June 29, 2026Updated June 30, 2026, 10:56 a.m. ET
Golfweek has released its 2026 list of the Top 100 Best Courses You Can Play in the United States.The rankings are determined by a panel of raters who evaluate courses based on 10 different criteria.Pebble Beach Golf Links in California holds the top spot for the second consecutive year.Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon features five different courses within the top 15 rankings.All courses on the list offer some form of public access, from daily green fees to resort stays.
Want to play golf at the best public-access courses in the United States? We’ve got you covered with the Golfweek’s Best 2026 list of the Top 100 Best Courses You Can Play.
Each year we publish many course rankings lists, and this selection of public-access layouts is among the premium offerings. The hundreds of members of our course-ratings panel continually evaluate courses and rate them based 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 these rankings. The top handful of courses in the world have an average rating of above 9, while many excellent layouts fall into the high-6 to 8 range.
All 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. Several entries on this list are mostly private clubs that allow just a few tee times to the public. If there’s a will, there’s a tee time.
* Indicates new to or returning to this list.
Note: Following the architects entry on each course, the course’s status as either a classic course (opened before 1960) or modern (1960 or after) is indicated. For courses that show a ranking number before the modern or classic, that is where that course ranks on the appropriate modern or classic list of top 200 courses for 2026.)
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Average rating: 8.76
2025 ranking: 1
Location: Pebble Beach, CA
Architect(s): Jack Neville, Douglas Grant (No. 10 classic)
2. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Pacific Dunes)
Average rating: 8.49
2025 ranking: 2
Location: Bandon, OR
Architect(s): Tom Doak (3 modern)
3. Pinehurst Resort (No. 2)
Average rating: 8.28
2025 ranking: 3
Location: Pinehurst, NC
Architect(s): Donald Ross (T20 classic)
4. Kohler Whistling Straits (Straits)
Average rating: 8.14
2025 ranking: 4
Location: Mosel, WI
Architect(s): Pete Dye (6 modern)
5. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Bandon Trails)
Average rating: 8.11
2025 ranking: 5
Location: Bandon, OR
Architect(s): Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw (8 modern)
6. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Old Macdonald)
Average rating: 8.04
2025 ranking: 6
Location: Bandon, OR
Architect(s): Tom Doak, Jim Urbina (T11 modern)
7. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Bandon Dunes)
Average rating: 8.03
2025 ranking: 7
Location: Bandon, OR
Architect(s): David McLay Kidd (13 modern)
T8. Bethpage State Park (Black)
Average rating: 7.99
2025 ranking: 8
Location: Farmingdale, NY
Architect(s): A.W. Tillinghast (T27 classic)
Book your round at Bethpage Black
T8. Shadow Creek
Average rating: 7.99
2025 ranking: 9
Location: North Las Vegas, NV
Architect(s): Tom Fazio (14 modern)
10. Kiawah Island Golf Resort (Ocean)
Average rating: 7.96
2025 ranking: 10
Location: Kiawah Island, SC
Architect(s): Pete Dye (16 modern)
Book your round at Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course
11. Pasatiempo
Average rating: 7.89
2025 ranking: 11
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Architect(s): Alister MacKenzie (T34 classic)
Book your round at Pasatiempo
12. Pebble Beach Resorts (Spyglass Hill)
Average rating: 7.72
2025 ranking: 13
Location: Pebble Beach, CA
Architect(s): Robert Trent Jones Sr. (T26 modern)
13. Sand Valley (Lido)
Average rating: 7.69
2025 ranking: 12
Location: Nekoosa, WI
Architect(s): Charles Blair Macdonald, Tom Doak, Brian Schneider (29 modern)
Note: Lido is a private club at the resort that welcomes limited outside play.
