Author: John Gilrain

Pete Dye: Top 40 Public Courses

Whistling Straits, WI

Pete Dye first became well known when he collaborated with Jack Nicklaus to design Harbour Town Golf Links at The Sea Pines Resort in 1969–the iconic venue for the PGA Tour’s RBC Heritage. In the 1970’s, Dye crafted a great many wonderful courses, including The Cardinal in North Carolina and The River Course at Kingsmill Resort in Virginia (both in 1974).

Harbour Town Golf Links, SC

TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, however, was the work that launched Pete Dye into the stratosphere of golf course architecture. Dean Beaman, former commissioner of the PGA Tour, had conceived the Tournament Players Championship in 1974 as the Tour’s flagship event, and it gained notoriety through the decade with powerful fields as Jack Nicklaus, greatest player in the world, won 3 of the first 5.

TPC Sawgrass, FL

Beaman wanted to elevate the tournament still further however, and to do that he needed a permanent venue that could stand with the four majors and support world class golf at the very highest level—so he turned to Pete Dye.

Not only did he want a course that would be a very stiff test for the world’s greatest players, he also wanted breathtaking visual appeal for a growing television market, as well as viewing areas that would maximize the experience for fans—a “stadium course.”

Pete Dye

Dye delivered precisely what Dean Beaman envisioned, incorporating risk and reward throughout the layout to build excitement and drama, creating a canvas to capture a multitude of memorable moments that would live on in history and become “The Players.”

Ocean Course, Kiawah Island, SC

In addition to his masterpiece at TPC Sawgrass, Pete Dye designs have become the backbone of the PGA Championship rotation beginning with Crooked Stick in 1991, as well as Whistling Straits, Kohler WI in 2004 and 2015, and the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, SC in 2012 and 2021).

Pete Dye designed well over 100 courses throughout his illustrious career, and more than half of them are open to public play (Pete Dye-Public).

If you are looking for great public golf, or planning a vacation, the GolfDay Search Engine makes it easy to find the best courses and a better bang for your buck. 

The American Club Resort Hotel, WI

1.  The American Club Resort Hotel/Sheboygan, WI

      Wisconsin Golf Trail/Kohler Golf

  • Holes: 82 (4 Eighteen Hole Courses: Straits/Irish (Whistling Straits) and River/Meadow Valleys (Blackwolf Run) and Ten Hole Par 3 (The Baths))
  • Course Architects: Pete Dye/Chris Lutzke
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Whistling Straits:                    77.2/152                     

Irish:                                             75.6/146

River:                                           76.2/151

Meadow Valleys:                     75.3/145

The Baths:                                  27.1/87

Kiawah Island Golf Resort, SC

2. Kiawah Island Golf Resort/Kiawah Island, SC

  • Holes: 90 (5 Eighteen Hole Courses: Ocean/Cougar Point/Oak Point/Osprey Point/Turtle Point
  • Course Architects: Pete Dye/Alice Dye/Gary Player/Clyde Johnston/Tom Fazio/Jack Nicklaus
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Ocean:                                                        79.1/155                     

Cougar Point:                                          72.7/134

Oak Point:                                                 72.1/137

Osprey Point:                                           73.6/140

Turtle Point:                                             73.0/134

The Sea Pines Resort, SC

3. The Sea Pines Resort/Hilton Head Island, SC

  • Holes: 54 (3 Eighteen Hole Courses: Harbour Town Links/Heron Point/Atlantic Dunes)
  • Course Architects: Pete Dye/Jack Nicklaus/George Cobb/Clyde Johnston/Davis Love III/Scot Sherman
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Harbour Town Links                                           79.5/152         

Heron Point                                                            74.8/140

Atlantic Dunes                                                       74.3/143

PGA West, SC

4. PGA West/La Quinta, CA

    Hilton Honors. La Quinta Resort & Club

  • Holes: 108 (6 Eighteen Hole Courses: Palmer (Private)/Norman (Resort)/Nicklaus (Private)/Nicklaus (Resort)/Weiskopf(Private)/TPC Stadium (Resort)
  • Course Architects: Arnold Palmer/Greg Norman/Matthew Dusenberry/Tad Burnett/Jack Nicklaus/Tom Weiskopf/Pete Dye
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Palmer                                                        73.9/141         

Norman                                                      74.6/136

Nicklaus Private                                      74.3/146

Nicklaus Resort                                       75.3/130

Weiskopf                                                    74.2/130

TPC Stadium                                             75.8/148

French Lick Resort, IN

5. French Lick Resort/French Lick, IN

    Pete Dye Golf Trail

  • Holes: 45 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses: Pete Dye/Donald Ross and Nine Hole Walking Course (Valley Links)
  • Course Architects: Tom Bendelow/Hal Purdy/Pete Dye/Donald Ross/Sandy Alves/Lee Schmidt
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Dye                                                             80.5/151         

Ross                                                           75.7/149

Valley Links                                             35.4/121                                 

Barefoot Resort & Golf, SC

6. Barefoot Resort & Golf/North Myrtle Beach, SC

  • Holes: 72 (4 Eighteen Hole Courses: Norman/Love/Fazio/Dye)
  • Course Architects: Greg Norman/Tad Burnett/Davis Love III/Tom Fazio/Pete Dye
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Norman:                                                  74.2/141         

Love:                                                         74.9/141

Fazio:                                                        73.4/144

Dye:                                                           76.0/143                                 

TPC Sawgrass, FL

7. TPC Sawgrass/Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

  • Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses: Stadium/Dye’s Valley
  • Course Architects: Pete Dye/Alice Dye/Jerry Pate/Steve Wenzloff/Bobby Weed
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating:

Stadium                                                    76.5/155         

Dye’s Valley                                             74.0/134                     

PGA Village, FL

8. PGA Village/Port St. Lucie, FL

  • Holes: 70 (3 Eighteen Hole Courses: Wanamaker/Dye/Ryder and 6 Hole Par 3 Course)
  • Course Architects: Tom Fazio/Pete Dye
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating:

Wanamaker                                                         75.2/145         

Dye                                                                          75.7/142

Ryder:                                                                    73.1/133                     

Nemacolin, PA

9. Nemacolin/Farmington, PA

  • Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses: Mystic Rock/Shephard’s Rock)
  • Course Architects: Pete Dye/Tim Liddy
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating:

Mystic Rock                                               77.2/146         

Shepherd’s Rock                                     75.6/140                   

Prestwick Country Club, SC

10. Prestwick Country Club/Myrtle Beach, SC

    Myrtle Beach Golf Trail/East Coast Golf Management

Paiute Golf Resort, NV

11. Paiute Golf Resort/Las Vegas, NV

  • Holes: 54 (3 Eighteen Hole Courses: Wolf/Snow Mountain/Sun Mountain)
  • Course Architect: Pete Dye
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating:

Wolf:                                             76.1/140

Snow Mountain:                      73.1/130

Sun Mountain:                          73.0/135

Birck Boilermaker, IN

12. Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex/West Lafayatte, IN

      Purdue University/Pete Dye Golf Trail

  • Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses: Akerman-Allen/Kampen)
  • Course Architect: William Diddel/Larry Packard/Pete Dye
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating:

Ackerman-Allen:                       76.5/141

Kampen:                                       76.5/146

Riverdale Golf Course, CO

13. Riverdale Golf Course/Brighton, CO

      Adams County

  • Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses: Dunes/Knolls)
  • Course Architect: Pete Dye/Perry Dye
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating:

Dunes:                                           73.0/136

Knolls:                                           70.9/125

Eagle Eye Golf Club, MI

14. Eagle Eye Golf Club/Bath, MI

      Eagle Eye Golf & Banquet Center/Hawk Hollow Golf Properties

  • Holes: 36 (18 Hole Championship Course and Eighteen Hole Putting Course (Little Hawk)
  • Course Architect: Pete Dye/Chris Lutzke
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.5/146
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
  • Course Descriptions
  • Accommodations
  • GolfDay Rating: 96.8
  • Location
Bulle Rock Golf Club, MD

15. Bulle Rock Golf Club/Havre de Grace, MD

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architect: Pete Dye
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.5/147
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Wedge Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Range Balls Included with Greens Fee.
  • Course Descriptions
  • GolfDay Rating: 96.7
  • Location
TPC Louisiana, LA

16. TPC Louisiana/Avondale, LA

       Audubon Golf Trail

The Fort Golf Course, IN

17. The Fort Golf Course/Indianapolis, IN

      Pete Dye Golf Trail/Indiana State Parks

Keswick Club, VA

18. Keswick Club/Keswick, VA

      Keswick Hall

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architect: Fred Findlay/Arnold Palmer/Ed Seay/Pete Dye
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.1/138
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets and Fairway Bunker, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
  • Course Descriptions
  • Accommodations
  • GolfDay Rating: 95.5
  • Location
Trump National Los Angeles, CA

19. Trump National Los Angeles/Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architect: Pete Dye/Perry Dye
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.6/144
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets and Putting Green (Chipping Green with Bunker–Instruction Only).
  • Course Descriptions
  • GolfDay Rating: 95.2
  • Location
Pete Dye River Course, VA

20. Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech/Radford, VA

      McConnell Golf/Virginia Tech Foundation

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architect: Tom Clark/Dan Schlegel/Pete Dye
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 77.3/145
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
  • Course Descriptions
  • GolfDay Rating: 95.0
  • Location
Pound Ridge Golf Club, NY

21. Pound Ridge Golf Club/Pound Ridge, NY

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architect: Pete Dye/Perry Dye
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.9/148
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range (Weekends)/Mats (Weekdays), Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
  • Course Descriptions
  • GolfDay Rating: 94.1
  • Location
Brickyard Crossing, IN

22. Brickyard Crossing/Indianapolis, IN

      Pete Dye Golf Trail

Kingsmill Resort, VA

23. Kingsmill Resort/Williamsburg, VA

      Escalante Golf

  • Holes: 54 (3 Eighteen Hole Courses: River/Plantation/Woods (Private)
  • Course Architect: Pete Dye/Arnold Palmer/Ed Seay/Edmund Ault/Brian Ault/Tom Clark/Curtis Strange
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating:

River:                                            73.2/136

Plantation:                                  70.9/130

Woods:                                         72.2/133

TPC San Antonio, TX

24. TPC San Antonio/San Antonio, TX

  • Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses: Oaks/Canyons)
  • Course Architect: Greg Norman/Tad Burnett/Sergio Garcia/Pete Dye
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating:

Oaks:                                             76.1/142

Canyon:                                        73.6/126

Links at Perry Cabin, MD

25. Links at Perry Cabin/Saint Michaels, MD

       Inn at Perry Cabin/KemperSports

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architect: Roy Dye/Pete Dye/Alice Dye/P.B. Dye
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.0/149
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
  • Course Descriptions
  • Accommodations
  • GolfDay Rating: 92.9
  • Location
Eagle Creek Golf Club, IN

26. Eagle Creek Golf Club/Indianapolis, IN

       City of Indianapolis

  • Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses: Sycamore/Pines)
  • Course Architect: Pete Dye
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating:

Sycamore:                                    71.9/132

Pines:                                             73.1/132                                             

Fowler’s Mill Golf Course, OH

27. Fowler’s Mill Golf Course/Chesterland, OH

        Penn Ohio Golf Trail

  • Holes: 27 (3 Nine Hole Courses: Lake/River/Maple)
  • Course Architect: Pete Dye
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating:

