Golfweek’s Best Courses You Can Play 2022: Top 100 U.S. public-access courses ranked
Welcome to the Golfweek’s Best 2022 list of the Top 100 Best Courses You Can Play in the U.S.
Each year we publish many lists, with this selection of public-access layouts among the premium offerings. Also extremely popular and significant are the lists for Top 200 Classic Courses, Top 200 Modern Courses, the Best Courses You Can Play State by State and Best Private Courses State by State.
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 the 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. If there’s a will, there’s a tee time.
Each course is listed with its average rating next to the name, the location, the year it opened and the designers. Also included with many courses are links to recent stories about that layout.
KEY: (m) modern, built in 1960 or after; (c) classic, built before 1960. Also included with many courses are links to recent stories about that layout.
* Indicates new to or returning to this list.
Nos. 1-25
Pebble Beach Golf Links in California (Courtesy of Pebble Beach)
1. Pebble Beach Golf Links 8.77
Pebble Beach, Calif.; Douglas Grant, Jack Neville (c)
Watch: Jordan Spieth made one of the best pars you’ll ever see from the cliff on No. 8 at Pebble Beach
2. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Pacific Dunes) 8.61
Bandon, Ore.; Tom Doak (m)
Resort bucket list: 10 U.S. destinations offer three top-ranked courses
3. Pinehurst (No. 2) 8.30
Pinehurst, N.C.; Donald Ross (c)
Pinehurst, St. Andrews connected by more than just history
4. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Old Macdonald) 8.15
Bandon, Ore.; Tom Doak, Jim Urbina (m)
Top 200 Resort Golf Courses in the U.S.
5. Kohler Whistling Straits (Straits) 8.13
Mosel, Wis.; Pete Dye (m)
10 unforgettable holes I played in 2021
6. Shadow Creek 8.10
North Las Vegas, Nev.; Tom Fazio (m)
Shrouded in secrecy, Shadow Creek a magical host for the CJ Cup
7. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Bandon Dunes) 8.07
Bandon, Ore.; David McLay Kidd (m)
30 under 30: The top golf courses opened since 1992 in the U.S.
8. Kiawah Island Golf Resort (Ocean) 7.96
Kiawah Island, S.C.; Pete Dye (m)
PHOTOS: Best shots from the PGA Championship at the Kiawah Island Ocean Course
9. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Bandon Trails) 7.95
Bandon, Ore.; Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw (m)
Take a look at the iconic venues hosting USGA events in 2022
10. Bethpage State Park (Black) 7.92
Farmingdale, N.Y.; A.W. Tillinghast (c)
Take a look at the iconic venues hosting USGA events in 2022
11. TPC Sawgrass (Players Stadium) 7.82
Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.; Pete Dye (m)
What’s the scariest tee shot at TPC Sawgrass?
12. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Sheep Ranch) 7.78
Bandon, Ore.; Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw (m)
Bandon Dunes’ Sheep Ranch showcases a double green at the edge of the earth
13. Pasatiempo 7.77
Santa Cruz, Calif.; Alister MacKenzie (c)
Highly rated Pasatiempo Golf Club in California to undergo restoration by Jim Urbina
14. Spyglass Hill 7.62
Pebble Beach, Calif.; Robert Trent Jones Sr. (m)
Check the yardage book: Spyglass Hill
T15. Sand Valley (Mammoth Dunes) 7.59
Nekoosa, Wis.; David McLay Kidd (m)
PHOTOS: Famed Lido Golf Club to be reincarnated at Sand Valley in Wisconsin
T15. Four Seasons Resort (Manele) 7.59
Lanai, Hawaii; Jack Nicklaus (m)
Top 200 Resort Golf Courses in the U.S. in 2022
17. Sand Valley (Sand Valley) 7.52
Nekoosa, Wis.; Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw (m)
Best 30 under 30: The top golf courses opened since 1992 in the U.S.
