If you're a golfer looking for breathtaking landscape as well as a challenge, Golf Digest has compiled a a lineup of golf courses you may want to add to your bucket list.
Golf Digest ranked the top golf courses based on criteria such as aesthetics, memorability and ambience. Landscaping was one of the components in the ranking, as well as the overall atmosphere of the course and club.
Shot values, resistance to scoring, conditioning and course design factored into the scoring, as well as the level of challenge it provided golfers. Each hole was scored in terms of length, accuracy and design.
These are the top 10 golf courses, in ascending order, according to Golf Digest’s panelists:
10. Winged Foot G.C. (West)
Mamaroneck, N.Y.
7,258 Yards, Par 72
The course has notable green contours that add to the memorability and challenge, according to Golf Digest. One panelist described the back nine as “one of the most complete nine holes in golf.” Winged Foot will host the 2020 U.S. Open.
9. Sand Hills G.C.
Mullen, Neb.
7,089 Yards, Par 71
Discovered and designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, this course was molded by dirt, sand and wind in central Nebraska, according to Golf Digest. Panelists noted its desolate feel and rolling fairways added to its ambience and memorability.
8. National Golf Links
Southampton, N.Y.
6,957 Yards, Par 72
This course is studied by course architects because of the traditional old British features incorporated by architect C.B. Macdonald. In 2013, National hosted the Walker Cup, in which the U.S. won 17-9 over Great Britain and Ireland.
7. Pebble Beach Golf Links
Pebble Beach, Calif.
6,828 yards, Par 72
Pebble Beach has both aesthetics and challenge, with nine holes sitting above the Pacific surf, according to Golf Digest. The course hosted the AT&T Pro-Am in 2018 earlier this month. It will host its sixth U.S. Open in 2019.
6. Merion, G.C. (East)
Ardmore, Pa.
6,592 Yards, Par 70
Merion hosted the U.S. Open in 2013. One panelist described the course as “pure golf.”
5. Oakmont C.C.
Oakmont, Pa.
7,254 Yards, Par 71
Oakmont, which has hosted the most U.S. Opens, hosted the open in 2016 and will do so again in 2025. Pro golfer Jordan Spieth called this course “the hardest test in all of golf.”
4. Shinnecock Hills G.C.
Southampton, N.Y.
7,450 yards, Par 70
Shinnecock is considered to be the oldest course in America and has not architecturally changed since the 1930s, according to Golf Digest. Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw made changes to the course in 2012 in preparation for the 2018 U.S. Open. The course will host the 2026 U.S. Open.
3. Cypress Point Club
Pebble Beach, Calif.
6,524 yards, Par 72
Cypress, sand dunes and rugged coastline makes this course score high on aesthetics and ambience, according to Golf Digest. One panelist said “the experience of walking these fairways left me with a feeling I've never had leaving a golf course.”
2. Augusta National G.C.
Augusta, Ga.
7,435 yards, Par 72
Since 1934 (except during WWII), Augusta national has been synonymous with the Masters Tournament. One panelist said, ““Even if the Masters wasn’t played here every year, you’d still have one of the most memorable layouts with unrivaled topography and aesthetics.”
1. Pine Valley G.C.
Pine Valley, N.J.
7,101 yards, Par 70
Located in southwest New Jersey, Pine Valley is a course that combines both challenge and aesthetics. An amateur tournament, the Crump Cup, is named after course founder George Crump. A panelist described it this way: “The ultimate test incorporated into the perfect setting.”
To read the entire ranking report click here.
