A list of 15 of the best public golf courses in the United States

Which are the best public golf courses in the United States? America boasts approximately 17,000 private and public golf courses with unique requirements for golfers. Keep reading to discover 15 of the best public golf clubs.

The primary difference between private and public golf courses is that private entities require membership to join. Public golf clubs are open to the public and enthusiasts and are further broken down into municipal and daily-fee courses. So, which are the best public golf courses in America?

Best public golf courses in the US

If you are a golf lover living in or visiting America, there are numerous options to enjoy the sport across the continent. You might wonder, ''Which state has the most public golf courses?'' Michigan leads in the number of public golf clubs, but Florida has the most courses overall. Here are the top 15 best public golf courses in the US:

1. Pebble Beach Golf Links

Pebble Beach prides itself as the best public golf course in the US in 2023. The ocean-lined course is located in Monterrey Peninsula, California, and has hosted notable events, including six US Opens, four future US Women's Opens, and five US Amateurs. The golf club started in 1919 and has several accolades to its name:

2. Bandon Dunes

Bandon Dunes is located in Bandon, Oregon and is among the nicest public golf courses in the US. The extensive facility has a sum of six courses, including a 3-par. One is the Pacific Dunes, which has one of the best layouts. The Bandon Dunes hosted the US Amateur 2020. The other courses within the facility are:

3. Bethpage State Park - Black Course

Bethpage State Park is also on the list of the 15 best public golf courses in the US. The venue is one of the best golfing facilities in Eastern America. Despite Bethpage being a challenging course, it hosted the U.S. Open Championship in 2002 and 2009. Additionally, the site will host the Ryder Cup in 2025.

4. Chambers Bay

Chambers Bay is located in University Place, Washington, and came to the limelight in 2015 after hosting the US Open. The site has existed since 2007 and has one of the best layouts, bordering the Olympic Mountains. Chambers Bay was the first course in Northwest America to welcome the Men’s US Open Championship in 2015.

5. Erin Hills

The Erin Hills public golf course ranks among the best public golf courses in America. The site is located in Hartford, Wisconsin. The course was not originally designed to host a US Open. However, demand for hosting grew, and the club ran trials in 2008 and 2011.

Eventually, Erin Hills hosted the 2017 US Open, the first-ever Wisconsin-held event. In addition, the course will host the US Women's Open in 2025.

6. Kapalua Plantation Course

Hawaii boasts much more than exquisite holiday destinations. It is also home to Kapalua Plantation Course, the number 1 on the island, boasting breathtaking ocean views. The Maui-based venue hosts the Sentry Tournament of Championships annually. Kapalua rests on old pineapple fields and is irrigated by the same system used to water the fruits about 100 years ago.

7. The Ocean Course

One of the coolest public golf courses in the US is The Ocean Course, located in Kiawah Island, North Carolina. The venue is rated as the best golf course in South Carolina. The venue was the first one designed for a specific event, the 1991 Ryder Cup.

The site hosted the PGA Championship in 2012 and 2021. The golfing venue stretches almost three miles of the ocean coast and has one of the toughest layouts in the country.

8. Whistling Straits

Whistling Straits was originally an air base stretching about two miles along Lake Michigan to this incredible golfing course in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. The course has hosted massive events, including the 2004, 2010, and 2015 PGA Championships and the Ryder Cup in 2021. The site was established in 1998, and golfers can enjoy the Straits and Irish courses.

9. Pinehurst - No. 2 Course

Pinehurst was originally established by Donald Ross and opened in 1907 before Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw re-designed it in 2010. In 2014, the site hosted the 2014 Men and Women US Opens over two consecutive weeks. The venue bagged Golf Digest's Green Star environmental award for its water reduction efforts.

The North Carolina site is one of the best public golf courses in America by state. Nine courses lie within it, including ''The Cradle.'' Pinehurst Number 2 will host the 2024 US Open.

10. Shadow Creek

Shadow Creek started as a private entity, winning Golf Digest's Best New Private Course in 1990. The site was designed by Tom Fazio and is located in Nevada, Las Vegas. The course came into the spotlight in 2018 when Tiger Woods battled Phil Mickelson in The Match.

Shadow Creek is a partner of the MGM (Metro Goldwyn Mayer) Resorts Entertainment Destination, and players are not allowed to use their means to get to the venue. The unique course is rich with scenic views, including waterfalls and birds.

11. TPC Sawgrass

TPC Sawgrass is also rated among the US best public golf courses owned by the PGA Tour Players. The site is in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, and was established in 1980 by Deane Beman and Pete Dye. TPC hosts the unofficial Fifth Major annually with The Players Championship. The US Amateur in 1994 also took place there.

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12. Spyglass Hill

Spyglass Hill is part of the Pebble Beach Resort and has been described as the greatest meeting of sand and trees. The venue has incredible ocean views and rests alongside the Del Monte Forest. Spyglass has never hosted a major golf event.

However, Spyglass co-hosts the annual AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and has hosted two US Amateur Championships (1999 and 2018). In 2017, the site was listed among the Top 100 Courses You Can Play.

13. Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club

The Bluffs, as this golfing site is popularly known, is located in Arcadia, Michigan. Resting on the Lake Michigan seaside, the scenic venue is one of the premier golf destinations in America. The course features unspoiled, artfully crafted holes that are a must-experience for every golfer.

The South Course is also part of the Arcadia Bluffs. The objective of this course was to design a site with a collection of serene elements that create a unique veil of simplicity over the complex challenges of the golfing terrain.

14. Mammoth Dunes

This venue is part of the Sand Valley Golf Resort in Nekoosa, Wisconsin, created by David McLay Kidd. The layout consists of massive amounts of sand, making the golfing experience enjoyable for every golfer. Sand Valley was named Golf Digest's Best New Golf Course of 2017, while Mammoth Dunes bagged the Best New Course of 2018 courtesy of the Golf Magazine.

15. Pasatiempo Golf Course

Pasatiempo Golf Club is located in Santa Cruz, California, and was designed by the legendary architect Alister Mckenzie. This venue has hosted the Western Intercollegiate for over 65 years, welcoming players like Bobby Jones and Tiger Woods.

What is the number one public golf course in the United States? Selecting one among the listed public courses might be a challenge. The above clubs are unique in their features and what they offer golfers. If you are a golf lover, plan to visit any of these courses for a golfing experience and a thrilling nature experience.

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