Advertisement

Golfweek's Best Courses You Can Play 2023: State-by-state rankings for public-access layouts

Whistling Straits' Straits Course in Wisconsin (Courtesy of Destination Kohler)

Want to play the best public-access golf courses in each state? Keep reading.

Fresh for 2023, we present the Golfweek’s Best Courses You Can Play list for the top public-access layouts in each state, as judged by our nationwide network of raters.

The hundreds of members of our course-ratings panel continually evaluate courses and rate them on 10 criteria on a points basis of 1 through 10. They also file a single, overall rating on each course. Those overall ratings are averaged to produce all our Golfweek’s Best course rankings.

The courses on this list allow public access in some fashion, be it standard daily green fees, through a resort or by staying at an affiliated hotel. If there’s a will, there’s a tee time – no membership required. (There are a handful of courses on this list that some players might consider to be private, but they do allow non-hosted, non-member guest play in some limited form, normally through a local hotel or similar arrangement.)

There’s one course of particular note this year. Of the dozens of courses new to this list, only Landmand Golf Club in Homer, Nebraska, debuts in the No. 1 spot in its state. Designed by Tad King and Rob Collins, Landmand opened in 2022.

KEY: (m) modern, built in 1960 or after; (c) classic, built before 1960. For courses with a number preceding the (m) or (c), that is where the course ranks on Golfweek’s Best lists for top 200 modern and classic courses in the U.S.

* indicates new or returning to the rankings

More Golfweek’s Best for 2023:

Alabama's top public-access courses

FarmLinks at Pursell Farms

FarmLinks at Pursell Farms in Alabama (Courtesy of Pursell Farms/Michael Clemmer)

1. Pursell Farms (FarmLinks)
Sylacauga (m)

2. Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Capitol Hill (Judge)
Prattville (m)

Book your round at RTJ Capitol Hill today

3. Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Grand National (Lake)
Opelika (m)

Book your round at RTJ Grand National today

4. Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Ross Bridge
Hoover (m)

Book your round at RTJ Ross Bridge

5. Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Capitol Hill (Legislator)
Prattville (m)

Book your round at RTJ Capitol Hill today

6. Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Cambrian Ridge (Sherling/Canyon)
Greenville (m)

7. Ol’ Colony*
Tuscaloosa (m)

8. Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Magnolia Grove (Falls)
Mobile (m)

9. Kiva Dunes
Gulf Shores (m)

10. Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Grand National (Links)
Opelika (m)

Book your round at RTJ Grand National today

Alaska's top public-access courses

Anchorage Golf Course (USGA/Kirk H. Owens)

1. Anchorage GC
Anchorage (m)

Book discounted hotels near Anchorage today

2. Chena Bend
Fairbanks (m)

3. Moose Run (Creek)
Fort Richardson (m)

4. Palmer GC
Palmer (m)

5. Moose Run (Hill)
Fort Richardson (c)

Arizona's top public-access courses

Ak-Chin Southern Dunes

Ak-Chin Southern Dunes in Arizona (Courtesy of Ak-Chin Southern Dunes/Allan Henry)

1. We-Ko-Pa (Saguaro)
Fort McDowell (m)

Book your round at We-Ko-Pa today

2. Wickenburg Ranch (Big Wick)
Wickenburg (m)

3. Quintero Golf Club
Peoria (m)

4. TPC Scottsdale (Stadium)
Scottsdale (m)

Book your round at TPC Scottsdale today

5. Golf Club at Dove Mountain (Saguaro/Tortolita)
Marana (m)

6. Ak-Chin Southern Dunes
Maricopa (m)

Book your round at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes today

7. Ventana Canyon (Mountain)
Tucson (m)

8. Grayhawk (Talon)
Scottsdale (m)

Book your round at Grayhawk today

9. We-Ko-Pa (Cholla)
Fort McDowell (m)

Book your round at We-Ko-Pa today

10. Troon North (Monument)
Scottsdale (m)

Book your round at Troon North today

11. Troon North (Pinnacle)
Scottsdale (m)

Book your round at Troon North today

12. Grayhawk (Raptor)
Scottsdale (m)

Book your round at Grayhawk today

13. Casino del Sol (Sewailo)
Tucson (m)

14. Laughlin Ranch*
Bullhead City (m)

15. Boulders Resort (South)
Carefree (m)

Book your round at Boulders Resort today

T16. Gold Canyon Golf Resort (Dinosaur Mountain)
Gold Canyon (m)

T16. Omni Tucson National Resort (Catalina)
Tucson (m)

18. La Paloma (Ridge/Canyon)
Tucson (m)

19. Boulders Resort (North)
Carefree (m)

Book your round at Boulders Resort today

20. Whirlwind (Devil’s Claw)*
Chandler (m)

T21. Verrado (Founders)
Buckeye (m)

T21. TPC Scottsdale (Champions)
Scottsdale (m)

Book your round at TPC Scottsdale today

23. Longbow*
Mesa (m)

T24. Las Sendas
Mesa (m)

T24. Whirlwind (Cattail)
Chandler (m)

T26. SunRidge Canyon
Fountain Hills (m)

Book your round at Sun Ridge Canyon today

T26. Legacy
Phoenix (m)

28. Sedona Golf Resort
Sedona (m)

T29. Camelback (Ambiente)
Scottsdale (m)

Shop discount hotels near Scottsdale, Arizona

T29. Wildfire at Desert Ridge (Faldo Championship)
Phoenix (m)

Arkansas' top public-access courses

Mystic Creek Golf Club in Arkansas (Courtesy of Mystic Creek)

