America is home to more than 16,000 golf courses — more than any other country on earth. From the windswept links of the Pacific Northwest to the sun-baked desert layouts of Arizona, from the championship venues that have hosted generations of major tournaments to hidden public gems that cost less than a nice dinner, the variety and quality of golf in the United States is unmatched anywhere in the world.
This is your guide to finding and playing the best of them. We cover the top golf destinations by state, the different styles of courses you’ll encounter across the country’s diverse landscapes, and practical advice for planning golf trips that maximize your time on great courses.
America’s Top Golf Destinations
Florida: The Golf Capital of the United States
With over 1,250 courses and year-round playing conditions, Florida has more golf per square mile than anywhere else in the country. The state anchors the “Golf Coast” — a stretch from Naples through Sarasota to Tampa that’s dense with world-class layouts. Streamsong Resort in central Florida offers three award-winning courses (Red, Blue, and Black) designed by some of the best architects working today, all built on a former phosphate mine that creates dramatic, linksy terrain unlike anything else in the state.
TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach is home to the famous island-green 17th hole and THE PLAYERS Championship, while Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach is widely considered one of the finest private courses in the world. For accessible public golf, the Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course), World Golf Village, and Streamsong offer outstanding experiences without requiring a membership or a connection.
Arizona and the Desert Southwest
Scottsdale and Phoenix form the epicenter of desert golf — a style unlike anything else in the sport. Courses weave through saguaro cacti, red rock formations, and dramatic elevation changes. The contrasts are stunning: emerald fairways against the burnt orange desert floor, mountain backdrops behind every green.
We-Ko-Pa Golf Club’s Saguaro and Cholla courses, built on land belonging to the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, are frequently ranked among the best public courses in America. Troon North (Monument and Pinnacle courses) defined the desert golf aesthetic. And the newest addition, Tiger Woods’ Trout National, is set to open this spring and is already generating enormous buzz.
The Carolinas: Championship Tradition
The Carolinas have a golf pedigree that rivals anywhere in the world. Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina is the spiritual home of American golf, with nine courses anchored by Pinehurst No. 2 — the Donald Ross masterpiece that hosted the U.S. Open in both 2014 and 2024. The Sandhills region surrounding Pinehurst is packed with courses: Tobacco Road, Pine Needles, and Mid Pines are all must-plays.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, markets itself as the “Golf Capital of the World” and backs it up with over 80 courses in a single metro area — more courses per capita than anywhere else. Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, True Blue, and Tidewater are consistently rated among the best public courses in the South. Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course, site of the 2012 and 2021 PGA Championships, is one of the most dramatic seaside layouts in the country.
Pacific Northwest: Bandon Dunes and Beyond
Bandon Dunes Golf Resort on the southern Oregon coast is, for many golfers, the single greatest golf destination in America. Five courses built on towering ocean bluffs, designed by architects including Tom Doak, Bill Coore, and Ben Crenshaw, playing through natural duneland with the Pacific Ocean as a constant backdrop. It’s the closest thing to links golf that exists in the United States, and every serious golfer should play it at least once.
Beyond Bandon, the Pacific Northwest offers Chambers Bay near Seattle (the 2015 U.S. Open venue), Wine Valley Golf Club in Walla Walla, Washington, and Pronghorn Resort in Bend, Oregon. The region’s temperate summers and stunning landscapes make it an underrated golf destination. For more on what makes links-style courses special, see our deep dive into golf course architecture.
California: Diversity in Every Sense
California’s golf ranges from the iconic to the affordable, from Pebble Beach — arguably the most famous public course in the world — to outstanding municipal courses in San Diego, Los Angeles, and the San Francisco Bay Area. The Monterey Peninsula alone has Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill, and the Links at Spanish Bay, all playable by the public.
The desert courses around Palm Springs (PGA West, Indian Wells, La Quinta) offer winter golf in reliable sunshine. Torrey Pines in San Diego hosts the Farmers Insurance Open annually and sits on spectacular coastal cliffs. And Northern California’s hidden gems — Pasatiempo in Santa Cruz, Half Moon Bay, and Harding Park in San Francisco — rival anything on the coast.
Styles of American Golf Courses
Understanding the different course styles helps you know what to expect and how to adjust your game when you travel.
Links-Style Courses
True links courses are built on sandy, coastal land with few trees, firm and fast playing conditions, deep pot bunkers, and exposure to ocean wind. Bandon Dunes, Whistling Straits, and Streamsong are the best American examples. The game here is played along the ground — bump-and-run shots, low punch shots under the wind, and creative problem-solving that pure target golf doesn’t require. For strategy on links-style courses, check out our guide to course management.
