Welcome to the Golfweek’s Best 2023 list of the Top 100 Best Courses You Can Play in the U.S. Each year, we publish many lists, with this selection of public-access layouts 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.
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 2022 ranking in parenthesis in the title line, its average rating next to the name, the location, the year it opened and the designers.
KEY: (m) modern, built in 1960 or after; (c) classic, built before 1960. 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.
More Golfweek’s Best
- Best public-access courses in each state
- Top private courses in each state
- Top 200 Modern Courses in U.S.
- Top 200 Classic Courses in U.S.
- Top 200 Resort Courses
Nos. 1-25: Public-access courses in the U.S.
1. Pebble Beach Resorts (Pebble Beach Golf Links) (1) 8.75
Pebble Beach, Calif.; Douglas Grant, Jack Neville (10c)
2. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Pacific Dunes) (2) 8.57
Bandon, Ore.; Tom Doak (T2m)
3. Pinehurst (No. 2) (3) 8.27
Pinehurst, N.C.; Donald Ross (17c)
4. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Old Macdonald) (4) 8.14
Bandon, Ore.; Tom Doak, Jim Urbina (7m)
5. Kohler Whistling Straits (Straits) (5) 8.11
Mosel, Wis.; Pete Dye (9m)
6. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Bandon Dunes) (6) 8.05
Bandon, Ore.; David McLay Kidd (10m)
7. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Bandon Trails) (7) 8.03
Bandon, Ore.; Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw (T11m)
8. Shadow Creek (8) 7.98
North Las Vegas, Nev.; Tom Fazio (13m)
9. Kiawah Island Golf Resort (Ocean) (9) 7.97
Kiawah Island, S.C.; Pete Dye (14m)
10. Bethpage State Park (Black) (10) 7.95
Farmingdale, N.Y.; A.W. Tillinghast (26c)
11. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Sheep Ranch) (12) 7.80
Bandon, Ore.; Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw (T19m)
12. Pasatiempo (13) 7.77
Santa Cruz, Calif.; Alister MacKenzie (T37c)
13. TPC Sawgrass (Players Stadium) (11) 7.74
Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.; Pete Dye (24m)
T14. Pebble Beach Resorts (Spyglass Hill) (14) 7.66
Pebble Beach, Calif.; Robert Trent Jones Sr. (m)
T14. Landmand* 7.66
Homer, Neb.; Tad King, Rob Collins (T27m)
16. Four Seasons Resort Lanai (Manele) (T15) 7.60
Lanai, Hawaii; Jack Nicklaus (T33m)
17. Sand Valley (Mammoth Dunes) (T15) 7.59
Nekoosa, Wis.; David McLay Kidd (36m)
18. Sand Valley (Sand Valley) (17) 7.54
Nekoosa, Wis.; Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw (37m)
19. Streamsong (Red) (T18) 7.50
Bowling Green, Fla.; Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw (T38m)
20. Kapalua (Plantation) (T18) 7.49
Maui, Hawaii; Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw (40m)
21. Chambers Bay (23) 7.47
University Place, Wash.; Robert Trent Jones Jr., Bruce Charlton, Jay Blasi (42m)
22. Gamble Sands (T20) 7.38
Brewster, Wash.; David McLay Kidd (T48m)
23. Lawsonia (Links) (T20) 7.33
Green Lake, Wis.; William B. Langford, Theodore J. Moreau (68c)
24. Streamsong (Blue) (24) 7.32
Bowling Green, Fla.; Tom Doak (T54m)
25. Streamsong (Black) (22) 7.30
Bowling Green, Fla.; Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner (T57m)
Nos. 26-50: Public-access courses in the U.S.