14. TPC Sawgrass (Players Stadium)
Average rating: 7.66
2025 ranking: 14
Location: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Architect(s): Pete Dye (32 modern)
Book your round at TPC Sawgrass
T15. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Sheep Ranch)
Average rating: 7.65
2025 ranking: 15
Location: Bandon, OR
Architect(s): Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw (T33 modern)
T15. Four Seasons Resort Lanai (Manele)
Average rating: 7.65
2025 ranking: 16
Location: Lanai, HI
Architect(s): Jack Nicklaus (T33 modern)
17. Poppy Ridge*
Average rating: 7.64
Location: Livermore, CA
Architect(s): Jay Blasi (36 modern)
Book your round at Poppy Ridge
18. Chambers Bay
Average rating: 7.58
2025 ranking: 17
Location: University Place, WA
Architect(s): Robert Trent Jones Jr., Bruce Charlton, Jay Blasi (41 modern)
Book your round at Chambers Bay
19. Pinehurst Resort (No. 10)
Average rating: 7.57
2025 ranking: 23
Location: Aberdeen, NC
Architect(s): Tom Doak, Angela Moser (42 modern)
20. Landmand
Average rating: 7.53
2025 ranking: 18
Location: Homer, NE
Architect(s): Tad King, Rob Collins (T44 modern)
Book your round at Landmand
21. Sand Valley (Sand Valley)
Average rating: 7.51
2025 ranking: T20
Location: Nekoosa, WI
Architect(s): Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw (T46 modern)
Book your round at Sand Valley
22. Streamsong (Red)
Average rating: 7.50
2025 ranking: 19
Location: Bowling Green, FL
Architect(s): Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw (49 modern)
Book your round at Streamsong Red
23. Sand Valley (Mammoth Dunes)
Average rating: 7.49
2025 ranking: T20
Location: Nekoosa, WI
Architect(s): David McLay Kidd (T50 modern)
Book your round at Mammoth Dunes
24. Streamsong (Blue)
Average rating: 7.38
2025 ranking: 26
Location: Bowling Green, FL
Architect(s): Tom Doak (62 modern)
Book your round at Streamsong Blue
T25. Erin Hills
Average rating: 7.37
2025 ranking: 27
Location: Erin, WI
Architect(s): Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry, Ron Whitten (T63 modern)
T25. Gamble Sands (Gamble Sands)
Average rating: 7.37
2025 ranking: 24
Location: Brewster, WA
Architect(s): David McLay Kidd (T63 modern)
Book your round at Gamble Sands
27. Kapalua (Plantation)
Average rating: 7.36
2025 ranking: 22
Location: Maui, HI
Architect(s): Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw (67 modern)
Book your round at Kapalua’s Plantation Course
T28. Lawsonia (Links)
Average rating: 7.31
2025 ranking: 28
Location: Green Lake, WI
Architect(s): William B. Langford, Theodore J. Moreau (T78 classic)
Book your round at Lawsonia’s Links Course
T28. Sea Pines Resort (Harbour Town Golf Links)
Average rating: 7.31
2025 ranking: 29
Location: Hilton Head Island, SC
Architect(s): Pete Dye (74 modern)
30. Sea Island (Seaside)
Average rating: 7.30
2025 ranking: 30
Location: St. Simons Island, GA
Architect(s): Charles H. Alison, Harry S. Colt, Joe Lee, Tom Fazio (T75 modern)
31. McLemore (The Keep)*
Average rating: 7.27
Location: Rising Fawn, GA
Architect(s): Rees Jones, Bill Bergin (80 modern)
32. Sand Valley (Sedge Valley)
Average rating: 7.25
2025 ranking: 25
Location: Nekoosa, WI
Architect(s): Tom Doak (T81 modern)
Book your round at Sedge Valley
T33. Streamsong (Black)
Average rating: 7.21
2025 ranking: 31
Location: Bowling Green, FL
Architect(s): Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner (T91 modern)
Book your round at Streamsong Black
T33. Arcadia Bluffs (Bluffs)
Average rating: 7.21
2025 ranking: 32
Location: Arcadia, MI
Architect(s): Warren Henderson, Rick Smith (T91 modern)
T33. Broomsedge*
Average rating: 7.21
Location: Rembert, SC
Architect(s): Kyle Franz, Mike Koprowski (T94 modern)
Note: Broomsedge is a private club that welcomes limited outside play.
