I Played the 3 Worst Rated Golf Courses in America! 

The “driving range” at course 3 has to be one of the best things I have ever seen on a course

I actually lived on Blackhawk, my old house is in the background when you take your sprinkler drop. I would like to point out that the grass you see on the mounds behind the house was planted by me, it was all dirt. I bought several pallets of sod because I was tired of the dust and ugly view. I've since moved on, but it looks like it hasn't changed much. When I moved there in 2008, they used to have the best greens in the area, fairways always looked like a bombing range.

It would be sick if a youtube channel/creator could buy a course and show an entire restoration of one of these once great now lost courses

I died laughing watching this video. You should win an academy award for your play and commentary. A must-see for all golfers. Thanks, Mr Short Game!!!

It would be fun, like sneaking onto an abandoned golf course, but there's a guy at the beginning who takes your money.

I used to play Castle Creek (25 years ago) when it was an OK course, but it has become something else for sure. Calling Castle Creek in its current state a dog track is an affront to America's dogs.

Absolutely hysterical. I loved when you raked the grass on the last hole. So great. Thanks for the laughs. 😂

I have to admit, forcing you to hit driver from the rough for your tee shot is some of the most innovative shit I've seen.

In the beginning of the video I was like, “he should play Castle Creek.” A few years ago I played with a friend who was in his 60s, played golf for over 30+ years and had never made a hole in one. He made one this course that day, blindsided par 3. He was so embarrassed, he told us never to mention what course it was on to anyone. ⛳️ Lmao Easy 8 iron, Go Jerry! 🎉

Matt, You've outdone yourself. I laughed all the way through this video. Great work, great video, and great fun!

There’re some hidden gem courses in Golden State like your 3rd one in the video. I sometimes go there because there’s absolutely no one there. i have a know-how to make the best out of it. 1. pick a decent spot (although it’s hard, but you can certainly find one) 2. Drop a dozen ball 3. Put out your launch monitor 4. Practice your iron shots into the green. Or Practice tee shots if you find a hole with a wide fairway. It’s a rare opportunity to collect launch monitor data with real golf balls which is very difficult to do in a driving range. I think it’s $15 well spent. That’s how you get the best bang for your buck. 😂

Such a shame that once decent courses have gone bad. It would have been interesting to have a comment from the management of each. Nice video Matt.

Back in the 90s I was a member of Blackhawk. It was in really good condition and the staff was great. They had bent grass greens at the time. Had to constantly water them in the Texas heat. Brings a tear to my eye seeing the state of it now. If you don't want to waste a trip to Austin, just down the road from Blackhawk is Foresthill GC. Used to be a great course. I haven't lived in Austin for 24 years, so out of touch now,

Your final scorecard is a 74, not a 72, I think. 38 and a 36, right? Great video! I'm sure there are tons of terrible courses out there. Would have loved to see that last course in its hay day!

I loved this video! You absolutely have earned my subscription. The humor you brought to playing these tracks was inspiring. It makes me trily appreciate the courses around me. Thank you.

Awesome video. Kept my interest to the very end. Super editing. I learned a lot! The comedy had me laughing the whole time. A great balance of play, review, comedy and scenic views. Keep going this direction.

Love the videos. The instructional content is great but these fun ones are hilarious. Keep it up Matt.

It literally broke my heart to see what became of Castle Creek Golf Course. I lived in Escondido from 1972-1999, and played Castle Creek many times, when it was called Circle R. My mother and father in law had their 50th Wedding Anniversary dinner in the clubhouse. It really did have a beautiful view down the 1st and 18th (I think) fairways. I really enjoyed that course. My only complaint was the couple of holes that had in-course OB's. It looks like the course must be in receivership and looking for someone to buy it and renovate it. The greens look like the best part of the "course", which leads me to believe they are trying to hang on until someone buys it. Such a shame.

OMG - the most hysterical video ever!! Matt you are just too funny and courageous!!! Those courses were brutal and we really appreciate you taking one for the team!!! Your comments and the Ozarks reference were unreal. Golf cart and sand trap reviews need to be posted on your instagram as they will go viral for sure. Raking the grass in the "sand trap" was my fave!!! I certainly hope to run in to you at a course!!! All the best!!

