Not many people know this about me, but I am the world’s preeminent authority on golf barns. No one has more passion or knowledge about golf barns than Patrick Koenig. The time has come for me to lay down some documentation and establish this well known fact in writing.
I have also decided that now is the time to release the world’s first official system for ranking golf barns. Years ago, I established the criteria below which has become the gold standard for evaluating golf barns.
Golf barns need to be evaluated in 5 basic categories. Each category has a maximum score of 10 points. A perfect golf barn score would be 50 points. No one has ever encountered a 50 point golf barn.
Size and Color - Bigger is usually better in this case. A grand old golf barn is almost always better than something of average size. When it comes to color, we are looking for something bold and aesthetic. Red is by far the most common, but I have seen some great barns in white, blue, or even green.
Proximity - A barn doesn’t become a golf barn until it gets near a golf course. This category quantifies the distance that the barn is from the golf course. The closer, the better. The very best golf barns are a part of the golf course.
Interactivity - The more that a golf barn is part of your round, the better. Is the golf barn being used as a maintenance shed? Is it being used as a halfway house? Is the golf barn actually in play? Can you play through the golf barn? All of these things are considered in this category.
Signage - A good golf barn is properly labeled. Maybe its a logo, or some course signage, but there is some nuance to this category. If you are hanging up advertisements, that is lame. You know a good sign when you seen one.
Old Timeyness - This is where the vibes come into play. Nobody wants a golf barn to look and feel brand spanking new, but you also don’t want something that is gonna collapse on top of you. I want to feel like the golf barn has some stories to tell. History also comes into play in this category. Perhaps some historic horses once occupied the barn. Or maybe the barn is haunted. A haunted golf barn is gonna score some serious points.
I have compiled a special feature on the top 15 golf barns in America. Please remember that every golf barn listed below is an ELITE level barn and many great barns, simply did not make the list. You will find the official scoring for all categories at the end of this article. If you have a barn that you believe is worthy of inclusion, please let me know.
Windsong Farm Golf Club - Maple Plain, MN - 33.2 points
We start out our list with a baseline silo at Windsong. Since a golf silo technically counts as a golf barn, we must include this fine specimen on our list. Some good points for proximity and size. There is no golf silo finer than the one at Windsong.
Neshanic Valley Golf Course - Neshanic Station, NJ - 33.4 points
In 14th place, we find a similar situation to WIndsong. However, the addition of the nearby barn adds some extra points in the size category.
Tot Hill Farm - Asheboro, NC - 34.5 points
A classic barn behind the 18th green adds some killer ambiance to the end of your round. Some great signage adds to the aesthetic of this standard elite level barn.
The Powderhorn - Sheridan, WY - 37.8 points
This golf barn scores some solid points with great size and color. The signage is pretty solid with the powderhorn logo dominating the apex of the barn.
Aldarra Golf Club - Sammamish, WA - 37.9 points
Some big points for the golf barn at Aldarra when it comes to the size and proximity. This golf barn is hard to ignore on the 2nd hole and also plays into the visual aesthetic prominently on the 9th hole. The barn serves as a maintenance facility which earns it some points, but true interactivity eludes the golf barn at Aldarra.
Brickyard Crossing Golf Club - Indianapolis, IN - 38.2 points
The fact that the Brickyard Crossing has a world class golf barn is often overshadowed by the fact that 4 holes are inside of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Some solid points for proximity just beyond the 18th green and the white color goes well with the signage.
Bull Valley Golf Club - Woodstock, IL - 40.1 points
The golf barn at Bull Valley posts some dominating scores in the size, color and signage categories. This is our first official 40 point golf barn. Just look at this beauty. Located just off of a par 3 on the front nine, the silo alone lets golfers know that they are in the presence of a truly magical golf barn.
Blackthorn Golf Club - South Bend, IN - 40.5 points
The barn at Blackthorn has potential to be one of the world’s greatest golf barns. With the ability to drive your golf cart through the golf barn, it scores exceptionally high marks in the proximity and interactivity categories. Unfortunately, you could tell that the barn has been largely ignored since its operational days and showed signs of neglect. But those double silos are hot golf barn fire.
Cog Hill Golf Club - Lemont, IL - 40.7 points
At Cog Hill we find one of the most popular and well know golf barns in America. With impressive size and signage this barn would have finished much higher if it was located in a more integral part of the golf course. Located by the practice facility, this golf barn still has the ability to capture the gaze of even the most devoted range rats.
Erin Hills Golf Course - Hartford, WI - 40.8 points
As we climb into the highest echelons of golf barn stardom, you will notice that fractions of a point determine the final ranking of these barns. They are all exceptional. The golf barn at Erin Hills earns a special distinction as it also serves as the caddy headquarters for the golf course. Complete with a ping pong table and a Golden Tee arcade game, this golf barn is truly one of a kind.
Westchester Country Club - Rye, NY - 41 points
The golf barn at Westchester is perhaps the most well rounded golf barn in existence. With solid marks in all categories, this beauty is going to capture the attention of just about every golfer that passes by. Classic elegance always scores high especially when it comes to golf barns.
The Olde Farm - Bristol, Virginia - 42.1 points
Inside of the top 4, we have some truly special golf barns. The Olde Farm is often talked about in the inner circles of golf barn aficionados for its high level of hospitality. This barn serves as a premium comfort station. You just drive your golf cart in the barn and choose from a variety of snack and refreshment options.
StoneRidge Golf Club - Stillwater, MN - 42.2 points
In the history of evaluating golf barns, I have only given two 9.9 scores. Stone Ridge receives one of those in the interactivity category. The golf barn actually comes directly into play on several golf holes. Most importantly, the second level of the golf barn serves as a makeshift tee box for special events at Stone Ridge. You can actually see the mat in there. Just an exceptional use of an elite level golf barn.
Langdon Farms - Aurora, OR - 42.8 points
Most golf barn enthusiasts will recognize Langdon farms as one of the undisputed champions in the category. The golf barn at Langdon has a classic display of old timeyness mixed with a high level of interactivity. Most golfers will enjoy the golf cart ride through the barn and it is entirely possible to play your golf ball through the barn. Bravo on all accounts from Langdon Farms.
Sun Country Golf Course - Cle Elum, WA - 43.2 points
Here she is, the #1 ranked golf barn in the land. With its truly massive size and the first ever recorded 9.9 score in the signage category, this golf barn is an absolute force to be reckoned with. The crowning glory is the signage. You simply cannot find a better sign anywhere. GOLF. Sun Country has just the right amount of everything that makes for a truly special and iconic golf barn.