Lake:                                             37.9/146                                 

River:                                            36.6/138

Maple:                                          34.2/127                                                                     

Rum Pointe Golf Links, MD

28. Rum Pointe Golf Links/Berlin, MD

      Ruark Golf

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects Pete Dye/P.B. Dye
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.6/133                                                  
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers (2)
  • Course Descriptions
  • Accommodations
  • GolfDay Rating: 91.9
  • Location
Gypsum Creek Golf Course, CO

29. Gypsum Creek Golf Course/Gypsum, CO

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Pete Dye/Perry Dye
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.3/142                                                  
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
  • Course Descriptions
  • GolfDay Rating: 91.6
  • Location
Gasparilla IN & Golf Club, FL

30. Gasparilla Inn & Golf Club/Boca Grande, FL

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: David Wallace/Pete Dye/Alice Dye
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.3/142                                                  
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
  • Course Descriptions
  • Accommodations
  • GolfDay Rating: 91.4
  • Location
Wintonbury Hills Golf Course, CT

31. Wintonbury Hills Golf Course/Bloomfield, CT

       Town of Bloomfield/Indigo Sports

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Pete Dye/Tim Liddy
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.4/129                                                  
  • Practice Facilities: Driving Range with Targets (offsite-half mile away), Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers (4).
  • Course Descriptions
  • GolfDay Rating: 91.3
  • Location
The Cardinal, NC

32. The Cardinal/Greensboro, NC

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architect: Pete Dye/Rick Robbins
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.1/142                                                  
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
  • GolfDay Rating: 91.3
  • Location
Port Royal & Racquet Club, SC

33. Port Royal & Racquet Club/Hilton Head Island, SC

  • Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses: Barony/Robber’s Row)
  • Course Architect: George Cobb/Willard Byrd/John LaFoy/Pete Dye
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating:

Barony:                                         71.8/135

Robber’s Row:                            72.7/134                                             

The Country Club of Colorado, CO

34. The Country Club of Colorado/Colorado Springs, CO

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architect: Pete Dye/Roy Dye/Richard Phelps
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.6/139                          
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Range Balls included with Greens Fee
  • Course Descriptions
  • GolfDay Rating: 91.1
  • Location
Oak Hollow Golf Course, NC

35. Oak Hollow Golf Course/High Point, NC

      City of High Point

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architect: Pete Dye/Roy Dye/Richard Phelps
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 71.7/134                          
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Green.
  • Course Descriptions
  • GolfDay Rating: 90.5
  • Location
Plum Creek Golf Club, CO

36. Plum Creek Golf Club/Castle Rock, CO

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architect: Pete Dye/Perry Dye
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.7/147                          
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Green.
  • Course Descriptions
  • GolfDay Rating: 90.5
  • Location
En-Joie Golf Club, NY

37. En-Joie Golf Club/Endicott, NY

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architect: Ernest Smith/William Mitchell/Pete Dye/Michael Hurdzan/Dana Fry
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.1/135                          
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Green.
  • Course Descriptions
  • GolfDay Rating: 89.7
  • Location
Amelia Island Plantation, FL

38. Amelia Island Plantation/Amelia, FL

  • Holes: 46 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses: Long Point/Oak Marsh and Ten Hole Par 3 Course (Little Sandy)
  • Course Architect: Tom Fazio/Pete Dye/Bobby Weed
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Long Point:                                  73.3/136

Oak Marsh:                                  70.9/129

Royal Hawaiian Golf Club, HI

39. Royal Hawaiian Golf Club/Kailua, HI

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architect: Pete Dye/Perry Dye/Greg Norman
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.4/140
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Range Balls included with Greens fee.
  • Course Descriptions
  • GolfDay Rating: 89.4
  • Location
Plum Creek Golf Club, IN

40. Plum Creek Golf Club/Carmel, IN

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architect: Pete Dye/Tim Liddy
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.6/127
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens.
  • Course Descriptions
  • GolfDay Rating: 89.4
  • Location

The GolfDay rating is based on a variety of criteria, including the stature of the architect(s) who did the original design(s), updates that have been done on the course(s), USGA Course and Slope Ratings, current local and national rankings by Golf Digest and Golfweek, the quality and diversity of practice facilities, general course conditioning and current reviews. The resort rating also includes a factor for the variety of courses located at the property as well as the quality of accommodations and level of service.

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U.S. Top 30 RV Destinations 2024

Black Jack’s Crossing, TX

Just about every golfer has felt the itch to pack up the clubs and hit the road. If you are a traveling golfer with a motor-home, we’ve assembled a list of our top-rated golf courses and resorts that offer on-site RV accommodations.

How terrific would it be to head north in the summer for great golf in Wyoming, Minnesota, North Dakota or Montana and then start her up and head for southern California or AZ when the chill wind starts blowing in the late fall. 

Legacy Golf Course, Buford GA

Georgia is particularly welcoming to the RV golfer just about all year long with 5 among our top 30, and The Georgia Golf Trail offers a host of terrific tracks for anybody planning a golf vacation. Texas is another prime RV destination with 4 outstanding courses among our top 30.   AZ includes 2 great RV locations (#1—We-Ko-Pa and #18—Sewailo), with California, Kentucky and Alabama each offering 3 prime locations.

We-Ko-Pa, Fort McDonald AZ

Courses designed by renowned architects are represented among the top 30, including tracks by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and Robert Trent Jones II (Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis and Lake Shasta) as well as a William F. Bell (Hidden Valley Lake).

Coore & Crenshaw created the Seguaro course at Wi-Ko-Pa, Brian Ault designed Grayson Lake (#9) in Kentucky, and Tom Jackson delivered the wonderful layout at Cheraw State Park in SC (#5).  

You can also browse all courses with RV accommodations, or view them in a map view to plan a golf trip.  

And when you’re looking for the best courses near you or where you are going to be, use the GolfDay Search Engine to save time and money.  

We-Ko-Pa Golf Club, AZ

1.  We-Ko-Pa Golf Club/ Fort McDowell, AZ

      We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort.

  • Holes: 36 (2-Eighteen Hole Courses)
  • Course Architects: Scott Miller/Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Cholla:                    73.4/138

Saguaro:                 72.0/137

Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club, WY

2.  Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club/Jackson, WY

      Grand Teton National Park

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Robert E. Baldock/Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Robert Trent Jones, Jr.
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.9/137
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets and Fairway Bunker (flight restricted balls), Wedge Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
  • Course Description
  • Accommodations
  • RV Park
  • GolfDay Rating: 94.8
  • Location
Koasati Pines Golf Course, LA

3.  Koasati Pines Golf Course/Kinder, LA

      Coushatta Casino Resort

Elkhorn Ridge Golf Club, SD

4.  Elkhorn Ridge Golf Club/Spearfish, SD

Cheraw State Park, SC

5.  Cheraw State Park/Cheraw, SC.

      South Carolina Parks

Journey at Pechanga, CA

6. Journey at Pechanga/Temecula, CA

     Pechanga Resort & Casino

Hilton Head National Golf Club, SC

7. Hilton Head National Golf Club/Bluffton, SC

The Links of North Dakota, ND

8. The Links of North Dakota/Ray, ND

Grayson Lake Golf Course, KY

9. Grayson Lake Golf Course/Olive Hill, KY

Kentuck Golf Trail/Kentucky State Parks

Legacy Golf Course, GA

10. Legacy Golf Course/Buford, GA

       Lanier Islands

Hidden Valley Lake Golf Course, CA

11. Hidden Valley Lake Golf Course/Hidden Valley Lake, CA

Highland Walk Golf Course, GA

12. Highland Walk Golf Course/Royston, GA

      Georgia Golf Trail/Victoria Bryant State Park

Black Jack’s Crossing, TX

13. Black Jack’s Crossing/Lajitas, TX

      Lajitas Golf Resort

The Creek Golf Course, GA

14. The Creek Golf Course/Social Circle, GA

      Georgia Golf Trail/Hard Labor Creek State Park

The Lakes Golf Course, GA

15. The Lakes Golf Course/Waycross, GA

      Georgia Golf Trail/Laura S. Walker State Park

Lighthouse Country Club, TX

16. Lighthouse Country Club/Kingsland, TX

Yatesville Lake Golf Course, KY

17. Yatesville Lake Golf Course/Louisa, KY

       Kentucky Golf Trail/Kentucky State Parks

Minnesota National Golf Course, MN

18. Minnesota National Golf Course/McGregor, MN

  • Holes: 27
  • Course Architect: Joel Goldstrand
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating:

Championship Course              75.6/143

Savanna 9                                       32.2/110

Sewailo Golf Club, AZ

19. Sewailo Golf Club/Tucson,AZ

      Casino Del Sol

Wallace Adams Golf Course, GA

20. Wallace Adams Golf Course/Helena, GA

      Georgia Golf Trail/Little Ocmulgee State Park & Lodge

The Hideout Golf Club & Resort, TX

21.  The Hideout Golf Club & Resort/Brownwood, TX

The Preserve Golf Club, IA

22. The Preserve Golf Club/Moravia, IA

      Honey Creek Resort State Park

Fred Arbanas Golf Course, MO

23. Fred Arbanas Golf Course/Kansas City, MO

      Jackson County/Longview Lake Park

  • Holes: 27
  • Course Architects: J. Michael Poellot/Bradford Benz
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.9/128
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
  • Course Description
  • RV Park
  • GolfDay Rating: 87.6
  • Location
Kaufman Golf Course, MI

24. Kaufman Golf Course/Wyoming, MI

      Kent County/Palmer Park

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Bruce Mathews/Jerry Matthews
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.0/138
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
  • Course Description
  • RV Park
  • GolfDay Rating: 87.4
  • Location
Lady Bird Johnson Golf, TX

25. Lady Bird Johnson Golf Course/Fredericksburg, TX

      City of Fredericksville/Lady Bird RV Park

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: George Hoffman/Jeffrey Brauer/Jeffrey Blume
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.2/127
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens (2) with Bunker.
  • Course Description
  • RV Park
  • GolfDay Rating: 87.3
  • Location
Goose Pond Colony, AL

26. Goose Pond Colony/Scottsboro, AL

  • Holes: 36
  • Course Architects: George Cobb/Don Croft/Philip Green
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Lake                                  73.1/129

Plantation                      72.5/125

The General Golf Course, AL

27. The General Golf Course/Rogersville, AL

      Wheeler State Park

Georgia Veterans Memorial Golf Course, GA

28. Georgia Veterans Memorial Golf Course/Cordele, GA

      Georgia Golf Trail/Lake Blackshear Resort & Club

Eagle’s Nest Golf Course, AL

29. Eagle’s Nest Golf Course/Guntersville, AL

       Lake Guntersville State Park

Lake Shastina Golf Resort/Weed, CA

30. Lake Shastina Golf Resort/Weed, CA

  • Holes: 27
  • Course Architects: Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Robert Trent Jones, Jr.
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Championship                              70.5/126

Scottish Links                               34.2/118

The GolfDay Resort rating is based on a variety of criteria, including the stature of the architect(s) who did the original design(s), the variety of courses located at the property, updates that have been done on the course(s), USGA Course and Slope Ratings, current local and national rankings by Golf Digest and Golfweek, the quality and diversity of practice facilities, general course conditioning and current reviews, as well as the quality of accommodations and level of service.

