Augusta National and the Top 15 Major Venues in Professional Golf

There are many factors that go into a ranking of the top major championship venues. It is not simply a listing of the best critically-acclaimed courses. It is also not a ranking based on number of championships held. That would just be regurgitating information easily found into a list.  

In the end, a ranking of courses done by an individual is going to come down to personal opinion. That is the biggest factor in this ranking.

Yes, Augusta National is the only course that holds a major every year, and it is critically acclaimed. That is not why I listed it as the No. 1 venue; I did so because if I could win one major, it would be The Masters.  

I did attempt to keep the list modern, so you won't find courses that are clearly done hosting majors. Enjoy my ranking of the top 15 major championship venues.

15. Old Course at St. Andrews

Yes, I am aware that this is the birthplace of golf. Established in 1552, the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland has an unsurpassed history. It has hosted the most British Opens of any course with 28, though Prestwick Golf Club was the initial venue.

St. Andrews is the only course in the British Open rotation that has a fixed schedule, hosting it every five years.

The course itself underwhelms me despite all the history. I'd only be interested in playing this course because it is the birthplace of golf. The layout itself just doesn't appeal very much to my taste and I don't think the British Open should be played as often as it is at St. Andrews.

14. Hazeltine National Golf Club

Located in Chaska, Minnesota, Hazeltine has hosted two US Opens and two PGA Championships. The Robert Trent Jones designed course opened in 1962, and it first held a major with the 1970 US Open.

Most recently, it was the host of the PGA Championship in 2009, where Y.E. Yang shocked Tiger Woods and the entire golfing world.  

Playing at 7,600 yards now, the course is slated to host the 2016 Ryder Cup. The layout of Hazeltine is what appeals to me. There are a great number of risk/reward shots and a good variety of holes are present. Also, the way it works through the woods and then to the lake is very nice.

13. Oak Hill Country Club: East Course

The classic Donald Ross designed Oak Hill has hosted five major championships. Located outside of Rochester New York, the club dates back to 1901. It hosted the US Open in 1958, 1968 and 1989. The PGA Championship was held in 1980 and 2003, and is scheduled to return in 2013.

Jack Nicklaus won his 17th major here in 1980. Long shot Shaun Micheel was the last champion at a major in 2003.

12. Merion Golf Club: East Course

The East Course at Merion dates back to 1912. Interestingly, its architect Hugh Wilson, had no experience prior to designing the course. Located in Haverford, Pennsylvania, Merion has hosted the US Open four times: 1934, 1950, 1971 and 1981.

The 2013 US Open is scheduled to take place here after a long absence.

It is perhaps best known as the site of Ben Hogan's comeback win in 1950. Lee Trevino won the 1971 US Open at Merion. The course is considered one of the best in the country, and uses baskets in place of flags on the pins. It will be interesting to see what is done with its 6,800-yard layout for 2013.

11. Carnoustie Golf Links

Carnoustie has hosted seven British Opens, most recently in 2007. The original 10-hole course dates back to the 1840's.

The Scottish links course is best remembered for Jean Van de Velde's epic collapse on the 18th hole in 1999. It always seems to bring out drama as the last three British Opens were decided in playoffs. Padraig Harrington beat Sergio Garcia in 2007, Paul Lawrie won in 1999 and Tom Watson in 1975.

Ben Hogan and Gary Player both won at Carnoustie.

10. Baltusrol: Lower Course

The Lower Course of Baltusrol has hosted five major championships. The club itself has three additional majors, though the original course does not exist anymore.

Located in Springfield, New Jersey, the Lower Course held four US Opens and one PGA Championship. Phil Mickelson won the 2005 PGA Championship, while Jack Nicklaus won two US Opens in 1967 and 1980 at Baltusrol.

A.W. Tillinghast is the original architect, but the course has been redesigned many times. The 2016 PGA Championship is set to be held at the Lower Course. 

9. Oakland Hills: South Course

The Dearborn, Michigan course has hosted nine majors. The Donald Ross design hosted six US Opens and three PGA Championships along with the 2004 Ryder Cup.