T18. Streamsong (Red) 7.51
Bowling Green, Fla.; Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw (m)
Which golf course is best at Streamsong
T18. Kapalua (Plantation) 7.51
Maui, Hawaii; Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw (m)
It’s island time: A look at the island stops on the PGA Tour
T20. Lawsonia (Links) 7.38
Green Lake, Wis.; William B. Langford, Theodore J. Moreau (c)
Where to play golf in Wisconsin
T20. Gamble Sands 7.38
Brewster, Wash.; David McLay Kidd (m)
Just for kicks, aim away on new QuickSands par-3 course at Gamble Sands in Washington
22. Streamsong (Black) 7.36
Bowling Green, Fla.; Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner (m)
WATCH: Streamsong different than anything else in Florida
23. Chambers Bay 7.35
University Place, Wash.; Robert Trent Jones Jr., Bruce Charlton, Jay Blasi (m)
How a columnist is doing his part by playing an entire Sunday at stunning Chambers Bay
24. Streamsong (Blue) 7.32
Bowling Green, Fla.; Tom Doak (m)
Streamsong to add new 18-hole short course by Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw
25. Sea Pines Resort (Harbour Town GL) 7.29
Hilton Head Island, S.C.; Pete Dye (m)
The view from the other side of Harbour Town’s lighthouse at Sea Pines
Nos. 26-50
Silvies Valley Ranch in Oregon, both the Hankins and Craddock courses (Courtesy of Silvies Valley Ranch)
T26. Arcadia Bluffs (Bluffs) 7.24
Arcadia, Mich.; Warren Henderson, Rick Smith (m)
10 unforgettable holes I played in 2021
T26. Sweetens Cove 7.24
South Pittsburg, Tenn.; Rob Collins, Tad King (m)
Sweetens Cove stands up to the hype
28. Fallen Oak 7.21
Saucier, Miss.; Tom Fazio (m)
Top 50 Casino Courses
29. Erin Hills 7.19
Hartford, Wis.; Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry, Ron Whitten (m)
J.J. Watt plays Erin Hills after U.S. Open, beats predicted score by 30 shots
30. Prairie Club (Dunes) 7.14
Valentine, Neb.; Tom Lehman (m)
31. Karsten Creek 7.13
Stillwater, Okla.; Tom Fazio (m)
Ringler: Karsten Creek playing tough but fair
32. Sea Island (Seaside) 7.12
St. Simons Island, Ga.; Charles H. Alison, Harry S. Colt, Joe Lee, Tom Fazio (m)
Seven most scenic seaside holes on the PGA Tour
33. Primland (Highland) 7.08
Meadows of Dan, Va.; Donald Steel (m)
Top 200 Resort Golf Courses in the U.S.
T34. Pinehurst (No. 4) 7.07
Pinehurst, N.C.; Donald Ross, Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner (m)
The golden age of golf course renovation and restoration
T34. Marquette GC (Greywalls) 7.07
Marquette, Mich.; Mike DeVries (m)
Golfweek’s Best: Where to play golf in Michigan
36. Hideout 7.06
Monticello, Utah; Forrest Richardson (m)
37. Torrey Pines (South) 7.02
San Diego; William F. Bell (c)
Check the yardage book: Torrey Pines South
38. Mystic Creek 7.01
El Dorado, Ark.; Ken Dye (m)
39. Omni Homestead Resort (Cascades) 7.00
Hot Springs, Va.; William S. Flynn (c)
40. Mossy Oak 6.96
West Point, Miss.; Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner (m)
41. Wild Horse 6.94
Gothenburg, Neb.; Dave Axland, Dan Proctor (m)
42. Links of North Dakota 6.93
Ray, N.D.; Stephen Kay (m)
T43. Kohler Blackwolf Run (River) 6.92
Kohler, Wis.; Pete Dye (m)
WATCH: The Baths of Blackwolf Run promises par-3 fun, plenty of laughs
T43. Forest Dunes (The Loop Red & Black) 6.92
Roscommon, Mich.; Tom Doak (m)
Photos: Forest Dunes, The Loop and the Bootlegger in Michigan
