Tag: Jack Nicklaus

Top 15 Resorts-Arizona 2022/2023

If you’ve missed the opportunity to experience desert golf, Arizona offers some of the best courses in the country—particularly as the winter chill starts to set in. The Resorts below are listed by their GolfDay Rating, and we have also included links for Accommodations, Golf Packages and Golf Academies (if available). A link to the Resort website is also provided, as well as a link to Google Maps for each location.

The best Arizona resorts include designs by Tom Fazio (Ventana Canyon), Jack Nicklaus (Dove Mountain and La Paloma), Coore & Crenshaw (Wi-Ko-Pa), Tom Weiskopf (Troon North) and Jay Morish (The Boulders and Troon North).

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.

Click Top 15 Arizona Resorts for a map overview of the resort locations (hover over a flag and the resort name will come up, and click for details).

Ventana Canyon Golf & Club/Tucson, Arizona
Ventana Canyon Club and Lodge

- Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses)
- Course Architect: Tom Fazio
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Canyon: 71.7 Rating/137 Slope
- Mountain: 72.8 Rating/143 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers. Range Balls included with Green Fees.
- Golf Academy
- Accommodations
- Golf Packages
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest Arizona Top 35, Golfweek Arizona Top 30-Public, GolfDay Top 100 Resorts
- GolfDay Rating: 97.7
- Location

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 Rating/138 Slope
- Saguaro: 72.0 Rating/137 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Expansive Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Accommodations
- RV Park
- Golf Packages
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golfweek Arizona Top 30 Public, GolfDay Top 100 Resorts
- GolfDay Rating: 97.1
- Location

Troon North Golf Club/Scottsdale, AZ
Four Seasons

- Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses)
- Course Architects: Tom Weiskopf/Jay Morrish/Phil Smith
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Monument: 73.3 Rating/148 Slope
- Pinnacle: 73.2 Rating/147 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens.
- Accommodations
- Golf Academy
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest Arizona Top 35, Golfweek Arizona Top 30-Public, GolfDay Top 100 Resorts
- GolfDay Rating: 95.4
- Location

The Golf Club at Dove Mountain/Marana, AZ
Ritz-Carlton

- Holes: 27 (3 Nine Hole Courses)
- Course Architect: Jack Nicklaus
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Saguaro: 36.9 Rating/147 Slope
- Tortolita: 38.8 Rating/145 Slope
- Wild Burro: 37.0 Rating/143 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Range Balls included with Green Fee.
- Golf Academy
- Accommodations
- Golf Packages
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest Arizona Top 35, Golfweek Arizona Top 30-Public, GolfDay Top 100 Resorts
- GolfDay Rating: 94.3
- Location

AK-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club/Maricopa, AZ
Harrah’s AK-Chin Casino & Resort

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Lee Schmidt/Brian Curley/Fred Couples
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 76.5 Rating/142 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker and “Mini Dunes” Nine Hole Par 3 Practice Course (Open Dec. 15-April 1). Range Balls included with Green Fee.
- Junior Golf
- Accommodations/Golf Packages
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest Arizona Top 35, Golfweek Arizona Top 30-Public, GolfDay Top 100 Resorts
- GolfDay Rating: 93.3
- Location

Wildfire Golf Club/Phoenix, AZ
JW Marriot Desert Ridge

- Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses)
- Course Architects: Arnold Palmer/Ed Seay/Nick Faldo
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Palmer: 72.7 Rating/142 Slope
- Faldo: 72.3 Rating/132 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers and Golf School.
- Golf Academy
- Junior Golf
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golfweek Arizona Top 30-Public, GolfDay Top 100 Resorts
- GolfDay Rating: 92.7
- Location

La Paloma Country Club/Tucson, AZ
The Westin

- Holes: 27 (3 Nine Hole Courses)
- Course Architect: Jack Nicklaus
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Canyon: 36.5 Rating/150 Slope
- Ridge: 36.0 Rating/149 Slope
- Hill: 35.9 Rating/139 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Covered Grass Driving Range with Targets, Wedge Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers (2). Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
- Junior Golf
- Accommodations
- Junior Golf
- Rankings: Golfweek Arizona Top 30-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 92.6
- Location

Starr Pass Golf Club/Tucson AZ
JW Marriot

- Holes: 27 (3 Nine Hole Courses)
- Course Architects: Bob Cupp/Arnold Palmer/Ed Seay/B
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Rattler: 36.7 Rating/141 Slope
- Coyote: 36.6 Rating/139 Slope
- Roadrunner: 35.3 Rating/139 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golfweek Arizona Top-30 Public
- GolfDay Rating: 91.2
- Location

Camelback Golf Club/Scottsdale, AZ
JW Marriott Scottsdale

- Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses)
- Course Architects: Red Lawrence/Arthur Jack Snyder/Michael Hurdzan/Dana Dry/Jason Straka/Arthur Hills
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Padre: 72.2 Rating/130 Slope
- Amiente: 74.2 Rating/138 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golfweek Arizona Top 30-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 91.0
- Location

Tucson National/Tucson, AZ
Omni Resorts

- Holes 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses)
- Course Architects: Robert Von Hagge/Bruce Devlin/Tom Lehman
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Catalina: 74.3 Rating/133 Slope
- Sonoran: 70.7 Rating/129 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Double Sided Grass Driving Range with Targets and Fairway Bunker, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers. Range Balls included with Green Fee.
- Junior Golf.
- Golf School
- Accommodations
- Golf Packages
- Rankings: Golfweek Arizona Top 30-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 90.9
- Location

Los Caballeros Golf Club/Wickenburg, AZ
Rancho de los Caballeros

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Greg Nash/Jeff Hardin
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.5 Rating/138 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golfweek Arizona Top 30-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 90.4
- Location

Gold Canyon Golf Resort/Gold Canyon, AZ

- Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses)
- Course Architects: Ken Kavanaugh/Greg Nash/Jeff Hardin
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Dinosaur Mountain: 71.5 Rating/144 Slope
- Sidewinder: 71.4 Rating/133 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker and Golf School.
- Golf Academy
- Accommodations
- Golf Packages
- Rankings: Golfweek Arizona Top 30 Public
- GolfDay Rating: 90.2
- Location

The Boulders/Carefree, AZ

- Holes: 36
- Course Architect: Jay Morrish
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- North: 73.3 Rating/140 Slope
- South: 72.6 Rating/144 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers and Golf Academy.
- Golf Academy/Junior Golf
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golfweek Arizona Top 30-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 89.5
- Location

Sewailo Golf Club/Tucson, AZ
Casino Del Sol

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Notah Begay/Ty Butler
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.7 Rating/138 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens.
- Accommodations
- RV Park
- Rankings: Golfweek Arizona Top 30-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 89.2
- Location

Lookout Mountain Golf Club/Phoenix, AZ
Pointe Hilton

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Forrest Richardson/Bill Johnston
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 70.0 Rating/130 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Golf Academy.
- Accommodations
- Golf Packages
- GolfDay Rating: 89.1
- Location

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Top 25 Resorts-Florida 2023/2024

When you think about a winter golf get-away, Florida always comes to mind. The Resorts below are listed by their GolfDay Rating, and we have also included links for Golf Academies, as well as Accommodations and Golf Packages (if available). A link to the Resort website is also provided, as well as a link to Google Maps for each location.

Arnold Palmer leads the list for great Florida course architecture with original design or updates at courses for 5 of the top 25 resorts, including PGA National and Bay Hill. Jack Nicklaus is at the top as well with design at 4 of the leading resorts (including PGA National’s Champion course and the iconic “Bear Trap,” as well as Hammock Beach in Palm Coast).

And of course, the architectural genius of Pete Dye is on display at both TPC Sawgrass and PGA Village, as well as 2 additional courses among the Top 25 (Gasparilla Inn and Amelia Island).

The crown jewel of Florida golf is undoubtedly Streamsong however, with 3 fantastic layouts designed by Tom Doak, Coore & Crenshaw and Gil Hanse (our No. 1 Florida golf resort).

Click Top 25 Florida Resorts for a map overview of the resort locations (hover over a flag and the resort name will come up, and click for details).

Streamsong Resort/Bowling Green, FL

- Holes: 54 (3 Eighteen Hole Courses)
- Course Architects: Tom Doak/Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw/Gil Hanse
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Blue: 74.0 Rating/134 Slope
- Red: 74.1 Rating/137 Slope
- Black: 74.7 Rating/135 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets and Fairway Bunker, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Accommodations
- Golf Packages
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 200, Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest Florida Top 45, Golfweek Florida Top 30 Public, GolfDay Top 100 Resorts
- GolfDay Rating: 100.0
- Location

Trump National Doral/Miami Florida

- Holes: 72 (4 Eighteen Hole Courses)
- Course Architects: Dick Wilson/Gil Hanse/Greg Norman/Raymond Floyd/Jerry Pate
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Blue Monster: 77.4 Rating/146 Slope
- Red Tiger: 71.8 Rating/136 Slope
- Silver Fox: 74.9 Rating/148 Slope
- Golden Palm: 74.2 Rating/139 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Expansive Lighted Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with bunkers and Rick Smith Golf School.
- Accommodations
- Golf Packages
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest FL Top 45, Golfweek FL Top 30-Public, GolfDay Top 100 Resorts.
- GolfDay Rating: 100.0
- Location

TPC Sawgrass/Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

- Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses)
- Course Architects: Pete Dye/Alice Dye/Jerry Pate/Steve Wenzloff/Bobby Weed
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Stadium: 76.4 Rating/155 Slope
- Dye’s Valley: 74.0 Rating/134 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers and Tour Academy.
- Junior Golf
- Accommodations
- Golf Packages
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100, Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest FL Top 45, Golfweek FL Top 30-Public, GolfDay Top 100 Resorts
- GolfDay Rating: 100.0
- Location

PGA Village/Port St. Lucie, FL

- Holes: 70 (3 Eighteen Hole Courses and 6 Hole Par 3)
- Course Architects: Tom Fazio/Pete Dye
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Wanamaker: 75.2 Rating/145 Slope
- Dye: 75.7 Rating/142 Slope
- Ryder: 73.2 Rating/133 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Extensive including Lighted Grass Range with Targets, Wedge Range, Putting Greens, Chipping Greens with Multiple Bunkers and PGA Golf School.
- Golf Academy/Junior Golf
- Accommodations
- Golf Packages
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golfweek FL Top 30 Public, GolfDay Top 100 Resorts.
- GolfDay Rating: 100.0
- Location

PGA National Resort/Palm Beach Gardens, FL

- Holes: 99 (5 Eighteen Hole Courses and Nine Hole Par 3 (Staple))
- Course Architects: Tom Fazio/Jack Nicklaus/Arnold Palmer/Ed Seay/George Fazio/Karl Litten/Andy Staples
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Champion: 75.4 Rating/144 Slope
- Palmer: 74.7 Rating/142 Slope
- Fazio: 74.4 Rating/138 Slope
- Match: 72.6 Rating/138 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Double Sides Grass Driving Range with Targets, Edge Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers, Leadbetter Academy and Pelz Golf School.
- Golf Academy
- Accommodations
- Golf Packages
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest FL Top 45, Golfweek FL Top 30-Public, GolfDay Top 100 Resorts
- GolfDay Rating: 99.6
- Location

**Sandestin Resort: Burnt Pine, Miramar, FL**

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort/Miramar Beach, FL

- Holes: 72 (4 Eighteen Hole Courses)
- Course Architects: Rees Jones/Robert Trent Jones, Jr./Tom Jackson
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Burnt Pine: 74.8 Rating/148 Slope
- Raven: 73.2 Rating/137 Slope
- Links: 73.7 Rating/141 Slope
- Baytowne: 72.7 Rating/139 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Ranges, Putting and Chipping Greens at each course (Burnt Pine includes Bunker, Baytowne Irons Only) with Sandestin Academy.
- Golf Academy/Junior Golf
- Accommodations
- Golf Packages
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts. Golfweek FL Top 30-Public, GolfDay Top 100 Resorts
- GolfDay Rating: 96.4
- Location

Hammock Beach Resort/ Palm Coast, FL

- Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses)
- Course Architects: Jack Nicklaus/Tom Watson
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Conservatory: 77.5 Rating/144 Slope
- Ocean: 75.1 Rating/141
- Practice Facilities: Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens.
- Golf Academy
- Accommodations
- Golf Packages
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest FL Top 30, Golfweek FL Top 30-Public, GolfDay Top 100 Resorts
- GolfDay Rating: 96.2
- Location

