*Golf Directory
- Take a Swing at Some of These Worthy Public Golf Courses Around the U.S.
ARIZONA
Quintero Golf Club | Peoria
Challenging desert course with superb surfaces. Strategy is a must! quinterogolf.com
CALIFORNIA
Pete Dye Stadium Course | La Quinta
Difficulty is adjustable, but finishing holes are daunting, especially “Alcatraz.” pgawest.com
Pebble Beach Golf Links | Pebble Beach
Where craggy coastline meets the Pacific. Prepare to “swing-then-pray.” pebblebeach.com
Spyglass Hill Golf Course | Pebble Beach
Hard even for the pros. The landscape changes from links-style dunes and ocean to hilly woodlands. pebblebeach.com
The Links at Spanish Bay | Pebble Beach
A links design through dramatic dunes to a windy beach. Deploy your strategy expertise. pebblebeach.com
Poppy Hills Golf Course | Pebble Beach
Championship-level, but accessible. Meshes with a forest where surfaces are firm and fast. poppyhillsgolf.com
Grizzly Ranch Golf Club | Portola
A championship course in the Sierra Nevadas. Big elevation changes and shot options aplenty. grizzlyranchliving.com
South Course | La Jolla
This championship course on an oceanside bluff challenges with canyons, bunkers and tight fairways. sandiego.gov
CordeValle Golf Course | San Martin
Mixes with beautiful natural landscape; the championship course details are complex, but difficulty is tweakable. cordevalle.com
Pasatiempo Golf Course | Santa Cruz
One of those supreme courses. The greens and deep barrancas are emphatically not nice. pasatiempo.com
Rams Hill Golf Club | Borrego Springs
A hilltop desert course going up, across and down a ridgeline—has neat water features. ramshill.com
COLORADO
Tournament Players Club Colorado | Berthoud
Puts shot-making skill on notice. All fear No. 13, the longest hole on the PGA Tour. tpc.com
East Course | Colorado Springs
This Cheyenne foothills course is daunting, especially the illusory greens. broadmoor.com
Fazio Course | Wolcott
A pure Rockies environment. Terrain goes from a bluff to an upward slope in zig-zag fashion. redskygolfclub.com
Norman Course | Wolcott
Flow-of-play is dictated by the wild array of rock outcroppings, scrub oak and gulches. redskygolfclub.com
CONNECTICUT
Yale Golf Course | New Haven
Considered the best collegiate course in the U.S. with a notorious “penal” reputation. yale.edu
FLORIDA
The Players Stadium Course | Ponte Vedra Beach
The ultimate test for pros. Accuracy is required, and there is little shot choice. tpc.com
Black Course | Bowling Green
A tribute to Australia’s windblown Sand Belt region with large, clever greens. Be strategic. streamsongresort.com
Blue Course | Bowling Green
There’s several elevation changes, ponds, giant bunkers and lofty dunes. streamsongresort.com
Red Course | Bowling Green
A mix of dunes, rolling terrain and greens. Bring strategy and take Hail Marys. streamsongresort.com
Blue Monster Golf Course | Doral
A daunting challenge. It all leads up to one of the world’s most celebrated/feared 18th holes. trumpgolfdoral.com
The Quarry Course | Lecanto
In the back nine is the famed quarry area, where you’re perched on two plunging canyon rims. blackdiamondranch.com
Pine Barrens Course | Brooksville
Sprawling pine forest with unexpected elevation changes that’s taxing both physically and mentally. worldwoods.com
GEORGIA
The Golf Course at Great Waters | Eatonton
Bursting with vivid natural beauty. Starts amid Georgia pines, then Lake Oconee is a big factor. reynoldslakeoconee.com
The McLemore Club | Rising Fawn
Ascend Lookout Mountain to this championship highlands course. The climax is a spectacular cliff-edge 18th hole. themclemore.com
Seaside Course | St. Simons Island
Oceanside winds are constant amid the array of dunes, chipping swales and diminutive greens. seaisland.com
HAWAII
Mauna Kea Golf Course | Kohala Coast
There are seaside cliffs, wavy greens and significant winds, plus an epic over-the-ocean third hole. maunakeabeachhotel.com
Princeville Makai Golf Club | Kauai
Has tranquil lakes, native woodlands and mountainous coastline. The cliff-based seventh hole is spectacular. makaigolf.com
Manele Golf Course | Lanai City, Lanai
This championship course sits in Hawaii’s volcanic-island splendor. The Pacific actually functions as one hazard. fourseasons.com
The Plantation Course | Lahaina, Maui
Difficult with elite PGA Tour status. The West Maui Mountains create a particularly persnickety environment. kapaluamaui.com
ILLINOIS
No. 4 Course (Dubsdread) | Palos Park Mediocre golfers, beware! This championship course demands shot-making skill. coghillgolf.com
INDIANA
The PFAU Course | Bloomington
This championship course follows the forested topography, which will test your mettle. thepfaucourse.com
