Before getting to your responses, I had another idea for a blog post that seemed too short for a full entry: Best and worst shots of 2009. No, I'm not talking about at the pro level. (Those can be found here.) I mean, your best and worst of the year.

In an effort to simultaneously brag and embarrass myself, here are mine …

The best occurred on media day for the Travelers Championship. The tournament's 2008 champion and soon-to-be Open Championship winner Stewart Cink was on hand for the festivities and decided to camp out at the short par-4 15th hole during the shamble-format event.

With Cink not only watching but filming my shot from just a few feet away, I knocked a 3-wood to pin-high, just on the left fringe. I would have been pretty damn proud of myself without a top pro keeping watch, but with him there, it definitely added to the pressure. Even though, just moments later, he walked up to the tee and stuck one about 10 feet closer. I'll remember that shot of mine for a while.

The worst took place before the erstwhile FBR Open. Tournament officials gathered members of the media, local businesspeople and even a few celebs for what they termed the "Shot at Glory" -- one tee shot inside the stadium that is the par-3 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale.

With a few hundred spectators in attendance -- although, luckily, most were paying more attention to their beverages than to anything on the course -- each of us took one shot. I was among the last to go and, well, I hadn't warmed up much & and it was getting colder & and I was in between clubs & and didn't have a golf glove & and & pushed a low screamer right into the new bleachers about 30 yards right of the green. Let's just say it's a really, really good thing the stands weren't packed to capacity. Hey, at least it wasn't the worst shot of the day. Some dude whiffed. Twice.

Got some stories of your own? Keep 'em going in the comments section below.

And without further ado, here are some of the best responses from readers on your top five favorite courses of 2009:

1. Kingsbarns -- The history behind the place is as good a story as you'll hear about a golf course's lineage. Amazing property.
2. Glen Golf Club-North Berwick -- Maybe the best VALUE in all of Scotland.
3. San Francisco Golf Club -- Pure golf. The locker room looks like it could be used for a movie about college football in the 1940s.
4. Spyglass Hill -- If I had one round of golf left to play in the U.S., this might be the track.
5. St. Andrews -- Do I need to explain this one? Standing on the 1st tee is a memory etched like that of my first child being born. I can still feel the goose bumps.
-- Bud Garmany, San Jose, Calif.

1. Merion East -- Terrific test, with history. Rickie Fowler led the U.S. team to victory here this year at the Walker Cup. Fantastic finishing holes will make for real drama at the 2013 U.S. Open.
2. Sunnehanna -- Tillinghast at his best and superb conditions and lightning fast greens.
3. Sunday River -- RT Jones Jr. Majestic and scenic track in the Maine mountains.
4. Pine Hill -- Pine Valley for the masses -- now to be owned by the Donald.
5. Westchester -- A classic, unfortunately no longer on the PGA [Tour] circuit.
-- Jim Balaschak, Philadelphia

1. Ballyneal Golf and Hunt Club -- Perhaps the best course that some have never heard of. Like that "I'm on a Doak" rap said, "Sand Hills ain't s*** next to Ballyneal"
2. Sand Hills -- Second to Ballyneal, but still a great course. Back nine as strong as it gets.
3. Crystal Downs -- The most maddening green complexes I've ever played. Never has putting the ball off a green into a bunker been so much fun.
4. The Kingsley Club - Another underrated gem, plays firm and fast. Great front nine. My buddy aced the 9th hole to cap a memorable weekend.
5. World Woods Pine Barrens -- Really the highlight of the year for me, played with my wife and three kids (ages 2-7) for the first time. It was one day after burying my beloved grandmother. My grandparents are the reason I play this great game and our 8-hole round was one small way to honor their memory.
-- Jim Colton, Chicago

Love the last story. Once again proves that "favorite" rounds don't necessarily have to be those on the best courses, but can be because of the company and the memory, too.