I have always enjoyed the content you put into each of your videos. HOWEVER, This one is TOP SHELF!!! I never knew you had that sense of humor!! You are so respectful on such pitiful courses! GREAT VIDEO and I really enjoyed the commentary!!

So funny and I’ve only watched the first 3:22 so far…. The way you read the reviews as if in whisper as if they are listening….LOL. Keep the fun and insightful perspectives of your videos coming! ❤

I’m pretty sure I’ve never watched another golf RU-vid video and repeatedly laughed out loud and had orange juice come out my nose. Funniest video ever. Thanks for the laughs Matt

This is one of my favorite videos yet because of your positivity throughout! Out there all alone! I would not be able to handle myself putting on squishy carpets. Keep up the incredible RU-vid work. You are such a boss, MSG!

I've never golfed a day in my life & I loved this review! He delivered the review in a way that I understood most of the context, but overall just gave straight forward feedback on what he experienced as he actually played through each hole. He's funny & personable & made a non golfer want to watch a review about golf courses-to the end! I really like how doesn't just rip on the courses for every single obvious downfall, but instead plays through and just comments on what he's personally experiencing as he goes. Great video, thanks!

Crazy to think that those courses have groundskeepers that early in the morning said "yep, we're ready to go"

You have to say, each course gave you a chance for you to show how good you are. You adapted to each condition of the shot and save par. Great video.

It’s kind of amazing that the San Diego course actually keeps those greens in decent shape considering the fact that they have let the entire remainder of the course go to complete hell.

Great video! My local course here in ontario, ca looks a lot like the first course you played.. Tons of rain in July/August was rough, only half the course was open most days as the "lower" nine was under water and all the bunkers became water hazards (but free drop!).. Sloping and sand filled tee blocks let you practice uneven lies and bunker shots, range into the sun every morning, no A/C in the club house so we get to sit in a sauna after a hot day... Par is 60 and rating is 55.6, so no par 5s to play, prices are the same as the other local public courses in the area.. still worth the $700 membership though!

Links at Victoria was the first course that came to mind 😂

Ponkapog GC, Canton, MA.....Sports Illustrated wrote an article about how poor the course was about 25 years ago, incredibly it's gotten even more miserable!

Great video and we’ll done for giving guys the heads up on these bad courses . Keep them coming buddy. 😊

Absolutely hilarious Matt! Nice work! I've played courses similar to these over the years. Actually learned to play on a 9 hole trek that started as a cow pasture, and wasn't much better than that in it's golf course form.

I live in Buffalo and I’ve played the Buffalo tournament club a few times and I’m disappointed that the course has such potential and they don’t make improvements to make it better!! But compared to the other courses in your reviewed Buffalo tournament club is a decent course in comparison!!

Oh man Matt😂 Good work my friend! I have what may be a brilliant idea to compliment this comedy & actually help educate golfers why we see courses all over the country fall on their face. It’s a combo of a former Superintendent like myself, you the golf pro and a “Bar Rescue” kind of approach. I tell people all the time if it wasn’t for cheap golf most of us wouldn’t be involved in the game today. So we need to start being proactive in helping retain what’s still left before more doors shut to be developed but more importantly educate golfers why & how courses finally reach this position of death & crap conditions Sadly 99% of the people replying to this video really have no idea and that is actually the problem & what continues to promote poor property results today. I have a plan just need someone like you to talk shop & share ideas for a minute & enjoy a good laugh😎

Great video, love the concept. Definitely do more.

Love this love this love this. Hilarious and scary all in one. Perfect approach and commentary.

It sounds like many commenters were thinking the same thing. I also used to enjoy playing at "the Creek" 25 years ago with friends, clients and co-workers. It was a beautiful and somewhat challenging course back then. Players that had trouble hitting a straight drive off the tee would be back and forth under the trees much of the round. The water features on some of the holes were beautiful. I remember when you could actually buy lunch at that snack bar and it wasn't bad...when you were hungry. It is a tragedy that the course looks as though it may end up like Fallbrook CC. I still feel bad for a co-worker whose favorite course was Castle Creek during the late 90's. He actually bought a home on the Fallbrook course right before that one got sold to a supposed "golf course developer". The new owner turned it into a winery, because he claimed that it could never be profitable as a golf course. How about giving golfers a chance to purchase partnerships that would buy (and maintain) some of these iconic courses, which also serve as much needed green spaces and wildlife refuges? We certainly don't need any more desert dust bowls fueled by the concrete climate heaters and traffic multipliers known as condos, apartments, town homes, etc. Excellent content as always, Matt. Love your videos.