The Pete Dye Course | French Lick
Has wild terrain. Heed the elevation variations, man-made lakes and “volcano” bunkers. frenchlick.com
MARYLAND
Bulle Rock Golf Course | Havre de Grace
Overlooks the Chesapeake. Lengthy with exciting elevation changes. Warning: The fairways’ fescue will claim your ball. bullerockgc.com
MONTANA
Wilderness Club Golf Course | Eureka
Mountainside links accompanied by ponderosa pines and wildlife. Bunkers are a frequent adversary. wildernessclubmontana.com
MICHIGAN
Links/Quarry Course | Bay Harbor
In two parts: The Links is Scottish on shoreline bluffs, and The Quarry sports dramatic gorges. bayharborgolf.com
Forest Dunes Golf Course | Roscommon
A peaceful parkland course. Risk/reward is a major aspect of the design. forestdunesgolf.com
The Loop: Black & Red Courses | Roscommon
Alternates playing direction: counter- clockwise Red increases in difficulty while clockwise Black does just the opposite. forestdunesgolf.com
The Bluffs Course | Arcadia
A windy world-class links course on Lake Michigan. Mind and body get a workout here. arcadiabluffs.com
The South Course | Bear Lake
A paean to early course designs. The tagline is “Complexity Veiled by Simplicity.” arcadiabluffs.com
Greywalls Course | Marquette
A Lake Superior front with rugged magnificence. The intense features are links- like at times. golfgreywalls.com
MINNESOTA
The Classic at Madden’s Course | Brainerd
A tour player-caliber woodland course. It’s not exactly a breeze as nature adds shot- making challenges. maddens.com
The Quarry Course | Biwabik
An imaginative links-like design and demanding aerially. Color contrasts help the elevation. giantsridge.com
The Wilderness at Fortune Bay | Tower
Challenging championship course amid granite ridges. Favors good aerial players, and shot options are plentiful. golfthewilderness.com
MISSISSIPPI
Mossy Oak Golf Club | West Point
Serene Mississippi Black Prairie lands. Rolling contours and oak-tree stands add to challenging hole combos. mossyoakgolf.com
Old Waverly Golf Club | West Point Scottish Highlands to a tee. Wind and length constantly shift the strategy. oldwaverly.com
MISSOURI
Ozarks National Course | Ridgedale
The mountainous habitat is a big consideration. Designed to deliver low scores to the accurate. bigcedar.com
NEBRASKA
Wild Horse Golf Club | Gothenburg
Dominated by the distinctive Sand Hills. Golfers of all skill levels can enjoy the challenges. playwildhorse.com
Dunes Course | Valentine
The gigantic blowouts can be spotted from space. Ideal for the links lover who keeps the ball low. theprairieclub.com
Pines Course | Valentine
A beautiful parkland design with Snake River’s canyon and ponderosas obstructing the winds. theprairieclub.com
NEVADA
Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course | Stateline On the shores of Lake Tahoe, providing unique championship gameplay at one mile- plus in altitude. edgewoodtahoe.com
Cascata | Boulder City
Red Mountain supplies rocky vistas, and akin to Scottish dunes, each hole is hugged by canyon walls. cascatagolf.com
Wolf Creek Golf Club | Mesquite
A bucket list-class course. Canyon-influenced elevation changes can heighten scores. golfwolfcreek.com
NEW MEXICO
Paako Ridge Golf Club | Sandia Park
Difficulty is high as holes gambol up and down the east side of the Sandia Mountains. paakogolf.com
NEW YORK
Black Course | Farmingdale
Exemplifies penal and is spoken about in hushed tones—it has a warning sign about the difficulty. bethpagegolfcourse.com
NORTH CAROLINA
No. 2 Course | Pinehurst
These championship confines are not for the weak-skilled—green complexes are devilishly daunting. pinehurst.com
No. 4 Course | Pinehurst
Blends into the bumpy topography and ridgelines. Strategic choice is unconstrained. pinehurst.com
No. 8 Course | Pinehurst
A tranquil trail through rolling forests and wetlands that’s challenging but fun. pinehurst.com
Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club | Southern Pines
This not-too-difficult vintage jewel fits right in with nature, as intended. midpinesinn.com
Pine Needles Lodge | Southern Pines
A vintage feel in a pine-heavy environment, but lots of little details can trip you up. pineneedleslodge.com
Tobacco Road Golf Club | Sanford
The terrain in unmistakably British Isles—a truly uncompromising test. tobaccoroadgolf.com
OHIO
South Course | Akron
Pros are intimidated by this “monster” that wrecks scores with hazards, fiendish greens and length. clubcorp.com
The Virtues Golf Club | Nashport
This parkland treasure flows from ridge-top to valley with wide, rolling fairways and tidy greens. thevirtuesgolfclub.com
