The US has a golf wrap sheet that no other country can match. The spacious country is home to almost 45% of the world’s best golf courses in the US.
These range from expansive landscapes with undulating terrain to cozy venues of the Carlifonia’s coastline, Hawaii, and Florida.
Whether it is Pinehurst Golf Course in North Carolina or Nanea Golf Course in Hawaii, any golf enthusiast will quickly recognize skilled architects like Tom Faizer, and Alister MacKenzie.
Ben Crenshaw, Donald Ross, and Bill Coore meticulously plan every facet of these golf courses. In most cases, they aim to ensure a good blend of scenic beauty, challenge, and a dynamic layout to keep the golfing an engaging game.
In this article, we will look at some of the best golf courses in the US. So, if you are looking for the best golf course to put on your bucket list, then keep reading to learn more about these venues.
Some of the research came from a leading industry publication, Golf Magazine. Each year, the publication ranks the best golf courses in the US and across the world.
List of the Best Golf Courses in the US
- Pine Valley Golf Club
- Cypress Point
- Shinnecock Hills
- National Golf Links of America
- Oakmont Country Club
- Augusta National
- Sand Hills Golf Club
- Merion Golf Club
- Pebble Beach Golf Links
- Chicago Golf Club
- Los Angeles Country Club
- Pinehurst
The Best Golf Courses in the US
1. Pine Valley Golf Club
- Location: 1 E Atlantic Ave, Pine Valley, NJ 08021
- Length: 4,814 yards
- Par: 66
- Designed by: Hugh Wilson, A.W. Tillinghast, George C, and Thomas Jr
- Established: 1913
- Championships hosted: Walker Cup matches 1936 and 1985, Crump Cup annually
Pine Valley Golf Club is not only the best golf course in the US but also the world. The ultra-exclusive golf course is famous for being one of the most challenging courses in the world.
Previously, the club only allowed men to be registered as members. Women could only play on Sundays.
With a few premier members, this New Jersey club is one of the most desired golf courses in the world.
2. Cypress Point
- Location: Pebble Beach, California
- Length: 6,554 yards
- Par: 72
- Designed by: Alister macKenzie
- Established: 1928
- Championships hosted: NCAA golf events, 2021, 2025 Walker Cup
This is another well desired golf club in North America. What makes Cypress Point one of the best golf courses in the US is its stunning location.
Golfers get to play along the Pacific Ocean. It also has a few members, notably senior political figures.
The membership fees are determined by the club costs, which are divided between members.
3. Shinnecock Hills
- Location: Suffolk County, New York
- Length: 6,996 yards
- Par: 70
- Designed by: William Flynn
- Established: 1908
- Championships hosted: US Amateur and 5 US Open
Shinnecock Hills is among the best golf courses in the US and has hosted several US Opens. Unfortunately, the only way to play in this course is if you are a member or if you accompany one of the members.
The green fee is around $350 per round, and you need a caddy because walking is mandatory.
4. National Golf Links of America
- Location: 149 Sebonac Inlet Rd, Southampton, NY 11968, USA
- Length: 6,873 yards
- Par: 72
- Designed by: Charles Blair Macdonald
- Established: 1911
- Championships hosted: Curtis Cup, The Walker Cup, 2013
This is also one of the most popular golf courses in the world. It is famous for being the meeting point for Wall Street tycoons.
The New York golf course is an invite-only club and is situated on 285-acre land along the Peconic Bay.
Besides being one of the best golf courses in the US, it is also one of the most perfect golf courses of all time.
5. Oakmont Country Club
- Location: 1233 Hulton Rd, Oakmont, PA 15139, USA
- Length: 7,254 yards
- Par: 71
- Designed by: Henry Fownes and Edward Stotz
- Established: 1903
- What Championships it’s hosted: US Open 9 times, US Amateurs 6 times
This golf club is one of the oldest in the country and is famed for hosting more PGA and USGA than any golf course in America.
It also has a long history since its inception in 1903, which qualifies it as one of the oldest top-ranked golf courses in the country.
6. Augusta National
- Location: 2604 Washington Rd, Augusta, GA 30904, USA
- Length: 7,510 yards
- Par: 72
- Designed by: Bobby Jones and Dr. Alister MacKenzie
- Established: 1932
- What Championships it’s hosted: Augusta National Women’s Amateur, 2019; Master Tournament
Augusta National was once an exclusively male golf club but recently opened its doors to female golfers.
Some of the notable women who have played in this course include former banking magnate Darla Moore, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and IBM CEO Ginni Rometty.
Other notable members include Bill Gates and Warren Buffet.
7. Sand Hills Golf Club
- Location: Mullen, Nebraska
- Length: 7089 yards
- Par: 71
- Designed by: Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw
- Established: 1994
- Championships hosted: US Open
Sandy Hills Golf Club is also among the best golf courses in the US, thanks to an impressive design by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore.
