Strategy for Playing the Top 100

How do you go about playing the Top 100?

The top 100 courses are located in thirteen countries:

1. The United States (59)
2. Scotland (9)
3. England (9)
4. Ireland (6)
5. Australia (4)
6. Japan (3)
7. New Zealand (2)
8. Canada (2)
9. Spain (2)
10. South Africa (1)
11. Mexico (1)
12. The Dominican Republic (1)
13. France (1)

And, in twenty-three states:

1. New York (10)
2. California (8)
3. Ohio (5)
4. Georgia (4)
5. South Carolina (3)
6. New Jersey (3)
7. Illinois (3)
8. Florida (3)
9. Pennsylvania (2)
10. Michigan (2)
11. Oregon (2)
12. Maryland (2)
13. North Carolina (2)
14. Massachusetts (1)
15. Oklahoma (1)
16. Texas (1)
17. Tennessee (1)
18. Virginia (1)
19. Colorado (1)
20. Nevada (1)
21. Nebraska (1)
22. Wisconsin (1)
23. Kansas (1)

Yes, we know this is not the current ranked list. My objective is to play the 2003 list so that I don't have to support a course associated with Donald Trump on the current list.

We offer the following musings on playing the top 100:

1. You need to have a plan. Like planning a battle campaign; you need a strategy, tactics, logistical planning and support. I isn't just going to happen.

2. If you live in the United States you're in a better position to achieve it. Living in the New York Metropolitan area or California helps. Nine of the twelve people we know of that have completed the list lived in either California or the New York area.

3. Have a valid passport and be ready to go at a moment's notice. A private jet would be ideal, as would being independently wealthy. Being a member of a course in the top 100 helps for obvious reasons. Personally, we're trying to do this without having any of these advantages, although a lot of frequent flyer miles don't hurt.

4. You have to network. Ask. Although 80 percent of the courses are private, those is the British Isles and Australia have a better approach to the game. They recognize that they are guardians of great places and are willing to let others share the experience. You have to respect their rules and traditions, but playing the great British Open courses is a lot easier than their counterparts in the U.S. where many courses are under the mistaken impression that snobbishness makes greatness. There are 50 courses on the list that are truly private where you have to be invited by a member.

5. As in life, you need a little luck. Although as Gary Player has said "The harder you work, the luckier you get."