Top 100 America’s Greatest Public Golf Courses

Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or planning your first bucket-list trip, here’s the ultimate ranking of America’s Top 100 Public Golf Courses, presented in reverse order. From hidden gems to legendary venues, every stop on this list offers something unforgettable.

#100 – #91: Starting the Journey

100. Bay Harbor Golf Club: Links/Quarry (MI) – Shoreline drama meets quarry-carved fairways.
99. Reynolds Lake Oconee: Great Waters (GA) – Nicklaus design blending lake views and pines.
98. Southern Pines Golf Club (NC) – Restored Donald Ross classic with timeless charm.
97. The Pfau Course at Indiana University (IN) – A modern Midwest standout.
96. Wine Valley Golf Club (WA) – Links-style course with wide fairways and firm turf.
95. TPC San Antonio (Oaks) (TX) – Host of the Valero Texas Open, built for shot-makers.
94. Big Cedar Lodge: Buffalo Ridge (MO) – Natural Ozark beauty with resort polish.
93. Quintero Golf Club (AZ) – Desert golf with stunning elevation changes.
92. Blackwolf Run: Meadow Valleys (WI) – Pete Dye’s artistry on rolling Wisconsin land.
91. Firestone CC: South Course (OH) – A storied Tour venue, now open to the public.

#90 – #81: Regional Gems & Resort Icons

90. The Prairie Club: Pines Course (NE) – Forest-lined contrast to the Dunes.
89. The Park at West Palm Beach (FL) – A bold new muni with style.
88. Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club (NC) – Ross gem known for its walkable charm.
87. Red Sky Ranch: Norman Course (CO) – Mountain golf with big vistas.
86. Trump National Doral: Blue Monster (FL) – Legendary risk-reward layout.
85. Black Mesa Golf Club (NM) – Rugged desert design with stunning scenery.
84. Wild Horse Golf Club (NE) – Affordable links experience in the Sandhills.
83. Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course (NV) – Lake Tahoe beauty with mountain backdrops.
82. Mossy Oak Golf Club (MS) – Rustic minimalist design rooted in the land.
81. Big Cedar Lodge: Payne’s Valley (MO) – Tiger Woods’ first U.S. design.

#80 – #71: Bold Layouts & Strategic Play

80. Madden's Classic at Gull Lake (MN) – Highly ranked for traditional shot values.
79. The Dunes Golf & Beach Club (SC) – A Robert Trent Jones seaside classic.
78. Taconic Golf Club (MA) – New England gem with collegiate pedigree.
77. Fields Ranch West at PGA Frisco (TX) – A new Texas powerhouse.
76. Cog Hill Dubsdread #4 (IL) – Longtime Tour favorite, punishing and fair.
75. Golden Horseshoe Gold Course (VA) – Colonial Williamsburg tradition.
74. Cascata (NV) – Desert canyon golf with a waterfall centerpiece.
73. Makai Golf Club (HI) – Kauai’s ocean views steal the show.
72. The Wilderness at Fortune Bay (MN) – Northern Minnesota beauty on Lake Vermilion.
71. Red Sky Ranch: Fazio Course (CO) – Fazio’s mountain masterpiece.

#70 – #61: Variety & Adventure

70. Tullymore Golf Resort (MI) – Dynamic design with variety in every hole.
69. Crosswater Golf Course (OR) – Scenic high-desert test.
68. The Loop: Red (MI) – Part of the only reversible course in America.
67. Wynn Golf Club (NV) – A luxury oasis on the Las Vegas Strip.
66. Lawsonia Links (WI) – Golden Age strategy reborn.
65. Whistling Straits: Irish Course (WI) – A rugged sibling to the Straits.
64. Nemacolin Mystic Rock (PA) – Lavish resort course with bold Dye design.
63. The Loop: Black (MI) – Companion to the Red, reversible brilliance.
62. PGA West: Stadium Course (CA) – Host of The American Express, pure desert drama.
61. Tetherow Golf Club (OR) – Bold bunkering and mountain vistas.

#60 – #51: Mid-List Must Plays

60. Pine Needles (NC) – Women’s U.S. Open pedigree.
59. Wolf Creek Golf Club (NV) – Extreme desert elevation changes.
58. The Quarry at Giants Ridge (MN) – Former mining site, now top-tier golf.
57. Wilderness Club (MT) – Montana’s best public layout.
56. Paako Ridge Golf Club (NM) – High desert design with sweeping views.
55. Greywalls at Marquette GC (MI) – Dramatic rock outcroppings and rugged terrain.
54. The Links at Spanish Bay (CA) – Oceanfront elegance near Pebble.
53. Arcadia Bluffs South Course (MI) – A modern strategic links.
52. CordeValle Golf Club (CA) – Luxury resort with subtle design.
51. Sedge Valley at Sand Valley (WI) – Short, strategic, and walkable.

