Top 10 Golf Courses in America You Must Play in 2023

For passionate golfers, playing America’s greatest courses is the ultimate bucket list experience. While some of these prestigious venues are private, many are accessible to the public with advance planning. Here’s our countdown of the top 10 golf courses in America that deserve a spot on your must-play list.

10. Bandon Dunes (Pacific Dunes Course) - Bandon, Oregon

Situated on Oregon’s rugged coastline, Pacific Dunes at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort offers a true links experience reminiscent of golf’s Scottish origins. Designed by Tom Doak, this masterpiece features:

• Windswept dunes and native vegetation
• Minimal earth-moving during construction, preserving natural contours
• Spectacular ocean views from multiple holes
• Firm, fast-running fairways that demand strategic play

Pro Tip: The weather at Bandon can change rapidly, so pack layers and rain gear even in summer.

9. TPC Sawgrass (Players Stadium Course) - Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida

Home to THE PLAYERS Championship, TPC Sawgrass’s Stadium Course is renowned for its iconic island green 17th hole—perhaps the most famous par-3 in golf. Pete Dye’s design creates a challenging experience with:

• Water hazards on 17 of 18 holes
• The intimidating island green 17th
• Stadium-style mounding for excellent spectator viewing
• Immaculate year-round conditioning

Signature Hole: The par-3 17th, measuring just 137 yards but causing more anxiety than holes three times its length.

8. Whistling Straits (Straits Course) - Kohler, Wisconsin

Host of multiple PGA Championships and the 2021 Ryder Cup, this Pete Dye creation along Lake Michigan features:

• Over 1,000 bunkers scattered throughout the course
• Eight holes hugging the shoreline of Lake Michigan
• Fescue grasses and undulating terrain mimicking Irish links courses
• Spectacular elevation changes and panoramic views

Fun Fact: During the 2010 PGA Championship, Dustin Johnson famously grounded his club in what he thought was a waste area on the 18th hole, only to learn it was considered a bunker, resulting in a costly penalty.

7. Shadow Creek - Las Vegas, Nevada

Tom Fazio’s desert miracle transformed flat Nevada terrain into a lush oasis featuring:

• Over 21,000 transplanted trees creating a mature forest effect
• Dramatic elevation changes engineered from flat desert
• Crystal-clear lakes and streams throughout the property
• Exclusive access primarily through MGM resort properties

Access Tip: While technically public, Shadow Creek requires a stay at an MGM resort and commands one of the highest green fees in America.

6. Pinehurst No. 2 - Pinehurst, North Carolina

The centerpiece of American golf’s historic home, Pinehurst No. 2 represents Donald Ross’s masterpiece, recently restored to its original vision by Coore & Crenshaw. Features include:

• Iconic “inverted saucer” greens that repel misplaced approaches
• Natural sandy waste areas replacing conventional rough
• Native wiregrass and pine needle ground cover
• Historic clubhouse and surroundings steeped in golf tradition

Historical Significance: Pinehurst No. 2 is the only course to host both the Men’s and Women’s U.S. Open Championships in consecutive weeks (2014).

5. Oakmont Country Club - Oakmont, Pennsylvania

Considered among the most difficult championship tests in golf, Oakmont features:

• Lightning-fast greens with severe undulations
• The infamous “Church Pews” bunker between the 3rd and 4th holes
• Minimal tree coverage following extensive restoration
• A renowned history hosting more U.S. Opens than any course except Baltusrol

Difficulty Rating: Oakmont is often cited as the most challenging course in America, with even the world’s best players struggling to break par.

4. Pebble Beach Golf Links - Pebble Beach, California

Perhaps America’s most famous public course, Pebble Beach offers:

• Nine holes directly alongside the Pacific Ocean
• The dramatic par-3 7th, one of golf’s most photographed holes
• The challenging coastal stretch from holes 6 through 10
• A finishing hole curving dramatically along Stillwater Cove

Worth Noting: Despite green fees exceeding $575, Pebble Beach remains booked nearly year-round, with reservations available up to 18 months in advance.

3. Cypress Point Club - Pebble Beach, California

Alister MacKenzie’s private masterpiece features what many consider the most beautiful holes in golf:

• The legendary par-3 16th requiring a 230-yard carry over the Pacific Ocean
• Incredible diversity progressing from inland forest to dunes to oceanside
• Immaculate blending of golf holes with natural landscape
• Exclusive membership making it among the world’s most difficult tee times to secure

Architectural Note: The routing brilliantly transitions from forest to dunes to seaside, showcasing three distinct environments.

2. Pine Valley Golf Club - Pine Valley, New Jersey

Consistently ranked as the world’s greatest course, this George Crump design features:

• Each hole completely isolated from others by dense pine forest
• Challenging carries over sandy barrancas and waste areas
• The infamous “Devil’s Asshole” bunker on the par-3 10th
• A stern par-70 layout where every aspect of a golfer’s game is tested

Design Philosophy: Each hole at Pine Valley presents a distinct and self-contained challenge, with no weak holes in the routing.

1. Augusta National Golf Club - Augusta, Georgia

Home of The Masters Tournament, Augusta National represents the pinnacle of manicured perfection:

• Dramatic elevation changes often understated on television
• Amen Corner (holes 11-13), golf’s most famous stretch
• Azaleas, dogwoods, and perfectly maintained playing surfaces
• Rich traditions and the exclusive green jacket

The Augusta Experience: While membership is famously exclusive, attending The Masters in person remains one of golf’s greatest spectator experiences.

Planning Your Golf Pilgrimage

When trying to play these bucket-list courses:

1. Book well in advance - Pebble Beach and TPC Sawgrass accept reservations up to a year ahead
2. Consider shoulder seasons - Better availability and lower rates in off-peak times
3. Explore stay-and-play packages - Often the best value for resort courses
4. Network for private club access - Member connections or charity events can provide entry to exclusive clubs
5. Respect course policies - Dress codes, cell phone restrictions, and caddie requirements vary by venue

Whether you’re a scratch golfer or an enthusiastic high-handicapper, experiencing these American golf treasures provides memories that last a lifetime. Which ones have you played, and which top your personal bucket list? Let us know in the comments!