Best U.S. Golf Courses by State

Golfers salivate over the thought of playing the best golf courses. But that quest is a pipe dream for most people in the United States. That’s because the majority of America’s top courses are exclusive, available to only members and invited guests. In fact, 38 of the 50 tracks on our “best by state” list — compiled after consulting the nation’s most noted golf course reviewers — are private.

A who’s who of golf course architects designed these courses, which showcase the best Mother Nature has to offer. Names like C.B. MacDonald, Alistair Mackenzie, Donald Ross, A.W. Tillinghast and Perry Maxwell represent golf’s Golden Age. Modern-day artists include Tom Fazio (who designed seven courses on this list, the most by far), Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye, Robert Trent Jones Sr., Tom Doak and others.

Almost every era in American golf makes an appearance, with 16 of the tracks opening during the Golden Age (1800s-1930), 15 debuting from 1981-2000, and 13 built since 2001. But surprisingly, none of the courses were established from 1941 to 1960.

Did your favorite course make the cut?

Location: Birmingham, Alabama

Established: 1977

Jack Nicklaus was given an ideal canvas — 1,550 densely wooded acres located between Oak and Double Oak Mountains in the southern foothills of the Appalachians — to build this gem.

The course has been the site of numerous major championships, most recently the 2018 U.S. Women’s Open.

Related: Top 10 Public Golf Courses You Need to Play at Least Once

Location: Anchorage, Alaska

Established: 1987

Opened from May to October, this Bill Newcomb-designed course twists and turns across heaving ground and is set on the lower hillside of the City of Lights and Flowers.

The Chugach Mountains loom over the path, and holes sport views of the Anchorage city skyline, Cook Inlet, and Denali (the tallest mountain in North America), making for a spectacular backdrop.