There’s something magical about stepping onto a perfectly manicured fairway at dawn, the morning dew still clinging to the grass, the challenge of 18 unique holes stretching before you.
For golf enthusiasts, playing on exceptional courses isn’t just about the game—it’s about the experience, the architecture, the history, and the natural beauty that surrounds you with every swing.
America boasts some of the world’s most spectacular golf courses, from iconic coastal links to desert oases and mountain retreats. Whether you’re planning a golf vacation or simply looking to elevate your weekend game with quality courses near home, understanding what makes the best golf courses stand out can transform your golfing experience.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore America’s finest fairways, help you discover hidden gems in your backyard, and provide expert tips for securing coveted tee times at these celebrated venues. From the prestigious Augusta National to accessible public courses that deliver exceptional value, this is your roadmap to experiencing the best that American golf has to offer.
Top Picks: The Best Golf Courses in the U.S.
America’s golfing landscape is diverse and impressive, with courses designed by legends like Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye, and Tom Fazio. Let’s explore some of the finest courses across different regions of the country.
East Coast Excellence
The East Coast claims some of the nation’s most historic and prestigious best golf courses, many dating back to the early days of American golf.
Pinehurst No. 2 (Pinehurst, North Carolina)
Often called the “St. Andrews of American Golf,” Pinehurst No. 2 has hosted multiple U.S. Opens and stands as a masterpiece of Donald Ross design. The crowned greens and natural sandhill terrain create a challenging yet fair test that rewards strategic thinking over raw power.
Oakmont Country Club (Oakmont, Pennsylvania)
With lightning-fast greens and nearly 200 deep bunkers, Oakmont has humbled the world’s best players while hosting more combined USGA and PGA championships than any other course in the U.S. Its demanding layout represents the ultimate examination of golfing skill.
Shinnecock Hills (Southampton, New York)
America’s oldest incorporated golf club features a windswept links-style course that seems transported from the British Isles. Its undulating fairways and natural beauty have made it a perennial U.S. Open venue since 1896.
West Coast Wonders
The dramatic landscapes of the West Coast provide the backdrop for some truly spectacular golf experiences.
Pebble Beach Golf Links (Pebble Beach, California)
Hugging the rugged coastline of the Monterey Peninsula, Pebble Beach offers what many consider the most beautiful oceanside golf experience in America. Nine holes play directly alongside the Pacific Ocean, creating unforgettable views and challenging coastal winds.
Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Bandon, Oregon)
This remote golf paradise features multiple world-class courses that capture the essence of traditional links golf. The Pacific Dunes, Old Macdonald, and Bandon Dunes courses each offer distinctive challenges while celebrating the game’s Scottish roots.
Rustic Canyon Golf Course (Moorpark, California)
A modern public gem designed by Gil Hanse, Rustic Canyon demonstrates that exceptional golf doesn’t require excessive earthmoving or ornate features. Set in a natural canyon, its wide fairways and strategic bunkering create a delightful walking course that plays differently with changing wind conditions.
Midwest Masterpieces
The heartland boasts some of America’s most architecturally significant courses.
Whistling Straits (Kohler, Wisconsin)
Resembling an Irish seaside links, this Pete Dye creation along Lake Michigan features over 1,000 bunkers. The Straits Course, host of multiple PGA Championships and the 2021 Ryder Cup, offers stunning views and demanding shotmaking requirements.
Sand Hills Golf Club (Mullen, Nebraska)
This remote masterpiece by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw demonstrates minimalist design at its finest. Built on ideal sandy soil in the Nebraska Sandhills, the course required minimal earth-moving, with holes that seem discovered rather than created.
Southern Splendor
The South’s mild climate and varied landscapes create ideal conditions for year-round golf.
Augusta National (Augusta, Georgia)
Home of the Masters Tournament, Augusta National might be the world’s most famous course. While strictly private, its immaculate conditioning, dramatic elevation changes, and flowering beauty have defined excellence in golf course presentation.
Kiawah Island Ocean Course (Kiawah Island, South Carolina)
Pete Dye’s seaside challenge offers more oceanside holes than any other course in the Northern Hemisphere. Host of the dramatic 1991 “War by the Shore” Ryder Cup and multiple PGA Championships, the Ocean Course combines beauty and brutality in equal measure.
Streamsong Resort (Bowling Green, Florida)
Built on reclaimed phosphate mining land, Streamsong’s three courses (Blue, Red, and Black) have transformed central Florida’s golf scene. The dramatic dunes and distinctive design styles of each course create an experience more reminiscent of the Sand Belt of Australia than typical Florida golf.
