I have been lucky enough to play all four and I put them as follows 1. Bethpage-one tough walk on a hot, humid NY day. 6700 from the whites. I hope you can hit bombs because you will need them. 2. Chambers Bay- great setting in a unique location. RTJ Jr. followed his fathers idea of difficult pars but easy bogeys. 3. Harding Park- love the trees and crazy weather. Good deal for San Fran residents. 4. Torry Pines- I loved the views but I was expecting a little more. Maybe my expectations were too high. I would like to try the North course but its not easy to get there if you live in NY.
I hope they can find a few other munis capable of hosting. Hit em straight........

Why don't you include Pebble Beach? Surely it is a "public course" in that anyone can play there if they are prepared to pay the Green fees.

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at Chambers Bay. Several years ago, they ran a Cyber Monday Christmas special that allowed you to purchase a round for $50. Snagged it and couched rounds at Pumpkin Ridge and Gamble Sands around it. The greens were bumpy, and perhaps if I were playing in a major championship I’d have gone Billy Horschel-esque, but I didn’t think it detracted at all from the experience.

The coolest part of a round there is that the entire course lies within a crater. When you arrive at the clubhouse/pro shop you are looking down into a hole at the course. It’s like playing in a skate park.

Well, I can't comment on the other three, Bethpage Black and the the Bethpage experience is all about golf. The multiple courses and level of play are a bonus, but the Black stands alone as a premier venue for the municipal golfer. It will bring you to your knees with strategy and fairness. It's all right there in front of you. Play from point to point and don't stray. If you area a scrambler, there's trouble everywhere, but fair to everyone from the right tees.

I have been fortunate enough to play Bethpage Black and Torrey Pines. They are both excellent courses. I think Bethpage Black is top of the heap. A better value than Torrey Pines and it is tough, tough, tough. A walking only course that is fun challenging and it kicks my butt everytime I have played it, yet I left the course with a smile on my face everytime!

Those courses are obviously good. But if you want to play a real championship course, go play Karsten Creek, Stillwater, OK, the home of the Oklahoma State Cowboys. It too is a public but costly course that you would really enjoy.

First of all, I believe that all golf courses have their charms. I like all golf courses. But, that is because I always play the ball as it lies unless I am willing to take a penalty stroke. Even, if I can take relief with no penalty, I still play it as it lies or take a penalty. This has made me oblivious to course conditions. Off course amenities and staff friendliness mean nothing to me. That leaves course layout, value, pace of play, and difficulty. I can't play difficult courses (I don't hit my drives very far). So, I couldn't play any of these venues. I am okay with that. Pace of play is very important. That would put BPB, last IMO. Value is very important because I am not rich. So, TPS would be No.1 in my book AND, furthermore, Bell Family Architect courses are awesome. I have played many Bell courses. Bell courses give you many options to play a hole, so they can be made easier at times when you play to your own strengths. BUT, if you play stupidly, you pay the price. The Bells have been underated. They were subtle geniuses. So, their course layouts are not showy. But, if you play them regularly, you will learn to appreciate them when you have a lapse in judgement and then recognize their genius. I vote TPS.

I have been lucky enough to play all four. Each unique in it's own way. I would rate Torrey South 4th. Very nice setting. Not overly difficult from the proper tees. Next would be the Black. Certainly the toughest test. Maybe even a harder walk than Chambers Bay. (the two toughest walks are walking only courses. A plus by me). Just too much course for most weekend players to enjoy. In second place would be Chambers Bay. Links like play. The greens have fully recovered from the USGA. Beautiful setting on Puget Sound. I like Harding Park the best. Very playable from the proper tees. A very comfortable walk among the Cypress. Scores best in the "walk in the park rating".

Love the bar chart. Great way to compare each of the elements per course.