Tag: 2024 Golfweek’s Best

The best public-access and private golf courses in Georgia, ranked

Our hundreds of raters weigh in on the best public-access and private courses in Georgia.

Looking to play the best golf courses in Georgia? Welcome to our annual Golfweek’s Best ranking of public-access and private courses.

Following are the rankings for both types of courses, as judged by our nationwide network of raters. The hundreds of members of our course-ratings panel continually evaluate courses and rate them 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 all our Golfweek’s Best course rankings.

The courses on the first 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 – no membership required.

KEY: (m) modern, built in 1960 or after; (c) classic, built before 1960. For courses with a number preceding the (m) or (c), that is where the course ranks on Golfweek’s Best lists for top 200 modern and classic courses in the U.S.

* indicates new or returning to the rankings

Best public-access courses in Georgia

McLemore’s Highlands Course in Georgia (Courtesy of McLemore/Dave Sansom)

1. Sea Island (Seaside)
St. Simons Island (T71m)

2. Reynolds Lake Oconee (Great Waters)
Greensboro (m)

3. McLemore (Highlands)
Rising Fawn (m)

T4. Kinderlou Forest
Valdosta (m)

T4. Reynolds Lake Oconee (Oconee)
Greensboro (m)

6. Sea Island (Plantation)
St. Simons Island (c)

T7. Harbor Club
Greensboro (m)
Book your tee time at Harbor Club today

T7. Bear’s Best Atlanta
Suwanee (m)
Book your tee time at Bear’s Best Atlanta today

9. Reynolds Lake Oconee (The Preserve)
Greensboro (m)

10. King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort*
St. Simons Island (m)
Book your tee time at King and Prince today

11. Achasta
Dahlonega (m)

T12. University of Georgia GC
Athens (m)
Book your tee time at UGA GC today

T12. Reynolds Lake Oconee (National)
Greensboro (m)

14. Cobblestone*
Acworth (m)

Book your tee time at Cobblestone today

15. Barnsley Resort (The Fazio)
Adairsville (m)

Best private courses in Georgia

Ohoopee Match Club in Georgia (Courtesy of Ohoopee Match Club)

1. Augusta National
Augusta (3c)

2. Ohoopee Match Club
Cobbtown (5m)

3. Peachtree
Atlanta (19c)

4. Augusta CC
Augusta (T81c)

5. East Lake
Atlanta (94c)

6. Ocean Forest
Sea Island (T100m)

7. Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee
Eatonton (T114m)

8. Atlanta Athletic Club (Highlands)
Johns Creek (T129m)

9. Cherokee Town & CC (North)
Dunwoody (T125c)

10. Frederica
St. Simons Island (T154m)

11. Atlanta CC
Marietta (T161m)

12. The Farm
Rocky Face (m)

13. Lookout Mountain Club
Lookout Mountain (T142c)

14. Ford Field & River Club
Richmond Hill (T178m)

15. Cherokee Town (South)*
Dunwoody (m)

The best public-access and private golf courses in New Jersey, ranked

Our hundreds of raters weigh in on the best public-access and private courses in New Jersey.

Looking to play the best golf courses in New Jersey? Welcome to our annual Golfweek’s Best ranking of public-access and private courses.

Following are the rankings for both types of courses, as judged by our nationwide network of raters. The hundreds of members of our course-ratings panel continually evaluate courses and rate them 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 all our Golfweek’s Best course rankings.

The courses on the first 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 – no membership required.

KEY: (m) modern, built in 1960 or after; (c) classic, built before 1960. For courses with a number preceding the (m) or (c), that is where the course ranks on Golfweek’s Best lists for top 200 modern and classic courses in the U.S.