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Toughest Courses: U.S. Resorts Top 30

French Lick Resort; Dye Course, IN

If you are a scratch golfer determined to challenge your game on the toughest courses open to public play, perhaps the best place to start is at a resort—and we have assembled the toughest 30 resort courses in the country based on USGA course rating from the tips.

Not surprisingly, Pete Dye crafted seven of them—including #1 (Dye Course at French Lick), #2 (Harbour Town with Jack Nicklaus at Sea Pines), and #3 (The Ocean Course at Kiawah).

Nicklaus, renowned for designing a stiff test of golf, laid out 4 of the 30—The Reserve at Moonlight Basin (#5), The Bear Course at Grand Traverse (#25), Great Waters at Reynolds Lake Oconee (#28) as well as collaborating with Pete Dye at Harbour Town.

2 Robert Trent Jones, Sr. designs are among the thirty (Judge at Capitol Hill on the RTJ Golf Trail–#6 and Mauna Kea in Hawaii–#15) while Rees Jones contributed a pair (Blue Top Ridge–#13 and the North Course at Lake of Isles–#21).

Masters of difficulty: Pete Dye and Rees Jones

While these difficult resort tracks are spread throughout 22 states, Wisconsin boasts the greatest number with 4 (Straits course at Whistling Straits, River course at Blackwolf Run, Erin Hills, and Wild Rock at The Wilderness Resort). And by the way, these big boys are all part of the fantastic collection of courses to be found on Wisconsin Golf Trail as well.

When it’s time to start planning a golf trip, take a look at the GolfDay Top 250 Resorts; and for finding a great golf course where you are or where you’re going, the GolfDay Search Engine makes it easy to get a better bang for your buck.

The Dye Course, French Lick Resort IN

1. Dye Course

French Lick Resort/French Lick, IN   

Pete Dye Golf Trail

  • Holes: 45 (2-Eighteen Hole Courses and Nine Hole Regulation Course)
  • Course Architects: Tom Bendelow/Hal Purdy/Pete Dye/Donald Ross/Sandy Alves/Allan MacCurrach
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Dye:                       80.5/151

Ross:                     75.7/149

Valley Links:      35.4/121

Harbour Town Links, Sea Pines Resort SC

2. Harbour Town Links

The Sea Pines Resort/Hilton Head Island, SC

  • Holes: 54 (3-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
  • Course Architects: Pete Dye/Jack Nicklaus/George Cobb/Clyde Johnston/Davis Love III/Scot Sherman
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Harbour Town Links:      79.5/152

Heron Point:                       74.8/140

Atlantic Dunes:                  74.3/143

The Ocean Course, Kiawah Island Golf Resort SC

3. The Ocean Course

Kiawah Island Golf Resort/Kiawah Island, SC

  • Holes: 90 (5-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
  • Course Architects: Pete Dye/Alice Dye/Gary Player/Clyde Johnston/Tom Fazio/Jack Nicklaus
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Ocean:                    79.1/152

Cougar Point:      72.7/134

Oak Point:             72.1/137

Osprey Point:       73.6/140

Turtle Point:         73.0/134

Fighting Joe, The Shoals AL

4. Fighting Joe

The Shoals/Muscle Shoals, AL

       Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa/Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail

  • Holes: 35 (2-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
  • Course Architects: Roger Rulewich/Bobby Vaughn
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Fighting Joe:          78.6/146

Schoolmaster:       77.6/148

The Reserve at Moonlight Basin, MT

5. The Reserve at Moonlight Basin/Big Sky, MT   

Judge, Capitol Hill AL

6. Judge, Capitol Hill AL

Capitol Hill/Prattville, AL   

        Montgomery Marriott/Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail

  • Holes: 54 (3-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
  • Course Architects: Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Roger Rulewich
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Judge:         78.5/147

Legislator: 76.9/149

Senator:     77.4/132                     

Ross Bridge, AL

7. Ross Bridge/Hoover, AL   

      Renaissance Birmingham/Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail

# 2, Pinehurst Resort NC

8. Pinehurst #2

Pinehurst Resort/Pinehurst, NC   

  • Holes: 180 (10-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
  • Course Architects: Donald Ross/Walter Travis/Richard Tufts/Tom Fazio/Tom Marzolf/Ellis Maples/George Fazio/Rees Jones/Jack Nicklaus/Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw/Tom Doak
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

#1:      69.1/124

#2:      77.9/149

#3:      66.1/123

#4:      74.9/138

#5:      73.1/135

#6:      74.5/140

#7:      75.6/142

#8:      73.9/139

#9:      74.8/143

#10:    74.1/142

Erin Hills, WI

9. Erin Hills/Erin, WI 

      Wisconsin Golf Trail

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Michael Hurdzan/Dana Fry/Ron Whitten
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 77.9/145
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Fairway Bunkers and TopTracer Technology. Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers and Lighted Drumlin Putting Course. TaylorMade Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
  • Course Description
  • Accommodations
  • Wisconsin Golf Trail
  • GolfDay Rating: 98.0
  • Location
Blue Monster, Trump National Doral FL

10. Blue Monster

Trump National Doral/Miami, FL  

  • Holes: 72 (4-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
  • Course Architects: Dick Wilson/Gil Hanse/Greg Norman/Raymond Floyd/Jerry Pate
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Blue Monster:      77.4/146

Red Tiger:              71.8/136

Silver Fox:              74.9/148

Golden Palm:       74.2/139

Straits Course, Whistling Straits WI

11. Straits (Whistling Straits)

The American Club Resort Hotel/Sheboygan, WI

Kohler Golf/Wisconsin Golf Trail 

  • Holes: 81 (4-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses and 9-Hole Par 3)
  • Course Architect: Pete Dye/Chris Lutzke
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Whistling Straits

Straits:                    77.2/152

Irish:                        75.6/146

Blackwolf Run

River:                       76.2/151

Meadow Valleys:  75.3/141

The Baths:              27.1/87

Mystic Rock, Nemacolin Resort PA

12. Mystic Rock

Nemacolin, Farmington, PA

  • Holes: 36 (2-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
  • Course Architects: Pete Dye/Tim Liddy
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Mystic Rock:          77.2/146

Shepherd’s rock: 75.2/140

Blue Top Ridge, IA

13. Blue Top Ridge/Riverside, IA

       Riverside Casino & Golf Resort  

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architect: Rees Jones
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 77.2/143
  • Practice Facilities: Double Sided, Two-Tiered Grass Driving Range with Targets and Fairway Bunker, Wedge Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers (3). Heated Performance Studio with TrackMan Technology, Flight Scope and comprehensive club fitting facilities. Pinnacle Premium Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
  • Accommodations
  • Performance Studio
  • GolfDay Rating: 95.1
  • Location
Crosswater, Sunriver Resort OR

14. Crosswater

Sunriver Resort/Sunriver, OR   

  • Holes: 63 (3-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses and 9 Hole Par 3)
  • Course Architects: John Fought/Robert Trent Jones, Jr./Jim Ramey/Bob Copp
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Crosswater:          76.8/147

Meadows:              73.7/143

Woodlands:          73.9/144         

Mauna Kea Resort, HI

15. Mauna Kea

Mauna Kea Resort/Kohala Coast, HI  

Mariott Resorts

  • Holes: 36 (2-Eighteen Hole Courses)
  • Course Architects: Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Rees Jones/Neil Haworth
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating:

Mauna Kea:      76.8/141

Hapuna:            74.7/134

Wild Rock, Wilderness Resort WI

16. Wild Rock Golf Club/Wisconsin Dells, WI

       Wilderness Resort/Wisconsin Golf Trail   

  • Holes: 27 (Eighteen Hole Regulation Course and Nine Hole Executive Course)
  • Course Architects: Michael Hurdzan/Dana Fry
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Wild Rock:             76.8/142

Woods:                   29.9/102

AK-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club, AZ

17. AK-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club/Maricopa, AZ

       Harrah’s Casino Resort

  • Holes: 27
  • Course Architects: Lee Schmidt/Brian Curley/Fred Couples
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 76.5/142
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker and “Mini Dunes” Par 3 Course (Open Dec. 15-April 1).
  • Course Description
  • Accommodations
  • GolfDay Rating: 93.3
  • Location
Sage Run Golf Club, MI

18. Sage Run Golf Club/Bark River, MI

       Island Resort & Casino  

Fallen Oak Golf Club, Beau Rivage Resort MS

19. Fallen Oak Golf Club/Saucier, MS   

        Beau Rivage/Mississippi Golf Trail

Stadium Course, TPC Sawgrass FL

20. Stadium

TPC Sawgrass/Ponte Vedra Beach, FL   

  • Holes: 36 (2-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
  • Course Architects: Pete Dye/Alice Dye/Jerry Pate/Steve/Wenzloff/Bobby Weed
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Stadium:                76.4/155

Dye’s Valley:         74.0/134

North Course, Lake of Isles Resort CT

21. Lake of Isles North

Lake of Isles/North Stonington, CT   

 Foxwoods/KemperSports

  • Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses)
  • Course Architects: Rees Jones
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

North:                     76.3/143

South:                     73.2/141

River Course, Blackwolf Run WI

22. River Course (Blackwolf Run)

The American Club Resort Hotel/Sheboygan, WI

Kohler Golf/Wisconsin Golf Trail 

  • Holes: 81 (4-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses and 9-Hole Par 3)
  • Course Architect: Pete Dye/Chris Lutzke
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Whistling Straits

Straits:                     77.2/152

Irish:                         75.6/146

Blackwolf Run

River:                       76.2/151

Meadow Valleys:  75.3/141

The Baths:              27.1/87

Koasati Pines, Coushatta Casino Resort LA

23. Koasati Pines/Kinder, LA  

       Coushatta Casino Resort

Firekeeper, Prairie Band Casino & Resort KS

24. Firekeeper/Mayette, KS   

        Prairie Band Casino & Resort

The Bear, Grand Traverse Resort & Spa MI

25. The Bear

Grand Traverse Resort & Spa/Acme, MI 

  • Holes: 54 (3-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
  • Course Architects: Jack Nicklaus/William Newcomb/Bob Cupp/John Robinson/Gary Player
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

The Bear:          76.1/150

Spruce Run:     71.2/136

Wolverine:        74.5/140               

Oaks, TPC San Antonio TX

26. Oaks

TPC San Antonio/San Antonio, TX   

JW Marriott

  • Holes: 103 (5-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses and Thirteen Hole Par 3)
  • Course Architects: Greg Norman/Tad Burnett/Sergio Garcia/Pete Dye
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Oaks:                      76.1/142

Canyons:               73.6/129

Sandia Resort & Casino, NM

27. Sandia Golf Club/Albuquerque, NM   

       Sandia Resort & Casino

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architect: Scott Miller
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 76.1/142
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
  • Course Description
  • Accommodations
  • GolfDay Rating: 93.2
  • Location
Great Waters, Reynolds Lake Oconee GA

28. Great Waters

 Reynolds Lake Oconee/Greensboro, GA  

 Ritz Carlton

  • Holes: 99 (4-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses and Twenty-Seven Hole Regulation Course)
  • Course Architects: Jack Nicklaus/Tom Fazio/Rees Jones/Bob Cupp/Fuzzy Zoeller/Hubert Green
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Great Waters:         76.1/147

National-Bluff:      37.0/143

National-Cove:      37.4/143

National-Ridge:    37.2/143

Oconee:                  75.2/141

Landing:                 74.5/138

Preserve:                72.2/133

Old White, The Greenbrier WV

29.  Old White

The Greenbrier/White Sulphur Springs, WV   

  • Holes: 81 (4-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses Nine Hole Par 3)
  • Course Architects: C. B. Macdonald/Seth Raynor/George O’Neil/Jack Nicklaus/Dick Wilson/Bob Cupp/Tom Fazio/Keith Foster/Kevin Hargrave
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Old White: 76.0/142

Greenbrier: 72.5/132

Meadows:  72.0/138

Snead:        74.7/138

Magnolia Course, Walt Disney World FL

30. Magnolia

Walt Disney World/Orlando, FL   

  • Holes: 63 (3-Eighteen Hole Courses and 9-Hole course)
  • Course Architects: Joe Lee/Rocky Roquemore/Ron Garl/Ken Baker
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Magnolia:                 76.0/141

Palm:                          73.7/137

Lake Buena Vista:   72.3/133

Oak Trail:                   33.8/126

The GolfDay rating is based on a variety of criteria, including the stature of the architect who did the original design, updates that have been done since the course was built, USGA Course and Slope Ratings, current local and national rankings by Golf Digest and Golfweek (as well as other authoritative sources), the quality and diversity of practice facilities, general course conditioning, and current course reviews.

