Highlands Links at Cape Breton

Ingonish Beach, Nova Scotia

Rankings

Public United States

The best public golf courses the Golf Course Gurus have played in America.

Top 10 Courses

  1. Pebble Beach Golf Links (Jack Neville and Douglas Grant 1919; Pebble Beach, California)*
  2. Pacific Dunes (Tom Doak 2001; Bandon, Oregon)*
  3. Chambers Bay Golf Club (Robert Trent Jones Jr. 2007; University Place, Washington)*
  4. Prairie Club (Dunes), The (Tom Lehman and Chris Brands 2010; Valentine, Nebraska)*
  5. Bandon Dunes (David McLay Kidd 1999; Bandon, Oregon)*
  6. Bethpage State Park (Black) (A.W. Tillinghast 1936; Farmingdale, New York)*
  7. Landmand Golf Club (Rob Collins and Tad King 2022; Homer, Nebraska)*
  8. Kiawah Island Resort (Ocean) (Pete Dye 1991; Johns Island, South Carolina)*
  9. Sheep Ranch (Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw 2020; Bandon, Oregon)*
  10. Arcadia Bluffs (Bluffs) (Warren Henderson and Rick Smith 2000; Arcadia, Michigan)*
Pebble Beach Golf Links

Courses 11–20

  1. Whistling Straits (Straits) (Pete Dye 1998; Sheboygan, Wisconsin)*
  2. Tobacco Road Golf Club (Mike Strantz 1998; Sanford, North Carolina)*
  3. Manele Golf Course (Jack Nicklaus 1993; Lanai, Hawaii)*
  4. Kapalua Plantation (Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore 1991; Lahaina, Hawaii)*
  5. Erin Hills Golf Course (Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry, and Ron Whitten 2006; Hartford, Wisconsin)*
  6. Lawsonia, The Golf Courses of (Links) (William Langford and Theodore Moreau 1930 (Ron Forse restoration 2014); Green Lake, Wisconsin)*
  7. Old Macdonald (Tom Doak and Jim Urbina 2010; Bandon, Oregon)*
  8. Bandon Trails (Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore 2005; Bandon, Oregon)*
  9. Mauna Kea Resort (Robert Trent Jones Sr. 1965; Kohala Coast, Hawaii)*
  10. Mammoth Dunes (David McLay Kidd 2018; Nekoosa, Wisconsin)*
Whistling Straits (Straits)

Courses 21–30

  1. Streamsong Resort (Black) (Gil Hanse 2017; Bowling Green, Florida)*
  2. Streamsong Resort (Red) (Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw 2012; Streamsong, Florida)*
  3. Sand Valley (Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw 2017; Nekoosa, Wisconsin)*
  4. Paa-Ko Ridge Golf Club (Ken Dye 2000 (Holes 19-27 2005); Sandia Park, New Mexico)*
  5. Shadow Creek Golf Club (Tom Fazio 1989; North Las Vegas, Nevada)*
  6. TPC Sawgrass (Stadium Players) (Pete Dye 1980; Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida)*
  7. Sea Island Golf Club (Seaside) (H.S. Colt and Charles Alison 1928/Tom Fazio 1999; St. Simons Island, Georgia)*
  8. Pasatiempo Golf Club (Alister MacKenzie 1929; Santa Cruz, California)*
  9. Pinehurst Resort No.2 (Donald Ross 1907 and Ben Crenshaw/Bill Coore 2011; Pinehurst, North Carolina)*
  10. Makai Golf Club (Robert Trent Jones Jr. 1971, remodeled 2010; Princeville, Hawaii)*
Streamsong Resort (Black)