1. Mystic Creek
El Dorado (m)

Shop discount hotels near El Dorado

2. The Ridges at Village Creek
Wynne (m)

T3. Big Creek
Mountain Home (m)

T3. Hot Springs CC (Arlington)
Hot Springs (c)

5. Mountain Ranch
Fairfield Bay (m)

California's top public-access courses

Pebble Beach

Pebble Beach Golf Links in California (Courtesy of Pebble Beach Resorts)

1. Pebble Beach Resorts (Pebble Beach Golf Links)
Pebble Beach (10c)

Book your round at Pebble Beach today

2. Pasatiempo
Santa Cruz (T37c)

Book your round at Pasatiempo today

3. Pebble Beach Resorts (Spyglass Hill)
Pebble Beach (T26m)

Book your round at Spyglass Hill today

4. Torrey Pines (South)
San Diego (111c)

Book your round at Torrey Pines today

5. Yocha Dehe at Cache Creek Casino
Brooks (m)

6. Rustic Canyon
Moorpark (T169m)

7. Rams Hill
Borrego Springs (T191m)

8. Pebble Beach Resorts (Links at Spanish Bay)
Pebble Beach (T198m)

Book your round at Spanish Bay today

9. CordeValle
San Martin (m)

10. Torrey Pines (North)
San Diego (m)

Book your round at Torrey Pines today

11. PGA West (Stadium)
La Quinta (m)

Book your round at PGA West today

12. Barona Creek
Lakeside (m)

13. Poppy Hills Golf Course
Pebble Beach (m)

Book your round at Poppy Hills today

14. Pelican Hill (Ocean South)
Newport Coast (m)

15. Pelican Hill (Ocean North)
Newport Coast (m)

16. Bayonet
Seaside (c)

Book your round at Bayonet today

17. Classic Club
Palm Desert (m)

Book your round at Classic Club today

18. Fairmont Grand Del Mar (The Grand)
San Diego (m)

19. Quail Lodge and Golf Club*
Carmel (m)

20. Trump National Los Angeles
Rancho Palos Verdes (m)

T21. Whitehawk Ranch
Clio (m)

T21. PGA West (Nicklaus)
La Quinta (m)

Book your round at PGA West today

23. Desert Willow (Firecliff)
Palm Desert (m)

T24. Soule Park
Ojai (m)

T24. Tahoe Mountain Club (Old Greenwood)
Truckee (m)

26. Oak Quarry
Riverside (m)

27. SilverRock
La Quinta (m)

Book your round at SilverRock today

28. La Quinta Resort & Club (Mountain)
La Quinta (m)

Book your round at La Quinta today

T29. TPC Harding Park
San Francisco (c)

T29. Fantasy Springs (Eagle Falls)
Indio (m)

Colorado's top public-access courses

Red Sky’s Norman Course in Colorado (Courtesy of Red Sky Ranch)

1. Redlands Mesa
Grand Junction (m)

Shop discounted hotels in Grand Junction

2. Red Sky (Fazio)
Wolcott (m)

3. The Broadmoor (East)
Colorado Springs (186c)

4. Red Sky (Norman)
Wolcott (m)

5. Haymaker
Steamboat Springs (m)

6. CommonGround
Aurora (m)

7. TPC Colorado
Berthoud (m)

8. The Broadmoor (West)
Colorado Springs (c)

9. Bear Dance*
Larkspur (m)

10. River Valley Ranch
Carbondale (m)

Connecticut's top public-access courses

Wintonbury Hills in Connecticut (Courtesy of Indigo Golf Partners)

1. Keney Park
Hartford (c)

Shop discounted hotels in Hartford

2. Wintonbury Hills
Bloomfield (m)

3. Great River
Milford (m)

4. Fox Hopyard
East Haddam (m)

T4. Lake of Isles (North)
North Stonington (m)

6. Shennecossett
Groton (c)

7. Oxford Greens
Oxford (m)

8. Hotchkiss
Lakeville (c)

9. Richter Park
Danbury (m)

10. Mohegan Sun
Baltic (m)

Delaware's top public-access courses

Plantation Lakes Delaware

Plantation Lakes in Delaware (Courtesy of Plantation Lakes)

1. Plantation Lakes
Millsboro (m)

Shop discounted hotels near Millsboro

2. Bayside Resort
Selbyville (m)

3. Baywood Greens
Long Neck (m)

4. White Clay Creek*
Wilmington (m)

5. Bear Trap Dunes*
Ocean View (m)

Florida's top public-access courses

Streamsong Red

Streamsong Red in Florida (Courtesy of Streamsong/Evan Schiller)

1. TPC Sawgrass (Players Stadium)
Ponte Vedra Beach (23m)

Book your round at TPC Sawgrass today

2. Streamsong (Red)
Bowling Green (T37m)

3. Streamsong (Blue)
Bowling Green (T53m)

4. Streamsong (Black)
Bowling Green (T56m)

5. Bay Hill Club and Lodge
Orlando (T191m)

Book your round at Bay Hill today

6. Trump National Doral Miami (Blue Monster)
Miami (m)

Book your round at Trump National today

7. PGA National Resort (Champion)
Palm Beach Gardens (m)

Book your round at PGA National today

8. Innisbrook (Copperhead)
Tarpon Springs (m)

Book your round at Innisbrook today

9. Camp Creek
Watersound (m)

10. Hammock Beach Resort (Ocean)
Palm Coast (m)

11. Hammock Beach Resort (Conservatory)
Palm Coast (m)

12. JW Marriott Miami Turnberry (Soffer)
Aventura (m)

Book your round at JW Marriott Miami Turnberry today

13. Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort (Burnt Pine)
Miramar Beach (m)

