Tough question. I've had great fortune to have access to some really good sites over the last 5 years and still enjoy the local muni/public courses at home. My first premium course was Ross Bridge on the RTJ Trail near Birmingham that just encouraged me to expand my experiences. Today's answer would be The Old Course and The (Whistling) Straits. But if I have to go to San Diego I try to get on either course at Torrey Pines or any number of courses in a couple of dozen other locations. I travel for work, but that has created opportunities to get to a lot of really nice courses.

I am somewhat new to the game, (less than 10 years) but have enjoyed some great courses. My favorites are Harbour Town, East Lake and Peachtree Golf Club. Harbour Town would top the list because if I am playing that one, I am at the BEACH! The other two are located in Atlanta so that means I am at home....but still enjoying every minute on those two tracks.

Interesting story from Peachtree Golf Club...an older member talked about conversations with Bobby Jones at Peachtree. HIs said Mr. Jones commented, “I made a couple mistakes with Augusta National. I did not make any mistakes here.” A bold statement if there ever was one.

Just returned from the DR, and played Punta Espada. Conditions were unbelievable while the views and backdrops were truly incredible. Was really a treat.

Tough question but a good one,I can only put my top 5 together as I can’t put one above the other
St Andrews
Royal St George’s
Sunningdale Old
Ganton
Harbour Town Golf Links
Woodall Spa
I know that’s 6 courses but couldn’t even get it down to 5 let alone 1

Royal Dornoch

St. Andrews hands down. Love the history

tough question - my top two would be St Andrews Old Course from a history point of view just being able to play there having watched so many golfing greats play there previously, as i'm less than an hour away and to be able to play it with my dad who got me into golf was amazing. From a standard and layout out point of view its gotta be Trump Aberdeen it was just an incredible layout and day

Oakland Hills CC. Play there every so often but the “best” I’ve played thus far. One day I’ll get out west and experience others I hope.

I really liked Wild Dunes Links when they had the original 18th, pre Hugo when there were more trees, and less houses.

Tough call. I'll say Westchester CC ( West Course ) in Harrison, NY. I played there in the years when the PGA Tour had an event there every year and remember thinking "Boy, this sure looks different on this side of the ropes".

1. Waliea (Gold Course)
2. Kapalua Plantation Course
3. Bandon Dunes
4. Bethpage Black
5. Crosswater @ Sunriver

I love asking and answering this question, usually over a beer at the end of a round. I tend to assess the greatness of a course by how much fun I have playing it, as a function of setting, condition and the thinking required.

A few come quickly to mind: (US) Cypress Point, Bandon Dunes, Bandon Trails; (International) Royal County Down, Royal Melbourne, Kingston Heath, Sunningdale (Old)

This may be controversial, but I think pretty highly of Chambers Bay. A lot of opprobrium was poured on after the 2016 US Open but I think unfairly. Admittedly they're in the process of redoing their greens but it's always a lot of fun and cracks my top 10.

This year I got the opportunity to play Castle Pines. It is an amazing design and awesome experience! The place is immaculate! Definitely the top course I have played. Btw... You absolutely must get a milkshake if you play there. They are to die for!

Bethpage Black hands down!

Kanahoe Clipper at MCAS Kanahoe

SEMPER FI

So far PGA West Stadium course was really fun, and Poppy Hills.

The best course I've played to date is The Champion Course at PGA National. "The Bear Trap" lived up to the hype. Lots of wind, lots of water. We played it the day it reopened this past November with the new greens. Had a blast.

Personal experience is limited to Asia Pacific courses.

An early morning tee time at Kingston Heath with the sun breaking through the trees is tough to beat. Brilliant layout, fantastic conditioning and perfect greens and bunkers.

Both courses at Barnbougle Dunes deserve an honourable mention as does the "Augusta of the south" Bonville, 18 postcard holes.

Credit where credit is due, I've never scored well at Brookwater but it's a brilliant course.

Honourable mentions:
Kooyonga GC
The National GC - Old course
The Dunes GC
Moonah Links - Legends

I really like the Disney courses, as they are manicured perfectly.

My favorite is probably Scotland Run or Manasquan River in NJ.

Here are my Top 5 Best Courses ever played.

1. Pebble Beach Golf Links
2. Whistling Straits
3. PGA West Stadium Course
4. Torrey Pines South & North
5. Tobacco Road

Good Stuff!!!!
Dr. K