OKLAHOMA
Karsten Creek Golf Course | Stillwater
Fairways cut through forest, undulations are relentless, and Lake Louise is a constant presence. karstencreek.com
OREGON
Jack Nicklaus Signature Course | Bend
Firm, fast course among ridges and ancient lava rock outcroppings. pronghornresort.com
Tetherow Golf Course | Bend
Cascades-edged championship course in the Scottish links style without the shore. tetherow.com
Crosswater Course | Sunriver
The Deschutes’ waters weave through the heathland course, but their influence is adjustable. sunriverresort.com
Bandon Dunes Course | Bandon
Seated on a Pacific bluff with near-constant winds. Demands a strong mental game. bandondunesgolf.com
Bandon Trails Course | Bandon
A bucket-list course with sizable dunes, an expansive meadow and a coastal forest. bandondunesgolf.com
Sheep Ranch Course | Bandon
Right where land and sea meet on a bluff. Design elements compensate for the wind influence. bandondunesgolf.com
Old Macdonald Course | Bandon
An uber-classic Scottish design. Greens are large, and angles of play are option rich. bandondunesgolf.com
Pacific Dunes Course | Bandon
You will be tested in all aspects of the game. Lines blur between natural and artificial. bandondunesgolf.com
PENNSYLVANIA
Mystic Rock Course | Farmington
Atop the Allegheny’s Laurel Highlands, this championship beauty has stone and hazards. nemacolin.com
SOUTH CAROLINA
The Ocean Course | Kiawah Island
An icon with the U.S.’s most seaside holes. A major skill test due to unpredictable Atlantic winds. kiawahresort.com
Harbour Town Golf Links | Hilton Head Island
Pros love this course, despite the infamous 18th hole. Strategy is a must. seapines.com
May River Golf Course | Bluffton
Holes are accompanied by the May River, large oaks and inclines. Bring a strong putting game. palmettobluff.com
The Dunes Golf & Beach Club | Myrtle Beach
There are many trials, including one of the greatest holes: the boomerang-shaped “Waterloo.” thedunesclub.com
Caledonia Golf & Fish Club | Pawleys Island
A difficult one within stunning scenery; greens are guarded by bunkers and waste areas. caledoniagolfandfishclub.com
VIRGINIA
Spring Creek Golf Club | Zion Crossroads
Plenty of elegance plus an ingenious design suitable for pros. springcreekgolfclub.com
The Cascades Course | Hot Springs
Challenges are both physical and mental in these mountains; features can be uneven and counterintuitive. omnihotels.com
Highland Course at Primland | Meadows of Dan
Hewn from Blue Ridge rock. Has a compelling- but-accessible design. aubergeresorts.com
River Course | Williamsburg
A famed verdant and naturally bumpy championship course on the James River. kingsmill.com
The Gold Course | Williamsburg
Nestled in woodlands with unnerving rolling hills, valleys, varying fairways and water hazards. colonialwilliamsburghotels.com
WASHINGTON
Gamble Sands Golf Course | Brewster
A high desert true links course. Grasses are traditional, surfaces firm, fairways wide and greens vast. gamblesands.com
Chambers Bay | University Place
A championship course in the Scottish links tradition with lofty dunes and broad fairways. chambersbaygolf.com
WEST VIRGINIA
The Old White Course | White Sulphur Springs
100-plus-years-old and hallowed, featuring tributes to some of Scotland’s most famous holes. greenbrier.com
WISCONSIN
Mammoth Dunes Course | Nekoosa
Has majestic sandy hillsides. Sprawling fairways and accessible greens can be a big help. sandvalley.com
Sand Valley Golf Course | Nekoosa
Amid the area’s primeval dunes is plenty of strategy-related choice. sandvalley.com
SentryWorld Golf Course | Stevens Point
Parklands in a Wisconsin landscape. The versatile and those with strategic ingenuity will thrive. sentryworld.com
Links Course | Green Lake
The 1930 legacy can be seen in the savvy and risk-taking that is required, true to its “links” pedigree. lawsonia.com
Meadow Valleys Course | Kohler
A tableau of rolling meadows and cavernous ravines with devious pin locations and yawning bunkers. destinationkohler.com
River Course | Kohler
Face precision demands, water, gorges and rippling greens on these tournament-class links. destinationkohler.com
Irish Course | Haven
The panorama of streams, dunes and grasslands may look tranquil, but it is truly unforgiving. destinationkohler.com
Straits Course | Haven
A rugged, windy Irish-style course where the luck factor irks some pros. destinationkohler.com
Erin Hills Golf Course | Erin
Champion-class and routed around the looming glacier-carved terrain. erinhills.com
The Bull at Pinehurst Farms | Sheboygan
Falls Championship course heavy on risk/reward holes within a wet woodland environment. golfthebull.com