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LIV Golf: 2024 Recap and Power Rankings      

Jon Rahm: Dominating Season

Jon Rahm put an exclamation point on his phenomenal season with a dominating 3-shot victory over Joaquin Niemann and Sergio Garcia in Chicago, finishing atop the final 2024 LIV Power Rankings. Niemann led the field throughout the year until Rahm finally ran him down with a win at the UK and followed with a runner-up at the Greenbrier.

Niemann had a break-out season, finishing well ahead of #3 Bryson DeChambeau, despite Bryson’s fantastic performance at the 2024 major championships that gave him a big boost in the power rankings.

Joaquin Niemann: Finishes #2

All of the top players in the year-end rankings recorded a Top 10 finish at Bolingbrook Golf Club, keeping the heat on Rahm right through the last round of the season’s final event. 

When you look at the way the big guns finished up the year, the 2025 LIV season should provide a lot of excitement.

Keep in mind that 12 LIV players are included among the All-Time Top 100 Players, with Phil in the top 10, Jon Rahm breaking into the top 50 with his T10 at The Open Championship, and Bryson moving up to #91 with his win at the U.S. Open, runner-up at The PGA and T6 at The Masters.

Team Championship: Maridoe Golf club, TX

Team Championship

At the year-end Team Championship held at Maridoe Golf Club in Texas, Ripper GC, the Australian contingent of Cam Smith, Lucas Herbert, Mark Leishman and Matt Jones recorded a 3-shot victory over the Aces (Dustin Johnson, Pat Reed, Harlod Varner III and Pat Perez). Iron Heads, consisting of Jinichiro Kozuma, Kevin Na, Danny Lee and Scott Vincent finished in the 3rd position.

Cam leads Ripper GC to Team victory

Power Rankings Overview

Players are rated and ranked on the basis of events played, average finish, wins, runner up, Top 5 and Top 10 finishes—as well as performance at the major championships. DJ led the league in 2022 at 80.9, and Cameron Smith set a new standard in 2023 at 89.0—but Jon Rahm’s rating of 110.2 in 2024 is truly mind-blowing.

Top 5

No. 1 Jon Rahm: 110.2 Rating  Jon started the season with a T3 at Mayakoba and kept his foot on the gas all year, finishing in the top 10 week after week until finally torching the field with 2 wins and a runner-up in the final 3 events of the year.

In 12 LIV tournaments, Rahm recorded 2 wins, a runner-up, 5 Top 5’s and 4 Top 10’s—and his average finish was 4.8.

It would seem impossible to improve on the year Jon had in 2024, but you don’t want to bet against him in 2025—plus he’ll be loaded for bear at the majors next time around.

No. 2 Joaquin Niemann: 99.1 Rating

Joaquin jumped out early winning 2 of the first 3 events at Mayakoba and Jedda, and battled Rahm tooth and nail all year to the bitter end.

In 13 events, Joaquin recorded 2 wins, 2 runner-ups, 3 Top 5’s and 3 Top 10’s, with an average finish of 8.9.

In the tournaments Rahm won at the UK and Chicago coming down the stretch, Joaquin was right there fighting his heart out—but came up just short with runner-up finishes in both.

Before shedding too many tears for Joaquin though, remember he is just 25 years old, having turned pro at age 19—and with that swing he’s going to pile up plenty of wins before too long.

Bryson: Huge year at the Majors

No. 3 Bryson DeChambeau: 90.2 Rating

Bryson had a good year in 2024 with 2-Top 5’s, and 5 Top 10’s, but considering his incredible performance at the major championships, you would have expected a bit more—particularly after recording 2 LIV wins in 2023. 

Still, DeChambeau was very consistent throughout the season and finished 4th in average finish at 12.8—and it’s pretty hard to complain about a year that includes a U.S. Open win.

No. 4 Tyrell Hatton: 87.8 Rating

Hatton posted a win at The Grove in Nashville in his debut season with LIV, and also recorded a runner-up, 4 Top 5’s and a Top 10.

Tyrell also posted an average finish of 10.2, 3rd in the league behind Rahm and Niemann. Hatton is loaded with talent, and when he keeps a handle on the temper it’s almost certain to see him among the leaders come Sunday.

Keep in mind as well that in 2024 Tyrell was seeing many of the LIV tournament courses for the first time, which is always tough—and that won’t be the case in 2025. Don’t be surprised if next year is a multiple win season for Hatton.

Brooks with 5 LIV wins

No. 5 Brooks Koepka: 79.6

Brooks notched 2 more wins in 2024, bringing him to a total of 5 since joining LIV in 2022, matching his major championship total, and 2 more than DJ, Cam Smith and Talor Gooch who each have 3.

For all the even tempered consistency Koepka brings to the major championships, Brooks is remarkably inconsistent when it comes to regular events. Along with his two wins, Koepka recorded a Top 5 at Mayakoba and 3 Top 10’s—but then had a couple of big-time stinkers at Trump National Doral in Miami (45) and Nashville (42).

With an average finish of 16.4, Brooks ranked 10th in the league behind Richard Bland (8) and Paul Casey (9). Bland and Casey are fine players, but they are not close to the level of Brooks Koepka.

It looks like Brooks is past the injuries and appears as fit as he’s ever been—so what’s up? Certainly the putter went cold at some key points in the majors this year, but that doesn’t explain so many poor performances at the regular LIV events.

Brooks needs to step it up in 2025, and he will no doubt be a bigger force at the majors—but Koepka should borrow a page from Jon Rahm and show up every week ready to play. And wouldn’t that be fun to watch.

Movers

Bryson DeChambeau: Bryson joined LIV the first year back in 2022, played the second event in Portland and recorded a T10. The rest of his year, though, was underwhelming with only 1 more Top 10 (Chicago) while finishing up the year at No. 17.

In 2023 DeChambeau pumped it up and recorded 2 wins, vaulting to No. 4, and in 2024 Bryson continued to move up, finishing at No. 3. Look for some good battles with Rahm and Koepka in 2025.

Garcia: Comeback in ‘24

Sergio Garcia: Sergio has played every event since LIV began in 2022, finally breaking out for his first win this year at Andalucia. Garcia recorded 4 top 10’s in 7 events back in 2022, finishing the year at No. 6 in the rankings, but slipped to No. 17 in 2023—and at 43 years old it looked like Sergio was fading fast.

Garcia made a statement that he wasn’t done quite yet in the first event of 2024 with a runner-up at Mayakoba. On top of his win in Spain, Sergio notched 2 additional runner-up finishes in Miami and Chicago, along with a T5 in Houston and a T8 at The Greenbrier.

Sergio ended the year at No. 6 in the power rankings, and also 6th in average finish at 14.7—a huge move from his mediocre 2023 season.

Louis Oosthuizen: Sweet Swing

Louis Oosthuizen: With the prettiest golf swing you’ll ever see, it had to be the bad back that caused Louis to finish 2023 in the middle of the pack (No. 23).  

Oosthuizen looked like the Louis of old this year though, recording a runner-up (Adelaide), a T4 (Andalucia), and 4 Top 10’s. On top of that, he finished the year 5th in average finish at 14.6 and jumped all the way to No. 9 in the power rankings.

Let’s hope the back holds up in 2025, because there is nothing more enjoyable than watching Oosthuizen strike a laser-like long iron tracking the pin (see double eagle at Augusta with a 4 iron at No. 12 in 2012.)

All-Time LIV Wins

  • Brooks Koepka:             5
  • Cam Smith:                     3
  • Dustin Johnson:            3
  • Talor Gooch:                   3
  • Jon Rahm:                       2
  • Bryson DeChambeau:  2
  • Joaquin Niemann:         2
Riyadh Golf Club, Saudi Arabia   

2025 LIV Schedule

Riyadh: Riyadh Golf Club, Saudi Arabia(February 6–8)

Adelaide: The Grange Golf Club, Australia (February 14–16)

Hong Kong: Hong Kong Golf Club, Hong Kong (March 7–9)

Singapore: Sentosa Golf Club, Singapore (March 14–16)

Looking for a great track or planning a golf trip–find everything you need with the GolfDay Search Engine.

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All-Time Top 100: Active Player Update

Tiger: 15 Major Championships

There are twenty-six active players among the all-time Top 100 golfers, with Tiger leading the list as he continues his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus for #1.

Tiger will be 49 years old when the 2025 season gets under way, and it appears that injuries suffered in the 2021 auto accident combined with ongoing back issues will ultimately keep him from overtaking Nicklaus.

Don’t try telling that to Tiger though–he just underwent another surgery to alleviate persistent back spasms that slowed him in 2024 with every intention of playing more tour events in ’25 and getting competitive again in the majors.

Clock’s winding down for Tiger

Tiger holds a pretty good lead over Jack in tour wins, and he is very close to Nicklaus in cut and top 10 percentage, but Jack’s 3 additional major wins along with his tremendous number of major top 10’s make it seemingly impossible for Tiger to run him down at this point.  

Even should Tiger coax another major championship from his battered body, he would still come up just a bit shy—unless he could also add another tour win and a major top 10 or two.

It’s a long shot, but then again betting against Tiger Woods has never been a wise thing to do.

Scottie Scheffler: Date With History

Scottie

With 7 wins including a Masters Championship, no missed cuts and 16 top-10’s in 19 starts, Scheffler’s 2024 season was among the greatest of all-time.

And Scottie’s ’23 season was pretty fantastic as well, with 2 wins and 17 top-10’s (including 3 major top-10’s).

Scheffler ended the 2022 season at #112 among the greatest players of all-time, jumping to #97 in 2023 and he now stands at #60—while Scottie won’t turn 30 years old until 2026. If he continues at this pace, Jack and Tiger will start to see him in the rearview coming on fast in the not-too distant future.

