Tag: Jack Nicklaus

Top 35 Private Clubs – Florida 2023


Jupiter Hills, Tequesta FL

While there are a great many fantastic public golf courses in Florida, membership at a top echelon private club assures that you’ll have a quality golf experience every time you tee it up. Limited play at private clubs pretty much guarantees that course conditions will always be great, and you can also say goodbye to the 5-hour round.

The state of Florida boasts 54 private clubs receiving a GolfDay rating of 90 or higher (Premium), by far the highest of any state in the country.

Florida also includes over 160 clubs with a GolfDay rating above 80 (high quality), again the most of any state, so chances are pretty good that you won’t have to look far to find a great club to call home.

We’ve included our Top 35 below, or you can spin through our file of all private courses in Florida, listed by GolfDay Rating. The GolfDay search engine is available as well to find the best courses by proximity to your location.

Clubs are ranked on the basis of GolfDay Rating, and listings include the year a club was founded, course architect(s), current USGA course and slope ratings, a link for the course website, and a notation if currently ranked by Golf Digest (locally or nationally). A link to the GolfDay course page is also included along with a link to Google Maps for each location. 


Mountain Lake Country Club

Our Top 35 private clubs in Florida include designs by the towering figures in golf course architecture, including Donald Ross, Jack Nicklaus, Seth Raynor, Tom Fazio, Robert Trent Jones, Sr., Pete Dye and William Flynn.   

Tom Fazio, with 8 original designs as well as updates to an additional 4, has contributed the highest number to our list of elite private tracks in Florida.

Donald Ross and Jack Nicklaus are close behind with 6 original designs each, and Pete Dye’s long list of fabulous courses includes 3 private clubs in Florida.

The GolfDay private club rating is based on a variety of criteria, including the stature of the architect(s) who did the original design(s), updates that have been done on the course(s), the variety of courses located at the property, USGA Course and Slope Ratings, as well as club longevity and prestige. 


Seminole Golf Club
USGA Museum
  1. Seminole Golf Club/Juno Beach
    • Founded: 1929
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Donald Ross/Dick Wilson/Ed Connor/Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.4/144
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100, Golf Digest FL Top 60
    • GolfDay Rating: 100
    • Location

Black Diamond Ranch Golf and Country Club
  1. Black Diamond Ranch Golf & Country Club/Lecanto
    Escalante Golf
    • Founded:1987
    • Holes: 45 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses: Quarry/Ranch and Nine Hole Highlands Course)
    • Course Architects: Tom Fazio/David Whelchel
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Quarry:            77.9 Rating/146 Slope
    • Ranch:              75.8 Rating/141 Slope
    • Highlands:       37.2 Rating/140 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 200, Golf Digest FL Top 60
    • GolfDay Rating: 100
    • Location

Mountain Lake Country Club
  1. Mountain Lake Country Club/Lake Wales
    • Founded: 1915
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Seth Raynor/William Diddel/Ron Prichard/Tyler Rae
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.1 Rating/136 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 200, Golf Digest FL Top 60
    • GolfDay Rating: 98.6
    • Location

The Concession Golf Club
  1. The Concession Golf Club/Bradenton
    • Founded: 2006
    • Holes: 27 (Eighteen Hole Championship Course and Nine Hole Par 3 Course)
    • Course Architects: Jack Nicklaus/Tony Jacklin
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 76.7 Rating/153 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 200, Golf Digest FL Top 60
    • GolfDay Rating: 98.2
    • Location

Jupiter Hills Club
  1. Jupiter Hills Club/Tequesta
    • Founded: 1969
    • Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses: Hills/Village)
    • Course Architects: George Fazio/Tom Fazio/Jan Bel Jan
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Hills:     76.9 Rating/148 Slope
    • Village: 73.9 Rating/147 Slope
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 200, Golf Digest FL Top 60
    • GolfDay Rating: 97.6
    • Location

Calusa Pines Golf Club
  1. Calusa Pines Golf Club/Naples
    • Founded: 2001
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Michael Hurdzan/Dana Fry
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.2 Rating/143 Slope
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100, Golf Digest FL Top 60
    • Description
    • GolfDay Rating: 97.0
    • Location

San Jose Country Club
  1. San Jose Country Club/Jacksonville

Watersound Club
  1. Watersound Club/Watersound
    St. Joe Hospitality

Belleair Country Club
  1. Belleair Country Club/Belleair
    • Founded: 1925
    • Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses: East/West)
    • Course Architects: Donald Ross/John Duncan Dunn/Hal Purdy/Malcolm Purdy/Stephen Kay/Gene Bates/Jason Straka
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • East:    70.8 Rating/133 Slope
    • West:   74.3 Rating/144 Slope  
    • Description
    • GolfDay Rating: 96.1
    • Location
  •  

Coral Ridge Country Club
  1. Coral Ridge Country Club/Fort Lauderdale
    • Founded: 1955
    • Holes: 27 (Eighteen Hole Championship Course and Nine Hole Par 3)
    • Course Architects: Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Rees Jones
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.4 Rating/137 Slope
    • Description
    • GolfDay Rating: 95.8
    • Location

The Everglades Club
  1. The Everglades Club/Palm Beach
    • Founded: 1919
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Seth Raynor/William Langford/Theodore Moreau/George Fazio/Tom Fazio/Ron Kirby/Denis Griffiths/Brian Silva
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 71.0 Rating/140 Slope
    • Description
    • GolfDay Rating: 94.0
    • Location

Broken Sound Club
  1. Broken Sound Club/Boca Raton
    • Founded: 1978
    • Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses: Club Course/Old Course)
    • Course Architects: Joe Lee/Gene Bates/Rees Jones
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Club Course: 74.9 Rating/147 Slope
    • Old Course:   75.4 Rating/146 Slope
    • Description
    • GolfDay Rating: 94.8
    • Location

Medalist Golf Club
  1. Medalist Golf Club/Hobe Sound
    • Founded: 1995
    • Holes: 30 (Eighteen Hole Regulation Course and Twelve Hole Medalist Village Par 3
    • Course Architects: Pete Dye/Greg Norman/Matthew Dusenberry
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 77.0 Rating/149 Slope
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 200, Golf Digest FL Top 60
    • GolfDay Rating: 94.6
    • Location

Indian Creek Country Club
  1. Indian Creek Country Club/Indian Creek Village
    • Founded: 1926
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: William Flynn/Howard Toomey/Dick Wilson/Ron Forse/Andrew Green
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.7 Rating/132 Slope
    • Rankings: Golf Digest FL Top 60
    • GolfDay Rating: 94.5
    • Location

