Augusta (Fittingly) Remains #1 In The Eyes Of The Golf Digest Panel

Longtime readers know I've never been a fan of the Golf Digest panel's architectural intuition, starting back when they debuted Shadow Creek in the top 10 in 1993. And now that I'm a member of the family, well, it's still not a secret that I think the panel needs to be shed of lots of dead weight that is tainting the work of those who take the evaluation of architecture and playability seriously.

The emphasis of the panel continues to focus on hard, expensive and exclusive courses, so fittingly the panel keeps Augusta #1 in America. There are two certified howlers in the top 20, the annual Fazio designed, over-hyped club for the elite that in ten years will be clinging to a second fifty spot (The Alotian Club). And the bloated Whistling Straits, which no one in the right mind wants to play more than once.

A slideshow reveals the top 20, the full list debuts April 5th.