Xander Jumps With Pair of Major Wins

Xander

Xander Schauffele is no slouch either, with 2 major championship victories in 2024 and 26 top-10’s in the last 2 seasons (including 4 major top 10’s in addition to the wins).

Schauffele ended the ’22 season at #94, moved to #85 in 2023 and jumped all the way to #68 with his 2 majors and a boat load of additional T-10’s.

At 30 years old, Xander has plenty of time to build his record—and all-time top 10 is by no means out of reach.

Rory Still Has Time

Rory

Everyone talks about the fact that McIlroy has not won a major in almost ten years, but he is still just 35 years old, looks as fit as he did when he was twenty (perhaps even more so), and still drives it better than anybody.

After the 2022 season Rory stood at #21 and moved past Cary Middlecoff and Lee Trevino to #19 in 2023. While 2024 was a disappointment, particularly the painful loss at the U.S. Open, Rory still made 18 of 19 cuts and recorded 7 top-10’s, including a pair of Tour wins—propelling him past Lloyd Mangrum into a tie with Peter Thompson at #17.

Jack won his last major at 46 and Phil captured The PGA Championship at 51, so Rory still has plenty of opportunities in front of him. While it’s unlikely that Rory can get close to Sam Snead, Tiger and Jack, he definitely has a shot at the top 5—and there are a ton of golf fans pulling for him.

LIV

Participating in LIV events does not elevate standing among the greats of the game, so DJ (#29), Sergio (#32), Jon Rahm (#49), Brooks Koepka (#57) and Bryson DeChambeau (#91) are relying on major championship performance alone to move up in the rankings.

Jon Rahm: Inside the Top 50

While the clock is winding down on DJ and Sergio, now north of 40, Koepka, Rahm and DeChambeau have plenty of time–but they need to play lights out whenever they tee it up in a major.

Jon Rahm is currently the only player in the all-time top 50 who is under 30 years old, and his PGA Tour cut and top-10 percentages are the highest of any modern-day player other than Jack and Tiger.

Brooks Koepka: 5 major championships

Koepka always focused on the majors anyway, even when he played on the PGA Tour, but it’s tough to be at the top of your game when it counts without regular big-time competition. Still, it’s a pretty good bet that Brooks will bag at least one more major and move into the all-time top-50.

Hopefully there will be a resolution between LIV and the PGA Tour in the near future, because it would sure be great to see Koepka, Rahm and DeChambeau tee it up against Scheffler, Schauffele and McIlroy more than just 4 times a year.

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LIV Golf: 2024 Power Rankings through Greenbrier

Jon Rahm: Moves to #1 (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez)

Jon Rahm has been chasing Joaquin Niemann in the LIV Power Rankings all year, and with his first LIV win at the UK and a runner-up at The Greenbrier, he finally ran him down.

Niemann certainly didn’t give it up without a fight though, finishing one shot behind Rahm at the UK as runner up. Jon came out swinging with a first round 63 and a 6-shot lead over Niemann, but Joaquin fired 67 and 65 on the weekend only to come up just shy.

Niemann certainly didn’t play poorly at The Greenbrier either, finishing at 11 under par and a T15 (along with Bryson DeChambeau), but Rahm has been relentless in 2024 and his runner-up to Koepka on Old White pretty much sealed the deal.  

Niemann will need to win Chicago with Rahm finishing outside the top 10 to retake the lead, and the way Rahm has played that doesn’t seem likely.   As the year winds down, there are twelve LIV players included among the All-Time Top 100 Players, with Phil at the top and Bryson the most recent addition on the strength of his fantastic major championship season.

Joaquin Niemann: Falls to #2

LIV Power Ranking Update

Players are rated and ranked on the basis of events played, average finish, wins, runner-up, Top-5 and Top-10 finishes—as well as performance at the major championships.

Top 5

No. 1 Jon Rahm: 100.8 Rating 

Jon started to heat up with his final round at The Open and a Top 10 finish, and then kept rolling when he held off Niemann for his first LIV win at the UK. Although the last nine holes at the Olympic Tournament in France were excruciating after the first 63 holes of flawless golf, Rahm came back with another powerful performance at The Greenbrier where he recorded a runner-up, losing in a playoff to Brooks Koepka.

In 11 LIV events, Rahm has recorded a win, a runner-up, 5 Top-5’s and 4 Top-10’s—and his average finish is 5.2.

What separated Jack and Tiger was brilliant consistency and professionalism—and Jon Rahm epitomizes exactly that.

Think Jon will be among the leaders on Sunday at Bolingbrook? You can take it to the bank.

No. 2 Joaquin Niemann: 93.6 Rating

Joaquin has had an amazing year with 2 wins, 6 Top-10’s and a runner-up at the UK, going toe-to-toe with Rahm throughout the year.

Keep in mind that Niemann is only 25 years old, although you may think he’s far older (Joaquin turned pro at 19 and won his first Tour event at 20).

He charged hard but finished a shot back at the UK, and finally relinquished his lead in the LIV Power Rankings when Rahm recorded yet another Top-10 at The Greenbrier—but unfortunately for Niemann it was like trying to hold back a tidal wave.

And while he has yet to make his presence felt at the major championships, Niemann has had extraordinary success at every level since first picking up a club as a toddler—so his time will come without doubt.

Bryson: Bombing it at Bolingbrook

No. 3 Bryson DeChambeau: 86.7 Rating

Bryson got off to a slow start at both the UK and Greenbrier, finishing strong but just outside the top 10 in both events.

With his U.S. Open win, runner up at the PGA and T6 at The Masters, Bryson had an incredible year at the majors—and 2 Top-5’s (Jeddah and Nashville) along with 4 Top-10’s in 12 LIV events is one heck of a regular season.

Bryson is back, and he’ll be hitting eye-popping bombs at Bolingbrook—so Rahm and Niemann will need to bring their A games to keep him at bay.

No. 4 Tyrell Hatton: 83.3 Rating

Hatton played great at the UK, recording a T2, but followed up with a less than stellar performance (25th) at The Greenbrier—which pretty much sums up Tyrell’s 2024 campaign.

Tyrell’s season included brilliant performances (a win, runner-up, 3 Top-5’s and a Top-10), along with forgettable finishes (Hong Kong—21 and Houston—18) and mediocrity (T15 in Jedda and T14 at Adelaide).

Which Tyrell Hatten will show up in Chicago? We’ll have to wait and see.

Cam Smith: 3 Times a Runner-up

No. 5 Cameron Smith: 76.9

Smith is having about as good a season as you can have without recording a win. Including a T2 in the UK, Cameron has recorded 3 runner-up finishes in 2024.  When you add 4 Top-10’s and a T6 at The Masters, Smith has had a very successful season.

Like Brooks Koepka however, Cameron puts the bulk of his stock in performance at the majors, and after the good start at Augusta he was outside the top 20 at the PGA and U.S. Open, and then missed the cut at The Open Championship.

Still, Cam is coming off back-to-back Top-10’s at The UK and The Greenbrier, so a win in Chicago would be a great way to wind up the year and make a statement for 2025.

Notables

Brooks Koepka (No. 6/75.7 Rating)

Brooks applied the brakes to the Jon Rahm freight train with a playoff win at Greenbrier for his second victory of the 2024 season and 5th career LIV championship.

It’s been a strange year for Koepka though, making the cut in all four majors while finishing outside the top 20 in every one of them. And although he has a pair of LIV wins along with a T5 and 2 Top-10’s, Brooks was downright lousy in a couple of events (Miami—45 and Nashville—42) and lackluster in others (Hong Kong—28 and Andalucia—27).

Koepka is an enigma for sure, with all that power and ability. Seems like if the putts are falling early, it’s lights out for the field—but if not, the fire begins to fade.

Let’s hope Brooks has it going in Chicago, it would be great to see another bare-knuckle brawl with Rahm.

Louis Oosthuizen: Sweet Swing

Louis Oosthuizen (No. 8/67.2 Rating)

Is there a golf swing in golf more enjoyable to watch? Or a nicer guy on the planet? Once again Louis Oosthuizen is quietly having a solid year with a runner-up (Adelaide), T4 (Andalucia), and 4 additional Top-10’s.

Louis is also the picture of consistency, in spite of a balky back, ranking fourth in average finish at 12.8.

If you can tear yourself away from watching Bryson bomb it, check out the simple elegance of a Louis Oosthuizen long iron—brings a smile every time.

Give Us One More Thrill Phil!

Phil (No. 44/32.8 Rating) 

Still no Phil. After tying Gary Player for second behind Jack with 102 major cuts when he made it to the weekend at Royal Troon, it almost seems that Phil has packed it in for the season.

Following a mediocre performance at the UK (T34), Mickelson appeared ready to make some noise at The Greenbrier with two solid rounds, but then blew up on Sunday to finish 50th.

Mickelson also passed a comment that at 54, perhaps it was nearing the time he should “step aside,” but it’s looked like Phil was done before and then he suddenly popped back up.

Come on Phil, give us one more thrill in Chicagoland.

Bolingbrook Golf Club, Illinois

2024 Upcoming LIV Schedule

Chicago: Bolingbrook Golf Club (September 13-15)

Team Championship Dallas: Maridoe Golf Club (September 20-22)

Looking for a great track where you are or where you’re gong? Planning a golf trip?

Find everything you need with the GolfDay Search Engine.

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Classic Courses: Donald Ross–Top 35 Public 2024

Bedford Springs Resort, PA

Donald Ross was by far the most prolific of the classic golf course architectural masters, having designed or remodeled more than 300 courses in the United States that are still open for play.

Many of the most famous courses designed by Ross are private, including Oak Hill, Seminole, and Oakland Hills, but there are 100 Donald Ross courses that are open to the public–starting with Pinehurst #2.

Pinehurst #2, Pinehurst Resort NC

Pinehurst #2, site of the 2024 U.S. Open, is perhaps the most famous Donald Ross design, having previously hosted the Open in 2014, 2005 and 1999 as well as the 2014 Women’s Open, 1936 PGA Championship and the 1951 Ryder Cup.

Donald Ross

Donald Ross also designed courses 1 and 3 at Pinehurst Resort, and a great many of his classic course designs were conceived in his home adjacent to #2, Dornoch Cottage, where Ross lived from 1925 until his death in 1948.

Dornoch Cottage, Pinehurst Resort

Ross left us with a wealth of wonderful golf courses, and we are fortunate indeed that so many are available for everyone to enjoy. We have selected our Top 35, but you can also spin through a comprehensive list of all public Donald Ross courses.

Since Donald Ross made his home in North Carolina, it is not a surprise that 11 of the Top 35 public Ross courses are located in NC. Florida is second with 4, followed by Ohio and New Hampshire with three each.  

It is also notable that 11 of our Top 35 are Municipal courses, with Monroe Country Club (No. 10) and Mooresville Golf Club (No. 11) leading the list.

In addition to Pinehurst, premier golf resort locations with Donald Ross courses include French Lick in Indiana, Pine Needles (also in NC), and The Broadmoor in Colorado.

Should you wish to delve deeper into the life and work of this remarkable man, The Donald Ross Society is a fantastic resource.

And if you’re just looking for great public golf where you are or where you’re going, the GolfDay Search Engine makes it easy to find the best courses and a better bang for your buck.