* indicates new or returning to the rankings

Best public-access courses in New Jersey

Neshanic Valley New Jersey
Neshanic Valley in New Jersey (Courtesy of Neshanic Valley)

1. Crystal Springs Resort (Ballyowen)
Hamburg (m)
Book your tee time at Ballyowen today

2. Neshanic Valley
Neshanic Station (m)
Book your tee time at Neshanic Valley today

3. Seaview (Bay)
Galloway (c)

4. Rock Spring
West Orange (c)

5. Twisted Dune
Egg Harbor Township (m)

6. Knoll (West)
Boonton (c)

7. Shore Gate
Ocean View (m)

8. Crystal Springs Resort (Wild Turkey)
Hamburg (m)
Book your tee time at Wild Turkey today

9. Architects
Lopatcong (m)

10. Crystal Springs Resort (Crystal Springs)
Hamburg (m)
Book your tee time at Crystal Springs today

11. Seaview (Pines)
Absecon (c)

12. Scotland Run
Williamstown (m)

13. Ballamor
Egg Harbor Township (m)

T14. RiverWinds
West Deptford (m)

T14. Heron Glen
Ringoes (m)
Book your tee time at Heron Glen today

Best private courses in New Jersey

Baltusrol’s Lower Course in New Jersey (Courtesy of Baltusrol/Evan Schiller)

1. Pine Valley GC
Pine Valley (2c)

2. Somerset Hills
Bernardsville (21c)

3. Plainfield
Edison (T31c)

4. Baltusrol (Lower)
Springfield (T34c)

5. Hollywood GC
Deal (T49c)

6. Ridgewood (Championship)
Paramus (T57c)

7. Baltusrol (Upper)
Springfield (T60c)

8. Galloway National
Galloway Township (56m)

9. Bayonne GC
Bayonne (T67m)

10. Mountain Ridge
West Caldwell (T104c)

11. Essex County CC
West Orange (T111c)

12. Hidden Creek
Egg Harbor Township (T118m)

13. Ridge at Back Brook
Ringoes (T134m)

14. Trump National (Old)
Bedminster (T154m)

15. Due Process Stable*
Colt’s Neck (m)

The best public-access and private golf courses in Missouri, ranked

Our hundreds of raters weigh in on the best public-access and private courses in Missouri.

Looking to play the best golf courses in Missouri? Welcome to our annual Golfweek’s Best ranking of public-access and private courses.

Following are the rankings for both types of courses, as judged by our nationwide network of raters. The hundreds of members of our course-ratings panel continually evaluate courses and rate them 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 all our Golfweek’s Best course rankings.

The courses on the first 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 – no membership required.

KEY: (m) modern, built in 1960 or after; (c) classic, built before 1960. For courses with a number preceding the (m) or (c), that is where the course ranks on Golfweek’s Best lists for top 200 modern and classic courses in the U.S.

* indicates new or returning to the rankings

Best public-access courses in Missouri

Payne's Valley - Payne's Valley Cup
Payne’s Valley at Big Cedar Lodge in Missouri (Courtesy of Big Cedar Lodge)

1. Big Cedar Lodge (Ozarks National)
Hollister (T167m)

2. Big Cedar Lodge (Buffalo Ridge)
Hollister (m)

3. Big Cedar Lodge (Payne’s Valley)
Hollister (m)

4. Branson Hills
Branson (m)
Book your tee time at Branson Hills today

5. Old Kinderhook
Camdenton (m)
Book your tee time at Old Kinderhook today

6. Swope Memorial
Kansas City (c)

7. Ledgestone
Branson (m)

8. Stone Canyon
Blue Springs (m)

9. Missouri Bluffs
St. Charles (m)

10. Rivercut
Springfield (m)

Best private courses in Missouri

St. LOUIS, MO - MAY 15: A view of hole eight at Bellerive Country Club, home of the 2018 PGA Championship on May 15, 2017 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Gary Kellner/PGA of America via Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
Bellerive Country Club in Missouri (Gary Kellner/PGA of America via Getty Images)

1. St. Louis CC
St. Louis (53c)

2. Bellerive
Creve Coeur (T107m)

3. Old Warson
Ladue (c)

4. Dalhousie
Cape Girardeau (m)

5. Norwood Hills (West)
St. Louis (c)

The best public-access and private golf courses in Hawaii, ranked

Our hundreds of raters weigh in on the best public-access and private courses in Hawaii.