1) Pasatiempo GC (Santa Cruz, Calif.) -- What an unbelievable place! The 16th is the best par-4 I have ever played, and the par-3 18th is one fabulous finish. And you can't leave without having a drink at the Tap Room.
2) Whispering Pines Golf Club (Trinity, Texas) -- This is the best golf course in Texas bar none. Like Augusta National, this place is closed for several months throughout the year to maintain its pristine course conditions. Phenomenal course, phenomenal staff, phenomenal experience.
3) TPC Scottsdale (Scottsdale, Ariz.) -- They were already building the grandstands at the par-3 16th. Thankfully no one was in the seats, or else I would have gotten booed. Great track.
4) Grayhawk Golf Club, Talon Course (Scottsdale, Ariz) -- The golf course was a ball-buster, but the best part of the experience was Phil's Grill and Grayhawk's immaculate clubhouse. Private clubs that charge $50,000 initiation fees don't have hubs like this.
5) The Territory Golf and Country Club (Duncan, Okla.) -- May be the best kept secret in the Southwest. The golf course is nails, and the amenities for members are very worthy as well. Best of all, it's only a 3-hour drive from Dallas. A perfect place for a stay-and-play golf weekend with your buddies.
-- Robert Rodriguez, Keller, Texas

1. The Preserve, Carmel, Calif. -- Without question my top experience of the year. November day, 36 holes, four buddies, set off in nature, a Fazio gem (coming from someone that is often underwhelmed by his designs). This is a day that has stayed with me in all the best ways.
2. Monterey Peninsula Country Club (Shore), Pebble Beach, Calif. -- Just about the purest you can get, Monterey Peninsula, links layout, firm conditions, views of Cypress Point and you aren't even upset since you are on something that feels of comparable stature!
3. Olympic Club (Lake), San Francisco, Calif. -- We got new greens on the Lake this year and early reviews are excellent. This course will test every aspect of your game. U.S. Open here we come.
4. San Francisco Golf Club, San Francisco, Calif. -- What can you say? A classic design from MacKenzie that got some of its old form back from a redesign. Feels like you step back in time.
5. We-Ko-Pa Golf Club, Fort McDowell, Ariz. -- Coore/Crenshaw, off the charts conditions, scenic vistas, fabulous layout, and it's public.
-- MacKenzie Hurd, Berkeley, Calif.

1. Royal Portrush; Northern Ireland -- If you make the trip to play County Down (and you should), don't miss the opportunity to play this great course.
2. Royal Dornock; Scotland -- Home of D. Ross and not at all like some of the Scottish tourist "great" courses.
3. Arcadia Bluffs; Michigan -- As good as it gets within reason for [the] price. Hard to get to but well, well worth it.
4. The Dinosaur Course at the Gold Canyon resort in Phoenix area -- Public course which is as unique as any in the U.S.
5. The European Club; Ireland. We were the only people there, Patrick Ruddy came out to watch us. The best afternoon of my year.
-- Gerry Byrne, Long Beach, Ind.

I've also had the great pleasure to play The European Club -- about an hour south of Dublin -- and enjoy a pint or three with Mr. Ruddy after the round. It was one of the best afternoons I've had, too.

1. Monterey Peninsula CC Shores course -- Early December with my dad, uncle and brother. Perfect weather with great views, great course, and family.
2. Jupiter Hills CC, Jupiter, Fla. -- Unbelievable elevation changes for Florida, spectacular course. Played like a dog.
3. Bayonet, Fort Ord, Calif. -- The changes they have made to this 36-hole venue are phenomenal. A must play when you head to Pebble.
4. Interlachen CC, Winter Park, Fla. -- Home course. Tough layout but in great shape and I get to play with my bozo buddies every Saturday.
5. Spyglass Hill -- Only reason this is No. 5 and not No. 1 is because I had six 3 jacks en route to an 82 on one of the toughest courses on the planet. The views on 3-5 are perfect. (Wish I could sneak on to Cypress from there.)
-- Herb Milner, Winter Park, Fla.

