海角社区

To many, golf is more than just a game or a nice excuse to go for a walk outdoors, it is a way of life, hence why 海角社区-class courses be found in just about any corner of the country. From the vast prairies to the deserts of the southwest and the bustling coastal metro areas, the United States is home to a number of the best golf courses on the planet and millions of golfers who flock to them every year.

Let's explore these must-visit destinations for golf enthusiasts and discover not only what makes them so idyllic for a round or two but also the variety of accommodations and other nearby attractions you can check out during your trip.

Pebble Beach Golf Links, California

One of the most celebrated public courses in the 海角社区, let alone the United States, Pebble Beach Golf Links sits along the Pacific coast on 颁补濒颈蹿辞谤苍颈补鈥檚 Monterey Peninsula. Designed by Jack Neville and Douglas Grant in 1919, the course has hosted multiple U.S. Opens and is ranked among the best in the country for professional play. Its numerous scenic holes, particularly the par-3 7th and par-5 18th, are renowned for their breathtaking views along with their challenging design.

Located about two hours from San Francisco International Airport, Pebble Beach is open to the public but requires booking well in advance due to its popularity with green fees of around $600, reflecting its prestige. The best time to visit is late spring through fall, for ideal weather and course conditions that are not too hot or wet.

The course is part of Pebble Beach Resorts, which includes The Lodge at Pebble Beach, a full-service spa, and fine dining at The Bench and Stillwater Bar & Grill. While here, you can also shop at the Pebble Beach Pro Shop and an assortment of other stores near the premises.

Pinehurst No. 2, North Carolina

Pinehurst No. 2, designed by Donald Ross in 1907, is another one of the most iconic courses in American golf. Known for its turtleback greens and strategic layout, it has hosted multiple U.S. Opens and will certainly be the site of future championships. The course challenges all who play it, with its narrow fairways and tight lies, rewarding only the most precise and powerful golfers.

Located in the Sandhills region of North Carolina, Pinehurst is about 75 minutes from Raleigh and an hour from Fayetteville. Green fees can be around $360 to $600 (depending on the time of year), with tee times available to both resort guests and non-guests.

The course is part of Pinehurst Resort, which features multiple lodging options, a 海角社区-class spa, and dining at venues like The Carolina Dining Room. Additional courses on-site also provide variety for extended stays.

The best time to play is spring and fall when the weather is mild and the course is in prime condition. This course, in one of the most lauded golfing regions in America, remains a bucket-list destination for most serious golfers around the 海角社区.

Augusta National Golf Club, Georgia

Augusta National Golf Club has been home to The Masters since 1934. Originally designed by Alister MacKenzie and Bobby Jones, the course is famous for its immaculate fairways, fast greens, and legendary holes like Amen Corner. Its azalea-lined landscape and towering pine stands make for a gorgeous yet highly challenging test of golf for its players.

Located in the city of Augusta, this high course is an exclusive, invitation-only club. Be aware that non-members can only play if invited by a member. There are no published single-game green fees, but estimates suggest that yearly memberships cost upwards of $40,000. The only way to experience the course as a spectator is by securing highly sought-after Masters tickets.

The club鈥檚 top-of-the-line amenities include an elegant clubhouse, state-of-the-art practice facilities, and a renowned pro shop with Masters-branded merchandise.

Since Augusta National has no public lodging, visitors to The Masters often stay at nearby hotels like The Partridge Inn or Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Augusta.

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Oregon

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, located on 翱谤别驳辞苍鈥檚 rugged yet beautiful southern coast, features seven links-style courses inspired by the great courses of Scotland and Ireland. The original Bandon Dunes course, designed by David McLay Kidd in 1999, set the standard in the state with its rolling fairways, natural dunes, and unobstructed Pacific Ocean views. Other standout courses within the resort include Pacific Dunes and Bandon Trails, leading to a huge amount of variety for multi-day visitors.

Whistling Straits, Wisconsin

Whistling Straits, located along Lake Michigan in Sheboygan, is one of the most visually striking courses in the Midwest. The course is about an hour north of Milwaukee, and caddies are required for non-resort guests who wish to play.