Pinehurst Resort, NC
  1. Pinehurst Resort/Pinehurst, NC (Resort)
  • Holes: 180 (10-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
  • Course Architects: Donald Ross/Walter Travis/Richard Tufts/Tom Fazio/Tom Marzolf/Ellis Maples/George Fazio/Rees Jones/Jack Nicklaus/Tom Doak
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

#1:  69.1/123

#2:  77.9/149

#3:  66.1/123

#4:  74.9/138

#5:  73.1/135

#6:  74.5/140

#7:  75.6/142

#8:  73.9/139

#9:  74.8/143

#10 74.1/142         

French Lick Resort, IN

2. French Lick Resort/French Lick, IN (Resort)

  • Holes: 45 (2-Eighteen Hole Courses and Nine Hole Regulation Course)
  • Course Architects: Tom Bendelow/Hal Purdy/Pete Dye/Donald Ross/Dandy Alves/Allan MacCurrach
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Dye:                       80.5/151

Ross:                     75.7/149

Valley Links:       35.4/121

Pine Needles, NC

3. Pine Needles/Southern Pines, NC (Resort)

  • Holes: 36 (2-Eighteen Hole Courses)
  • Course Architects: Donald Ross/John Fought/Kyle Franz
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating:

Pine Needles:       74.7/141

Mid Pines:              72.9/138

The Broadmoor, CO

4. The Broadmoor/Colorado Springs, CO (Resort)

  • Holes: 36 (2-Eighteen Hole Courses/Mountain Course Closed for Renovation)
  • Course Architects: Donald Ross/Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Jack Nicklaus/Ron Forse
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating:

East:           73.8/141

West:          73.0/138

Bedford Springs Resort, PA

5. Bedford Springs Resort/Bedford, PA (Resort)

       Omni Hotels & Resorts

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Spencer Oldham/Donald Ross/A. W. Tillinghast/Ron Forse
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.7/140
  • Grass Driving Range with Target Greens, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
  • Course Description
  • Accommodations
  • GolfDay Rating: 97.1
  • Location
The Homestead, VA

6. The Homestead/Hot Springs, VA (Resort)

      Omni Hotels & Resorts

  • Holes: 36 (2-Eighteen Hole Courses)
  • Course Architects: Donald Ross/William Flynn/Tom Clark/Bill Love
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Cascades:            72.9/135

Old Course:         69.6/128

  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker (at both Cascades and Old Course).
The Lancaster Golf Club, SC

7. Lancaster Golf Club/Lancaster, SC (Public)

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Donald Ross/Russell Breeden/Clyde Johnston
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 71.7/137
  • Practice Facilities: Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
  • Course Description
  • Video Tour
  • GolfDay Rating: 95.5
  • Location
Southern Pines Golf Club, NC

8. Southern Pines Golf Club/Southern Pines, NC (Public)

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Donald Ross/William Mitchell/John LaFoy/Kyle Franz
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.0/135
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
  • Course Description
  • Restoration
  • GolfDay Rating: 94.9
  • Location
Forest Hills Golf Club, GA

9. Forest Hills Golf Club/Augusta, GA (Public)

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Donald Ross/Arnold Palmer/Ed Seay/Harrison Minchew
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.6/141
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets and Fairway Bunker, Putting and Chipping Green.
  • Course Description
  • Photos
  • GolfDay Rating: 94.2
  • Location
Monroe Country Club, NC

10. Monroe Country Club/Monroe, NC (Muni)   

        City of Monroe

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Donald Ross/Tom Jackson/Richard Mandell/Tyler Rae
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.6/133
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
  • Course Description
  • Photos
  • GolfDay Rating: 94.2
  • Location
Mooresville Golf Club, NC

11. Mooresville Golf Club/Mooresville, NC (Muni)

      Town of Mooresville

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architect: Donald Ross/J. Porter Gibson/Kris Spence
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.0/135
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers.
  • Course Description
  • Junior Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 93.9
  • Location
Denison Golf Club at Granville , OH

12. Denison Golf Club at Granville/Granville University, OH (Public)

        Denison University

Fort Mill Golf Club, SC

13. Fort Mill Golf Club/Fort Mill, SC (Public)

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Donald Ross/George Cobb/Clyde Johnston
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.9/136
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Target Greens, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
  • Course Description
  • Video Tour
  • GolfDay Rating: 93.3
  • Location
Delaware Golf Club, OH

14. Delaware Golf Club/Delaware, OH (Public)

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Donald Ross/Michael Hurdzan/Fuzzy Zoeller
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.3/135
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens.
  • Course Description
  • Photos
  • GolfDay Rating: 93.1
  • Location
Seaview Hotel & Golf Club, NJ

15. Seaview Hotel & Golf Club/Galloway Township, NJ (Resort)  

        Dolce Hotels

  • Holes: 36 (2-Eighteen Hole Courses)
  • Course Architects: Donald Ross/A. W. Tillinghast/William Flynn/Howard Toomey/William F. Gordon/David W. Gordon/Alyn Janis/Bob Cupp
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Bay:                       69.8/125

Pines:                    72.4/123

Ravisloe Country Club, IL

16. Ravisloe Country Club/Homewood, IL (Public)

New Smyrna Golf Club, FL

17. New Smyrna Golf Club/New Smyrna Beach, FL (Muni)

        City of New Smyrna

Shennecossett Golf Club, CT

18. Shennecossett Golf Club/Groton, CT (Muni)

       City of Groton

The Waynesville Inn & Golf Club, NC

19. The Waynesville Inn & Golf Club/Waynesville, NC (Resort)

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Donald Ross/Tom Jackson/Bobby Weed
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 71.5/139
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, “Wedge Park” Short Course, Lighted Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
  • Course Description
  • Accommodations
  • GolfDay Rating: 91.4
  • Location
Mill Creek Golf Course, OH

20. Mill Creek Golf Course/Boardman, OH (Muni)

        Mill Creek MetroParks

  • Holes: 36 (2-Eighteen Hole Courses)
  • Course Architect: Donald Ross
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating:

North:  71.2/123

South:  71.7/126

Pinecrest Golf Club, FL

21. Pinecrest Golf Club/Avon Park, FL (Public)

George Wright Golf Course, MA

22. George Wright Golf Course/Hyde Park, MA (Muni)

Biltmore Golf Course, FL

23. Biltmore Golf Course/Coral Gables, FL (Resort)

        The Biltmore Hotel

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Donald Ross/William Langford/Mark Mahannah/Brian Silva
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.3/132
  • Practice Facilities: Driving Range (Grass Thursday-Sunday/Mats Monday-Wednesday) with Targets, Putting Greens (3) and Chipping Greens with Bunker and Jim McLean Golf Academy.
  • Course Description
  • Accommodations
  • GolfDay Rating: 91.1
  • Location
Jeffersonville Golf Club, PA

24. Jeffersonville Golf Club/Jeffersonville, PA (Muni)

        West Norton Township

Chautauqua Golf Club, NY

25. Chautauqua Golf Club/Chautauqua, NY (Public)

  • Holes: 36: (2-Eighteen Hole Courses: Lake/Hill
  • Course Architects: Seymour Dunn/Donald Ross/Xenophon Hassenplug/Chris Wilczynski
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating:

Lake (Ross): 71.2/123

Hill:              71.7/125

Grove Park Golf Course, NC

26. Grove Park Golf Course/Ashville, NC (Resort)

        Omni Hotels & Resorts

Crotched Mountain Golf Club, NH

27. Crotched Mountain Golf Club/Francestown, NH (Public)

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Donald Ross/Dick Tremblay/Mark Gagne/Lyman Doane II
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 70.3/132
  • Practice Facilities: Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Green.
  • Photos
  • Indoor Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 90.0
  • Location
Poland Spring Resort, ME

28. Poland Spring Resort/Poland, ME (Resort)

Mount Washington Resort, NH

29. Mount Washington Resort/Bretton Woods, NH (Resort)

        Omni Hotels & Resorts

  • Holes: 27 (Eighteen- and Nine-Hole Courses)
  • Course Architects: Arthur Fenn/Alex Findlay/Donald Ross/Geoffrey Cornish/Brian Silva/Ross Forbes
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating:

Mount Washington: 73.7/135

Mount Pleasant: 34.7/116

Kingswood Golf Club, NH

30. Kingswood Golf Club/Wolfeboro, NH (Public)

Sagamore Golf Course, NY

31. Sagamore Golf Course/Bolton Landing, NY (Resort)

        Sagamore Resort   

Fort Myers Country Club, FL

32. Fort Myers Country Club/Fort Myers, FL (Muni)

        City of Fort Myers

Triggs Memorial Golf Course, RI

33. Triggs Memorial Golf Course/Providence, RI (Muni)

        City of Providence

Belmont Golf Course, VA

34. Belmont Golf Course/Henrico, VA (Muni)

        Henrico County Recreation & Parks

  • Holes: 18 (Twelve Hole Regulation Course/Belmont and Six Hole Executive Course/Little Bell)
  • Course Architects: A. W. Tillinghast/Donald Ross/David W. Gordon/Edmund Ault/Davis Love III
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 65.5/121
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Target Greens, Wedge Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers (3) and Eighteen Hole Putting Course (The Ringer).
  • Course Description
  • Junior Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 89.3
  • Location
Wilmington Golf Course, NC

35. Wilmington Golf Course/Wilmington, NC (Muni)

        City of Wilmington

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PGA Tour 2024: Historic Rivalry Heating Up

FedEx Playoffs Begin This Week

While Scottie Scheffler is having one of the greatest seasons in PGA Tour history, he’ll have to keep his foot firmly on the gas to keep Xander Schauffele in the rear view. With his second major victory of 2024 at the Open Championship, Xander positioned himself to pull neck and neck with Scottie for Player of the Year if he can close with a couple of wins and add a FedEx Cup to his mantelpiece.

Scheffler and Schauffele: Making History

Scheffler has recorded 5 tour wins, a major championship and 2 major Top-10’s, while Schauffele has won 2 major championships with 2 major Top-10’s. Neither has missed a cut, and Scottie has recorded Top-10’s in 14 of 16 starts (87.5%) while Xander has 12 Top-10’s in 18 starts (66.6%).

History in the Making

Only a few times in history have two players performed at the level of brilliant consistency displayed by Scheffler and Schauffele in the 2024 season—and of course we have to look at Jack and Tiger to provide perspective

Jack and Tiger Set The Standard

In addition to their major championships, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods set a standard for consistent excellence that would seem impossible to replicate—yet Scottie Scheffler is on the cusp of doing just that.

The Rivalries

Jack and Tiger were challenged and pushed by a number of All-Time Top 100 players who would also earn their place in the Hall of Fame, creating intense rivalries that elevated their games to even greater heights.

Early in his career Jack clashed with Arnie and Player, followed later by legendary battles with Weiskopf and Watson.

Tiger and Phil went at it hammer and tongs for a decade and more, Vijay recorded 92 Top-10’s between 2001 and 2006, while Ernie Els had one of his greatest seasons in 2004—all when Tiger was at the pinnacle of his power.

When Scottie and Xander tee it up this week at TPC Southwind in Memphis for the first leg of the FedEx Cup playoffs, we will have the opportunity to see two players destined to be among the greats of the game at peak performance with the richest prize in golf history on the line.

Of course, there are other elite players who have no intention of allowing Scottie and Xander to steal the show, including Rory as he looks to redeem his 2024 season with a fourth FedEx Cup.

