Tag: Robert Trent Jones

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 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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Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail

Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail/The Judge at Capitol Hill
Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail/The Judge at Capitol Hill

When you start thinking about your next golf get-away, give serious consideration to one of the many great golf trails that have sprung up throughout the U.S. Golf trails offer the opportunity to play a wide variety of courses, while at the same time enjoying the diverse scenery and local cuisine in various regions of the country. Trail packages offer group discounts on greens fees, accommodations and dining—or you can plan your own journey along the trail. The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Alabama offers many of finest courses you will find anywhere in the country, and wonderful weather is pretty much guaranteed throughout the year.

Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail

The RTJ Golf Trail includes eleven locations and twenty-six courses, from the southern-most point of the Appalachian mountain chain in northern Alabama to the tranquil waters of the gulf coast, each offering first-rate golf and gorgeous scenery. In addition to the great courses, eight of the locations offer wonderful accommodations including the Marriott Grand Hotel at Lakewood Golf Club in Point Clear on the gulf, and the Renaissance Ross Bridge Resort in Birmingham. All of the courses on the trail are either Robert Trent Jones, Sr. original designs (in collaboration with Roger Rulewich), or courses that were remodeled and updated by RTJ, with the exception of Ross Bridge that was designed by Roger Rulewich and Bobby Vaughn after Jones passed away in 2000.

Cambrian Ridge

The Courses

  • Cambrian Ridge/Greenville, AL 36037
    • Holes 36
    • 3 nine-hole courses (Loblolly/Sherling/Canyon) and 9-hole par 3
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating
    • Loblolly:         37.0/142
    • Sherling:         37.5/147
    • Canyon:           37.3/152
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker
    • Rankings: Golfweek Top 10 public courses-Alabama.
    • Accommodations: Holiday Inn Express & Suites
    • GolfDay Rating: 99.1

  • Capitol Hill/Prattville, AL 36066
    • Holes 54
    • 3 eighteen-hole courses (Judge/Legislator/Senator)
    • 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
    • Rankings:        Golf Digest Top 10 courses-Alabama, Golfweek Top 10 public courses-Alabama

  • Grand National/Opelika, AL 36801
    • Holes 54
    • 2 eighteen-hole courses (Links/Lake) and eighteen-hole par 3
    • 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

  • Hampton Cove/Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763
    • Holes 54
    • 2 eighteen-hole courses(Highlands/River) and eighteen-hole executive course
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating
    • Highlands:      76.2/143
    • River:                76.6/143
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker

  • The Lakewood Club/Point Clear, AL 36564
    • Holes 36
    • 2 eighteen-hole courses (Azalea/Dogwood)
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating
    • Azalea:              74.4/131
    • Dogwood:        73.7/136
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers (2). Range Balls included with Greens Fee (Callaway Chrome Soft Balls Provided for short-game practice)
    • Accommodations: Marriott Grand Hotel Resort & Spa
    • GolfDay Rating: 90.3

  • Highland Oaks/Dothan, AL 36305
    • Holes 36
    • 3 nine-hole courses (Highlands/Magnolia/Marshwood) and 9-hole par 3
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating
    • Highlands:     37.9/149
    • Magnolia:       37.1/139
    • Marshwood:  37.6/138
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers (2)
    • Accommodations: Hampton Inn
    • GolfDay Rating: 93.5

  • Magnolia Grove/Mobile, AL 36618
    • Holes 54
    • 2 eighteen-hole courses (Falls/Crossings) and eighteen-hole par 3
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating
    • Falls:                  74.6/130
    • Crossings:        73.7/139
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker
  • Oxmoor Valley/Birmingham, AL 35211
    • Holes 54
    • 2 eighteen-hole courses (Ridge/Valley) and eighteen-hole par 3
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating
    • Ridge:             74.3/141
    • Valley:            74.9/146
    • Practice Facilities: Driving Range (Mats-Monday through Friday/Grass Saturday-Sunday), Putting and Chipping Greens

  • Silver Lakes/Glencoe, AL 35905
    • Holes 36
    • 3 nine-hole courses (Backbreaker/Heartbreaker/Mindbreaker) and eighteen-hole par 3
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating
    • Backbreaker:     38.5/143
    • Heartbreaker:    38.2/140
    • Mindbreaker:     37.7/151
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker

  • The Shoals/Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
    • Holes 36
    • 2 Eighteen Hole Courses: (Fighting Joe/Schoolmaster)
    • 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
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 10 courses-Alabama

Trail History

Established in 1992, The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is the largest golf course project in history, with eleven locations, 26 courses, and 468 holes of golf. Stretching almost 400 miles from the gulf coast to Muscle Shoals in the northwest corner of Alabama. The concept for the RTJ Golf Trail sprung from the vision of David G. Bronner, head of the Retirement Systems of Alabama, which manages the pension funds for Alabama state employees. Bronner’s goal was to provide the residents of Alabama with world class golf facilities, strengthen the economy of the state and diversify the assets of the pension fund. The RTJ Golf Trail has achieved all of these, and provided every golfer in the country an unforgettable opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Alabama and the genius of Robert Trent Jones. To date, more than 13 million golfers have visited the trail—an experience you definitely should include in your bucket list.

The Architects

Robert Trent Jones is one of the most celebrated golf course architects in history. His original designs include Spyglass Hill, Bellerive Country Club, Firestone Country Club and Hazeltine National Golf Club. He has also updated and remodeled many of the great courses in the country, including Congressional, Oak Hill, The Olympic Club, and Baltusrol Golf Club. RTJ also collaborated with Bobby Jones to design both the 11th and 16th holes at Augusta National, and President Eisenhower asked him to design a putting green for the White House. Roger Rulewich received a degree in civil engineering from Yale University in 1958, and began working for Robert Trent Jones in 1961. Together they designed hundreds of great courses, including the Apple Rock course at Horseshoe Bay Resort in Texas, which was awarded best new resort course by Golf Digest in 1986. Since the passing of RTJ in 2000, Roger Rulewich has established himself as one of the finest course architects of his generation, with notable designs that include Ballyowen Golf Club in Hamburg, NJ and Grande Dunes Golf Course in South Carolina.

Trail Guide

Trail Map

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