GOLF’s latest ranking of the Top 100 Courses in the World was released this week, and while the top courses haven’t changed much over the last few years (Pine Valley, Cypress, St. Andrews), there was a significant infusion of fresh names, with eight newcomers appearing on the 2023-24 list.
For fans of golf architecture or simply stunning scenery, the list is a feast for the eyes. Nothing makes you feel motivated to book a golf trip like seeing so much beauty in one place.
The good news? If you happen to live in the United States, you already have a geographical advantage (at least in terms of proximity) to a sizable chunk of the list, which features courses that span 14 countries across the globe.
The venerable number of U.S. courses that made the cut is 49 — just under half, yes, but the American roster is strong, comprising 10 of the top 15 spots and 29 of the top 50.
While many of these awe-inspiring designs are private, there are plenty that are publicly accessible — including a healthy number right here in America. So if you’re ready to start planning a trip and ticking those bucket-list tee times off your list, start here, with the 49 best golf courses in the United States.
For more on each course, view our full ranking here.
The 49 best golf courses in the United States
1. Pine Valley (Pine Valley, N.J.)
2. Cypress Point (Pebble Beach, Calif.)
4. Shinnecock Hills (Southampton, N.Y.)
5. National Golf Links of America (Southampton, N.Y.)
8. Oakmont (Oakmont, Pa.)
9. Augusta National (Augusta, Ga.)
11. Sand Hills (Mullen, Mich.)
13. Merion (East) (Ardmore, Pa.)
14. Pebble Beach (Pebble Beach, Calif.)
15. Fishers Island (Fishers Island, N.Y.)
17. Chicago (Wheaton, Ill.)
19. Los Angeles (North) (Los Angeles, Calif.)
21. Pinehurst (No. 2) (Pinehurst, N.C.)
23. Friar’s Head (Riverhead, N.Y.)
26. Prairie Dunes (Hutchinson, Kansas)
27. Oakland Hills (South) (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.)
28. Riviera (Pacific Palisades, Calif.)
29. Winged Foot (West) (Mamaroneck, N.Y.)
32. Pacific Dunes (Bandon, Ore.)
34. Crystal Downs (Frankfort, Mich.)
35. Seminole (Juno Beach, Fla.)
38. San Francisco (San Francisco, Calif.)
39. The Country Club (Clyde/Squirrel) (Brookline, Mass.)
43. Somerset Hills (Bernardsville, N.J.)
44. Southern Hills (Tulsa, Okla.)
45. California Club of San Francisco (South San Francisco, Calif.)
47. Shoreacres (Lake Bluff, Ill.)
48. Garden City (Garden City, N.Y.)
50. Maidstone (East Hampton, N.Y.)
51. Ballyneal (Holyoke, Colo.)
57. Camargo (Cincinnati, Ohio)
60. Bethpage (Black) (Farmingdale, N.Y.)
61. Inverness (Toledo, Ohio)
62. Kiawah Island (Ocean) (Kiawah Island, S.C.)
67. Baltusrol (Lower) (Springfield, N.J.)
68. The Lido (Rome, Wis.)
69. Oak Hill (East) (Rochester, N.Y.)
70. Sleepy Hollow (Briarcliff Manor, N.Y.)
73. Rock Creek Cattle Company (Deer Lodge, Mont.)
77. Myopia Hunt Club (South Hamilton, Mass.)
80. Winged Foot (East) (Mamaroneck, N.Y.)
81. Ohoopee Match Club (Cobbtown, Ga.)
82. Peachtree (Atlanta, Ga.)
84. Old Town Club (Winston Salem, N.C.)