Looking to play the best golf courses in Hawaii? Welcome to our annual Golfweek’s Best ranking of public-access and private courses.

Following are the rankings for both types of courses, as judged by our nationwide network of raters. The hundreds of members of our course-ratings panel continually evaluate courses and rate them 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 all our Golfweek’s Best course rankings.

The courses on the first 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 – no membership required.

KEY: (m) modern, built in 1960 or after; (c) classic, built before 1960. For courses with a number preceding the (m) or (c), that is where the course ranks on Golfweek’s Best lists for top 200 modern and classic courses in the U.S.

* indicates new or returning to the rankings

Best public-access courses in Hawaii

Princeville Makai in Hawaii (Courtesy of Princeville Makai)

1. Four Seasons Resort Lanai (Manele)
Lanai (35m)

2. Kapalua (Plantation)
Maui (T40m)
Book your tee time at Kapalua today

3. Mauna Kea Resort
Kohala Coast (T176m)
Book your tee time at Manua Kea today

4. Princeville (Makai)
Princeville (T184m)
Book your tee time at the Makai today

5. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
Kailua-Kona (m)

6. Mauna Lani (North)
Waimea (m)
Book your tee time at Mauna Lani today

7. Wailea (Gold)
Maui (m)

8. Ocean Course at Hokuala
Lihue (m)
Book your tee time at Hokuala today

T9. Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa (Poipu Bay)
Koloa (m)
Book your tee time at Poipu Bay today

T9. Wailea (Emerald)
Maui (m)

11. Turtle Bay Resort (Arnold Palmer)
Kahuku (m)
Book your tee time at Turtle Bay today

12. Mauna Lani (South)
Waimea (m)
Book your tee time at Mauna Lani today

13. Kapolei Golf Club
Kapolei (m)
Book your tee time at Kapolei today

14. Wailua Municipal
Kauai (m)

15. Ko Olina Golf Club
Kapolei (m)
Book your tee time at Ko Olina today

Best private courses in Hawaii

King Kamehameha in Hawaii (Courtesy of King Kamehameha)

1. Nanea
Kona (m)

2. Kohanaiki
Kailua-Kona (m)

3. Kukui’ula
Koloa (T173m)

4. Hokulia
Kailua-Kona (m)

5. King Kamehameha
Maui (m)

The best public-access and private golf courses in Texas, ranked

Our hundreds of raters weigh in on the best public-access and private courses in Texas.

Looking to play the best golf courses in Texas? Welcome to our annual Golfweek’s Best ranking of public-access and private courses.

Following are the rankings for both types of courses, as judged by our nationwide network of raters. The hundreds of members of our course-ratings panel continually evaluate courses and rate them 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 all our Golfweek’s Best course rankings.

The courses on the first 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 – no membership required.

KEY: (m) modern, built in 1960 or after; (c) classic, built before 1960. For courses with a number preceding the (m) or (c), that is where the course ranks on Golfweek’s Best lists for top 200 modern and classic courses in the U.S.

* indicates new or returning to the rankings

Best public-access courses in Texas

Black Jack’s Crossing at Lajitas in Texas (Courtesy of Lajitas)