Hammock Dunes Club
  1. Hammock Dunes Club/Palm Coast
    • Founded: 1989
    • Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses: Creek/Links)
    • Course Architects: Tom Fazio/Rees Jones
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Creek: 76.6 Rating/152 Slope
    • Links: 73.6 Rating/138 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest FL Top 60
    • GolfDay Rating: 94.2
    • Location

Boca West Country Club
  1. Boca West Country Club/Boca Raton
    • Founded: 1969
    • Holes: 72 (4 Eighteen Hole Courses: Palmer I/Fazio II/Palmer III/Dye IV)
    • Course Architects: Arnold Palmer/Jim Fazio/Pete Dye/Dana Fry/Jason Straka
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Palmer I:          75.2 Rating/142 Slope
    • Fazio II:            73.5 Rating/146 Slope
    • Palmer III:       72.4 Rating/139 Slope
    • Dye IV:              72.7 Rating/128 Slope
    • Description
    • GolfDay Rating: 94.1
    • Location

Gulf Stream Golf Club
  1. Gulf Stream Golf Club/Gulf Stream
    • Founded: 1924
    • Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses: Left/Right)
    • Course Architects: Donald Ross/Dick Wilson/Mark Mahannah/Pete Dye/Alice Dye
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Left:   73.7 Rating/138 Slope
    • Right: 73.9 Rating/137 Slope
    • Description
    • GolfDay Rating: 94.0
    • Location

Floridian National Golf Club
  1. Floridian National Golf Club/Palm City
    • Founded: 2011
    • Holes: 27 (Eighteen Hole Championship Course and Nine Hole Butch Harmon Par 3
    • Course Architects: Tom Fazio/Kevin Norby
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.7 Rating/145 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest FL Top 60
    • GolfDay Rating: 93.8
    • Location

Bonita Bay Club
  1. Bonita Bay Club/Naples
    • Founded: 1998
    • Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses: Cypress/Sabal)
    • Course Architects: Tom Fazio/Tom Marzolf
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Cypress: 76.9 Rating/145 Slope
    • Sabal:     73.3 Rating/139 Slope
    • Description
    • GolfDay Rating: 93.8
    • Location

Ballenisles Country Club
  1. Ballenisles Country Club/Palm Beach Gardens
    • Founded: 1964
    • Holes: 54 (3 Eighteen Hole Courses: North/East/South)
    • Course Architects: Dick Wilson/Joe Lee/Gene Bates/Rees Jones/Jack Nicklaus
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • East:     76.5 Rating/145 Slope
    • North:  73.7 Rating/137 Slope
    • South:  74.4 Rating/138 Slope
    • Description
    • GolfDay Rating: 93.7
    • Location

The Club at Ibis
  1. The Club at Ibis/West Palm Beach
    • Founded: 1992
    • Holes: 54 (3 Eighteen Hole Courses: Legend/Heritage/Tradition)
    • Course Architects: Jack Nicklaus/Jack Nicklaus II/Steve Nicklaus
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Legend:           75.7 Rating/142 Slope
    • Heritage:         74.7 Rating/140 Slope
    • Tradition:        74.8Rating/139 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest FL Top 60
    • GolfDay Rating: 93.5
    • Location

Old Marsh Golf Club
  1. Old Marsh Golf Club/Palm Beach Gardens
    • Founded: 1988
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Pete Dye/Chris Lutzke
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.8 Rating/152 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest FL Top 60
    • GolfDay Rating: 93.4
    • Location

The Loxahatchee Club
  1. The Loxahatchee Club/Jupiter
    • Founded: 1984
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architect: Jack Nicklaus
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.9 Rating/153 Slope
    • Rankings: Golf Digest FL Top 60
    • GolfDay Rating: 93.3
    • Location

Timuquana Country Club
  1. Timuquana Country Club/Jacksonville
    • Founded: 1923
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Donald Ross/George Cobb/David W. Gordon/Bobby Weed/Bruce Hepner
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.1 Rating/137 Slope
    • Description
    • GolfDay Rating: 92.9
    • Location

The Country Club at Mirasol
  1. The Country Club at Mirasol/Palm Beach Gardens
    • Founded: 2001
    • Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses: Sunrise/Sunset)
    • Course Architects: Arthur Hills/Steve Forrest/Tom Fazio/J. Drew Rogers
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Sunrise:           76.2 Rating/147 Slope
    • Sunset:            75.2 Rating/153 Slope
    • Description
    • GolfDay Rating: 92.7
    • Location

Heathrow Legacy Club
  1. Heathrow Legacy Club/Heathrow
    Concert Golf Partners
    • Founded: 1985
    • Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses: Heathrow/Legacy)
    • Course Architects: Ron Garl/Tom Fazio
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Heathrow Country Club: 72.5 Rating/131 Slope
    • Legacy Club:                      75.4 Rating/141 Slope
    • Description
    • GolfDay Rating: 92.6
    • Location

John’s Island Club
  1. John’s Island Club/Vero Beach
    • Founded: 1969
    • Holes: 54 (3 Eighteen Hole Courses: North/South/West)
    • Course Architects: Pete Dye/Jack Nicklaus/Tom Fazio
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • North: 74.3 Rating/138 Slope
    • South: 70.9 Rating/131 Slope
    • West:   73.0 Rating/137 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest FL Top 60
    • GolfDay Rating: 92.6
    • Location

Sara Bay Golf and Country Club
  1. Sara Bay Country Club/Sarasota
    • Founded: 1926
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Donald Ross/Joe lee/Kris Spence
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.3 Rating/137 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest FL Top 60
    • GolfDay Rating: 92.4
    • Location

Pine Tree Golf Club
  1. Pine Tree Golf Club/Boynton Beach
    • Founded: 1960
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Dick Wilson/Joe Lee/Ed Connor/Ron Forse/Bobby Weed/Scot Sherman
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.1 Rating/143 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest FL Top 60
    • GolfDay Rating: 92.4
    • Location

Lost City Golf Club
  1. Lost City Golf Club/Atlantis
    • Founded: 1960
    • Holes: 27 (3 Nine Hole Courses: North/South/East)
    • Course Architects: William Mitchell/Bob Simmons/Ted McAnlis/Tom Fazio
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • North: 37.0 Rating/133 Slope
    • South: 37.3 Rating/132 Slope
    • East:    36.9 Rating/137 Slope
    • Description
    • GolfDay Rating: 92.3
    • Location