36. Karsten Creek
Average rating: 7.16
2025 ranking: 33
Location: Stillwater, OK
Architect(s): Tom Fazio (99 modern)
37. Primland (Highland)
Average rating: 7.14
2025 ranking: 40
Location: Meadows of Dan, VA
Architect(s): Donald Steel (100 modern)
T38. Black Desert Resort
Average rating: 7.11
2025 ranking: 34
Location: Ivins, UT
Architect(s): Tom Weiskopf, Phil Smith (101 modern)
Book your round at Black Desert
T38. Omni Homestead Resort (Cascades)
Average rating: 7.11
2025 ranking: 37
Location: Hot Springs, VA
Architect(s): William S. Flynn (T105 classic)
40. Pinehurst Resort (No. 4)
Average rating: 7.09
2025 ranking: T35
Location: Pinehurst, NC
Architect(s): Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner (T103 modern)
41. Sweetens Cove
Average rating: 7.07
2025 ranking: T38
Location: South Pittsburg, TN
Architect(s): Tad King, Rob Collins (108 modern)
42. Prairie Club (Dunes)
Average rating: 7.05
2025 ranking: 42
Location: Valentine, NE
Architect(s): Tom Lehman, Chris Brands (T111 modern)
43. Taconic*
Average rating: 7.04
Location: Williamstown, MA
Architect(s): Wayne Stiles, John van Kleek, Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner (114 classic)
T44. Fallen Oak
Average rating: 7.03
2025 ranking: T35
Location: Saucier, MS
Architect(s): Tom Fazio (T117 modern)
T44. Mystic Creek
Average rating: 7.03
2025 ranking: T44
Location: El Dorado, AR
Architect(s): Ken Dye (modern)
Book your round at Mystic Creek
46. Giants Ridge (Quarry)
Average rating: 7.01
2025 ranking: T47
Location: Biwabik, MN
Architect(s): Jeff Brauer (122 modern)
47. The Park West Palm
Average rating: 7.00
2025 ranking: T38
Location: West Palm Beach, FL
Architect(s): Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner (T123 modern)
Book your round at The Park West Palm
48. PaaKo Ridge
Average rating: 6.98
2025 ranking: 51
Location: Sandia Park, NM
Architect(s): Ken Dye (T128 modern)
49. Wild Horse
Average rating: 6.97
2025 ranking: 43
Location: Gothenburg, NE
Architect(s): Dave Axland, Dan Proctor (T130 modern)
Book your round at Wild Horse
T50. Marquette Golf Club (Greywalls)
Average rating: 6.95
2025 ranking: 46
Location: Marquette, MI
Architect(s): Mike Devries (T137 modern)
Book your round at Greywalls at Marquette Golf Club
T50. Wine Valley
Average rating: 6.95
2025 ranking: 55
Location: Walla Walla, WA
Architect(s): Dan Hixson (T137 modern)
Book your round at Wine Valley
T52. Forest Dunes (The Loop Red & Black)
Average rating: 6.94
2025 ranking: 50
Location: Roscommon, MI
Architect(s): Tom Doak (T145 modern)
Book your round at Forest Dunes
T52. Torrey Pines (South)
Average rating: 6.94
2025 ranking: T44
Location: San Diego, CA
Architect(s): William F. Bell, Rees Jones (T129 classic)
Book your round at Torrey Pines South
54. Lajitas (Black Jack’s Crossing)
Average rating: 6.91
2025 ranking: 49
Location: Lajitas, TX
Architect(s): Lanny Wadkins (T157 modern)
55. Yocha Dehe at Cache Creek Casino
Average rating: 6.88
2025 ranking: T52
Location: Brooks, CA
Architect(s): Brad Bell (modern)
Book your round at Yocha Dehe
56. Kohler Blackwolf Run (River)
Average rating: 6.87
2025 ranking: T52
Location: Kohler, WI
Architect(s): Pete Dye (166 modern)
T57. Big Cedar Lodge (Ozarks National)
Average rating: 6.85
2025 ranking: T58
Location: Hollister, MO
Architect(s): Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw (T172 modern)
Book your round at Ozarks National
T57. Mid Pines
