Introduction
It’s time, though, to abandon the cherished American tradition of weekend golf. Renowned for its combination of skill, strategy, and elegance, golf has solidified its place as a pillar in American sports culture, with prestigious events including The Masters, the U.S. Open, and the Ryder Cup generating interest across the globe. With thousands of golf courses for both amateurs and professionals, it is a golf haven for enthusiasts around the world. The top golf courses in the USA are part of these, standing out not only in a game but in a top-class experience.
This is no easy feat in a country with so many great golf courses. Many of the criteria for ranking these courses include elements like incredible design by some of the world’s most renowned architects, deep history, layouts that challenge the best players, and beauty that surrounds the player in nature. Each of these courses provides its own charm, be it a storied history or cutting-edge course design, making them the jewels of the game.
For golf lovers, these are more than courses, they are destinations that embody the spirit of the game. They offer a chance to follow in the footsteps of greats, challenge oneself on top-rate greens, tingle in the glow of golf greatness. The best golf courses in the USA are open for business whether you’re a golf fanatic or sport enthusiast.
Best Golf Courses in The USA | Top-Rated Destinations
Pine Valley Golf Club, NJ (1918)
Pine Valley Golf Club in Clementon, New Jersey, is widely considered one of the best golf courses in the world. Opened in 1918 by George Crump, this private course was meticulously built so that the golfer would be challenged at every turn. Drawing from a rich history of remarkable architectural vision from big thinkers like Harry Colt and George Thomas, the idea was to marry the ends of strategic thinking and incredible beauty, as accomplished on this soil.
This national treasure is noted for its distinctive and demanding routing, which includes rugged bunkers, thick pine forests, and hilly ground. They are not part of a course chain and are completely separate from each other, allowing players to get immersed in a different world. Woolly’s event is also legendary for its par 3 “Short Hole and one scary par 4, the 5th, known to many as the scariest hole of them all.
The reason Pine Valley is unique is because of its reputation for unparalleled difficulty and exclusivity. Its prestige is demonstrated by it often being ranked among the best in the world. While Pine Valley doesn’t host any regular professional tournaments, its Invitational Tournament is legendary, bringing the best amateurs from around the world and ensuring its place in the pantheon of golf’s elite.
Cypress Point — Pebble Beach, Calif. (1928)
Tucked along the stunning coastline at Pebble Beach, Cypress Point is an architectural gem of a golf course. This gorgeous 1928 Alister MacKenzie design is famous for its harmonious melding of natural beauty and strategic design. The design fully exploits its spectacular setting, with players enjoying views of the Pacific Ocean, the craggy cliffs, and gnarled cypress trees.
Among the many features that make Cypress Point special is its famed par-3 16th hole, which is often said to be one of the great holes in golf. This famed hole challenges guts as much as accuracy with an aggressive tee shot over a rocky ocean cove. The routing of the course also provides a rare immediacy of variety, as the holes segue seamlessly between inland dunes and coastal panoramas.
Although exclusive and often inaccessible, Cypress Point has left an indelible mark on golf. It does not host major tournaments now, but was among the original rota of the historic Crosby Clambake, now the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Its combination of natural beauty, architectural quality, and historical significance cements its place as one of the most venerated courses in the world.
Shinnecock Hills – Southampton, NY (1931)
Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, located in Southampton, New York, is one of the country’s oldest and most-pedigreed golf courses. Established in 1891, it was in fact one of the five founding clubs of the United States Golf Association (USGA). Designed in 1931 by the legendary William Flynn, it seamlessly blends classic architecture with the rolling natural terrain of Long Island.
The course is known for its challenging layout, with rolling fairways, windy conditions, and fast greens that require precision shot-making. The course’s unique links-style design — its rugged beauty often likened to that of the traditional courses of Scotland — retains a decidedly American feel. Shinnecock Hills is renowned for its picturesque views of the Peconic Bay, providing a tranquil but challenging experience for golfers.
Shinnecock Hills has hosted several big tournaments over the years, including five U.S. Opens, the most recent in 2018. With a storied history, demanding design, and stunning scenery, it stands as a timeless testament to the best in golf.
National Golf Links of America – Southampton, N.Y. (1911)
National Golf Links of America Southampton, New York Designed by Charles Blair Macdonald. Founded in 1911, this design was inspired by the great links courses of the United Kingdom, as Macdonald drew directly from many of the great courses in Europe to create his “ideal holes.” Commonly known as the “Old Course of America,” it is well-known for being a leading golf course in United States’ early golf course architecture.
