Courses that Force a Complete Game

[Dan Ensor]

I was playing with a guy at my home course today, and he said "Man, I really need to play some other courses." I told him yeah, it would help him develop a more rounded game. However, this course has good variety and doesn't let you get away with being one-dimensional.

So: what courses out there make you have a complete game?

(My home course is Rothwell Park. So it's kind of cheating to use both courses, but if you know of a single site that does a better job than any other, I want to hear about that too.)

 

[Lurp Nuts]

Milo Mciver is the most technically complex course I've played. Great combination of controlled power, touch, and technical greens. Good use of OB, and lots of unique natural fairway shapes.

Plus, if you hit it at the right time of year, it's two super tough 18s!

 

[Horsman]

West Lake Park - Iowa
Rollin Ridge - WI
Bowling Green Technical College - Kentucky

Just a few of them that I have played that I needed everything in my bag to complete the course.

 

[bradharris]

Maple Hill

 

[Stardoggy]

I was going to say Rollin' Ridge, as well. From long bombs and elevation to left, straight, and right...it pretty much has it all. The only thing it doesn't really have is water hazards, except for hole 2.

 

[Horsman]

I was going to say Rollin' Ridge, as well. From long bombs and elevation to left, straight, and right...it pretty much has it all. The only thing it doesn't really have is water hazards, except for hole 2.

And 1, and 18

 

[Stardoggy]

And 1, and 18

Both times I've been there, 1's "water" was pretty much just a puddle. Albeit a gross, scum-covered puddle.

I did forget about 18, although it feels like you'd have to miss pretty hard for it to come into play.

 

[DavidSauls]

I would hope most of the 4.5+ rated courses would qualify. Perhaps excepting a few whose lofty rank is based on amazing scenery or amenities.

Unless "complete game" includes rollers, which eliminates a lot of wooded and rugged courses.

 

[Horsman]

Both times I've been there, 1's "water" was pretty much just a puddle. Albeit a gross, scum-covered puddle.

I did forget about 18, although it feels like you'd have to miss pretty hard for it to come into play.

1's is usually there I thought if you throw too straight off the tee, but by the basket it does dry up at times.

And for 18 my route to the basket is to go over the water usually.

 

[Stardoggy]

1's is usually there I thought if you throw too straight off the tee, but by the basket it does dry up at times.

And for 18 my route to the basket is to go over the water usually.

I've been there in spring and a couple weeks ago, and the water on 1 was only past the basket. There's some marshy stuff past the basket, but I don't know that I'd call it a water hazard.

Isn't 18's water behind the basket? Unless I'm thinking of something different (which is entirely possible), I don't know how there's a line to the basket that goes over the water.

 

[Horsman]

Yea you might be thingking of something different because there is always water on 1 and 18

 

[BogeyNoMore]

I would hope most of the 4.5+ rated courses would qualify. Perhaps excepting a few whose lofty rank is based on amazing scenery or amenities.

Unless "complete game" includes rollers, which eliminates a lot of wooded and rugged courses.

:clap:

 

[NOStheBOSS]

Bowling Green Technical College - Kentucky

I needed everything in my bag to complete the course.

You also have to give up your will to live to finish all 18 holes

my vote goes for any of the IDGC courses

 

[Stardoggy]

I'd throw Highbridge-Blueberry in the mix, as well.

 

[Aim For The Chains]

I'd throw Highbridge-Blueberry in the mix, as well.

whaaaaaaat not granite or gold?! actually I might even say for a TRUE test at all/any skill level would be Woodland there. I had SOO much fun playing that course just carving it up hitting lines I was visualizing and you end up in jail too getting off those narrow fairways.

 

[1978]

Renny Gold, distance throws, rollers, wooded, roll away greens, Islands (no water but do you really "need" water? If you have to throw over or around OB to islands...I guess technically you can find water on 8 9 and 15.

 

[Horsman]

Id put in a vote for Granite over Blueberry

 

[Stardoggy]

whaaaaaaat not granite or gold?! actually I might even say for a TRUE test at all/any skill level would be Woodland there. I had SOO much fun playing that course just carving it up hitting lines I was visualizing and you end up in jail too getting off those narrow fairways.

Agreed on Woodland, but it's a bit shorter than the others. Some tight lines, to be sure. Granite and Gold seem a bit more open (from what I remember) than Blueberry.

I love all the courses up there (didn't get to play Bear), but for a straight up all-around game, I'd put Blueberry at the top of the list.

I'd add that Granite was MY favorite up there. I can't get that big hill bomber (9?) out of my head. I loved that shot.

 

[Aim For The Chains]

Yeah with Woodland I guess I am taking distance out of being a part of a complete game. There you still need 300+ power but not 500-600' which to me is not really part of a complete game anyways b/c everyone would throw that far for the most part.

 

[1978]

Almost said Idlewild, but too much randomness on 4-5 of the holes. Also, need a little more open throws on Iron Hill.