Tag: Rees Jones

Toughest Courses: U.S. Resorts Top 30

French Lick Resort; Dye Course, IN

If you are a scratch player determined to challenge your game on the hardest golf courses open to public play, perhaps the best place to start is at a resort—and we have assembled the toughest 30 resort courses in the country based on USGA course rating from the tips.

Not surprisingly, Pete Dye crafted seven of them—including #1 (Dye Course at French Lick), #2 (Harbour Town with Jack Nicklaus at Sea Pines), and #3 (The Ocean Course at Kiawah).

Nicklaus, renowned for designing a stiff test of golf, laid out 4 of the 30—The Reserve at Moonlight Basin (#5), The Bear Course at Grand Traverse (#25), Great Waters at Reynolds Lake Oconee (#28) as well as collaborating with Pete Dye at Harbour Town.

2 Robert Trent Jones, Sr. designs are among the thirty (Judge at Capitol Hill on the RTJ Golf Trail–#6 and Mauna Kea in Hawaii–#15) while Rees Jones contributed a pair (Blue Top Ridge–#13 and the North Course at Lake of Isles–#21).

Masters of difficulty: Pete Dye and Rees Jones

While these difficult resort tracks are spread throughout 22 states, Wisconsin boasts the greatest number with 4 (Straits course at Whistling Straits, River course at Blackwolf Run, Erin Hills, and Wild Rock at The Wilderness Resort). And by the way, these big boys are all part of the fantastic collection of courses to be found on Wisconsin Golf Trail as well.

When it’s time to start planning a golf trip, take a look at the GolfDay Top 250 Resorts; and for finding a great golf course where you are or where you’re going, the GolfDay Search Engine makes it easy to get a better bang for your buck.

The Dye Course, French Lick Resort IN

1. Dye Course

French Lick Resort/French Lick, IN   

Pete Dye Golf Trail

  • Holes: 45 (2-Eighteen Hole Courses and Nine Hole Regulation Course)
  • Course Architects: Tom Bendelow/Hal Purdy/Pete Dye/Donald Ross/Sandy Alves/Allan MacCurrach
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Dye:                       80.5/151

Ross:                     75.7/149

Valley Links:      35.4/121

Harbour Town Links, Sea Pines Resort SC

2. Harbour Town Links

The Sea Pines Resort/Hilton Head Island, SC

  • Holes: 54 (3-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
  • Course Architects: Pete Dye/Jack Nicklaus/George Cobb/Clyde Johnston/Davis Love III/Scot Sherman
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Harbour Town Links:      79.5/152

Heron Point:                       74.8/140

Atlantic Dunes:                  74.3/143

The Ocean Course, Kiawah Island Golf Resort SC

3. The Ocean Course

Kiawah Island Golf Resort/Kiawah Island, SC

  • Holes: 90 (5-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
  • Course Architects: Pete Dye/Alice Dye/Gary Player/Clyde Johnston/Tom Fazio/Jack Nicklaus
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Ocean:                    79.1/152

Cougar Point:      72.7/134

Oak Point:             72.1/137

Osprey Point:       73.6/140

Turtle Point:         73.0/134

Fighting Joe, The Shoals AL

4. Fighting Joe

The Shoals/Muscle Shoals, AL

       Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa/Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail

  • Holes: 35 (2-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
  • Course Architects: Roger Rulewich/Bobby Vaughn
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Fighting Joe:          78.6/146

Schoolmaster:       77.6/148

The Reserve at Moonlight Basin, MT

5. The Reserve at Moonlight Basin/Big Sky, MT   

Judge, Capitol Hill AL

6. Judge, Capitol Hill AL

Capitol Hill/Prattville, AL   

        Montgomery Marriott/Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail

  • Holes: 54 (3-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
  • Course Architects: Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Roger Rulewich
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Judge:         78.5/147

Legislator: 76.9/149

Senator:     77.4/132                     

Ross Bridge, AL

7. Ross Bridge/Hoover, AL   

      Renaissance Birmingham/Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail

# 2, Pinehurst Resort NC

8. Pinehurst #2

Pinehurst Resort/Pinehurst, NC   

  • Holes: 180 (10-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
  • Course Architects: Donald Ross/Walter Travis/Richard Tufts/Tom Fazio/Tom Marzolf/Ellis Maples/George Fazio/Rees Jones/Jack Nicklaus/Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw/Tom Doak
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

