January 2025
Category: Courses
Top Golf Destinations
When you think about golf destinations, Florida and California immediately come to mind—but you may be surprised to see which states have the largest percentage of high caliber courses. Although Florida and California have the most public courses by far, they are not at the top of the list when you consider the number of quality courses a state can offer, rather than just the total number of courses. So where do you look for the best chance of finding a great golf experience? Here’s what we found.
The GolfDay Rating
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, Golfweek, and Links Magazine (as well as other authoritative sources), the quality and diversity of practice facilities, general course conditioning, and current course reviews.
Consideration is also given for facilities that offer junior golf programs, a golf academy or golf leagues. Resort ratings also include a factor for the variety of courses located at the property, as well as the quality of accommodations. The GolfDay Rating is structured on the same basis as a test score—from 0 to 100. An “A” is 90 and up, “B” is 80–89, “C” is 70–79, “D” is 65–69 and below 64 is an “F.”
The Results
We looked at the total number of public courses in each state to see how many received a GolfDay Rating of greater than 90 (“A”), and the number that were rated 80 or higher (“B”). South Carolina, Hawaii, Nevada, Delaware and Alabama came in at the top of the list.
South Carolina (#1)
Of the 194 public courses in South Carolina, almost 20 percent received a GolfDay Rating above 90 (A)) and 5 were rated at 100 (A++). With premier golf destinations like Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head and Kiawah Island, I guess that should not be a shocker—but there are a great many high-quality courses to be found throughout the state as well. More than half of the courses in South Carolina (55.7%) received a GolfDay Rating of 80 or more.
South Carolina is also home to the Waccamaw Golf Trail, featuring 11 great courses along the coast south of Myrtle Beach. All of the courses on the Trail received a GolfDay Rating above 80, with 6 coming in above 90—and one of them, Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, received a rating of 100.
I’m sure the residents of S.C. are keenly aware of how lucky they are to have so many terrific courses in their midst, while the rest of us mark our calendar and count the days.
Hawaii (#2)
It takes a bit of getting there, and can be a little pricey, but with unparalleled scenery and a host of top-notch golf courses, Hawaii should be at the top of your bucket list. Sprinkled among the islands are 60 public courses, 11 of which received a GolfDay Rating of 90 or higher. Almost half of the courses in Hawaii received a rating above 80, so you won’t have to look far to find quality golf (if you can tear yourself away from the beach).
On Oahu, Ko Olina Golf Club received the highest rating at 91.6. On Maui, Wailea Golf Club received a rating of 100, followed by Kapalua Resort-97.4 and Manele Golf Course at the Four Seasons Resort—90.2
On Kauai, Princeville Makai Golf Club heads the list, receiving a GolfDay Rating of 100, while on the Big Island, the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel course received a rating of 95.2, followed closely by Hualalai at the Four Seasons Resort (94.9).
Nevada (#3)
Most everyone knows that there are some nice courses in the Las Vegas area, but may not realize just how good so many of them actually are. Reno and Lake Tahoe, in western Nevada, offer quite a few fantastic courses as well. Of the 71 public courses in Nevada, 13 received a GolfDay Rating above 90, and 34 were rated at 80 or higher. Cascata, a Rees Jones masterpiece, received a GolfDay Rating of 99.1 and is located just 25 minutes from the airport.
Near Reno, Incline Village received a rating of 97.1, and 11 other courses in the area were rated 80 or higher.
Delaware (#4)
For a small state, Delaware packs a big punch when it comes to quality golf. There are only 22 public courses in the state, but 4 of them received a GolfDay Rating over 90, and 13 were rated 80 or higher.
Plantation Lakes Golf & Country Club, designed by Arthur Hills and Steve Forest in Millsboro, received the highest rating at 92.4. Other courses in Delaware receiving a 90+ rating include White Clay Creek Country Club (91.9), Odessa National Golf Club (90.7), and Bayside Resort Golf Club (90.6).
Alabama (#5)
If you want to make your golf fantasy come true, look no further than Alabama. In addition to the 11 fabulous courses along the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, 3 courses in Alabama also received a rating above 90 (FarmLinks Golf Club at Pussell Farms—92.7, Timberline Golf Course—91.0, and GlenLakes Golf Club—90.2).
Of the 81 public golf facilities in Alabama, 42 received a GolfDay Rating of 80 or higher.
From the rugged terrain in the northern part of the state where the Appalachian Mountain chain begins, to the beauty of a gulf coast sunrise down south, Alabama offers not only perfect weather just about year-round, but also some of the finest golf courses you will find anywhere in the world.