Sailfish Point Golf Club
  1. Sailfish Point Golf Club/Stuart

The Bear’s Club
  1. The Bear’s Club/Jupiter
    • Founded: 1999
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architect: Jack Nicklaus
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 76.2 Rating/151 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 200, Golf Digest FL Top 60
    • GolfDay Rating: 91.9
    • Location

Trump International Golf Club
  1. Trump International Golf Club/West Palm Beach
    • Founded: 1999
    • Holes: 27 (Eighteen Hole Championship Course and Trump Nine)
    • Course Architects: Jim Fazio
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Championship: 76.3 Rating/155 Slope
    • Trump Nine:     37.7 Rating/147 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 200, Golf Digest FL Top 60
    • GolfDay Rating: 91.9
    • Location

Sawgrass Country Club
  1. Sawgrass Country Club/Ponte Vedra Beach
    • Founded: 1973
    • Holes: 27 (3 Nine Hole Courses: East/West/South)
    • Course Architects: Ed Seay/William Amick/Gardner Dickenson/Edmund Ault/Tom Clark//Robert Walker
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • East:    37.5 Rating/146 Slope
    • West:   37.4 Rating/146 Slope
    • South: 37.4 Rating/142 Slope
    • Description
    • GolfDay Rating: 91.8
    • Location

TwinEagles
  1. TwinEagles/Naples
    • Founded: 1999
    • Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses: Talon/Eagle)
    • Course Architects: Jack Nicklaus/Jack Nicklaus II/Steve Smyers
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Talon: 75.2 Rating/139 Slope
    • Eagle: 77.5 Rating/150 Slope
    • Description
    • Rankings: Golf Digest FL Top 60
    • GolfDay Rating: 91.7
    • Location
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Top Golf Resorts and Public Courses: Myrtle Beach

Barefoot Resort

It’s time to start planning your spring golf trip, and Myrtle Beach is the #1 destination in the U.S. offering more than eighty courses, great food, terrific nightlife, and gorgeous beaches for when you need some down time. It’s still a bit cool through February, but temps climb through the 60’s in March, the 70’s in April, and it’s total perfection in May with temperatures in the low to mid 80’s.

Many of the great modern architects are on display among the wide variety of courses in the Myrtle Beach area, including Tom Fazio (Barefoot Resort and TPC Myrtle Beach), Pete Dye (Barefoot and Prestwick), Rees Jones (The Dunes Golf & Beach Club and Arcadian Shores), Tom Doak (Legends Resort) and Jack Nicklaus (Pawleys Plantation).

Roger Rulewich, who collaborated with Robert Trent Jones, Sr. to sculpt the wonderful courses along the RTJ Golf Trail in Alabama, shared his architectural mastery at The Dunes Golf & Beach Club as well as Grande Dunes Resort Club.

And then there are the two masterpieces left to us by Mike Strantz at Caledonia and True Blue.

If you are looking for deals and packages, check out Myrtle Beach Golf and Myrtle Beach Golf Trips.

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

If you have yet to mark Myrtle Beach from your bucket list, now is the time. And even if you’ve made the trip many times before, MB never disappoints—so start getting a plan in motion.

Resorts

Barefoot Resort, North myrtle Beach SC
  1. Barefoot Resort & Golf/North Myrtle Beach, SC
    • Holes: 72 (4 Eighteen Hole Courses)
    • Course Architects: Greg Norman/Tad Burnett/Davis Love III/Tom Fazio/Pete Dye
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Norman:         74.2 Rating/141 Slope
    • Love:                74.9 Rating/141 Slope
    • Fazio:               73.4 Rating/144 Slope
    • Dye:                  76.0 Rating/143 Slope
    • Practice Facilities: Lighted and Covered Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Dyer and Greg Norman Golf Academies.
    • Course Descriptions
    • Golf Academy
    • Accommodations
    • Golf Packages
    • Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest SC Top 35, Golfweek SC Top 15-Public, GolfDay Top 100 Resorts
    • GolfDay Rating: 100.0
    • Location
Legends Resort, Myrtle Beach SC
  1. Legends Resort/Myrtle Beach, SC
    • Holes: 54 (3 Eighteen Hole Courses)
    • Course Architects: Tom Doak/P.B. Dye
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Parkland:        74.3 Rating/144 Slope
    • Moorland:       73.6 Rating/143 Slope
    • Heathland:     73.3 Rating/143 Slope
    • Practice Facilities: Lighted Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
    • Golf Academy
    • Accommodations
    • Golf Packages
    • Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golfweek SC Top 15-Public, GolfDay Top 100 Resorts
    • GolfDay Rating: 92.8
    • Location
Grande Dunes, Myrtle Beach SC
  1. Grande Dunes Resort Club/Myrtle Beach, SC
  2. Marina Inn
Myrtle Beach National, Myrtle Beach SC
  1. Myrtle Beach National Golf Club/Myrtle Beach, SC
    • Holes: 54 (3 Eighteen Hole Courses)
    • Course Architects: Francis Duane/Arnold Palmer/Victoria Martz
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Kings North:                73.9 Rating/137 Slope
    • South Creek:               70.9 Rating/128 Slope
    • West:                              72.6 Rating/125 Slope
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
    • Course Descriptions
    • Photos
    • Video Tour
    • Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golfweek SC Top 15-Public,
    • GolfDay Rating: 91.1
    • Location
Wachesaw Plantation East, Myrtle Beach SC
  1. Wachesaw Plantation East/Myrtle Beach, SC
  2. Myrtle Beach Golf Trail/Waccamaw Golf Trail
Sea Trail Golf Club, Sunset Beach NC
  1. Sea Trail Golf Club/Sunset Beach, NC
  2. Myrtle Beach Golf Trail
    • Holes: 54 (3 Eighteen Hole Courses)
    • Course Architects: Francis Duane/Arnold Palmer/Victoria Martz
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Jones:             73.2 Rating/138 Slope
    • Maples:           72.0 Rating/138 Slope
    • Byrd:                72.6 Rating/129 Slope
    • Course Descriptions
    • Accommodations
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
    • GolfDay Rating: 88.9
    • Location