Through the annals of golf history, however, it is extremely rare to have two players performing at such a high level in the same year—so the next three weeks is a sure bet to deliver some pretty fantastic golf.

Time to head for Memphis.

TPC Southwind, Memphis TN

FedEx Cup

This week the Tour is in Memphis for the FedEx St. Jude Classic, then on to the BMW Championship at Castle Pines Golf Club in Colorado and culminating with The Tour Championship at East Lake in Atlanta.

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U.S. Top 50 University Courses: 2024

Kampen Golf Course, Pete Dye Design: Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex at Purdue University

Many of the premier University courses in the U.S. are found at schools that are known for nationally ranked athletic teams, such as Indiana University (Pfau Course), Texas Tech (Rawls Course), Ohio State (OSU Golf Club) and Stanford (Stanford Golf Course), but quite a few colleges not commonly associated with big-time sports offer fantastic golf facilities as well. 

The Top 50 include classic designs by the eminent figures in golf course architecture, including Alister MacKenzie (University of Michigan Golf Course and Ohio State Golf Club), C. B. McDonald and Seth Raynor (Yale Golf Course), Donald Ross (Dennison University, Mark Bostick Course at Florida State and Orchards at Mount Holyoke college).

Also among the Top 50 are modern masterpieces by Tom Fazio (Karsten Creek at Kansas State and Great River at Sacred Heart University), Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw (Warren Course at Notre Dame), Michael Hurdzan (The Meadows at Grand Valley State), and Tom Doak (Rawls Course at Texas Tech).  

Tom Doak and Jim Urbina: The Rawls Course at Texas Tech

The first family of golf course architecture is present throughout the Top 50, with Robert Trent Jones original designs at the University of Georgia, Duke, Seven Oaks at Colgate University, Eisenhower Golf Club at The United States Air Force Academy, and Robert Trent Jones Golf Course at Cornell University, as well as updates to the Stanford Golf Course. Robert Trent Jones II designs include University Ridge (Wisconsen University) and The Blessings (University of Arkansas) while Rees Jones lent his celebrated skills to updating the wonderful RTJ design at Duke University.

Ohio State and The University of Florida turn to Jack

When Ohio State University decided to update their Alister MacKenzie championship course, it was fitting that Jack be the man to oversee every detail, and Nicklaus Design also remodeled the Seminole Legacy Course at The University of Florida to deliver a very stiff test of Division I golf.

Twenty-six states include at least one member of the Top 50, but Michigan (5) and North Carolina (4) boast the largest number. Illinois, Indiana, South Carolina and Texas follow closely with 3 each.

The Blessings at Arkansas State: Robert Trent Jones II

Ranked by GolfDay Rating, listings include the year a club was founded, course architect(s), current USGA course and slope ratings, a link for course description/photos, as well as current national rankings by Golf Digest. The Club website is also provided, as well as a link to Google Maps for each location. 

While we’ve included the Top 50 below, you can also find a more comprehensive list with GolfDay University Courses, or click “courses near me” just to find the best golf in your area—with GolfDay rating and the distance from your location.

The GolfDay University course rating is based on a variety of criteria, including the stature of the architect(s) who provided the original design(s), updates that have been done on the course(s), the variety of courses located at the property, USGA Course and Slope Ratings, as well as practice facilities and programs.

If you are looking for great public golf, or planning a vacation, the GolfDay Search Engine makes it easy to find the best courses and a better bang for your buck.

The Pfau Course

1. The Pfau Course/Bloomington, IN (Public)

     Indiana University

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Steve Smyers/Fuzzy Zoeller
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 80.2/155
  • Practice Facilities: Double Sided Grass Driving Range with Targets, Wedge Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers.
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 100
Karsten Creek Golf Club

2. Karsten Creek Golf Club/Stillwater, OK (Public)

    Oklahoma State University

  • Holes: 18 (Course Closed For Renovation Through Spring 2025)
  • Course Architects: Tom Fazio/Andrew Green
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 77.2/152
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Wedge Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers. Range Balls Included with Greens Fee.
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • Accommodations
  • GolfDay Rating: 100
Atkins Golf Club

3. Atkins Golf Club/Urbana, Ill (Public)

     University of Illinois

.  

University of George Golf Course

4. University of Georgia Golf Course/Athens, GA (Public)

     University of Georgia

. 

University Ridge

5. University Ridge/Madison WI (Public)

    University of Wisconsin

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architect: Robert Trent Jones, Jr.
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.4/142
  • Practice Facilities: Expansive Grass Driving Range with Target Greens, Putting and Chipping Green (Short Game Facility with Bunker available to University Golf Teams Only).
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 98.4

.                                              

Colbert Hills Golf Course

6. Colbert Hills Golf Course/Manhattan, KS (Public)

     Kansas State University

  • Holes: 27: Eighteen Hole Regulation Course and Nine Hole Par 3
  • Course Architects: Jeffrey Brauer/Jim Colbert
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 77.6/143
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Wedge Range with Fairway Bunker, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 98.0
Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex

7. Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex/West Lafayette, IN (Public)

     Purdue University

  • Holes: 36: 2-Eighteen Hole Courses (Ackerman-Allen/Kampen-Cosler)
  • Course Architects: William Diddel/Larry Packard/Pete Dye
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Ackerman-Allen: 76.5/141

Kampen-Cosler:  76.5/146

Duke University Golf Club

8. Duke University Golf Club/Durham, NC (Public)

     Duke University

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Rees Jones
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.2/145
  • Practice Facilities: Expansive Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker (Unlimited Callaway Balls included with Greens Fee).
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 96.7
The Meadows Golf Club

9. The Meadows Golf Club/Allendale, MI (Public)

     Grand Valley State University

The Rawls Course

10. The Rawls Course/Lubbock, TX (Public)

        Texas Tech University

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Tom Doak/Jim Urbina
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.2./138
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Wedge Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers (3).
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 96.1

.          

Seven Oaks Golf Club

11. Seven Oaks Golf Club/Hamilton, NY (Public)

        Colgate University

  • Holes: 18 
  • Course Architects: Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Ron Forse
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.5/145
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets and Putting Green.
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 95.7

.                                              

Oakland University Golf and Learning Center

12. Oakland University Golf and Learning Center/Rochester, MI (Students and Alumni Only)

      Oakland University

  • Holes: 36: 2-Eighteen Hole Courses (Katke-Cousins/R&S Sharf)
  • Course Architects: Robert Beard/William Newcomb/Warren Henderson/Rick Smith
  • USGA Course/Slope Ratings

Katke-Cousins:      76.7/148

R&S Sharf:                        75.2/145

Jimmie Austin Golf Club

13. Jimmie Austin Golf Club/Norman, OK (Public)

        University of Oklahoma

  • Holes: 36: 2-Eighteen Hole Courses (Katke-Cousins/R&S Sharf)
  • Course Architects: Robert Beard/William Newcomb/Warren Henderson/Rick Smith
  • USGA Course/Slope Ratings
  • Katke-Cousins:      76.7/148 R&S Sharf:                 75.2/145
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 95.2
Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech

  14. Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech/Radford, VA (Public)

        Virginia Tech Foundation

. 

The Blessings Golf Club

15. The Blessings Golf Club/Fayetteville, AR (Students and Alumni Only)

        University of Arkansas

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Robert Trent Jones, Jr./Kyle Phillips
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 80.9/155
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers and Indoor Dave Pelz Short Game Facility.
  • Photos
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 94.6

.                                              

Stanford Golf Course

16.  Stanford Golf Course/Stanford, CA (Students and Alumni Only)

         Stanford University

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: George Thomas/William P. Bell/Robert Trent Jones, Sr./John Harbottle III
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.7/138
  • Practice Facilities: Expansive Lighted Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 94.5      
Ohio State University Golf Club

17. Ohio State University Golf Club/Columbus, OH (Students and Alumni Only)

       Ohio State University

  • Holes: 36: 2-Eighteen Hole Courses (Scarlet/Gray)
  • Course Architects: Alister MacKenzie/Jack Nicklaus
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating:

Scarlet: 75.6/139

Gray:    67.0/111

Forest Akers

18. Forest Akers/Lansing, MI (Public)

        Michigan State University

  • Holes: 36: 2-Eighteen Hole Courses (East/West)
  • Course Architects: Bruce Mathews/Arthur Hills
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating:

East:  70.5/127

West: 75.3/141

.                       `                      

Finley Golf Club

19. Finley Golf Club/Chapel Hill, NC (Public)

       University of North Carolina

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: George Cobb/Tom Fazio/Tom Marzolf/Davis Love III
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.6/141
  • Practice Facilities: Driving Range with Targets (Grass/Friday-Sunday, Mats/Monday-Thursday), Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
  • The Lab
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 94.2
Yale Golf Course

20. Yale Golf Course/New Haven, CT (Public)

        Yale University

University of Michigan Golf Course

21. University of Michigan Golf Course/Ann Arbor, MI (Public)

        University of Michigan

Palouse Ridge Golf Club

22. Palouse Ridge Golf Club/Pullman, WA (Public)

      Washington State University

  • Holes:18
  • Course Architects: Robert Muir Graves/John Harbottle III
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.4/140
  • Practice Facilities: Double Sided Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers.
  • Photos
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 93.8
Denison Golf Club Granville

23. Denison Golf Club at Granville/Granville, OH (Public)

        Denison University

Naval Academy Golf Course

24. Naval Academy Golf Course/Annapolis, MD (Students and Alumni Only)

        United States Naval Academy

. 

Seminole Legacy Golf Club

25. Seminole Legacy Golf Club/Tallahassee, FL (Public)

        Florida State University

  • Holes: 30 (18-Hole Regulation Course and 12-Hole Par 3)
  • Course Architects: William Amick/Robert Walker/Jack Nicklaus
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 77.3/143
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 93.5
University of Texas Golf Club

26. University of Texas Golf Club/Austin, TX (Students and Alumni Only)

       University of Texas

  • Holes: 24: 18-Hole Regulation Course and 6-Hole Executive Couse (Spieth Lower 40) 
  • Course Architects: Roy Bechtol/Randy Russell
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 76.7/145
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Golf Academy.
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 93.2
Vanderbilt Legends Club

27. Vanderbilt Legends Club/Franklin, TN (Students and Alumni Only)

       Vanderbilt University

  • Holes: 36: 2 Eighteen Hole Courses (North/South)
  • Course Architects: Bob Cupp/Tom Kite
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating:

North: 74.9/140

South:.74,3/135

. 

