
Sungjae Im
Luke List
Joaquin Niemann
Justin Thomas
Every year I filter out the poor performers on approach shots from 175-225 yards as Augusta National puts a lot of stress on those shots. Last year I filtered out nine players and three of them missed the cut with only Jordan Spieth finishing in the top-15 (t-4th) as the rest of the players were never a threat.
Here are the golfers I’m filtering out due to poor play from 175-225 yards:
Patrick Cantlay
Cameron Davis
Jason Day
Tommy Fleetwood
Russell Henley
Max Homa
Rory McIlroy
Jordan Spieth
Nick Taylor
Rory had a nice outing at the Valero Texas Open and hit his irons better there, but appears to be struggling with a leftward miss. Other than that, Rory still has the game to win his first green jacket. Henley is usually one of the better iron players on Tour, but he has struggled this season from 175-225 yards and is a short hitter anyway.
I will also filter out Danny Willett as he is coming off injury and making his comeback at the Masters.
That leaves the 22 players that can win the Masters:
Keegan Bradley (150/1)
Sam Burns (60/1)
Bryson DeChambeau (25/1)
Tony Finau (50/1)
Sergio Garcia (100/1)
Adam Hadwin (175/1)
Tyrrell Hatton (80/1)
Viktor Hovland (35/1)
Dustin Johnson (40/1)
Brooks Koepka (16/1)
Min Woo Lee (70/1)
Hideki Matsuyama (20/1)
Taylor Moore (300/1)
Jon Rahm (12/1)
Patrick Reed (80/1)
Xander Schauffele (18/1)
Scottie Scheffler (4/1)
Adam Scott (100/1)
Sahith Theegala (50/1)
Gary Woodland (250/1)
Cameron Young (50/1)
Will Zalatoris (35/1)
Here’s my personal top-10 picks:
Keegan Bradley (150/1)
Sam Burns (60/1)
Bryson DeChambeau (35/1)
Tony Finau (50/1)
Viktor Hovland (35/1)
Dustin Johnson (40/1)
Hideki Matsuyama (20/1)
Jon Rahm (12/1)
Xander Schauffele (18/1)
Scottie Scheffler (4/1)
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Matt
Dec 24, 2014 at 9:45 am
Not sure if it’s still open, but a cheap course that was fun to play in Hot Springs, AR. Belvedere Country Club, although it was the most lax, laid back un-snooty country club I’ve ever played.
Jeff
Dec 23, 2014 at 5:26 pm
Beacon Rock golf course in the Columbia gorge, WA side. 9 hole course. 10 bucks for 9 holes. Amazing views, property against a wildlife preserve, the greens roll way too good and true for a 10 dollar fee. Lots of tough shots, lots of easy ones, just a great little golf course.
A real hidden gem. From Portland Oregon take i5 north, WA st hwy 14 east to beacon rock st park. Located in the town of North Bonneville. Can’t miss it.
Jeff B
Dec 23, 2014 at 4:53 pm
I like pico rivera golf course. par 3 course that really isn’t anything special but has good undulations for the small area it’s squeezed into. Have played and will continue to play it for years to come. Anyone in the southern california area should take a look at it.
jim
Dec 23, 2014 at 12:10 pm
Try Triggs Memorial in Providence, RI. Right in the middle of the city, but once you’re on the course you feel transported back to earlier in the century with old growth trees lining a Donald Ross course. A real hidden gem.
Matt
Dec 23, 2014 at 11:38 am
That is a great article – hope to try this out one day on my next visit there. Thanks
Michael
Jun 30, 2014 at 7:43 am
There is a nice course in Augusta, Maine called Western View Golf Club. They were established in 1932 and up until last year they had no website or any sort o advertisement. It is a short 9-holer, but the views of the Western Maine mountains and the mountains of New Hampshire are spectacular. They do a special on Monday called Monday Madness and green fee’s for 9 is only $6! They also have $2 draft beers in the clubhouse too! If you are on vacation in Maine and you are looking for a good value I would strongly recommend checking it out.
http://westernviewgolf.com
Chris Martin
Jun 23, 2014 at 1:33 pm
A couple great deals in northern Alabama: Lake Guntersville State Park Eagle’s Nest course, $30 green fees including cart. Becky Pierce Municipal in Huntsville, $35 green fees including cart.