Bay Hill Club & Lodge/Orlando, FL

- Holes: 27 Holes (3 Nine Hole Courses)
- Course Architects: Dick Wilson/Joe Lee/Bob Lee/Arnold Palmer
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Champion: 37.9 Rating/142 Slope
- Challenger: 38.5 Rating/133 Slope
- Charger: 35.3 Rating/129 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Expansive Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker and Golf Academy.
- Golf Academy
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest FL Top 45, Golfweek FL Top 30-Public, GolfDay Top 100 Resorts
- GolfDay Rating: 95.6
- Location

**JW Marriot Marco Island, Marco Island FL**

JW Marriot Marco Island/Marco Island, FL

- Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses)
- Courses Architects: Joe Lee/Bob Cupp/Robert von Hagge/Bruce Devlin/Peter Jacobsen/Jim Hardy
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Rookery: 75.4 Rating/142 Slope
- Hammock Bay: 73.9 Rating/138 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker
- Golf Academy
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golfweek Florida Top 30-Public.
- GolfDay Rating: 92.0
- Location

The Breakers/Palm Beach, FL

- Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses)
- Course Architects: Alex Findlay/William Langford/Theodore Moreau/Joe Lee/Brian Silva/Willard Byrd/Ken Green/Rees Jones
- USGA Course Course/Slope Rating:
- Ocean: 67.8 Rating/126 Slope
- Jones: 74.8 Rating/146 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Ranges, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker (Irons Only-Ocean/Full Length-Jones) and John Webster Golf Academy.
- Golf Academy
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golfweek Florida Top 30-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 91.8
- Location

**Orange County National, Winter Garden FL**

Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge/Winter Garden, FL

- Holes: 45 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses and Nine Hole Executive Course)
- Course Architects: Phil Ritson/Dave Harman/Isao Aoki
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Panther Lake: 75.2 Rating/141 Slope
- Crooked Cat: 75.9 Rating/140 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Expansive Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens.
- Golf Academy
- Accommodations/Golf Packages
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golfweek FL Top 30-Public.
- GolfDay Rating: 91.7
- Location

Reunion Resort & Golf Club/Kissimmee, FL

- Holes: 54 (3 Eighteen Hole Courses)
- Course Architects: Arnold Palmer/Tom Watson/Jack Nicklaus
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Nicklaus: 74.8 Rating/140 Slope
- Watson: 75.0 Rating/136 Slope
- Palmer: 73.6 Rating/141 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker and Golf Academy.
- Golf Academy
- Accommodations
- Golf Packages
- Rankings: Golfweek Florida Top 30-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 91.7
- Location

**Waldorf Astoria Golf Club, Orlando FL**

Waldorf Astoria Golf Club/Orlando, FL

- Holes: 18
- Course Architect: Rees Jones
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.9 Rating/134 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens
- Golf Academy
- Accommodations
- Golf Packages
- GolfDay Rating: 91.6
- Location

The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort-Tiburon/Naples, FL

- Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses)
- Course Architects: Greg Norman/Tad Burnett
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Black: 74.6 Rating/147 Slope
- Gold: 76.0 Rating/137 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker and Golf Academy.
- Golf Academy
- Accommodations
- Golf Packages
- GolfDay Rating: 91.6
- Location

**Amelia Island Plantation, Amelia Island FL**

Amelia Island Plantation/Amelia Island, FL
Omni Hotels & Resorts

- Holes: 46 (2 Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses and Ten Hole Par 3 Course-Little Sandy)
- Course Architects: Tom Fazio/Pete Dye/Bobby Weed
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Long Point: 73.1 Rating/137 Slope
- Oak Marsh: 72.4 Rating/134 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker and Golf Academy.
- Accommodations
- Golf Packages
- GolfDay Rating: 91.6
- Location

Gasparilla Inn & Golf Club/Boca Grande, FL

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: David Wallace/Pete Dye/Alice Dye
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.6 Rating/132 Slope
- Practice Facilities Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens
- Accommodations
- Golf Packages
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golfweek Top 30 FL-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 91.4
- Location

Mission Inn Resort & Club/Howey-in-the-Hills, FL
Florida Historic Golf Trail

- Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses)
- Course Architects: George O’Neil/Charles E. Clarke/Tom Line/Gary Koch/Ron Garl
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- El Campeon: 74.6 Rating/142 Slope
- Las Colinas: 75.8 Rating/133 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting Green and Golf Academy
- Golf Academy
- Accommodations
- Golf Packages
- Florida Historic Golf Trail
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golfweek FL Top 30-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 91.3
- Location

Lost Key Golf & Beach Club/Pensacola, FL
Perdido Beach Resort

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Arnold Palmer/Ed Seay/Thad Layton/Brandon Johnson
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.9 Rating/145 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Accommodations
- GolfDay Rating: 91.1
- Location

Turnberry Isle Resort & Club/Aventura, FL
JW Marriot

- Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses)
- Course Architects: Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Roger Rulewich/Raymond Floyd
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Soffer: 72.2 Rating/138 Slope
- Miller: 69.6 Rating/126 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Double Sided Grass Driving Range with Targets, Puting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers.
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golfweek Florida Top 30- Public
- Accommodations
- GolfDay Rating: 90.6
- Location

**World Golf Village, St. Augustine FL**

World Golf Village/St. Augustine, FL

- Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses)
- Course Architects: Arnold Palmer/Ed Seay/Jack Nicklaus/Bobby Weed
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- King & Bear: 74.6 Rating/141 Slope
- Slammer & Squire: 72.6 Rating/132 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens
- Golf Academy
- Accommodations
- Golf Packages
- GolfDay Rating: 90.0
- Location

Naples Grande Resort/Naples, FL

- Holes: 18
- Course Architect: Rees Jones
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.8 Rating/132 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Double-Sided Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker and Golf School.
- Golf School
- Accommodations
- Golf Packages
- GolfDay Rating: 89.7
- Location

**Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista FL**

Walt Disney World/Lake Buena Vista, FL

- Holes: 63 (3 Eighteen Hole Courses and Nine Hole Course)
- Course Architects: Joe Lee/Rocky Roquemore/Ron Garl/Ken Baker
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Magnolia: 76.0 Rating/141 Slope
- Palm: 73.7 Rating/137 Slope
- Lake Buena Vista: 72.3 Rating/133 Slope
- Oak Trail: 33.8 Rating/126 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range (2) with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers
- Golf Academy
- Junior Golf
- Accommodations
- GolfDay Rating: 89.1
- Location

Innisbrook Resort/Palm Harbor, FL
Salamander Golf & Beach Resorts

- Holes: 81 (4 Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses and Nine Hole Executive Walking Course-Fox Squirrel)
- Course Architects: Larry Packard/Roger Packard/Jerry Pate
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Copperhead: 75.9 Rating/142 Slope
- Island: 75.1 Rating/144 Slope
- Osprey North: 69.9 Rating/127 Slope
- Osprey South: 71.2 Rating/125 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Extensive with Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens, Practice Bunkers and Golf Institute
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts. Golf Digest FL Top 45, Golfweek FL Top 30-Public
- Golf Academy
- Accommodations
- Golf Packages
- GolfDay Rating: 89.6
- Location

ChampionsGate Golf Club/Champions Gate, FL
Omni Hotels & Resorts

- Holes: 45 (2 Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses and Lighted Nine Hole Par 3 Course)
- Course Architects: Greg Norman/Mathew Dusenberry
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- International: 75.5 Rating/139 Slope
- National: 74.1 Rating/128 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Expansive Grass Driving Range with Target Greens, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers and Leadbetter Academy.
- Golf Academy
- Accommodations
- Golf Packages
- GolfDay Rating: 88.7
- Location

The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club/Orlando, FL
Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Greg Norman/Mathew Dusenberry
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.7 Rating/134 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Expansive Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Accommodations
- Golf Packages
- GolfDay Rating: 88.6
- Location

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U.S. Top 100 Resorts 2022

When you start planning for your next golf get away, take a look at the GolfDay Top 100 U.S. Resorts below. Tom Fazio, with original designs or updates for 20 of the Top 100 resorts, is the leading architect for laying out the very best resort courses. Not surprisingly, Jack Nicklaus (18) and Pete Dye (14) are right there as well.

Looking at magnificent course architecture from a family perspective, however, it’s hard to keep up with the Jones’s, as Robert Trent Jones, Sr., Rees Jones and RTJ II designed or updated 27 of the Top 100 resort courses in the country (including Robert Trent Jones’ ultimate gift–the RTJ Golf Trail).

Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw have also sculpted many of the best resort courses in the U.S (7 in the Top 100—including Sheep Ranch, the latest addition to the wonderful courses at Bandon Dunes).

And speaking of Bandon, a special “thank you” has to go out to Tom Doak and David McLay Kidd for the spectacular layouts at Bandon Dunes, always #1 on the golf retreat bucket list (not to mention their work at Forest Dunes, Streamsong, Sand Valley and Gamble Sands).

Florida boasts the highest number of golf resorts in the Top 100 with 11 (including 7 in the top 50), followed closely by California with 8.

Wisconsin golf may well be the most spectacular of all with 7 in the Top 100 (4 in the top 50)—along with the amazing courses on the Wisconsin Golf Trail).

Michigan should also catch your attention when planning a trip as the weather starts to warm up in the Spring with 6 resorts in the Top 100 (4 in the Top 50).

Keep in mind that along with Bandon Dunes, the Pacific Northwest offers 5 additional resorts in the Top 100, so you may want to plan an extended stay.

For the best public courses, take a look at the GolfDay Top 500.

Bandon Dunes/Bandon, OR

- Holes: 103 (5-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses and Thirteen Hole Par 3)
- Course Architects: Tom Doak/David McLay Kidd/Jim Urbina/Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Pacific Dunes: 72.3/143
- Bandon Dunes: 76.3/141
- Old Macdonald: 74.4/134
- Bandon Trails: 73.6/130
- Sheep Ranch: 72.1/122
- Practice Facilities: 2 Grass Driving Ranges with Targets (North/South), Wedge Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers and Expansive Putting Course (Punch Bowl).
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100, Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest OR Top 15, Golfweek OR Top 10-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 100

**Pebble Beach Resorts, Pebble Beach CA**

Pebble Beach Resorts/Pebble Beach, CA

Holes: 81 (4-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses and Eighteen Hole Par 3)
Course Architects
Pebble Beach: Jack Neville/Douglas Grant/William Herbert Fowler/Chandler Egan/Robert Hunter/Roger Lapham/Sandy Tatum/Ed Connor/Jack Nicklaus
Spyglass Hill: Robert Trent Jones, Sr.
Spanish Bay: Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Tom Watson/Sandy Tatum
Del Monte: Charles Maud
The Hay (Par 3): Peter Hay/Jack Neville/Robert McClure/Tiger Woods
USGA Course/Slope Rating
Pebble Beach: 74.9/144
Spyglass Hill: 75.4/145
Spanish Bay: 73.8/143
Del Monte: 71.6/131
Practice Driving Ranges with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers (Pebble/Spyglass), Spanish Bay and Del Monte Golf Course-Putting and Chipping Greens
Accommodations
Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100, Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest CA Top 45, Golfweek CA Top 30-Public
GolfDay Rating: 100

**Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Kiawah Island SC**

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: 79.1/155
- 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.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100, Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest SC Top 35, Golfweek SC Top 15-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 100

Pinehurst Resort/Pinehurst, NC

- Holes: 162 (9-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
- Course Architects: Donald Ross/Walter Travis/Richard Tufts/Tom Fazio/Tom Marzolf/Ellis Maples/George Fazio/Rees Jones/Jack Nicklaus
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- #1: 68.4/118
- #2: 76.5/138
- #3: 66.1/123
- #4: 74.9/138
- #5: 73.1/135
- #6: 74.7/139
- #7: 75.5/143
- #8: 74.1/137
- #9: 74.8/143
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Wedge Range and Multiple Chipping Greens with Bunkers, Thistle Dhu Putting Course.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100, Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest NC Top 30, Golfweek NC Top 15-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 100

**The American Hotel Resort: Whistling Straits and Black Wolf Run/Sheboygan WI**

The American Club Hotel Resort/Sheboygan, WI
Wisconsin Golf Trail

- Holes: 82 (4-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses and 10 Hole Par 3)
- Course Architect: Pete Dye
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Straits (Whistling Straits): 77.2/152
- Irish (Whistling Straits): 75.6/146
- River: (Blackwolf Run) 76.2/151
- Meadow Valleys: (Blackwolf Run) 75.1/145
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Ranges with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
- Accommodations
- Wisconsin Golf Trail
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100, Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts Golf Digest WI Top 15, Golfweek WI Top 15-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 100

