Famous Golf Courses In The USA 2023 – Both Public And Private

We all know that golf is not only a recreational but also a professional game. So most golf-lovers have the query where it plays more and has more facilities to play this game. The highest number of people in The USA, comparing other golf-playing countries like to play golf professionally. Besides, most sport-loving persons love to play golf while spending their leisure time. Thus the USA becomes one of the eminent golf-playing countries in the world.

Sixteen thousand seven hundred fifty-two best-organized golf courses exist in different states of this country, whereas there are 38,864 in the world. So, roughly 43% of the global courses are available in the various American States. However, due to the pandemic of COVID-19, the number of golf courses in The USA declines around 0.8%. And, now, in the early of 2021, only 9,635 golf courses and country clubs continue their business successfully. This article gives information on different golf courses and the USA’s renowned public and private golf courses with top 25 rankings in 2020-2021.

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Types of golf courses

Depending on the ownership of the courses, there are three types of golf courses you will see. These are – public, private, and semi-private golf courses. In these courses, you get a variation on the facilities while joining or going to play golf.

1. Public golf courses

State governments are usually responsible for overseeing public golf courses. All athletes who want to play golf can get entry to play here. The municipal authority governs the general golf courses located in the specific state of the country termed as municipal courses. You can also get easy access to play in these courses. However, the facilities in these areas are not so highly qualified as a private course. Golfers fill the playgrounds on these courses, as they are available to everyone. So you get less personal space while playing or practicing.

Besides, the public courses are the affordable and best platform for starting a golf life and pass the extended practicing period to become a scratch or pro golfer. The more inspiring fact of these public courses is that you can quickly get partners and advisors for improving your club swing ability. Many golfers who are struggling to lower their handicaps mostly use general courses. So, beginners can get a chance to invite these amateurs to golf with them. And, this is an excellent opportunity for learning golf techniques quickly. Mammoth Dunes is one of the giant public courses also known as Sand valley and has wide fairways. Besides,  Erin Hills public course was the host of the U. S. Open tournament in 2017, and the first played an international match in Wisconsin. Another country club Crystal Downs constructs on the Midwest high-land between Lake Michigan and Crystal Lake. The most popular disc golf courses are the Myrtle Beach, PASATIEMPO G. C. Santa Cruz,

2. Private golf courses

An individual company or groups of companies manage the private golf courses. Here you will get high-quality playgrounds and other related services. However, a handsome amount of dollars have to pay for getting these amenities. It would be best if you had owned the membership of a private course where you have to practice your golf. The membership fees of a private course are too high comparing a public or municipal golf course. Between 1960 and now, more than 200 best-fed courses have been constructed, from Shadow Creek to Bandon Dunes. There are many private courses, such as pristine and uncrowded course areas, superbly manicured greens and fairways, sophisticated dining space, high-quality personal services, many social events, and five-star amenities suit to a family. Most private golf courses are designed by the top-graded architect and maintain a super-class status for golfers who go there for golfing.

3. Semi-private golf courses

The state controls this category of golf courses. You will also get special services like specific tee times, upgraded greens, dining, training facilities, and recreational golf amenities in these hybrid courses. These semi-private courses are open to the public, but you have to own the membership to get special facilities. The membership fees for training sessions are pretty higher than any public or municipal courses. As these courses open for all and provide extra service, beginners who can pay more like to use the greens and fairways of the semi-private golf course. Besides, these courses offer discount fees or free play for playgrounds, tee times or days, driving range, and complimentary golf cart privileges. You will also get perfect and well-groomed golf green like a private course for a small price.

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How many golf courses are in The United States Of America?

It is challenging to say that how many golf courses are in the USA. Because in every state of the U.S. you will get golf courses, may be small but that’s not the matter. Generally, you will get more golf courses in warmer states like New York, Texas, Florida, and California than cold climatic states like Alaska, Maine, and North Dakota.