Public Courses

The Dunes, Myrtle Beach SC
  1. The Dunes Golf & Beach Club/Myrtle Beach, SC
Caledonia, Pawleys Island SC
  1. Caledonia Golf & Fish Club/Pawleys Island, SC
  2. Waccama Golf Trail
True Blue, Pawleys Island SC
  1. True Blue Plantation/Pawleys Island, SC
  2. Waccamaw Golf Trail
Thistle Golf Club, Sunset Beach NC
  1. Thistle Golf Club/Sunset Beach, NC
  2. Myrtle Beach Golf Trail    
Wild Wing, Conway SC
  1. Wild Wing Plantation/Conway, SC
    • Holes: 27 (Eighteen Hole Regulation Course and Nine Hole Executive Course)
    • Course Architects: William Byrd/Jeffrey Brauer/Larry Nelson
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.8/135
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens.
    • Photos
    • Golf Packages
    • Rankings: GolfDay Top 100 Public
    • GolfDay Rating: 95.1
    • Location
Pawleys Plantation, Pawleys island SC
  1. Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club/Pawleys Island, SC
  2. Waccamaw Golf Trail
Myrtlewood, Myrtle Beach SC
  1. Myrtlewood Golf Club/Myrtle Beach, SC
    • Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses)
    • Course Architects: Edmund Ault/Tom Clark/Arthur Hills
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Palmetto:    73.6 Rating/137 Slope
    • Pinehills:     72.1 Rating/134 Slope
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
    • Photos
    • Accommodations
    • Rankings: GolfDay Top 100 Public
    • GolfDay Rating: 94.9
    • Location
Arcadian Shores, Myrtle Beach SC
  1. Arcadian Shores Golf Club/Myrtle Beach, SC
  2. Myrtle Beach Golf Trail
Prestwick Country Club, Myrtle beach SC
  1. Prestwick Country Club/Myrtle Beach, SC
  2. Myrtle Beach Golf Trail
The Pearl, Calabash NC
  1. The Pearl Golf Links/Calabash, NC
  2. Myrtle Beach Golf Trail
Carolina National, Bolivia NC
  1. Carolina National Golf Club/Bolivia, NC
    • Holes: 27 (3 Nine Hole Courses)
    • Course Architects: Gene Bates/Fred Couples/Kipp Schulties
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Egret:          37.6 Rating/145 Slope
    • Heron:        37.6 Rating/147 Slope
    • North          37.0 Rating/144 Slope
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets and Bunker, Putting and Chipping Green.
    • Course Descriptions
    • Photos
    • Rankings: GolfDay Top 500 Public
    • GolfDay Rating: 93.7
    • Location
World Tour Golf Links, Myrtle Beach SC
  1. World Tour Golf Links/Myrtle Beach, SC
Heritage Club, Pawleys Island SC
  1. Heritage Club/Pawleys Island, SC
  2. Waccamaw Golf Trail
Sandpiper Bay Golf & Country Club, Sunset Beach NC
  1. Sandpiper Bay Golf & Country Club/Sunset Beach, NC
  2. Myrtle Beach Golf Trail
    • Holes: 27 (3 Nine Hole Courses)
    • Course Architect: Dan Maples
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Sand:     35.1 Rating/128 Slope
    • Piper:    36.1 Rating/125 Slope
    • Bay:       36.5 Rating/141 Slope           
    • Practice Facilities: Three Level Grass Driving Range with Target, Putting and Chipping Greens.
    • Photos
    • Myrtle Beach Golf Trail
    • Rankings: GolfDay Top 500 Public
    • GolfDay Rating: 91.3
    • Location
TPC Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach SC
  1. TPC Myrtle Beach/Myrtle Beach, SC
  2. Waccamaw Golf Trail
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Top 12 Resorts and Public Courses: Las Vegas–Southern Nevada

Coyote Springs

While it’s still a bit cool in Vegas right now (low to mid-50’s through the end of January), perfect golf weather is right around the corner. Temps begin a steady climb into the 60’s through February, and March will generally deliver some perfect days that push into the 70’s.

April and May are prime time golf weather in Las Vegas (75-85 degrees), so if you enjoy great food and perhaps a few games of chance in the evening, it’s time to start your planning.

Many of the great modern course designers have brought their talent to the Las Vegas golf landscape, including Tom Fazio (Shadow Creek and Wynn Golf Club), Pete Dye (Paiute), Rees Jones (Cascata and Rio Secco) and Jack Nicklaus (Coyote Springs and Bear’s Best).

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

If you haven’t yet experienced golf in Vegas, this is the perfect time to finally pull the trigger!

Resorts

Shadow Creek/MGM, North Las Vegas NV
  1. Shadow Creek Golf Club/North Las Vegas, NV
  2. MGM Resorts
Cascata/Caesars, Boulder City NV
  1. Cascata/Boulder City, NV
    Casers Palace Las Vegas
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architect: Rees Jones
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.4 Rating/151 Slope
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker and Butch Harmon Golf School. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
    • Course Description/Photos
    • Accommodations
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100 Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Locally Ranked Nevada top 15 Public, Golf Digest Nevada Top 15, GolfDay Top 100 Public
    • GolfDay Rating: 100.0
    • Location
Paiute/MGM, Las Vegas NV
  1. Paiute Golf Resort/Las Vegas, NV
  2. MGM Resorts
    • Holes: 54 (3 Eighteen Hole Courses)
    • Course Architect: Pete Dye
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Wolf:                              75.5 Rating/145 Slope
    • Snow Mountain:       73.1 Rating/130 Slope
    • Sun Mountain:           73.0 Rating/135 Slope
    • Practice Facilities: Extensive, including 2 Grass Driving Ranges with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers
    • Golf Academy
    • Accommodations
    • Golf Packages
    • Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest NV Nevada Top 15, Golfweek Nevada Top 15-Public  GolfDay Top 100 Resorts
    • GolfDay Rating: 97.8
    • Location
Rio Secco/Caesars, Henderson NV
  1. Rio Secco Golf Club/Henderson, NV
  2. Caesars Palace Las Vegas
Wolf Creek/Eureka Resort, Mesquite NV
  1. Wolf Creek Golf Club/Mesquite, NV
  2. Eureka Casino Resort
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architect: Dennis Rider
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.8 Rating/149 Slope
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets (Irons Only/200 Yard Max), Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
    • Photos
    • Accommodations
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100 Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest NV Top 15, Golfweek NV Top 15-Public, GolfDay Top 100 Resorts
    • GolfDay Rating: 93.6
    • Location
Wynn Las Vegas, Las Vegas NV
  1. Wynn Golf Club/Las Vegas, NV
  2. Wynn Las Vegas