Courses 31–40

  1. Black Desert Resort (Tom Weiskopf 2023; Ivins, Utah)*
  2. Mossy Oak Golf Club (Gil Hanse 2016; West Point, Mississippi)*
  3. Primland Resort, The Highland Course at (Donald Steel 2006; Meadows of Dan, Virginia)*
  4. Virtues Golf Club, The (Arthur Hills 1999; Nashport, Ohio)*
  5. Edgewood Tahoe (George Fazio 1968; Lake Tahoe, Nevada)*
  6. Streamsong Resort (Blue) (Tom Doak 2012; Streamsong, Florida)*
  7. Giants Ridge (The Quarry) (Jeffrey Bauer 2003; Biwabik, Minnesota)*
  8. Bay Harbor Golf Club (Links/Quarry) (Arthur Hills 1998; Bay Harbor, Michigan)*
  9. Tot Hill Farm Golf (Mike Strantz 2000; Asheboro, North Carolina)*
  10. Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Capitol Hill (Judge) (Robert Trent Jones Sr. 2000; Prattville, Alabama)*
Black Desert Resort

Courses 41–50

  1. Spyglass Hill Golf Course (Robert Trent Jones Sr. 1966; Pebble Beach, California)*
  2. Sand Hollow Resort (John Fought 2008; Hurricane, Utah)*
  3. Pronghorn Golf Club (Nicklaus) (Jack Nicklaus 2004; Bend, Oregon)*
  4. Wilderness Club (Nick Faldo 2009; Eureka, Montana)*
  5. Paynes Valley Golf Course (Tiger Woods 2020; Hollister, Missouri)*
  6. Wolf Creek Golf Club (Dennis and John Rider 2000; Mesquite, Nevada)*
  7. Hokuala, The Ocean Course at (Jack Nicklaus 1998 with renovations 2011 and 2016; Lihue, Hawaii)*
  8. Poipu Bay Golf Club (Robert Trent Jones Jr. 1991; Kauai, Hawaii)*
  9. Wine Valley Golf Club (Dan Hixson 2009; Walla Walla, Washington)*
  10. Caledonia Golf & Fish Club (Mike Strantz 1994; Pawleys Island, South Carolina)*
Spyglass Hill Golf Course

Courses 51–60

  1. Tidewater Golf Club (Ken Tomlinson 1990; North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina)*
  2. True Blue Golf Club (Mike Strantz 1998; Pawleys Island, South Carolina)*
  3. World Woods (Pine Barrens) (Tom Fazio 1993; Brooksville, Florida)*
  4. Gamble Sands (David McLay Kidd 2014; Brewster, Washington)*
  5. Blackwolf Run (River) (Pete Dye 1998; Kohler, Wisconsin)*
  6. Hualalai Golf Club (Nicklaus) (Jack Nicklaus 1996; Kailua-Kona, Hawaii)*
  7. Pinehurst Resort No.4 (Donald Ross 1919 - Remodel by Tom Fazio 2000 - Renovation by Gil Hanse 2018; Pinehurst, North Carolina)*
  8. Salish Cliffs Golf Club (Gene Bates 2011; Shelton, Washington)*
  9. Circling Raven Golf Club (Gene Bates 2003; Worley, Idaho)*
  10. Silvies Valley Ranch (Hankins) (Dan Hixson 2017; Seneca, Oregon)*
Tidewater Golf Club

Courses 61–70

  1. Silvies Valley Ranch (Craddock) (Dan Hixson 2017; Seneca, Oregon)*
  2. Whiskey Creek Golf Club (J. Michael Poellot and Ernie Els 2011; Ijamsville, Maryland)*
  3. TPC Deere Run (D.A. Weibring 2000; Silvis, Illinois)*
  4. Whistling Straits (Irish) (Pete Dye 2000; Sheboygan, Wisconsin)*
  5. Cascades Golf Course at Omni Homestead Resort (William Flynn 1923; Hot Springs, Virginia)*
  6. Belvedere Golf Club (Willie Watson 1927; Charlevoix, Michigan)*
  7. Dunes Golf and Beach Club (Robert Trent Jones Sr. 1948, with remodels 1978 and 1993; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina)*
  8. Karsten Creek Golf Club (Tom Fazio 1994; Stillwater, Oklahoma)*
  9. Rams Hill Golf Club (Tom Fazio 2007; Borrego Springs, California)*
  10. Shepherd's Rock at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort (Pete Dye 2017; Farmington, Pennsylvania)*
Silvies Valley Ranch (Craddock)