Parkland Courses
The classic American course style — tree-lined fairways, lush green conditions, well-defined holes. Augusta National is the ultimate example. Parkland courses reward accurate tee shots and high, soft approach shots that can hold the green. Most inland courses in the eastern United States, Midwest, and Southeast are parkland layouts.
Desert Courses
Desert golf demands target accuracy — fairways are islands of green surrounded by native desert, and missing the short grass usually means a lost ball or an unplayable lie. The trade-off is stunning scenery and the purest test of shot-making in golf. Dry air means the ball flies further (sometimes a full club more), so recalibrate your distances.
Mountain and Resort Courses
High-altitude courses in Colorado, Utah, Montana, and the mountain West play dramatically differently thanks to thin air — the ball can carry 10-15% further at elevation. Mountain courses often feature severe elevation changes, blind shots over ridgelines, and spectacular views that make it hard to concentrate on your swing.
Planning a Golf Trip
A well-planned golf trip can be the highlight of your year. Here’s how to make the most of it.
Timing matters. Shoulder season (spring and fall) offers the best combination of good weather, lower prices, and course availability at most destinations. Arizona and Florida are best October through April. Pacific Northwest courses peak June through September. Myrtle Beach and the Carolinas are ideal in April-May and September-October.
Book early for bucket-list courses. Pebble Beach, Bandon Dunes, Pinehurst No. 2, and Streamsong can book out months in advance, especially on weekends. Midweek tee times are easier to get and often cheaper.
Mix marquee courses with local gems. Don’t play four championship courses in four days — you’ll be exhausted and won’t appreciate any of them. Alternate between a big-name layout and a relaxed local course. The hidden gem days are often the most enjoyable.
Factor in rest. Walking 18 holes on a championship course is roughly 5-6 miles with significant elevation change. Playing 36 holes a day sounds great in theory but often leads to diminishing returns by the afternoon round. Plan for one round per day with an occasional 36-hole day if the group has the stamina.
Making the Most of Any Course
Great golf isn’t only found at expensive destination courses. Some of the most enjoyable rounds you’ll ever play will be on a $40 municipal course with a friend on a Tuesday afternoon. The key is bringing the right mindset: play from the right tees for your ability, read the greens carefully, think your way around the course using smart course strategy, and appreciate the privilege of spending a few hours outdoors chasing a small white ball.
Whether you’re making a pilgrimage to Bandon Dunes, teeing it up at your local muni, or exploring the 26 new courses opening in 2026, American golf has never offered more variety, accessibility, or quality than it does right now. Get out there and play.
Before you hit the course, make sure your swing is dialed in — our golf shot troubleshooting guide can help you fix any persistent misses.
Explore Our Regional Golf Course Guides
Dive deeper into the best golf in each region with our detailed state and regional guides:
- Best Golf Courses in Florida: 12 Must-Play Layouts
- Best Golf Courses in Arizona: 10 Desert Gems Worth Playing
- Best Golf Courses in the Carolinas: Pinehurst, Kiawah, and Beyond
- Best Golf Courses in California: From Pebble Beach to the Desert
- Best Golf Courses in Texas: Hill Country, DFW, and the Gulf Coast
- Best Golf Courses in the Pacific Northwest: Bandon Dunes, Chambers Bay, and More
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best public golf courses in America?
Some of the most acclaimed public-access courses include Pebble Beach Golf Links (California), Pinehurst No. 2 (North Carolina), Bandon Dunes (Oregon), TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course (Florida), Bethpage Black (New York), and Streamsong (Florida). Each state has excellent public options at various price points — you don’t need a private membership to play world-class golf.
What is the best state for a golf trip?
Florida, Arizona, and the Carolinas consistently rank as the top golf trip destinations. Florida offers year-round play with hundreds of courses. Arizona’s desert layouts are stunning in winter. The Carolinas combine beach courses with mountain golf. California and Oregon also offer exceptional options, particularly along the coast.
How much does it cost to play the best golf courses?
Green fees at top public courses range from $50-$100 for excellent municipal courses up to $300-$600 for bucket-list destinations like Pebble Beach. The sweet spot for quality is $75-$150, where you’ll find beautifully maintained courses with challenging designs. Twilight rates, weekday play, and off-season visits can reduce costs significantly.