Public Courses

Coyote Springs Golf Club, Coyote Springs NV
  1. Coyote Springs Golf Club/Coyote Springs, NV
  2. Red Hawk/Troon Golf
Revere Golf Club, Henderson NV
  1. Revere Golf Club/Henderson, NV
    • Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses)
    • Course Architects: Billy Casper/Greg Nash
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Lexington:      74.7 Rating/145 Slope
    • Concord:         73.5 Rating/140 Slope
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker
    • Golf Academy
    • Rankings: GolfDay Top 100 Public
    • GolfDay Rating: 94.7
    • Location
Bear’s Best, Las Vegas NV
  1. Bear’s Best Last Vegas/Las Vegas, NV
TPC Las Vegas
  1. TPC Las Vegas/Las Vegas, NV
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Edmund Ault/Tom Clark/Bobby Weed/Raymond Floyd
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.9 Rating/146 Slope
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
    • Accommodations
    • Rankings: Golfweek Nevada Top 15-Public, GolfDay Top 500 Public
    • GolfDay Rating: 91.2
    • Location
Reflection Bay, Henderson NV
  1. Reflection Bay Golf Club/Henderson, NV
Oasis Golf Club, Mesquite NV
  1. Oasis Golf Club/Mesquite, NV
    • Holes: 36
    • Course Architects: Arnold Palmer/Ed Seay/David Druzisky
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 

                    Canyons:   71.0 Rating/137 Slope

                    Palmer:      71.5 Rating/138 Slope

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Top 15 Golf Resorts and Public Courses: Hawaii

Royal Hawaiian Golf Club

The Hawaiian Islands offer some of the most spectacular golf in the world. Of our Top 15, three are located on the Big Island, while Maui, Oahu and Kauai boast four each—so you can’t miss regardless of where you go.

Designs by many of the towering figures in course architecture can be found in Hawaii, including Robert Trent Jones, Sr. (Mauna Kea and Ka’anapali),  Robert Trent Jones, Jr. (Wailea, Poipu Bay, Princeville Makai, Ka’anapali and Kiahuna), Rees Jones (Mauna Kea), and Jack Nicklaus (Manele and Hualalai).

The great courses at Kapalua on Maui were most recently updated by the renowned team of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, and if you are looking for a terrific Pete Dye design, be sure to include Royal Hawaiian on Oahu.

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

Hawaii may be a bit of a hike, and can also put a dent in your wallet—but it has to be at the top of your bucket list. Until you decide to make the plunge, the golf experience of a lifetime will always be calling.

Resorts

Kapalua, Lahaina HI (Maui)
  1. Kapalua Resort/Lahaina, HI (Maui)
  2. Troon Golf
    • Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole 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 Rating/137 Slope
    • Plantation:      77.0 Rating/144 Slope
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker and Golf Academy.
    • Golf Academy
    • Accommodations
    • Golf Packages
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100 Public, Golf Digest Top 200, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest Hawaii Top 15, Golfweek Hawaii Top 15 Public, GolfDay Top 100 Resorts
    • GolfDay Rating: 98.7
    • Location
Mauna Kea/Marriott, Kohala Coast HI (Big Island)
  1. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel/Kohala Coast, HI (Big Island)
  2. Marriott
    • Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses)
    • Course Architects: Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Rees Jones/Neil Haworth/Arnold Palmer/Ed Seay
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Mauna Kea:    76.6 Rating/144 Slope
    • Hapuna:          74.7 Rating/134 Slope
    • 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 Hawaii Top 15, Golfweek Hawaii Top 15-Public, GolfDay Top 100 Resorts
    • GolfDay Rating: 98.6
    • Location
Wailea Golf Club, Wailea HI (Maui)
  1. Wailea Golf Club/Wailea, HI (Maui)
  2. Wailea Resort
    • Holes: 54 (3 Eighteen Hole Courses)
    • Course Architects: Robert Trent Jones Jr.
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Gold:                74.5 Rating/138 Slope
    • Emerald:        72.8 Rating/135 Slope
    • Blue:                71.6 Rating/129 Slope
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
    • Golf Academy
    • Accommodations
    • Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest Hawaii Top 15, Golfweek Hawaii Top 15-Public, GolfDay Top 100 Resorts
    • GolfDay Rating: 95.6
    • Location
Manele Golf Course/Four Seasons, Lanai City HI (Maui)
  1. Manele Golf Course/Lanai City, HI (Maui)
  2. Four Seasons / Lanai
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Jack Nicklaus
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.0 Rating/134 Slope
    • Practice Facilities: Expansive Grass Driving Range with Targets, Wedge Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with bunker. ProV1 Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
    • Accommodations
    • Golf Packages
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100 Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest Hawaii Top 15, Golfweek Hawaii Top 15-Public, GolfDay Top 100 Resorts
    • GolfDay Rating: 93.8
    • Location
Hualalai/Four Seasons, Kailua HI (Big Island)
  1. Hualalai Resort/Kailua Kona, HI (Big Island)
  2. Four Seasons
    • Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses)
    • Course Architects: Jack Nicklaus/Tom Weiskopf/Phil Smith
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Nicklaus:         74.1 Rating/129 Slope
    • Ke’olu:              74.7 Rating/133 Slope
    • Practice Facilities: Expansive Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers (unlimited ProV1 Balls and complementary TaylorMade clubs provided).
    • Accommodations
    • Golf Packages
    • Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest Hawaii Top 15, Golfweek Hawaii Top-15 Public, GolfDay Top 100 Resorts
    • GolfDay Rating: 93.5
    • Location
Mauna Lani/Auberge Resorts, Kohala Coast HI (Big Island)
  1. Mauna Lani/Kohala Coast, HI (Big Island)
  2. Auberge Resorts
    • Holes: 45 (2 Eighteen Hole 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 Rating/136 Slope
    • South:             73.3 Rating/127 Slope
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets and Bunker, Putting and Chipping Green.
    • Accommodations
    • Golf Packages
    • Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golfweek Hawaii Top 15 Public, Golf Digest Hawaii Top 15, GolfDay Top 100 Resorts
    • GolfDay Rating: 93.5
    • Location
Poipu Bay/Grand Hyatt, Koloa HI (Kauai)
  1. Poipu Bay/Koloa, HI (Kauai)
  2. Grand Hyatt
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Robert Trent Jones, Jr.
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.7 Rating/131 Slope
    • Practice Facilities: Expansive Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
    • Accommodations
    • Golf Packages
    • Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest Hawaii Top 15, Golfweek Hawaii Top 15-Public
    • GolfDay Rating: 91.2
    • Location
Kukui’ula, Koloa HI (Kauai)
  1. The Club at Kukui’ula/Koloa, HI (Kauai)
  2. The Lodge at Kukui’ula
Turtle Bay/Four Seasons, Kahuku HI (Kauai)
  1. Turtle Bay/Kahuku, HI (Oahu)
  2. Four Seasons
    • Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses)
    • Course Architects: Arnold Palmer/George Fazio
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Palmer:           75.2 Rating/134 Slope
    • Fazio:               73.8 Rating/130 Slope
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
    • Golf Academy
    • Accommodations
    • Golf Packages
    • Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golfweek Hawaii Top 15-Public
    • GolfDay Rating: 90.0
    • Location

