As the old American Express tagline suggested, membership has its privileges. For some of the biggest name golfers, it means access to many of the great cathedrals of the game. As the “Great One,” Wayne Gretzky put it, “I don’t mean to sound egotistical but since I’ve retired, I’ve played Augusta, St. Andrews, Prestwick, Pine Valley and the list goes on. I’ve been so lucky in my life.”
So fortunate, in fact, that he struggled to name the best course he’s never played. But some of the other great ones have an itch they’d like to scratch. And who can blame them? So many courses to play, so little time. Here are some of their favorite bucket list courses where these big names are still yearning for a tee time.
Ohoopee Match Club in Georgia (Courtesy of Ohoopee Match Club)
Ohoopee Club. I don’t know how you spell it but I hear too many awesome things and it has made me really want to see it.
Scenic photo of the fifth hole at Royal Melbourne Golf Club for the 2019 Presidents Cup in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. (Photo: Gary Lisbon via PGA Tour)
For the longest time it was North Berwick, but I played it a few years ago and I absolutely loved it. But Royal Melbourne, for sure.
Bandon Dunes, the original and eponymous course at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon (Courtesy of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort)
Bandon Dunes. Never been to Bandon. I just love playing a pure style of golf like that where golf is like the only thing on your mind all day, and I’ve watched the USGA championships held there and just think it looks pretty fabulous, and all my friends have gone multiple times, and they all say it’s pretty. They love it.
The South Course at Te Arai Links in New Zealand (Courtesy of Te Arai Links/Ricky Robinson Photography)
[Editor’s note: Five years ago his answer to this questions was Royal Dornoch and Sand Hills. “I played Sand Hills two years ago on my 60th birthday and I played Dornoch right after the Ryder Cup in 47 degrees and rain.]
The new sister courses to Tara Iti — Te Arai North and South. Tara Iti was sensational and I heard the new ones are as good. I haven’t played Bandon courses or Nova Scotia. Or Creek Club or Piping Rock.
No. 4 of Royal Melbourne’s West Course in Victoria, Australia (Courtesy of Visit Victoria/Gary Lisbon)
Royal Melbourne. I’ve never…
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