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A Quick Nine: Best golf courses to walk

By T.J. Auclair, Interactive Producer
Published on
A Quick Nine: Best golf courses to walk

Is there anything better than walking a great golf course? We didn't think so.

It really doesn't matter where you play; one of the best things about playing golf is taking in the surroundings. It's peaceful, it's serene.

We don't know what it's like in your experience, but we find we even play better when we walk. There's more of a rhythm. You have time to thing about your next shot.

With that in mind, we asked our friends in PGA.com Facebook Nation this week to tell us: What are the best golf courses to walk?

As you'll see, there are some great answers. And, before you throw down the extra cash for a golf cart next time you go to the golf course, consider walking. You just might prefer it!

Editor's note: If you've played any of the courses listed below, please click its name and visit its PGA.com course page to leave a review for others to see.

9. The Old White TPC at Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, W. Va. Here's some background from the Greenbrier website:

President Woodrow Wilson was one of the first golfers to play The Old White TPC in April of 1914. This historic course features generous fairways and challenging, undulated greens. Every hole is memorable and has a well-defined strategy for success. Whether you prefer a challenging approach or one with less risk, and a higher chance of success, you'll find it on this historic course.

Charles Blair Macdonald, a dominant figure in the early history of American golf, designed the course and modeled several holes from some of the most famous European holes. The Old White TPC Course's Hole 8 was styled after the Redan at North Berwick; Hole 13 after the Alps at Prestwick; and Hole 15 after the Eden at St. Andrew's.

Facebook fan quote:

"Old White at The Greenbrier." -- Jeff Brown

8. Arcadia Bluffs, Arcadia, Mich. In terms of daily-fee courses, you'd be hard pressed to find one nicer than Arcadia Bluffs. With 3,100 feet of Lake Michigan shoreline, there's no shortage of breathtaking views.

Facebook fan quote:

"Arcadia Bluffs in beautiful Northern Michigan." -- Spencer Sucharski

7. Mystic Rock at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa in Farmington, Pa. Designed by Pete Dye, you're sure to see your fair share of water hazards on this western Pennsylvania gem.

Facebook fan quote:

"Mystic Rock at Nemacolin Resort Farmington, Pa." -- Cody J. Nypaver

6. The Pete Dye Course at French Lick Resort, French Lick, Ind. Weren't we just talking about Pete Dye? What a course this is! Based on experience though, be warned -- you're going to need a lot of golf balls. And, with all the hills at this place, you'll be a lot safer walking than in a cart!

Facebook fan quotes:

"The Pete Dye Course French Lick, Ind." -- Jordan Cook

"The Pete Dye Course at French Lick in Indiana." -- Spencer Everhart

5. Chambers Bay in Tacoma, Wash. Nestled up against the Pacific Coast line sits Chambers Bay -- a remarkable links course that's new, but looks like its been there for centuries. Chambers Bay will play host to the 2015 U.S. Open.

Facebook fan quotes:

"Chambers Bay, spend the money and get a caddy though. Makes for a much better experience." -- Craig Pack

"Chambers Bay, Tacoma, Wash., home of the 2015 U.S. Open!" -- Aaron Holliday

4. The Old Course at St. Andrews in St. Andrews, Scotland. Can anyone argue with this selection? After all, it is the birthplace of golf.

Facebook fan quote:

"Old Course St. Andrews." -- James Jordan

3. Bandon Dunes Resort in Bandon, Ore. At Bandon Dunes, they make the decision to walk or ride easy -- you can't ride! No carts allowed. It's a walk-only resort, with four magnificent 18-hole courses (Bandon Dunes, Bandon Trails, Pacific Dunes and Old MacDonald) and a 13-hole par three (The Preserve)

Facebook fan quotes:

"Any of the courses in Bandon Dunes. Not like you have a choice other than a caddy. The way golf is meant to be!" -- Andy Kennedy

"Pacific Dunes." -- Tiss Dahan

2. Torrey Pines in La Jolla, Calif. Whether it's the North Course or the South Course, our friends in PGA.com Facebook Nation tell us it doesn't matter -- you're in for a treat walking either of Torrey's famous courses.

Facebook fan quotes:

"Torrey Pines. Either course." -- Scott Kenny

"Torrey Pines, South Course! The rough gets pretty brutal out their!" -- Daniel Matthews

"I walk Torrey Pines South every Friday. Best affordable public course to walk. Pebble beach is the best expensive public course to walk." -- Jim Mattix

1. Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, Calif. Quick question: Is anyone surprised to see Pebble in the top spot? Didn't think so and for good reason. Believe it or not, Pebble isn't all that difficult to walk either. That refreshing breeze off the Pacific Ocean along with special views at every turn makes Pebble one of -- if not "the" -- best walk in golf.

Facebook fan quotes:

"Pebble Beach by far! Easy walking, short distance greens to tee box, and great views!" -- Barry Woods

"Pebble... with a caddie!" -- Rod RJ Swartwood

"Pebble Beach!" -- Lynda Such

"Pebble. Every golfer needs to walk that masterpiece in their lifetime." -- Chris Wright