14. JW Marriott Marco Island (Hammock Bay)
Naples (m)

T15. Southern Dunes
Haines City (m)

Book your round at Southern Dunes today

T15. Juliette Falls
Dunnellon (m)

17. PGA Golf Club (Wanamaker)
Port St. Lucie (m)

18. TPC Sawgrass (Dye’s Valley)
Ponte Vedra Beach (m)

Book your round at TPC Sawgrass today

19. PGA Golf Club (Dye)
Port St. Lucie (m)

20. Orange County National (Panther Lake)
Winter Garden (m)

Book your round at Orange County National today

21. Omni Amelia Island Resort (Oak Marsh)*
Fernandina Beach (m)

Book your round at Omni Amelia Island today

22. Orange County National (Crooked Cat)
Winter Garden (m)

Book your round at Orange County National today

23. Trump National Doral Miami (Golden Palm)
Miami (m)

Book your round at Trump National today

T24. Crandon Park
Key Biscayne (m)

T24. Ponte Vedra Inn & Club (Ocean)*
Ponte Vedra Beach (c)

26. World Golf Village (King & Bear)*
St. Augustine (m)

Book your round at World Golf Village today

27. Kelly Plantation*
Destin (m)

T28. Gasparilla Inn & Club
Boca Grande (c)

T28. The Breakers (Rees Jones)
West Palm Beach (m)

Georgia's top public-access courses

McLemore in Georgia (Courtesy of McLemore/Dave Sansom)

1. Sea Island (Seaside)
St. Simons Island (T75m)

Shop discounted hotels near Sea Island

2. Reynolds Lake Oconee (Great Waters)
Greensboro (m)

3. Kinderlou Forest
Valdosta (m)

4. McLemore (Highlands)
Rising Fawn (m)

5. Reynolds Lake Oconee (Oconee)
Greensboro (m)

6. Sea Island (Plantation)
St. Simons Island (m)

Shop discounted hotels near Sea Island

7. Bear’s Best Atlanta
Suwanee (m)

8. Harbor Club
Greensboro (m)

T9. Achasta
Dahlonega (m)

T9. Reynolds Lake Oconee (Preserve)
Greensboro (m)

11. Reynolds Lake Oconee (National)
Greensboro (m)

12. University of Georgia GC
Athens (m)

13. Hampton Club (King and Prince)
St. Simons Island (m)

14. Barnsley Resort*
Adairsville (m)

T15. Brasstown Valley*
Young Harris (m)

T15. Woodmont
Canton (m)

Hawaii's top public-access courses

Kapalua Plantation

Kapalua’s Plantation Course in Hawaii (Courtesy of Kapalua)

1. Four Seasons Resort Lanai (Manele)
Lanai (T32m)

Shop discounted hotels near Lanai

2. Kapalua (Plantation)
Maui (39m)

3. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel GC
Kohala Coast (T178m)

4. Princeville (Makai)
Princeville (m)

5. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
Kailua-Kona (m)

6. Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa (Poipu Bay)
Koloa (m)

7. Mauna Lani (North)
Waimea (m)

8. Wailea (Gold)
Maui (m)

Shop discounted hotels in Maui

9. Wailea (Emerald)
Maui (m)

10. Ocean Course at Hokuala
Lihue (m)

11. Turtle Bay Resort (Arnold Palmer)
Kahuku (m)

12. Mauna Lani (South)
Waimea (m)

13. Kapolei GC
Kapolei (m)

14. Wailua Municipal
Kauai (m)

15. Ko Olina
Kapolei (m)

Idaho's top public-access courses

Circling Raven in Idaho (Courtesy of Circling Raven)

1. Circling Raven
Worley (m)

2. Coeur d’Alene Resort
Coeur d’Alene (m)

Shop discounted hotels near Coeur d'Alene

3. Falcon Crest
Kuna (m)

4. BanBury
Eagle (m)

5. Sun Valley GC*
Sun Valley (c)

Illinois' top public-access courses

Cog Hill

Cog Hill’s No. 4 – Dubsdread in Illinois (Courtesy of Cog Hill/Charles Cherney)

1. Cog Hill GC (No. 4 – Dubsdread)
Lemont (T186m)

Shop discounted hotels near Cog Hill

2. TPC Deere Run
Silvis (m)

3. Highlands of Elgin
Elgin (m)

4. Stonewall Orchard
Grayslake (m)

5. The Glen Club
Glenview (m)

6. Eagle Ridge (The General)
Galena (m)

7. Preserve at Oak Meadows
Addison (m)

8. Thunderhawk
Beach Park (m)

9. WeaverRidge
Peoria (m)

10. Harborside International (Starboard)
Chicago (m)

11. Ravisloe
Homewood (c)

12. Mistwood
Romeoville (m)

13. Cantigny
Wheaton (m)

14. Prairie Landing
West Chicago (m)

Shop discounted hotels in Chicago

15. Blackstone*
Marengo (m)

Indiana's top public-access courses

French Lick

The Pete Dye Course at French Lick Resort in Indiana (Courtesy of French Lick Resort)

1. French Lick Resort (Pete Dye)
French Lick (T150m)

T2. French Lick Resort (Donald Ross)
French Lick (c)

T2. The PFAU Course at Indiana University
Bloomington (m)

Shop discounted hotels in Bloomington

4. Warren GC at Notre Dame
South Bend (m)

5. Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex (Ackerman-Allen)
West Lafayette (c)

6. Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex (Kampen)
West Lafayette (m)

7. The Fort
Indianapolis (m)

8. Brickyard Crossing
Indianapolis (m)

9. Chariot Run
Laconia (m)

T10. Harrison Hills
Attica (c)

T10. Rock Hollow
Peru (m)

Iowa's top public-access courses

Spirit Hollow in Iowa (Courtesy of Spirit Hollow)

1. Spirit Hollow
Burlington (m)

Shop discounted hotels near Spirit Hollow

2. Blue Top Ridge
Riverside (m)

3. Tournament Club of Iowa
Polk City (m)

4. Bent Tree*
Council Bluffs (m)

5. Finkbine
Iowa City (c)

Kansas' top public-access courses

Firekeeper in Kansas (Courtesy of Firekeeper/Paul Hundley)

T1. Buffalo Dunes
Garden City (m)

Shop discounted hotels near Buffalo Dunes

T1. Firekeeper
Mayetta (m)

3. Iron Horse
Leawood (m)

4. Sand Creek Station
Newton (m)

5. Colbert Hills
Manhattan (m)

Kentucky's top public-access courses

Lassing Point in Kentucky (Courtesy of Lassing Point)

1. Lassing Pointe
Union (m)

2. Kearney Hill
Lexington (m)

Shop discounted hotels near Kearney Hill

3. Nevel Meade Golf Course*
Prospect (m)

4. Cherry Blossom
Georgetown (m)

5. Heritage Hill
Shepherdsville (m)

Louisiana's top public-access courses

TPC Louisiana (Courtesy of TPC Louisiana)

1. The Country Club at the Golden Nugget
Lake Charles (m)

Shop discounted hotels in Lake Charles

2. TPC Louisiana
Avondale (m)

3. English Turn
New Orleans (m)

4. Carter Plantation*
Springfield (m)

5. L’Auberge Casino Resort (Contraband Bayou)
Lake Charles (m)

Maine's top public-access courses

Boothbay Harbor CC in Maine (Courtesy of Boothbay Harbor)

1. Boothbay Harbor
Boothbay (T196c)

Shop discounted hotels in Boothbay

2. Cape Arundel
Kennebunkport (c)

3. Belgrade Lakes GC
Belgrade Lakes (m)

4. Ledges
York (m)

5. Sugarloaf*
Carrabassett Valley (m)

Maryland's top public-access courses

Bulle Rock

Bulle Rock in Maryland (Courtesy of Bulle Rock)

1. Bulle Rock
Havre de Grace (m)

Shop discounted hotels near Bulle Rock

2. Links at Perry Cabin
St. Michaels (m)

3. Maryland National*
Middletown (m)

T4. Queenstown Harbor (River)
Queenstown (m)

T4. Whiskey Creek
Ijamsville (m)

6. Lake Presidential
Upper Marlboro (m)

T7. Links at Lighthouse Sound
Ocean City (m)

T7. Waverly Woods*
Marriotsville (m)

9. Musket Ridge
Myersville (m)

T10. University of Maryland GC
College Park (c)

T10. Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay (River Marsh)*
Cambridge (m)

Massachusetts' top public-access courses

Cape Cod National in Massachusetts (Courtesy of Cape Cod National)

1. Cape Cod National
Brewster (m)

Shop discounted hotels near Cape Cod National

2. Miacomet
Nantucket (m)

3. The Ranch
Southwick (m)

T4. Farm Neck
Oak Bluffs (m)

T4. Crumpin-Fox
Bernardston (m)

6. George Wright Municipal
Boston (c)

7. Red Tail
Devens (m)

8. Granite Links*
Quincy (m)

9. Pinehills (Nicklaus)
Plymouth (m)

10. Pinehills (Jones)
Plymouth (m)

Michigan's top public-access courses

Forest Dunes’ The Loop, both the Red and Black courses, in Michigan (Jason Lusk/Golfweek)

1. Arcadia Bluffs (Bluffs)
Arcadia (64m)

2. Marquette GC (Greywalls)
Marquette (106m)

Shop discounted hotels in Marquette

3. Forest Dunes (The Loop Red & Black)
Roscommon (T113m)

4. Forest Dunes (Weiskopf)
Roscommon (T178m)

5. Arcadia Bluffs (South)
Arcadia (m)

6. Belvedere
Charlevoix (T192c)

7. Boyne Bay Harbor (Links/Quarry)
Bay Harbor (m)

8. Gull Lake View Resort (Stoatin Brae)
Augusta (m)

9. Eagle Eye
Bath (m)

T10. Pilgrim’s Run
Pierson (m)

T10. Island Resort and Casino (Sweetgrass)
Harris (m)

12. Harbor Shores
Benton Harbor (m)

13. American Dunes
Grand Haven (m)

14. University of Michigan GC
Ann Arbor (c)

15. Hidden River Golf & Casting Club
Brutus (m)

16. Boyne Highlands (Arthur Hills)
Harbor Springs (m)

17. Treetops (Signature)
Gaylord (m)

18. Diamond Springs
Hamilton (m)

19. Sage Run
Bark River (m)

20. Pine Mountain Resort (Timber Stone)
Iron Mountain (m)

Minnesota's top public-access courses

Giants Ridge Golf

Giants Ridge’s Legends course in Minnesota (Courtesy of Giants Ridge/Brian Oar)