Average rating: 6.85
2025 ranking: 56
Location: Southern Pines, NC
Architect(s): Donald Ross, Kyle Franz (T144 classic)
Book your round at Mid Pines
T57. Princeville (Makai)
Average rating: 6.85
2025 ranking: 41
Location: Princeville, HI
Architect(s): Robert Trent Jones Jr. (modern)
Book your round at Princeville Makai
T60. Pine Needles
Average rating: 6.83
2025 ranking: 62
Location: Southern Pines, NC
Architect(s): Donald Ross, John Fought, Kyle Franz (148 classic)
Book your round at Pine Needles
T60. Rustic Canyon
Average rating: 6.83
2025 ranking: T52
Location: Moorpark, CA
Architect(s): Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner, Geoff Shackelford (T177 modern)
Book your round at Rustic Canyon
62. High Hampton*
Average rating: 6.81
Location: Cashiers, NC
Architect(s): Tom Fazio (modern)
T63. Cabot Citrus Farms (Karoo)
Average rating: 6.80
2025 ranking: 57
Location: Brooksville, FL
Architect(s): Kyle Franz (T183 modern)
Book your round at Cabot Citrus Farms
T63. The Greenbrier (Old White)
Average rating: 6.80
2025 ranking: 63
Location: White Sulphur Springs, WV
Architect(s): Charles Blair Macdonald, Seth Raynor, Lester George (T152 classic)
T65. Pebble Beach Resorts (Links at Spanish Bay)
Average rating: 6.79
2025 ranking: T65
Location: Pebble Beach, CA
Architect(s): Robert Trent Jones Jr., Sandy Tatum, Tom Watson (T186 modern)
T65. Omni PGA Frisco Resort (Fields Ranch East)
Average rating: 6.79
2025 ranking: T67
Location: Frisco, TX
Architect(s): Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner (T186 modern)
T67. French Lick Resort (Pete Dye Course)
Average rating: 6.77
2025 ranking: 60
Location: French Lick, IN
Architect(s): Pete Dye (T194 modern)
T67. Silvies Valley Ranch (Hankins)
Average rating: 6.77
2025 ranking: 64
Location: Seneca, OR
Architect(s): Dan Hixson (T194 modern)
69. Tot Hill Farm*
Average rating: 6.75
Location: Asheboro, NC
Architect(s): Michael Strantz (modern)
Book your round at Tot Hill Farm
T70. Big Cedar Lodge (Buffalo Ridge)
Average rating: 6.74
2025 ranking: 69
Location: Hollister, MO
Architect(s): Tom Fazio (modern)
Book your round at Buffalo Ridge
T70. Tobacco Road
Average rating: 6.74
2025 ranking: 75
Location: Sanford, NC
Architect(s): Michael Strantz (modern)
Book your round at Tobacco Road
T70. Mauna Kea Resort
Average rating: 6.74
2025 ranking: 61
Location: Kohala Coast, HI
Architect(s): Robert Trent Jones Sr., Rees Jones (modern)
Book your round at Mauna Kea
T73. Firestone (South)
Average rating: 6.72
2025 ranking: T67
Location: Akron, OH
Architect(s): Bert Way, Robert Trent Jones Sr. (T164 classic)
T73. Links of North Dakota
Average rating: 6.72
2025 ranking: T72
Location: Ray, ND
Architect(s): Stephen Kay (modern)
Book your round at Links of North Dakota
75. Omni La Costa Resort & Spa (Champions)*
Average rating: 6.71
Location: La Costa, CA
Architect(s): Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner (modern)
76. Golden Horseshoe (Gold)
Average rating: 6.70
2025 ranking: T70
Location: Williamsburg, VA
Architect(s): Robert Trent Jones Sr., Rees Jones, Greg Muirhead (modern)
Book your round at Golden Horseshoe
T77. Sand Hollow (Championship)
Average rating: 6.69
2025 ranking: T58
Location: Hurricane, UT
Architect(s): John Fought, Andy Staples (modern)
Book your round at Sand Hollow
T77. Keswick Hall and Golf Club (Full Cry)
Average rating: 6.69
2025 ranking: T72
Location: Keswick, VA
Architect(s): Pete Dye (modern)