#1:      69.1/124

#2:      77.9/149

#3:      66.1/123

#4:      74.9/138

#5:      73.1/135

#6:      74.5/140

#7:      75.6/142

#8:      73.9/139

#9:      74.8/143

#10:    74.1/142

Erin Hills, WI

9. Erin Hills/Erin, WI 

      Wisconsin Golf Trail

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Michael Hurdzan/Dana Fry/Ron Whitten
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 77.9/145
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Fairway Bunkers and TopTracer Technology. Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers and Lighted Drumlin Putting Course. TaylorMade Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
  • Course Description
  • Accommodations
  • Wisconsin Golf Trail
  • GolfDay Rating: 98.0
  • Location
Blue Monster, Trump National Doral FL

10. Blue Monster

Trump National Doral/Miami, FL  

  • Holes: 72 (4-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
  • Course Architects: Dick Wilson/Gil Hanse/Greg Norman/Raymond Floyd/Jerry Pate
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Blue Monster:      77.4/146

Red Tiger:              71.8/136

Silver Fox:              74.9/148

Golden Palm:       74.2/139

Straits Course, Whistling Straits WI

11. Straits (Whistling Straits)

The American Club Resort Hotel/Sheboygan, WI

Kohler Golf/Wisconsin Golf Trail 

  • Holes: 81 (4-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses and 9-Hole Par 3)
  • Course Architect: Pete Dye/Chris Lutzke
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Whistling Straits

Straits:                    77.2/152

Irish:                        75.6/146

Blackwolf Run

River:                       76.2/151

Meadow Valleys:  75.3/141

The Baths:              27.1/87

Mystic Rock, Nemacolin Resort PA

12. Mystic Rock

Nemacolin, Farmington, PA

  • Holes: 36 (2-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
  • Course Architects: Pete Dye/Tim Liddy
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Mystic Rock:          77.2/146

Shepherd’s rock: 75.2/140

Blue Top Ridge, IA

13. Blue Top Ridge/Riverside, IA

       Riverside Casino & Golf Resort  

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architect: Rees Jones
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 77.2/143
  • Practice Facilities: Double Sided, Two-Tiered Grass Driving Range with Targets and Fairway Bunker, Wedge Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers (3). Heated Performance Studio with TrackMan Technology, Flight Scope and comprehensive club fitting facilities. Pinnacle Premium Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
  • Accommodations
  • Performance Studio
  • GolfDay Rating: 95.1
  • Location
Crosswater, Sunriver Resort OR

14. Crosswater

Sunriver Resort/Sunriver, OR   

  • Holes: 63 (3-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses and 9 Hole Par 3)
  • Course Architects: John Fought/Robert Trent Jones, Jr./Jim Ramey/Bob Copp
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Crosswater:          76.8/147

Meadows:              73.7/143

Woodlands:          73.9/144         

Mauna Kea Resort, HI

15. Mauna Kea

Mauna Kea Resort/Kohala Coast, HI  

Mariott Resorts

  • Holes: 36 (2-Eighteen Hole Courses)
  • Course Architects: Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Rees Jones/Neil Haworth
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating:

Mauna Kea:      76.8/141

Hapuna:            74.7/134

Wild Rock, Wilderness Resort WI

16. Wild Rock Golf Club/Wisconsin Dells, WI

       Wilderness Resort/Wisconsin Golf Trail   

  • Holes: 27 (Eighteen Hole Regulation Course and Nine Hole Executive Course)
  • Course Architects: Michael Hurdzan/Dana Fry
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Wild Rock:             76.8/142

Woods:                   29.9/102

AK-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club, AZ

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

       Harrah’s Casino Resort

  • Holes: 27
  • Course Architects: Lee Schmidt/Brian Curley/Fred Couples
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 76.5/142
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker and “Mini Dunes” Par 3 Course (Open Dec. 15-April 1).
  • Course Description
  • Accommodations
  • GolfDay Rating: 93.3
  • Location
Sage Run Golf Club, MI

18. Sage Run Golf Club/Bark River, MI

       Island Resort & Casino  

Fallen Oak Golf Club, Beau Rivage Resort MS

19. Fallen Oak Golf Club/Saucier, MS   

        Beau Rivage/Mississippi Golf Trail

Stadium Course, TPC Sawgrass FL

20. Stadium

TPC Sawgrass/Ponte Vedra Beach, FL   

  • Holes: 36 (2-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
  • Course Architects: Pete Dye/Alice Dye/Jerry Pate/Steve/Wenzloff/Bobby Weed
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Stadium:                76.4/155

Dye’s Valley:         74.0/134

North Course, Lake of Isles Resort CT

21. Lake of Isles North

Lake of Isles/North Stonington, CT   

 Foxwoods/KemperSports

  • Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses)
  • Course Architects: Rees Jones
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