1. Giants Ridge (Quarry)
Biwabik (T129m)

Shop discounted hotels near Giants Ridge

2. Breezy Point Resort (Deacon’s Lodge)
Brainerd (m)

3. Wilderness at Fortune Bay
Tower (m)

4. Madden’s on Gull Lake (m)
Brainerd (m)

5. Giants Ridge (Legend)
Biwabik (m)

Shop discounted hotels near Giants Ridge

6. Chaska Town Course
Chaska (m)

7. Meadows at Mystic Lake
Prior Lake (m)

8. Rush Creek*
Maple Grove (m)

9. StoneRidge
Stillwater (m)

10. The Wilds
Prior Lake (m)

Mississippi's top public-access courses

Old Waverly in Mississippi (Copyright USGA/Russell Kirk)

1. Fallen Oak
Saucier (74m)

2. Mossy Oak
West Point (T116m)

Shop discounted hotels near Mossy Oak

3. Old Waverly
West Point (m)

4. The Preserve
Vancleave (m)

5. Dancing Rabbit (Oaks)
Philadelphia (m)

6. Grand Bear
Saucier (m)

T7. Shell Landing
Gautier (m)

T7. Dancing Rabbit (Azaleas)
Philadelphia (m)

9. Timberton*
Hattiesburg (m)

10. Windance
Gulfport (m)

Missouri's top public-access courses

Payne's Valley - Payne's Valley Cup

Payne’s Valley at Big Cedar Lodge in Missouri (Courtesy of Big Cedar Lodge)

1. Big Cedar Lodge (Ozarks National)
Hollister (T150m)

2. Big Cedar Lodge (Buffalo Ridge)
Hollister (m)

3. Big Cedar Lodge (Payne’s Valley)
Hollister (m)

4. Branson Hills
Branson (m)

Shop discounted hotels in Branson

T5. Old Kinderhook
Camdenton (m)

T5. Swope Memorial
Kansas City (c)

7. Ledgestone
Branson (m)

Shop discounted hotels in Branson

8. Stone Canyon
Blue Springs (m)

9. Missouri Bluffs
St. Charles (m)

10. Rivercut
Springfield (m)

Montana's top public-access courses

Old Works golf Montana

Old Works in Montana (Courtesy of Old Works)

1. Old Works
Anaconda (m)

Shop discounted hotels near Old Works

2. The Wilderness Club Montana
Eureka (m)

3. The Ranch Club
Missoula (m)

4. Eagle Bend*
Bigfork (m)

5. Canyon River
Missoula (m)

Nebraska's top public-access courses

Landmand

Landmand Golf Club in Nebraska (Courtesy of Landmand Golf Club)

1. Landmand*
Homer (T26m)

2. Prairie Club (Dunes)
Valentine (T87m)

Shop discounted hotels near Prarie Club

3. Wild Horse
Gothenburg (T108m)

4. Prairie Club (Pines)
Valentine (m)

Shop discounted hotels near Prarie Club

5. Bayside GC
Brule (m)

Nevada's top public-access courses

Shadow Creek in Nevada (Kelvin Kuo/USA TODAY Sports)

1. Shadow Creek
North Las Vegas (13m)

2. Cascata
Boulder City (T159m)

Book your round at Cascata today

3. Wolf Creek
Mesquite (m)

Book your round at Wolf Creek today

4. Edgewood Tahoe
Tahoe (m)

5. Wynn
Las Vegas (m)

6. Conestoga
Mesquite (m)

Book your round at Conestoga today

7. Incline Village (Championship)
Incline Village (m)

8. Coyote Springs GC
Coyote Springs (m)

Book your round at Coyote Springs today

9. Paiute (The Wolf)
Las Vegas (m)

Book your round at Paiute today

10. Rio Secco
Henderson (m)

Book your round at Rio Secco today

11. Paiute (Sun Mountain)
Las Vegas (m)

Book your round at Paiute today

12. Paiute (Snow Mountain)
Las Vegas (m)

Book your round at Paiute today

13. Oasis (Palmer)*
Mesquite (m)

Book your round at Oasis today

14. Reflection Bay at Lake Las Vegas Resort
Henderson (m)

Book your round at Reflection Bay today

15. TPC Las Vegas
Las Vegas (m)

Book your round at TPC Las Vegas today

New Hampshire's top public-access courses

Omni Mount Washington (Courtesy of Omni Mount Washington)

1. Omni Mount Washington Resort (Mount Washington)
Bretton Woods (c)

Shop discounted hotels in Bretton Woods

2. CC of New Hampshire
Sutton (c)

3. Owl’s Nest
Thornton (m)

4. Breakfast Hill
Greenland (m)

5. Atkinson Resort & CC
Atkinson (m)

New Jersey's top public-access courses

Crystal Springs Resort’s Ballyowen Golf Course (Courtesy of Crystal Springs Resort)

1. Crystal Springs Resort (Ballyowen)
Hamburg (m)

2. Neshanic Valley
Neshanic Station (m)

3. Seaview (Bay)
Galloway (c)

Book your round at Seaview today

4. Twisted Dune
Egg Harbor Township (m)

5. Rock Spring
West Orange (c)

6. Architects
Lopatcong (m)

7. Knoll (West)
Boonton (c)

8. Shore Gate
Ocean View (m)

9. Crystal Springs Resort (Crystal Springs)
Hamburg (m)

10. Seaview (Pines)
Galloway (c)

Book your round at Seaview today

11. Crystal Springs Resort (Wild Turkey)
Hamburg (m)

12. Scotland Run
Williamstown (m)

13. Ballamor
Egg Harbor Township (m)

14. Heron Glen
Ringoes (m)

15. RiverWinds*
West Deptford (m)

New Mexico's top public-access courses

Paako Ridge in New Mexico (Courtesy of Paako Ridge)

