The Top 10 Best Golf Courses In The US
Finding the perfect golf course can be a challenge. But, as luck would have it, we’ve compiled a list of the top ten best golf courses in the country. For all the golf lovers out there, this is one list you won’t want to miss.
10 Best Golf Courses In The US
1. Pine Valley Golf Club
(George Crump and H.S. Colt 1918; Clementon, New Jersey)
The PGA Tour has referred to Pine Valley as”the best test of golf” and “one of the finest in the world.” Golf Digest ranked it number 1 in the United States.
The course sits on a 500-acre site, which was once owned by John Cox Stevens, who also had Gullane near Aberdeen built. The course was designed by George Crump and Harry Colt. Most holes have gentle undulations; however, there are plenty of ups and downs that add to the challenge.
“One of the finest in the world” does not go unappreciated. Pine Valley is a must-play for all golfers, no matter what skill level.
2. Cypress Point Golf Club
(Dr. Alister MacKenzie 1928; Pebble Beach, California)
Consistently voted as the world’s greatest golf course for its amazing views of the Pacific Ocean, the scenery at Cypress Point is enough to make even a seasoned golfer feel faint. There are lots of bunkers and small water hazards to deal with, but it’s arguably the best golf experience in California.
The daunting but awe-inspiring Cypress course is ranked number 2 on this list, but we’re sure it’s worth it. If you haven’t been to Cypress Point before, then use this article as a chance to plan your vacation. You’ll be calling us insane for not putting this at the top of the list.
3. National Golf Links of America
(C.B. Macdonald 1908; Southampton, New York)
Cypress Point is the third place holder on this list, but the course at National Golf Links of America is just as awe-inspiring. The course at National Golf links was ranked number 1 by Sports Illustrated much time in the past.
Also, joining Cypress Point and Cypress Point, this is the only golf course in America that includes both oceanfront and inland links. With four courses to play on, you’re bound to find one that suits your style of play or your wife’s.
4. Pebble Beach Golf Links
(Jack Neville and Douglas Grant 1919; Pebble Beach, California)
If you’re going to be in the area, then Pebble Beach is a must-play. So, if we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a million times: if you’re going to play golf in California, play at Pebble Beach.
Since it was designed for the U.S. Open Golf Championships of 1923 and now is one of five courses played at Pebble Beach Resorts in Monterey Peninsula County, this proves that this course has stood the test of time and really can stand up against some of the greatest golf courses in America.
5. Fishers Island Club
(Seth Raynor 1926; Southold, New York)
This golf course is ranked fifth on this list for many reasons. One of the most notable reasons is that it was ranked number one on Golf Magazine’s top 100 courses outside the United States. It was also voted New England’s best golf course in 1992 and 1993 by a Newsday poll.
Although moderately difficult, it’s considered an enjoyable course to play on. And with Seth Raynor as the mastermind behind the design, you know this course is going to be a great one.
6. Oakmont Country Club
(Henry Fownes 1904; Oakmont, Pennsylvania)
Oakmont is also the site of the U.S. Open tournament, which was previously broadcast on NBC for over half a century, decades before the network ever got into broadcast golf coverage, and now hosts The Busch Series and is set to host the senior PGA tour in 2007.
Oakmont is known as a “tough but fair” course that requires strategic excellence from even the best players (in fact, in 2006, Oakmont was ranked as one of the toughest courses in America by Golf Digest).
The famous hole known as the “Road Hole” (which is also known as “Oak Tree”, “Oakmont Par 3”, and “No. 4”) requires a tee shot into a small, serpentine fairway that hugs the side of a mountain and offers an amazing view of the neighboring course, yet makes for some of the best scores in championship golf.
Other holes include 2nd (the infamous “Devil’s Elbow”), 3rd (the infamous “Giant Steps”), and 4th (the notorious “Devil’s Elbow”). The course is also renowned for breathtaking views of the Alleghenies on 5 and 6.
7. Merion Golf Club
(East) (Hugh Wilson 1912; Ardmore, Pennsylvania)
Merion was the site for the second round of 2006’s U.S. Open and, like Oakmont, is considered one of golf’s most difficult layouts. After finishing up in the clubhouse after his second round at Merion in 2007 (with a score of 71), Tiger Woods proclaimed, “I’m a proud member of the 76 clubs.”
The course was meticulously designed by Philadelphia architect Hugh Wilson, who incorporated three sets of tees which are used when the U.S. Open is held at Merion. The longest tees (which are used for U.S. Open play) reach the length of 7,060 yards!
Merion features a monster par-5 at 16, called “Horseshoe,” which is one of the most difficult holes in all of golf.
