A few weeks back, I wrote about the most overrated golf courses I’ve played.
Some of you reached out asking for the opposite—the most underrated courses I’ve played. So here we are.
What do I appreciate in a golf course? What makes one underrated?
For starters, I would single out courses that are not revered or well known in the golf community. Maybe they are respected among those in the know, but they are not widely thought of as bucket list tracks you have to play.
For another, the price is important. Is it a good value? Does the condition of the course and overall experience warrant the investment?
Other variables are more subjective. I like my golf courses more forgiving off the tee, coupled with intriguing green complexes. Give me some fun slopes. Make it playable to where I won’t lose too many golf balls—but I’ll also be challenged in interesting ways.
You may not have heard of these courses but they are hidden gems that deserve some love.
Here are seven layouts I really appreciate. As a point of principle, I’ve only included public courses. I’ve also tried to spread them out geographically.
If you have any other suggestions, let me know!
7. The Course at Sewanee (Sewanee, Tennessee)
While all the yuppies are over at Sweeten’s Cove, I like to take my limited golf talents to the nearby Course at Sewanee.
This is such a simple but brilliant nine-hole layout. Built on a ridge, there are some gorgeous views.
It’s among the nicest courses I’ve played in Tennessee—and you can walk it for $55.
I like Sweeten’s a lot but I wouldn’t say it’s a better golf course. It has way more clout and everyone knows the name now because of the cult following. Sewanee won’t get the same treatment but it’s worth your time. Not for nothing, it’s much easier to get on (and far less expensive) than Sweeten’s.
6. Chaska Town Course (Chaska, Minnesota)
Chaska Town Course was the stroke play co-host for last year’s U.S. Amateur at Hazeltine.
Interestingly, it is a wildly different course from Hazeltine.
The fairways here are generous and it maxes out at about 6,800 yards. For a par-72, that is not long (especially if you are 19 years old and can hit a golf ball into oblivion).
But for all of Chaska’s playability, it does create a lot of awkward decisions. I think of the short par-4 fifth hole that gives golfers a few options off the tee—water cuts across the landing area so you have to decide how aggressive you want to be.
I appreciate that strategic element to several of the holes.
The conditioning here is really nice and the price is reasonable. You can walk it for $78 in the summer.
5. Park Mammoth (Park City, Kentucky)
You will have to trust me here because this is a deep cut.
Park Mammoth is a relatively new course, built a couple of years ago, out in the country of western Kentucky. It’s not too far from Bowling Green where Western Kentucky University resides. If you live in Nashville or Louisville, it’s a doable day trip.
I’ve been here a few times and I’m highly impressed with this whole facility. The clubhouse is great, the staff is friendly, the practice facility is tremendous and the new par-3 course is awesome.
The course itself is wide open, traversing rolling hills. The greens are great and the overall condition is fabulous. There is a good chance you won’t lose a ball the entire round. Birdies can be had here but there are some ball-busters that will bite you. Some of the sloping around the greens is treacherous.
The best part is the course has never been overly busy in my experience. They will let you play unlimited golf for $137 on a weekend and there are much cheaper rates for the less ambitious among us.
Please give these folks your business if you are in the area.
4. Duke University Golf Club (Durham, North Carolina)
I’ve always really liked this place. It pains me to say as a N.C. State grad, but Duke’s golf course is superior (but we beat them in the Elite Eight last year, so who is the real winner?).
While it’s not the Sandhills golf of Pinehurst, Duke G.C. is a wonderful parkland-style layout that is typically in wonderful shape. I mean, they just hosted U.S. Open final qualifying. The greens are very, very nice (and fast).
I enjoy the design. It’s not overly punishing in one particular area but you can’t fool around because danger lurks if you leave yourself above the hole. It toes the line nicely between playable and challenging.
I’ll admit that this course is a little expensive. Rates max out at $170 but there are cheaper times available.
In the same breath, you will probably be paying more in the Sandhills. If you want to play good golf without leaving the Triangle, Duke is a terrific option.
3. Poppy Hills (Pebble Beach, California)
I might get some hate for this one, but hear me out.
Everyone goes to Monterey for Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill. Maybe you go up the coast to Pasatiempo in Santa Cruz (one of my all-time favorites).
Poppy Hills (nicknamed “Sloppy Hills” back in the day) gets thrown by the wayside because it’s not on the water.
Can we be real for a second here? After the renovation in 2014, Poppy Hills has a lot of golf holes that match (or maybe even surpass) the inland holes at Pebble and Spyglass.
Now, don’t get me wrong—Pebble and Spyglass are better. But Poppy has an excellent layout with some really cool holes. Conditioning is first class. And you can get on here for $100 on a summer afternoon with plenty of time to play 18.
You might opt for other underrated gems in the area like Black & Bayonet or Pacific Grove (poor man’s Pebble). I get it. But don’t dismiss Poppy just because it’s not on the coast.
2. Warren Course at Notre Dame (South Bend, Indiana)
For years, my go-to answer for the underrated golf course question was the Warren Course at Notre Dame. Then it hosted the 2019 U.S. Senior Open and has climbed into the top 10 on some college golf course rankings so I’m not sure it is quite as underrated as it used to be.
Regardless, I need to say how lovely this place is. Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw took an unremarkable piece of land and created a handsome course that doesn’t need to smack you in the face with crazy hazards to be challenging. It’s all in the subtlety here.
To me, this is quintessential Midwest golf. Rates max out at $115, an absolute steal if you ask me.
1. Elie Golf House
Located a quick 30-minute drive south of St Andrews, Elie Golf House is a quirky and endearing links that will make you fall in love with golf.
The first tee shot is completely blind as you have to go over a massive hill about 80 yards in front of you—a periscope on top of the starters hut is the only way to know if the fairway is clear.
By the time you are standing on the third tee, which is back near the clubhouse, you feel enveloped by the surrounding village. Soon you leave that, heading out to the coastline where a couple of spectacular holes are offered.
There are no par-5s on property as golfers get 16 par-4s and a pair of par-3s.
This place is just fun. It is interesting and challenging but won’t beat you up nearly as badly as other courses in the area. There are a few short par-4s that change drastically depending on the wind—I hit a 3-wood to about eight feet on one of them—and the holes along the coast are magnificent. I paid $120 but even peak times are well below $200.
All the Scotland golf love goes to St Andrews, Carnoustie, Royal Dornoch and the like, but Elie is heavenly. It scratched the exact itch I had for links golf.
So those are seven courses I think are underrated. What others do you have to add to the list?
Let me know below in the comments.
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