LPGA Tour: 2022 Founders Cup
The Ladies are coming to town! The Palos Verdes Championship is in the rearview mirror as Marina Alex took home the trophy with a one-shot victory over World Number 1 ranked Jin Young Ko. The LPGA Tour now heads east, returning to northern New Jersey for the 2022 Cognizant Founders Cup which will be held at Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton, from Thursday, May 12 through Sunday May 15.
Jin Young, the current two-time Founders Cup Champion, will be going for three in a row after running away from the field in 2021 with a first round 63 at Mountain Ridge Country Club. She will also arrive with an impressive list of newly minted LPGA Tour records, displaying a level of dominance not seen since Annika Sorenstam reigned supreme. Included among them are most consecutive holes without a bogie (114-eclipsing even Tiger’s PGA Tour record of 110), consecutive rounds under par (34), and consecutive rounds in the 60’s (16). Her record for consecutive rounds in the 60’s is even more amazing when you consider that she had previously tied the mark of 14 before starting her new record-breaking streak.
The Field
In addition to defending champion Jin Young Ko, the Founders Cup field includes 7 of the Top 10 ladies in the World Golf Rankings. Stars include Kelly Korda (No. 2 in the World), Lydia Ko (No. 3), Minjee Lee (No. 4), Atthaya Thitikul (No. 5), Nasa Hataoka (No. 6) and Lexi Thompson (No. 7). Past winners of the Founders Cup who will be teeing it up include Karrie Webb (2011/2014), Stacy Lewis (2013), Kim Sei Young (2016) and Anna Nordqvist (2017). You will also have the opportunity to see 5-time major champion and LPGA Hall of Famer, Laura Davies.
With a field comprised of the most talented lady golfers in the world, this year’s event promises superb golf and the perfect setting to enjoy it.
The History
The LPGA Founders Cup was established in 2011 to celebrate the history of ladies’ professional golf and the thirteen trail blazing women who founded the Tour in 1950. The inaugural event was the Tampa Women’s Open held at Palma Ceia Country Club in Tampa, FL, won by Polly Riley, a distinguished amateur player who won more than 100 tournaments in her career. Babe Zaharias, a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame and among the greatest athletes in the history of sport, won 8 of the 15 events that were held that first year (including all three major championships). Patty Berg would go on to record 60 wins and 15 major championships, while Louise Suggs won 61 times with 11 major championships.
In the 60’s and 70’s, renowned players including Mickey Wright (82 wins/13 Majors), Kathy Whitworth (88 wins/6 majors) and Betsy Rawls (55 wins/8 majors) continued to pave the way for the current LPGA stars. With grace, charm, and a beautiful swing, Nancy Lopez (48 wins/3 majors) carried the torch through the 80’s until Annika burst on the scene (72 wins/10 majors), raising the bar yet again while setting the stage for the magnificent players we see today.
Past Founders Cup champions include Karrie Webb (a two-time winner), Stacy Lewis, Anna Nordqvist and Inbee Park.
Upper Montclair Country Club
Founded in 1901 and located in Clifton, NJ, UMCC has hosted tournaments for the PGA Tour, LPGA Tour, and The Champions Tour. The course was originally designed by A. W. Tillinghast, with major re-design and renovations by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. in the 1950’s. The PGA Tour came to Upper Montclair in the 60’s with The Thunderbird Classic, followed by the Dow Jones Classic in 1970—with Arnold Palmer and Gene Littler included among the champions. In the late 70’s and 80‘s, Upper Montclair hosted the LPGA Coca-Cola and Chrysler Plymouth Classics, with legendary names like Nancy Lopez and Pat Bradley etched on the championship trophies. From 1993 through 2002, UMCC hosted the Champions Tour with the Cadillac NFL Classic, and winners include Hall-of Famers Lee Trevino (twice) and Raymond Floyd. Most recently, the Sybase Classic was held at Upper Montclair (2007-2009), won twice by one of the most talented and popular players in LPGA Tour history—Lorena Ochoa.
Upper Montclair Country Club offers 3 nine-hole courses (West, East and South), and the Founders Cup will be played on the West and South courses. From the Championship tees, the course rating is 73.5 with a Slope is 140.
What to Expect
In addition to great golf, the ladies on the LPGA Tour go out of their way to make you feel welcome. There are times at PGA Tour and Champions Tour events when it can feel as though you are intruding, an irritating distraction. No so at an LPGA Tour event, where you’ll find a warmth and friendliness that feels more like a family outing than a golf tournament. And when you watch the ladies produce masterful shots with more than just brute power, your game will benefit greatly as well.