Best Public Golf Courses
While many of America’s best golf courses remain private, the public golf scene has never been stronger. These accessible treasures offer exceptional experiences without requiring club membership.
The Private vs. Public Distinction
Public courses welcome all players willing to pay the green fee, while private clubs restrict access to members and their guests. While private clubs often boast exclusivity and consistent conditions, today’s best public courses rival their private counterparts in design quality and maintenance.
The benefits of public golf extend beyond simple accessibility. These courses often:
- Provide value across various price points
- Offer more diverse playing opportunities
- Welcome traveling golfers
- Host professional tournaments viewable by the general public
Public Golf Royalty
Bethpage Black (Farmingdale, New York)
This municipal-owned beast warns players with a famous sign: “The Black Course is an extremely difficult course which we recommend only for highly skilled golfers.” Host of multiple U.S. Opens, it delivers championship challenge at municipal rates for those willing to queue early for tee times.
Torrey Pines South (La Jolla, California)
Perched on cliffs above the Pacific, this municipal facility hosts the PGA Tour’s Farmers Insurance Open annually and was the site of Tiger Woods’ dramatic 2008 U.S. Open victory. San Diego residents enjoy discounted rates at this breathtaking venue.
Forest Park Golf Course (St. Louis, Missouri)
One of America’s oldest public courses, Forest Park opened in 1912 and remains a beloved community institution. Its classic design, mature trees, and affordable green fees make it a model of accessible quality golf.
Mile Square Golf Course (Fountain Valley, California)
This 36-hole Orange County facility delivers exceptional value with well-maintained conditions and player-friendly layouts. The Players Course offers more challenge for skilled golfers, while both courses feature generous fairways ideal for beginners and higher handicappers.
State Spotlight: Best Arizona Golf Courses (Phoenix & Beyond)
Few destinations match Arizona’s combination of quality, quantity, and year-round playability, making it a paradise for golf enthusiasts.
Desert Golf Defined
Arizona golf distinguishes itself through dramatic desert landscapes where lush green fairways contrast against rugged mountains, saguaro cacti, and red rock formations. The Sonoran Desert setting creates unique playing experiences where missing fairways often means contending with desert “waste areas” rather than traditional rough.
Phoenix and Scottsdale Stars
TPC Scottsdale (Stadium Course)
Home to the largest-attended tournament in golf—the WM Phoenix Open—the Stadium Course is famous for its island-green 16th hole enclosed by grandstands that create a raucous stadium atmosphere during the tournament. Year-round, golfers enjoy excellent conditions and memorable desert holes.
We-Ko-Pa Golf Club (Saguaro Course)
Designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, the Saguaro Course embraces traditional design principles, allowing golfers to approach greens from multiple angles and use the ground game effectively—unusual for desert golf. With no homes or development visible, it offers a pure desert golf experience.
Troon North (Monument Course)
This Tom Weiskopf design incorporates massive granite boulders, desert flora, and dramatic elevation changes to create one of Arizona’s most photographed courses. The signature “Monument” boulder sits prominently in the fairway of the par-5 3rd hole.
Beyond Phoenix: Tucson and Northern Arizona
The Gallery Golf Club (Tucson)
Host of past World Golf Championships, The Gallery offers two distinctive courses in the high Sonoran Desert foothills of the Tortolita Mountains, with spectacular mountain vistas and challenging desert golf.
Sedona Golf Resort
Playing against the backdrop of Sedona’s famous red rock formations, this course delivers one of golf’s most spectacular settings. The 10th hole, a downhill par 3 with red rock formations framing the green, ranks among America’s most photographed golf holes.
When to Play Arizona Golf
Arizona offers year-round golf, but timing affects both your experience and your budget:
- Peak Season (January-April): Perfect weather, immaculate conditions, and premium pricing
- Shoulder Seasons (October-December, May): Excellent value with good conditions and moderate temperatures
- Summer (June-September): Extreme discounts with temperatures often exceeding 100°F, typically with early morning tee times to beat the heat
Find Golfing Near You
While traveling to bucket-list destinations creates lasting memories, finding quality golf courses near you can enhance your regular playing experience and save on travel costs.
Digital Tools for Local Discovery
Today’s golfers have powerful resources for finding nearby courses:
Google Maps
A simple search for “golf courses near me” reveals local options with ratings, reviews, and distance information. The satellite view can give you a preview of layouts and hole designs before booking.