Sea Island/Sea Island, GA
Georgia Golf Trail

- Holes: 54 (3-Eighteen Hole Courses)
- Course Architects: Walter Travis/H. S. Colt/C. H. Alison/Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Dick Wilson/Joe Lee/Rocky Roquemore/Tom Fazio/Davis Love III/Mark Love/Rees Jones
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Plantation: 74.1/130
- Seaside: 74.2/141
- Retreat: 73.9/133
- Practice Facilities: Expansive Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers and Performance Center with Club Fitting.
- Accommodations
- Georgia Golf Trail
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 200, Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest GA Top 15, Golfweek GA Top 15-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 100

Big Cedar Lodge/Ridgedale, MO
Top of the Rock Preserve

- Holes: 76 (3-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses, Thirteen Hole Executive Course and Nine Hole Par 3)
- Course Architects: Tom Fazio/Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw/Tiger Woods/Gary Player/Jack Nicklaus
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Buffalo Ridge Springs: 73.4/130
- Ozarks National: 73.9/131
- Payne’s Valley: 75.6/132
- Top of the Rock: 27.7/85
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 200, Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest MO Top 10, Golfweek MO Top 10-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 100

Reynolds Lake Oconee/Greensboro, GA
Ritz Carlton/Georgia Golf Trail

- 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: 75.7/143
- 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.
- Accommodations
- Georgia Golf Trail
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts Golf Digest GA Top 30, Golfweek GA Top 15-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 100

PGA West/La Quinta, CA
Hilton Honors/La Quinta Resort & Club

- Holes: 54 (3-Eighteen Hole Courses)
- Course Architects: Greg Norman/Tad Burnett/Matthew Dusenberry/Jack Nicklaus/Pete Dye
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Norman: 74.6/141
- Nicklaus Resort: 75.3/143
- TPC Stadium: 75.8/148
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers and Golf Academy.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest CA Top 45, Golfweek CA Top 30-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 100

**The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs WV**

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: 76.0/145
- Greenbrier: 73,0/137
- Meadows: 72.0/138
- Snead: 74.7/138
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 200, Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest WV Top 10, Golfweek WV Top 5-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 100

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).
- Accommodations
- Pete Dye Golf Trail
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 200, Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest IN Top 15, Golfweek IN Top 10-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 100

**Streamsong Resort, Bowling Green FL**
https://www.usatoday.com/

Streamsong Resort/Bowling Green, FL

- Holes: 54 (3-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
- Course Architects: Tom Doak/Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw/Gil Hanse
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Blue: 74.0/134
- Red: 74.1/137
- Black: 74.7/135
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets and Fairway Bunker, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 200, Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest FL Top 45, Golfweek FL Top 30-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 100

**The Sea Pines Resort, Hilton Head SC**

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: 75.6/148
- 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.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 200, Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest SC Top 35, Golfweek SC Top 15-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 100

**Barefoot Resort & Golf, North Myrtle Beach SC**

Barefoot Resort & Golf/North Myrtle Beach, SC

- Holes: 72 (4-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
- Course Architects: Greg Norman/Tad Burnett/Davis Love III/Tom Fazio/Pete Dye Moreau/David Gill/Mike DeVries
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Norman: 74.2/141
- Love: 74.9/141
- Fazio: 73.4/144
- Dye: 76.0/143
- Practice Facilities: Lighted and Covered Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Dyer and Greg Norman Golf Academies.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest SC Top 35, Golfweek SC Top 15-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 100

Turning Stone/Verona, NY

- Holes: 63 (3-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses and Nine Hole Regulation Course)
- Course Architects: Tom Fazio/Robert Trent Jones, Jr./Ty Butler/Edward Peters/Rick Smith
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Atunyote: 75.7/135
- Kaluhyat: 75.2/145
- Shenendoah: 74.2/140
- Pleasant Knolls: 35.5/119
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets and Fairway Bunker (Atunyote/Shenendoah). Grass Driving Range with Targets (Kaluhyat). Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker (Atunyote/Shenendoah and Kaluhyat). Domed Indoor facility with two-tiered hitting stations, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Performance Center with Club Fitting and Golf Academy.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest NY Top 40, Golfweek NY Top 15-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 100

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.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest FL Top 45, Golfweek FL Top 30-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 100

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.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100, Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest FL Top 45, Golfweek FL Top 30 Public
- GolfDay Rating: 100

**Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club, NC**

Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club /Southern Pines, NC

- Holes: 36 (2-Eighteen Hole Courses)
- Course Architects: Donald Ross/John Fought/Kyle Franz
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Pine Needles: 73.9/134
- Mid Pines: 71.7/130
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets and Fairway Bunker, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100, Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest NC Top 45, Golfweek NC Top 15 Public
- GolfDay Rating: 100

**Shadow Creek Golf Club, Las Vegas NV**

Shadow Creek Golf Club/Las Vegas, NV
MGM Resorts

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Tom Fazio
- Par 72/7,560 Yards from Championship Tees (Not Rated by USGA)
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golf Digest Golf Digest Top 100, Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest NV Top 15, Golfweek NV Top 15 Public
- GolfDay Rating: 100

PGA Village/Port St. Lucie, FL

- Holes: 70 (3-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses and 6 Hole Par 3)
- Course Architects: Tom Fazio/Pete Dye
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Wanamaker 75.2/134
- Dye: 75.7/142
- Ryder: 73.2/133
- Practice Facilities: Extensive including Lighted Grass Range with Targets, Wedge Range, Putting Greens, Chipping Greens with Multiple Bunkers and PGA Golf School.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golfweek FL Top 30-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 100

Red Sky Ranch/Wolcott, CO

- Holes: 36 (2-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
- Course Architects: Greg Norman/Matthew Dusenberry/Tom Fazio
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Norman: 74.6/147
- Fazio: 72.3/141
- Practice Facilities: Double Ended Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker and Larry Rinker Golf Academy.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest CO Top 15, Golfweek CO Top 10 Public
- GolfDay Rating: 100

**Forest Dunes Golf Club, Roscommon MI**

Forest Dunes/Roscommon, MI

- Holes: 36 (2-Eighteen Hole Courses. The Loop offers 2 Layouts-Black/Red)
- Course Architects: Tom Weiskopf/Tom Doak
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Forest Dunes: 75.2/146
- Loop-Black: 71.7/125
- Loop-Red: 71.9/124
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 200, Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest MI Top 30, Golfweek MI Top 20-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 100

Pronghorn/Bend, OR
Juniper Preserve

- Holes: 36 (2-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
- Course Architects: Jack Nicklaus/Tom Fazio
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Nicklaus: 75.0/148
- Fazio: 74.8/141
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 200, Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest OR Top 15, Golfweek OR Top 10-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 100

**PGA National Resort, Palm Beach Gardens FL**

PGA National Resort/Palm Beach Gardens, FL

- Holes: 90 (5-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
- Course Architects: Tom Fazio/Jack Nicklaus/Arnold Palmer/Ed Seay/George Fazio/Karl Litten/Andy Staples
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Champion: 75.4/144
- Palmer: 74.7/142
- Fazio: 74.4/138
- Squire: 72.2/137
- Estate: 72.6/138
- Practice Facilities: Double Sided Grass Driving Range with Targets, Wedge Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers, Leadbetter Academy and Pelz Golf School.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest FL Top 45, Golfweek FL Top 30-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 99.6

Sand Valley Golf Resort/Nekoosa, WI
Wisconsin Golf Trail

- Holes: 53 (2-Eighteen Hole Regulation Course and Seventeen Hole Par 3)
- Course Architects: David McLay Kidd/Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Mammoth Dunes: 75.1/137
- Sand Valley: 74.7/135
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Ranges (2) with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers (5). Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
- Accommodations
- Wisconsin Golf Trail
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 200, Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest OR Top 15, Golfweek OR Top 10-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 99.5

The Broadmoor/Colorado Springs, CO

- Holes: 54 (3-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: 72.7/139
- West: 71.8/134
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 200, Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest CO Top 15, Golfweek CO Top 10-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 98.8

Kapalua Resort/Lahaina, HI

- Holes: 36 (2-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
- Course Architects: Arnold Palmer/Francis Duane/Hale Irwin/Robin Nelson/Rodney Wright/Neil Haworth/Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Bay: 72.7/137
- Plantation: 73.5/147
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker and Golf Academy.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 200, Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest HI Top 15, Golfweek HI Top 15-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 98.7

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.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest PA Top 30, Golfweek PA Top 10-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 98.5

Barton Creek/Austin, TX
Omni Resorts

- Holes: 72 (4-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
- Course Architects: Tom Fazio/Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw/Arnold Palmer
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Canyons: 74.4/144
- Foothills: 75.3/141
- Cliffside: 72.6/133
- Lakeside: 72.4/140
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Additional Grass Range with Targets and Short Game facility at Fazio Course.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest TX Top 30, Golfweek TX Top 20-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 98.4

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 Cupp
- 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.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest OR Top 15, Golfweek OR Top 10-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 98.4

SentryWorld/Stevens Point, WI
The Inn at SentryWorld/Wisconsin Golf Trail

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Robert Trent Jones, Jr./Bruce Charlton/Jay Blasi
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 6/151
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets and Fairway Bunker, Warm-up Tee, Wedge Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers.
- Accommodations
- Wisconsin Golf Trail
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest WI Top 15, Golfweek WI Top 15-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 98.4

Grand National/Opelika, AL
Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort & Spa/Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail

- Holes: 54 (2-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses and Eighteen Par 3)
- Course Architects: Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Roger Rulewich
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Links: 75.2/142
- Lake: 73.9/132
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Accommodations
- RTJ Golf Trail
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest AL Top 10, Golfweek AL Top 10-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 98.1

Erin Hills/Erin, WI
Wisconsin Golf Trail

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Michael Hurdzan/Dana Fry/Ron Whitten
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 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.
- Accommodations
- Wisconsin Golf Trail
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest WI Top 15, Golfweek WI Top 15-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 98.0

Paiute Golf Resort/Las Vegas, NV

- Holes: 54 (3-Eighteen Hole Courses)
- Course Architects: Pete Dye
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Wolf: 75.5/145
- Snow Mountain: 73.1/130
- Sun Mountain: 73.0/135
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Ranges (2) with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest NV Top 15, Golfweek NV Top 15-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 97.8

**Ventana Canyon Golf & Racquet Club, Tucson AZ**

Ventana Canyon Golf & Racquet Club/Tucson, AZ
Ventana Canyon Blub and Lodge

- Holes: 36 (2-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
- Course Architects: Tom Fazio
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Canyon: 71.7/137
- Mountain: 72.8/143
- Practice Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest AZ Top 35, Golfweek AZ Top 30-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 97.7

**Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club, Arcadia MI**

Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club/Arcadia, MI

- Holes: 36 (2-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
- Course Architects: Warren Henderson/Rick Smith/Dana Fry/Jason Straka
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Bluffs: 75.7/146
- South: 75.6/132
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers (at both locations). Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest MI Top 30, Golfweek MI Top 20-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 97.5

Kingsmill Resort/Williamsburg, VA

- Holes: 54 (3-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
- Course Architects: 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
- Practice Facilities: Driving Range with Targets and Fairway Bunker (Grass Thursday-Sunday, Mats Monday-Wednesday), Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest VA Top 20, Golfweek VA Top 15-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 97.4

**The Highlands at Harbor Springs, Harbor Springs MI**

The Highlands at Harbor Springs/Harbor Springs, MI
Boyne Golf

- Holes: 81 (4-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses and Nine Hole Par 3)
- Course Architects: Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Arthur Hills/William Newcomb/Everett Kircher/Stephen Kircher/Jim Flick/Mike DeVries
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Heather: 75.4/147
- Hills: 75.4/144
- Moor: 73.5/144
- Ross Memorial: 73.9/143
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Ranges with Targets (2), Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Golf Academy with GEARS 3-D Body and Club Tracking System and Junior Golf Program. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest MI Top 30, Golfweek MI Top 20-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 97.3

**We-Ko-Pa Golf Club, Fort McDowell AZ**

We-Ko-Pa Golf Club/Fort McDowell, AZ
We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort

- Holes: 36 (2-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
- Course Architects: Scott Miller/Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Cholla: 73.4/138
- Saguaro: 72.0/137
- Practice Facilities: Expansive Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest AZ Top 35, Golfweek AZ Top 30-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 97.1