Euan Hardman
May 24, 2014 at 2:16 pm
Cullen Golf Club, Moray, Scotland.
http://www.cullengolfclub.co.uk/
Only 4600 yards par 63, but a beautiful golf course behind the beach on the edge of the Moray Firth. Check out the website, it’s the most fun you’ll ever have. There isn’t an easy birdie anywhere.
RG
May 31, 2014 at 1:33 am
When you have a 10,000 sq.ft. clubhouse, a club championship and a bar , YOUR NOT HIDDEN!!
Scott Stables
Jun 30, 2014 at 5:22 am
It possibly has the quirkiest par 3 holes I have ever played. Great fun.
RAT
May 19, 2014 at 5:46 pm
Why not try each state for courses that are from 25 to 30 bucks not the out of site prices people see in the mags. Fox Chase is a nice 9 hole course in counce Tennessee that falls in this range and the greens are great.Pickwick landing also is great counce Tennessee.
Jafar
May 15, 2014 at 10:00 am
Cato Park in Charleston, WV is $6.
Mostly Par 3’s but still a good place to practice scoring. I practice my drives at the range.
Sully
May 14, 2014 at 10:57 pm
Here is a true hidden gem. This is actually George Thomas (yes Bel Air CC and Riveria architect) first course ever in the US. There are still old stone walls in front of greens on this course that has peakaboo views of Sippican Harbor. This course is also on the same road as Kittansett CC which is still ranked in the Top 100 courses in the US. Check out some pics and as they say on the website no tee time required!
http://www.mariongolfclub.com/PHOTOS.html
RG
May 31, 2014 at 1:36 am
Hello!! If you have a website YOUR NOT HIDDEN!!! YOUR JUST A GOLF CLUB!!!
Robert
May 14, 2014 at 2:22 pm
My choices are if you can get to the UK Play Camberley heath in Surrey Knole Park in Kent both Fantastic courses(loads more tho) In Scotland there are Hundreds of brilliant courses spend your two week vacation in Scotland start in Ayrshire and play and stay your way across To Fife and finish in St Andrews green fees start from £20 up to £150 per round
And remember say BACK and HIT when playing badly !!!!!!!!!
ben
May 14, 2014 at 12:16 am
Texarkana Golf Ranch. It’s Hank Haney’s golf club. Fantastic course. Quite difficult but fair. At one point I believe it was rated most difficult course in Texas. All day golf pass was for like 30 or 40 bucks. Check it out
Jeff Irwin
May 13, 2014 at 10:06 am
dosriosgolf.net – $40 with cart after 1:00. Great little course with awesome scenery in Gunnison, CO
Kirasdad
May 13, 2014 at 2:19 am
Love this article (and the many terrific responses).
Here’s one with the best name there is for a hidden gem. Weed GC in Weed, CA. Nine holer is the shadow of Mt. Shasta. Not long but an interesting layout and fun. I played it on a weekday on a trip from LA to Olympia WA to drop my stepson off for his first year of college. My wife, of all people looked up from her AAA guide book and said, “pull over in Weed, you’ve got to play golf here”. No clubs so the small mom and pop golf shop lent me a set made up of lost and found clubs, charged me nothing. The green fee was 9 or 10 bucks. There was virtually no one on the course when I played it. My wife, daughter, and stepson all walked the course with me. Hit my seven club lost and found set beautifully, of course (it’s all about expectations, folks). If you three jack a green all you have to do is look up at Mt. Shasta and that takes care of that.
Whole thing took an hour fifteen and we were back on the road again. When I turned my clubs back in I happened to comment on how well I had hit the driver, an old Mizuno metal with a steel shaft and the lady said, “keep it, it’s been laying around here for years”.
The whole thing was so simple, but I’ll never forget it.
Sizzle
May 12, 2014 at 7:03 pm
Frankfort golf club in Frankfort, michigan ….fantastic, fun 9-holer a mile south of Crystal Downs. Oh, yeah, it got sold, bulldozed, and turned into a couple dozen shirty houses…..