26. Sea Pines Resort (Harbour Town GL) (25) 7.29
Hilton Head Island, S.C.; Pete Dye (T60m)
27. Arcadia Bluffs (Bluffs) (T26) 7.25
Arcadia, Mich.; Warren Henderson, Rick Smith (65m)
28. Erin Hills (29) 7.24
Erin, Wis.; Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry, Ron Whitten (T66m)
29. Fallen Oak (28) 7.20
Saucier, Miss.; Tom Fazio (75m)
30. Sea Island (Seaside) (32) 7.19
St. Simons Island, Ga.; Charles H. Alison, Harry S. Colt, Joe Lee, Tom Fazio (T76m)
31. Karsten Creek (31) 7.16
Stillwater, Okla.; Tom Fazio (T81m)
32. Sweetens Cove (T26) 7.15
South Pittsburg, Tenn.; Tad King, Rob Collins (85m)
T33. Prairie Club (Dunes) (30) 7.13
Valentine, Neb.; Tom Lehman, Chris Brands (T88m)
T33. Primland (Highland) (33) 7.13
Meadows of Dan, Va.; Donald Steel (T88m)
35. Omni Homestead Resort (Cascades) (39) 7.08
Hot Springs, Va.; William S. Flynn (T97c)
36. Pinehurst (No. 4) (T34) 7.07
Pinehurst, N.C.; Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner (T94m)
37. Mystic Creek (38) 7.01
El Dorado, Ark.; Ken Dye (m)
38. Marquette GC (Greywalls) (T34) 6.99
Marquette, Mich.; Mike Devries (107m)
39. Torrey Pines (South) (38) 6.98
San Diego, Calif.; William F. Bell, Rees Jones (T111c)
40. Wild Horse (41) 6.97
Gothenburg, Neb.; Dave Axland, Dan Proctor (T109m)
41. Wine Valley (T46) 6.95
Walla Walla, Wash.; Dan Hixson (T111m)
42. Forest Dunes (The Loop Red & Black) (T43) 6.93
Roscommon, Mich.; Tom Doak (T114m)
T43. Mossy Oak (40) 6.92
West Point, Miss.; Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner (T117m)
T43. Silvies Valley Ranch (Hankins) (44) 6.92
Seneca, Ore.; Dan Hixson (T117m)
45. Kohler Blackwolf Run (River) (T43) 6.91
Kohler, Wis.; Pete Dye (T124m)
46. Yocha Dehe at Cache Creek Casino (T69) 6.90
Brooks, Calif.; Brad Bell (m)
T47. Mid Pines (T46) 6.89
Southern Pines, N.C.; Donald Ross, Kyle Franz (T124c)
T47. Giants Ridge (Quarry) (50) 6.89
Biwabik, Minn.; Jeff Brauer (T130m)
T49. Sand Hollow (Championship) (T55) 6.86
Hurricane, Utah; John Fought, Andy Staples (T140m)
T49. Paako Ridge (48) 6.86
Sandia Park, N.M.; Ken Dye (T140m)
Nos. 51-75: Public-access courses in the U.S.
T51. Big Cedar Lodge (Ozarks National) (49) 6.83
Hollister, Mo.; Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw (T151m)
T51. French Lick Resort (Pete Dye) (T51) 6.83
French Lick, Ind.; Pete Dye (T151m)
53. Lajitas Golf Resort (Black Jack’s Crossing) (53) 6.82
Lajitas, Texas; Lanny Wadkins (T154m)
T54. The Greenbrier (Old White) (55) 6.81
White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.; Charles Blair Macdonald, Seth Raynor, Lester George (134c)
T54. Minot CC* 6.81
Minot, N.D.; Jim Engh (m)
56. Cascata (T65) 6.80
Boulder City, Nev.; Rees Jones (T160m)
57. Silvies Valley Ranch (Craddock) (T57) 6.78
Seneca, Ore.; Dan Hixson (T166m)
58. Rustic Canyon (58) 6.77
Moorpark, Calif.; Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner, Geoff Shackelford (T170m)
59. The Dunes Golf & Beach Club (59) 6.74
Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Robert Trent Jones Sr. (T146c)
T60. Forest Dunes (Weiskopf) (60) 6.73
Roscommon, Mich.; Tom Weiskopf (T179m)
T60. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel GC (64) 6.73
Kohala Coast, Hawaii; Robert Trent Jones Sr., Rees Jones (T179m)
T62. Pine Needles (T62) 6.72
Southern Pines, N.C.; Donald Ross, John Fought, Kyle Franz (T151c)
T62. Leatherstocking (T91) 6.72
