Private courses such as Augusta National are places most golfers will only play in their dreams (or on a Playstation or X-Box), but the five courses I lay out are ones any and every golfer can get a shot at playing for the price of the greens fees.
So, here they are, in no particular order:
A 7,065 yard 18-hole course designed by A.W. Tillinghast, the Bethpage Black Course located at the Bethpage State Park in Long Island is one of the best-looking courses I've ever personally seen or played.
Known principally for being the first publicly owned course to ever host a U.S. Open in 2002 (it also hosted the 2009 U.S. Open), the par-71 course has been rated by Golf Digest in 2008 as the 26th-best course in America, and is ranked No. 1 by Golflink.com in their current ratings, which factor in more than just the subjective views of a few editors.
The par-5, 605-yard 13th was particularly challenging for me just walking it (I'm an amputee). I was told it was possible to set up a birdie chance with two strong shots, but I double-bogeyed the hole and was grateful I walked away with that.
There are a number of other fabulous holes on this course, including the par-4, 411-yard 18th with its uphill approach to a blind putting surface and dangerous bunkers. If you're able to walk away from this hole with par you'll feel like you've just won the Masters.
PebbleBeach Golf Links Course, $495-$530
I don't think anyone would contest that Pebble Beach Golf Links is one of the most beautiful courses not just in the United States, but in the world. Right on the coastline of the south side of the Monterey Peninsula at Carmel Bay, it features vistas of the Pacific Ocean that are simply stunning.
It's definitely expensive, and is why I've never personally played there yet (although I intend to one day), but I'd have to agree with a couple of friends of mine who've played it that it's worth every penny.
Designed by Jack Neville and Douglas Grant, it is one of the oldest golf courses in the land, having opened in 1919. Yet, the beauty of the course hasn't lost its luster even after all these years.
Having hosted the U.S. Open five times, the last time in 2010, Pebble Beach Golf Links has seen the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Tom Watson, and Tom Kite win Open Championships there.
It's also been the site of the 1977 PGA Championship won by Lanny Wadkins in a sudden-death playoff, but is probably most well-known for hosting the Bing Crosby National Pro-Am tournament, now known as the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.
One thing's for sure, if you have a chance at playing the course, don't ever pass it up.
Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Pacific Dunes Course, $75-$275
The second course at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, the Pacific Dunes Course was designed by Tom Doak and has earned high praise since it was opened. It was rated the No. 1 resort golf course in America by Golfweek magazine in 2005 and has received similarly high ratings from other golf magazines and websites.
The 6,633-yard par-71 course is reasonably priced to play to, which is why I definitely intend to get up to Oregon in the near future to head out onto it for a round or two. However, if you're planning to take in this beautiful course along the coast in the Beaver State you would be wise not to go there between June 27 and July 2.
This is because the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort has been chosen as the site for the 2011 U.S. Amateur Public Links and the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links championship tournaments, which will be played during that period.
Yet, don't put it off too long. This is a course that just has to be played.
Tournament Players Club at Sawgrass, Stadium Course, $275-$375
Being from Florida, you just had to know if you know me that I was going to include a course from the Sunshine State, and what better course than the Stadium Course at the TPC at Sawgrass?
Located in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., right outside of Jacksonville, the TPC at Sawgrass is home to the PGA Tour headquarters. It also hosts The Players Championship every year, and is one of the most prestigious courses in the country.
Designed by Pete and Alice Dye, TPC at Sawgrass is not just one of the best courses in the world, it's one of the hardest you'll ever play on. I know, as I've played it. One of my favorite memories was finally getting to play the signature hole on the course, the par-3, 132-yard 17th known as the "Island Green."
If I had to recommend a golf course I'd personally played, this would be at the top of my list. If you have a chance in your lifetime to find your way onto the 7,215-yard par-72 course, don't even think of hesitating about it.
HarbourTown Golf Links, $145-$250
Last on this list, but certainly not least, is the aforementioned Harbour Town Golf Links, host to The Heritage tournament being played this weekend. Opened in 1967, the 6,973-yard par-71 course was also designed by Pete Dye with help from the legendary Jack Nicklaus.
While I haven't played the course, I have been there and seen it during a tournament, and there is no doubt the heralded Hilton Head Island course is one of the most beautiful in the world. The greens fees are fairly reasonable, and I can see myself vacationing in South Carolina one of these days and playing a round or three there.
If you get a chance, you should too, as it's definitely one of the five courses every golfer should play in their lifetime.
Honorable Mentions: Pinehurst (No. 2), Spyglass Hill, Bandon Dunes, KiawahIsland (Ocean), Mauna Kea Golf Course
All stats and information taken from personal notes and the PGA Tour and verified there and at Yahoo! Sports.
Read more by Daniel Barber aka Hotnuke at TFS Sports.
*Daniel Barber has loved the game of golf since his uncle introduced him to the game as a child, gets out on the links as often as he's able, and avidly follows the pros throughout the year.
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