At 647 yards, the hole is over three times as long as its sibling par-5’s in the world, and many players believe it’s even harder than the legendary 17th at Augusta National (which has been described as “a horseshoe with teeth”).
8. Shinnecock Hills Golf Club
(William Flynn 1937 (Willie Davis 1891, C.B. Macdonald and Seth Raynor 1901); Southampton, New York)
The Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, Southampton, New York (Map 3), is situated on the eastern shore of eastern Long Island at the northern end of Shinnecock Bay (Map 6). This links to Great Peconic Bay.
The west face of Shinnecock Hills is not a rocky ridge, but it does have a small rock outcrop; there is no sea cliff on the east side. The “hill” was originally an Indian mound that was used for several centuries before European settlement.
The layout of the course was designed by Willie Davis in 1891 and made its first public appearance in 1901 when C.B. Macdonald and Seth Raynor re-designed the course. It was acquired by the USGA in 1925, and it was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1965.
9. Bandon Dunes
(David McLay Kidd 1999; Bandon, Oregon)
The Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Oregon, is one of America’s newest and most exciting destination courses. The designer of the course was David McLay Kidd, but the course was purchased by a group of Australian investors who wanted to recreate the best links golf courses in Great Britain.
Bandon Dunes is located on Siletz Bay, an offshoot of the Pacific Ocean. The course features over 220 acres of classic green grasses, including bent grass tees and greens, as well as over 400 bunkers.
The signature holes at Bandon Dunes include the par-3 eighth hole called “Pacific Dunes,” which extends more than 300 yards out over an ocean cove. The sixth hole was once the longest hole in the world until it was surpassed by many newer courses.
The famous “Eagle” hole is a downhill dogleg par-3 on the golf course’s front nine with water on both sides of the greens.
10. Pacific Dunes
(Tom Doak 2001; Bandon, Oregon)
The Pacific Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Oregon, is one of America’s newest and most exciting destination courses. The designer of the course was Tom Doak, but the course was purchased by a group of Australian investors who wanted to recreate the best links golf courses in Great Britain.
Pacific Dunes is located on Siletz Bay, an offshoot of the Pacific Ocean. The course features over 220 acres of classic green grasses, including bent grass tees and greens, as well as over 400 bunkers.
The signature holes at Bandon Dunes include the par-3 eighth hole called “Pacific Dunes,” which extends more than 300 yards out over an ocean cove. The sixth hole was once the longest hole in the world until it was surpassed by many newer courses.
The famous “Eagle” hole is a downhill dogleg par-3 on the golf course’s front nine with water on both sides of the greens.
Pacific Dunes is not only home to America’s best new course but also one of its most beautiful. The magnificent setting is unparalleled in golf and has been described as “Adirondack meets Hawaii.”
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Who owns Pine Valley?
Pine Valley is owned by the Pine Valley Golf Club, Inc., and they have a 355 member roster.
2. How did Pine Valley get so famous?
In the 1990s, property developer Martin Stern bought the entire course and was able to transform it into one of the most remarkable estates in golf.
3. What is the cost to play Pine Valley? How much is a year’s membership?
The clubhouse at Pine Valley has two dining rooms that offer continental cuisine before and after you play the course.
The basic membership runs between $35,000 – $100,000 (club memberships can be had for as little as $15,000), depending on whether or not you have single or multiple memberships attached to your account and whether or not you live in a permanent residence within 25 miles of the clubhouse at Pinewoods.
4. Who owns Cypress Point?
Cypress Point is owned by California Pacific Properties, Inc., a real estate investment firm headquartered in Los Angeles, California.
5. Who owns Pebble Beach?
Pebble Beach Golf Links is owned and operated by Pebble Beach Company, which is a subsidiary of the Ogden Corporation.
6. Is Pebble Beach a public course or a private club?
Pebble Beach is a private club, but through a relationship with the USGA, it hosts many public events throughout the year.
7. How much does it cost to play Pebble Beach?
The basic annual membership fee to play Pebble Beach is $650.
8. Who owns Shinnecock Hills?
The Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, Southampton, New York (Map 3), is owned by the Shinnecock Indian Nation, which bought it in 1891 from local residents to keep it from being developed into farmland to raise cattle.
9. Who owns Merion?
Merion Golf Club (East) (Hugh Wilson 1912; Ardmore, Pennsylvania), was designed by Philadelphia architect Hugh Wilson when it was called “Ardmore Country Club.” It was acquired by the USGA in 1925 as a U.S. Open venue and was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1965.
10. Who owns Bandon Dunes?
The Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Oregon, is one of America’s newest and most exciting destination courses. The designer of the course was David McLay Kidd, but the course was purchased by a group of Australian investors who wanted to recreate the best links golf courses in Great Britain.
Read about some of the best golf courses in the world here.