T43. Silvies Valley Ranch (Hankins) 6.92
Seneca, Ore.; Dan Hixson (m)
High drama, delectable rewards await at Silvies Valley Ranch in Oregon
T46. Mid Pines 6.90
Southern Pines, N.C.; Donald Ross, Kyle Franz (c)
T46. Wine Valley 6.90
Walla Walla, Wash.; Dan Hixson (m)
48. PaaKo Ridge 6.89
Sandia Park, N.M.; Ken Dye (m)
49. Big Cedar Lodge (Ozarks National) 6.88
Hollister, Mo.; Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw (m)
Resort bucket list: 10 U.S. destinations offer three top-ranked courses
50. Giants Ridge (Quarry) 6.85
Biwabik, Minn.; Jeff Brauer (m)
Nos. 51-75
French Lick’s Dye course in Indiana (Courtesy of French Lick)
T51. French Lick Resort (Pete Dye) 6.84
French Lick, Ind.; Pete Dye (m)
Top 50 Casino Golf Courses
T51. Montage Palmetto Bluff (May River) 6.84
Bluffton, S.C.; Jack Nicklaus (m)
Top 200 Resort Golf Courses in the U.S. in 2022
53. Black Jack’s Crossing 6.82
Lajitas, Texas; Lanny Wadkins (m)
54. The Greenbrier (Old White) 6.80
White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.; Charles Blair Macdonald,Seth Raynor, Lester George (c)
Joaquin Niemann wins first PGA Tour title at The Greenbrier
T55. Sand Hollow (Championship) 6.79
Hurricane, Utah; John Fought, Andy Staples (m)
T55. Cog Hill GC (No. 4 – Dubsdread) 6.79
Lemont, Ill.; Dick Wilson, Rees Jones (m)
T57. Rustic Canyon 6.78
Moorpark, Calif.; Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner, Geoff Shackelford (m)
T57. Silvies Valley Ranch (Craddock) 6.78
Seneca, Ore.; Dan Hixson (m)
High drama, delectable rewards await at Silvies Valley Ranch in Oregon
59. The Dunes Golf & Beach Club 6.74
Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Robert Trent Jones Sr. (c)
60. Forest Dunes (Weiskopf) 6.73
Roscommon, Mich.; Tom Weiskopf (m)
Forest Dunes adds fun, par-3 Short Course in Michigan
61. Caledonia Golf & Fish Club 6.72
Pawleys Island, S.C.; Michael Strantz (m)
T62. Pine Needles 6.71
Southern Pines, N.C.; Donald Ross, John Fought, Kyle Franz (c)
U.S. Women’s Open will put accuracy at premium on renovated Pine Needles course
T62. Keswick Hall and GC (Full Cry) 6.71
Keswick, Va.; Pete Dye (m)
64. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel GC 6.70
Kohala Coast, Hawaii; Robert Trent Jones Sr., Rees Jones (m)
Do PGA Tour pros grow tired of playing in Hawaii?
T65. Cascata 6.69
Boulder City, Nev.; Rees Jones (m)
T65. Linville GC 6.69
Linville, N.C.; Donald Ross (c)
T67. Kohler Whistling Straits (Irish) 6.68
Mosel, Wis.; Pete Dye (m)
T67. Golden Horseshoe (Gold) 6.68
Williamsburg, Va.; Robert Trent Jones Sr., Rees Jones (m)
T69. Crosswater Club (Crosswater) 6.67
Sunriver, Ore.; Bob Cupp, John Fought (m)
Best Modern Courses 2022: Top 200 golf courses built after 1960
T69. Yocha Dehe at Cache Creek Casino 6.67
Brooks, Calif.; Brad Bell (m)
71. Rams Hill 6.66
Borrego Springs, Calif.; Tom Fazio (m)
72. Hawktree 6.64
Bismarck, N.D.; Jim Engh (m)
T73. Bay Hill Club & Lodge 6.63
Orlando; Dick Wilson, Arnold Palmer (m)
Watch: Matt Jones sends putter flying into a lake at Bay Hill
T73. Red Sky (Fazio) 6.63
Wolcott, Colo.; Tom Fazio (m)
75. Princeville (Makai) 6.62
Princeville, Hawaii; Robert Trent Jones Jr. (m)
Nos. 76-100
Arcadia Bluffs’ South course in Michigan (Courtesy of Arcadia Bluffs)
T76. Tobacco Road 6.61
Sanford, N.C.; Michael Strantz (m)
Where to play golf in Pinehurst, N.C.