Public Courses

Princeville Makai, Princeville HI (Kauai)
  1. Princeville Makai Golf Club/Princeville, HI (Kauai)
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Robert Trent Jones, Jr.
    • USGA Rating: 75.5 Rating/135 Slope
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Green. Range Balls included with Greens fee.
    • Junior Golf
    • Accommodations
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100-Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest Hawaii Top 15, Golfweek Hawaii Top 15-Public, GolfDay Top 100 Public
    • GolfDay Rating: 100
    • Location
Ko Olina, Kapolei HI (Oahu)
  1. Ko Olina Golf Club/Kapolei, HI (Oahu)
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Ted Robinson, Sr./Mark Miller
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.6 Rating/138 Slope
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker and Golf Academy.
    • Golf Academy
    • Junior Golf
    • Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golfweek Hawaii Top 15-Resorts, GolfDay Top 500 Public
    • GolfDay Rating: 93.9
    • Location
Ka’anapali, Lahaina HI (Maui)
  1. Ka’anapali Golf Club/Lahaina, HI (Maui)
    • Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses)
    • Course Architects: Arthur Jack Snyder/Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Robert Trent Jones, Jr./Robin Nelson/Neil Haworth
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Ka’anapali Kai:            71.6 Rating/136 Slope
    • Royal Ka’anapali:       73.7 Rating/129 Slope
    • Practice Facilities: Driving Range with Targets (250 Yard Max), Putting and Chipping Green.
    • Accommodations/Packages
    • Rankings: GolfDay Top 500 Public
    • GolfDay Rating: 91.9
    • Location
Kapolei Golf Club, Kapolei HI (Oahu)
  1. Kapolei Golf Club/Kapolei, HI (Oahu)
Royal Hawaiian, Kailua HI (Oahu)
  1. Royal Hawaiian Golf Club/Kailua, HI (Oahu)
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Pete Dye/Perry Dye/Greg Norman
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.1 Rating/138 Slope
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Range Balls included with Greens fee.
    • Photos
    • GolfDay Rating: 88.9
    • Location
Kiahuna, Poipu HI (Kauai)
  1. Kiahuna Golf Club/Poipu, HI (Kauai)
  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Robert Trent Jones, Jr./John Colligan
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.5 Rating/131 Slope
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Green.
  • Photos
  • GolfDay Rating: 88.5
  • Location

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Top 20 Golf Resorts and Public Courses: Southern California

PGA West

Southern California public golf includes work by many of the great modern course architects. Tom Fazio designs include Pelican Hill, The Grand, Rams Hill, and Oak Creek. Pete Dye sculped The Stadium Course at PGA West, both courses at La Quinta, as well as and Trump National Los Angeles. Jack Nicklaus laid out two courses at PGA West and Escena in Palm Desert.

Wonderful courses by the talented architectural team of Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley can also be found in southern California (Shadow Ridge, Shadow Hills and Tierra Lago).

Arnie left us with a terrific layout at PGA West, along with a stiff test of golf at the The Classic Club in Palm Desert.

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

If you are considering a place to enjoy some great golf this winter, southern California is hard to beat.

Resorts

PGA West, La Quinta CA
  1. PGA West/La Quinta, California
  2. Hilton Honors
    • Holes: 108 (Six Eighteen Hole Courses)
    • Course Architect: Arnold Palmer/Greg Norma/Matthew Dusenberry/Tad Burnett/Jack Nicklaus/Tom Weiskopf/Pete Dye
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Palmer:                        73.9 Rating/141 Slope
    • Norman:                      74.6 Rating/136 Slope
    • Nicklaus Private:      74.3 Rating/136 Slope
    • Nicklaus Resort:       75.3 Rating/143 Slope
    • Weiskopf:                    74.2 Rating/130 Slope
    • TPC Stadium:            75.8 Rating/148 Slope
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers and Golf Academy.
    • Golf Academy
    • Accommodations
    • Golf Packages
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100 Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest CA Top 45, Golfweek CA Top 30 Public, GolfDay Top 100 Resorts
    • GolfDay Resort Rating: 100
    • Location
Pelican Hill, Newport Beach CA
  1. Pelican Hill Golf Club/Newport Beach, CA
  2. The Resort at Pelican Hill
    • Holes: 36 Holes (2 Eighteen Hole Courses)
    • Course Architect: Tom Fazio
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Ocean North: 73.5 Rating/137 Slope
    • Ocean South: 72.0 Rating/133 Slope
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets and Putting Green.
    • Golf Academy
    • Accommodations
    • Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest CA Top 45, Golfweek CA Top 30-Public, GolfDay Top 100 Resorts
    • GolfDay Resort Rating: 94.8
    • Location
La Quinta Resort, La Quinta CA
  1. La Quinta Resort & Club/La Quinta, CA
  2. Hilton Honors
    • Holes: 90
    • Course Architect: Pete Dye
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Mountain:       72.8 Rating/135 Slope
    • Dunes:              72.3 Rating/134 Slope
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers.
    • Golf Academy
    • Accommodations
    • Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golfweek CA Top 30-Public, GolfDay Top 100 Resorts
    • GolfDay Resort Rating: 93.3
    • Location
The Grand Club, San Diego CA
  1. The Grand Golf Club/San Diego, CA
  2. Fairmont Grand Del Mar
Desert Willow, Palm Desert CA
  1. Desert Willow Golf Resort/Palm Desert, CA
  2. JW Marriott
    • Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses)
    • Course Architects: Michael Hurdzan/Dana Dry
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Firecliff:                    74.1 Rating/141 Slope
    • Mountain View:     73.0 Rating/132 Slope
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens
    • Golf Academy
    • Junior Golf
    • Accommodations
    • Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golfweek California Top 30 Public, GolfDay Top 100 Resorts
    • GolfDay Resort Rating: 92.4
    • Location
Eagle Falls, Indio CA
  1. Eagle Falls Golf Course/Indio CA
  2. Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architect: Clive Clark
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.8 Rating/133 Slope
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker
    • Accommodations
    • Golf Packages
    • Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golfweek California Top 30 Public
    • GolfDay Resort Rating: 91.7
    • Location
Shadow Ridge, Palm Desert CA
  1. Shadow Ridge Golf Club/Palm Desert, CA
  2. JW Marriot
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Lee Schmidt/Brian Curley/Nick Faldo
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.7 Rating/135 Slope
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers
    • Accommodations
    • Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts
    • GolfDay Resort Rating: 91.7
    • Location
Journey at Pechenga, Temecula CA
  1. Journey at Pechanga/Temecula, CA
  2. Pechanga Resort Casino

