Looking to play any of the best public-access courses in the United States? We’ve got you covered with Golfweek’s Best 2024 list of the Top 100 Best Courses You Can Play.
Each year we publish many lists, and this selection of public-access layouts is among the premium offerings. The hundreds of members of our course-ratings panel continually evaluate courses and rate them based on 10 criteria on a points basis of 1 through 10. They also file a single, overall rating on each course. Those overall ratings are averaged to produce these rankings. The top handful of courses in the world have an average rating of above 9, while many excellent layouts fall into the high-6 to 8 range.
- Top public-access course in each state
- How we rank courses
All the courses on this list allow public access in some fashion, be it standard daily green fees, through a resort or by staying at an affiliated hotel. If there’s a will, there’s a tee time.
Each course is listed with its 2023 ranking in parenthesis in the title line with its average rating next to the name, the location, the designer(s) and whether it is a Classic course (opened before 1960) or Modern (1960 and later).
KEY: (m) modern; (c) classic. For courses with a number preceding the (m) or (c), that is where the course ranks on Golfweek’s Best lists for top 200 Modern or Classic courses in the U.S.
* Indicates new to or returning to this list.
Nos. 1-20
Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina (Copyright USGA/John Mummert)
1. Pebble Beach Resorts (Pebble Beach Golf Links) (1) 8.75
Pebble Beach, Calif.; Jack Neville, Douglas Grant (10c)
Book your trip to Pebble Beach today
2. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Pacific Dunes) (2) 8.52
Bandon, Ore.; Tom Doak (3m)
3. Pinehurst No. 2 (3) 8.27
Pinehurst, N.C.; Donald Ross (18c)
T4. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Old Macdonald) (4) 8.10
Bandon, Ore.; Tom Doak, Jim Urbina (T8m)
T4. Kohler Whistling Straits (Straits) (5) 8.10
Mosel, Wis.; Pete Dye (T8m)
6. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Bandon Trails) (7) 8.07
Bandon, Ore.; Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw (11m)
7. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Bandon Dunes) (6) 8.03
Bandon, Ore.; David McLay Kidd (12m)
8. Shadow Creek (8) 7.98
North Las Vegas, Nev.; Tom Fazio (13m)
9. Bethpage State Park (Black) (10) 7.97
Farmingdale, N.Y.; A.W. Tillinghast (26c)
10. Kiawah Island Golf Resort (Ocean) (9) 7.95
Kiawah Island, S.C.; Pete Dye (14m)
Book your trip to the Ocean Course today
11. Pasatiempo (12) 7.82
Santa Cruz, Calif.; Alister MacKenzie (36c)
12. TPC Sawgrass (Players Stadium) (13) 7.76
Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.; Pete Dye (22m)
Book your trip to TPC Sawgrass today
T13. Pebble Beach Resorts (Spyglass Hill) (14) 7.71
Pebble Beach, Calif.; Robert Trent Jones Sr. (T24m)
T13. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Sheep Ranch) (11) 7.71
Bandon, Ore.; Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw (T24m)
15. Sand Valley (Lido)* 7.63
Nekoosa, Wis.; Charles Blair Macdonald, Tom Doak, Brian Schneider (32m)
16. Four Seasons Resort Lanai (Manele) (16) 7.60
Lanai, Hawaii; Jack Nicklaus (35m)
17. Sand Valley (Mammoth Dunes) (17) 7.55
Nekoosa, Wis.; David McLay Kidd (36m)
T18. Sand Valley (Sand Valley) (18) 7.51
Nekoosa, Wis.; Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw (T37m)
T18. Streamsong (Red) (19) 7.51
Bowling Green, Fla.; Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw (T37m)
T20. Landmand (14) 7.49
Homer, Neb.; Tad King, Rob Collins (T40m)
T20. Chambers Bay (21) 7.49
University Place, Wash.; Robert Trent Jones Jr., Bruce Charlton, Jay Blasi (T40m)
T20. Kapalua (Plantation) (20) 7.49
Maui, Hawaii; Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw (T40m)