**Horseshoe Bay Resort, Horseshoe By TX**

Horseshoe Bay Resort/Horseshoe Bay, TX

- Holes: 54 (3-Eighteen Hole Courses)
- Course Architects: Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Roger Rulewich/Jack Nicklaus
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Slick Rock: 73.2/134
- Ram Rock: 75.2/139
- Apple Rock: 74.6/140
- Practice Facilities: 2 Grass Driving Ranges with Targets, Putting and Chipping Green (Apple Rock/Ram Rock and Slick Rock) with Eighteen Hole Natural Grass Miniature Golf Course.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golf Digest TX Top 30
- GolfDay Rating: 97.0

Treetops Resort/Gaylord, MI

- Holes: 81 (4-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses and Nine Hole Par 3)
- Course Architects: Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Tom Fazio/Rick Smith
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Masterpiece: 74.8/147
- Premier: 73.3/139
- Signature: 72.9/140
- Tradition: 70.0/130
- Practice Facilities: 2 Grass Driving Ranges with Targets (Masterpiece and Treetops North), Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers (both facilities). Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
- Accommodations
- Junior Golf
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golfweek MI Top 30-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 97.0

The Prairie Club/Valentine, NE

- Holes: 46 (2-Eighteen Regulation Hole Courses and Ten Hole Par 3)
- Course Architects: Tom Lehman/Chris Brands/Graham Marsh/Gil Hanse/Geoff Shackelford
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Dunes: 75.5/133
- Pines: 74.6/129
- Practice Facilities: Double Ended Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest NE Top 10, Golfweek NE Top 5-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 96.8

The Homestead/Hot Springs, VA
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).
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 200, Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golf Digest VA Top 20, Golfweek VA Top 15-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 96.7

Fallen Oak Golf Club/Saucier, MS
Beau Rivage/Mississippi Golf Trail

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Tom Fazio
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 5/142
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Accommodations
- Mississippi Golf Trail
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest MS Top 10, Golfweek MS Top 10-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 96.6

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
- Rankings: Golf Digest AL Top 10, Golfweek AL Top 10-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 96.5

Burnt Pine Golf Club/Miramar Beach, FL
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Rees Jones
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 8/148
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golfweek FL Top 30-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 96.4

**Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Kohala Coast HI**

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel/Kohala Coast, HI
Prince Resorts

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Rees Jones/Neil Haworth
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 6/144
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 200, Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest HI Top 15, Golfweek HI Top 15-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 96.3

Rio Secco Golf Club/Henderson, NV
Caesars Palace Las Vegas

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Rees Jones
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 7/140
- Practice Facilities: Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Butch Harmon School of Golf. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golfweek NV Top 15-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 96.2

Wailea Golf Club/Wailea, HI
Wailea Resort

- Holes: 54
- Course Architects: Robert Trent Jones, Jr./Arthur Jack Snyder
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Gold: 74.5/138
- Emerald: 72.8/135
- Blue: 71.6/139
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest HI Top 15 Golfweek HI Top 15-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 96.2

Hammock Beach Resort/Palm Coast, FL

- Holes: 36 (2-Eighteen Hole Courses)
- Course Architects: Jack Nicklaus/Tom Watson
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Conservatory: 77.5/144
- Ocean: 75.1/141
- Practice Facilities: Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest FL Top 45, Golfweek FL Top 30-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 96.2

Ross Bridge/Hoover, AL
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
- Rankings: Golfweek AL Top 10-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 96.1

Golden Horseshoe Golf Club/Williamsburg, VA
Colonial Williamsburg Resorts

- Holes: 45 (2-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses and Nine Hole Executive Course)
- Course Architects: Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Rees Jones/Greg Muirhead
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Gold: 73.4/140
- Green: 74.9/144
- Spotswood: 29.7/100
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest VA Top 20, Golfweek VA Top 15-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 96.0

Bay Hill Club & Lodge/Orlando, FL

- Holes: 27 (3-Nine Hole Regulation Courses)
- Course Architects: Dick Wilson/Joe Lee/Bob Simmons/Arnold Palmer
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Champion: 37.9/142
- Challenger: 38.5/133
- Charger: 35.3/129
- Practice Facilities: Expansive Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker and Golf Academy.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest FL Top 45, Golfweek FL Top 30-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 95.6

Bay Harbor/Bay Harbor, MI
Boyne Golf

- Holes: 27 (3-Nine Hole Regulation Courses)
- Course Architects: Arthur Hills/Stephen Kircher
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Links: 37.2/141
- Quarry: 37.1/150
- Preserve: 36.4/142
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Green with Bunker. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest MI Top 30, Golfweek MI Top 20-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 95.5

**The Course at McLemore, Rising Fawn GA**

The Course at McLemore/Rising Fawn, GA

- Holes: 24 (Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses and Six Hole Par 3)
- Course Architects: Rees Jones/Bill Bergin
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74/140
- Practice Facilities: Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest GA Top 30, Golfweek GA Top 15-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 95.5

Troon North/Scottsdale, AZ
Four Seasons

- Holes: 36 (2-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
- Course Architects: Tom Weiskopf/Jay Morrish/Phil Smith
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Monument: 73.3/148
- Pinnacle: 73.2/147
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens.
- Accommodations
- Performance Center
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest AZ Top 35, Golfweek AZ Top 30-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 95.4

Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course/Lake Tahoe, NV
Edgewood Tahoe Resort

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: George Fazio/Ronald Fream/Peter Thomson/Michael Wolveridge/Tom Fazio
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.5/145
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golf Digest NV Top 15, Golfweek NV Top 15-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 95.2

**Golf Club of Mississippi, West Point MS**

The Golf Club of Mississippi/West Point, MS

- Holes: 36 (2-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
- Course Architects: Gil Hanse/Bob Cupp/Jerry Pate
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Mossy Oak: 74.3/136
- Old Waverly: 74.7/144
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Target Greens, Putting and Chipping Greens.
- Accommodations
- Junior Golf
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest MS Top 10, Golfweek MS Top 10-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 95.2

**The Highland Course, Meadows of Dan VA**
https://www.luxurytravelmagazine.com/

The Highland Course/Meadows of Dan, VA
Primland Resort

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Donald Steel
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.1/150
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 200, Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest VA Top 20, Golfweek VA Top 15-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 95.1

Silverado Resort & Spa/Napa, CA
Wyndham/Dolce Resorts and Resorts

- Holes: 36 (2-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
- Course Architects: Ben Harmon/John Dawson/Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Robert Muir Graves/Johnny Miller
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- North: 74.8/141
- South: 72.3/133
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Accommodations
- Junior Golf
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts
- GolfDay Rating: 95.1

Wilderness Club/Eureka, MT
Wilderness Resort

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Lee Schmidt/Brian Curley/Nick Faldo
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.4/154
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest MT Top 10, Golfweek MT Top 5-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 95.0

Pelican Hill Golf Club/Newport Beach, CA
The Resort at Pelican Hill

- Holes: 36 (2-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
- Course Architect: Tom Fazio
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Ocean North: 73.5/137
- Ocean Souths: 72.0/133
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets and Putting Green.
- Accommodations
- Golf Academy
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest CA Top 45, Golfweek CA Top 30-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 94.8

Tetherow Golf Club/Bend, OR
Tetherow Resort

- Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
- Course Architect: David McLay Kidd
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Firecliff: 74.1/141
- Mountain View: 73.0/132
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Wedge Range, Chipping and Putting Greens with Bunker. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest OR-Top 15, Golfweek OR Top 15-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 92.7

**Giants Ridge, Biwabik, MN**
**https://www.quintessentialgolf.com/**

Giants Ridge/Biwabik, MN

- Holes: 36 (2-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
- Course Architects: Jeffrey Brauer/Lanny Wadkins
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Quarry: 74.9/141
- Legend: 73.8/136
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Ranges with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers (2).
- Accommodations
- Golf Academy/Junior Golf
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest MN Top 25, Golfweek MN Top 10-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 94.6

Grand Bear Golf Course/Saucier, MS
Harrah’s Gulf Coast

- Holes: 18
- Course Architect: Jack Nicklaus
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.0/142
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Green.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest MS Top 10, Golfweek MS Top 10-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 94.5

CordeValle/San Martin, CA

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Robert Trent Jones, Jr./Donald Knott/Gary Linn
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.9/141
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Range Balls Included with Greens Fee.
- Accommodations
- Junior Golf
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest CA Top 45, Golfweek CA Top 30-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 94.5

Geneva National Resort & Club/Lake Geneva, WI
Wisconsin Golf Trail

- Holes: 54 (3-Eighteen Regulation Courses)
- Course Architects: Arnold Palmer/Ed Seay/Gary Player/Charles Mahannah/Lee Trevino
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Palmer: 74.7/134
- Player: 73.7/142
- Trevino: 73.4/133
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker and Indoor Golf Simulator with TrackMan Technology.
- Accommodations
- Wisconsin Golf Trail
- Rankings: Golfweek WI Top 15-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 94.1

Blue Top Ridge/Riverside, IA
Riverside Casino & Golf Resort

- Holes: 18
- Course Architect: Rees Jones
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 76.9/143
- 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
- Rankings: Golf Digest IA Top 10, Golfweek IA Top 5-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 94.1

Manele Golf Course/Lanai City, HI
Four Seasons

- Holes: 18
- Course Architect: Jack Nicklaus
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.0/134
- Practice Facilities: Expansive Grass Diving Range with Targets, Wedge Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. ProV1 Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest HI Top 15, Golfweek HI Top 15-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 93.8

Madden’s on Gull Lake/Brainerd, MN

- Holes: 63 (2-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses, Eighteen-Hole Executive Course and Nine Hole Expanded Par 3)
- Course Architects: Scott Hoffman/James Dalgleish/Donald Herfort/Paul Coates/Jim Madden
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- The Classic: 75.0/144
- Pine Beach East: 70.1/124
- Pine Beach West: 64.8/109
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Ranges with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens.
- Accommodations
- Junior Golf
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest MN Top 25, Golfweek MN Top 10-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 93.8

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

FarmLinks/Sylacauga, AL
Pursell Farms

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Michael Hurdzan/Dana Fry/David Whelchel
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.9/142
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest AL Top 10, Golfweek AL Top 10-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 93.7

Wolf Creek Golf Club/Eureka, NV
Eureka Casino Resort

- Holes: 18
- Course Architect: Dennis Rider
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.8/149
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets (Irons Only/200 Yard Max), Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest NV Top 15, Golfweek NV Top 15-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 93.6

Hualalai Resort/Kailua Kona, HI
Four Seasons

- Holes: 36 (2-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
- Course Architects: Jack Nicklaus/Tom Weiskopf/Phil Smith
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Nicklaus: 74.1/129
- Ke’olu: 74.7/133
- Practice Facilities: Expansive Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers (unlimited ProV1 Balls and complementary TaylorMade clubs provided).
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest HI Top 15, Golfweek HI Top 15-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 93.5

Mauna Lani/Kohala Coast, HI
Auberge Resorts

- Holes: 45 (2-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses and Nine-Hole Par 3)
- Course Architects: Homer Flint/Raymond Cain/Robin Nelson/Rodney Wright/Mark Miller
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- North: 74.2/136
- South: 73.3/127
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets and Bunker, Putting and Chipping Green.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest HI Top 15, Golfweek HI Top 15-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 93.5

Gamble Sands/Brewster, WA

- Holes: 32 (Eighteen Hole Regulation Course and Fourteen Hole Par 3)
- Course Architect: David McLay Kidd
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.4/120
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Green. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
- Accommodations
- Putting Course
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 200, Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest WA Top 15, Golfweek WA Top 10-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 93.4

May River Golf Club/Bluffton, SC
Montage-Palmetto Bluff

- Holes: 18
- Course Architect: Jack Nicklaus
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.8/141
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Wedge Range with Target Greens, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers (6). ProV1 Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest SC Top 35, Golfweek SC Top 15-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 93.4

Talamore Golf Resort/Southern Pines, NC

- Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
- Course Architects: Rees Jones/Arnold Palme/Ed Seay
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- New: 72.4/132
- Mid South: 73.8/146
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets and Putting Green.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golfweek NC Top 15-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 93.3

AK-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club/Maricopa, AZ
Harrah’s Casino Resort

- Holes: 18
- 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” Nine Hole Par 3 Practice Course (Open Dec. 15-April 1). Range Balls included with Greens Fee
- Accommodations
- Junior Golf
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest AZ Top 35, Golfweek AZ, Top 30-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 93.3

**The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, Tower MN**

The Wilderness at Fortune Bay/Tower, MN
Fortune Bay Casino Hotel

- Holes: 18
- Course Architect: Jeffrey Brauer
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.5/143
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Green with Bunker. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
- Accommodations
- Junior Golf
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest MN Top 25, Golfweek MN Top 10-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 93.3