Public Courses

Rams Hill, Borrego Springs, CA
  1. Rams Hill Golf Club/Borrego Springs, CA
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Ted Robinson, Sr./Tom Fazio
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.5 Rating/141 Slope
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and chipping Greens with Bunker. ProV1 Range balls included with Greens Fee.
    • Golf Academy
    • Accommodations/Packages
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100 Public, Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golf Digest CA Top 45, Golfweek CA Top 30-Public, GolfDay Top 100 Public
    • GolfDay Rating: 100
    • Locations
Torey Pines, San Diego CA
  1. Torrey Pines Golf Course/San Diego California
  2. City of San Diego
    • Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses)
    • Course Architects: William F. Bell/David Rainville/Stephen Halsey/Jack Daray, Jr./Rees Jones
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • North:  75.8 Rating/138 Slope
    • South: 78.2 Rating/144 Slope
    • Practice Facilities: Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100 Public, Golf Digest Top 200, Golf Digest CA Top 45, Golfweek CA Top 30-Public, GolfDay Top 100 Public, GolfDay Top 25 Municipal
    • GolfDay Rating: 100
    • Location
Shadow Hills, Indio CA
  1. Shadow Hills Golf Club/Indio, CA
    • Holes: 36 Holes (Eighteen Hole Regulation Course (South) and Eighteen Hole Par 3 Course (North)
    • Course Architects: Lee Schmidt/Brian Curley/Brian Costello/Mark Hollinger/Bob Moore
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • South: 73 Rating/134 Slope
    • North: 54.1 Rating/84 Slope
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
    • Rankings: GolfDay Top 100 Public
    • GolfDay Rating: 95.8
    • Location
Oak Creek, Irvine CA
  1. Oak Creek Golf Club/Irvine, CA
Classic Club, Palm Desert CA
  1. Classic Club/Palm Desert, CA
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architect: Arnold Palmer
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.4 Rating/142 Slope
    • Practice Facilities: Double Sided Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
    • Golf Academy
    • Rankings: Golfweek CA Top 30-Public, GolfDay Top 500 Public
    • GolfDay Rating: 94.7
    • Location
Trump National Los Angeles, Rancho Pales Verdes CA
  1. Trump National Los Angeles/Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Pete Dye/Perry Dye
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.6 Rating/144 Slope
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets and Putting Green (Chipping Green with Bunker–Instruction Only).
    • Golf Academy
    • Rankings: Golfweek CA Top 30-Public, GolfDay Top 500 Public
    • GolfDay Rating: 93.5
    • Location
The Golf Club at Tierra Lago, Palm Springs CA
  1. The Golf Club at Terra Lago/Indio, CA
    • Holes: 36 (Two Eighteen Hole Courses)
    • Course Architects: Lee Schmidt/Brian Curley
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • North:  74.1 Rating/138 Slope
    • South: 73.9 Rating/137 Slope
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
    • Rankings: GolfDay Top 500 Public
    • GolfDay Rating: 92.4
    • Location
Steele Canyon, Jamul CA
https://www.ocregister.com/
  1. Steele Canyon Golf Club/Jamul, CA
    • Holes: 27 Holes (3 Nine Hole Courses)
    • Course Architect: Gary Player
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Canyon:          35.8 Rating/134 Slope
    • Ranch:             37.7 Rating/141 Slope
    • Vineyard:       36.5 Rating/137 Slope
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers (2).
    • Rankings: GolfDay Top 500 Public
    • GolfDay Rating: 91.3
    • Location
Mission Hills, Ranch Mirage CA
  1. Mission Hills North/Rancho Mirage, CA
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architect: Gary Player
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.6 Rating/131 Slope
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers.
    • Rankings: GolfDay Top 500 Public
    • GolfDay Rating: 91.1
    • Location
Arrowood, Oceanside CA
https://www.golftroop.com/
  1. Arrowood Golf Course/Oceanside, CA
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architect: Ted Robinson, Jr.
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.4 Rating/135 Slope
    • Practice Facilities: Driving Range with Targets (Grass-Weekends/Mats-Weekdays), Putting and Chipping Greens.
    • Golf Academy
    • Rankings: GolfDay Top 500 Public
    • GolfDay Rating: 90.9
    • Location
The Golf Club of California, Fallbrook CA
  1. The Golf Club of California/Fallbrook, CA
Escena Golf Club, Palm Springs CA
  1. Escena Golf Club/Palm Springs, CA
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Top 15 Resorts-Arizona 2022/2023

Troon North

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, Tucson AZ
  1. Ventana Canyon Golf & Club/Tucson, Arizona
  2. 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, Fort McDowell AZ
  1. We-Ko-Pa Golf Club/Fort McDowell, AZ
  2. 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, Scottsdale AZ
  1. Troon North Golf Club/Scottsdale, AZ
  2. 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
Dove Mountain, Marana AZ
  1. The Golf Club at Dove Mountain/Marana, AZ
  2. 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, Maricopa AZ
  1. AK-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club/Maricopa, AZ
  2. 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, Phoenix AZ
  1. Wildfire Golf Club/Phoenix, AZ
  2. 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, Tucson AZ
  1. La Paloma Country Club/Tucson, AZ
  2. 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, Tucson AZ
  1. Starr Pass Golf Club/Tucson AZ
  2. 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, Scottsdale AZ
  1. Camelback Golf Club/Scottsdale, AZ 
  2. 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
  1. Tucson National/Tucson, AZ
  2. 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, Wickenburg AZ
  1. Los Caballeros Golf Club/Wickenburg, AZ
  2. 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 Resort, Gold Canyon AZ
  1. 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
  1. 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, Tucson AZ
  1. Sewailo Golf Club/Tucson, AZ
  2. 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, Phoenix AZ
  1. Lookout Mountain Golf Club/Phoenix, AZ
  2. Pointe Hilton

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U.S. Top 100 Resorts 2022

Spyglass Hill: Pebble Beach Resorts

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).