1. Lajitas Golf Resort (Black Jack’s Crossing)
Lajitas (T143m)

2. Omni PGA Frisco Resort (Fields Ranch East)*
Frisco (T187m)

3. Omni PGA Frisco Resort (Fields Ranch West)*
Frisco (m)

4. Omni Barton Creek (Fazio Canyons)
Austin (m)

5. The Rawls Course at Texas Tech
Lubbock (m)
Book your tee time at The Rawls Course today

6. TPC San Antonio (Oaks)
San Antonio (m)
Book your tee time at TPC San Antonio today

7. Memorial Park
Houston (c)
Book your tee time at Memorial Park today

8. Pine Dunes Resort & GC
Frankston (m)
Book your tee time at Pine Dunes today

9. Omni Barton Creek (Fazio Foothills)
Austin (m)

10. TPC San Antonio (Canyons)
San Antonio (m)
Book your tee time at TPC San Antonio today

11. GC of Houston (Tournament)
Humble (m)
Book your tee time at GC of Houston today

12. TPC Four Seasons Las Colinas
Irving (m)

13. Cowboys
Grapevine (m)
Book your tee time at Cowboys today

14. Omni Barton Creek (Crenshaw Coore Cliffside)
Austin (m)

15. La Cantera Resort & Spa
San Antonio (m)
Book your tee time at La Cantera today

16. The Tribute
The Colony (m)

17. Old American
The Colony (m)

18. Horseshoe Bay CC (Slick Rock)
Horseshoe Bay (m)
Book your tee time at Horshoe Bay today

19. Texas Rangers Golf Club
Arlington (m)

20. Wolfdancer
Lost Pines (m)
Book your tee time at Wolfdancer today

Best private courses in Texas

Whispering Pines in Texas (Tim Schmitt/Golfweek)

1. Whispering Pines
Trinity (T30m)

2. Dallas National
Dallas (39m)

3. Wolf Point GC & Ranch*
Port Lavaca (m)

4. Bluejack National
Montgomery (T75m)

5. Brook Hollow
Dallas (c)

6. Austin GC
Spicewood (T97m)

T7. Colonial
Fort Worth (T108c)

T7. Boot Ranch
Fredericksburg (T107m)

9. Spanish Oaks
Bee Cave (T122m)

10. Austin CC
Austin (T138m)

11. Escondido
Horseshoe Bay (T147m)

12. Trinity Forest
Dallas (166m)

13. Club at Carlton Woods (Fazio Championship)
The Woodlands (T181m)

14. Driftwood Golf and Ranch Club*
Driftwood (m)

15. Oak Hills CC
San Antonio (168c)

The best public-access and private golf courses in Utah, ranked

Our hundreds of raters weigh in on the best public-access and private courses in Utah.

Looking to play the best golf courses in Utah? Welcome to our annual Golfweek’s Best ranking of public-access and private courses.

Following are the rankings for both types of courses, as judged by our nationwide network of raters. The hundreds of members of our course-ratings panel continually evaluate courses and rate them 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 all our Golfweek’s Best course rankings.

The courses on the first 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 – no membership required.

KEY: (m) modern, built in 1960 or after; (c) classic, built before 1960. For courses with a number preceding the (m) or (c), that is where the course ranks on Golfweek’s Best lists for top 200 modern and classic courses in the U.S.

* indicates new or returning to the rankings

Best public-access courses in Utah

Sand Hollow’s Championship Course in Utah (Courtesy of Sand Hollow)

1. Black Desert Resort*
Ivins (81m)

2. Sand Hollow (Championship)
Hurricane (T154m)
Book your tee time at Sand Hollow today

3. Hideout
Monticello (m)
Book your tee time at Hideout today

4. Soldier Hollow (Gold)
Midway (m)
Book your tee time at Soldier Hollow Gold today

5. Copper Rock*
Hurricane (m)
Book your tee time at Copper Rock today

6. Soldier Hollow (Silver)
Midway (m)
Book your tee time at Soldier Hollow Silver today

7. Sunbrook (Pointe/Woodbridge)
St. George (m)

8. Thanksgiving Point
Lehi (m)
Book your tee time at Thanksgiving Point today

9. Green Spring
Washington (m)

T10. Coral Canyon
Washington (m)
Book your tee time at Coral Canyon today

T10. The Ledges of St. George
St. George (m)

Best private courses in Utah

Entrada at Snow Canyon
Entrada at Snow Canyon in Utah (Courtesy of Troon)

1. Victory Ranch
Kamas (m)

2. Glenwild
Park City (m)

3. Promontory (Painted Valley)
Park City (m)

4. The Country Club
Salt Lake City (c)

5. Entrada at Snow Canyon*
St. George (m)

The best public-access and private golf courses in Alabama, ranked

Our hundreds of raters weigh in on the best public-access and private courses in Alabama.