**Pete Dye Dunes Course: La Quinta Resort & Club, La Quinta CA**

La Quinta Resort & Club/La Quinta, CA
Hilton Honors

- Holes: 36 (36-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses/Guests also have access to PGA West Norman, Nicklaus-Resort and TPC Stadium Courses)
- Course Architect: Pete Dye
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Mountain: 72.8/135
- Dunes: 72.3/134
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers.
- Accommodations
- Golf Academy
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golfweek CA Top 30-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 93.3

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.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest NM Top 10, Golfweek NM Top 10-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 93.2

The Golf Courses at Lawsonia/Green Lake, WI
Wisconsin Golf Trail

- Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
- Course Architects: William Langford/Theodore Moreau/Rock Roquemore/Ron Forse
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Links: 73.6/137
- Woodlands: 71.9/134
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range (limited Flight balls) with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Accommodations
- Wisconsin Golf Trail
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golf Digest WI Top 15, Golfweek WI Top 15-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 93.1

Tullymore Golf Club/Stanwood, MI
Tullymore Golf Resort

- Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses (St. Ives located at 9900 St. Ives Drive)
- Course Architects: Jerry Matthews/Jim Engh
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Tullymore: 76.4/150
- St. Ives: 72.6/149
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens at both locations (St. Ives-220 Yard Max).
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golf Digest MI Top 30, Golfweek MI Top 20-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 93.1

The Grand Golf Club/San Diego, CA
Fairmont Grand Del Mar

- Holes: 18
- Course Architect: Tom Fazio
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.1/141
- Practice Facilities: Double Sided Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golfweek CA Top 30-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 93.1

**La Cantera Resort & Spa, San Antonio TX**

La Cantera Resort & Spa/San Antonio, TX
Benchmark Resorts & Hotels

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Jay Morrish/Tom Weiskopf
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.3/135
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets and Fairway Bunker, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker
- Accommodations
- Golf Academy
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golfweek TX Top 20-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 93.0

The Golf club at Dove Mountain/Marana, AZ
Ritz-Carlton

- Holes: 27 (3 Nine-Hole Regulation Courses)
- Course Architect: Jack Nicklaus
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Seguaro: 36.9/147
- Tortolia: 38.8/145
- Wild Burro: 37.0/143
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest AZ Top 35, Golfweek AZ Top 30-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 92.8

Legends Resort/Myrtle Beach SC

- Holes: 54
- Course Architects: Tom Doak/P. B. Dye
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Parkland: 74.3/144
- Moorland: 73.6/143
- Heathland: 73.3/143
- Practice Facilities: Lighted Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Accommodations
- Golf Academy/Junior Golf
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golfweek SC Top 15-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 92.8

Bedford Springs Resort/Bedford, PA
Omni Hotels & Resorts

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Spencer Oldham/Donald Ross/A. W. Tillinghast/Ron Forse
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.7/140
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Target Greens, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest PA Top 30, Golfweek PA Top 10-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 92.6

Desert Willow Golf Resort/Palm Desert, CA
JW Marriott

- Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
- Course Architects: Michael Hurdzan/Dana Fry
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Firecliff: 74.1/141
- Mountain View: 73.0/132
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens.
- Accommodations
- Junior Golf
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golfweek CA Top 30-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 92.4

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.
- Accommodations
- Wisconsin Golf Trail
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golfweek WI Top 15-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 92.3

Keswick Club/Keswick, VA
Keswick Hall

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Fred Findlay/Arnold Palmer/Ed Seay/Pete Dye
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.9/142
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets and Fairway Bunker, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest VA Top 20, Golfweek VA Top 15-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 92.3

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: 76.6/145
- Canyons: 74.5/139
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest TX Top 30, Golfweek TX Top 20-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 92.2

Cape Cod National Golf Club/Harwich, MA
Wequassett Resort and Golf Club

- Holes: 18
- Course Architect: Brian Silva
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.0/135
- Practice Facilities Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest MA Top 25, Golfweek MA Top 10-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 92.2

Circling Raven Golf Club/Worley, ID
Coeur D’Alane Casino Hotel

- Holes: 18
- Course Architect: Gene Bates
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.1/144
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
- Accommodations
- Golf Academy
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest ID Top 8, Golfweek ID Top 5-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 92.1

Grande Dunes Resort Club/Myrtle Beach, SC
Marina Inn

- Holes: 18
- Course Architect: Roger Rulewich
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.8/136
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens (2) with Bunker, Performance Center with FlightScope and Club Fitting.
- Accommodations
- Performance Center
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts
- GolfDay Rating: 92.1

**Marriott Marco Island, Marco Island FL**

JW Marriott Marco Island/Marco Island, FL
JW Marriott Island Beach Resort

- - Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
  - Course Architects: Joe Lee/Bob Cupp/Robert von Hagge/Bruce Devlin/Peter Jacobsen/Jim Hardy
  - USGA Course/Slope Rating
  - Rookery: 75.4/142
  - Hammock Bay: 73.9/138
  - Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
  - Accommodations
  - Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golfweek FL Top 30-Public
  - GolfDay Rating: 92.0

The Breakers/Palm Beach, FL

- Holes: 36 (2-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
- Course Architects: Alex Findlay/William Langford/Theodore Moreau/Joe Lee/Brian Silva/William Byrd/Ken Green/Rees Jones
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Ocean: 67.8/126
- Jones: 74.8/146
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Ranges, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker (Irons Only-Ocean/Full Length-Jones) and John Webster Golf Academy.
- Accommodations
- Golf Academy
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golfweek FL Top 30-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 91.8

Silvies Valley Ranch/Seneca, OR

- Holes: 52 (Eighteen Hole Reversible Course with 27 Greens (Hankins-Odd Days/Cradock-Even Days), Nine Hole Par 3 Course (Chief Egan) and Seven-Hole Executive Course (McVeigh’s Gauntlet).
- Course Architect: Dan Hixon
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
- Hankins: 73.5/135
- Cradock: 73.6/136
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets and Putting Green.
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest OR Top 15 Golfweek OR Top 10-Public
- GolfDay Rating: 91.8

Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge/Winter Garden, FL

- Holes: 45 (2 Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses and Nine Hole Executive Course)
- Course Architects: Phil Ritson/Dave Harman/Isao Aoki
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Panther Lake: 75.2 Rating/141 Slope
- Crooked Cat: 75.9 Rating/140 Slope
- Practice Facilities: Expansive Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens.
- Golf Academy
- Accommodations
- Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golfweek FL Top 30-Public.
- GolfDay Rating: 91.7

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Greats of the Game: Volume I—The Top 5

**Arnold Palmer: Brings Golf to Prime-Time**

Major championship performance and PGA Tour wins are the biggest factors in determining where players stand in the history of golf, but making cuts and Top-10 finishes are also important for identifying excellence and consistency.

In deriving our ratings, major championship wins carry the most weight, followed by major runner-up finishes and Tour wins. Top-5’s and Top-10’s at the majors also receive strong consideration, along with wins on the DP World Tour and to a lesser degree, wins on other recognized Tours (Japan Tour, Asian Tour, etc.).

Making cuts and Top-10 finishes are calculated on the basis of percentage in relation to total starts at PGA Tour sanctioned events through age 49 (when players become eligible for the Champions Tour). Top 10 percentage is given considerable weight, and cut percentage is also a factor in the rating a player receives.

Cuts and Top-10 percentage are overstated as a measure for Snead and Hogan, because fields were limited–but this is offset by the fact that each lost prime years in their career due to WWII (they were both 29 in 1941).

While Bobby Jones is certainly among the top 5 players in history with 4 U.S. Open and 3 Open Championship titles, he chose to remain an amateur and therefore has no PGA record for reference–and is not included below.

Number 1: Jack Nicklaus (361)

In addition to his 18 major championship wins, Jack recorded 55 Top-10 finishes at the majors (19 runner-up’s, 19 Top-5’s and 17 Top-10’s)–by far the most of any player in history. The Golden Bear also recorded 55 Tour wins along with his major championships for a total of 73, and he had the highest Top-10 percentage (60.2%) and cut percentage (93.6%) of any modern-day player.

Number 2: Tiger Woods (346)

Tiger is second to Jack with 15 major championship wins, a close second in Top-10 percentage (91%) and just behind Nicklaus in cut percentage as well at 54.9%. With his 67 Tour wins, Tiger is tied with Sam Snead for the most wins in history (82), and also added 8 wins on the DP world Tour. At 46 years old, Tiger still has a number of years with which to add additional wins and Top-10 finishes—so Jack’s position at No. 1 is by no means a certainty when all is said and done.

**Sam Snead: Most All-Time Wins**
**Flickr (https://www.flickr.com/)**

Number 3: Sam Snead (335)

Sam Snead recorded 7 major championship victories along with 75 wins on Tour, setting the mark of 82 total wins (tied by Tiger.) Snead made the cut in 391 of the 394 tournaments he entered (99%), and recorded Top 10 finishes in 75% of those events. When you include 8 runner-up finishes, 15 Top-5’s and 18 Top-10’s at the major championships, Snead comes up at No. 3—just behind Tiger.

**Ben Hogan: 9 major Championships**
(**https://www.amateurgolf.com/)**

Number 4: Ben Hogan (281)

Ben Hogan won 9 major championships along with 55 PGA events. He made the cut in 97.8% of the tournaments he played, and finished in the top 10 close to 80% of the time. After his near fatal auto accident in 1949 at age 36, Hogan never played more than 6 tournaments in any year—yet won 6 more major champions and recorded an additional 15 top 10’s at the majors (including 4 runner-up’s).

Number 5: Arnold Palmer (265)

Arnie’s career spanned 55 years from 1949 through his last appearance at The Masters in 2004, and while Tiger has had a huge impact on the popularity of golf in the last 25 years, Palmer brought the game to prime-time—and set the stage for the global appeal that golf currently enjoys. And he was perfect for the role. Photogenic with a big personality, tremendous power and ability combined with a go-for-broke style of play that endeared him to millions—commonly known as “Arnie’s Army.”

Throughout the course of his career, Arnie won 7 major championships and recorded 55 wins on tour. When Jack burst onto the PGA Tour in 1962, Palmer was still in his prime at 32 years and had just won The Masters and The Open Championship—and while Arnie added only one more major win (1964 Masters), he recorded an additional 7 major runner-up’s and 7 Top-10’s through 1970.

Palmer also made the cut in 90% of the tournaments he entered, with a Top-10 percentage of 43.5%.

Keep an eye out for Greats of the Game Volume II, where we will take a look at Gary Player (No. 6), Byron Nelson (No. 7), Walter Hagan (No. 8), Phil Mickelson (No. 9) and Tom Watson at No. 10.

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The Greatest of All-Time: Tiger and Jack

Watching Tiger walk the fairway at the final hole on the Old Course at St. Andrews, where he received a rousing tribute at a place where golf history has been made for centuries, brought back images of Nicklaus when he made his last appearance at The Open in 2005.

While the 2022 Open may not be the last for Tiger, it seems an appropriate moment to look at the greatest two players in the history of golf side by side—and the similarity is striking.

Tiger’s eventual induction to the World Golf Hall of Fame was inevitable from the moment he burst onto the golf scene, as he surpassed Jack with three U.S. Amateur titles (1994-1996), while Jack won only two, losing in the quarter-finals in 1959. Under the carefully scripted guidance of Earl Woods, the father whom he deeply loved and admired, Tiger’s arrival on Tour had been long anticipated (most everyone has seen the famous clip of Tiger, at two years old, putting against Bob Hope on the Mike Douglas Show).

For Tiger though, it was always about Jack. Unlike every other sport, in golf there was never a debate about the best ever—hands down it was Nicklaus. And since Tiger’s goal from when he first picked up a club was to be the greatest ever to play the game, then Jack was the man to beat.

As a boy, Tiger had a list of Nicklaus’ amateur accomplishments hanging on his wall, with Jack’s age when each was achieved. Nicklaus was 17 years old when he first stepped onto the stage at the 1957 U.S. Open, and Tiger made his debut at 16 (the 1992 Nissan Open)—becoming the youngest ever to compete in a PGA Tour event. Expectations were sky high for Tiger as an enormous gallery gathered to follow him, and he also got a glimpse of the future, as the media hounded him relentlessly while exiting the eighteenth green when he completed his first round.

Amateur Careers

Pushing himself to stay ahead of Jack, however, would be no easy task. In ’93, when Tiger was 17, he entered three PGA Tour events, but missed the cut in each by a wide margin. At 18 he entered three more PGA tournaments, once again missing the cut in each. Jack, at 18, played two events—the U.S. Open (missing the cut), and the Rubber City Classic, where he made the cut and finished in a tie for 15th. Tiger needed to kick it up a notch.