Designed by Pete Dye, this links-style course features lakeside dunes, deep bunkers, and constant lake winds, often making for a demanding game. It has hosted multiple PGA Championships and was the site of the 2021 Ryder Cup. The most famous holes, including the par-3 17th (鈥淧inched Nerve鈥�), require true precision and skill to navigate the rugged terrain.

Whistling Straits is under the management of Destination Kohler, which offers upscale accommodations at The American Club, a five-star resort with fine dining and additional golf courses nearby like Blackwolf Run.

You must visit in late spring through early fall when the weather is mild, and winter conditions haven't kicked in yet. Booking well in advance is recommended, especially in the peak summer months.

Shadow Creek, Nevada

Shadow Creek, one of the most exclusive golf courses in Las Vegas, offers a private, oasis-like experience under the strong sun of the Mojave Desert. Originally designed by Tom Fazio in 1990 and later refined in 2008, it features surprisingly lush fairways, dramatic elevation changes, and water features rarely seen in desert courses. Each hole is secluded by specifically planted trees, creating a serene environment despite being just minutes from the Las Vegas Strip.

Shadow Creek is only accessible to guests of MGM Resorts. Tee times must be arranged through an MGM property, with green fees around $1,250 per round. The course includes a luxurious clubhouse, a pro shop with premium merchandise, and a full-service caddie program.

You can stay at high-end MGM properties such as ARIA, Bellagio, or The Mirage, all offering five-star accommodations, fine dining, and entertainment, and the best time to play a round at Shadow Creek is fall through spring, avoiding the extreme summer heat of Nevada's summers.

Sand Hills Golf Club, Nebraska

Sand Hills Golf Club is perhaps the most secluded course on this list, sitting in the remote plains of Nebraska, far from any major city. It lies about a 5-hour drive from either Denver or Omaha and 1 hour from North Platte. Like most courses, the ideal time to play is late spring through early fall when temperatures are comfortable, and the course is in prime condition.

This is a private club with access limited to members and their guests. There are no published green fees, as membership is by invitation only. The club provides on-site lodging in rustic yet upscale cottages, along with a clubhouse offering dining and a well-curated pro shop.

Designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw in 1994, the course was built on Nebraska鈥檚 rolling Sandhills, a natural landscape of wind-shaped dunes and native grasses. Its minimalist design, firm fairways, and ever-present prairie winds make it a challenging yet rewarding experience for skilled golfers.

All things considered, Sand Hills remains one of the most exclusive and unique golf experiences in the country.

Kiawah Island Golf Resort (specifically The Ocean Course), South Carolina

The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island consists of a highly demanding coastal layout with incredible natural views to match. Designed by Pete and Alice Dye, it has the most seaside holes of any course in North America, with ten running along the Atlantic Ocean.

Strong coastal winds and deep bunkers make every shot a challenge, as seen during various PGA Championships throughout the decades. In particular, the par-3 17th, which requires a precise tee shot over water, is one of the most intimidating holes in golf today.

Located about 45 minutes from Charleston, The Ocean Course is open to the public, and walking caddies and forecaddies are required. Kiawah Island Golf Resort also has luxury accommodations at The Sanctuary Hotel, along with villa rentals. The resort features multiple dining options, a spa, and additional golf courses as well.

The best time to come to Kiawah Island is spring or fall when outdoor temperatures are milder.

Castle Pines Golf Club, Colorado

Castle Pines Golf Club sits in the Rocky Mountain foothills south of Denver and gives you a high-altitude golf experience with epic elevation changes and unbeatable views of nearby Pikes Peak. Designed by golf legend Jack Nicklaus in 1981, the course is now known for its towering ponderosa pines and deep bunkers. The signature 10th hole, a downhill par-3, challenges players with an elevation drop of nearly 100 feet.

Situated about 45 minutes from Denver International Airport, Castle Pines is a private club accessible only to members and their guests. The clubhouse provides visitors with higher-end dining options and an exclusive pro shop. For those just visiting the area, there are numerous hotel options just minutes south in the town of Castle Rock.

TPC Sawgrass - Florida

TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, features 2 courses, the Stadium Course and the Valley Course, that have been the site of PGA Tour championships.

This course was also designed by Pete and Alice Dye and houses one of the most iconic holes in golf, The Island Green 17th, a par 3 surrounded entirely by water.