1. Pacific Dunes -- It's an annual trip and still probably my favorite overall.
2. and 3. The Old Course (St. Andrews) -- Walked on at 9 a.m. without a tee time and played it in absolutely perfect weather. Maybe my best golfing day ever, since I combined it with an afternoon round at Carnoustie (Championship). Despite hitting my approach OB on 18, I still scored better on the hole than Van de Velde.
4. Royal Dornoch -- It might be a better golf course than the Old Course. I'll have to make a return trip to be sure.
5. Chambers Bay -- A homer pick.
-- Emery, Seattle

In August I got to play Bethpage Black and didn't have to sleep out. I have been lucky enough to play a few other times, but this time we got through the phone lines and got a tee time. The Black is a beautiful layout that never quits. My golf nut friend and I try to go every year and it gets better every time we play it. From hitting the opening tee shot to a standing ovation, where else does that happen with that many random people watching, to walking up Heartbreak Hill on 15 and finishing on 18, the course is one of the best in the world.

-- Marc Bolotin, Baltimore

There's definitely something to be said for a course on which non-golfers are simply walking around, watching you play. It's like having an audience; you can allow your mind to wander, thinking you're part of a tournament competition with gallery members there to watch. I've had that feeling at Pebble Beach -- even though those other people are just out walking their dogs on or near the course.

1. Essex -- This Donald Ross gem in Massachusetts was the site of a 54-hole match that came down to the last hole. Old school golf at its finest.
2. Myopia -- Stepping back in time on a course that hosted four U.S. Opens at the turn of the last century.
3. Yeamans Hall -- This Charleston, S.C., track is straight ahead golf. No tricks or gimmicks needed.
4. Fairfield CC -- This Seth Raynor course demands precision. Easy to coast along and then all of a sudden you can be in big trouble.
5. Fishers Island, N.Y. -- Unbelievable views of the water on almost every hole. You need to know how to play with a stiff wind if you want to post a good score. As you can see, I tend to favor the old school courses. They offer the opportunity to play golf the way it was meant to be played.
-- Peter Fleming, Atlanta

1. Pebble Beach -- need I say more?
2. Inverness Club; Toledo, Ohio -- History here is staggering and the track is pure Ross.
3. Ballyneal; Holyoke, Colo. -- Just a fantastic golf experience at the end of several dirt roads and in the middle of nowhere.
4. The Donald Ross Course at French Lick (Ind.) -- When the casino restored the track to Ross' original specs, I realized his genius again.
5. Tie -- Sycamore Hills GC; Fort Wayne, Ind., and the Ocean Course, Cabo del Sol, Mexico -- Both some of Nicklaus' better designs. One desert stretching down to the Sea of Cortez for a scenic juxtaposition and the other a lush Midwest beauty constructed on an old estate that will rip you up from the tips.
-- John Dresser, Snowmass Village, Colo.

For July 4th weekend, my buddy flew out to Seattle. From there we played Chambers Bay (a great course, but not the story) and made a trip down to play Bandon Dunes, Bandon Trails, Pacific Dunes and even got in a preview round at Old MacDonald. Four days, six rounds, all walking, pure golf.

I guess probably the best thing about the whole adventure was how few people travel to Bandon, Oregon, for 4th of July. No joke, MAYBE 30 people were at the resort. We got to know everyone there over breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks. On our third day we played an afternoon round at Pacific, having played Trails in the a.m.

We were the last group to tee off at 2 p.m., the closest group in front of us teed off at 10:50 a.m. We played probably the slowest round of our lives and just took it all in. Believe me when I say a 4.5-hour round on Pacific Dunes with no one else in sight is the way to just live life. We spent about 20-25 minutes on No. 13 alone with our legs over the cliff just looking out on the Pacific. I look at my golf ball collection every now and again on my desk and just laugh when I see those Bandon logos.

-- Jim C., D.C.

Great story. Only six months left, folks. Start planning.