Cambrian Ridge
Trump National Los Angeles
A Dye Design
Trump National Los Angeles
Los Angeles is home to a great many world-renowned golf courses. Although many are private, there are a number of notable tracks that are open to the public. Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles, designed by Pete and Perry Dye, has been consistently ranked among the top public courses in California since opening in 2006 (currently ranked number 30 by Golfweek).
History
Located about a half-hour drive south of Los Angeles International Airport on the Palos Altos Peninsula near San Pedro, Trump National got off to a rocky start (literally). Originally named Ocean Trails Golf Club and built in 1999, the course sits on high bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean with beautiful views of Catalina Island in the distance. Unfortunately, the location and features that contribute to the extraordinary beauty of the property also make it highly susceptible to landslides. Before the course could open, a slide heavily damaged the 16th and 17th holes while the 18th hole completely disappeared into ocean. The expense to stabilize the property and rebuild the closing holes was so high (approximately $20 Million) that the original owner was forced into bankruptcy. In 2002 the Trump Organization purchased the property, finalized reconstruction, and Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles opened for play in 2006.
The Course
The unique location of Trump National makes it one of the most scenic cThe unique location of Trump National make it one of the most scenic courses in the state, with gorgeous views from almost every hole. Although not known as one of Pete Dye’s most difficult layouts (USGA Rating of 74.6 with a slope of 144), at over 7,000 yards from the tips with strategically placed bunkers and gusty coastal breezes coming off of the Pacific just a stone’s throw away on so many holes, Trump National Los Angeles is a stiff test of golf for players of any level. While there are few dog legs and very wide fairways, there is not a great deal of rough, so shots that are not well placed run the risk of rolling out into a hazard. And the greens, while perfect, are highly undulated, so strong putting is at a premium. All in all, this course was definitely built for the low-handicapper, but multiple tee boxes and wide fairways also give novice golfers the chance to have a fun day while enjoying the stunning views and classic Pete Dye layout.
Trump National offers quality practice facilities as well, with a manicured grass driving range featuring multiple targets as well as putting and chipping greens.
Rick Smith Golf Academy
Trump National Los Angeles is also home to the highly acclaimed Rick Smith Golf Academy, offering private lessons, multi-day schools, clinics, video analysis and junior golf programs. Rick has worked with some of the towering figures in golf, including Jack Nicklaus and Phil Mickelson—so your game is guaranteed to improve with one of the programs the Academy has to offer.
Accommodations
The South Bay area offers a variety of wonderful hotels only minutes from Trump National, including the Terranea Resort, the Doubletree Hotel San Pedro, the Crowne Plaza Hotel San Pedro and the Portofino Hotel & Yacht Club at Redondo Beach.
Rates
The greens fees at Trump National Los Angeles are a bit high (averaging between $200. and $300.), but they come down quite a bit in the late afternoon. There are also a variety of “VIP” programs that make the course more affordable (the standard program is $795 per year and locks your rate at $160 throughout the day with unlimited use of the practice facilities.)
The GolfDay Rating
GolfDay gives Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles a rating of 93.5, number 12 among all public courses in California.
For more details: Trump National Los Angeles
Georgia Top 5 Public Courses
If you love golf, live in Georgia, or you’re planning a visit, there’s a wide variety of great courses and golf resorts to choose from that fit every budget. We want you to have the best golfing experience possible, so here’s a list of our top five venues.
The Best Public Golf Courses in Georgia
You may be pleasantly surprised to find that there’s a great track right around the corner, or close enough for a weekend getaway. Check the GolfDay Rating for a quick and easy way to be sure you are getting the most value for your money.
1. Reynolds Lake Oconee
Less than 2 hours southeast of Atlanta and nestled into the rolling lake country of Lake Oconee, Ritz-Carlton guests have five great courses to choose from. Number one among them is Great Waters, consistently ranked among the Golf Digest top 100 public courses in the US from the time Jack Nicklaus designed it in 1992. The course is a demanding test of golf while offering magnificent views of the Georgia landscape and Lake Oconee.
The Preserve was designed by master architect Bob Cupp with input from Fuzzy Zoeller and Hubert Green—a pair of U.S. Open champions.
The National offers 27 holes, beautifully laid out by Tom Fazio while the eighteen-hole Oconee course was designed by nonother than Rees Jones, the “Open Doctor” himself.
The Landing is the original course at Reynolds Lake Oconee, another Bob Cupp masterpiece sculpted among the pines along the lake.
2. Sea Island Resort
With three great courses to choose from as well as a world class performance center, Sea Island is among the finest golf resort destinations in the world. The Seaside course, a classic Colt & Alison design that was masterfully enhanced and updated by Tom Fazio, is ranked in the top 100 public courses by Golf Digest and also the site of the PGA tour’s RSM Classic each year in March.