According to the last record, there are around 15,000 golf courses in The United States. However, some old golf clubs stop their services, and some new club authority starts their business to serve American golf players. Besides, every year The USGA visited the courses and made a list of top-rated golf courses. In this case, they consider few parameters for scoring these courses, both public and private clubs. The considering parameters are – shot choices, course design, uniqueness, challenge, playing conditions, aesthetics, attractiveness, and recreation facilities.

Top 10 states of the USA having maximum numbers of golf courses

Related: The American Golfing Presidents over 100 Years

5 Top-rated public golf courses in the USA

1. Pebble Beach Golf Links

Pebble Beach in California is the most desired course among American golfers. The combination of land and sea creates a stunning view of Pebble Beach golf links. Besides, the ninth hole hover just above the rolling Pacific surf makes this course more expectable for all golfers. The natural beauty, but Pebble Beach is also a comprehensive public golf course in the USA. In 2003, Pebble Beach course got the highest ranking status among national golf links of the USA. After that, in 2015-16, again this course retrieve the 1st position, and still, it is the no. 1 public course in the USA. The U.S. Championship, One of the four golf majors, was held six times in the pebble beach venue. Pebble Beach golf links is also a famous resort for the American people to enjoy golf and holidays. The legend golfers like Jack Neville, Douglas Grant, Herbert Fowler, H. Chandler Egan, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Thad Layton used this 6,828 long public course having Par 72.

2. Pacific Dunes

The Bandon Dunes Resort built the second renowned public course in Oregan State named Pacific Dunes or Bandon Trails. They use the beauty of the sea for designing the front side of this public course. Besides, they built the Bandon Dunes with the broadest fairway pattern that the holes seem to arise from the landscape. Rough sand ridges and ridiculous bunkers surround the pitching greens and ragged fairways. The unique form of greens with multiple shot options makes Bandon Dunes golf resort precious among golfers. However, the Pacific Dunes course conditions are difficult for beginners; the variation in shot options makes it comfortable, improving the golf skill. The famous golfer Tom Doak played in this 6,633 yards, Pa 71 Course, moved to another very little.

3. Whistling Straits

Another famed public golf course is Whistle Straits in Lake Michigan. It has a historical background because it was a canceled dampen plane army airbase. Pete Dye changed these huge areas along a 2-miles stretch of Michigan Lake into a simulated savor whistle straits with ragged fairways and wind-swept greens. Now, this golf course has around 1,012 bunkers. However, this 7790 yards long whistle strait in Wisconsin has 36 holes, but the Par number is only 72. The incredible thing is that this public course is a transplanted Irish links course and has no rakes for keeping an impression. Besides, the heavily rubbed greens provide a comfortable level for many pro tour golfers. In the 2020 Ryder Cup, more than 25 golfers comfortably managed this strait while participating in the competition.

4. The Ocean Course

The ocean course is the first golf course, specially designed for the Ryder Cup event in 1991. It is also a fanatic creation of Pete Dye. The design of the Lakeland builds with the lagoons of Kiawah Island. The course features all TPC sawgrass holes, slick slopes on the bowling green, and bunkers surrounded by forest dunes around all 18th fairway. The Par 72, 7,356 yards long course laced nearly 3 miles of the ocean coast. The position of this beautiful beach course makes golfers enjoying the Atlantic surf. However, sometimes the turbulent sea wind creates a little problem at golfing. Still, golfers like to take this challenge of shots and putts.

5. Bethpage State Park (Black)

Bethpage State Park locates on the long island between the border of Nassau and Suffolk country. This park is renowned because it has five extensive golf courses, including the Bethpage Black course. This public course is one of the famous public golf courses because, in 2002 and 2009, The U.S. Open Golf Championship and PGA Championship in 2019 organize in this golf venue. The five 18th hole golf courses are yellow, red, black, green, and blue. However, the patchy fairways, contoured greens, rock-hard tees, and gravy bunkers are unfavorable for beginners. Many struggling golfers like this venue improve their club swing skills. Most golfers like to go to this 7,468 yards long Par 71 golf course because they get a caddie facility.