1. Paako Ridge
Sandia Park (T139m)

2. Red Hawk
Las Cruces (T139m)

Shop discounted hotels in Las Cruces

3. University of New Mexico (Championship)
Albuquerque (m)

4. Rockwind Community Links*
Hobbs (m)

5. Black Mesa
Espanola (m)

6. Twin Warriors
Santa Ana Pueblo (m)

7. Cochiti GC
Cochiti Lake (m)

8. Piñon Hills
Farmington (m)

9. Sandia
Albuquerque (m)

10. Taos CC*
Ranchos de Taos (m)

New York's top public-access courses

Bethpage Black in New York (Chris Condon/PGA Tour)

1. Bethpage State Park (Black)
Farmingdale (26c)

Shop discounted hotels in NYC

2. Leatherstocking
Cooperstown (T150c)

3. Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point
(formerly Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point)
New York (m)

4. Turning Stone Resort (Atunyote)
Verona (m)

5. Sagamore
Bolton Landing (c)

T6. Links at Union Vale
Lagrangeville (m)

T6. Bethpage State Park (Red)
Farmingdale (c)

Shop discounted hotels in NYC

8. Montauk Downs State Park
Montauk Point (m)

9. Greystone*
Walworth (m)

10. Conklin Players Club*
Conklin (m)

11. Turning Stone Resort (Shenendoah)
Verona (m)

12. Pound Ridge GC
Pound Ridge (m)

13. Ravenwood
Victor (m)

14. Seneca Hickory Stick*
Lewiston (m)

15. Saratoga National
Saratoga Springs (m)

North Carolina's top public-access courses

Pinehurst No. 2

Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina (Courtesy of Pinehurst Resort)

1. Pinehurst (No. 2)
Pinehurst (17c)

2. Pinehurst (No. 4)
Pinehurst (T93m)

3. Mid Pines
Southern Pines (T123c)

Book your round at Mid Pines today

4. Pine Needles
Southern Pines (T151c)

Book your round at Pine Needles today

5. Linville GC
Linville (164c)

6. Tobacco Road
Sanford (m)

Book your round at Tobacco Road today

7. Pinehurst (No. 8)
Pinehurst (m)

8. Bald Head Island Club
Bald Head Island (m)

9. Southern Pines GC
Southern Pines (c)

10. Thistle Golf Club
Sunset Beach (m)

11. Duke University GC
Durham (c)

12. Pinehurst (No. 9)
Pinehurst (m)

13. Talamore (Mid South)*
Southern Pines (m)

Book your round at Talamore today

14. Pinehurst (No. 7)
Pinehurst (m)

15. UNC Finley GC
Chapel Hill (m)

16. Omni Grove Park Inn*
Ashville (m)

T17. Lonnie Poole GC*
Raleigh (m)

T17. Kilmarlic*
Powells Point (m)

19. Pinewild (Magnolia)
Pinehurst (m)

20. Pinehurst (No. 6)
Pinehurst (m)

North Dakota's top public-access courses

The Links of North Dakota (Courtesy of the Links of North Dakota)

1. Minot CC
Minot (m)

Shop discounted hotels near Minot CC

2. Hawktree
Bismarck (m)

3. Links of North Dakota
Ray (m)

4. Bully Pulpit
Medora (m)

5. Vardon
Minot (c)

Shop discounted hotels in Minot

Ohio's top public-access courses

Firestone Country Club

Firestone South in Ohio (Courtesy of Invited)

1. Firestone (South)
Akron (T156c)

Book discounted hotels near Firestone CC

2. Firestone (North)
Akron (m)

3. Fowler’s Mill (Lake & River)
Chesterland (m)

4. Manakiki
Willoughby (c)

5. The Virtues
Nashport (m)

6. Firestone (Fazio)
Akron (m)

Book discounted hotels near Firestone CC

7. Sleepy Hollow
Brecksville (c)

8. Stonelick Hills
Batavia (m)

9. The Quarry
Canton (m)

10. Boulder Creek
Streetsboro (m)

Oklahoma's top public-access courses

Karsten Creek in Oklahoma (Courtesy of Karsten Creek)

1. Karsten Creek
Stillwater (T80m)

Shop discounted hotels in Stillwater

2. Jimmie Austin GC at the University of Oklahoma
Norman (T172c)

3. Cherokee Hills
Catoosa (c)

4. Shangri-La Resort
Monkey Island (m)

5. Chickasaw Pointe
Kingston (m)

Oregon's top public-access courses

Bandon Dunes Pacific Dunes

Pacific Dunes at at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon (Courtesy of Bandon Dunes)

1. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Pacific Dunes)
Bandon (T2m)

2. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Old Macdonald)
Bandon (7m)

3. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Bandon Dunes)
Bandon (10m)

4. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Bandon Trails)
Bandon (T11m)

5. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Sheep Ranch)
Bandon (T19m)

6. Silvies Valley Ranch (Hankins)
Seneca (T116m)

7. Silvies Valley Ranch (Craddock)
Seneca (T165m)

8. Pumpkin Ridge (Ghost Creek)
North Plains (m)

9. Sunriver Resort (Crosswater)
Sunriver (m)

Book your round at Sunriver today

10. Pronghorn (Nicklaus)
Bend (m)

11. Brasada Ranch (Brasada Canyons)
Powell Butte (m)

12. Gearhart Golf Links
Gearhart (c)

13. Stone Creek*
Oregon City (m)

14. Langdon Farms
Aurora (m)

15. Tetherow
Bend (m)

Pennsylvania's top public-access courses

Nemacolin

Mystic Rock at Nemacolin in Pennsylvania (Courtesy of Nemacolin/Evan Schiller)