T76. World Woods (Pine Barrens) 6.61
Brooksville, Fla.; Tom Fazio (m)
Cabot selects course designers to renovate the former World Woods in Florida
T78. We-Ko-Pa (Saguaro) 6.60
Fort McDowell, Ariz.; Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw (m)
Where to play golf around Phoenix: Casinos keep expanding, and their courses keep pace
T78. Links at Spanish Bay 6.60
Pebble Beach, Calif.; Robert Trent Jones Jr., Sandy Tatum, Tom Watson (m)
T78. Pursell Farms (FarmLinks) 6.60
Sylacauga, Ala.; Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry (m)
Where to play golf in Alabama
T78. Firestone (South) 6.60
Akron, Ohio; W.H. Way, Robert Trent Jones Sr. (c)
T82. Big Cedar Lodge (Buffalo Ridge) 6.59
Hollister, Mo.; Tom Fazio (m)
Resort bucket list: 10 U.S. destinations offer three top-ranked courses
T82. Atlantic City CC 6.59
Northfield, N.J.; William S. Flynn, Tom Doak (c)
T82. Reynolds Lake Oconee (Great Waters) 6.59
Greensboro, Ga.; Jack Nicklaus (m)
Trending younger in real estate: Reynolds Lake Oconee sees influx of fresh buyers
T85. Trump National Doral Miami (Blue Monster) 6.58
Miami; Dick Wilson, Gil Hanse (m)
Take a look at the golf courses owned by Donald Trump
T85. CordeValle 6.58
San Martin, Calif.; Robert Trent Jones Jr. (m)
T85. Eagle Eye 6.58
Bath, Mich.; Chris Lutzke (m)
T88. Wickenburg Ranch (Big Wick) 6.57
Wickenburg, Ariz.; Wendell Pickett, Bill Brownlee (m)
T88. Prairie Club (Pines) 6.57
Valentine, Neb.; Graham Marsh (m)
T88. Pumpkin Ridge (Ghost Creek) 6.57
North Plains, Ore.; Bob Cupp, John Fought (m)
From Saudi Arabia to Portland, get to know the courses hosting the LIV Golf Invitational Series in 2022
T91. Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point 6.56
New York, N.Y.; Jack Nicklaus, John Sanford (m)
Judge overturns previous ruling, allows Trump group to keep control of Golf Links at Ferry Point
T91. Leatherstocking 6.56
Cooperstown, N.Y.; Devereux Emmet (c)
93. Rawls Course at Texas Tech 6.54
Lubbock, Texas; Tom Doak (m)
T94. Arcadia Bluffs (South) 6.53
Arcadia, Mich.; Dana Fry, Jason Straka (m)
PHOTOS: Arcadia Bluff’s Bluffs and South courses in Michigan
T94. Quintero 6.53
Peoria, Ariz.; Rees Jones (m)
T94. SentryWorld 6.53
Stevens Point, Wis.; Robert Trent Jones Jr., Bruce Charlton, Jay Blasi (m)
When U.S. Senior Open heads to SentryWorld in 2023, keep an eye out for the flowers
T94. TPC Scottsdale (Stadium) 6.53
Scottsdale, Ariz.; Jay Morrish, Tom Weiskopf (m)
Behind-the-scenes story of Harry Higgs and Joel Dahmen’s viral moment at Phoenix Open’s 16th hole
T94. The Wilderness at Fortune Bay 6.53
Tower, Minn.; Jeff Brauer (m)
T94. Salish Cliffs 6.53
Shelton, Wash.; Gene Bates (m)
T94. Redlands Mesa 6.53
Grand Junction, Colo.; Jim Engh (m)
1
1