Courses 71–80

  1. Mystic Rock at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort (Pete Dye 1995; Farmington, Pennsylvania)*
  2. Links at Spanish Bay, The (Robert Trent Jones Jr., Tom Watson, and Sandy Tatum 1987; Pebble Beach, California)*
  3. Bulle Rock (Pete Dye 1998; Havre de Grace, Maryland)*
  4. Ironbridge Golf Club (Arthur Hills 2003; Glenwood Springs, Colorado)*
  5. Lakota Links (Jim Engh 2004; New Castle, Colorado)*
  6. Redlands Mesa, The Golf Club at (Jim Engh 2001; Grand Junction, Colorado)*
  7. Ozarks National Golf Course (Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw 2019; Hollister, Missouri)*
  8. Buffalo Ridge Springs Course (Tom Fazio 2000; Hollister, Missouri)*
  9. Fallen Oak Golf Club (Tom Fazio 2006; Saucier, Mississippi)*
  10. We-Ko-Pa (Cholla) (Scott Miller 2001; Fort McDowell, Arizona)*
Mystic Rock at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

Courses 81–90

  1. We-Ko-Pa (Saguaro) (Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw 2006; Fort McDowell, Arizona)*
  2. Barefoot Resort & Golf (Love) (Davis Love III 2000; North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina)*
  3. Greenbrier, The (Old White TPC) (Charles Blair Macdonald 1914; White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia)*
  4. Wailea Resort (Gold) (Robert Trent Jones Jr. 1994; Kihei, Hawaii)*
  5. Wailea Resort (Emerald) (Robert Trent Jones Jr. 1994; Kihei, Hawaii)*
  6. Cog Hill Golf and Country Club (Dubsdread) (Dick Wilson 1964 and Rees Jones renovation 2008; Lemont, Illinois)*
  7. Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Cambrian Ridge (Canyon/Sherling) (Robert Trent Jones Sr. 1993; Greenville, Alabama)*
  8. Wilderness at Fortune Bay, The (Jeffrey Bauer 2004; Tower, Minnesota)*
  9. Innisbrook Golf Club (Copperhead) (Larry Packard 1970; Palm Harbor, Florida)*
  10. Robert Trent Jones Trail at Grand National (Links) (Robert Trent Jones Jr. 1992; Opelika, Alabama)*
We-Ko-Pa (Saguaro)

Courses 91–100

  1. Red Sky Golf Club (Norman) (Greg Norman 2003; Wolcott, Colorado)*
  2. Bull at Pinehurst Farms, The (Jack Nicklaus 2003; Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin)*
  3. Creek at Qualchan, The (William Robinson 1992; Spokane, Washington)*
  4. Dunes at Maui Lani, The (RobNelson 1999; Kahului, Hawaii)*
  5. Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club (Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley 2002; Maricopa, Arizona)*
  6. Mauna Lani Resort (South) (RobNelson 1981; Kohala Coast, Hawaii)*
  7. Laughlin Ranch Golf Club (David Druzisky 2005; Bullhead City, Arizona)*
  8. Troon North (Pinnacle) (Tom Weiskopf 1996; Scottsdale, Arizona)*
  9. Hammock Beach Resort (Ocean) (Jack Nicklaus 2000; Palm Coast, Florida)*
  10. Pinehurst Resort No.8 (Tom Fazio 1996; Pinehurst, North Carolina)*
Red Sky Golf Club (Norman)

Courses 101–110

  1. Kapalua Bay (Arnold Palmer and Francis Duane 1975; Lahaina, Hawaii)*
  2. Pumpkin Ridge (Ghost Creek) (Robert (Bob) Cupp 1992; North Plains, Oregon)*
  3. Old Works Golf Course (Jack Nicklaus 1997; Anaconda, Montana)*
  4. Half Moon Bay (Ocean) (Arthur Hills 1997; Half Moon Bay, California)*
  5. Crosswater (Bob Cupp 1995; Sunriver, Oregon)*
  6. Idaho Club, The (Jack Nicklaus 2008; Sandpoint, Idaho)*
  7. Gold Mountain (Olympic) (John Harbottle 1996; Bremerton, Washington)*
  8. French Lick Resort (Dye) (Pete Dye 2009; French Lick, Indiana)*
  9. Bandon Crossings (Dan Hixson 2007; Bandon, Oregon)*
  10. Pinehurst Resort No.9 (Jack Nicklaus 1989; Pinehurst, North Carolina)*
Kapalua Bay