1. Omni Bedford Springs (Old)
Bedford (c)

2. Nemacolin (Mystic Rock)
Farmington (m)

Shop discounted hotels near Nemacolin

3. Golf Course at Glen Mills
Glen Mills (m)

4. Olde Stonewall
Ellwood City (m)

5. Nemacolin (Shepherd’s Rock)
Farmington (m)

Shop discounted hotels near Nemacolin

6. Hershey CC (West)
Hershey (c)

7. Links at Gettysburg
Gettysburg (m)

8. Wyncote
Oxford (m)

9. Jeffersonville GC
Jeffersonville (c)

T10. Club at Morgan Hill
Easton (m)

T10. Penn National (Founders)
Fayetteville (m)

Rhode Island's top public-access courses

Newport National in Rhode Island (Courtesy of Newport National)

1. Newport National
Newport (m)

Shop discounted hotels near Newport National

2. Meadow Brook
Richmond (m)

3. Triggs Memorial
Providence (c)

4. Montaup
Portsmouth (c)

5. Winnapaug*
Westerly (c)

South Carolina's top public-access courses

The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, Kiawah Island, S.C.; No. 8 on Golfweek's Best: Resort Courses, 2017

Kiawah Island Golf Resort’s Ocean Course in South Carolina (Courtesy of Kiawah Island Golf Resort)

1. Kiawah Island Golf Resort (Ocean)
Kiawah Island (14m)

Book your round at The Ocean Course today

2. Sea Pines Resort (Harbour Town GL)
Hilton Head Island (T59m)

Book your round at Harbour Town today

3. The Dunes Golf & Beach Club
Myrtle Beach (T146c)

4. Caledonia Golf & Fish Club
Pawleys Island (182m)

Book your round at Caldeonia today

5. True Blue
Pawleys Island (m)

Book your round at True Blue today

6. Sea Pines Resort (Atlantic Dunes)
Hilton Head Island (m)

Book your round at Sea Pines today

7. Tidewater
North Myrtle Beach (m)

8. Sea Pines Resort (Heron Point)
Hilton Head Island (m)

Book your round at Sea Pines today

9. Legends Golf Resort (Moorland)
Myrtle Beach (m)

Book your round at Legends today

10. TPC Myrtle Beach
Murrells Inlet (m)

Book your round at TPC Myrtle Beach today

T11. Kiawah Island Golf Resort (Osprey Point)
Kiawah Island (m)

Book your round at Osprey Point today

T11. Myrtle Beach National (King’s North)
Myrtle Beach (m)

Book your round at Myrtle Beach National today

13. Heritage Club
Pawleys Island (m)

14. Barefoot Resort & Golf (Dye)
North Myrtle Beach (m)

Book your round at Barefoot today

15. Grande Dunes Resort Club*
Myrtle Beach (m)

Book your round at Grande Dunes today

T16. Aiken GC*
Aiken (c)

T16. Legends Golf Resort (Heathland)*
Myrtle Beach (m)

Book your round at Legends today

18. Barefoot Resort & Golf (Fazio)*
North Myrtle Beach (m)

Book your round at Barefoot today

19. Palmetto Dunes (Robert Trent Jones)*
Hilton Head Island (m)

Book your round at Palmetto Dunes today

20. Kiawah Island Golf Resort (Cougar Point)*
Kiawah Island (m)

Book your round at Cougar Point today

South Dakota's top public-access courses

Hart Ranch in South Dakota (Courtesy of Hart Ranch)

1. Hart Ranch
Rapid City (m)

Shop discounted hotels near Hart Ranch

T2. Prairie Green
Sioux Falls (m)

T2. Golf Club at Red Rock
Rapid City (m)

4. Willow Run
Sioux Falls (m)

5. Meadowbrook (SD)
Rapid City (m)

Shop discounted hotels near Meadowbrook

Tennessee's top public-access courses

Sewanee

The Course at Sewanee at College of the South in Tennessee (Courtesy of Sewanee)

1. Sweetens Cove
South Pittsburg (84m)

Shop discounted hotels near Sweetens Cove

2. Stonehenge
Fairfield Glade (m)

3. Course at Sewanee
Sewanee (m)

4. Hermitage (President’s Reserve)
Old Hickory (m)

5. Fairfield Glade (Heatherhurst Brae)
Fairfield Glade (m)

Texas' top public-access courses

Black Jack’s Crossing at Lajitas Golf Resort in Texas (Courtesy of Lajitas)

1. Lajitas Golf Resort (Black Jack’s Crossing)
Lajitas (T153m)

2. Omni Barton Creek (Fazio Canyons)
Austin (m)

3. The Rawls Course at Texas Tech
Lubbock (m)

Book discounted hotels in Lubbock

4. Memorial Park
Houston (m)

5. Pine Dunes Resort & GC
Frankston (m)

6. TPC San Antonio (Oaks)
San Antonio (m)

Book your round at TPC San Antonio today

7. Omni Barton Creek (Fazio Foothills)
Austin (m)

8. TPC Four Seasons Las Colinas
Irving (m)

9. GC of Houston (Tournament)
Humble (m)

10. TPC San Antonio (Canyons)
San Antonio (m)

Book your round at TPC San Antonio today

11. La Cantera Resort & Spa*
San Antonio (m)

12. Texas Rangers Golf Club
Arlington (m)

13. The Tribute GC
The Colony (m)

14. Cowboys
Grapevine (m)

T15. Old American
The Colony (m)