The fun part about Black Hawk is that if you're going during the height of the four seasons, you're playing an entirely different golf course each quarter.

So glad you noted the Blackhawk greens (or plinko as we like to call it). One thing you failed to mention is how many golf cart path turns bank outward. I have never felt more at risk on a golf course than driving around Blackhawk.

So they got rid of the breathalyzer but they kept the $5 fee 😄

Loving the "fallen tree review" - this series is more common to what most of us play compared to the private club series and I'm down for it!

Oh, man, what a great video. I think a series is on the horizon here. Love your humour. Pure class. BTW, were there any dead animal carcasses in the Phlugerville course? Almost died laughing. Thanks MSG

23:40 Lost it at the driving range and 30:27 spongy bumpy hoppy mushy cushy greens are the way to go!! LMAO! Great video, reviews, and outstanding commentary, Matt!

Never laughed so much (bermuda grass in bunker ) we have these courses in uk but they only charge £5 to £10 to play keep up the good work love you guys

This is one of the best videos I’ve EVER seen. The humour is spot on!

As for the Buffalo Tournement Club, welcome to the Upstate NY golf experience, most places I’ve played upstate are like that, extra wet and swampy, and slow pace of play, but the absurd rules thing is unique

Great video - I definitely subscribed after watching this. Just wanted to comment about the lack of sand/divot repair at the first course. If that course only uses cool season grasses, the sand filler is pretty much useless and will just result in a bare spot anyways. At northern courses that use primarily fescue and bluegrass in the fairways (most courses in the north), the proper thing to do is to grab the divot that your club dug out and place it back in the bare spot. This is because those grass species do not spread with stolons (like bermuda or other warm season grasses). On the contrary, they are primarily bunch type, so the only way to fill the patch is with seed or to replace the divot itself. Some northern courses use bentgrass on the fairways and tee boxes, but this is rare as it's prone to disease and not very drought tolerant. But, if the course has bentgrass outside the greens, they will either have the repair sand on the cart or sometimes next to the tee box (if the tee box is the only area with bentgrass outside the greens).

Great video..perfect commentary. I was shocked none of them are run by American Golf. Keep up the good work!

Absolutely brilliant. From the moment you arrived at the Austin course I couldn’t stop laughing. I truly believe the money exchange is backwards. Awesome video

Great video! Ultra entertaining! Enjoyed that a lot!

This is your best video you ever made, I was laughing so hard 😂😂

5 star video Matt - enjoyed your sarcastic humor a LOT ! Glad you survived your adventure and didn't get bit by anything else but the fire ants . Good call on not using the restroom , or making a purchase at the snack shack ! Come up to Coeur D'Alene Idaho one day - play the resort course ( worlds ONLY floating green ) - stay well my friend - keep up the great videos !

Great vid Matt Had a good laugh at your commentary 😊

Great content Matt 💪🏻

Loved this, you need to do one in each state.

Dude, that was great!!! Deep grass on the number one handicap hole, to the rack in the old sand trap. Awesome video. Now I need to check my home course reviews.

I love the cheerfully sarcastic manner in which you look for the silver lining of your rounds in weedy dirt patches from Gehenna.

Great fun. Makes me really appreciate my local muni that is like Augusta compared to these tracks and we can play for $34 during the week.

I play Blackhawk about twice a month. It definitely needs some love, but they have some great deals that let you get on the course around $15-$25 pretty frequently, which is great for a new golfer practicing!

What a sense of humor you displayed. Calling those things golf courses is too kind. Had a great laugh when you raked the grass on ear the end. Thanks and please keep these videos coming!

