Golf enthusiasts around the world appreciate the allure of prestigious golf courses that offer not only challenging gameplay but also rich history and stunning landscapes.
In this article, we delve into some of the most renowned golf clubs and courses in the United States, each with its unique characteristics and legacies that attract both players and fans. From legendary championship venues to exclusive private clubs, these courses are a testament to the enduring passion for the sport.
20. Winged Foot Golf Club
Winged Foot Golf Club, located in Mamaroneck, New York, is renowned for its two 18-hole courses, the West and East, both designed by A. W. Tillinghast. The West Course has hosted six U.S. Opens and a PGA Championship, while the East Course has hosted two U.S. Women’s Opens and a U.S. Senior Open. The club was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2024.
19. Augusta National Golf Club
Augusta National Golf Club, founded in 1932 by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts, is one of the most prestigious golf clubs in the US. Known for hosting the Masters, it features a challenging course designed by Jones and Alister MacKenzie, with wide fairways and fast greens. Membership is exclusive, with only 300 members, and is by invitation only, with a rumored initiation fee of $40,000 and annual dues of a few thousand dollars.
18. Pine Valley Golf Club
Pine Valley Golf Club in New Jersey is consistently ranked as the number one golf course in America. Designed by George Arthur Crump and Harry Colt, it features 18 holes across 623 acres of rolling, sandy landscape. The course has been ranked number one by Golf Digest 31 times, including in 2023.
17. Cypress Point Club
Cypress Point Club, located in Pebble Beach, California, is one of the most exclusive golf clubs in the world. Designed by Alister MacKenzie and Robert Hunter, it opened in 1928. The 18-hole course is renowned for its dramatic holes along the Pacific Ocean, particularly the signature 16th hole, a 230-yard tee shot over the ocean to a mid-sized green.
16. Oak Hill Country Club
Oak Hill Country Club, located in Pittsford, New York, is renowned for its East Course, designed by Donald Ross. The club has hosted multiple major championships, including four PGA Championships and three U.S. Opens. Recently restored by Andrew Green in 2019, the East Course is ranked 22nd in Golf Digest’s list of America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses.
15. Oakmont Country Club
Oakmont Country Club, established in 1903, is renowned for its challenging layout and historic significance. Designed by Henry Fownes, it features 175 bunkers, large undulating greens, and a USGA course rating of 77.7. Hosting the U.S. Open a record nine times, it is set to host its tenth in 2025.
14. Seminole Golf Club
Seminole Golf Club, located in Juno Beach, Florida, is one of America’s great old-line clubs. Designed by Donald Ross in 1929, it features a windswept course with dune ridges causing elevation changes on almost every hole. The course challenges players with slick, elevated greens and flash-faced bunkers. Renovations by Dick Wilson (1957) and Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw (2016-18) have enhanced its brilliance. It is a true must-play golf course and must-experience club, known for its ambiance and history.
13. Oakland Hills Country Club
Located in Bloomfield Township, Michigan, Oakland Hills Country Club is a private golf club renowned for its two 18-hole courses designed by Donald Ross. The South Course, known as “The Monster,” has hosted 17 major championships, including six U.S. Opens and three PGA Championships. Established in 1916, it continues to be a significant venue in U.S. golf history.
12. The Olympic Club
The Olympic Club in San Francisco, California, is one of the oldest athletic clubs in the United States, established in 1860. It features three golf courses: the Lake Course, Ocean Course, and Cliffs Course. The Lake Course, a par-71, 7,170-yard course, has hosted five U.S. Opens, including the 2012 U.S. Open. The Ocean Course, also a par-71, offers a customizable experience for players of all skill levels and has hosted several national championships.
11. The Los Angeles Country Club
The Los Angeles Country Club, founded in 1897, is one of the oldest and most exclusive golf clubs in the US. It features two 18-hole courses, the North and South Courses, designed by renowned architects such as George C. Thomas, Jr., and Gil Hanse. The North Course hosted the 2023 U.S. Open.