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.

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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. The American Club Hotel Resort/Sheboygan, WI
  2. 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 Resort, Sea Island GA

  1. Sea Island/Sea Island, GA
  2. 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, MO

  1. Big Cedar Lodge/Ridgedale, MO
  2. 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

  1. Reynolds Lake Oconee/Greensboro, GA
  2. 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, LaQuinta CA

  1. PGA West/La Quinta, CA
  2. 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

  1. 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

  1. French Lick Resort/French Lick, IN
  2. 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/

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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 FL

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. Shadow Creek Golf Club/Las Vegas, NV
  2. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. Pronghorn/Bend, OR
  2. 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

  1. 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

  1. Sand Valley Golf Resort/Nekoosa, WI
  2. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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 Resort, Austin TX

  1. Barton Creek/Austin, TX
  2. 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

  1. 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

  1. SentryWorld/Stevens Point, WI
  2. 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

  1. Grand National/Opelika, AL
  2. 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

  1. Erin Hills/Erin, WI
  2. 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

  1. 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

  1. Ventana Canyon Golf & Racquet Club/Tucson, AZ
  2. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. The Highlands at Harbor Springs/Harbor Springs, MI
  2. 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

  1. We-Ko-Pa Golf Club/Fort McDowell, AZ
  2. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. The Homestead/Hot Springs, VA
  2. 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

  1. Fallen Oak Golf Club/Saucier, MS
  2. 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

  1. Capitol Hill/Prattville, AL
  2. 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 FL

  1. Burnt Pine Golf Club/Miramar Beach, FL
  2. 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

  1. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel/Kohala Coast, HI
  2. 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

  1. Rio Secco Golf Club/Henderson, NV
  2. 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

  1. Wailea Golf Club/Wailea, HI
  2. 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

  1. 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

  1. Ross Bridge/Hoover, AL
  2. 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, Williamsburg VA

  1. Golden Horseshoe Golf Club/Williamsburg, VA
  2. 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, Orlando FL

  1. 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

  1. Bay Harbor/Bay Harbor, MI
  2. 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

  1. 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

  1. Troon North/Scottsdale, AZ
  2. 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, Lake Tahoe NV

  1. Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course/Lake Tahoe, NV
  2. 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

  1. 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/

  1. The Highland Course/Meadows of Dan, VA
  2. 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, Napa CA

  1. Silverado Resort & Spa/Napa, CA
  2. 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

The Wilderness Club, Eureka MT

  1. Wilderness Club/Eureka, MT
  2. 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, Newport Beach CA

  1. Pelican Hill Golf Club/Newport Beach, CA
  2. 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, Bend OR

  1. Tetherow Golf Club/Bend, OR
  2. 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/

  1. 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

  1. Grand Bear Golf Course/Saucier, MS
  2. 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

  1. 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, Lake Geneva WI

  1. Geneva National Resort & Club/Lake Geneva, WI
  2. 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

  1. Blue Top Ridge/Riverside, IA
  2. 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

  1. Manele Golf Course/Lanai City, HI
  2. 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

  1. 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

  1. The Shoals/Muscle Shoals, AL
  2. 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

  1. FarmLinks/Sylacauga, AL
  2. 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, Eureka NV

  1. Wolf Creek Golf Club/Eureka, NV
  2. 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, Kailua Kona HI

  1. Hualalai Resort/Kailua Kona, HI
  2. 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

  1. Mauna Lani/Kohala Coast, HI
  2. 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

  1. 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, Bluffton SC

  1. May River Golf Club/Bluffton, SC
  2. 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 Resort, Southern Pines NC

  1. 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, Maricopa AZ

  1. AK-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club/Maricopa, AZ
  2. 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

  1. The Wilderness at Fortune Bay/Tower, MN
  2. 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

  1. La Quinta Resort & Club/La Quinta, CA
  2. 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, Albuquerque NM

  1. Sandia Golf Club/Albuquerque, NM
  2. 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

Lawsonia, Green Lake WI

  1. The Golf Courses at Lawsonia/Green Lake, WI
  2. 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, Stanwood MI

  1. Tullymore Golf Club/Stanwood, MI
  2. 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

  1. The Grand Golf Club/San Diego, CA
  2. 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

  1. La Cantera Resort & Spa/San Antonio, TX
  2. 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

Dove Mountain, Mariana AZ

  1. The Golf club at Dove Mountain/Marana, AZ
  2. 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

  1. 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, Bedford PA

  1. Bedford Springs Resort/Bedford, PA
  2. 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, Palm Desert CA

  1. Desert Willow Golf Resort/Palm Desert, CA
  2. 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, Wisconsin Dells WI

  1. Wild Rock Golf Club/Wisconsin Dells, WI
  2. 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 Hall, Keswick VA

  1. Keswick Club/Keswick, VA
  2. 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

  1. TPC San Antonio/San Antonio, TX
  2. 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, Harwich MA

  1. Cape Cod National Golf Club/Harwich, MA
  2. 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, Worley ID

  1. Circling Raven Golf Club/Worley, ID
  2. 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

Grand Dunes, Myrtle Beach SC

  1. Grande Dunes Resort Club/Myrtle Beach, SC
  2. 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

  1. JW Marriott Marco Island/Marco Island, FL
  2. 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

  1. 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, Seneca OR

  1. 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, Winter Garden FL

  1. 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.

Nicklaus: Still the Greatest

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.

Tiger: Closing in on Jack

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
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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
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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%.

Byron Nelson: No. 6

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 everhands 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.

Tiger wins first U.S. Amateur

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 22nd 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 21st 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.

Tiger Struggles

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.

Mounts his Comeback

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).

Tiger Fights Through Injury

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 15th 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 18th 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
Sports Illustrated (https://www.si.com/)

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.

Tiger and Jack

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 36th 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

St. Andrews: the Old Course

The Open Championship returns to the Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland this week to crown the 150th 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
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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
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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 30th 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).

Tiger and Jack

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.

Sir Nick Faldo and Seve Ballesteros

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 5th major championship.

Rory McIlroy and John Rham

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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