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

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

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

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

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

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

1. Dye Course

French Lick Resort/French Lick, IN   

Pete Dye Golf Trail

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

Dye:                       80.5/151

Ross:                     75.7/149

Valley Links:      35.4/121

• Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets (Dye and Valley Links), Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Warm Up Net with Putting and Chipping Green (Ross).
• Course Descriptions
• Accommodations
• Pete Dye Golf Trail
• GolfDay Rating: 100
• Location

2. Harbour Town Links

The Sea Pines Resort/Hilton Head Island, SC

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

Harbour Town Links:      79.5/152

Heron Point:                       74.8/140

Atlantic Dunes:                  74.3/143

• Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Ranges with Targets (Harbour Town and Heron Point/Ocean), Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers. Range Balls and Fore Caddie (Harbour Town) included with Greens Fee.
• Course Descriptions
• Accommodations
• GolfDay Rating: 100
• Location

3. The Ocean Course

Kiawah Island Golf Resort/Kiawah Island, SC

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

Ocean:                    79.1/152

Cougar Point:      72.7/134

Oak Point:             72.1/137

Osprey Point:       73.6/140

Turtle Point:         73.0/134

• Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Ranges with Targets, Chipping and Putting Greens at each course. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
• Course Descriptions
• Accommodations
• GolfDay Rating: 100
• Location

4. Fighting Joe

The Shoals/Muscle Shoals, AL

       Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa/Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail

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

Fighting Joe:          78.6/146

Schoolmaster:       77.6/148

• Practice Facilities Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
• Accommodations
• RTJ Golf Trail
• GolfDay Rating: 93.7
• Location

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

• Holes: 18
• Course Architects: Jack Nicklaus
• USGA Course/Slope Rating: 78.5/153
• Practice Facilities: Expansive Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Multiple Bunkers.
• Course Description
• Accommodations
• GolfDay Rating: 90.9
• Location

6. Judge, Capitol Hill AL

Capitol Hill/Prattville, AL   

        Montgomery Marriott/Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail

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

Judge:         78.5/147

Legislator: 76.9/149

Senator:     77.4/132                     

• Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
• Accommodations
• RTJ Golf Trail
• GolfDay Rating: 96.5
• Location

7. Ross Bridge/Hoover, AL   

      Renaissance Birmingham/Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail

• Holes: 18
• Course Architects: Roger Rulewich/Bobby Vaughn
• USGA Course/Slope Rating: 78.4/147
• Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
• Accommodations
• RTJ Golf Trail
• GolfDay Rating: 96.1
• Location

8. Pinehurst #2

Pinehurst Resort/Pinehurst, NC   

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

#1:      69.1/124

#2:      77.9/149

#3:      66.1/123

#4:      74.9/138

#5:      73.1/135

#6:      74.5/140

#7:      75.6/142

#8:      73.9/139

#9:      74.8/143

#10:    74.1/142

• Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Wedge Range and Multiple Chipping Greens with Bunkers, Thistle Dhu Putting Course.
• Course Descriptions
• Accommodations
• GolfDay Rating: 100
• Location

9. Erin Hills/Erin, WI 

      Wisconsin Golf Trail

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

10. Blue Monster

Trump National Doral/Miami, FL  

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

Blue Monster:      77.4/146

Red Tiger:              71.8/136

Silver Fox:              74.9/148

Golden Palm:       74.2/139

• Practice Facilities: Expansive Lighted Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers and Rick Smith Golf School.
• Course Descriptions
• Accommodations
• GolfDay Rating: 100
• Location

11. Straits (Whistling Straits)

The American Club Resort Hotel/Sheboygan, WI

Kohler Golf/Wisconsin Golf Trail 

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

Whistling Straits

Straits:                    77.2/152

Irish:                        75.6/146

Blackwolf Run

River:                       76.2/151

Meadow Valleys:  75.3/141

The Baths:              27.1/87

• Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
• Course Descriptions
• Accommodations
• Wisconsin Golf Trail:
• GolfDay Rating: 100
• Location

12. Mystic Rock

Nemacolin, Farmington, PA

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

Mystic Rock:          77.2/146

Shepherd’s rock: 75.2/140

• Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with TrackMan Technology, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
• Course Descriptions
• Accommodations
• GolfDay Rating: 98.5
• Location

13. Blue Top Ridge/Riverside, IA

       Riverside Casino & Golf Resort  

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

14. Crosswater

Sunriver Resort/Sunriver, OR   

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

Crosswater:          76.8/147

Meadows:              73.7/143

Woodlands:          73.9/144         

• Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker and Indoor Golf Simulators. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
• Course Descriptions
• Accommodations
• GolfDay Rating: 98.4
• Location