The last major played at Oakland Hills was the 2008 PGA Championship, won by Padraig Harrington. Its set up for the 1951 US Open was notoriously brutal, with Ben Hogan describing it as a "monster."

The 2008 PGA Championship played extremely hard in comparison to prior years.

This stern test has lasted over the years. I would be surprised if a major is not scheduled for Oakland Hills again. 

8. Whistling Straits

A new course, but one that has really stuck out for me. The Pete Dye design along the coast of Lake Michigan offers stunning views. It is a unique combination of links and modern course design. Located near Kohler, Wisconsin, the venue has hosted two PGA Championships in 2004 and 2010.

Despite the bunker controversy in 2010, the course is scheduled to host the 2015 PGA Championship, and the 2020 Ryder Cup. It looks to be on the way to becoming a classic major venue. 

7. Olympic Club: Lake Course

The San Francisco Club has hosted four US Opens in 1955, 1966, 1987 and 1998. The Lake Course will be the host of next year's US Open.

Notable upsets have occurred at US Opens here.

Jack Fleck shocked Ben Hogan in 1955. Arnold Palmer collapsed down the stretch, losing to Billy Casper in 1966. Tom Watson was defeated by Scott Simpson in a playoff in 1987.  

These three legends never won majors again after losing at Olympic Club.  

6. Shinnecock Hills Golf Club

One of the oldest golf clubs in the United States, the Long Island course dates back to the 1890's.

William Flynn redesigned the course in the 1930's, though some of the Seth Raynor design remains. It hosted the second US Open in 1896 and has had three more in 1986, 1995 and 2004.

The course was recently named the 2018 host of the US Open. This comes after an unfortunate tournament in 2004, where the course was frankly unfair to play. Corey Pavin's famous 4-wood shot took place in 1995.

The 1986 edition featured a final round 66 by Raymond Floyd to win. Greg Norman had the lead after Saturday in both.

5. Winged Foot: West Course

Arguably the best work of the famous A.W. Tillinghast, Winged Foot has hosted five US Opens and one PGA Championship. The Mamaroneck, New York club's East Course is also highly regarded.

It has the reputation of being one of the most difficult major venues. Geoff Ogilvy won the 2006 US Open with a five over par score. There was also the infamous 1974 US Open, nicknamed "The Massacre", and won by Hale Irwin at seven-over-(par).

It is probably best known for Phil Mickelson and Colin Montgomerie both collapsing on the final hole in 2006, handing the win to Ogilvy.

4. Turnberry Alisa Course

Turnberry is one of the most beautiful courses I have ever seen. It was the host to the 1977 Duel in the Sun between Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson. Watson prevailed and took home the British Open. In 2009, he had the lead on the 72nd hole, but made bogey and lost in a playoff at age 59.

It has hosted four British Opens, the other two were in 1986 and 1994. Despite being a newer course and not sharing the history of the other Open venues, it is my personal favorite.

3. Oakmont Country Club

Oakmont has a combination of history, a great layout and being very difficult. It might be the only course in the country that is virtually US Open ready when open. Rees Jones does not need to alter this venue. It has hosted the US Open a record nine times and held the PGA Championship three times.

The suburban Pittsburgh course dates back to 1903, and has been a pinnacle test of golf through its entire history.

The last major held at Oakmont was the 2007 US Open, won by Angel Cabrera. It will host the 2016 US Open.

2. Pebble Beach Golf Links

Perhaps the most stunning major venue, Pebble Beach shockingly did not host a major until 1972. It opened in 1919, designed by Jack Neville and Douglas Grant. It has hosted five US Opens and one PGA Championship.

Playing alongside the Pacific on the Monterrey Peninsula, the seaside holes may be the most picturesque in golf. Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Tiger Woods have all won the US Open on this course, so it seems to bring the best in the game to the top.

1. Augusta National

It may be a course that has been changed numerous times, but somehow it has worked. It was originally designed by Alister MacKenzie, but bears little resemblance to his vision. Much of the recent work was done by Tom Fazio.  

It's the only venue worthy of hosting a major each and every year. Augusta can produce both low numbers and disasters. The beauty lies within the golf course, not as a result of a scenic overlook.

There is just something special about Augusta: a combination of beautiful scenery, great holes and a storied history.