1. Oak Hill CC; Rochester, N.Y. -- I play in their four ball event every fall. Bar none the best parkland course in the world. Tough as nails, but extremely fair.
2. Sand Hills; Nebraska -- One of the most unique experiences in golf. When the wind blows, it's unlike anything else. A treat to play.
3. St. George's G & CC; Toronto -- As Doak said, some of the best parkland terrain he has ever seen. The world will see how good it is when the Canadian Open arrives in July 2010. (I'm a longtime member which gives me a little bias though.)
4. Minneapolis Golf Club; Minneapolis -- Again, great parkland golf. Old Willie Park/Donald Ross design with fast greens and great bunkering. Extremely underrated course in the Twin Cities area.
5. Four Seasons Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo -- Dramatic elevation changes, wildlife, and sweeping ocean views make this the most fun course of 2009.
-- Matt, Minneapolis

The I-64 Trek:
1. Charlie Vettiner (Louisville, Ky.) -- Best conditions/layout of the public courses in Louisville. Seem to always get a round out there during the trip over.
2. Old Capital (Corydon, Ind.) -- Great old historic course in the first capital of Indiana. Nice island par-3 16th that is surrounded by sand instead of water.
3. Weissinger Hills (Shelbyville, Ky.) -- Clubhouse fits perfectly as it is a huge old barn. Fun course and it's always great to finish your round hitting a short iron into the green and not seeing it land because it's 9:30 p.m.
4. Fendrich (Evansville, Ind.) -- Short, old par-70 public course but it has to make the list after holes-in-one on No. 11 (152 yards, 7-iron) and No. 8 (171 yards, 5-iron) in back-to-back rounds at the place two months apart.
5. Tee Time (Evansville, Ind.) -- A pitch and putt to learn the game. Shouldn't make the list but when you can play 27 on Black Friday with your best golfing buddy three and a half weeks after having your gallbladder removed, it has a soft spot in your heart.
-- Stephen Smith, Evansville, Ind.

Another great story. Here are a few more quick-hitters &

1. Cog Hill  Dubsdread
2. Southern Dunes --Arizona
3. Twin Warriors -- New Mexico
4. TPC Deere Run --Illinois
5. University Ridge -- Wisconsin
6. Blackwolf Run -- Wisconsin
-- Steve Workman, Savoy, Ill.

1. Forest Highlands, Flagstaff, Ariz.
2. We-Ko-Pa (Cholla), Fountain Hills, Ariz.
3. Torrey Pines (South), La Jolla, Calif.
4. Harding Park, San Francisco
5. University Course, Albuquerque
-- Kevin Kennealy, Scottsdale, Ariz.

1. Pebble Beach
2. Pacific Dunes
3. Bandon Dunes
4. Spyglass
5. The Copperhead at Innisbrook
-- Michael Steffes, Los Angeles

Royal Dornoch is simply the best I've played. As a member, I get to play Secession Golf Club (S.C.) frequently, but I am always anxious to go back the next time.

Cypress Point is just a step below Royal Dornoch. San Francisco Golf Club sweetens an already great experience with the cookies in the locker room.

-- Larry Hirsh, Harrisburg, Pa.

1. Augusta National
2. Quail Hollow Country Club
3. Hazeltine
4. East Lake
5. Firestone
-- Ben, Charlotte, N.C.

1. Caves Valley Golf Club -- Owings Mills, Md.
2. Calusa Pines Golf Club (playing next week) -- Naples, Fla.
3. Greystone Golf Course -- White Hall, Md.
4. The Robert Trent Jones Course at Palmetto Dunes -- Hilton Head, S.C.
5. The Links at Lighthouse Sound -- Bishopville, Md.
-- Kevin Albertini, Ellicott City, Md.

1. Chambers Bay near Seattle. If you get the chance, go play it before the U.S. Open in a few years.

2-5. Chambers Bay. I don't get out much.

-- Drew, "Cold, Cold Denver"

That's OK. In fact, many of the respondents either didn't play five courses worth writing about or couldn't stop writing about one specifically. Here are some that listed only their favorite course of the year &

Cypress -- What a gem. One of 12 people on the course for the entire day. As strong as the last four are, the first 14 I would put up against any course. My brother, my father and I walked up to the first tee around 7:45 a.m. and without a practice swing we were asked to tee off over the road into a dense fog.