Looking to play the best golf courses in Alabama? Welcome to our annual Golfweek’s Best ranking of public-access and private courses.

Following are the rankings for both types of courses, as judged by our nationwide network of raters. The hundreds of members of our course-ratings panel continually evaluate courses and rate them 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 all our Golfweek’s Best course rankings.

The courses on the first 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 – no membership required.

KEY: (m) modern, built in 1960 or after; (c) classic, built before 1960. For courses with a number preceding the (m) or (c), that is where the course ranks on Golfweek’s Best lists for top 200 modern and classic courses in the U.S.

* indicates new or returning to the rankings

Best public-access courses in Alabama

Ross Bridge Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail
Ross Bridge, part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Alabama (Courtesy of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail/Michael Clemmer)

1. Pursell Farms (FarmLinks)
Sylacauga (m)

2. Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Capitol Hill (Judge)
Prattville (m)
Book your round at RTJ Capitol Hill

3. Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Grand National (Lake)
Opelika (m)
Book your round at RTJ Grand National

4. Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Ross Bridge
Hoover (m)
Book your round at RTJ Ross Bridge

5. Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Capitol Hill (Legislator)
Prattville (m)
Book your round at RTJ Capitol Hill today

6. Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Cambrian Ridge (Sherling/Canyon)
Greenville (m)

7. Ol’ Colony
Tuscalosa (m)

8. Kiva Dunes
Gulf Shores (m)

9. Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Magnolia Grove (Falls)
Mobile (m)

10. Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Grand National (Links)
Opelika (m)
Book your round at RTJ Grand National today

Best private courses in Alabama

Shoal Creek during the 2018 U.S. Women’s Open (Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports)

1. Shoal Creek
Birmingham (T77m)

2. CC of Birmingham (West)
Birmingham (T108c)

3. The Ledges
Huntsville (m)

4. Old Overton
Birmingham (m)

5. CC of Mobile
Mobile (c)

The best public-access and private golf courses in Michigan, ranked

Our hundreds of raters weigh in on the best public-access and private courses in Michigan.

Looking to play the best golf courses in Michigan? Welcome to our annual Golfweek’s Best ranking of public-access and private courses.

Following are the rankings for both types of courses, as judged by our nationwide network of raters. The hundreds of members of our course-ratings panel continually evaluate courses and rate them 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 all our Golfweek’s Best course rankings.

The courses on the first 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 – no membership required.

KEY: (m) modern, built in 1960 or after; (c) classic, built before 1960. For courses with a number preceding the (m) or (c), that is where the course ranks on Golfweek’s Best lists for top 200 modern and classic courses in the U.S.

* indicates new or returning to the rankings

Best public-access courses in Michigan

The Loop at Forest Dunes in Michigan (Courtesy of Forest Dunes/Evan Schiller)

1. Arcadia Bluffs (Bluffs)
Arcadia (T77m)

2. Marquette GC (Greywalls)
Marquette (T107m)

3. Forest Dunes (The Loop Red & Black)
Roscommon (T134m)

4. Forest Dunes (Weiskopf)
Roscommon (T196m)

5. Arcadia Bluffs (South)
Arcadia (m)

6. Belvedere
Charlevoix (T178c)

7. Boyne’s Bay Harbor (Links/Quarry)
Bay Harbor (m)

8. Eagle Eye
Bath (m)

T9. Island Resort and Casino (Sweetgrass)
Harris (m)

T9. Gull Lake View Resort (Stoatin Brae)
Augusta (m)

11. Pilgrim’s Run
Pierson (m)

T12. Sage Run
Bark River (m)

T12. Harbor Shores
Benton Harbor (m)