North:                     76.3/143

South:                     73.2/141

River Course, Blackwolf Run WI

22. River Course (Blackwolf Run)

The American Club Resort Hotel/Sheboygan, WI

Kohler Golf/Wisconsin Golf Trail 

  • Holes: 81 (4-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses and 9-Hole Par 3)
  • Course Architect: Pete Dye/Chris Lutzke
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Whistling Straits

Straits:                     77.2/152

Irish:                         75.6/146

Blackwolf Run

River:                       76.2/151

Meadow Valleys:  75.3/141

The Baths:              27.1/87

Koasati Pines, Coushatta Casino Resort LA

23. Koasati Pines/Kinder, LA  

       Coushatta Casino Resort

Firekeeper, Prairie Band Casino & Resort KS

24. Firekeeper/Mayette, KS   

        Prairie Band Casino & Resort

The Bear, Grand Traverse Resort & Spa MI

25. The Bear

Grand Traverse Resort & Spa/Acme, MI 

  • Holes: 54 (3-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
  • Course Architects: Jack Nicklaus/William Newcomb/Bob Cupp/John Robinson/Gary Player
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

The Bear:          76.1/150

Spruce Run:     71.2/136

Wolverine:        74.5/140               

Oaks, TPC San Antonio TX

26. Oaks

TPC San Antonio/San Antonio, TX   

JW Marriott

  • Holes: 103 (5-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses and Thirteen Hole Par 3)
  • Course Architects: Greg Norman/Tad Burnett/Sergio Garcia/Pete Dye
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Oaks:                      76.1/142

Canyons:               73.6/129

Sandia Resort & Casino, NM

27. Sandia Golf Club/Albuquerque, NM   

       Sandia Resort & Casino

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architect: Scott Miller
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 76.1/142
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
  • Course Description
  • Accommodations
  • GolfDay Rating: 93.2
  • Location
Great Waters, Reynolds Lake Oconee GA

28. Great Waters

 Reynolds Lake Oconee/Greensboro, GA  

 Ritz Carlton

  • Holes: 99 (4-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses and Twenty-Seven Hole Regulation Course)
  • Course Architects: Jack Nicklaus/Tom Fazio/Rees Jones/Bob Cupp/Fuzzy Zoeller/Hubert Green
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Great Waters:         76.1/147

National-Bluff:      37.0/143

National-Cove:      37.4/143

National-Ridge:    37.2/143

Oconee:                  75.2/141

Landing:                 74.5/138

Preserve:                72.2/133

Old White, The Greenbrier WV

29.  Old White

The Greenbrier/White Sulphur Springs, WV   

  • Holes: 81 (4-Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses Nine Hole Par 3)
  • Course Architects: C. B. Macdonald/Seth Raynor/George O’Neil/Jack Nicklaus/Dick Wilson/Bob Cupp/Tom Fazio/Keith Foster/Kevin Hargrave
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Old White: 76.0/142

Greenbrier: 72.5/132

Meadows:  72.0/138

Snead:        74.7/138

Magnolia Course, Walt Disney World FL

30. Magnolia

Walt Disney World/Orlando, FL   

  • Holes: 63 (3-Eighteen Hole Courses and 9-Hole course)
  • Course Architects: Joe Lee/Rocky Roquemore/Ron Garl/Ken Baker
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Magnolia:                 76.0/141

Palm:                          73.7/137

Lake Buena Vista:   72.3/133

Oak Trail:                   33.8/126

The GolfDay rating is based on a variety of criteria, including the stature of the architect who did the original design, updates that have been done since the course was built, USGA Course and Slope Ratings, current local and national rankings by Golf Digest and Golfweek (as well as other authoritative sources), the quality and diversity of practice facilities, general course conditioning, and current course reviews.

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Top 35 Public Courses-South Carolina 2023/2024

True Blue Golf Club, Pawleys Island SC

When it’s time to start formulating a plan for the Spring golf trip, South Carolina should come immediately to mind. In addition to great resorts like Kiawah Island, Sea Pines and Barefoot, SC boasts more than 30 non-resort public courses that received a GolfDay rating of 90 or higher (premium)—and over 100 that are rated above 80 (very good).

And of course, Myrtle Beach is the centerpiece to this golfing wonderland. Golf Trails can make it a lot easier to choose courses that are not too far apart, and MB has a couple of teriffic Trails to look at—the Myrtle Beach Golf Trail and the Hammock Coast Golf Trail.

If you looking for golf packages and deals, take a look at Myrtle Beach Golf and Myrtle Beach Golf Trips.