After slapping it, for lack of a better word off the first tee, we discussed our worries that the entire round would be fogged in. However, Cypress never disappoints and by the time we got to the fairway the fog had already lifted. I have had the luck to go to Augusta several times, been to Ireland, played in Oregon and hit 30 of the top 100, but Cypress is one I will never forget.
-- Stuart, Atlanta

The most memorable round this year was at Merion two weeks before the Walker Cup. The rough was thick, the course was lush, and the anticipation around the clubhouse was exhilarating. Tradition is the tradition at Merion and being there a few weeks before the Walker Cup was special.
-- "HowToBeATrueGolfer," Atlanta

My top course is The Course at Yale. A Charles Macdonald and Seth Raynor course owned by the school. Massive greens with many contours is what makes the course so hard.

No. 9 is a 200+ yard par-3 over water all the way to the green. The green is 60 yards deep with a 10-foot deep, 9-foot wide gulley in the middle. If you're on the wrong side, good luck. Top course in CT by far.
-- Stephen Colodny, Westport, Conn.

The boys and I normally just play the same assortment of munis in and around NYC, but there is one absolute gem we just started hitting in the Hudson Valley: Fallsview Golf Course.

It is only 9 holes so you run around it twice. The course is notable for being a Robert Trent Jones Sr. design, which was built in 1963 just after Hazeltine and just before the Golden Horseshoe. All the signature flourishes are there -- the runway tee boxes, strategic-to-cruel bunkers, crazy-tough greens, etc.

According to the pro, RTJ was on-site for the entire construction as well. I find it notable and desirable as it truly requires every single shot in your bag at some point & and sometimes shots you don't even think you have. Lots of up-and-down, gorgeous country, excellent course. Is it Pebble? No, no it isn't. But once you've played it, you know you've just played golf -- if you know what I mean.

Anyone in the Catskill region could do a whole lot worse than to spend a few hours at the Fallsview.
-- Parker, New York, N.Y.

I got a chance to play Linville Golf Club (aka Eseeola Lodge at Linville Golf Club) and it was the surprise of a lifetime. So far this summer I have played National Golf Links, Winged Foot Golf Club, Meadow Brook Golf Club, Piping Rock CC, Baltusrol CC., Seminole GC, Shinnecock Hills, Congressional CC; not to mention a few more, and Linville was by far the best course I played this year.

Phenomenal greens, unbelievable atmosphere (Carolina mountain low-key) and a true Donald Ross gem that seemed so simple but was absolutely brutal from 150 yards and in. Maybe the biggest/greatest golf course surprise I've ever had.
-- O'Donnell Lee, New York, N.Y.

I have only one course on my list from 2009 because that was all I played. Portland West Golf Club in Portland, CT.

Why was it my favorite, because there really isn't anything special about the course? Because it allows kids to play for free after 12 p.m. on Saturdays. I played so many rounds with my son, that we lost count. Nothing beats spending a late Saturday afternoon, practically alone on the golf course, walking down the fairways with your 12-year-old son by your side.

I was able to see his game improve immeasurably, and more importantly, we were able to just hang out and have a great time, and lots of laughs together.
-- Chris Faulkner, Colchester, Conn.

Call me sentimental, but I've got a soft spot for stories such as that one. Thanks for sharing.

Last but not least, the final one comes to us from former Players Championship winner and current commentator Craig Perks, who chimed in with a top-five of his own &

My response to your article on the five best courses that I have played;

1. Muirfield Golf Club, Scotland
2. Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club, New Zealand
3. Royal Melbourne, Australia
4. Riviera Country Club, Pacific Palisades, Calif.
5. Wannamoisett Country Club, Rhode Island

Thanks for the opportunity to share with you my favorites.
-- Craig Perks, Lafayette, La.

Hope you enjoyed this little homework assignment. Keep the stories going in the comments section below. Thanks again for all of the responses!

Jason Sobel is a golf writer for ESPN.com. He can be reached at Jason.Sobel@espn3.com.