14. American Dunes
Grand Haven (m)

15. University of Michigan GC
Ann Arbor (c)

16. Boyne Highlands (Arthur Hills)
Harbor Springs (m)

T17. Tullymore Golf Resort (Tullymore)*
Stanwood (m)

T17. Hidden River Golf & Casting Club
Brutus (m)

19. Diamond Springs
Hamilton (m)

20. Pine Mountain Resort (Timber Stone)
Iron Mountain (m)

Best private courses in Michigan

Kingsley Club in Michigan (Courtesy of Kingsley Club/Laurence Lambrecht)

1. Crystal Downs
Frankfort (T13)

2. Oakland Hills (South)
Bloomfield Hills (22c)

3. Kingsley Club
Kingsley (T30m)

4. Dunes Club
New Buffalo (52m)

5. Franklin Hills
Franklin (80c)

6. Meadowbrook
Northville (T125)

T7. Lost Dunes
Bridgman (142m)

T7. Indianwood (Old)
Lake Orion (130c)

9. Orchard Lake CC
Orchard Lake (T144c)

10. Barton Hills
Ann Arbor (T149c)

11. Wuskowhan Player’s Club
West Olive (m)

12. Bloomfield Hills CC
Bloomfield Hills (c)

13. CC of Detroit
Grosse Pointe Farms (c)

14. Point O’Woods
Benton Harbor (c)

15. True North
Harbor Springs (m)

The best public-access and private golf courses in Wisconsin, ranked

Our hundreds of raters weigh in on the best public-access and private courses in Wisconsin.

Looking to play the best golf courses in Wisconsin? Welcome to our annual Golfweek’s Best ranking of public-access and private courses.

Following are the rankings for both types of courses, as judged by our nationwide network of raters. The hundreds of members of our course-ratings panel continually evaluate courses and rate them 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 all our Golfweek’s Best course rankings.

The courses on the first 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 – no membership required.

KEY: (m) modern, built in 1960 or after; (c) classic, built before 1960. For courses with a number preceding the (m) or (c), that is where the course ranks on Golfweek’s Best lists for top 200 modern and classic courses in the U.S.

* indicates new or returning to the rankings

Best public-access courses in Wisconsin

Lido Sand Valley
The Lido at Sand Valley in Wisconsin (Courtesy of Sand Valley/Brandon Carter)

1. Kohler Whistling Straits (Straits)
Mosel (T8m)

2. Sand Valley (Lido)*
Nekoosa (32m)

3. Sand Valley (Mammoth Dunes)
Nekoosa (36m)

4. Sand Valley (Sand Valley)
Nekoosa (T37m)

5. Lawsonia (Links)
Green Lake (T66c)

6. Erin Hills
Erin (T60m)

7. Kohler Blackwolf Run (River)
Kohler (T143m)

8. Kohler Whistling Straits (Irish)
Mosel (m)

9. SentryWorld
Stevens Point (m)

10. Troy Burne
Hudson (m)

11. University Ridge
Madison (m)

12. Kohler Blackwolf Run (Meadow Valleys)
Kohler (m)

13. The Bull at Pinehurst Farms
Sheboygan Falls (m)

14. Wilderness Resort (Wild Rock)
Wisconsin Dells (m)

15. Club at Lac La Belle*
Oconomowoc (m)

Best private courses in Wisconsin

1. Milwaukee CC
Milwaukee (54)

2. Blue Mound
Wauwatosa (T114)

3. Green Bay CC*
Green Bay (m)

4. Pine Hills
Sheboygan (T186c)

5. Oneida
Green Bay (c)

The best public-access and private golf courses in California, ranked

Our hundreds of raters weigh in on the best public-access and private courses in California.

Looking to play the best golf courses in California? Welcome to our annual Golfweek’s Best ranking of public-access and private courses.

Following are the rankings for both types of courses, as judged by our nationwide network of raters. The hundreds of members of our course-ratings panel continually evaluate courses and rate them 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 all our Golfweek’s Best course rankings.

The courses on the first 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 – no membership required.