In 1995 at age 19 he did just that—making his first ever cut at a PGA sanctioned event, and ironically it was The Masters, where his star shines the brightest. Jack, at 19, played seven Tour events, including the Masters and U.S. Open, missing the cut in both, but making the cut in all five regular Tour events, including a T12 at the Buick Invitational. But for Tiger and Jack, it’s always all about the majors, so Tiger had nudged ahead.

In ’96, at 20 years old and still an amateur, Tiger entered three tournaments–The Masters, U.S. Open and The Open Championship. He missed the cut at The Masters, but made the cut at the U.S. Open, and tied for 22^nd at The Open Championship. In 1960, when Nicklaus was 20 and still an amateur, he also entered three tournaments–the Masters (tied for thirteenth), the U.S. Open (where he famously finished second to Arnie at Cherry Hills), and the Buick Open (making the cut). Again, Tiger would need to elevate his game to stay ahead of Jack, and once again he did exactly that—but with a different approach.

Nicklaus retained his amateur status through his 21^st birthday in 1961, recording a T7 at The Masters and a T4 at the U.S. Open, while entering five regular tour events—and making the cut in each (including a T6 at the Milwaukee Open.)

Tiger, on the other hand, decided to turn pro at 20 following the ’96 Open Championship, and immediately dominated the Tour. He made the cut in all eight tournaments he entered, including 2 wins (The Vegas Invitational and The Oldsmobile Classic), a T3 at The Texas Open, T5 at The Quad Cities, and finished up with a trip to The Tour Championship.

For Tiger, his early challenges against seasoned tour pros served only to deepen his resolve, intensify his focus, and set the stage for an assault on the record book that Nicklaus had rewritten. And while Tiger and Jack have much in common, including tremendous power, uncanny putting, and the ability to hit towering long irons and destroy Par 5’s, what sets them apart from all others is a monumental will to win. Who can forget Tiger’s putt on eighteen at Torrey Pines in the 2008 U.S. Open, where he fought through seventy-two holes with a fractured leg and torn ligaments in his knee to defeat Rocco Mediate. Or the putt Nicklaus holed on seventeen at The Masters in 1986, when he fired a back nine 30 on Sunday to win his final major at forty-six years old.

The Chase

Both Tiger and Jack won their first major championship at 22 years old (the ’62 U.S. Open for Jack and the ’97 Masters for Tiger). While in his twenties, Tiger won eight Major’s, including four in a row (the famous “Tiger Slam”) beginning with the 2000 U.S. Open through the 2001 Masters, putting him ahead of Jack’s pace (Nicklaus won seven majors in his twenties).

Curiously, both Jack and Tiger went into a lull at exactly the same time, as neither recorded a major win at 28 and 29 years of age. But Tiger came out of it faster, with four major wins between ‘05 and ’06, giving him a total of 12 major championships at 31 years old, while increasing his margin to 3 over Jack, who had 9 majors at 31.

Tiger added 2 more majors in ‘07 and ‘08, giving him 14 major championship wins at 33 years old as he headed into the 2009 season. Jack had picked up 3 majors between ’72 and ’73, giving him a total of 12 at age 33— so Tiger held a comfortable lead as he prepared to make his final assault on Jack’s record.

The Struggle

Following his incredible win at the 2008 U.S. Open, Tiger underwent surgery to repair the ruptured tendons in his knee, and missed the rest of the season. But with intensive rehab, he was back for the ’09 season and looking like the Tiger of old. He recorded six wins including top 10’s at the Masters and U.S. Open, and a runner up at the PGA Championship. As the season came to a close it seemed certain that he would break Nicklaus’ record for major championship victories.

The runner-up finish at the ’09 PGA, however, would prove to be a turning point, the beginning of what became a long and difficult struggle for Tiger. He went into Sunday as the leader by two shots over Y.E. Yang and Padraig Harrington, having never yielded the lead at a major going to the final round. On this day, however, the clutch putts that had always been Tiger’s trademark failed to fall, and Yang charged past him to take the championship. The veil of invincibility had been lifted.

Within months his world was rocked again by reports of marital infidelity, his pristine image pummeled by the media as past transgressions came flooding out. Shortly thereafter his wife filed for divorce, and sponsors began to abandon him. While Tiger had been able to overcome physical injury, and even the loss of his dad in 2006, the steely mental toughness that defined him had taken a major blow, and he failed to record a single win in 2010 and 2011.

The Come Back

As the 2012 season got under way Tiger picked himself up, and at 37 years old he was determined to continue his pursuit of Jack. With seventy-one tour wins, he was only two behind Nicklaus, and even though he hadn’t won a major since 2008, he was still on pace to challenge Jack’s record for major championship wins (Jack also had fourteen majors at 37). Tiger recorded three wins in 2012 to pass Nicklaus in regular Tour titles, and added five more in 2013 to put some distance between them. Unfortunately, though, he was unable to take any of the majors (his best finishes were a T3 at the Open Championship in 2012, and a T4 at the Masters in 2013), so for the first time, at 39 years old, Tiger was behind Jack’s pace in his quest for the major championship record (Jack had recorded 15 major wins at age 39).

The Pain

And then Tiger’s back blew up. It started toward the end of the 2013 season when he was hit with severe back spasms at The Barclays, just as the FedEx Cup playoffs were getting under way. Somehow, he was able to finish second, and make it through the final weeks of the season to the Tour Championship, but the writing was on the wall. Even after a few months of rest and rehab, the pain was only getting worse. Tiger tried to push through it as the 2014 season got underway, but was forced to withdraw from the Honda in early March and underwent his first back surgery shortly thereafter, announcing that he would miss the Masters (and he would miss the U.S. Open as well).

Determined to compete at the remaining majors, Tiger came back for the Open Championship and the PGA, but it was clear that the surgery had been unsuccessful, and even his indomitable will just wasn’t enough. Finishing well back at The Open, and then missing the cut at the PGA Championship, Tiger shut it down for the remainder of the season, opting for rest and rehab once again—but the pain would not subside.

In 2015 he tried to fight his way through once again, but was only able to tee it up 11 times, with his best finish a T17 at the Masters, while missing the cut at the other three majors. And so, at age 40, Tiger found himself 3 behind Nicklaus’ pace for the record in major championship wins (Jack recorded his seventeenth at 40).

Tiger made a decision to have a second back surgery in September, followed by another procedure barely a month later, and the 2016 season was completely lost. When he tried to return in 2017, his back broke down again, leaving him only one alternative for resuming his pursuit—a fourth surgery, this time spinal fusion, and the loss of yet another full season.

**Tiger Wins Fifteenth Major Championship**

The Resurrection

Most people would have given up at that point, but Tiger is not most people. After the surgery he dedicated himself to an even more rigorous rehab, and returned for the 2018 season ready to go. In 18 events he finished in the top ten 7 times, including a T6 at the Open Championship and a runner-up at the PGA, and then capped off the season with a win at the Tour Championship. But he had failed to move closer in his goal of reaching Jack’s record for major championship wins.

And then Tiger won The Masters in 2019, his 15^th major title (and 5th Green Jacket), so at 44 he had suddenly moved back to within two of Nicklaus’ pace (Jack had recorded 17 major wins at 44, with his 18^th and final major championship coming at age 46).

As the 2020 season got going Tiger came out strong with a T9 at The Farmers, held each year at Torrey Pines where he had won the 2008 U.S. Open. It looked like Tiger would make his presence felt in a big way at the 2020 major championships when suddenly the pandemic hit, putting the Tour season (and Tiger’s pursuit) on hold. By the time the world began opening up again, only two major championships could be held—The PGA, where Tiger recorded a T37, and the U.S. Open (that had been moved to September), where Tiger missed the cut.

The Challenge

As everyone knows, Tiger was involved in a horrendous automobile accident in February 2021, suffering massive leg injuries from which he is making a slow but steady recovery. At 46, it may appear that Tiger’s chase to match or surpass Jack’s major championship record is over.

Counting Tiger out, however, is never a good idea. You can be sure he has no intention of walking into the sunset just yet, and he’ll be back giving it everything he has. As the saying goes, “if there is a will, there is a way,” and Tiger has proven again and again that there is no one with a greater will to win.

The Recap

With 82 PGA Tour victories, Tiger has surpassed Jack at seventy-three, and matched the record held by Sam Snead. And his 15 major championship wins are second only to Jack’s 18. Regardless of whether Tiger comes back to win another major or breaks Sam Snead’s record for Tour wins, the sports world now has a fierce debate as to the greatest golfer of all time.

Tiger holds 3 U.S. Amateur Championships to Jack’s 2, while Jack holds 18 Major Championships to Tiger’s 15, but Tiger won 82 tour events to Jack’s 73. Some may point to Jack’s overall record at the majors (Nicklaus finished in the top five 56 times, while Tiger recorded 33 Top-5 finishes), and others may say that Tiger faced much deeper fields throughout his career than did Jack.

Much of Tiger’s prime was lost to injury as well, and there is little doubt that he would have matched or surpassed Jack’s major championship win total had he remained healthy. Illness and injury have impacted the careers of great athletes throughout history, however. Lou Gehrig recorded 2,721 hits and had 493 home runs when he was diagnosed with ALS on his 36^th birthday. And Bo Jackson, who likely would have been recognized as the greatest athlete in the history of sport, suffered a career ending injury at age 29 (he was selected for both the MLB All-Star team and NFL Pro Bowl—the only athlete ever to accomplish that feat).

Tiger has created a legacy of greatness that is simply remarkable, and while he may fall just short of his ultimate goal all those years ago, he has allowed us to witness golf history in the making— and don’t be surprised if he doesn’t find a way to keep Jack in his sights.

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2022 Open Championship: 150 Years of History

The Open Championship returns to the Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland this week to crown the 150^th Champion Golfer of the Year. Scotland is the birthplace of golf, with historical records of play at the Old Course going all the way back to 1414. While Open week is always special for everyone who loves golf, 2022 promises to be uniquely memorable with images of past champions at a place where golf has been played for centuries.

The History

In the 1840’s and 50’s, Allan Robertson was the greenskeeper and golf professional at St. Andrews, and universally recognized as the greatest golfer in the world at the time (he also is said to be the first golf professional). In 1848 he made the first recorded modifications to the Old Course–widening the fairways and creating the famous “double greens.” A few years earlier Robertson had laid out the original 10 holes at Carnoustie Golf Links, so he is also the first to be credited for golf course design and architecture.

**Allan Robertson**
**Mullock’s Auctions (https://www.mullocksauctions.co.uk/)**

In the mid-1830’s Robertson hired a youthful Tom Morris, Sr. as an apprentice, and their relationship would bring about the most famous golf tournament in the world: “The Open Championship.” Although Robertson was already unbeatable on the links (it is said that he never lost a match when money was involved), he soon saw that his young apprentice possessed an uncanny talent for golf, and since matches were often played in a two-man alternate shot format, he shrewdly enlisted Tom as his partner to create an invincible tandem. In 1851, however, Morris and Robertson had a falling out when Tom began playing a new kind of golf ball, rather than the “feather” balls that Robertson made and sold at St. Andrews. As a result, Morris left for Prestwick Golf Club in Ayrshire, where he laid out the course and became club pro and greenskeeper. His admiration for Robertson remained steadfast, however, and when Robertson passed away in 1859, Morris decided to organize a tournament in his honor—with the winner recognized as the “Champion Golfer.”

**Old Tom Morris**
**Wikimedia commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/)**

The first Open Championship was played at Prestwick Golf Club in 1860, and was won by Willie Park, Sr. Prestwick hosted The Open for the next 11 years, with Tom Morris, Sr. (Old Tom) and Tom Morris, Jr. (Young Tom) each winning 4 times. In 1873 The Open moved to St. Andrews, and Tom Kidd became the first to be crowned “Champion Golfer” at the Old Course. 2022 will mark the 30^th Open to be contested at St. Andrews, the most by far of any course to host a major championship. And the list of winners at the Old Course includes many of the legendary names in golf history.

Champion Golfers at St. Andrews

Jack Nicklaus, acknowledged by most as the greatest golfer in history, won two of his 18 major championships at the Old Course (1970, 1978). Tiger, the greatest of all-time to those who do not think it is Jack, also won 2 of his 15 major championships at St. Andrews (2000, 2005).

Multiple winners at St. Andrews also include John Henry Taylor (1895, 1905) and James Braid (1905, 1910). Both won the Open Championship 5 times, and each are also known for their work in golf course architecture and design.

Other members of the World Golf Hall of Fame who have won the Open Championship at St. Andrews include Sam Snead in 1946, Seve Ballesteros (a 3-time Open Champion) in 1984, and Sir Nick Faldo in 1990 (also a 3-time Open Champion).