Just 30 minutes from Jacksonville, TPC Sawgrass is open to the public, with green fees ranging starting at $225. Costs highly depend on the season, however. The course offers a very nice clubhouse, a pro shop with exclusive PGA Tour merchandise, and a variety of dining options to refresh you before or after your round.

Lodging is available at nearby hotels, including the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa, where a pool (perfect for those hot, humid days in Florida), and other golf courses can be found.

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, New York

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, located in Southampton on Long Island, is one of the oldest golf clubs in the United States. Founded in 1891 and redesigned by William Flynn in 1931, the course is known to New Yorkers and golfers from around the country as a highly prestigious place to play.

Located roughly two hours from New York City and about an hour from Long Island MacArthur Airport, Shinnecock Hills is a private club, accessible only to members and their guests. Due to its exclusive nature, green fees are not publicly available, but we can assume they're not cheap.

While there is no resort on-site, you can stay at a number of upscale hotels in nearby Southampton, such as the Southampton Inn or The Inn at Windmill Lane.

The course鈥檚 firm, fast fairways and strategic greens are a test for players of all skill levels. The par-3 7th hole, which plays uphill towards a green guarded by a series of bunkers, is especially challenging. Be sure to come in late spring or early fall before winter conditions kick in.

Whispering Pines Golf Club, Texas

Whispering Pines Golf Club, situated in Trinity, Texas, is consistently ranked among the top private golf courses in the Lone Star State. Designed by the renowned architect Chet Williams, the course opened in 2000 and is known for its immaculate conditions, natural beauty, and challenging design. The layout does a good job of incorporating the region's hills, dense forests, and a series of water features that test both strategy and accuracy.

Situated about two hours north of Houston, Whispering Pines is a private, invitation-only club. Green fees are not publicly available, and access is typically granted through membership or as a guest of a member. If you do manage to get a game in, the clubhouse is home to upscale dining, a well-curated pro shop, and other amenities that cater to the club's, more often than not, elite clientele.

For accommodations, visitors can stay at nearby luxury options, such as The Inn at Lake Livingston or any of the private lakeside cottages for rent.

Oakmont Country Club, Pennsylvania

Oakmont Country Club is in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, and was established in 1903. Designed by Henry Fownes, Oakmont has hosted numerous U.S. Open Championships, cementing its reputation as a true test to even the most skilled of golfers over the years. The 18th hole, a par-4 with a long, narrow fairway and the infamous "Church Pews" bunkers, is a signature challenge and is even considered one of the hardest holes in the United States.

Located about 30 minutes northeast of Pittsburgh, Oakmont is a private club with limited public access to the public. Though Oakmont does not offer accommodations on-site, you can stay the night at nearby hotels in Pittsburgh, such as the Fairmont Pittsburgh or Omni William Penn Hotel, or right across the Alleghany River in Harmar Township.

Like other, more northern courses, you should visit Oakmont Country Club during the late spring through to early fall.

Chicago Golf Club - Illinois

Just west of Chicago, Chicago Golf Club is another one of the longest-operating golf clubs in the United States, having been founded in 1893. Designed by famed course architect Charles Blair Macdonald, it is lauded by residents of Illinois and visitors alike for its classic design, which is full of water hazards, tricky bunkers, and subtle greens.

The course鈥檚 minimalist layout emphasizes strategy over length, requiring accuracy and good club selection throughout. The 7th hole, with its very narrow fairway and well-placed bunkers, is nicknamed "the Redan" and referred to as one of the most difficult in the course.

Chicago Golf Club is yet another private, members-only club with green fees that are not publicly released, as access is reserved for members and their guests. There are also no on-site accommodations at the club, but an abundance of hotels in nearby Naperville, such as the Hotel Indigo Naperville Riverwalk, are available year-round.

Tee Off at these Iconic American Golf Courses

The comprehensive list covers only a handful of the best golf courses in the United States, each offering more than just challenging play, they provide you with gorgeous landscapes, interesting histories, and exclusive experiences. Whether you're testing your skills at iconic courses like Pebble Beach, immersing yourself in the tradition of longstanding clubs like Shinnecock Hills, or looking for the best places to play in the Midwest, each destination mentioned above promises a unique golfing adventure for any golfer.