KEY: (m) modern, built in 1960 or after; (c) classic, built before 1960. For courses with a number preceding the (m) or (c), that is where the course ranks on Golfweek’s Best lists for top 200 modern and classic courses in the U.S.

* indicates new or returning to the rankings

Best public-access courses in California

Rustic Canyon Tommy Naccarato IMG_2922
Rustic Canyon in California (Courtesy of Rustic Canyon/Tommy Naccarato)

1. Pebble Beach Resorts (Pebble Beach Golf Links)
Pebble Beach (10c)
Book your tee time at Pebble Beach today

2. Pasatiempo
Santa Cruz (36c)
Book your tee time at Pasatiempo today

3. Pebble Beach Resorts (Spyglass Hill)
Pebble Beach (T24m)
Book your tee time at Spyglass Hill today

4. Torrey Pines (South)
San Diego (T116c)
Book your tee time at Torrey Pines today

5. Rustic Canyon
Moorpark (T147m)

6. Yocha Dehe at Cache Creek Casino
Brooks (m)

T7. Pebble Beach Resorts (Links at Spanish Bay)
Pebble Beach (m)
Book your tee time at Spanish Bay today

T7. CordeValle
San Martin (m)

T7. Rams Hill
Borrego Springs (m)

10. PGA West (Stadium)
La Quinta (m)
Book your tee time at PGA West today

11. Torrey Pines (North)
San Diego (m)
Book your tee time at Torrey Pines today

12. Poppy Hills
Pebble Beach (m)
Book your tee time at Poppy Hills today

13. Pelican Hill (Ocean South)
Newport Coast (m)

14. Pelican Hill (Ocean North)
Newport Coast (m)

15. Bayonet
Seaside (c)
Book your tee time at Bayonet today

16. Quail Lodge and Golf Club
Carmel (m)

17. Classic Club
Palm Desert (m)
Book your tee time at Classic Club today

18. Trump National Los Angeles
Rancho Palos Verdes (m)

19. PGA West (Nicklaus)
La Quinta (m)
Book your tee time at PGA West today

T20. TPC Harding Park
San Francisco (c)

T20. Maderas*
Poway (m)

22. Fairmont Grand Del Mar (The Grand)
San Diego (m)

T23. Fantasy Springs (Eagle Falls)
Indio (m)

T23. Soule Park
Ojai (m)

25. Oak Quarry
Riverside (m)

26. Desert Willow (Firecliff)
Palm Desert (m)

27. Park Hyatt Aviara*
Carlsbad (m)
Book your round at Park Hyatt Aviara today

28. La Purisma*
Lompoc (m)

29. Shadow Ridge*
Palm Desert (m)

30. Silverado Resort & Spa (North)*
Napa Valley (c)

Best private courses in California

Lake Merced
Lake Merced Golf Club in California (Jason Lusk/Golfweek)

1. Cypress Point
Pebble Beach (1c)

2. Los Angeles CC (North)
Los Angeles (11c)

3. San Francisco GC
San Francisco (16c)

4. Riviera CC
Pacific Palisades (17c)

5. California GC
South San Francisco (T27c)

6. Monterey Peninsula (Shore)
Pebble Beach (T19m)

7. Valley Club of Montecito
Santa Barbara (38c)

8. Olympic Club (Lake)
San Francisco (T43c)

9. Monterey Peninsula (Dunes)
Pebble Beach (T49c)

10. Bel-Air
Los Angeles (T57c)

11. Martis Camp
Truckee (43m)

12. Meadow Club
Fairfax (T71c)

13. The Quarry at La Quinta
La Quinta (m)

14. Mayacama
Santa Rosa (T92m)

15. Lahontan
Truckee (m)

16. The Tradition

 La Quinta (105m)

17. Santa Lucia Preserve
Carmel (T111m)

18. Lake Merced*
Daly City (119c)

19. Wilshire
Los Angeles (T120c)

T20. Stone Eagle
Palm Desert (T147m)

T20. The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe*
Rancho Santa Fe (m)