Keep in mind there are plenty of nice hotels and fantastic restaurants to choose from throughout South Carolina (and particularly in the Myrtle Beach area), so you can also reference GolfDay to build your own trip.

Course Architecture

Tom Jackson is #1 for laying out premier public courses in South Carolina with original designs at 5 of the Top 35, including Mount Vintage in North Augusta (No. 7) and River Hills in Little River (No. 8).

Clyde Johnston  is close behind with original design at Springfield Golf Club (No. 25) in Fort Mill, Glen Dornoch, Little River (No. 26) and Old South in Bluffton (No. 27) as well as updates to the Donald Ross design at Lancaster Golf Club (No. 9).

Rees Jones, always among the prominent names when listing great golf courses, contributed 2 original designs among the Top 35 (Oyster Reef, No. 10) and Arcadian Shores, No. 14) as well updates to the great Robert Trent Jones, Sr. design at The Dunes (No. 1).  

Mike Strantz: Caledonia Golf & Fish Club

Mike Strantz left us 2 wonderful layouts in Pawleys Island before his tragic passing at only fifty years of age—Caledonia (No. 2) and True Blue (No. 4). In 2000 Mike was named one of the “Top 10 Greatest Architects of All Time” by Golfweek Magazine.

Pete Dye added his brush to the Myrtle Beach golf panorama at Prestwick Country Club (No. 3, with P. B. Dye) and Jack Nicklaus recently completed updates to his terrific layout at Pawleys Plantation.

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, the quality and diversity of practice facilities, general course conditioning and current reviews.

Select Top 35 South Carolina Public Courses for a map view of locations (click a flag for course name and details).   

Want to see all of the public courses in South Carolina listed by GolfDay rating? Click S.C. Public Courses.