Cooperstown, N.Y.; Devereux Emmet (151c)
64. Firestone (South)* 6.71
Akron, Ohio; Bert Way, Robert Trent Jones Sr. (T156c)
65. Caledonia Golf & Fish Club (61) 6.70
Pawleys Island, S.C.; Michael Strantz (183m)
T66. Kohler Whistling Straits (Irish) (T67) 6.68
Mosel, Wis.; Pete Dye (T187m)
T66. Keswick Hall and GC (Full Cry) (T62) 6.68
Keswick, Va.; Pete Dye (T187m)
T66. Golden Horseshoe (Gold) (T67) 6.68
Williamsburg, Va.; Robert Trent Jones Sr., Rees Jones, Greg Muirhead (T187m)
T66. Cog Hill GC (No. 4 – Dubsdread) (T55) 6.68
Lemont, Ill.; Dick Wilson, Rees Jones (T187m)
T70. Rams Hill (72) 6.67
Borrego Springs, Calif.; Tom Fazio (T192m)
T70. Bay Hill Club & Lodge (T73) 6.67
Orlando, Fla.; Dick Wilson, Arnold Palmer (T192m)
T72. Pebble Beach Resorts (Links at Spanish Bay) (T78) 6.65
Pebble Beach, Calif.; Robert Trent Jones Jr., Sandy Tatum, Tom Watson (T199m)
T72. Linville GC (T65) 6.65
Linville, N.C.; Donald Ross (164c)
74. Hawktree (72) 6.64
Bismarck, N.D.; Jim Engh (m)
T75. CordeValle (T85) 6.62
San Martin, Calif.; Robert Trent Jones Jr. (m)
T75. Links of North Dakota (42) 6.62
Ray, N.D.; Stephen Kay (m)
Nos. 76-100: Public-access courses in the U.S.
T77. Big Cedar Lodge (Buffalo Ridge) (T82) 6.61
Hollister, Mo.; Tom Fazio (m)
T77. Princeville (Makai) (75) 6.61
Princeville, Hawaii; Robert Trent Jones Jr. (m)
T79. Old Waverly* 6.60
West Point, Miss.; Bob Cupp, Jerry Pate (m)
T79. Tobacco Road (T76) 6.60
Sanford, N.C.; Michael Strantz (m)
T79. We-Ko-Pa (Saguaro) (79) 6.60
Fort McDowell, Ariz.; Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw (m)
T82. Reynolds Lake Oconee (Great Waters) (T82) 6.59
Greensboro, Ga.; Jack Nicklaus (m)
T82. Pumpkin Ridge (Ghost Creek) (T88) 6.59
North Plains, Ore.; Bob Cupp, John Fought (m)
T82. Redlands Mesa (T94) 6.59
Grand Junction, Colo.; Jim Engh (m)
T82. Cape Cod National* 6.59
Brewster, Mass.; Brian Silva (m)
86. Red Sky (Fazio) (T73) 6.58
Wolcott, Colo.; Tom Fazio (m)
T87. Wolf Creek* 6.57
Mesquite, Nev.; John Rider, Dennis Rider (m)
T87. Wickenburg Ranch (Big Wick) (T88) 6.57
Wickenburg, Ariz.; Wendell Pickett, Bill Brownlee (m)
T87. Crosswater Club (Crosswater) (T69) 6.57
Sunriver, Ore.; Bob Cupp, John Fought (m)
T90. Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point (T91) 6.56
New York, N.Y.; Jack Nicklaus, John Sanford (m)
T90. Prairie Club (Pines) (T88) 6.56
Valentine, Neb.; Graham Marsh (m)
T90. Jimmie Austin GC at the University of Oklahoma* 6.56
Norman, Okla.; Perry Maxwell, Bob Cupp, Tripp Davis (T172c)
T93. Big Cedar Lodge (Payne’s Valley)* 6.54
Hollister, Mo.; Tiger Woods (m)
T93. Trump National Doral Miami (Blue Monster) (T85) 6.54
Miami, Fla.; Dick Wilson, Gil Hanse (m)
T93. Quintero (T94) 6.54
Peoria, Ariz.; Rees Jones (m)
T93. Pursell Farms (FarmLinks) (T78) 6.54
Sylacauga, Ala.; Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry (m)
T93. Omni Barton Creek (Fazio Canyons)* 6.54
Austin, Texas; Tom Fazio (m)
T98. SentryWorld (T94) 6.53
Stevens Point, Wis.; Robert Trent Jones Jr., Bruce Charlton, Jay Blasi (m)
T98. Rawls Course at Texas Tech (93) 6.53
Lubbock, Texas; Tom Doak (m)
100. PGA National (Champion)* 6.52
Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; Tom Fazio, George Fazio, Jack Nicklaus (m)
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Golfweek operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