The Contenders

Coming off his victory at the U.S. Open in June, and a Top 10 last week at the Scottish Open, Englishman Matthew Fitzpatrick has his game in fine form to contend at St. Andrews. Scottie Scheffler is a virtual lock to be among the leaders come Sunday, as he looks to add another major to his resume following an impressive win at the Masters and runner-up at the U.S. Open. Reigning PGA Champ Justin Thomas, enjoying an outstanding season that includes 8 Top 10’s in 17 starts on the PGA Tour this year, will also be a force as he looks to etch his name among the legends of golf who have won at the Old Course. Jon Rahm, in the midst of another stellar year where he has made the cut in 14 of 15 events with a win and 5 additional Top 10’s, will undoubtedly be lurking should the opportunity arise.

**Scottie Scheffler, Matthew Fitzpatrick and Justin Thomas**

Rory McIlroy, with his peerless talent, has been pounding on the door with a runner-up at Augusta, Top 10 at the PGA, and a Top 5 at the U.S. Open thus far in 2022. If the putter cooperates even a bit, Rory will be a formidable presence in the field—and perhaps this will be the week he adds that 5^th major championship.

Tiger Woods, returning to St. Andrews where in 2000 he delivered one of the most decisive wins in Open history (an 8-stroke margin over runners up Thomas Bjorn and Ernie Els), looms large over the field. While it would seem unlikely for him to be among the leaders as The Open moves into the weekend, there has never been a player with a greater will to win than Tiger—and the Old Course has provided many magical moments through the ages.

One thing is for sure, the 2022 Open at St. Andrews, where much of golf history has been written, promises to be a championship that will be remembered for many years to come.

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Measuring Greatness: Jack, Tiger, and the Young Stars on Tour

**Jack and Tiger: A League of Their Own**

While Major Championships and Tour wins define a player’s legacy, making cuts and recording Top-10’s are the most revealing measurement of success in professional golf. Not surprisingly, Jack and Tiger set the high-water mark for these criteria as well, and they are the standard of comparison when looking at the current group of highly talented young stars.

In the graphic below, Jack’s numbers include the entirety of his career, through his retirement at age 65—and it is particularly impressive that his percentage of Top-10 finishes remains so much higher than any player other than Tiger, even when his twilight years on Tour are included.

Athletes peak at different ages, and unfortunately, injury also plays a significant role. For Jack, his percentage of Top-10’s actually increased throughout his 30’s (his Top-10 percentage was 71.8% on his 30^th birthday, and 74.5% when he turned 40). Tiger, on the other hand, built the bulk of his record in his 20’s, with serious physical issues beginning to impact his play almost immediately on turning 30. He lost significant portions of the 2008, 2011, 2014 and 2015 seasons, so although Tiger’s Top-10 percentage stood at 66.0% on his 30^th birthday, it fell to 60.4% when he turned 40. And then he lost the entire 2015-2016 season following another back surgery.

Current players are at different stages in their career, so the best way to view performance is by looking at percentages, rather than just the totals. As shown in the graphic below, there is a vast gulf in Top-10 percentage between Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy (No.’s 1 and 2), and Dustin Johnson (No. 3).

**Rory McIlroy and John Rahm: Separating themselves from the Field**

Jon Rahm, at 27 years old, is only just entering the peak performance years of his career, and Rory, at 33, is at the height of his ability. Collin Morikawa, 25 years old, with the same Top-10 percentage as Dustin Johnson and a significantly higher cut percentage, has virtually his entire career before him. It will be fascinating to track the progress of the current group of talented young PGA Tour stars over the next decade and more, when viewed against the eye-popping numbers that Jack and Tiger put up.

Movers

Although Scottie Scheffler has the look of a much more “seasoned” pro, he only just turned 26 on June 21. On top of his Masters victory in April, and strong performance at the U.S. Open (T2), Scottie has made the cut in 18 of the 20 events he’s played this year while recording 9 Top-10’s (including 4 wins). When The Open Championship gets underway at St. Andrews in July, it’s a pretty safe bet that Scheffler will be on the leader board come Sunday.

**Scheffler, Thomas and Spieth: Moving the Needle**

Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth, boyhood rivals with 5 major championships between them, are both at the top of the list when it comes to making cuts and Top-10 percentage. Still in their 20’s, each is a lock for the World Golf Hall of Fame when the curtain comes down on their careers.

Will Zalatoris (No. 8), at 25 years old, has already recorded 6 Top-10’s in major championships. While he has yet to record his first Tour victory, his ball striking is second to none. Should Will begin to putt with more consistency, the possibilities are virtually limitless.

Players with Hall of Fame talent who have yet to reach 25 years of age include Victor Hoveland (No. 20), Sungjae Im (No. 23), and Joaquin Niemann (No. 28).

With so much talent currently on the PGA Tour, challenging the records of Jack and Tiger would seem an impossible task—but it makes for tremendous excitement week in and week out.

LIV

While LIV has picked off 7 of the Career Top 30, closer inspection reveals that the Tour hasn’t given up a whole heck of a lot. As a group, the PGA ex-pats played a total of 99 events in the 2021-2022 season, making just 66 cuts (66%) along with a grand total of 10 Top-10 Finishes (10%). Surprisingly, the star of the show is Abraham Ancer with 3 Top-10’s.

**Mickelson, Johnson and Koepka: 4 Top-10’s combined in 2022**

Perhaps it’s mostly related to age, with just one defector under 30 years old (Bryson DeChambeau). Two are soon to be 40 (Louis Oosthuizen–39 and Dustin Johnson–38), Sergio is 42, and Phil just turned 52.

Phil and Dustin have already punched their ticket to the World Golf Hall of Fame, but with only 1 major and 6 Tour wins, Sergio has become an extreme long shot (although his 22 worldwide wins give him an outside chance). Pat Reed with 1 major and 9 Tour wins, has removed himself from any consideration. Koepka, with 4 major championships, has closed out his PGA Tour career with a total of only 8 wins—so his chances of getting to the Hall are now very much in doubt.

The Saudi’s have paid a boatload of money with this venture, but the quality of their purchases have thus far been questionable to say the least.

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Golf Legends: Ranking the Top 30

**The Masters: Honoring the Greats of the Game**

As we enter Masters week at Augusta National, where the greats of the game are celebrated to a degree unmatched at any other major championship, it seems like a good time to examine the best who have ever teed it up, and see where they stand in relation to each other. Because Bobby Jones never competed as a professional, he is not included here—but feel free to place him among the top five, as you see fit. We have also included a group of top active PGA Tour players to see where they currently rate among the all-time greats, and consider their chances of joining golfs elite.

The Criteria

Because the major championships are the most demanding tests of golf with the deepest fields, the majors are given the most weight in our ratings, followed by tour wins, major runner-up, top 5 and top 10 finishes, as well as worldwide wins (wins on other tours, such as the European and Asian tours). Golf clubs and courses have evolved dramatically over the past century, so it is our view that the best way to evaluate a player is by his record against the other tour professionals at the time he was active—without consideration to scoring average, driving distance, etc.

The Ranking

It is no surprise that Jack Nicklaus is at the top, followed closely by Tiger. Sam Snead rounds out the big three, with a wide margin between them and number four (Ben Hogan). Both Hogan and Snead’s ratings are negatively affected by World War II, when the majors (and all PGA events) were put on hold—while each was in his prime. Also, following the war, American golf dominated the international scene, with the U.S. winning six of the seven Ryder Cups played between 1947 and 1959 in overwhelming fashion, led by Hogan and Snead. With world-wide travel being a challenge, and neither feeling they needed to prove anything by competing at The Open (then known as The British Open), they pretty much ignored it—although they each made the trip once during that time (and both won—Snead by four shots in ’46 and Hogan by four in ’53). Snead played the British Open two more times later in his career, recording a T6 in 1962 at fifty years old. In addition, the ratings for Walter Hagan and Gene Sarazen are negatively affected because the Masters wasn’t founded until 1934, when Hagen was 42 years old and Sarazen was 34. Field depth and competition level also affect ratings and ranking, and this is addressed in the wrap-up.

The Chase: Tiger and Phil

If Tiger returns for the Masters this week, so too will his relentless pursuit of Jack. And should he somehow pull off another eye-popping win, as he did in 2019, Tiger will move within two of Jack’s record for major championship wins. With another major victory, a few more major Top 10’s and a couple of additional regular tour victories, Tiger will definitively move past Jack as the greatest of all time. Even if he doesn’t tee it up at the Masters this year, he is obviously getting close—and that means he may be seeing Jack in the rear-view mirror by as early as next year.

Phil, on the other hand, is conspicuously absent from the Masters this week. While it is not likely that Mickelson can reach Palmer and Player, he can most certainly add to his accomplishments (as demonstrated by Phil’s win at the PGA Championship last year), and put some distance between himself and those closest to him (Walter Hagan, Tom Watson, and Byron Nelson). And when he joins Tiger for the opening ceremony on the first tee at Augusta in the distant future, the current unpleasantness will undoubtedly be forgotten.

The Current Crop

The chance that anyone currently on tour can make a run at Jack and Tiger is extremely remote—making their accomplishments all the more amazing. Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson are the leaders among active players, followed by Adam Scott and Sergio Garcia.

Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson

At 32 years old, Rory still has a chance to move into the top ten, but he will need to pick up his pace. His last win at a major was eight years ago, and all four of his major victories came between 2011 and 2014. If his putter were to suddenly return from the dead, however, Rory would climb the list at lightning speed—with plenty of time to get near the top.

Dustin, at 37 years old, has enough time to break into the top twenty, but the group of talented youngsters behind him will make it a tough task.

Adam Scott and Sergio Garcia

At 41 and 42 years old respectively, both Scott and Garcia appear to have enough left in the tank for a move into the top thirty. Both are fit and healthy, so if the youngsters’ edge over a bit, they should be able to take their seats.

Brooks Koepka and Justin Rose

Brooks Koepka is 31 years old, and he has ample time to muscle his way up the list. But while his record at the major championships is impressive, he will need to continue his performance at the majors while recording a significant number of additional regular tour wins along the way if he is to reach the top ten. The talent is there, but his motivation seems to be lacking when a major trophy is not on the line.

Justin Rose, at 41 years old, can still get to the top thirty–if his back can hold out for a few more years. Lately he has been getting off to fast starts, only to struggle on the back nine—an indication that the back is not so good. Justin still has that gorgeous golf swing with plenty of power, so if he can maintain his physical condition the top 30 is still within reach.

Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and Jason Day

Jordan Spieth, at 28 years old, has plenty of time to make a move into the top twenty, or perhaps even the top ten. Jordan will have to put his foot down hard on the accelerator, however, to make that happen. Spieth won the last of his three majors back in 2017, although he showed signs of returning to form in 2021 with a runner-up at the Open Championship and a T3 at the Masters.

Justin Thomas, also 28 years old, and with a vast amount of talent, has plenty of time to make a move as well. With only one win, a Top 5 and three Top 10’s thus far in his career at the major championships, however, Justin will need to make his presence felt at the majors in a much bigger way as he heads into his thirties.

For Jason Day, at 34 years old, the clock has begun to tick. The talent and putting stroke appear to be intact, so if he can stay healthy there is still time for him to make a move.

Jon Rham, Bryson DeChambeau and Hideki Matsuyama

At 27 years old, Jon Rham will be a force at the major championships for many years to come. Like Koepka, however, Rham will need to start packing on regular tour wins to move into the top thirty and beyond.

Bryson DeChambeau can certainly hit it, and at 28 years old a great many opportunities remain before him. He’s also a lot of fun to watch, so hopefully he can double down on his 2021 U.S. Open Championship and make a push to join the greats of the game.

With his win at the Masters in 2021, Hideki Matsuyama suddenly came back into focus as one of the top players on the PGA Tour. Having just turned 30 years old at the end of February, he’s got some time to beef up his record. Perhaps his Masters win will ignite a run?

Collin Morikawa

In only two full seasons on tour, Collin Morikawa has already notched two major championships and five regular tour wins. Of all the young guns currently on tour, Collin has the best chance to make a move on Jack and Tiger. If he can maintain his current pace for the next twenty-odd years, Collin will find himself among the top five players in golf history. But both Rory and Jordan were in similar positions when they were 24 years old, and neither were able to sustain it.

First there was Snead, then Jack, and now Tiger. Will Collin be the mega-star of the next generation? We’ll just have to watch as golf history continues to unfold before us.

