If you look at any list of the world’s best courses by any publication, North America will always have the most mentions. There are so many excellent courses on the continent that they are hard to keep track of. Apart from the Pebble Beach and Augusta National, you’ll come across championship courses everywhere from Las Vegas to Ohio. New courses, designed by the best in the game, are popping up everywhere and are constantly redefining the game of golf.
- Pine Valley, New Jersey Ranked number one in the world by Golf Magazine several years in a row, Pine Valley is a masterpiece in difficulty. George Crump designed the course with high scores in mind. Everyone walks away talking. One course you should not miss.
- Pebble Beach, California Pebble Beach is best known through its countless televised tournaments and its annual stop on the PGA tour. The public course is pricey, but it’s one of those places you just have to experience in person.
- Augusta National, Georgia Augusta, the home of the Masters Tournament, is one of the most exclusive golf clubs in the world and is limited to just a few hundred members.
- Cypress Point, California A stone’s throw from Pebble Beach and host of numerous tournaments. The dramatic coastal scenery matched by Alister MacKenzie’s superb design make this one of the world’s greats.
- Oakmont, Pennsylvania Oakmont is considered one of, if not the, toughest course in the United States. Hundreds of bunkers, a thick rough, and steep greens.
- Palm Springs, California
- Muirfield Village, Ohio Home of the Memorial Tournament, Muirfield Village was designed by Jack Nicklaus and considered his home course giving it the nickname “the house that Jack built.” One of the most respected courses on the PGA and attracts a star studded group of pros every year.
- Princeville, Hawaii Kauai’s Princeville course is regarded as one of the toughest in North America and Robert Trent Jones, Jr.’s masterpiece.
- Pacific Dunes, Oregon This Tom Doak designed course near Bandon, Oregon is considered a rival to Pebble Beach the best public access course in the United States. Two greens on Hole 9 make for an interesting game.
- Banff Springs Golf Course, Calgary The original 18 holes of this legendary course in the Canadian Rockies were designed in 1928 by Canadian great Stanley Thompson, but another nine holes were added a few decades ago. Spectacular scenery and a fine layout make this one of the top courses in Canada.