GOLF Magazine recently unveiled its 2020/2021 Top 100 Courses in the United States, an in-depth list that ranks the top tracks from sea to shining sea. You can find that list at the link above, in addition to our lists of the top 50 courses in the U.S. by region (northeast, southeast, heartland and west).
It’s been a big year for numbers folks. Those who can contextualize big numbers, small numbers, history and trends are in great demand these days, and for good reason.
Here at GOLF, we’ve dug deep into the numbers as well; using our course ratings panel to sift through 50 states to determine the 100 best courses in the U.S. The process, which you can find more information about here, is arduous, broadly encompassing, and (as with any other ranking of like commodities worth its salt) works hard to provide a broad view of subjectivity.
Each of GOLF’s Top 100 Courses has its own history, unique traits and story. But together, the ranking provides a clearer picture of the game of golf, its trends, and its future. Here are 12 numbers you should know about GOLF’s Top 100.
12 numbers to know about GOLF’s Top 100 Courses
16: Top 100 courses in the state of New York, the most of any state on the list. What’s more? A whopping three New York courses wound up ranked in the top 10 of our list.
30: States represented in the Top 100. While no Alaskan courses made it to our list, Nanea in Hawaii represents the non-contiguous U.S. states’ contribution.
2,970 miles: The distance between Pine Valley (the No. 1 course on GOLF’s list) and Cypress Point (No. 2). According to Google Maps, the drive would take you just north of 45 hours, though you can shave an hour off by taking the northern route, which conveniently includes a stop off near seventh-ranked Sand Hills.
11: Top 100 Courses designed by Donald Ross and A.W. Tillinghast, each. The pair tie for the most design credits on the list.
7: Top 100 Courses designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, the most of any living course architects.
1: Top 100 Courses designed by George Crump OR H.S. Colt. But then again, I’m sure they’d be quite content with that number knowing their co-design, Pine Valley, claimed the list’s top spot.
3. Top 100 Courses credited to the all-star design duo of C.B. Macdonald and Seth Raynor (Chicago Golf Club, Sleepy Hollow and The Creek Club). Macdonald and Raynor are largely regarded as the United States’ preeminent “golden age” architects.
17: Newcomers on GOLF’s Top 100 Courses list from its previous ranking.
June 1, 2020: The opening date of the newest course on the Top 100 list, Sheep Ranch.
No. 32: The ranking for Ohoopee Match Club in Cobbtown, Ga. Ohoopee is the highest-ranked newcomer on the Top 100 Courses list, and the only newcomer to finish with a ranking in the top 50. The private, match play-focused club opened in 2018 and was built on a former onion farm by designer Gil Hanse.