Jim
May 12, 2014 at 6:24 pm
There’s a 9 holler with two sets of tees to make it 18 in southwest montana called the anaconda country club. It’s not a country club at all. A hundred years or so it was, but now it’s famous for being literally in the shadow of Nicklaus’ Old Works. It is a hoot for 35 bucks any time
Andrew
May 12, 2014 at 4:19 pm
http://www.traighgolf.co.uk/index.html
Arisaig is one of the world’s most beautiful places without golf – but it has a lovely wee nine holer for 20 quid a day or 65 for the week. You have to play it after dinner in June – pure heaven.
Actually – play it before breakfast, morning, after lunch, before supper AND after dinner (It becomes dinner after dinner and a couple of drams 🙂 )
Ruben
May 12, 2014 at 3:57 pm
Oldest golf course in Arizona was 9 holes for many years. The backside was open in 1999 and has a 747 yard Par 6. This course is approximately 2 hours south of Tucson, Arizona in Naco Arizona. Usually have Tuesday/Thursday specials in the summer for $25 after 11am. Regular fees are $50 with cart. Always in great shape.
Website: http://www.turquoisevalley.com
Bruce Gervais
May 12, 2014 at 3:06 pm
Spring Valley Golf Course Livermore Iowa 10 Miles north of Algona Iowa.
Northern Iowa on the Minnesota boarder.
Dues $550.00 for single green fees $28.00 A really nice well kept golf course in perfect shape all the time.
Come out of the city and enjoy A great value.
Bill Brasky
Dec 24, 2014 at 12:25 am
Amazing track and great memories for me. I won a conference championship there as a Junior in hs!
LeTronold
May 12, 2014 at 1:28 pm
My favorite muni and hidden gem in Nevada is Ruby View in Elko. It’s by far the best muni you’ll find in the state and the greens are phenomenal in the summer, especially July and August. It’s in the middle of nowhere, but it’s good.
JOEL GOODMAN
May 12, 2014 at 1:46 pm
come to south florida in summer. All the $100+ course are available through september at half or less. Check GOLF NOW or similar sites
phil
May 12, 2014 at 12:52 pm
Canada is a really big place, in fact, it’s the second largest country in the world, after Russia. And we rarely invade anyone, so a much nicer place to play golf.
Our tiniest province is PEI, or Prince Edward Island. PEI is on the Atlantic coast, a four hour drive from the Maine border. It would be the 49th largest state, right between Delaware and Rhode Island.
PEI is a wonderful place to play golf, frequently included among the world’s great destination golf regions. And relative to American destination regions, even bargains like the Alabama Trail, golf is very affordable.
My favourite ‘hidden gem’ on PEI is way out on the east end of the island; a little nine hole tracks called Rollo Bay Greens. For $15 (weekdays) you can just forget about life for a while. A be back to the cottage before the wife and kids wake up.
steve kemlo
May 12, 2014 at 11:31 am
Dunfanaghy in Donegal Ireland , is a fantastic wee links course in the middle of no place and great value at 25 euro a round
John
May 12, 2014 at 10:52 am
I grew up playing a scruffy 9 holer called Cazenovia Park in South Buffalo (NY). It cost a $1 for a junior to play all summer. We played 18-27 all day long. This article proves to me what we need to grow the game are cheap 9 hole golf courses for people to play (especially juniors)to get them hooked. Not 15 inch holes!
ChrisG
May 12, 2014 at 10:23 am
I play a bunch of courses in NE Ohio that are all under $30 for 18 w/cart. I won’t pay much more than that for golf actually. For courses that are more expensive, look at their specials. One of the local courses that is normally $55 for 18/cart is $25 on Monday’s before 2 PM. Many other courses offer specials like that too. Also, try websites like Groupon. There are always ways to golf cheap, you just have to look around.
Mark
May 12, 2014 at 10:48 am
I too am from the N.E. Ohio area and there are always deals. People just need to plan out their golf times. If you go on groupgolfer.com, get apps such as tee times or golfnow you can find some pretty great deals
ChrisG
May 12, 2014 at 1:36 pm
Yeah, and some of the NE OH courses are cheap all the time. Cherry Ridge, Spring Valley, Grey Hawk, Big Met, Little Met, Bob O Link, Sweetbriar, and Brentwood. Playing at any or all of those will keep the NEOH golfer busy all summer, and won’t break the bank.
j
May 12, 2014 at 9:05 am
I recently moved to Rochester, NY and play Durand-Eastman Golf Club. It is located next to Lake Ontario and boasts a Robert Trent Jones design. Cost per round? 16$ Or – you can simply choose to buy a seasons pass for 350$ (the pass includes access to two additional local courses as well)
Bob
May 13, 2014 at 11:32 am
You should check out Sodus Bay. Might be a bit more than $16, but well worth it.