The Jayhawk Club

28. The Jayhawk Club/Lawrence, KS (Students and Alumni Only)

       University of Kansas

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Bob Dunning/Melvin Anderson/Ken Kavanaugh/Mike Gogel/Matt Gogel
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.7/138
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Target Greens, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 93.1
Mark Bostick Golf Course

29. Mark Bostick Golf Course/Gainesville, FL (Students and Alumni Only)

        University of Florida

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Donald Ross/Ron Garl/Bobby Weed/Scot Sherman
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.0/138
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Target Greens, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker (Chris Kane Complex including Indoor Bays and Swing Analysis).
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 92.8
Warren Golf Course

30. Warren Golf Course/Notre Dame, IN (Public)

        University of Notre Dame

Great River Golf Club

31. Great River Golf Club/Milford, CT (Public)

       Sacred Heart University  

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architect: Tom Fazio
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.4/146
  • Practice Facilities: Driving Range with Targets (Mats-Monday/Tuesday, Grass Irons only-Wednesday/Thursday, Full Grass Friday-Sunday), Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers (3). Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 92.1
Cobblestone Park Golf Club

32. Cobblestone Park Golf Club/Blythewood, SC (Public)

        University of South Carolina

  • Holes: 27: 3-Nine Hole Regulation Courses (Black/Garnet/Gold) 
  • Course Architect: P.B. Dye
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating:

Black:   36.5/142

Garnet: 35.9/131/

Gold:    35.0/126

.                                                 

Katke Golf Course

33. Katke Golf Course/Big Rapids, MI (Public)

        Ferris State University

Springdale Golf Club

34. Springdale Golf Club/Princeton, NJ (Students and Alumni Only)

       Princeton University

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: George Lambert/William Flynn/Howard Toomey/Roger Rulewich/Ian Andrew
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 70.9/129
  • Practice Facilities: Driving Range with Targets (Grass/Friday-Sunday, Mats/Monday-Thursday), Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 91.9
Lonnie Poole Golf Course

35. Lonnie Poole Golf Course/Raleigh, NC (Public)

       N.C. State University

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Arnold Palmer/Eric Larson/Brandon Johnson
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.6/142
  • Practice Facilities: Driving Range (Grass: Friday-Sunday/Mats: Monday-Thursday) and Putting Green. Short Game Facility with Bunker–Members and Golf Team Only.
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 91.6
Robert Trent Jones Golf Course

36. Robert Trent Jones Golf Course/Ithaca, NY (Students and Alumni Only)

        Cornell University

  • Holes: 18 
  • Course Architect: Robert Trent Jones, Sr.
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.2/138
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
  • Men’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 91.4
Eisenhower Golf Club

37. Eisenhower Golf Club/Colorado Springs, CO (Students and Alumni Only)

        United States Air Force Academy

  • Holes: 36: 2 -Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses (Blue/Silver)
  • Course Architects: Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Frank Hummel
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Blue: 74.3/141

Silver: 70.2/130

Keith Hills Golf Club

38. Keith Hills Golf Club/Lillington, NC (Public)

       Campbell University

  • Holes: 27: 3 Nine-Hole Courses (Black/Orange/White)
  • Course Architects: Ellis Maples/Dan Maples
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating:

Black:   36.1/135

Orange: 36.3/132

White:   34.5/128

Auburn University Club

39. Auburn University Club/Auburn, AL (Students and Alumni Only)

       Auburn, University

Orchards Golf Club

40. Orchards Golf Club/South Hadley, MA (Students and Alumni Only)

       Mount Holyoke College

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Donald Ross/Ron Prichard
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.0/138
  • Practice Facilities: Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
  • Course Description
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 91.1
University of Louisville Golf Club

41. University of Louisville Golf Club/Simpsonville, KY (Students and Alumni Only)

       University of Louisville

Grand Canyon University Golf Course

42. Grand Canyon University Golf Course/Phoenix, AZ (Public)

       Grand Canyon University

Taconic Golf Club

43. Taconic Golf Club/Williamstown, MA (Public)

       Williams College  

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Wayne Stiles/John Van Kleek/Gil Hanse
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.5/134
  • Practice Facilities: Warm Up Net, Putting and Chipping Greens. Full Range available after May 15 at Cole Field (2 miles from course) with Range Balls included in Greens Fee.
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 90.7

. 

Harry Mussatto Golf Course

44. Harry Mussatto Golf Course/Macomb, IL (Public)

        Western Illinois University

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Dick Nugent/Ken Killian
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.5/134
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Target Greens, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers (2) and Indoor Simulator with TrackMan Technology.
  • Video Tour
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 90.7
Eagle Trace Golf Course

45. Eagle Trace Golf Course/Morehead, KY (Public)

        Morehead State University

  • Holes: 18 
  • Course Architect: David Pfaff
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.8/139
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
  • Photos
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 90.4
Weibring Golf Club

46. Weibring Golf Club/Normal, IL Public)

       Illinois State University

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Robert Bruce Harris/D. A. Weibring/Steve Wolfard
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.6./130
  • Practice Facilities: Expansive Grass Driving Range with Targets, Wedge Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers and Mounier Training facility.
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 90.4

. 

The Golf Club at Texas A&M

 47. The Golf Club at Texas A&M/College Station, TX  (Public)

         Texas A&M University

Birdwood Golf Course

48. Birdwood Golf Course/Charlottesville, VA (Public)

        University of Virginia

  • Holes: 24: 8-Hole Regulation Course and 6-Hole Par 3 (Nest)
  • Course Architects: Lindsay Irvin/Davis Love III
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.5/136
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Chipping Green with Bunker and Expansive Putting Green.
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 90.3
The Walker Course

49. The Walker Course/Clemson, SC (Public)

       Clemson University

The Furman Golf Club

50. The Furman Golf Club/Greenville, SC (Public)

        Furman University

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: R. K. Webel/Walter Cosby/John LaFoy/Kris Spence/Scot Sherman
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.4/136
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 89.6
University of New Mexico Golf Course

50.  University of New Mexico Golf Course/Albuquerque, NM (Public)

        University of New Mexico

  • Holes: 30: 18 Hole Course (Championship), 9-Hole Course (North) and 3 Practice Holes         
  • Course Architects: Red Lawrence/William H. Tucker, Sr.
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.2/134
  • Practice Facilities: Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker and 3 Hole Practice Course.
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 89.6
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LIV Golf: 2024 Power Rankings through Andalucia and The Open    

Jon Rahm: Open Top 10

Jon Rahm keeps packing on the Top 10’s and Bryson DeChambeau lit up the first three majors of the year–yet Joaquin Niemann continues to hold the lead in the LIV Power Rankings.

Of the 18 LIV players to tee it up for The Open Championship at Royal Troon, 11 made the cut where brutal wind and gnarly rough saw 10 of the Top 20 players in the World Rankings head home for the weekend.

The weather continued to play havoc with scoring as rain came in on Saturday afternoon, adding another element to the difficult conditions at Troon, and then on Sunday the wind abruptly turned 180 degrees presenting the players with an entirely new look—and requiring a big shift in strategy and approach amidst the pressure of the final round at a major championship.

As the leaders came back to the field, Jon Rahm battled the elements and stayed within striking distance at 2 over through the first three rounds. On Sunday Jon came out guns blazing with 3 birdies on the first 3 holes and 32 on the front-nine to pull within 2 shots of the lead before a wayward tee shot on the 11th hole led to a bogie that derailed his run.

Although Rahm didn’t pick up his third major, his T7 adds another Major Top 10 to an already phenomenal record, and he will join Phil, DJ, Sergio and Lee Westwood among the first 50 in  All-Time Top 100 Players.

Joaquin Niemann: Holding on at #1

LIV Power Ranking Update

Players are rated and ranked on the basis of events played, average finish, wins, runner up, Top-5 and Top-10 finishes–as well as performance at the major championships.

Top 5

No. 1 Joaquin Niemann: 87.4 Rating

Along with his two wins at Mayakoba and Jeddah, Niemann has also recorded 6-Top 10’s including his T6 at Andalucia last week, and improved his average finish of 9.6, second only to Jon Rahm.

Although his performance at the major’s has not met expectations thus far in his early career, it is only a matter of time before Joaquin breaks out in a big way—and there is nothing not to like about this young man (exemplified by the 4 birdies he made on the back nine Friday at Troon following a nightmare 8 at the Postage Stamp Par 3).

No. 2 Jon Rahm: 86.0 Rating 

Still no LIV wins (incredibly), but five Top-5’s and four Top-10’s in nine LIV events this year is pretty tough to beat. And with all those great finishes, it’s not a surprise that Rahm also holds a substantial lead in average finish at 6.0.

Although Jon came up short at The Open, there was a glimpse of the fire that the world is used to seeing from Rahm when he is in the hunt on Sunday—look for him to break through with his first LIV win this weekend at The UK.

No. 3 Bryson DeChambeau: 84.6 Rating

In addition to his U.S. Open win, runner up at the PGA and T6 at The Masters, Bryson has recorded 2-Top 5’s (Jeddah and Nashville) along with 4 Top-10’s (including a T9 at Andalucia last week).

While Bryson missed the cut at The Open this week, his 2024 season has been nothing less than spectacular—and you can look forward to watching him bomb his way to the top of the leaderboard at major championships for many years to come. 

Tyrell Hatton: Winner in Nashville

No. 4 Tyrell Hatton: 77.9 Rating

Hatton recorded a T3 at Andalucia on the heels of his first LIV win in Nashville at The Grove, where he dominated for a six-shot margin of victory.

For the season, Tyrell has recorded 3 Top-5’s and a Top-10 to go along with his win, while sporting the third best average finish at 10.1—just behind Niemann.

Sergio Garcia: Winner at Andalucia

No. 5 Sergio Garcia: 67.9 With his home-court win at Andalucia last week, Sergio jumped into the Top 5 on the Power rankings. In addition to his win, Garcia has also recorded a pair of runner-up finishes (Mayakoba and Trump Doral in Miami), as well as a T5 at Houston.

Dean Burmester: Top 20 at The Open  

No. 5 Dean Burmester: 67.0 Rating

Dean got off to a fast start in the ’24 season with a T3 at Mayakoba, a T8 in Hong Kong, a win in Miami at Trump National Doral and another T3 at Adelade—but cooled off with no Top 10’s in his last four LIV events.

It seemed that the Burmester magic was back as he stayed among the leaders through Thursday and Friday at The Open, but as the rain and wind grew stronger on Saturday afternoon Dean’s hopes were washed away with a 41 on the back, and a 3rd round 76.

Burmester re-set and shot an even par 71 on Sunday for a solid Top 20 Open finish, so it seems that he’s ready to resume his early season success.

Notables

Brooks Koepka (No. 6/63.9 Rating)

For a lot of players making the cut at all four majors wouldn’t be all that bad, but for Koepka it’s a dismal year.

Brooks has recorded a win, a Top 5 and 2-Top 10’s thus far in 2024 however, so he’s still in position to make a move with big finishes at the U.K., Greenbrier and Bolingbrook Golf Club in Chicago. But will he be motivated?

Phil Mickelson: 102 Major Cuts

Phil (No. 41/33.0 Rating 

Phil continues his slumber in the LIV events, but he was teeing it up on Saturday at Royal Troon while ten of the top twenty players in the world were lounging on the couch.

And although it wasn’t the same Phil who fought Henrik Stenson tooth and nail at Troon in 2016, firing that brilliant final found 65, he’s still got some game at 54 years old (finished in a tie with 2023 Open Champion Brian Harmon and ahead of Hideki Matsuyama, another World Top 20 player).

The 2024 Open Championship was also the 102nd time that Mickelson has made the cut at a major championship, tying Gary Player for second behind Jack.

JCB Golf & Country Club, UK

2024 Upcoming LIV Schedule

United Kingdom: JCB Golf and Country Club (July26-28)

Greenbrier: Old White-Greenbrier (August 16-18)

Chicago: Bolingbrook Golf Club (September 13-15)

Team Championship Dallas: Maridoe Golf Club (September 20-22)

Looking for a great track or planning a golf trip–find everything you need with the GolfDay Search Engine.

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