Specialized Golf Apps
- GolfNow: Offers tee time booking with ratings and deals at courses nationwide
- The Golfing: Provides detailed course information, hole-by-hole previews, and player reviews
- 18Birdies: Features course discovery tools along with GPS distances and score tracking
Finding Hidden Gems
The most memorable courses aren’t always the most famous. To discover under-the-radar quality:
- Talk to local pros: Golf professionals frequently play other courses in the area and can recommend lesser-known quality tracks
- Follow course superintendents on social media: These professionals often showcase their work and conditions
- Check municipal courses in affluent areas: City-owned courses in wealthy communities often receive funding for superior maintenance
- Look for newly renovated courses: Recently upgraded facilities often offer excellent conditions before word spreads
- Explore courses with golf architects’ names attached: Even modest public courses designed by recognized architects often feature quality layouts
Searching Smart: Effective Terms
When researching local options, try these specific search phrases for better results:
- “Public golf courses near me”
- “Best value golf courses in [your city]”
- “Golf courses open to the public in [your area]”
- “Tee times near me”
- “Top-rated affordable golf near [your location]”
How to Book the Best Tee Times
Securing desirable tee times at popular courses requires strategy, especially during peak seasons and weekends.
The Early Advantage
Most premium courses release tee times 7-30 days in advance, with the most desirable morning slots filling quickly. Create calendar reminders for booking windows at sought-after courses, particularly for weekend play.
Digital Booking Platforms
Several services specialize in golf reservations:
GolfNow
The largest tee time marketplace offers “Hot Deals” with significant discounts, especially for off-peak times. Creating a free account allows you to track favorite courses and receive alerts when preferred tee times become available.
TeeOff
Owned by the PGA Tour, TeeOff frequently offers promo codes for additional discounts, typically 10-25% off already published rates.
Course Websites
Booking directly through a course’s website sometimes provides member-for-a-day packages that include range balls, cart fees, and occasionally food and beverage credits not available through third-party sites.
Insider Tips for Better Tee Times
- Consider twilight rates: Late afternoon tee times often cost 30-50% less than morning slots
- Watch for cancellations: Many courses release unpaid reservations 24-48 hours in advance
- Play during the week: Weekday rates typically run 20-30% below weekend prices
- Check weather forecasts: Uncertain weather often leads to cancellations and last-minute availability
- Join loyalty programs: Many courses and booking platforms offer reward points or preferred booking windows for regular customers
Essential Golf Gear for Your Best Round
Having the right equipment enhances your experience at top courses. Consider these essentials:
Performance Essentials
Modern Distance Golf Balls
Today’s premium balls offer combinations of distance, control, and feel impossible a decade ago. High-performance models like the Titleist Pro V1, Callaway Chrome Soft, and TaylorMade TP5 deliver tour-quality performance for serious players.
Properly Fitted Clubs
Custom fitting can add significant distance and accuracy to your game. Even budget-conscious players should consider basic fitting parameters like shaft flex, club length, and grip size when purchasing new equipment.
Quality Golf Shoes
Modern spikeless golf shoes provide excellent traction with comfort suitable for walking premium courses. Waterproof models ensure comfort regardless of early morning dew or unexpected showers.
Course Navigation Tools
Laser Rangefinders
Precise yardage information helps you select the right club with confidence. Models with slope functionality can account for elevation changes, though these aren’t permitted in tournament play.
GPS Devices and Apps
Course-specific information helps navigate unfamiliar layouts. Options range from dedicated handheld units to smartwatch apps that provide distances, hazard locations, and green contours.
Comfort and Convenience
Weather-Appropriate Apparel
Being prepared for changing conditions ensures comfort throughout your round. Layering pieces, a quality windbreaker, and sun protection are essential for enjoying top courses in varying weather.
Hydration Solutions
Premium insulated water bottles keep beverages cold throughout your round. Many courses offer water stations, but bringing your own ensures continuous hydration during play.
Conclusion: Your Journey to Great Golf
The pursuit of playing America’s best golf courses offers rewards beyond the scorecard. These exceptional venues connect us to the game’s rich traditions while showcasing the natural beauty of diverse American landscapes.
Whether you’re planning a bucket-list golf trip to Pebble Beach, discovering the hidden gem down the street, or exploring the desert wonders of Arizona golf, each round offers new challenges and memorable moments. The architectural brilliance, historical significance, and natural settings of these courses provide experiences that transcend the game itself.
We encourage you to explore courses both near and far, from accessible public gems like Rustic Canyon and Forest Park Golf Course to bucket-list destinations. Share your experiences, maintain course etiquette that preserves these treasures for future players, and embrace the journey of discovering new and exciting places to play.
What favorite local course have you discovered in your area? Which destination course tops your must-play list? Share your experiences and recommendations in the comments below—your insight might help fellow golfers discover their next memorable round.
This article is periodically updated to reflect changes in course conditions, rankings, and accessibility. Last updated: April 2025.
