GOLF editors
Courtesy photo
Ah, 2025. A clean slate, new beginnings and, of course, new goals and aspirations on the golf course. But a good place to start is by finally playing some of those golf courses you’ve always wanted to visit. This is your year. What’s on your list? Here’s what some of our employees had to say.
Josh Sens: Lofoten connection. Norway has a long way to go. But ever since I saw the pictures of this remote, difficult course along the sea, with the Northern Lights swirling above it, it has been at the top of my wish list. Ideally, I’ll get there in the height of summer, when you can play under the midnight sun. If all that isn’t reason enough to book a flight, I also love pickled fish.
Sean Zak: I would like to visit the enigmatic Milwaukee country club. Wisconsin has become one of the best public golf destinations in the world, but the premier course in the state (many still claim) is that private gem north of Milwaukee. Having seen all the best public parts in the state, I’d love to see how MCC fares.
Connor Federico: I have proudly provided this opinion from the GOLF community, of course the reviewers, readers and social media commenters: Arcadia Bluffs. The Northern Michigan resort features the South Course (No. 50 in GOLF’s newest resort The best 100 courses you can play list) and the Bluffs Course (No. 57). When our rankings came out last month, many golf travelers came forward to say that both of these courses deserved better recognition, more so than any other single course or resort. Views of Lake Michigan, strategic challenges and large rolling greens stand out as reasons visitors love both courses. Even better, Arcadia Bluffs is opening its newest course this summer: The Dozen features six par-3s and six par-4s, a new take on the short course trend sweeping resorts across the country.
Nick Piastowski: After participating in the US Open this year, I am more determined than ever to continue at Pinehurst. I want to try to navigate the greens with turtles. I want to lose a ball in the waste areas. I want to try Bryson DeChambeau shot at 18. I want to play the Cradle and other gems of the property. I want a Wicked Weed beer at Deuce Restaurant. It’s time.
Dylan Dethier: Oh man, where to begin. Dying to get back to Bandon. I still haven’t visited Sand Valley. Gamble Sands’ new Scarecrow course is in my plans. But let’s go with Sand Hollow in Hurricane, Utah. It looks spectacular. The bigger The St. George area is a growing golf destinationand Sand Hollow looks like the best of the bunch. I love adventure golf – time to plan one.
Jack Hirsch: There are a lot of exotic options out there, but I have to go back and play the rest of the Bandon Dunes courses. So, I’ve committed to sticking my 2024 entry in this space until it happens: In 2021, I was lucky enough to play in the Oregon State Amateur at Bandon Dunes. If I had to pick a place to play a state championship during my short time in the Beaver State, this was it. There are five 18-hole courses there (all on our Top 100 list), but the tournament I played was at Bandon Trails, so I’ll have to see the others. I don’t currently have any plans to return to the Southern Oregon coast, but returning to play the other four songs will be my goal every year until it happens.