The two created one of the most natural golf courses in the country. The course boasts several generous fairways and impressive bunkers.
8. Merion Golf Club
- Location: 450 Ardmore Ave, Ardmore, PA 19003, USA
- Length: 6,946 yards
- Par: 70
- Designed by: Hugh Irvine Wilson
- Established: 1896
- What Championships it’s hosted: US Open 2013; US Amateur, 2005
Merion Golf Club also has one of the best-designed golf courses in the US. The white-face bunkers feature raised lips on the back side while wicker baskets replace the flags on the greens.
9. Pebble Beach Golf Links
- Location: 1700 17 Mile Dr, Pebble Beach, CA 93953, USA
- Length: 7,075 yards
- Par: 72
- Designed by: Jack Neville and Douglas Grant
- Established: 1919
- Championships hosted: US Open 6 times in 1972, 1982, 1992, 2002, 2010, and 2019
Jack Neville and Douglas Grant designed this impressive golf course in 1919 but has since undergone several alternations, including revamping the 4th, 5th, and 7th greens.
With stunning coastal beauty, the fairways overlook the amazing Pacific Ocean. Another impressive quality besides being one of the best golf courses in the US is the fact that it is among the most difficult courses to play in.
10. Chicago Golf Club
- Location: 25W253 Warrenville Rd, Wheaton, IL 60189, USA
- Length: 6,950 yards
- Par: 70
- Designed by: Charles B. Mac Donald and Jarvis Hunt
- Established: 1894
- Championships hosted: 2 USGA Championships
Chicago Golf Club is one of the five founding members of the United States Golf Association (USGA).
It is also credited for being the country’s first 18-hole golf course. But unlike other premium golf courses, Chicago Golf Club offers a pure golfing experience without all the frills of landscape design.
11. Los Angeles Country Club
- Location: 10101 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
- Length: 7,200 yards
- Par: 72
- Designed by: Gilbert hanse, George C Thomas, Jr
- Established: 1897
- Championships hosted: Los Angeles Open (1926, 1934–1936, 1940) Walker Cup (2017) U.S. Open (2023)
This California-based golf club is built on one of the premium real estate properties in Beverly Hills. This ultra-exclusive club membership includes some of the oldest families in the US.
12. Pinehurst
- Location: Moore County, North Carolina
- Length: 7,227 yards
- Par: 72
- Designed by: Tom Fazio, Ellis Maples, Jack Nicklaus, Donald Ross, and Gil Hanse
- Established: 1895
- Championships hosted: US Open
Pinehurst is probably the most historic championship course in the country, with public access. The North Carolina club features holes with inverted saucer greens and tall longleaf pines in the Carolina Sandhills.
It also has some of the most challenging courses for pro golfers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
As mentioned earlier, the US is one of the countries in the world with the best golf courses. It also has a large number of golf courses, spread across different states. Since it is an ever-changing number, we cannot single out the exact number.
Nonetheless, the best estimate is that there are around 15,000 golf courses in the US. Arizona, California, and Florida lead the way with each having over 1000 golf courses.
The cost of a golf holiday in the US will vary as there are different factors to consider. First, the cost will include a return flight from your location, an average of five nights, and at least three rounds of golf.
When it comes to green fees, the cost varies significantly based on the type of course you choose. It can start as low as $50 to over $500 at top-rated golf courses. Another consideration is the state you are visiting, as prices will vary by state.
In most cases, the lowest prices will be between June and September with higher costs from October to May. This is the time that golf is popular in the country.
Most golf courses reserve advance tee times for members and sometimes guests. Some of the best golf courses in the US like Pinehurst have a resort, where guests can play golf on its courses.
With that said, there are golf courses with public access that allow general golfers to book a tee time, but they have to do it in advance like a week or even a month before the desired play date.
Final Words
There are plenty of fantastic golf courses in the US, but these are the ones we recommend above all others.
Though narrow, our list spans not only a wide range of green fees but also the bread of American Geography.
Some of the best golf courses in the US like Pine Valley Golf Club and Shinnecock Hills offer the best golfing experience in all aspects.
And if you want the best course with public access, then you should consider Pinehurst.
Pine Valley Golf Club
Pine Valley Golf Club is not only the best golf course in the US but also the world. The ultra-exclusive golf course is famous for being one of the most challenging courses in the world.
Previously, the club only allowed men to be registered as members. Women could only play on Sundays.
With a few premier members, this New Jersey club is one of the most desired golf courses in the world.
- Location: 1 E Atlantic Ave, Pine Valley, NJ 08021
- Length: 4,814 yards
- Par: 66
- Designed by: Hugh Wilson, A.W. Tillinghast, George C, and Thomas Jr
- Established: 1913
- Championships hosted: Walker Cup matches 1936 and 1985, Crump Cup annually