The Wrap-Up

Nicklaus was up against Arnie, Gary Player, Tom Watson and Billy Casper. Tiger had Phil, Ernie Els, and a large cast of highly talented players to contend with. Sam Snead lost four years to the war at the height of his career (but conversely, he also chose to skip The Open throughout the ‘50s, which makes a statement about the level of competition at that time). There are other factors to consider as well, but hopefully our ratings and ranking can form a basis for debate. And we will continue to provide updates as Tiger makes his latest come-back, and the young stars seek to stake their claim among the legends of golf.

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John Daly: The Longest of All-Time

**John Daly: Grip it and Rip it**
Image by Boss Hunting (https://www.bosshunting.com.au/)

The golf world has always been fixated on driving distance, and Bryson DeChambeau has ignited another cycle of discussion and controversy. How does he hit it so far? All of the classic courses will become obsolete—look at the way he destroyed Winged Foot at the Open. Better regulate club length and start looking at the ball again. Well, guess what—Bryson isn’t the first one to get golf’s proverbial head spinning around in the face of revolutionary power. It began with Sam Snead and his silky-smooth swing that regularly propelled his tee ball twenty yards past everybody else on tour. Then came Arnie, driving the green with a 350-yard bomb on the first hole at Cherry Hills in the 1960 US Open. And then there was Jack, who quickly eclipsed Arnie with a combination of Snead’s beautiful swing and Palmer’s brute power, playing in the words of Bobby Jones “an entirely different game, and one which I’m not even familiar with.” Since driving distance stats were not officially tracked by the PGA until 1980, there is no way to know for sure if Jack is the longest of all time (in 1980, at the age of 40, Jack finished tenth in driving distance). But he is certainly the measuring stick—and that leads to John Daly.

**Jack Nicklaus: Playing an entirely different game…**

Since the PGA began tracking distance off the tee, no one approaches Daly for sheer power. Big John led the tour in driving distance an astounding eleven times, with Bubba Watson a distant second (five times). In 1997, John was the first to average north of 300 yards (Tiger finished second in ’97 at 295 yards, and never led the tour in distance from the tee). John then averaged over 300 yards for ten consecutive years (from 1999 through 2008). With golf ball and equipment changes continuously pushing up driving distance across the board year after year, the only way to compare John with players currently on tour is to look at his numbers against the rest of the tour at the time. In the ten-year span from 1992 through 2001, when John was in his prime (age 25-34), the average drive on tour was 267.5, while Daly averaged 295.6—a 10.5% distance margin. His biggest year was ’99, when he averaged 305.6 compared to a tour average of 272.5 (a margin of 12.5%). In 2021 Bryson DeChambeau led the tour at 323.7, against a tour average of 295.3—a margin of 9.6% (his longest on tour thus far). If we apply Daly’s 1997 margin to the 2021 tour average, that would put him at 332.2 yards—no contest. Bubba Watson’s longest year was 2006, when he averaged 319.6 yards against a tour average of 289.4, a margin of 10.4%, still lower than Daly’s average margin over a ten-year span. In 2003, Hank Kuehne led the tour at 321.4 yards, against a tour average of 286.3, a margin of 12.3%, just short of Daly’s big year in ’96. Unfortunately, Hank’s career was cut short due to injury, so we will never know how he would have stacked-up against Daly over the long haul. That leaves only Jack and John Daly in a discussion about the longest ever on the PGA Tour—and “Long John” has an excellent case. And just as Jack maintained his length later in his career, Daly kept on bombing it as well, finishing second in tour driving distance in 2007 at the age of 40, and sixth in 2010 at 43 years old.

**Bryson: Power through Fitness Bubba: 5 Time Distance Leader**

As big as John’s drives were over the years, so too have been his life struggles. His battles with alcohol have been well documented, and his junk food diet with associated weight gain have been highly publicized as well (John has never subscribed to the DeChambeau theory of adding distance through a regimental strength and conditioning program, supplemented with protein shakes). In that regard, I guess you could say that John is a bit like the Babe Ruth of golf. Through it all, Daly has always commanded a huge following of faithful fans. But what made him so popular from the moment he came out on tour was not just his ability to hit it a mile, or his colorful personality, but the fact that he is a regular guy. Someone everyday people can relate to and pull for. Daly was not cut from the same cloth as many of his peers on the PGA Tour, and would not be described as the “country club” type. He wasn’t “groomed” for greatness, or tutored by a golf pro from the moment he could walk. Daly taught himself the game by reading Jack’s instructional book on golf (Nicklaus’ Lesson Tee). And his early years were not easy, as he describes in his candid autobiography “My Life in and Out of the Rough.” Daly escaped the challenges of his youth by dedicating himself to golf, and in so doing achieved monumental heights, winning the 1991 PGA and 1995 Open Championships.

When John asked Tiger to join him for a beer at the 2004 Target World challenge as he was headed for the work-out room, Tiger famously declined, saying “If I had your talent, I’d be doing the same thing.” There is more than a grain of truth to that. Not only could Daly bomb it off the tee, he had amazing touch and feel around the greens, along with an excellent putting stroke. One can only speculate on the number of Tour wins and major championships John would have amassed without the personal issues with which he contended throughout his career—but it’s safe to say he would be among the very top. One thing is for sure though, no one can hit it with Daly off the tee (with the possible exception of Jack).

John’s most recent challenge has been a bout with bladder cancer, and we are all happy to hear that he is doing very well, playing a ton of golf with his son John, Jr. (who appears to be a chip off the old block when it comes to hitting a golf ball). And while cancer treatment generally takes a toll on people, John seems to be brushing that aside as well, averaging 299.9 yards off the tee this year on the Champions Tour (currently third).

There is nothing like watching John Daly grip it and rip it, so if there’s a Champions Tour event coming to a course near you, go out and have a look—you will be glad you did.

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PGA Tour: Changing of the Guard-Volume II

A group of young guns is emerging on the PGA Tour, flexing their muscle and exerting a powerful influence that will change the landscape of professional golf for the next decade and more. Each is seeking to etch his name in golf history, and all have the talent to do so. Currently twelve players under the age of 30 are included among the top twenty in the World Golf Rankings, and we will take a look at them all as the 2022 tour season gets under way. Can one of these mega-talented young stars approach the seemingly unattainable records of Jack Nicklaus or Tiger Woods? To put it in perspective, Jack Nicklaus recorded 73 tour wins in his career (30 in his twenties), with 18 major titles (7 in his twenties).Tiger Woods has accumulated 82 wins on tour (46 in his twenties) including 15 major titles (8 in his twenties). Last time we looked at Jon Rham, Collin Morikawa and Justin Thomas. Here are three more dynamic young stars with an opportunity to approach, and possibly even surpass, the extremely high bar that’s been set by Jack and Tiger.

Bryson DeChambeau (28 years old/No. 9 in the World Rankings)

In addition to focus and fortitude, what separated Jack and Tiger from their contemporaries was a combination of prodigious power and uncanny putting. Bryson’s massive length has been well documented, but keep in mind that he can also roll his rock. In 2020 Bryson not only led the tour in driving distance, he also ranked 12^th in putting. DeChambeau was born in Modesto California, and began looking at golf through a different lens from an early age, playing from the forward tees to perfect his wedge game and build confidence with the scoring shots in golf (100 yards and in). When he was 18, Bryson postulated that he could achieve a more repeatable swing plane (and thus consistency) if all of his clubs from 3 iron to wedge were exactly the same length, so he thumbed his nose at a hundred and fifty years of golf dogma and made the switch. And on receiving a golf scholarship to SMU in Dallas, Texas, he continued his analytical vision of the golf swing by majoring in physics (the genesis of his moniker as “The Scientist”). Bryson’s game began its meteoric rise when he won the NCAA division I individual championship in 2015, and followed that up by winning the US Amateur title in the same year, joining Jack, Tiger, Phil and Ryan Moore as the only players to achieve that distinction. Bryson turned pro following The Masters in 2016, where he finished 21^st as the low amateur, and won his first PGA Tour event in 2017 at the John Deere Classic. His success continued in 2018 with three tour wins, including The Memorial at Muirfield Village. Bryson added another win in 2019, and decided it was time to power up with an intensive strength and conditioning regimen, which led to two more wins in 2020, including the U.S. Open, where his length dominated Winged Foot to capture his first major title. Once again, Bryson ignored conventional wisdom where lean muscles and flexibility were accepted as the key to generating speed and power, instead opting for massive daily protein intake, the weight room, and sheer bulk. In 2021 DeChambeau added another victory to his resume, winning Arnie’s event at Bay Hill. Eight tour wins including a major in under six years is impressive, but Bryson will need to keep the lab running on overtime to make a move on Jack and Tiger.

Jordan Spieth (28 years old/No. 15 in the World Rankings)

Like Justin Thomas, his boyhood rival, Jordan Spieth has been on the PGA Tour for so long that it’s hard to believe he’s still in his twenties. And like Thomas, Jordan made his debut on the tour scene as an amateur when he was sixteen years old (the 2010 Byron Nelson, where he popped everybody’s eyeballs with a top 20 finish). He made the cut at the Byron Nelson again in 2011, and in 2012 Jordan qualified for the US Open at the Olympic Club, where he finished 21^st as the low amateur (and tying Tiger as well). Jordan turned pro in 2013, making the cut in eighteen of the twenty-three events he entered, recorded nine top 10’s including his first tour win at the John Deer Classic, and finished the year with a runner up at the Tour Championship. In 2014, Spieth failed to record a win, but made the cut in twenty-four of the twenty-seven events he entered, including a runner up at the Masters. 2015 would prove to be a break-out year for Jordan, with five wins, including two majors (The Masters and the U.S. Open), top 10 finishes in fifteen of the twenty-five tournaments he entered, and victory at the Tour Championship where he took home the FedEx Cup. He tacked on two wins in 2016, including eight top 10’s, and three more in 2017, including his third major title (The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale). 2018 through 2020, however, were lean years for Spieth, and he failed to record a win or advance to the Tour Championship (although he made the cut in 51 of the 63 tournaments he entered, with twelve top 10’s). In 2021 Jordan ended his drought with a win at the Valero Texas Open, recorded nine top ten finishes, including a runner up at Open Championship, a T3 at The Masters, and a return to the Tour Championship. Spieth currently stands with twelve wins and three major titles, and even with the three-year lull, Jordan can still put himself into position for an assault on Jack and Tiger with a big year in 2022—and he has the pedigree to do it.

Patrick Cantley (29 Years old/No. 4 in the World Golf Rankings)

Injury has robbed Patrick Cantlay of the opportunity to build his professional golf legacy in his twenties, but he has set the stage to show the world what he can do in his thirties. Born in Long Beach, California, Cantley received a golf scholarship to UCLA, and was awarded the Haskins Award as outstanding college golfer in the country as a freshman in 2011 (and also the Jack Nicklaus Division I Player of the Year award presented by the Golf Coaches Association of America). Cantley holds the record for the most consecutive weeks as the number one amateur in the World Golf Rankings (54), holds the record for lowest score (60) ever recorded by an amateur in a PGA tournament (2011 Travelers Championship), and was the low amateur at the 2011 US Open where he tied for 21^st. As the golf world looked on with great anticipation, Cantley turned pro in 2012 following the US Open, and made the cut in six of the seven tournaments he entered. But the train derailed in May of 2013, at The Colonial Invitational (now the Charles Schwab Challenge), where Cantley suffered a severe back injury (fracture of the L5 vertebrae) and was forced to withdraw, subsequently missing the bulk of the season. The back injury continued to plague him through 2014, where he could only tee it up six times, and then he missed the entirety of the 2015 and 2016 seasons. In 2017 Cantlay began his comeback, making the cut in all thirteen of the events he entered, recording a runner up at the Valspar that helped him gain entrance to the FedEx Cup playoffs, where three consecutive top 10’s got him to the Tour Championship. In the Fall of the 2017/2018 wrap around season, Patrick notched his first tour win at the Shriners, and made the cut in twenty-one of the twenty-three tournaments he entered, including seven top 10’s and another trip to the Tour Championship. In 2019 he added another win (The Memorial), making the cut in eighteen of twenty-one events he entered and nine top 10 finishes. In 2021 Cantlay fulfilled the promise of his superlative amateur career, as he won four times, including another win at the Memorial, wins at The BMW and Tour Championship, and ultimately becoming the FedEx Cup Champion. Patrick will be a force to be reckoned with at the majors in 2022, and the adversity he’s overcome make you believe that anything is possible. One thing is for sure, we will be pulling for him.

Stay tuned as we next look at Victor Hoveland (24 years old/No. 3 in the world), Xander Schauffele (28 years old/No. 10 in the world, and Cameron Smith (28 years old/No. 10 in the world)

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