The Plantation Course was originally designed by Walter Travis as a 9-hole layout, with an additional nine added by Davis Love and Mark Love to create a wonderful eighteen-hole track. Travis trademark features such as the Principal’s Nose and chocolate drops can still be found, as the Love brothers have created a timeless treasure with gorgeous ocean views.
The Retreat is the third eighteen-hole course at Sea Island, but no less enjoyable to play. Davis and Mark endeavored to expand and revitalize this Dick Wilson original, and succeeded with resounding success. Challenging yet playable, the Retreat course rounds out a trio of wonderful courses to perfection.
3. University of Georgia Course
About an hour east of Atlanta, the University of Georgia Golf Course is home to the Bulldog golf team, a perennial powerhouse that produced two-time Masters champ Bubba Watson. Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., we rate the UGA course among the top 10 University courses in the country.
In addition to students and alumni, the course is open to the public for everyone to enjoy. A first-rate practice facility and PGA professional staff will help polish your game, and you can pick up some UGA gear while you’re there.
4. Cherokee Run
We rate Cherokee Run among the top 25 Municipal courses in the country. Located less than hour east of Atlanta, the city of Conyers has provided a great place to play for residents and visitors alike. In addition to a wonderful layout designed by Arnold Palmer, Cherokee run includes a grass driving range and short game practice facility as well as a golf academy with a variety of junior golf programs.
5. Echelon Golf Club
A fabulous layout in Alpharetta designed by Rees Jones, Echelon Golf Club is less than hour north of Atlanta. Like just about every Rees Jones course, Echelon is a stiff test of golf with a USGA course rating of 77.2 and a slope of 149 from the tips. Scratch golfers will get all the challenge they can ask for, but with four sets of tees, everyday golfers can enjoy the course and test their skills as well without needing to bomb it 330 or stick a six iron from 200 yards.
The course is kept in beautiful condition and the greens are perfect, so get ready for a great day on the links—and the greens fees are more than reasonable (particularly in the afternoon on a weekday).
The Wrap-Up
When it comes to public golf, the state of Georgia is second to none and perfect weather just about all year long. To find the best course nearby or if you are planning a visit, check out GolfDay for everything you need to know.
The 10 Best Public Golf Courses in Florida
With over 1,000 golf courses to choose from in Florida, how do you decide which one you and the gang will visit on your next golf trip?
Whether you’re a Florida Resident or a Snow Bird enjoying the sunny state, you are sure to find a golf course that checks all your boxes.
With an abundance of public golf courses in the Sunshine State, there’s no need to pay for the membership fees and go through the hassle associated with playing on a private golf course.
Keep reading to discover the 10 best public golf courses in Florida right now!
1. Streamsong, Bowling Green, FL
The Streamsong Golf Resort experience is a once-in-a-lifetime Florida gem you don’t want to miss. The Streamsong golf course is made up of 3 internationally acclaimed links-style courses: Streamsong Blue, Streamsong Red, and Streamsong Black.
Playing this course is an experience in itself. You can expect to navigate through wild grasses, explore deep-water ponds, circle huge sand dunes, and deep greenside pot bunkers.
What sets this destination apart from other gold resorts in the Sunshine State is its unexpected design and secluded location. The scenic views and carefully designed course, make this golf destination one of the best in Florida.
2. TPC at Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
The TPC Sawgrass golf course features 36 challenging holes created by the famous designer, Pete Dye. This destination is known as a truly balanced course made to fit all player types. Players can find short, medium, and long holes along the course, and a routing course design so that no two holes are ever played in the same direction.
The 17th hole of the Players Stadium Course is one of the most popular golf holes in the world, making the TPC at Sawgrass a must-visit destination.
3. Trump National Doral Golf Club, Doral, FL
The City of Doral is no mystery to golf lovers around the world. It is a golf paradise to many and should be at the top of your bucket list if you’ve never visited.
The Trump National Doral Golf Club was home to the PGA Tour events for many years and has hosted almost every great name in golf history. This world-class track is definitely a must-play stop on your next golfing trip.
This 7,608-yard course is equipped with strategically placed deep bunkers, long fairways, waving greens, deep Bermuda rough and water hazards which make this course even more challenging. This course was made for the pros, and you will no doubt feel like one as you score well on this challenging layout.
The Blue Monsters’ 18th hole was even ranked as one of Golf.com’s Top 100 Holes in the World! If you get the chance to visit the Sunshine State you do not want to miss out on playing this course.