Courses 111–120

  1. TPC Myrtle Beach (Tom Fazio 1999; Murrells Inlet, South Carolina)*
  2. Harbour Town Golf Links (Pete Dye 1969; Hilton Head Island, South Carolina)*
  3. Torrey Pines Golf Course (North) (William F. Bell 1957; La Jolla, California)*
  4. Torrey Pines Golf Course (South) (William F. Bell 1957; La Jolla, California)*
  5. Palouse Ridge Golf Club (John Harbottle 2008; Pullman, Washington)*
  6. Rio Secco Golf Club (Rees Jones 1997; Henderson, Nevada)*
  7. Old Corkscrew Golf Club (Jack Nicklaus 2007; Estero, Florida)*
  8. Gallery Golf Club (South), The (John Fought 2003; Marana, Arizona)*
  9. Aviara at Four Seasons Resort (Arnold Palmer 1991; Carlsbad, California)*
  10. Black Horse Golf Club (EdwCarnes 1964; Gene Bates renovation 2008; Seaside, California)*
TPC Myrtle Beach

Courses 121–130

  1. Atunyote Golf Club at Turning Stone (Tom Fazio 2004; Vernon, New York)*
  2. TPC Scottsdale (Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish 1986; Scottsdale, Arizona)*
  3. PGA West (Stadium) (Pete Dye 1986; La Quinta, California)*
  4. University of New Mexico Championship Course (Robert 'Red' Lawrence 1967; Albuquerque, New Mexico)*
  5. Teton Pines Resort (Arnold Palmer 1987; Wilson, Wyoming)*
  6. TPC Four Seasons Las Colinas (Jay Morrish 1983 and D.A. Weibring/Steve Wolford 2009; Irving, Texas)*
  7. Twin Warriors Golf Club (Gary Panks 2001; Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico)*
  8. Prairie Club (Pines), The (Graham Marsh 2010; Valentine, Nebraska)*
  9. CordeValle Golf Club (Robert Trent Jones Jr. 1999; San Martin, California)*
  10. Rock Hollow Golf Course (Tim Liddy 1994; Peru, Indiana)*
Atunyote Golf Club at Turning Stone

Courses 131–140

  1. Black Mesa Golf Club (Baxter Spann 2003; Espanola, New Mexico)*
  2. Hawktree Golf Club (Jim Engh 1999; Bismarck, North Dakota)*
  3. Boulders (South), The (Jay Morrish 1983; Carefree, Arizona)*
  4. Barton Creek Resort (Fazio Canyons) (Tom Fazio 1999; Austin, Texas)*
  5. Memorial Park Golf Course (John Bredemus 1936; Tom Doak renovation 2019; Houston, Texas)*
  6. Red Sky Golf Club (Fazio) (Tom Fazio 2002; Wolcott, Colorado)*
  7. Wild Horse Golf Club (Dave Axland and Dan Proctor 1999; Gothenburg, Nebraska)*
  8. Mid Pines Golf Club (Donald Ross 1921 (Kyle Franz restoration 2013); Southern Pines, North Carolina)*
  9. Pine Needles Golf Course (Donald Ross 1928 (Kyle Franz restoration 2017); Southern Pines, North Carolina)*
  10. Forest Dunes Golf Club (Weiskopf) (Tom Weiskopf 2002; Roscommon, Michigan)*
Black Mesa Golf Club

