As a golfer living in Connecticut who’s fallen in love with golf architecture, I’ve often found myself wondering: what makes a course truly great? Which layouts stand above the rest — not just in conditioning or difficulty, but in their ability to challenge, surprise, and inspire? That’s what led me to Tom Doak.
Doak is one of the most respected and opinionated voices in golf course design. He studied under Pete Dye and went on to create some of the most revered modern layouts in the world — Pacific Dunes, Barnbougle Dunes, Tara Iti. But just as important is his Confidential Guide to Golf Courses, a brutally honest multi-volume series where he’s rated over a thousand courses on a scale from 0 to 10. It’s a scale meant to be tough. A 3 means average — the kind of course I’d gladly play regularly but wouldn’t build a trip around. A 10 is a different story. Only 1% of all the courses Doak has ever reviewed has earned that mark. These are the ones that combine near-perfect routing, brilliant strategic variety, natural beauty, and enduring shot value. The kind of places I’d plan a pilgrimage for.
This writeup walks through every Doak 10 course and, more importantly, shows which ones are actually accessible — and how realistic it is for a Connecticut-based player to get there. Whether you’re sketching out a dream itinerary or just want to know where the bar is set, this is my breakdown of where to find golf’s top tier.
Doak 10 Courses Overview
| Course | Overview |
|---|---|
| St. Andrews (Old), Scotland | Public access. Designed organically over centuries, this 18-hole layout (with 14 double greens) is the birthplace of strategic golf. The course offers multiple shot routes shaped by wind, humps, and hollows. Subtle complexity, history, and quirk make every round a study in timeless design. |
| Ballybunion (Old), Ireland | Public access. Designed by Tom Simpson and restored by Tom Watson, this 18-hole coastal links features towering dunes, blind tee shots, and heroic carries. Its unpredictability and rugged charm deliver one of the most exhilarating rounds in golf. |
| Royal Dornoch, Scotland | Public access. Laid out by Old Tom Morris, this 18-hole links (plus the Struie Course) defines Highland golf. Its raised greens, gorse-lined fairways, and firm turf inspired Donald Ross and continue to test shot creativity in the wind. |
| Pinehurst No. 2, North Carolina, USA | Resort-only public access. Originally designed by Donald Ross and restored by Coore & Crenshaw, Pinehurst No. 2 is the flagship of a nine-course resort. Its crowned greens and sandy wiregrass areas challenge golfers to think strategically on every shot. The resort offers bundled stay-and-play packages that include meals, access to short courses like The Cradle, and extensive practice facilities. Ideal for a long weekend or buddies trip from the East Coast. |
| Crystal Downs, Michigan, USA | Private access. Designed by Alister MacKenzie and Perry Maxwell, this 18-hole gem on a tight, rolling site is famous for its small greens, quirky routing, and artistic flair. It’s compact, demanding, and one of the purest expressions of architectural creativity. |
| Sand Hills, Nebraska, USA | Private access. Built by Coore & Crenshaw, this 18-hole masterpiece pioneered minimalist design. Routed effortlessly through unspoiled dunes, it represents the platonic ideal of modern golf with no frills—just natural brilliance. |
| Muirfield, Scotland | Private access with limited public play on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Laid out by H.S. Colt, Muirfield features a rare concentric routing of 18 holes that demands all facets of the game. It is a study in symmetry, strategy, and classic links terrain. |
| Royal Melbourne (West), Australia | Private access. Alister MacKenzie’s 18-hole design—paired with the East and Composite Courses—emphasizes width, strategy, and bold bunkering. Its fast greens and natural flow make it one of the finest courses in the Southern Hemisphere. |
| Shinnecock Hills, New York, USA | Private access. Designed by William Flynn, this 18-hole layout blends championship challenge with visual restraint. Wind, fescue, and elevation changes create an unforgettable American links experience. |
| National Golf Links of America, New York, USA | Private access. Created by C.B. Macdonald, this 18-hole template course reimagines Britain’s greatest holes. It’s the most intellectually stimulating design in the U.S., full of bold contours and strategic decisions. |
| Cypress Point, California, USA | Private access. Designed by Alister MacKenzie, this 18-hole coastal treasure transitions from forest to dunes to ocean cliffs. Universally regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful and awe-inspiring routings. |
| Merion (East), Pennsylvania, USA | Private access. Hugh Wilson’s 18-hole East Course (paired with a West Course) is compact yet punishing. Famed for hosting Bobby Jones’ Grand Slam, it rewards accuracy, nerve, and creativity. |
| Pine Valley, New Jersey, USA | Private access. Built by George Crump with contributions from Tillinghast and Colt, this 18-hole layout (plus short course) is widely considered the best course in the world. Its penal design and masterful variety make it the ultimate golf examination. |
Planning Your Trip: Public Doak 10s from Fairfield, CT
Planning a pilgrimage to one of the public Doak 10s is more attainable than many golfers think. For those based in Connecticut, each trip varies in cost and complexity depending on location. European options like St. Andrews and Ballybunion require international flights and 3-night stays to make the most of travel time and access options like the Old Course ballot or Irish day trips. Pinehurst, on the other hand, offers a streamlined domestic experience perfect for a long weekend. The table below breaks down estimated per-person costs for a foursome, including airfare, lodging, green fees, meals, and transportation.
| Destination | Per Person Estimate & Breakdown |
|---|---|
| St. Andrews (Old) | ~$3,000. Includes $700 flight, $900 lodging (3 nights), $250 green fee, $300 meals, $850 for extras like caddie, airport transfers, and side rounds. Walk-up or ballot needed. |
| Ballybunion (Old) | ~$2,600. $650 flight, $700 lodging, $300 green fee, $250 meals, $700 in extras (rental car, other Irish rounds). Booking tee times as an international visitor is usually smooth. |
| Royal Dornoch | ~$2,800. $750 flight, $800 lodging, $275 green fee, $275 meals, $700 extras (Highlands car hire, other local rounds). Incredible remote setting. |
| Pinehurst No. 2 | ~$1,600. $350 flight or drive, $800 resort package, $250 green fee (often bundled), $100 meals, $100 extras (forecaddie, range fees). Most convenient Doak 10 for East Coast golfers. |
Final Thoughts
Living in Connecticut, I’ve always appreciated the wealth of quality public golf we have close to home — but chasing Doak 10s has opened my eyes to what truly great golf architecture can look like. These aren’t just courses with prestige or history. They’re experiences that challenge how you think, force you to be creative, and leave lasting impressions through routing, greens, and terrain. Playing even one changes how you see every course you play afterward — including your regular Saturday muni.
From Fairfield County, these trips are surprisingly doable. Pinehurst can be knocked out in a long weekend without much hassle. The overseas courses take more effort — but pairing Ballybunion with Lahinch, or Dornoch with Cruden Bay, is the kind of golf trip that stays with you for life. Even St. Andrews is reachable with some planning around the ballot or using an authorized provider.
For anyone in Connecticut who wants to understand design more deeply — or just experience the best golf the world has to offer — I can’t recommend this quest enough. It’s not just about ticking boxes. It’s about elevating your eye, your strategy, and your love for the game.
David is an avid golfer who loves walking Connecticut’s courses and playing alongside his family. He’s passionate about golf course architecture and one day hopes to play at Pebble Beach.