Wonderful views of Sodus Bay and Lake Ontario, plenty of length (I think a tad over 6600 from the tips), big rolling greens – really just a great, fun track.
j
May 13, 2014 at 5:24 pm
Thanks Bob I definitely will.
Sam
May 15, 2014 at 11:41 am
Also check out Victor Hills, just outside Victor, NY three full courses (North, South, East) and one 9-hole exec. course.
For $26 dollars walking ($11 for the exec.) it’s a great complex that let you play a variety of courses.
The nice thing I found is that the East Course I can get around as a single in under three hours, making a evening round possible without fighting daylight.
I’ve played Durand and liked it, but the extra $10 is definitely reflected on VH’s courses.
timbleking
May 12, 2014 at 3:24 am
I have an hidden gem not far from home. It’s a precious course that a lot of golfers don’t like because it’s short and strange at some points, but it’s really gorgeous. And as it is in Switzerland, you see things that cannot be elsewhere, such as a fridge in nature with drinks inside that you can pick and pay, letting the coins in the fridge itself. Self-service, no security of any kind. And you can be sure that no one is going to steal neither drinks nor money. Can you beat that?
David
May 11, 2014 at 7:47 am
Many great courses in and around NYC. Mohansic in Westchester, Montauk, really so many great public courses…Black!
Rob Munro
May 10, 2014 at 11:42 pm
I have two gems nearby. One called Birregurra a nine hole two tiered course in a sleepy little hamlet 20 minutes away, you can play all day for $10 and 5 minutes further on is Colac GC which is based on the Royal Melbourne layout and can be played for $30 Monday to Friday. I play on Fridays when I can and its usually just me and the green keepers out there.
Clint Borgas
May 10, 2014 at 8:38 pm
Binnigup golf course, a 9 hole links course 90 mins south of Perth in Western Australia
Uses the honesty box system and is one of the more punishing 9 holes you will play. A stiff wind from the south west makes every shot just that little bit trickier
simon
May 10, 2014 at 7:22 pm
no hidden gem just courses that charge too much and are filled with idiots who dont know how to conduct themselves.
so i go to the local football pitch early morning and hit wedges to one of the goal posts.
i get peace,improve my game and get exercise.
TheLegend
May 10, 2014 at 4:37 pm
North Califorina. Apple mountain. 35 bucks on week days. You cant find a better looking course. With great everything its hard to beat. No one is there on week days. Flooded on weekends but ghost town Mon- thur. I play the course in 3hrs On weekdays. So I play twice most of the time!
Double Mocha Man
May 10, 2014 at 3:40 pm
I once played a sand greens course in Camdenton, Missouri. Its fairways doubled as landing strips for the small airport there. You’d have to scamper off the fairway if a plane was landing or taking off. The windsock in the center of the course was a bonus for judging the wind.
J.Blais
May 10, 2014 at 3:20 pm
9 hole course I grew up playing in Sharon PA Buhl Farm or DumDum as it has been affectionately coined. It’s free, yes free, all the time. play from sun up to sun down if you want. It’s actually in pretty good shape too. no spectacular holes but its a fun little track. Can’t beat free.
Dane
May 10, 2014 at 9:59 am
Sunset Golf Course Coos Bay, OR (30 minutes north of Bandon Dunes)
Dixie Red Hills St. George, UT by far the best golf per $.
hdymnstr
May 10, 2014 at 9:10 am
Tumwater valley gc outside Olympia WA. $10 all off season for 18. Tremendous greens year round.
James
May 10, 2014 at 2:31 pm
Love playing Tumwater Valley. Good to see this course getting some love!
Todd
May 10, 2014 at 9:07 am
Utah has a bunch of hidden gems. My favorite is a little track in Nephi, Canyon Hills. Little pro shop, 9 holes, $18 with a cart and $12 to walk. Still to this day, best greens I’ve ever played on! And I just got back from Wolf Creek. I play there at least 20 times a year just because I love it so much.