4. World Woods Golf Club, Brooksville, FL
The World Wood Golf Club is widely considered a “must-play” facility featuring 2 world-class Championship Golf Courses, a 9 hole Short Course, and a 23-acre Practice Park.
Designed by Tom Fazio, the World Wood Golf Courses were designed with a vision to provide world-class golf to all. Fazio often refers to the World Wood Golf Club as his “best work” and it shows!
5. PGA Village, Port St. Lucie, FL
PGA Village provides the ultimate golf experience. It is ranked as one of the best golf resorts in the USA and offers four courses at different challenge levels, so golfers of all skill levels can play.
PGA Village also offers golf instruction classes taught by PGA professionals and features the PGA gallery tracing back the history of the game. This is a must-see destination in South Florida for those looking to play the course and spend the day (or a few days) relaxing in the world of golf.
6. PGA National Resort & Spa, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
The PGA National Champion Course was originally designed for major tournaments only, but in 2014 it was redesigned by Jack Nicklaus for public use. Today, this course hosts the Honda Classic every spring on the PGA Tour.
With five sets of tees and 7,140 yards to play, this course is playable for all golfer levels and must-play destinations for all golf lovers alike! This course features the famous “Bear Trap” which is easily the most challenging course in South Florida.
7. Southern Hills Plantation Club, Brooksville, FL
The Southern Hills Plantation Club features an 18-hole golf course, a classic resort-style golf house, and a world-class athletic club and spa.
This 7,557-yard course was designed by Pete Dye, and renowned for the luxury experience granted to its members. If you’re looking for relaxation, class, and a classic course to play – the Southern Hills Plantation Club is the place for you.
8. Innisbrook Resort, Palm Harbor, FL
The Innisbrook Resort features 4 championship courses designed by the renowned architect, Lawrence Packard. Each year the Innisbrook Resort hosts the PGA TOUR, where the world’s best players compete on the famous Copperheard Course for the Valspar Championship.
When you visit this prime golf destination you will get the chance to play where the wolds best have played. These championship courses feature up to 70 ft. of elevation changes and a scenic lush view for you to enjoy.
Named Golf.Com’s Top 100 Courses You Can Actually Play, you don’t want to miss this one!
9. Turnberry Isle Resort & Club, Aventura, FL
The Fairmont Turnberry is a favorite amongst Florida visitors for its course and its central location. This resort features two legendary 18-hole championship golf courses in Aventura — just a short drive from Miami and South Beach.
10. Capital City Country Club, Tallahassee, FL
Located in Northern Florida, the Capital City Country Club features some of the unique landscapes of the northern half of Florida. With large pines and live oaks all around the elevated course, this is a challenge you do not want to miss.
Are You Ready to Play the Best Public Golf Courses in Florida?
There is no shortage of the best public golf courses in Florida for you and the gang to play on your next trip. Get ready for the sun and beaches, because Florida is sure to be your next golf trip destination.
Don’t waste your time at a dog track!! Check out our website here for more information about the best golf courses around.
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Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club
Jack Nicklaus designed Golf Course
If you are planning a trip to Myrtle Beach this spring, give some thought to the Course Jack Nicklaus designed at Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club on the coast in Georgetown county. At just over 7,000 yards from the tips, the course will give scratch golfers all the challenge they can ask for while multiple tee boxes provide golfers at every level the opportunity to test their skills to the maximum and enjoy the course without requiring a 300 plus yard tee shot. As with all Nicklaus designs, the Pawleys Plantation course offers a variety of options for playing just about every hole, so you have to give some thought to strategy. There are plenty of bunkers placed strategically throughout the course with a fair amount of water, but rarely will you find a forced carry without being offered an alternative play that can be equally effective. You will also enjoy the beautiful views, immaculate conditions, and the natural setting on which Jack has laid down this gem. To get a better idea of what awaits you at Pawleys Plantation, take a quick tour of the course—you’ll see it’s something very special. Or listen to what the Golden Bear himself has to say.
The practice facilities at Pawleys Plantation are top notch as well, including a grass driving range with targets, putting green and short game area with bunker.
Mel Sole Golf School
And If you would like to tune up your game, register for a one, two or three day program at the acclaimed Mel Sole golf school located on site.
Accommodations
With regard to accommodations and amenities, Pawleys Plantation offers everything you could want. One, two, three, and four-bedroom villas are available through Litchfield Vacations with access to beautiful beaches, wonderful seafood and all of the attractions offered along the Grand Strand.
GolfDay Rating
GolfDay gives Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club a rating of 95, among the top 5 courses in the Myrtle Beach area.