One of the course’s most unique characteristics is its strategic design — each hole brings unique, time-tested challenges known from classic templates like “Redan” and “Eden.” Both strategic and picturesque, the course is known for its stunning views of Peconic Bay and the surrounding scenery. The National Golf Links of America is also notable for its exclusive nature, providing a private and prestigious experience to members and their guests.
While it does not host as many marquee tournaments as some of its counterparts, the course was the venue for the first Walker Cup in 1922, underscoring its historic significance. With a design that rewards strategy rather than brute length, this course remains a beacon of classic design and class, placing it in the pantheon of the world’s most revered golf courses.
Oakmont – Oakmont, PA (1903)
The Oakmont Country Club, located in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, is frequently touted as one of the most challenging and distinguished golf courses in the United States. Founded in 1903 by the industrialist Henry C. Fownes, the course has preserved much of its original personality while still dazzling players with its strategic requirements and impeccably maintained greens. Intent on testing golfers’ mental and technical skills, it is known for its fast, undulating greens and the notorious “Church Pews” bunker that provides a twist of difficulty.
What makes it uniquely Oakmont isn’t just the 200-plus bunkers or the turning winds that often dictate how well someone plays. This unyielding test leaves it reigning at the top of competitive golf. More major championships have been held at Oakmont than at any other course in the United States, most notably the U.S. Open, which has been contested there nine times. Its deep history and brutal trial of skill are a centerpiece of golf’s great legacy.
Augusta National – Augusta, GA (1933)
Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, is one of the most famous and hallowed golf courses on the planet. Founded in 1933 by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts, the course was designed by the iconic architect Alister MacKenzie. Its design is a combination of stunning and challenging, with meticulously manicured fairways, classically laid bunkers, and greens that are best played with care.
What gives Augusta National a rarefied especially distinctive atmosphere is its spectacular beauty — mi fresh azaleas, dogwoods and soaring pines — even more so in spring. Iconic landmarks such as Amen Corner — a stretch of holes that encompasses the 11th, 12th and 13th — have come to symbolize high-stakes drama in professional golf. The course is exquisitely cared for, a visual marvel and a technical test.
Augusta National’s most conspicuous claim to fame/notoriety is that it is the permanent home of The Masters Tournament, one of golf’s four major championships. Such tradition — combined with its exclusivity and storied history — forms the basis of Augusta’s standing as an increasingly revered symbol in the golfing world.
Sand Hills - Mullen, NE (1995)
Located in the expansive landscape of the Nebraska Sandhills, Sand Hills Golf Club is an ode to minimalist design and the true spirit of the game. Designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, the course debuted in 1995 and quickly received widespread acclaim for its combination of natural terrain and strategic brilliance. In doing so, the creators worked with the undulating sand dunes as opposed to against it, creating a layout that calls for minimal earth movement and embraces the natural surroundings.
Its rugged beauty — native grasses, rolling dunes and wide fairways that follow the contour of the land — is one of Sand Hills’ distinguishing features. The course’s firm, fast playing conditions, and demanding greens require precision and astute shot-making from the players. This course is frequently celebrated for its isolated setting and humble vibe, granting golfers a raw connection to the game.
And while it doesn’t host tour events, Sand Hills is an outlier because of its authenticity, regularly ranking among the top courses in the world for its timelessness and deference to the land.
Merion (East) – Ardmore, PA (1912)
Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa. Jerry Hsoang | MTV News Designed by golfing legend Hugh Wilson in 1912, the course has been a celebrated field of play for over 100 years for its innovative design and timeless charm. Taking inspiration from his studies of classic courses in the British Isles, Wilson designed a short but complex layout that remains, to this day, a challenge even for elite players.
Among Merion East’s most iconic aspects is its complex routing across a relatively small piece of real estate and its famous wicker-basket flagsticks in place of traditional flags. Its rolling fairways, deep bunkers, and sloped greens all demand precision and strategic thinking, with each hole presenting a different challenge.
Merion has held many outstanding tournaments, including five U.S. Opens, with Ben Hogan’s legendary 1-iron shot in 1950 written indelibly into the golf history book. That combination of history, architecture and challenge cements Merion East’s status among the most respected courses anywhere.
Pebble Beach — Pebble Beach, CA (1919)
Situated along the rugged California coastline, Pebble Beach Golf Links is a stunning mix of sport and scenery. Designed in 1919, when architects Jack Neville and Douglas Grant sought to maximize spectacular views of the ocean, this iconic course is a testament to the era. It runs along a rugged coast, with several holes literally on the cliffs that hover over Carmel Bay, both challenging players and providing an unmatched sensory experience.