JDB
May 10, 2014 at 8:44 am
My hidden gem is Emanon Golf Club in northeast PA. It’s a semi-private course that doesn’t even take tee times but the members are great. You just need to wait sometimes for members to tee off if you go early but after 11 a.m. it’s always clear to play. 22 bucks on Tuesdays is when I play and it’s a great price for greens and cart. It has beautiful views and well maintained. The name Emanon was given because when the course first opened the owners didn’t know what to call it so they just took “no name” and spelled it backwards. A must play for golfers visiting the northeast PA area.
Joe
May 10, 2014 at 7:07 am
Spnish Point Golf club in County Clare on the Southwest Coast is a hidden gem for sure!
Andrew
May 12, 2014 at 4:21 pm
Oh yes – Spanish Point is heavenly. played there a couple of times/
Craig Loftus
May 10, 2014 at 4:01 am
Askernish GC South Uist The Outer Hebrides Scotland
Isle of Seil GC Argyll Scotland
Machrie Golf Club Isle of Islay Scotland
St Medans Dumfries and Galloway Scotland
All have websites……….and really fun to play…….. no 100 acre practice ground, no expensive prop shops just pitch up and play
Iain
May 10, 2014 at 11:14 pm
Braid Hills, Edinbourgh
Windy Hills, Glasgow
Braid Hills is similar to this place, not frills just pay and play, small putting green and a net to hit into to warm up. Great veiws of the city from many spots on the course. Both great tracks think I paid pound at each place.
Vince
May 10, 2014 at 12:49 am
In my area there are tons of very nice munis that can be played for a junior price of $15. Some of the holes are great and views are spectacular.
matt
May 9, 2014 at 11:55 pm
My grandparents live in a small farming town in Eastern Washington. I learned to play at the 9 hole course there when I was 7 so it will always be special. For $15, you can play as many holes as you want. Payment is on the honor system. You write your name on a sheet and place your money in the box and off you go. When I was young I’d play 36 or 45 a day. It’s still hard now with the wind and small fast greens as it’s defense. It’s never busy so you can play at your own pace. For me, I enjoy it in the summer when the farmers are harvesting their crops around the course. Great place!!
Bryan
May 12, 2014 at 4:14 pm
Might you be referencing Tekoa?
RG
May 9, 2014 at 10:37 pm
I have the winner!!! It is hands down Swiss Fairways in Clermont, FL. The best set of par 3’s in central FL and you can get $12 tee times. This course is absolutely unbelievable. It is in area of many upscale courses ( Orange County National, Bella Colina, Disney) and the layout and shot value is better. It has a trailer for a clubhouse, that carries domestic canned beer in its cooler and microwave sandwiches, but the carts and cartpaths are new and the course is unbelievable in layout and hole to hole progression.
#2 signature hole 191 par 3. all water carry to a green that is nestled back into a hill with deep grass (yes grass) bunkers surrounding. the water in front is a practice track where world class water skiers make runs on a slalom course. From the tee you have to wait on them to finish their run before you hit. Above the sky is filled with hang gliders and ultalites they fly from a nearby landing strip. No houses, nature abounds, most dramatic bunkering and shot value and only the locals know. It is the KING of hidden gems.
Justin
May 9, 2014 at 9:49 pm
Here in Erie, PA there is a course that used to be fully operational. Now Penn State’s Erie satellite campus maintains the grounds and has kept the front 9 open. The best part is that it is absolutely free. Not the most well kept obviously, but you cant beat 9 holes of absolutely free golf.
John
May 9, 2014 at 7:20 pm
Love Kahuku and the chickens. On Oahu, try the Navy course at Barbers Point for easy access or the Marine Course at Kaneohe for the ocean scenery. Both accept non military golfers and prices are reasonable.
Bryan
May 9, 2014 at 5:04 pm
I Like articles like these!
How bout Hot Springs, SD. It used to be a 9 hole course then they ruined it by making it a 18 hole course. The front 9 is a beautiful layout in the black hills of SD
Brett
May 9, 2014 at 4:51 pm
Grew up playing at Kahuku, if you show up after 2PM, there is often no one there and the green fees are free
AK
May 9, 2014 at 4:29 pm
Not really a “secret”, but Coronado Muni in San Diego is certainly a gem, and only $40 to walk on the weekends
GMR
May 9, 2014 at 6:02 pm
Had the worst round of my life at Coronado. Tried to tee off in the early afternoon. Got TWELVE HOLES in in FIVE AND A HALF HOURS, before it got too dark to see. That and everyone within earshot was drunk…
Patrick
May 9, 2014 at 7:13 pm
OMG at several courses in my area $40 is highway robbery!
