The unlikely golf course rated as the number one in the world is located, of all places, on the New Jersey side of Philadelphia. It is truly difficult to believe that the worlds best golf courses is in such a drab country side. The Pine Valley Golf Club is universally considered the best example of golf course architecture. It was a dream of Philadelphia hotel owner, George Crump. He started work on this feature less peace of land in 1912 and by 1916, 14 holes were ready for play.
Unfortunately he would not see his dream completed, Crump died in 1918 one year before his course was completed.
Pine Valley opened 1919, and it took three years for anyone to get around in under seventy strokes. It quickly become known around the world as the ultimate test of golf. Members of the club would bet anyone playing for the first time that they would not break eighty. However in 1954 Arnold Palmer took all bets and beat them, shooting a sixty-eight. Later he would say ” I was desperate for the money at the time, I was about to be married so I collected all the bets I could find. It was far more money than I had.”
The complete golfer,” Pain Valley fills you with dread and delight… It takes your breath away… Its a monster but its beautiful.” It is frequently called the most difficult course in the world, and its reputation is justified. It has more classic holes than any course in the world. Recently one golf rider stated after passing the fifteenth hole, in all my travels, I do not think I have seen a more beautiful landscape. This is more beautiful than Versailles or Fontainbleau.
Number two golf course in the world is called Cypress Point, but very few will get a chance to play there. Rumor has it that J. F. Kennedy was once refused entry there, with only 250 members getting a chance to play is unlikely.
At the foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountains at the tip of the Monterey Peninsula, the Cypress Point Club cliff top terrain is beautiful and thrilling. Originally designed by, Seth Reynor he unfortunately died before its completion. Maybe the world greatest architect, Dr. Alister Mackenzie completed the course in 1920s.
Cypress Point is described as, “the best seventeen hole course in the world”. The eighteenth hole is consider to be little more than a way back to the club house. On the sixteenth hole the Pacific Ocean is the ultimate water hazard, its considered the best golf hole in the world.
Third is a Augusta National Golf Club, and it is the one of the most exclusive clubs in the world.
Fourth is the Royal County Down in New Castle England.
Fifth is Aiilsa course at the Turnberry Resort, and is probably the most scenic Open Championship golf course situated in Scotland.