In no particular order:
The Hogan Plaque, Merion Golf Club, Ardmore, PA
A personal favorite of mine, corresponding with one of the greatest golf photos in history. It’s impossible to play the 18th at Merion without sneaking a quick peek.
No Mulligans, Pine Valley Golf Club, Clementon, New Jersey
Two words that make the first tee ball at the greatest course in the world even more terrifying.
You are standing on hallowed grounds — why would you hit a breakfast ball? PV has no OB. Hit it and chase it, as the game is meant to be played.
Pace of Play, Seminole Golf Club, Juno Beach, FL
Not the exact sign, as the real one is posted on the starters stand by the first tee, but the words are the same. It epitomizes what is great about Seminole — you are there to play golf, and play golf with alacrity. Playing in 3:40 as a walking foursome is commonplace, and I’ve heard rumors that if you are out of place the staff will come and pick you up in carts and drive you to where you should be on the golf course. That rocks.
Some clubs talk about the importance of pace of play, but Seminole is the only club I’ve seen where its baked into the culture.
We Play Golf Here, Taconic Golf Club, Williamstown, MA
This was a follower-submitted picture, and I knew quickly it would make this post.
I’ve heard nothing but great things about Taconic, the home course of the NESCAC school Williams College. “We play golf here” is perfect, are you expecting perfect lies in May? October? Hit the ball and chase it, take the good breaks with the bad. That’s golf!
Suggestion Box, Crooked Stick Golf Club, Carmel, Indiana
Hilarious. I’ve never played (or even wanted to step foot in the state of Indiana) but now this is a must-play. The membership gets it.
The Shot Heard Around the World, Pebble Beach, Monterrey, CA
Hidden in the left rough on the back left quadrant of the famed 17th hole lies this beauty honoring Tom Watson’s famed chip in.
If you’re lucky enough to play Pebble, make sure you make the trek to the left side of the 17th green to admire the level of difficulty and precision the shot required.
Nicklaus 1 Iron, Baltusrol Country Club, Springfield, New Jersey
As the story goes, Jack Nicklaus fired his tee shot into the trees on the closing par 5 at Baltusrol in the final round of the 1967 US Open. He then punched out, and got up and down from 237 yards with a 1 iron for a closing birdie and the win.
You can usually tell how cool a plaque is by the number of divots around it. Hogan’s at Merion and this one have been the most I’ve ever seen.
Honorable mentions:
“Expect Anything Different?”, Torrey Pines, La Jolla, California
Torrey put in a plaque somewhere near the green on the 18th hole of the South course to honor Tiger’s unforgettable putt to force a playoff in the 2008 US Open.
Byron Nelson 1 Iron, Philadelphia Country Club, Gladwyne, PA
Holing a 1 iron for a 2 in 1939 rocks. Doing it in the US Open? Legendary.
This was a fun one to write up, and I’m sure I missed a few obscure signs, so either drop those in the comments here (if I can figure out how to turn them on) or just tweet them at me.
Talk soon.
-BTG