Duncan Castles
May 9, 2014 at 4:14 pm
Iona. Read Andrew Greig’s ‘Preferred Lies’ for a description that cannot be surpassed.
Marc Duncan
May 9, 2014 at 4:11 pm
I used to surf a great spot off the 7th hole there at Kahuku back in ’79-’82.
Course used to be in better shape. Beautiful location. Good to know it’s still around.
bradford
May 9, 2014 at 4:07 pm
Southeastern PA, Twin Ponds Golf Club. Not the lengthiest course, but greens are small, quick, and in perfect shape all the time. Beyond that it’s great, family owned and run business that only charges 33 to walk on Saturday morning.
Nearby, Hickory Valley Golf Club (my home course) for one of the toughest back nines I know about.
truth
May 10, 2014 at 3:37 pm
love me some twin ponds short course but not short on some difficult holes… and i work at hickory valley small world sometimes
bradford
May 12, 2014 at 11:19 am
What’s your first name truth, or tell me your role there and I’ll find ya someday
Andy
May 9, 2014 at 3:20 pm
Creekside Plantation. 9 hole course just south of Knoxville, in Seymour. $10 to walk 9 holes and the greens are top 10 (maybe top 5) in east Tennessee or Knoxville area. Solid courset that is easy to walk and have a great time at when your short on time.
Tyler
May 9, 2014 at 3:16 pm
Utah has some fantastic courses that are laid-back in nature and very affordable. I think that’s our reward for enduring sometimes 6 months of snow and no golf in the winter time:) A gem in Utah that most people visiting might be able to play is Soldier Hollow in Midway/Heber. It’s just down the road from Park City. They held the Pub Links championship there a few years back. It’s much more affordable ($33 for 18) than the Park City Courses and absolutely beautiful.
markb
May 10, 2014 at 2:56 am
Soldier Hollow is owned by the state and along with Wasatch Mtn., Palisades and Green River you have 6 inexpensive gems.
Chrs
May 9, 2014 at 3:15 pm
Living in Los Angeles golf is very expensive, includes a 60+ min drive or a 6 hr round. There are some short courses around town but most have mats, tiny greens and no views. Terrenea is a 9 hole course, all par-3 with views better than Trump, 90 POP, fast and smooth greens and lots of elevation changes. Usually you can find a deal for under $40
LeTronold
May 12, 2014 at 1:27 pm
I love Westchester. I have to be the only human that once played a 3-day stretch of Riv, LACC and….Westchester. That was back when Westchester only had 15 holes.
West
May 9, 2014 at 2:49 pm
Sorry, can’t tell you. I’m keeping my “hidden gem” all to myself!!!! Hahahaha!!! >:-)
Greg
May 9, 2014 at 2:46 pm
It doesn’t have to be expensive, as your story points out with this gem you found. It’s the “golf snobs” who look down their noses at courses like this one and at players who have a set of mismatched clubs that are old and maybe purchased at a garage sale
The Media and equipment companies don’t help by bombarding the public about the need for the latest and great equipment which will make the average golfer “play like a tour pro”.
Spend some time on the range practicing when you can and play when and where you can, at a reasonable price and just enjoy the time spent outdoors
You’ll learn to slow down from the hectic, day to day rat race pace and just enjoy the game. Forget the score cuz the game is much more than what you shot!
Dave Bergeron
May 9, 2014 at 2:44 pm
Quarry Hills in Graham, NC. Great laoyout on the Haw River. Occoneechee in Hillsborough,NC has an old style layout and nice greens. Costs 26 to walk on the weekends.
jgraham
May 12, 2014 at 10:47 am
Playing Quarry Hills tomorrow, 5/13
andy
May 9, 2014 at 2:38 pm
I play a course in south jersey here. 9 hole course 10$ after 5:30pm cant beat the price and the place is always in good shape. greens are alittle slow but i’ll take it for 10$. if your in the area check it out Latona country club.