#50 – #41: Classic Meets Contemporary

50. Cabot Citrus Farms: Karoo (FL) – A bold new design in Florida.
49. SentryWorld Golf Club (WI) – Known for its flower hole.
48. Fallen Oak (MS) – Private-style experience in Biloxi.
47. The Broadmoor East (CO) – Iconic mountain setting.
46. Big Cedar Lodge: Ozarks National (MO) – Coore & Crenshaw design excellence.
45. Sea Island Seaside (GA) – Coastal winds, traditional strategy.
44. Tobacco Road (NC) – Wild and unforgettable design.
43. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel GC (HI) – Iconic Hawaiian oceanside golf.
42. The Omni Homestead Cascades (VA) – A classic American resort course.
41. Pronghorn Club (OR) – High desert golf at its finest.

#40 – #31: Heavy Hitters

40. Torrey Pines South (CA) – U.S. Open host on the cliffs of La Jolla.
39. The Greenbrier Old White (WV) – Golden Age architecture, restored.
38. Yale Golf Course (CT) – Legendary Golden Age layout.
37. Forest Dunes (MI) – A Michigan must-play.
36. The Prairie Club: Dunes (NE) – Vast Sandhills links.
35. Black Desert Resort (UT) – New arrival with bold vision.
34. PGA Frisco Fields Ranch East (TX) – Future championship venue.
33. Streamsong Black (FL) – Expansive, bold design.
32. Pinehurst #4 (NC) – Gil Hanse’s stunning renovation.
31. Gamble Sands (WA) – Playable links fun with spectacular views.

#30 – #21: Entering Elite Territory

30. Pinehurst #10 (NC) – The newest Pinehurst adventure.
29. The Highland Course at Primland (VA) – Mountain luxury.
28. Harbour Town (SC) – Home of the RBC Heritage.
27. Sheep Ranch (OR) – Wild and rugged coastal golf.
26. Streamsong Blue (FL) – Coore & Crenshaw artistry.
25. Mammoth Dunes (WI) – Massive scale and fun factor.
24. Landmand (NE) – Huge fairways, bigger dreams.
23. Kapalua Plantation (HI) – PGA Tour season opener.
22. Manele Golf Course (HI) – Oceanfront drama on Lana’i.
21. Sand Valley (WI) – Modern links-style masterpiece.

#20 – #11: Bucket-List Territory

20. Streamsong Red (FL) – Doak’s Florida links.
19. Chambers Bay (WA) – U.S. Open host with links vibes.
18. French Lick: Pete Dye (IN) – Mountainous and bold.
17. Blackwolf Run: River (WI) – Dye’s strategic brilliance.
16. Arcadia Bluffs (MI) – Sweeping Lake Michigan views.
15. Pasatiempo (CA) – Alister MacKenzie’s living classic.
14. Old Macdonald (OR) – Tribute to links traditions.
13. Spyglass Hill (CA) – Pebble’s rugged neighbor.
12. Sand Valley: The Lido (WI) – Historic design reborn.
11. Bandon Trails (OR) – A walk through dunes and forest.

Top 10 The Greatest Public Golf Courses

10. Erin Hills (WI) – U.S. Open history on rolling terrain.
9. Bandon Dunes (OR) – The course that started it all.
8. TPC Sawgrass Stadium (FL) – Home of The Players.
7. Bethpage Black (NY) – A true test of golf.
6. Pinehurst #2 (NC) – Donald Ross’s timeless design.
5. Kiawah Island Ocean Course (SC) – Ryder Cup and PGA Championship legend.
4. Whistling Straits: Straits (WI) – Ryder Cup drama on Lake Michigan.
3. Shadow Creek (NV) – Exclusive, dramatic desert golf.
2. Pacific Dunes (OR) – Doak’s coastal masterpiece.
1. Pebble Beach Golf Links (CA) – The ultimate public golf experience.

Final Word

From hidden Midwest gems to iconic oceanside legends, this countdown proves that America’s public golf is second to none. Whether you dream of teeing it up on Pebble Beach or discovering a rustic course in Nebraska’s Sandhills, there’s something here for every golfer’s bucket list.