Courses 141–150

  1. Reflection Bay Golf Club (Jack Nicklaus 1998; Henderson, Nevada)*
  2. SentryWorld (Robert Trent Jones Jr. 1982 (remodeled by RTJ Jr./Bruce Charlton/Jay Blasi 2013); Stevens Point, Wisconsin)*
  3. Loop, The (Red) (Tom Doak 2016; Roscommon, Michigan)*
  4. Loop, The (Black) (Tom Doak 2016; Roscommon, Michigan)*
  5. Golden Horseshoe Golf Club (Gold) (Robert Trent Jones Sr. 1963 (Rees Jones renovation 1998); Williamsburg, Virginia)*
  6. Broadmoor Resort (East) (Donald Ross 1918 (holes 1-6 and 16-18) and Robert Trent Jones Sr. 1952 (holes 7-15); Colorado Springs, Colorado)*
  7. Indian Wells Resort (Players) (John Fought 2007; Indian Wells, California)*
  8. Grand Del Mar, The (Tom Fazio 1999; San Diego, California)*
  9. Coeur d'Alene Resort (Scott Miller 1991; Coeur d'Alene, Idaho)*
  10. Old Waverly Golf Club (Jerry Pate and Bob Cupp 1988; West Point, Mississippi)*
Reflection Bay Golf Club

Courses 151–160

  1. SunRidge Canyon Golf Club (Keith Foster 1995; Fountain Hills, Arizona)*
  2. Wente Vineyards, The Course at (Greg Norman 2000; Livermore, California)*
  3. Troon North (Monument) (Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish 1990 (Monument) and Tom Weiskopf 1996 (Pinnacle); Tom Weiskopf rerouting 2007; Scottsdale, Arizona)*
  4. Poppy Hills Golf Course (Robert Trent Jones Jr. 1986; Pebble Beach, California)*
  5. Spring Creek Golf Club (Ed Carton 2006; Zion Crossroads, Virginia)*
  6. Bear Mountain Resort (Don Barth and Robert Yount 2005; Chelan, Washington)*
  7. Falcon Crest Golf Club (Hans Borbonus 2001; Kuna, Idaho)*
  8. Desert Canyon Golf Resort (Jack Frei 1993; Orondo, Washington)*
  9. PGA West (Mountain) (Pete Dye 1980; La Quinta, California)*
  10. Cape Fear National (Tim Cate 2010; Leland, North Carolina)*
SunRidge Canyon Golf Club

Courses 161–170

  1. Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles (Originally designed by Pete Dye 1999 as Ocean Trails then remodeled by Donald Trump and Jim Fazio and reopened 2006; Rancho Palos Verdes, California)*
  2. Puakea Golf Course (RobNelson (10 holes 1997, rest of the holes 2003); Lihue, Hawaii)*
  3. Thanksgiving Point Golf Club (Johnny Miller 1997; Lehi, Utah)*
  4. Valley View Golf Course (William Hull 1974; Layton, Utah)*
  5. Kona Country Club (William P. Bell 1966; Kailua-Kona, Hawaii)*
  6. Sun Valley Resort (Trail Creek) (William P. Bell 1937 and then redesigned by Robert Trent Jones Jr. 1980; Sun Valley, Idaho)*
  7. Cascata Golf Course (Rees Jones 2000; Boulder City, Nevada)*
  8. Eagle Pointe Golf Club (Rick Forester 1999; Mont Belvieu, Texas)*
  9. Maddens Resort (The Classic) (Scott Hoffman 1996; Brainerd, Minnesota)*
  10. Indian Canyon (H. Chandler Egan 1935; Spokane, Washington)*
Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles

Courses 171–178

  1. Tetherow Golf Club (David McLay Kidd 2008; Bend, Oregon)*
  2. Coyote Springs Golf Club (Jack Nicklaus 2008; Coyote Springs, Nevada)*
  3. Quintero Golf and Country Club (Rees Jones 2000; Peoria, Arizona)*
  4. Legends Resort (Heathland) (Tom Doak 1990; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina)*
  5. Deacons Lodge (Arnold Palmer 1999; Breezy Point, Minnesota)*
  6. Brickyard Crossing Golf Course (Pete Dye 1993; Indianapolis, Indiana)*
  7. Tullymore Golf Course (Jim Engh 2002; Stanwood, Michigan)*
  8. Potomac Shores Golf Club (Jack Nicklaus 2014; Dumfries, Virginia)*
Tetherow Golf Club

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