The Dunes Golf & Beach Club
  1. The Dunes Golf & Beach Club/Myrtle Beach
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Rees Jones/Roger Rulewich
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 76.3/149
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
    • Course Description
    • Junior Golf
    • GolfDay Rating: 99.6
    • Location
Caledonia Golf & Fish Club
  1. Caledonia Golf & Fish Club/Pawleys Island
  2. Hammock Coast Golf Trail/Ponderosa Inc.
Prestwick Country Club
  1. Prestwick Country Club/Myrtle Beach
  2. Myrtle Beach Golf Trail/East Coast Golf Management
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Pete Dye/P. B. Dye
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.3/150
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
    • Photos
    • Golf Packages
    • GolfDay Rating: 98.5
    • Location
True Blue Golf Club
  1. True Blue Golf Club/Pawleys Island
  2. Hammock Coast Golf Trail/Ponderosa Inc.
Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club
  1. Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club/Pawleys Island
  2. Hammock Coast Golf Trail/Founders Group International
Wild Wing Golf Course
  1. Wild Wing Golf Course/Conway
  2. Founders Group International
    • Holes: 27 Eighteen Hole Course (Avocet) and Nine Hole Course (Hummingbird)
    • Course Architects: Willard Byrd/Jeffrey Brauer/Larry Nelson  
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.5/137
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens.
    • Course Description
    • Junior Golf
    • GolfDay Rating: 97.2
    • Location
Mount Vintage Golf Club
  1. Mount Vintage Golf Club/North Augusta
    • Holes: 27 (3-Nine Hole Courses: Independent/Vintage/Chester)  
    • Course Architect: Tom Jackson  
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Independent: 37.9/150
    • Vintage:             37.7/154
    • Chester:            37.4/145
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
    • Course Descriptions
    • Photos
    • GolfDay Rating: 96.9
    • Location
River Hills Golf & Country Club
  1. River Hills Golf & Country Club/Little River
  2. Founders Group International
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architect: Tom Jackson  
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.2/147
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
    • Course Description
    • Photos
    • GolfDay Rating: 95.9
    • Location
Lancaster Golf Club
  1. Lancaster Golf Club/Lancaster
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Donald Ross/Russell Breeden/Clyde Johnston  
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 71.7/137
    • Practice Facilities: Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
    • Course Description
    • Video Tour
    • GolfDay Rating: 95.5
    • Location
Oyster Reef Golf Club
  1. Oyster Reef Golf Club/Hilton Head Island
  2. Heritage Golf Group
TPC Myrtle Beach
  1. TPC Myrtle Beach/Murrells Inlet
  2. Hammock Coast Golf Trail/Founders Group International
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architect: Tom Fazio  
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.3/154
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker and Dustin Johnson Golf School.
    • Course Description
    • Golf School
    • GolfDay Rating: 95.4
    • Location
Wedgefield Country Club
  1. Wedgefield Country Club/Georgetown
  2. Hammock Coast Golf Trail
Fort Mill Golf Club
  1. Fort Mill Golf Club/Fort Mill
Arcadian Shores Golf Club
  1. Arcadian Shores Golf Club/Myrtle Beach
  2. Myrtle Beach Golf Trail/East Coast Golf Management
Pine Ridge Country Club
  1. Pine Ridge Country Club/Edgefield
Edgewater Golf Club
  1. Edgewater Golf Club/Lancaster
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Bruce Brodsky  
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.6/150
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Wedge Range with Targets and Bunkers, Putting and Chipping Greens.
    • Course Description
    • Photos
    • GolfDay Rating: 93.4
    • Location
Palmetto Hall Golf & Country Club
  1. Palmetto Hall Golf & Country Club/Hilton Head Island
  2. Heritage Golf Group
    • Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses: Cupp/Hills)
    • Course Architects: Bob Cupp/Arthur Hills  
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Cupp:              74.6/141
    • Hills:                74.3/147
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
    • Course Descriptions
    • Golf Packages
    • GolfDay Rating: 93.3
    • Location
Founders Club at Pawley Island
  1. Founders Club at Pawley Island/Pawley Island
  2. Hammock Coast Golf Trail/Founders Group International
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Gene Hamm/Thomas Walker  
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.5/148
    • Practice Facilities: Warm Up Bays with Net, Expansive Putting and Chipping Green with Bunkers.
    • Course Description
    • Specials
    • GolfDay Rating: 93.2
    • Location
Tidewater Golf Club
  1. Tidewater Golf Club/North Myrtle Beach
  2. KemperSports
Tradition Golf Club
  1. Tradition Golf Club/Pawleys Island
  2. Hammock Coast Golf Trail/Founders Group International
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architect: Ron Garl  
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.5/147
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers.
    • Photos
    • Video Tour
    • GolfDay Rating: 92.8
    • Location
The Golf Club at Hilton Head Lakes
  1. The Golf Club at Hilton Head Lakes/Hardeeville
    • Holes: 24 (Eighteen Hole Course and 6 Hole Par 3)
    • Course Architects: Tom Fazio  
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.7/140
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers.
    • Course Description
    • Golf Academy
    • GolfDay Rating: 92.7
    • Location
Waterford Golf Club
  1. Waterford Golf Club/Rock Hill
  2. Pinnacle Golf Properties
Cheraw State Park
  1. Cheraw State Park/Cheraw
  2. South Carolina Parks
Heritage Club
  1. Heritage Club/Pawleys Island
  2. Legends Golf/Arnold Palmer Golf
Springfield Golf Club
  1. Springfield Golf Club/Fort Mill
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Clyde Johnston  
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.3/144
    • Practice Facilities: Expansive Grass Driving Range with Target Greens, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
    • Course Description
    • Video Tour
    • GolfDay Rating: 91.8
    • Location
Glen Dornoch Waterway Golf Links
  1. Glen Dornoch Waterway Golf Links/Little River
  2. Myrtle Beach Golf Trail/The Glens Golf Group/East Coast Golf Management
Old South Golf Links
  1. Old South Golf Links/Bluffton
Hilton Head National Golf Club
  1. Hilton Head National Golf Club/Bluffton
  2. Scratch Golf Properties
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Gary Player/Bobby Weed  
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.1/131
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Target Greens and Putting Greens (2).
    • Photos
    • RV Park
    • GolfDay Rating: 91.4
    • Location
Man O’ War Golf Club
  1. Man O’ War Golf Club/Myrtle Beach
  2. Mystical Golf/DG Golf Management
Port Royal Golf & Racquet Club
  1. Port Royal Golf & Racquet Club/Hilton Head Island
  2. Heritage Golf Group
    • Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses: Barony/Robber’s Row)
    • Course Architects: George Cobb/Willard Byrd/John LaFoy/Pete Dye  
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Barony:                         71.8/135
    • Robber’s Row:            72.7/134         
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
    • Course Descriptions
    • Golf Packages
    • GolfDay Rating: 91.1
    • Location
World Tour Golf Links
  1. World Tour Golf Links/Myrtle Beach
  2. Founders Group International
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Mel Graham/Craig Schreiner  
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 71.8/132
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
    • Course Description
    • Photos
    • GolfDay Rating: 90.7
    • Location
Crowfield Golf Club
  1. Crowfield Golf Club/Goose Creek
  2. City of Goose Creek
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Tom Jackson/Bob Spence  
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.9/147
    • Practice Facilities: Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Green.
    • Course Description
    • GolfDay Rating: 90.5
    • Location
Long Bay Club
  1. Long Bay Club/Longs
  2. Founders Group International
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Jack Nicklaus/Craig Schreiner  
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.4/146
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
    • Photos
    • Video Tour
    • GolfDay Rating: 90.5
    • Location
Pine Lakes Country Club
  1. Pine Lakes Country Club/Myrtle Beach
  2. Founders Group International
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Robert White/Craig Schreiner/Rick Robbins  
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.5/135
    • Practice Facilities: Putting and Chipping Greens (Myrtlewood Driving Range is available for Warm-up–2 miles away).
    • Photos
    • GolfDay Rating: 90.4
    • Location
River Club
  1. River Club/Pawleys Island
  2. Hammock Coast Golf Trail/Founders Group International
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Tom Jackson  
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.5/139
    • Practice Facilities: Warm Up Bays with Net, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
    • Photos
    • GolfDay Rating: 90.4
    • Location
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Top 40 Public Courses-North Carolina