Thank you for all the shots of your stroke. You have such a good hesitation at the top. I am starting to play again after a twenty year hiatus due to very serious back problems. Now, after surgery, rehab, stem cell injections and rehab, I have the back if a 60 year old. I’m patterning my swing after yours.

Loved this video. Def do more of these. Had me cracking up. Not like ur normal more serious videos. I'm from Buffalo so loved the review on a course I know well

When the ball popped up in the air 12 inches after "rolling" that putt.....cracked me up man...Snot Bubble funny

I’m convinced dry creek golf course in galt California is worse then all these with $50 green fees. The greens are always tore up, the fairways are missing grass everywhere, the rough looks like it hadn’t been mowed for days and the bunkers are never clean and full of leaves and fallen trees.

I love your course reviews, but this by far my favorite one!! 😂

Thanks man and love you for this video! I was doing chemo (caught cancer early and will be cured) and I laughed so hard and was appalled at the same time. Thank you as you made another long day into pure enjoyment. You're game is in great shape throughout the video. Would love to play a few holes with you after I finish up. I know it would be a fun round for sure. Keep up the great videos!

Best reviews you have ever done ha ha, so enjoyed this one 😂😂😂

That was absolutely hilarious. What a great concept. Love it!

Enjoyed this video. There's a few in AZ you should play that would be on par for the lack of quality! Keep up the channel!

Great video ! Really enjoyed this !

I live about 6 hours north of that last course. I thought we had some bad courses here but that one was epically worse. If you ever get up near Pismo Beach in California, there is a little town called Avila Beach that has a course. They don’t really water much in summer so the fairways are like hitting down old asphalt roads that grass has managed to almost cover. You can hit a perfect shot down the middle of the fairway and your ball will bounce just like it hit a paved cart path and then shoot off the fairway into one of the many creeks than line the holes. The greens are typically just destroyed by gophers and their is no chance of hitting a putt through all the choppy bumps. There is no sand in the bunkers, no water in the ponds, and last spring half the cart paths were out of service and you had to take detours to get around. I am playing in a tournament there this Friday, lol. Those first 2 courses didn’t seem too bad.

THIS!!!! Is THEEEEEE BEST VIDEO YET!!! I’m laughing soooooo hard!!! MATT you are HILARIOUS !!!!!! Especially the black hawk round!!! I LOVE IT KEEP IT COMING!!!

Man, you’ve got to check out Pebble Brook Golf Course just outside Nashville, TN. Bunkers are grass, half the greens are the actual bunkers, most tee boxes are ROUGH, basically accommodation (coolers, emptied trash cans, etc.), carts are ripped to shreds and have broken axles, the course terrain is super dangerous with the broken carts. In short, the course is wild and frustrating. In contrast, the course layout and design is super fun. I’d love to see you visit and review!

The bad news is that Blackhawk is not well maintained. The good news is that it is not abandoned because the owner was trying to sell it and threatened to close it. If it closes, Pflugerville would be the largest city in the area without a golf course, but they are not interested in buying the course. The grass bunkers are because the owners are not interested in improving the course. They are better now than when they had sand, but no drainage. Everyone just took a free drop out of them. It could be a nice course if purchased by someone who’d drop some money into it. The population of Pflugerville has exploded, so you’d think it could support a well maintained course.

Hilarious video! Do more of this kinda thing!

Hey Matt I have a couple of “peaches “ for ya. Mohawk Park in Tulsa, Ok, Woodbine specifically. Also to make it worth your while, an hour and a half away by car is Fountainhead. It’s about halfway between Checotah and Eufaula. I’d love to see your review. Thanks for your content.

Great video! I've lived in SoCal my whole life. Play Colton Golf Course in the Inland Empire. See how you like that one. Lol

Hilarious! Subscribed. There's a lot of bad courses out there and I could use another 40 minutes of laughing

Back in 2007, I shot 66 once at Castle Creek while at PGCC golf academy in Temecula. I remember the 2nd hole had MS-13 graffiti tagged all over the green. Sad to see that place deteriorate, it had so much potential.

