If you are a scratch player determined to challenge your game on the hardest golf 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).
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.
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
- Practice Facilities: 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
- Pete Dye Golf Trail
- GolfDay Rating: 100
- Location
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
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Ranges with Targets (Harbour Town and Heron Point/Ocean), Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers. Range Balls and Fore Caddie (Harbour Town) included with Greens Fee.
- Course Descriptions
- Accommodations
- GolfDay Rating: 100
- Location
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
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Ranges with Targets, Chipping and Putting Greens at each course. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
- Course Descriptions
- Accommodations
- GolfDay Rating: 100
- Location
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
- Practice Facilities Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Accommodations
- RTJ Golf Trail
- GolfDay Rating: 93.7
- Location
5. The Reserve at Moonlight Basin/Big Sky, MT
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Jack Nicklaus
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 78.5/153
- Practice Facilities: Expansive Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Multiple Bunkers.
- Course Description
- Accommodations
- GolfDay Rating: 90.9
- Location
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
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Accommodations
- RTJ Golf Trail
- GolfDay Rating: 96.5
- Location
7. Ross Bridge/Hoover, AL
Renaissance Birmingham/Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Roger Rulewich/Bobby Vaughn
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 78.4/147
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Accommodations
- RTJ Golf Trail
- GolfDay Rating: 96.1
- Location
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
- 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
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
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
- Practice Facilities: Expansive Lighted Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers and Rick Smith Golf School.
- Course Descriptions
- Accommodations
- GolfDay Rating: 100
- Location
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
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
- Course Descriptions
- Accommodations
- Wisconsin Golf Trail:
- GolfDay Rating: 100
- Location
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
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with TrackMan Technology, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
- Course Descriptions
- Accommodations
- GolfDay Rating: 98.5
- Location
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
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
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker and Indoor Golf Simulators. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
- Course Descriptions
- Accommodations
- GolfDay Rating: 98.4
- Location
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
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
- Course Description
- Accommodations
- GolfDay Rating: 98.6
- Location
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
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Course Description
- Accommodations
- Wisconsin Golf Trail
- GolfDay Rating: 92.3
- Location
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
18. Sage Run Golf Club/Bark River, MI
Island Resort & Casino
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Paul Albanese/Chris Lutzke
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 76.5/142
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Target Greens and Putting Green.
- Course Description
- Accommodations
- GolfDay Rating: 92.0
- Location
19. Fallen Oak Golf Club/Saucier, MS
Beau Rivage/Mississippi Golf Trail
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Tom Fazio
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 76.5/142
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Course Description
- Accommodations
- Mississippi Golf Trail
- GolfDay Rating: 96.6
- Location
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
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers and Tour Academy.
- Course Descriptions
- Accommodations
- GolfDay Rating: 100
- Location
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
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Golf Academy.
- Course Description
- Accommodations
- GolfDay Rating: 90.8
- Location
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
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
- Course Descriptions
- Accommodations
- Wisconsin Golf Trail:
- GolfDay Rating: 100
- Location
23. Koasati Pines/Kinder, LA
Coushatta Casino Resort
- Holes: 18
- Course Architect: Kevin Tucker
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 76.2/135
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens.
- Course Description
- Accommodations
- RV Park
- GolfDay Rating: 91.7
- Location
24. Firekeeper/Mayette, KS
Prairie Band Casino & Resort
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Jeffrey Brauer/Notah Begay
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 76.2/135
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Course Description
- Accommodations
- GolfDay Rating: 87.6
- Location
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
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Course Description
- Accommodations
- GolfDay Rating: 91.9
- Location
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
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
- Course Description
- Accommodations
- GolfDay Rating: 92.2
- Location
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
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
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker and TaylorMade Kingdom of Golf Academy.
- Course Description
- Accommodations
- GolfDay Rating: 100
- Location
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
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Course Descriptions
- Accommodations
- GolfDay Rating: 100
- Location
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
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Ranges (2) with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers
- Course Description
- Accommodations
- GolfDay Rating: 89.6
- Location
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.
