Whats important

[hkypuk]

What do you feel are the most important elements for a good golf course?

Design and layout
Location
Price
Pace of Play
Difficulty
Greens
Pace of play
Cart cats

[jvincent]

I voted design and layout because that also covers difficulty and greens to a certain extent.

The other thing to note is that "good" has a lot of other factors.

"Good that I can play every weekend" is different from "Good that I can play once in a lifetime".

[jonf]

Like Jvincent said, it really depends what you mean by "good". If I'm looking for a course to play frequently (a "home course", if you will), then price, design, location, and pace of play (in that order) are most important. If, however, I'm looking for a once a season treat, then design, greens/condition are the most important.

[East Coast Golf]

what is a cart cat?

[albatrossman]

The "cart cats" are the young women who drive around in carts and sell you pops on the course.

[mpare]

For me, the design and layout are most important. However, I voted for greens for the simple reason that if the greens are shabby, then you will hate the experience no matter how great the layout is. Conversely, great greens can make even a poorly designed course tolerable.

[Txxxxxxx]

I voted for conditions because even if the course is a bit Mickey Mouse, if it's in great shape, you might forget about the layout. I guess it works the same as the greens comment above.

[big mac]

To me condition is the most important. Usually if a course is in good condition that means there is someone actually taking care of what is important--therefore you are going to get players that appreciate what they have and consequently you will have more players and more money for further improvements and so on and so on etc. The course does not have to be a Reese Jones design tha t is going to cost 100.00$ plus to play either. To me almost any course that uses a little imagination for layout and views etc that is in great shape is a treat to play. Have you ever had a game where you have had no complaints about the conditions? I'll bet you said it was one of your best games ever!

[Shivas Irons]

even if the course is a bit Mickey Mouse, if it's in great shape, you might forget about the layout.

Interesting take,personally I can't get past a poorly designed course no matter what the conditions are.
However, in my experience, courses that are well desgined are generally in good condition as well.

[langille5]

I think design and layout are the most important for a course; closely followed by condition.