Rock Barn Golf & Spa, Conover NC

With Pinehurst, Pine Needles and Talamore, North Carolina golf resorts are among the finest in the country—but the Carolinas are the heartland of American golf, and there are a ton of fantastic public courses throughout N.C. that are not part of a resort property.

If you’re looking for great golf without breaking the bank at a high-end resort, take a look at the Top 40 courses below–keeping in mind there are plenty of nice hotels and restaurants to choose from throughout North Carolina.

While each of the Top 40 has a GolfDay Rating above 90, North Carolina offers 91 independent public courses with a rating of 85 or higher (premium) and 141 with a rating of 80 or more (well above average).

Dan Maples leads the list for premier public course design in North Carolina with original work or updating at 6 of the Top 40 public courses, including The Pearl Golf links in Calabash (No. 11), Keith Hills at Cambell University (with father Ellis—No. 23) and Longleaf Golf & Family Club in Southern Pines (No. 28).

Rees Jones is close behind with design at 4 of the leading public courses in N.C., including original work at Bryan Park (Champions) in Browns Summit (No. 13) and The Currituck Club in Carolla (No. 18). Rees also updated the wonderful Robert Trent Jones, Sr. design at Duke University (No. 4)

Mike Strantz: Tot Hill Farms

Although Mike Strantz passed away tragically at only fifty years of age, he left us with some of the greatest courses in the world, including two among the N.C. Top 40–Tobacco Road in Sanford (No.2), and Tot Hill Farm in Asheboro (No. 14). In 2000 Mike was named one of the “Top 10 Greatest Architects of All Time” by Golfweek Magazine.

The King made his presence felt in N.C with Palmer designs at Occano in Merry Hill (No. 9), Oak Valley (No. 22), and Lonnie Poole at N.C. State University (No. 24). 

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, the quality and diversity of practice facilities, general course conditioning and current reviews.

Select Top 40 North Carolina Public Courses for a map view of locations (click a flag for course name and details).   

Still thinking a resort is the best bet? Check Top N.C. Resorts for a listing by GolfDay Rating.  