Pebble Beach is known for its dramatic routing with risk-reward holes, such as the famous par-3 7th and the par-5 18th, which hug the crashing waves. Its stunning blend of natural beauty and strategic design has established it as one of the world’s great golf courses.
Six U.S. Opens and countless other big-time tournaments over the decades have given Pebble Beach a legendary luster. Often touted as a bucket-list destination, its timeless allure continues to seduce amateur and professional golfers alike.
Los Angeles Country Club (North) – Los Angeles, 1927
Among the frenetic backdrop of Los Angeles, the North Course at the Los Angeles Country Club stands as a shining example of classic gold architecture. Initially designed in 1927 by George C. Thomas Jr. and William P. Bell, the course has been painstakingly restored over the decades to retain its old-world charm while evolving with the times.
The North Course excels in the natural and strategic challenges of the golf experience. With rolling fairways, strategically placed bunkers and native flora, the course provides a feeling of reprieve even with its urban setting. The SoFi Stadium game features spectacular views of the Los Angeles skyline and the nearby Santa Monica Mountains as its backdrop.
Also known for its classic design, the North Course has seen broomed for some of the best paper, including the 2017 Walker Cup, and will host the 2023 U.S. Open. Its storied history, challenging layout and stunning scenery make it a top-tier golfing destination.
Categories or Themes
The top 10 golf courses in the USA reveal their diversity — for professionals, amateurs, and scenery. New Jersey’s Pine Valley is commonly rated as one of the most challenging layouts and has become a go-to for better players, while the California public course Pebble Beach embraces golfers of all skill levels with its beautiful ocean vistas. Cypress Point and Augusta National, two private clubs, are also among the more exclusive top 10 golf courses in the USA, with Augusta hosting the iconic Masters Tournament each year. Alternatively, both Shinnecock Hills and the National Golf Links of America in Southampton, N.Y., are historic courses that filter to the top of amateur and professional lists for their strategic complexity.
Sand Hills in Nebraska, a minimalist masterpiece, provides a semi-private experience amid a dramatically sculpted sand dune landscape. Oakmont in Pennsylvania and Merion (East) in Ardmore offer enormous challenges with storied histories, and both are favorites for hosting a significant event. Finally, Los Angeles (North) makes an appearance in semi-private status, combining a bewitching blend of challenging play with urban-but-isolationist scenic allure. In combination, these courses emphasize the breadth and affordability of great golf in the USA.
Tips for Golf Enthusiasts
Thus, planning a visit and trip around the golf courses takes some advanced planning and preparation to ensure you have the experience of a lifetime! For many classes around the country — and indeed, the best golf courses in the northern part of USA, like Oakmont and Merion — the ideal time of year to play is late spring to early fall when the weather is pleasant enough for enjoyable rounds. By contrast, golf courses in the southern part of USA, and destinations such as Los Angeles (North) can offer year-round play, but it is prudent to avoid peak summer heat.
Securing advanced tee times or memberships at these coveted courses typically requires preparation. Many public and semi-private courses accept online reservations, while private classes come with the connection factor and sometimes limited guest access through memberships. Check for membership options because those can sometimes give you exclusive access to some highly coveted tees.
As you plan your trip, be sure to check out nearby attractions to make the trip even better. There are rich historical sites and plenty of local dining around Oakmont and Merion to round out the golf experience. Los Angeles, in contrast, offers a bustling cosmopolitan environment with sought-after museums, luxury hotels, and breathtaking Pacific Coast sights. Especially during peak golf seasons, make reservations early to ensure your best options are close to the course you select. With some advanced preparation, your trip is sure to be an unforgettable experience both on the links and off.
Conclusion
Oakmont, Merion and the golden golf of Los Angeles are more than great 18s waiting to be played — they are a reflection of the soul and the history of the game. Some of the best golf courses in the world have hosted these tournaments, so golfers can walk the same heritage sites as legends. Their immaculate fairways, demanding layouts and beautiful settings make them bucket-list experiences for golfers everywhere.
Playing these courses, there is more than a round of golf; it is a closer bond to the sport and its traditions, as well as an opportunity to learn about the colorful cultures and lively communities that are in their vicinity. From the legendary prestige of Oakmont and Merion to the stunning splendor of a Pacific Coast layout, every course is unique in its own right.
If you’ve already had the pleasure of playing one of these courses, we’d love to hear about your experience — what made it memorable for you? If you haven’t already, it’s time to start planning your adventure. Leave a comment below with your favorite courses or stories from your favorite round of golf. Who knows, maybe your story will encourage one or two others to dust off the clubs and make new memories on the greens. Let’s know your experience about the best golf courses in USA!