Nos. 21-40
Gamble Sands in Washington (Courtesy of Gamble Sands/Brian Oar)
23. Gamble Sands (22) 7.40
Brewster, Wash.; David McLay Kidd (T49m)
24. Streamsong (Blue) (24) 7.36
Bowling Green, Fla.; Tom Doak (T53m)
25. Lawsonia (Links) (23) 7.35
Green Lake, Wis.; William B. Langford, Theodore J. Moreau (T66c)
26. Sea Pines Resort (Harbour Town GL) (26) 7.31
Hilton Head Island, S.C.; Pete Dye (59m)
Book your trip to Harbour Town today
27. Erin Hills (28) 7.30
Erin, Wis.; Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry, Ron Whitten (T60m)
28. Streamsong (Black) (25) 7.26
Bowling Green, Fla.; Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner (T67m)
T29. Sea Island GC (Seaside) (30) 7.23
St. Simons Island, Ga.; Charles H. Alison, Harry S. Colt, Joe Lee, Tom Fazio (T71m)
T29. The Park West Palm* 7.23
West Palm Beach, Fla.; Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner (T71m)
31. Arcadia Bluffs (Bluffs) (27) 7.20
Arcadia, Mich.; Warren Henderson, Rick Smith (T77m)
32. Black Desert Resort* 7.19
Ivins, Utah; Tom Weiskopf, Phil Smith (81m)
T33. Karsten Creek (31) 7.17
Stillwater, Okla.; Tom Fazio (T83m)
T33. Fallen Oak (29) 7.17
Saucier, Miss.; Tom Fazio (T83m)
35. Sweetens Cove (32) 7.14
South Pittsburg, Tenn.; Tad King, Rob Collins (90m)
36. Primland (Highland) (33) 7.11
Meadows of Dan, Va.; Donald Steel (T92m)
T37. Prairie Club (Dunes) (33) 7.10
Valentine, Neb.; Tom Lehman, Chris Brands (94m)
T37. Omni Homestead Resort (Cascades) (35) 7.10
Hot Springs, Va.; William S. Flynn (T98c)
39. Pinehurst No. 4 (36) 7.08
Pinehurst, N.C.; Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner (95m)
40. Marquette GC (Greywalls) (38) 7.01
Marquette, Mich.; Mike Devries (T107m)
Nos. 41-60
Forest Dunes’ The Loop (Red and Black) in Michigan (Jason Lusk/Golfweek)
41. Wild Horse (40) 6.99
Gothenburg, Neb.; Dave Axland, Dan Proctor (113m)
42. Torrey Pines (South) (39) 6.96
San Diego, Calif.; William F. Bell, Rees Jones (T116c)
Book your trip to Torrey Pines today
43. Mystic Creek (37) 6.95
El Dorado, Ark.; Ken Dye (m)
T44. Giants Ridge (Quarry) (47) 6.94
Biwabik, Minn.; Jeff Brauer (T122m)
T44. Silvies Valley Ranch (Hankins) (43) 6.94
Seneca, Ore.; Dan Hixson (T122m)
46. Mossy Oak (43) 6.93
West Point, Miss.; Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner (T129m)
T47. Forest Dunes (The Loop Red & Black) (42) 6.91
Roscommon, Mich.; Tom Doak (T134m)
T47. Wine Valley (41) 6.91
Walla Walla, Wash.; Dan Hixson (T134m)
49. PaaKo Ridge (49) 6.90
Sandia Park, N.M.; Ken Dye (T138m)
T50. Lajitas Golf Resort (Black Jack’s Crossing) (53) 6.88
Lajitas, Texas; Lanny Wadkins (T143m)
T50. Kohler Blackwolf Run (River) (45) 6.88
Kohler, Wis.; Pete Dye (T143m)
T52. Mid Pines (47) 6.87
Southern Pines, N.C.; Donald Ross, Kyle Franz (T131c)
Book your trip to Mid Pines today
T52. Rustic Canyon (58) 6.87
Moorpark, Calif.; Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner, Geoff Shackelford (T147m)
54. Sand Hollow (Championship) (49) 6.85
Hurricane, Utah; John Fought, Andy Staples (T154m)
T55. Yocha Dehe at Cache Creek Casino (46) 6.82
Brooks, Calif.; Brad Bell (m)
T55. French Lick Resort (Pete Dye) (51) 6.82
French Lick, Ind.; Pete Dye (T167m)
T55. The Greenbrier (Old White) (54) 6.82
White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.; Charles Blair Macdonald, Seth Raynor, Lester George (140c)
T55. Big Cedar Lodge (Ozarks National) (51) 6.82
Hollister, Mo.; Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw (T167m)
59. Minot CC (54) 6.81
Minot, N.D.; Jim Engh (m)
60. Silvies Valley Ranch (Craddock) (57) 6.80
Seneca, Ore.; Dan Hixson (T173m)
Nos. 61-80
Princeville Makai in Hawaii (Courtesy of Princeville Makai)
61. Mauna Kea (60) 6.79
Kohala Coast, Hawaii; Robert Trent Jones Sr., Rees Jones (T176m)
62. Princeville (Makai) (77) 6.76