Forest Oaks Country Club
  1. Forest Oaks Country Club/Greensboro
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Ellis Maples/Clyde Johnston/Fuzzy Zoeller/Davis Love III
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.0/142
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Expansive Putting Green, Chipping Green with Bunker and Indoor Golf Simulator.
    • Golf Academy
    • Indoor Golf
    • GolfDay Rating: 99.7
    • Location
Tobacco Road Golf Club
  1. Tobacco Road Golf Club/Sanford
  2. Troon Golf
Tanglewood Park
  1. Tanglewood Park/Clemmons
  2. Forsyth County/Brown Management
    • Holes: 54 (Two Eighteen-Hole Regulation Courses and Eighteen-Hole Par 3)
    • Course Architects: Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Roger Rulewich/Allan MacCurrach/Robert Trent Jones, Jr./Richard Mandell
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Championship:  74.5/139
    • Reynolds:           73.2/136     
    • Practice Facilities: Lighted Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
    • Photos
    • Junior Golf
    • GolfDay Rating: 97.8
    • Location
Duke University Golf Club
  1. Duke University Golf Club/Durham
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Rees Jones
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.2/145
    • Practice Facilities: Expansive Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker (Unlimited Callaway Balls included with Greens Fee).
    • Course Description
    • Junior Golf
    • GolfDay Rating: 96.7
    • Location
Monroe Country Club
  1. Monroe Country Club/Monroe
  2. City of Monroe
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Donald Ross/Tom Jackson/Richard Mandell/Tyler Rae
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.6/133
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
    • Photos
    • GolfDay Rating: 96.0
    • Location
Rock Barn Golf and Spa
  1. Rock Barn Golf and Spa/Conover
    • Holes: 36 (Two Eighteen-Hole Regulation Courses)
    • Course Architects: Tom Jackson/Robert Trent Jones, Jr.
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Jones:              75.2/146
    • Jackson:          71.9/135
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Expansive Putting Green and Chipping Green with Bunker.
    • Course Description
    • Accommodations
    • GolfDay Rating: 95.6
    • Location
Mill Creek Golf Club
  1. Mill Creek Golf Club/Mebane
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Rick Robbins/Brian Lussier/Gary Koch
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.2/142
    • Practice Facilities: Two Tier Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers.
    • Photos
    • Junior Golf
    • GolfDay Rating: 94.7
    • Location
Riverwood Golf Club
  1. Riverwood Golf Club/ Clayton
  2. Fred Smith Company
    • Holes: 27 (Three Nine-Hole Regulation Courses)
    • Course Architects: David Postlethwait
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Deer Run:       37.6/138
    • Riverview:      36.2/133
    • Meadowlands: 36.8/135
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
    • Photos
    • Golf Academy
    • GolfDay Rating: 94.6
    • Location
Occano
  1. Occano/Merry Hill
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Arnold Palmer
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 76.2/143
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
    • Course Description
    • GolfDay Rating: 94.5
    • Location
Eagle Ridge Golf Club
  1. Eagle Ridge Golf Club/Raleigh
  2. Fred Smith Company
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Tom Kite/Bob Cupp  
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.2/138
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
    • Course Description
    • Photos
    • GolfDay Rating: 94.4
    • Location
The Pearl Golf Links
  1. The Pearl Golf Links/Calabash
  2. Myrtle Beach Golf Trail
    • Holes: 27 (Three Nine-Hole Regulation Courses)
    • Course Architects: Dan Maples
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • East:    36.2/133
    • West:   37.0/141
    • North:  35.9/127
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Green.
    • Course Description
    • Myrtle Beach Golf Trail
    • GolfDay Rating: 94.3
    • Location
Southern Pines Golf Club
  1. Southern Pines Golf Club/Southern Pines
Bryan Park Golf Club
  1. Bryan Park Golf Club/Browns Summit
  2. City of Greensboro/Pinnacle Golf Management
Tot Hill Farm Golf Club
  1. Tot Hill Farm Golf Club/Asheboro
Thistle Golf Club
  1. Thistle Golf Club/Sunset Beach
    • Holes: 27 (Three Nine-Hole Regulation Courses)
    • Course Architect: Tim Cate
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Cameron:        37.0/142
    • MacKay:         37.4/140
    • Stewart:           36.6/140         
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
    • Course Description
    • GolfDay Rating: 93.9
    • Location
Mooresville Golf Club
  1. Mooresville Golf Club/Mooresville
  2. Town of Mooresville
Skybrook Golf Club
  1. Skybrook Golf Club/Huntersville
  2. Pinnacle Golf Properties
The Currituck Club
  1. The Currituck Club/Corolla
  2. Invited Club Management
  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Rees Jones
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.3/143
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
  • Course Description
  • GolfDay Rating: 93.5
  • Location
Brunswick Plantation
  1. Brunswick Plantation/Calabash
  2. Heritage Golf Group
  • Holes: 27 (3 Nine-Hole Regulation Courses)
  • Course Architects: Willard Byrd/Clyde Johnston
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
  • Magnolia:       36.4/133
  • Dogwood:       36.8/137
  • Azalea:           36.7/131
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
  • Course Description
  • Accommodations
  • GolfDay Rating: 93.3
  • Location
Salem Glen Country Club
  1. Salem Glen Country Club/Clemmons
The Preserve at Jordan Lake Golf Club
  1. The Preserve At Jordan Lake Golf Club/Chapel Hill
  2. GreatLife Golf
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Davis Love III/Paul Cowley
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.0/145
    • Practice Facilities: Two-Tiered Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
    • Course Description
    • GolfDay Rating: 93.0
    • Location
Oak Valley Golf Club
  1. Oak Valley Golf Club/Advance
  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Arnold Palmer/Ed Seay
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.5/139
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers (2).
  • Video Tour
  • Photos
  • GolfDay Rating: 93.0
  • Location
Keith Hills Golf Club
  1. Keith Hills Golf Club/Lillington
  2. Cambell University
    • Holes: 27 (3 Nine-Hole Regulation Courses)
    • Course Architects: Ellis Maples/Dan Maples
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Black:             36.1/136
    • Orange:           36.3/132
    • White:             34.5/128
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
    • Course Description
    • Golf Academy/Junior Golf
    • GolfDay Rating: 92.9
    • Location
Lonnie Poole Golf Course
  1. Lonnie Poole Golf Course/Raleigh
  2. N.C. State University
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Arnold Palmer/Eric Larson/Brandon Johnson
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.7/142
    • Practice Facilities: Driving Range (Grass: Friday-Sunday/Mats: Monday-Thursday) and Putting Green. Short Game Facility with Bunker–Members and Golf Team Only.
    • Course Description
    • GolfDay Rating: 92.8
    • Location
Verdict Ridge Golf & Country Club
  1. Verdict Ridge Golf & Country Club/Denver
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Ed Schweitzer
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.8/149
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets and Fairway Bunker, Putting and Chipping Greens.
    • Video Tour
    • GolfDay Rating: 92.7
    • Location
Finley Golf Club
  1. Finley Golf Club/Chapel Hill
  2. University of North Carolina
      • Holes: 18
      • Course Architects: George Cobb/Tom Fazio/Tom Marzolf/Davis Love III
      • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.6/141
      • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets (Grass Open Friday-Sunday, Mats Monday-Thursday) and Putting Green.
      • Men’s Golf
      • Women’s Golf
      • GolfDay Rating: 92.5
      • Location
Stoney Creek
  1. Stoney Creek/Whitsett
  2. Pinnacle Golf Properties
Longleaf Golf & Family Club
  1. Longleaf Golf & Family Club/Southern Pines
  • Holes: 24 (Eighteen-Hole Regulation Course and Six-Hole Par 3)
  • Course Architects: Dan Maples/Bill Bergin
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.4/132
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Expansive Putting Green, Chipping Green with Bunker. Golf Academy with TrackMan Technology.
  • Photos
  • Junior Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 92.4
  • Location
Cross Creek Country Club

