Best public golf courses in the Midwest: GOLF’s 2020-21 ranking
Michigan's Forest Dunes boasts two of GOLF's top-rated courses in the Midwest.
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With 23 top-rated public courses spread across 10 states, the Midwest region of the United States is one of the best areas in the country for proximity to great golf.
Michigan and Wisconsin top our latest Top 100 Courses You Can Play list with six courses each, with Wisconsin grabbing the honors for the top-rated course in the region, with Whistling Straits, which is ranked 11th overall. Indiana had a strong showing with three courses, while Nebraska has two. How many courses are near where you live? Check out our full list below.
CLICK HERE FOR THE COMPLETE 2021-22 TOP 100 COURSES YOU CAN PLAY RANKING
GOLF’s 2021-22 ranking of the best public courses in the Midwest
(With overall rank, course name, city, state, architect and year opened)
Michigan (6)
34. Forest Dunes (Loop: Red/Black)
Roscommon, MI
Tom Doak, 2016
46. Arcadia Bluffs (Bluffs)
Arcadia, MI
Warren Henderson/Rick Smith, 1999
56. Arcadia Bluffs (South)
Arcadia, MI
Dana Fry, 2018
65. Marquette (Greywalls)
Marquette, MI
Mike Devries, 2005
73. Forest Dunes (Weiskopf)
Roscommon, MI
Tom Weiskopf, 2002
96. Stoatin Brae
Augusta, MI
Renaissance Golf Design, 2016
Wisconsin (6)
11. Whistling Straits (Straits)
Haven, WI
Pete Dye, 1998
23. Lawsonia (Links)
Green Lake, WI
Bill Langford/Ted Moreau, 1930
25. Sand Valley (Sand Valley)
Nekoosa, WI
Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw, 2017
29. Sand Valley (Mammoth Dunes)
Nekoosa, WI
David McLay-Kidd, 2018
31. Erin Hills
Hartford, WI
Michael Hurdzan/Dana Fry, 2006
38. Blackwolf Run (River)
Kohler, WI
Pete Dye, 1988
GolfLogix Greens Books
Indiana (3)
57. French Lick (Ross Course)
French Lick, IN
Donald Ross, 1917
70. Warren Course at Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN
Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw, 2000
85. Pfau Course at Indiana University
Bloomington, IN
Steve Smyers, 2020
Nebraska (2)
22. Prairie Club (Dunes)
Valentine, NE
Tom Lehman/Chris Brands, 2010
49. Wild Horse
Gothenburg, NE
Dave Axland/Dan Proctor, 1999
Illinois (1)
92. Cog Hill (No. 4)
Lemont, IL
Dick Wilson/Joe Lee, 1965
Minnesota (1)
68. Giant’s Ridge (Quarry)
Biwabik, MN
Jeff Brauer, 2003
Missouri (1)
54. Ozarks National at Big Cedar Lodge
Holister, MO
Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw, 2019
Ohio (1)
83. Firestone (South)
Akron, OH
Robert Trent Jones Sr., 1969
Oklahoma (1)
48. Karsten Creek
Stillwater, OK
Tom Fazio, 1994
West Virginia (1)
51. The Greenbrier (Old White)
White Sulphur Springs, WV
C.B. Macdonald, 1913
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