Princeville, Hawaii; Robert Trent Jones Jr. (T184m)
T63. Caledonia Golf & Fish Club (65) 6.75
Pawleys Island, S.C.; Michael Strantz (T187m)
Book your trip to Caledonia today
T63. Omni PGA Frisco Resort (Fields Ranch East)* 6.75
Frisco, Texas; Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner (T187m)
T65. The Dunes Golf & Beach Club (59) 6.74
Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Robert Trent Jones Sr., Rees Jones (154c)
T65. Golden Horseshoe (Gold) (66) 6.74
Williamsburg, Va.; Robert Trent Jones Sr., Rees Jones, Greg Muirhead (T190m)
67. Pine Needles (62) 6.71
Southern Pines, N.C.; Donald Ross, John Fought, Kyle Franz (T156c)
Book your trip to Pine Needles today
T68. Forest Dunes (Weiskopf) (60) 6.70
Roscommon, Mich.; Tom Weiskopf (T196m)
T68. Cascata (56) 6.70
Boulder City, Nev.; Rees Jones (T196m)
Book your trip to Cascata today
T70. Big Cedar Lodge (Buffalo Ridge) (77) 6.68
Hollister, Mo.; Tom Fazio (m)
T70. Keswick Hall and GC (Full Cry) (66) 6.68
Keswick, Va.; Pete Dye (m)
72. Hawktree (74) 6.67
Bismarck, N.D.; Jim Engh (m)
T73. CordeValle (75) 6.66
San Martin, Calif.; Robert Trent Jones Jr. (m)
T73. Pebble Beach Resorts (Links at Spanish Bay) (72) 6.66
Pebble Beach, Calif.; Robert Trent Jones Jr., Sandy Tatum, Tom Watson (m)
Book your trip to Pebble Beach today
T73. Cog Hill (No. 4 – Dubsdread) (66) 6.66
Lemont, Ill.; Dick Wilson, Rees Jones (m)
T73. Rams Hill (70) 6.66
Borrego Springs, Calif.; Tom Fazio (m)
77. Leatherstocking (62) 6.65
Cooperstown, N.Y.; Devereux Emmet (T161c)
T78. Firestone (South) (64) 6.64
Akron, Ohio; Bert Way, Robert Trent Jones Sr. (T165c)
T78. Bay Hill Club and Lodge (70) 6.64
Orlando, Fla.; Dick Wilson, Arnold Palmer (m)
Book your trip to Bay Hill today
T78. Kohler Whistling Straits (Irish) (66) 6.64
Mosel, Wis.; Pete Dye (m)
Nos. 81-100
PGA National’s Champion Course in Florida (Courtesy of PGA National)
T81. Old Waverly (79) 6.63
West Point, Miss.; Bob Cupp, Jerry Pate (m)
T81. Hideout* 6.63
Monticello, Utah; Forrest Richardson (m)
T83. Pumpkin Ridge (Ghost Creek) (82) 6.62
North Plains, Ore.; Bob Cupp, John Fought (m)
T83. Tobacco Road (79) 6.62
Sanford, N.C.; Michael Strantz (m)
Book your trip to Tobacco Road today
T83. Redlands Mesa (82) 6.62
Grand Junction, Colo.; Jim Engh (m)
T83. Links of North Dakota (75) 6.62
Ray, N.D.; Stephen Kay (m)
T87. Arcadia Bluffs (South)* 6.60
Arcadia, Mich.; Dana Fry, Jason Straka (m)
T87. We-Ko-Pa (Saguaro) (79) 6.60
Fort McDowell, Ariz.; Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw (m)
T89. Cape Cod National (82) 6.59
Brewster, Mass.; Brian Silva (m)
T89. Reynolds Lake Oconee (Great Waters) (82) 6.59
Greensboro, Ga.; Jack Nicklaus (m)
T91. Breezy Point Resort (Deacon’s Lodge) 6.58
Brainerd, Minn.; Arnold Palmer (m)
T91. Madden’s on Gull Lake (Classic)* 6.58
Brainerd, Minn.; Scott Hoffman (m)
T91. Sunriver Resort (Crosswater) (87) 6.58
Sunriver, Ore.; Bob Cupp, John Fought (m)
Book your trip to Sunriver today
T94. Belvedere* 6.56
Charlevoix, Mich.; William Watson, Bruce Hepner (T178c)
T94. Big Cedar Lodge (Payne’s Valley) (93) 6.56
Hollister, Mo.; Tiger Woods (m)
T94. Red Sky (Fazio) (86) 6.56
Wolcott, Colo.; Tom Fazio (m)
T94. Prairie Club (Pines) (90) 6.56
Valentine, Neb.; Graham Marsh (m)
T94. PGA National Resort (Champion) (100) 6.56
Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; Tom Fazio, George Fazio, Jack Nicklaus (m)
Book your trip to PGA National today
T94. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai* 6.56
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii; Jack Nicklaus (m)
100. Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point (formerly Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point)* 6.55
New York, N.Y.; Jack Nicklaus, John Sanford (m)
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