10. Shinnecock Hills Golf Club
Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, founded in 1891, is one of the oldest and most prestigious golf clubs in the United States. Located in Southampton, New York, it has hosted five U.S. Opens, including the 2018 event won by Brooks Koepka. The club is scheduled to host its sixth U.S. Open in 2026 and the 2036 U.S. Women’s Open Championship and U.S. Open Championship back to back. It is renowned for its challenging links-style course and historic clubhouse, designed by Stanford White in 1892.
9. Sand Hills Golf Club
Located in Mullen, Nebraska, Sand Hills Golf Club is renowned for its minimalist design and remote location. Designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, it features 18 holes carved out of the natural sandhills landscape. With fewer than 200 members, it’s one of the most exclusive courses in the US, consistently ranked among the top golf courses globally. It was named #1 in *Golfweek* magazine’s 2022 list of the “Top 200 Modern Courses” in the United States.
8. Chicago Golf Club
Chicago Golf Club, located in Wheaton, Illinois, is America’s oldest 18-hole golf course. Designed by C.B. Macdonald in 1895 and later retooled by Seth Raynor in 1923, it has hosted numerous prestigious tournaments, including three U.S. Opens and two Walker Cups. It ranks 12th in GOLF’s Top 100 U.S. Courses for 2024-25.
7. Pebble Beach Golf Links
Pebble Beach Golf Links, located in Pebble Beach, California, is renowned for its stunning oceanfront views and challenging layout. Established in 1919, it has hosted numerous U.S. Opens and is consistently ranked as the No. 1 public golf course in the country. Greens fees are among the highest, at $625 per round in 2023.
6. Riviera Country Club
The Riviera Country Club, founded in 1926, is a premier golf course in Southern California. Designed by George C. Thomas Jr. and William P. Bell, it has hosted several major championships, including the U.S. Open in 1948 and the PGA Championship in 1983 and 1995. It is scheduled to host the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open and the 131st U.S. Open in 2031.
5. Bethpage Black Course
Bethpage Black Course, located in Long Island, New York, is one of the most challenging public golf courses in the US. Designed by Joseph H. Burbeck and A.W. Tillinghast, it opened in 1936 and has hosted several major championships, including the 2002 and 2009 U.S. Open and the 2019 PGA Championship. The course is known for its demanding layout and warning sign at the first tee, emphasizing its difficulty for less skilled golfers.
4. Medinah Country Club
Medinah Country Club, located in Illinois, is renowned for its three world-class 18-hole golf courses. Established in 1924, it has hosted numerous major tournaments, including the U.S. Open (1949, 1975, 1990), PGA Championship (1999, 2006), and the Ryder Cup (2012). The club’s Course 3 is particularly famous, stretching 7,657 yards and featuring three waterfront par-three holes.
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3. Southern Hills Country Club
Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is renowned for its Championship Golf Course, ranked among the top 100 courses in the world. Established in 1935, it has hosted 17 championships, including the PGA Championship five times. The course underwent a historic restoration by Gil Hanse in 2019, enhancing its classic layout with restored short grass, reopened creeks, and removed rough. The club offers extensive amenities, including tennis courts, a fitness center, and swimming pools.
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2. Baltusrol Golf Club
Baltusrol Golf Club, located in Springfield, New Jersey, is renowned for its rich history and championship pedigree. Founded in 1895, it has hosted 18 major tournaments, including 7 U.S. Opens and 2 PGA Championships. The club features two 18-hole courses, the Lower and Upper Courses, designed by A.W. Tillinghast in 1922. Recent restorations by Gil Hanse in 2021 have recaptured Tillinghast’s original vision for the Lower Course.
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1. Hualalai Golf Course
The Hualalai Golf Course, designed by Jack Nicklaus, is a par-72 layout that weaves through the Big Island’s challenging lavascape, offering spectacular ocean views and dramatic shoreline vistas. It hosts the PGA Tour Champions “Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualālai” and features a 9-acre driving range with practice facilities.