T77. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
Average rating: 6.69
2025 ranking: T84
Location: Kailua-Kona, HI
Architect(s): Jack Nicklaus (modern)
T77. Beowulf (Formerly Minot CC)
Average rating: 6.69
2025 ranking: T72
Location: Minot, ND
Architect(s): Jim Engh (modern)
81. Caledonia Golf & Fish Club
Average rating: 6.68
2025 ranking: T70
Location: Pawleys Island, SC
Architect(s): Michael Strantz (modern)
T82. Arcadia Bluffs (South)
Average rating: 6.67
2025 ranking: T84
Location: Arcadia, MI
Architect(s): Dana Fry, Jason Straka (modern)
T82. Forest Dunes (Forest Dunes)
Average rating: 6.67
2025 ranking: T78
Location: Roscommon, MI
Architect(s): Tom Weiskopf (modern)
Book your round at Forest Dunes
T82. Rams Hill
Average rating: 6.67
2025 ranking: T78
Location: Borrego Springs, CA
Architect(s): Tom Fazio (modern)
Book your round at Rams Hill
T82. The Dunes Golf & Beach Club
Average rating: 6.67
2025 ranking: T65
Location: Myrtle Beach, SC
Architect(s): Robert Trent Jones Sr., Rees Jones (T174 classic)
Book your round at The Dunes Golf & Beach Club
T82. Prairie Club (Pines)
Average rating: 6.67
2025 ranking: T81
Location: Valentine, NE
Architect(s): Graham Marsh (modern)
T87. Big Cedar Lodge (Payne’s Valley)
Average rating: 6.66
2025 ranking: T92
Location: Hollister, MO
Architect(s): Tiger Woods (modern)
Book your round at Payne’s Valley
T87. Cascata
Average rating: 6.66
2025 ranking: 76
Location: Boulder City, NV
Architect(s): Rees Jones (modern)
Book your round at Cascata
T87. Bay Hill Club and Lodge
Average rating: 6.66
2025 ranking: T81
Location: Orlando, FL
Architect(s): Dick Wilson, Arnold Palmer (modern)
T87. Sunriver Resort (Crosswater)
Average rating: 6.66
2025 ranking: 77
Location: Sunriver, OR
Architect(s): Bob Cupp, John Fought (modern)
T87. Leatherstocking
Average rating: 6.66
2025 ranking: T87
Location: Cooperstown, NY
Architect(s): Devereux Emmet (176 classic)
Book your round at Leatherstocking
T87. The Wilderness Club Montana*
Average rating: 6.66
Location: Eureka, MT
Architect(s): Nick Faldo (modern)
Book your round at Wilderness Club Montana
93. Wailea (Gold)*
Average rating: 6.65
Location: Maui, HI
Architect(s): Robert Trent Jones Jr. (modern)
T94. Cog Hill (No. 4 – Dubsdread)
Average rating: 6.64
2025 ranking: T96
Location: Lemont, IL
Architect(s): Dick Wilson, Rees Jones (modern)
Book your round at Cog Hill
T94. Hawktree
Average rating: 6.64
2025 ranking: T84
Location: Bismarck, ND
Architect(s): Jim Engh (modern)
Book your round at Hawktree
T94. Flying Horse (North)*
Average rating: 6.64
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Architect(s): Phil Smith (modern)
T97. Reynolds Lake Oconee (Great Waters)
Average rating: 6.63
2025 ranking: T92
Location: Greensboro, GA
Architect(s): Jack Nicklaus (modern)
T97. Pumpkin Ridge (Ghost Creek)
Average rating: 6.63
2025 ranking: T81
Location: North Plains, OR
Architect(s): Bob Cupp, John Fought (modern)
Book your round at Pumpkin Ridge
T97. Gamble Sands (Scarecrow)*
Average rating: 6.63
Location: Brewster, WA
Architect(s): David McLay Kidd, Nick Schaan (modern)
Book your round at Scarecrow at Gamble Sands
T100. Silvies Valley Ranch (Craddock)
Average rating: 6.62
2025 ranking: T87
Location: Seneca, OR
Architect(s): Dan Hixson (modern)
T100. Hideout
Average rating: 6.62
2025 ranking: T87
Location: Monticello, UT
Architect(s): Forrest Richardson (modern)
Book your round at Hideout