This is one of your most entertaining videos yet! I’ve played a couple of courses that would fit right in with these 3 One in Lampasas Tx, another in the Winston Mo area, sorry I don’t remember the name! I loved the ant attack on the tee box, that was definitely the highlight

Awesome video man. You cracked me up with the Marty Bird reference. Sadly these courses were probably really nice at some point.

Wow!!!!!!! Very painful…. but, thank you for the very intertaining up date on the three not so great Golf courses in the America.

We have a 9 Hole course in Hondo Texas that could be one of the courses you played in this video. The good thing is they only charge $4 to play if you walk and have your own pull cart or carry your clubs. Also if you want to rent a driving cart, it also only costs $4 to rent. Double the price to play 18. My pal and I like playing there because they do try to maintain it, they are really nice there and we are not great golfers. Great place to practice for us. We shoot around 95-106 for 28 holes. My friend is the 90’s and I’m the 106. Enjoyed the video.

You never fail to entertain. Thanks for this brilliant piece.

I would suggest for your list...Pebble Brook golf course in Salt Lake City UT. I played there once years ago, and encountered a frog jumping out of the hole where the pin should be, a sock instead of a flag on a pin, trees overgrown on holes to the point where there was a 15 foot clear window to hit a shot at the green, no signage where the holes connected and a cart path made of sand that resembled the Baja 1000, and a 60 yard par 3 comprised of a blind vertical drop to a green about the size of a living room. The most bizarre golf course I have ever seen before or since.

This was the best video you have ever made. That rake at the end... 😂

Great video! Matt if you are ever near Philadelphia stop by Ingleside golf course in Thorndale PA. If I could rate it in negative numbers I would

Priceless content! Love it

Nice to see Don ill go follow his channel now. Real journalist right there.

Loved the video. Check out Lakeside Golf Club in Canyon Lake Texas. I play there occasionally, it has horrible greens (some are just sand, some have patches of grass on them to go around), brown fairways with cracks, and several of the holes there isn’t a flag stick that will stay in the hole. But it’s cheap and a great way to improve your crappy lie game.

great video. are those 7diamond hats copies of Melin hats? they even have that thumb grip under brim.

My home course in Poolesville, MD is beautiful and fees are only $29 with a free lunch (hotdog, chips and drink) at the turn and free replays. Would be cool if you did a video on the best budget courses.

Dude, I can’t believe you played Blackhawk! When I saw this video title i said to myself “wouldn’t it be funny if he plays Blackhawk” 😂I live about 10 minutes away. The shame of it is that the course layout is actually pretty solid. The story behind the course is that a developer bought it out of bankruptcy with the goal of re-zoning it for residential housing. The town repeatedly said no, and now he can’t sell it given its condition and need for a complete reno. Unfortunately, no improvement is in sight.

Definitely recommend Whittle Springs in Knoxville TN. The fairways are basically dirt. There really isn’t a difference between the fairways and rough. The greens are maybe grass?

you need to play Legendary Oaks in Hempstead, Tx. if you want grass on your fairways then don't play here. The greens are somewhat dry of soaking wet. There is nothing like hitting your ball into the cup and its full of water. If you want grass on your tee box, this isn't the place to go. On most tee boxes you need a hammer to put your tee into the ground. We have had very little rain this summer and since they don't water all of the fairways you have wet ones or ones with no grass and lots of hardpan. There is one restroom on the course and it's a take your chance restroom. if want to buy a beer it's going to cost you 5 dollars per beer. The carts are not in good condition, but you can't expect them to be with the course in the shape that it is in. There is not a starter and nobody to govern the pace of play. It can take six hours to play around on a weekend. The sand in the bunkers isn't sand. it's more like concrete mortar and full of rocks.

Well done!! I haven’t laughed that hard in a while.

Great content as always. You show that being on your own is the best company. God bless brother.

Kokopelli Golf course in Gilbert, AZ could rival the worse course. You are lucky to find a “piece” of grass on the course. But don’t worry, they do have bunkers. Just can’t say they have “sand” in them…. :)

Take a look at the Links at Summerly in Murrieta, CA. Played there years ago and will never go back!! Great reviews and loved the video!!

I can’t stop laughing! This is so hilarious! Love this! You’re my favorite RU-vid golf instructor. Keep up the great work.