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, 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 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.
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/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
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Wedge Range and Multiple Chipping Greens with Bunkers, Thistle Dhu Putting Course.
- Course Descriptions
- Accommodations
- GolfDay Rating: 100
- Location
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
- Grass Driving Range with Targets (Dye and Valley Links), Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Warm Up Net with Putting and Chipping Green (Ross).
- Course Descriptions
- Accommodations
- GolfDay Rating: 100
- Location
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
- Grass Driving Range with Targets and Fairway Bunker, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Course Descriptions
- Accommodations
- GolfDay Rating: 100
- Location
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
- Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers.
- Course Descriptions
- Accommodations
- GolfDay Rating: 99.4
- Location
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
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).
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
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
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
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
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
12. Denison Golf Club at Granville/Granville University, OH (Public)
Denison University
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Donald Ross/Gil Hanse
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 71.8/134
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens
- Course Description
- Video Tour
- GolfDay Rating: 93.7
- Location
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
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
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
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers and Nine Hole Putting Course (Turtle).
- Course Descriptions
- Accommodations
- GolfDay Rating: 93.0
- Location
16. Ravisloe Country Club/Homewood, IL (Public)
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Robert White/Donald Ross/William Langford/Theodore Moreau/David Esler
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 71.3/130
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Course Description/Video Tour
- Accommodations
- GolfDay Rating: 92.7
- Location
17. New Smyrna Golf Club/New Smyrna Beach, FL (Muni)
City of New Smyrna
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Donald Ross/Bobby Weed
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 71.4/127
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Course Description
- Course History
- GolfDay Rating: 92.6
- Location
18. Shennecossett Golf Club/Groton, CT (Muni)
City of Groton
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Donald Ross/Timothy Gerrish
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 71.6/123
- Practice Facilities: Putting and Chipping Greens.
- Course Description
- Junior Golf
- GolfDay Rating: 91.7
- Location
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
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
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Target Greens, Putting and Chipping Greens. Indoor Golf Simulators (3).
- Course Descriptions
- GolfDay Rating:
- Location
21. Pinecrest Golf Club/Avon Park, FL (Public)
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Donald Ross
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.0/123
- Practice Facilities: Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers.
- Course Description
- Photos
- GolfDay Rating: 91.2
- Location
22. George Wright Golf Course/Hyde Park, MA (Muni)
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Donald Ross/Walter Johnson/Timothy Gerrish
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 71.9/133
- Practice Facilities: Putting and Chipping Green.
- Course Description
- Photos
- GolfDay Rating: 91.2
- Location
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
24. Jeffersonville Golf Club/Jeffersonville, PA (Muni)
West Norton Township
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Donald Ross/Ron Prichard/Tyler Rae
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 70.8/134
- Practice Facilities: Putting and Chipping Green.
- Course Description
- Indoor Golf
- GolfDay Rating: 90.6
- Location
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
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker, Learning Center with 3 Practice Holes.
- Course Description
- Accommodations
- GolfDay Rating: 90.5
- Location
26. Grove Park Golf Course/Ashville, NC (Resort)
Omni Hotels & Resorts
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Willie Park, Jr./Herbert Barker/Donald Ross/Russell Breeden/Kris Spence
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 69.6/128
- Practice Facilities: Warm Up Net and Putting Green
- Course Description
- Accommodations
- GolfDay Rating: 90.4
- Location
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
28. Poland Spring Resort/Poland, ME (Resort)
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Arthur Fenn/Donald Ross
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 69.7/125
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker and Golf Academy.
- Course Description
- Accommodations
- GolfDay Rating: 90.0
- Location
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
- Practice Facilities: Two-Tiered Grass Driving Range with Targets and Fairway Bunker, Putting and Chipping Green with Bunker.
- Course Descriptions
- Accommodations
- GolfDay Rating: 89.7
- Location
30. Kingswood Golf Club/Wolfeboro, NH (Public)
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Donald Ross/Tom Clark
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 71.4/134
- Practice Facilities: Driving Range with Targets and Putting Green.
- Course Description
- Accommodations
- GolfDay Rating: 89.6
- Location
31. Sagamore Golf Course/Bolton Landing, NY (Resort)
Sagamore Resort
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Donald Ross/Ron Forse
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.5/139
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Course Description
- Accommodations
- GolfDay Rating: 89.5
- Location
32. Fort Myers Country Club/Fort Myers, FL (Muni)
City of Fort Myers
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Donald Ross/Steve Smyers
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.9/131
- Practice Facilities: Putting and Chipping Green with Bunker.
- Course Description
- Course History
- GolfDay Rating: 89.5
- Location
33. Triggs Memorial Golf Course/Providence, RI (Muni)
City of Providence
- Holes: 18
- Course Architect: Donald Ross
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.3/132
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Green.
- Course Description
- Learning Center
- GolfDay Rating: 89.3
- Location
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
35. Wilmington Golf Course/Wilmington, NC (Muni)
City of Wilmington
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Donald Ross/Clyde Johnston/John Fought
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.3/130
- Practice Facilities: Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Course Description
- Junior Golf
- GolfDay Rating: 88.0
- Location