29. Cross Creek Country Club/Mount Airy

    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Joe Lee/Rocky Roquemore/Kris Spence
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.3/136
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
    • Course Description
    • Golf School
    • GolfDay Rating: 92.3
    • Location
The Emerald Golf Club
  1. The Emerald Golf Club/New Bern
Sandpiper Bay Golf & Country Club
  1. Sandpiper Bay Golf & Country Club/Sunset Beach
  2. Myrtle Beach Golf Trail
    • Holes: 27 (3 Nine-Hole Regulation Courses)
    • Course Architects: Dan Maples
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Sand:   34.8/131
    • Piper:  36.1/131
    • Bay:    36.4/142
    • Practice Facilities: Three Level Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens.
    • Photos
    • Myrtle Beach Golf Trail
    • GolfDay Rating: 92.0
    • Location
Rocky River Golf Club
  1. Rocky River Golf Club/Concord
  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Dan Maples  
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.1/142
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Green.
  • Photos
  • GolfDay Rating: 91.8
  • Location
Legacy Golf Links
  1. Legacy Golf Links/Aberdeen
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Jack Nicklaus II
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.0/137
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
    • Photos
    • GolfDay Rating: 91.8
    • Location
Pilot Knob Park Golf Course
  1. Pilot Knob Park Golf Course/Pilot Mountain
River Ridge Golf Club
  1. River Ridge Golf Club/Raleigh
Sound Golf Links
  1. Sound Golf Links/Hertford
  2. Albemarle Plantation
Carolina Trace Country Club
  1. Carolina Trace Country Club/Sanford
  2. Escalante Golf
    • Holes: 36 (Two Eighteen-Hole Regulation Courses)
    • Course Architects: Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Roger Rulewich/David Whelchel
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating:
    • Lake:               76.0/143
    • Creek:             73.7/136
    • Practice Facilities: Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens.
    • Course Description/Lake
    • Course Description/Creek
    • GolfDay Rating: 91.3
    • Location
The Cardinal
  1. The Cardinal/Greensboro
  2. McConnell Golf
    • Holes: 18
    • Course Architects: Pete Dye/Rick Robbins
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.1/142
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
    • Course Description
    • GolfDay Rating: 91.2
    • Location
Jefferson Landing
  1. Jefferson Landing/Jefferson
  2. Vannoy Properties
Lockwood Folly Country Club
  1. Lockwood Folly Country Club/Holden Beach
  2. Myrtle Beach Golf Trail
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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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