T15. Omni Barton Creek (Crenshaw Coore Cliffside)
Austin (m)

17. Horseshoe Bay CC (Slick Rock)
Horseshoe Bay (m)

Book your round at Horseshoe Bay today

18. Brackenridge Park
San Antonio (c)

19. The Quarry
San Antonio (m)

20. Wolfdancer
Lost Pines (m)

Book your round at Wolfdancer today

Utah's top public-access courses

Sand Hollow’s Championship Course in Utah (Courtesy of Sand Hollow)

1. Hideout
Monticello (m)

Shop discounted hotels near Hideout

2. Sand Hollow (Championship)
Hurricane (T139m)

3. Soldier Hollow (Gold)
Midway (m)

T4. Valley View*
Layton (m)

T4. Sunbrook (Pointe/Woodbridge)
St. George (m)

T4. Soldier Hollow (Silver)*
Midway (m)

7. Thanksgiving Point
Lehi (m)

8. Green Spring
Washington (m)

9. Coral Canyon
Washington (m)

10. The Ledges of St. George
St. George (m)

Vermont's top public-access courses

Okemo Valley in Vermont (Courtesy of Okemo Valley)

1. Stowe Country Club
Stowe (m)

Shop discounted hotels in Stowe

2. Okemo Valley
Ludlow (m)

3. GC at Equinox
Manchester Village (c)

4. Green Mountain National*
Killington (m)

5. Woodstock CC*
Woodstock (c)

Virginia's top public-access courses

Full Cry at Keswick Hall in Virginia (Courtesy of Keswick Hall Resort)

1. Primland (Highland)
Meadows of Dan (T87m)

2. Omni Homestead Resort (Cascades)
Hot Springs (T97c)

T3. Keswick Hall and GC (Full Cry)
Keswick (T186m)

Shop discounted hotels in Keswick

T3. Golden Horseshoe (Gold)
Williamsburg (T186m)

5. Royal New Kent
Providence Forge (m)

6. Bay Creek (Palmer)*
Cape Charles (m)

7. Independence
Midlothian (m)

8. Boar’s Head Resort (Birdwood)
Charlottesville (m)

9. Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech
Radford (m)

10. Spring Creek
Zion Crossroads (m)

11. Kingsmill (River)
Williamsburg (m)

12. Laurel Hill
Lorton (m)

13. The Club at Viniterra
New Kent (m)

14. Virginia Beach National*
Virginia Beach (m)

15. Omni Homestead Resort (Old)
Hot Springs (c)

Washington's top public-access courses

U.S. Women's Amateur

Chambers Bay in Washington (USGA/Jeff Marsh)

1. Chambers Bay
University Place (41m)

Shop discounted hotels near Chambers Bay

2. Gamble Sands
Brewster (T47m)

3. Wine Valley
Walla Walla (T110m)

4. Gold Mountain (Olympic)
Bremerton (m)

5. Salish Cliffs
Shelton (m)

6. Palouse Ridge
Pullman (m)

7. Indian Canyon
Spokane (c)

8. Trophy Lake Golf & Casting
Port Orchard (m)

9. Semiahmoo*
Blaine (m)

10. Kalispel
Spokane (c)

West Virginia's top public-access courses

The Greenbrier’s Old White (Courtesy of The Greenbrier)

1. The Greenbrier (Old White)
White Sulphur Springs (134c)

Shop discounted hotels near The Greenbrier

2. Stonewall Resort
Roanoke (m)

3. The Resort at Glade Springs (Stonehaven)
Daniels (m)

4. The Resort at Glade Springs (Cobb)
Daniels (m)

5. Snowshoe Mountain (Raven)
Snowshoe (m)

Wisconsin's top public-access courses

Mammoth Dunes at Sand Valley in Wisconsin (Brandon Carter/Sand Valley)

1. Kohler Whistling Straits (Straits)
Mosel (9m)

Shop discounted hotels near Whistling Straits

2. Sand Valley (Mammoth Dunes)
Nekoosa (35m)

3. Sand Valley (Sand Valley)
Nekoosa (36m)

4. Lawsonia (Links)
Green Lake (68c)

5. Erin Hills
Hartford (T65m)

6. Kohler Blackwolf Run (River)
Kohler (T123m)

7. Kohler Whistling Straits (Irish)
Mosel (T186m)

Shop discounted hotels near Whistling Straits

8. SentryWorld
Stevens Point (m)

9. University Ridge
Madison (m)

10. Troy Burne
Hudson (m)

11. Kohler Blackwolf Run (Meadow Valleys)
Kohler (m)

Shop discounted hotels in Kohler

12. The Bull at Pinehurst Farms
Sheboygan Falls (m)

T13. Wilderness Resort (Wild Rock)*
Wisconsin Dells (m)

T13. Grand Geneva Resort (The Brute)*
Lake Geneva (m)

15. Geneva National (Gary Player)
Lake Geneva (m)

Wyoming's top public-access courses

Teton Pines Country Club

Teton Pines in Wyoming (Courtesy of Teton Pines)

1. Teton Pines
Wilson (m)

Shop discounted hotels near Teton Pines

2. Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club
Jackson (m)

3. Rochelle Ranch GC
Rawlins (m)

T4. Cheyenne CC
Cheyenne (m)

T4. Buffalo GC*
Buffalo (m)

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Golfweek operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

More Architecture