5 Best Private Golf Courses In The USA

1. Augusta National Golf Club

Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, the United States, is also well-known as National Club or Augusta National. Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts founded it in 1932, first opened for playing golf. The architect of this renowned golf courses was Bobby Jones and Alister Mackenzie. Since 1934, this club has hosted The Masters’ Tournament, one of the four Majors of golf championship. The more amazing thing is that the club allows African-American golfers to get a membership. The 7,475 yards long Par 72 course has almost all kinds of facilities that golfers require. The most exciting issue is that the golf architect, Robert Trent Jones, designed the 16th hole at Augusta in water hazards. Besides, the rules and regulations of this course are also stringent, and everyone must follow them while playing there. The membership fees are pretty huge, and it is around $100 to $300 thousand. The authority provides a green jacket to the members, and everybody must wear it when staying on the grounds.

2. Pine Valley Golf Club

According to Golf Magazine’s report, The Pine Valley Golf Club is the top course in 2020, located in Pine Valley, Camden County, in Southern New Jersey. A group of Philadelphian golfers built this golf venue in 1913, and it was the first and only designed course of George Arthur Crump. However, he hired a group of legend architects to helped him to build this famous golf course. The highly exclusive Pine Valley club allows only male golfers for membership. The women golfers can play in this club only on Sunday afternoon if any accomplished golfer invites them. There are 6532 yards of regular play and 7057 yards of championship play on this Par 70 course. According to the legend golfers, this course is not so easy to play golf for beginners. The 18-holes of the golf green have been built beautifully throughout the contoured greens, making them more challenging to play. Every year in late September, the club arranges the nationally recognized The Crump Cup with elite mid-amateur golfers.

3. National Golf Links of America

National Golf Links of America is one of the most esteemed golf courses in Southampton, New York. It locates on Long Island between Shinnecock Hills Golf Club and Peconic Bay. Its exclusive design and facilities make it America’s snootiest golf course. The golf architect, Charles B Mcdonald, designed this course. The playing ground opened for golf in 1911. The Par 72 course laid out over 250 acres of long island. The beauty of the National Golf Links is outstanding, and the holes are also challenging for golfers. This link course hosted the 2013 Walker Cup in September 2008. Still, it does not host any prominent men’s championship.

4. Oakmont Country Club

Located in Pulm, eastern United States, the Oakmont Country Club occupies the majority of the land and only a tiny part of the state of Oakmont. It is the oldest top golf course because it was established 118 years ago in 1903. Henry Fownes was the designer of this old course which was the perfect form of link courses. The contoured greens are slopy towards the fairways, and the holes, mainly 1, 3, 10, and 12, are more challenging for their slopy feature. This country club has hosted the U.S. Open championship nine-time and schedules for the tournament will be held in 2025. Besides, this golf club organizes 3 PGA Championships, 5 U.S. Amateurs, 3 NCAA Division 1 Men’s Golf Championship, and 2 U.S. Women’s Open Championships.

5. Shinnecock Hills Golf Club

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club is also a link-style golf course located between Peconic Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. It is the first golf course where women were first allowed to play golf and got the United States Golf Association (USGA). This golf club was hosted many essential golf tournaments, including five U.S. Opens, and scheduled for the sixth event in 2026. In 2000, the name of Shinnecock Hills Golf Club took place in the National Register of Historic Places of the United States.

Top 25 golf courses of Golf’s 2021- 2022 Ranking

Top 10 Best Golf Courses in The USA

Final Thoughts

The United States is the fourth largest country in the world, comprising almost 50 different states. You will see golf courses & country clubs in nearly all states, maybe a little ground. However, the number of golf courses, both private and public, changes every year. But after establishing The USGA, they visit the USA’s golf cities to prepare a disc golf guide for the top 100 golf courses. We hope the information we give about top-rated golf courses may fulfill your query. If you want to know more, you can effortlessly search on the link we provide in this article.