15. Mauna Kea

Mauna Kea Resort/Kohala Coast, HI  

Mariott Resorts

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

Mauna Kea:      76.8/141

Hapuna:            74.7/134

• Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
• Course Description
• Accommodations
• GolfDay Rating: 98.6
• Location

16. Wild Rock Golf Club/Wisconsin Dells, WI

       Wilderness Resort/Wisconsin Golf Trail   

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

Wild Rock:             76.8/142

Woods:                   29.9/102

• Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
• Course Description
• Accommodations
• Wisconsin Golf Trail
• GolfDay Rating: 92.3
• Location

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

       Harrah’s Casino Resort

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

18. Sage Run Golf Club/Bark River, MI

       Island Resort & Casino  

• Holes: 18
• Course Architects: Paul Albanese/Chris Lutzke
• USGA Course/Slope Rating: 76.5/142
• Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Target Greens and Putting Green. 
• Course Description
• Accommodations
• GolfDay Rating: 92.0
• Location

19. Fallen Oak Golf Club/Saucier, MS   

        Beau Rivage/Mississippi Golf Trail

• Holes: 18
• Course Architects: Tom Fazio
• USGA Course/Slope Rating: 76.5/142
• Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
• Course Description
• Accommodations
• Mississippi Golf Trail
• GolfDay Rating: 96.6
• Location

20. Stadium

TPC Sawgrass/Ponte Vedra Beach, FL   

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

Stadium:                76.4/155

Dye’s Valley:         74.0/134

• Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers and Tour Academy.
• Course Descriptions
• Accommodations
• GolfDay Rating: 100
• Location

21. Lake of Isles North

Lake of Isles/North Stonington, CT   

 Foxwoods/KemperSports

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

North:                     76.3/143

South:                     73.2/141

• Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Golf Academy.
• Course Description
• Accommodations
• GolfDay Rating: 90.8
• Location

22. River Course (Blackwolf Run)

The American Club Resort Hotel/Sheboygan, WI

Kohler Golf/Wisconsin Golf Trail 

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

Whistling Straits

Straits:                     77.2/152

Irish:                         75.6/146

Blackwolf Run

River:                       76.2/151

Meadow Valleys:  75.3/141

The Baths:              27.1/87

• Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
• Course Descriptions
• Accommodations
• Wisconsin Golf Trail:
• GolfDay Rating: 100
• Location

23. Koasati Pines/Kinder, LA  

       Coushatta Casino Resort

• Holes: 18
• Course Architect: Kevin Tucker
• USGA Course/Slope Rating: 76.2/135
• Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens.
• Course Description
• Accommodations
• RV Park
• GolfDay Rating: 91.7
• Location

24. Firekeeper/Mayette, KS   

        Prairie Band Casino & Resort

• Holes: 18
• Course Architects: Jeffrey Brauer/Notah Begay
• USGA Course/Slope Rating: 76.2/135
• Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
• Course Description
• Accommodations
• GolfDay Rating: 87.6
• Location

25. The Bear

Grand Traverse Resort & Spa/Acme, MI 

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

The Bear:          76.1/150

Spruce Run:     71.2/136

Wolverine:        74.5/140               

• Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
• Course Description
• Accommodations
• GolfDay Rating: 91.9
• Location

26. Oaks

TPC San Antonio/San Antonio, TX   

JW Marriott

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

Oaks:                      76.1/142

Canyons:               73.6/129

• Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
• Course Description
• Accommodations
• GolfDay Rating: 92.2
• Location

27. Sandia Golf Club/Albuquerque, NM   

       Sandia Resort & Casino

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

28. Great Waters

 Reynolds Lake Oconee/Greensboro, GA  

 Ritz Carlton

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

Great Waters:         76.1/147

National-Bluff:      37.0/143

National-Cove:      37.4/143

National-Ridge:    37.2/143

Oconee:                  75.2/141

Landing:                 74.5/138

Preserve:                72.2/133

• Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker and TaylorMade Kingdom of Golf Academy.
• Course Description
• Accommodations
• GolfDay Rating: 100
• Location

29.  Old White

The Greenbrier/White Sulphur Springs, WV   

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

Old White: 76.0/142

Greenbrier: 72.5/132

Meadows:  72.0/138

Snead:        74.7/138

• Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
• Course Descriptions
• Accommodations
• GolfDay Rating: 100
• Location

30. Magnolia

Walt Disney World/Orlando, FL   

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

Magnolia:                 76.0/141

Palm:                          73.7/137

Lake Buena Vista:   72.3/133

Oak Trail:                   33.8/126

• Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Ranges (2) with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers
• Course Description
• Accommodations
• GolfDay Rating: 89.6
• Location

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