Introduction:
As a passionate golf lover, I’ve always believed that the beauty of a golf course can elevate the game to what some might call a spiritual experience. I recall my first time playing at Pebble Beach, one of the most beautiful and prettiest golf courses in the US, where every swing was accompanied by stunning ocean views, feeling like I was part of something larger.
The United States is home to some of the most beautiful and prettiest golf courses in the world, where natural beauty meets exceptional design. These courses also consistently rank among the top-rated destinations globally. From coastal vistas to mountain backdrops, these courses offer more than just a place to play—they provide a feast for the eyes and a connection to the great outdoors.
In this article, I’ll take you on an exciting journey through some of the most beautiful and prettiest golf courses in the US.
Here is the list of top most beautiful and prettiest golf courses in the US.
1. Pebble Beach Golf Links
In 2019, Pebble Beach played home to the sixth U.S. Open.
Women’s Open in 2023, giving it the most major titles of any course in the last half-century. Eight upcoming championships will take place at the location, including three Women’s Opens in 2035, 2040, and 2048 and four U.S. Opens in 2027, 2032, 2037, and 2044.
Area: Monterey Peninsula, California.
Established: 1919, 105 years ago.
Location: Pebble Beach, CA
Types: Public
Par: 72
Length: 7075 yards (6469m)
Why famous:
Known for its difficult design and stunning views of the shore, this golf course is frequently ranked among the best in the world.
Major Tournaments and Matches:
Hosted the US Open several times, including notable tournaments in 1972, 1982, 1992, and 2010.
Pebble Beach golf course rating: 74.9
Reviews from the web: 5/5
2. Augusta National Golf Club
Home of The Masters Golf Tournament.
Augusta, well-known for hosting the Masters Tournament, is a top Instagram pick for attractive golf venues because of its azalea blooms, green fairways, and famous locations like Amen Corner.
Area: Augusta, Georgia
Build Time: 1933, 91 years ago.
Location: Augusta, GA
Types: Private
Par: 72
Length: 7,510 yards (6,870 m)
Why Famous:
Home of The Masters, one of golf’s four major championships, is famous for its beautiful course and azaleas.
Major Tournaments and Matches:
Annual host of The Masters Tournament.
The beauty and exclusivity of the course make it extremely sought after.
Courtesy: (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images)
Augusta national course rating: 78.1
Reviews from the web: 5/5
3. Cypress Point Club
Courtesy: (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images)
Cypress Point Club is one of the world’s most elite and prestigious golf clubs, recognized for its breathtaking coastal vistas and distinct design.
Location: Part of the Monterey Peninsula, Pebble Beach, California
Build Time: 1928, 96 years ago.
Types: Private
Par: 72
Length: 6,554 yards (5,993 m)
Why Famous:
Cypress Point Club is famous for its stunning coastal scenery, dramatic holes along the Pacific Ocean, and its ranking as one of the top golf courses in the world.
Major Tournaments and Matches:
Cypress Point Club hosted the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am until 1990 and the Walker Cup in 1991.
Cypress Point Club course rating: 73.1
Reviews from the web: 5/5
4. Pine Valley Golf Club
Courtesy: (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images)
In the years 2012, 2015, 2019, 2020, and 2023, it was listed as the top course among Golf Magazine’s 100 Best Courses in the U.S. and the World.
Area: Spread across pine forests and sand dunes.
Build Time: 1918, 106 years ago.
Location: Pine Valley, New Jersey
Types: Private course
Par: 70
Length: 7201 (championship tees)
Why Famous: Pine Valley is often considered one of the most difficult and best courses in the world.
Major Tournaments and Matches: It is renowned for the prestigious Crump Cup, an invitation-only amateur event held annually since 1922. The club also holds the exclusive St. Andrews Cup, showcasing top amateur players in a team-based format.
Pine Valley Golf Course rating: 76.6
Reviews from the web: 5/5
5. National Golf Links of America
Courtesy: (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images)
Area: 250 acres
Build Time: 1911, 113 years ago.
Location: Southampton, New York
Types: Private course
Par: 72
Length: 6,873 yards
Why Famous:
The National Golf Links of America was designed by Charles Blair Macdonald and is called the “Father of American golf architecture” (NGLA).
Major Tournaments and Matches:
Hosts major tournaments like the Walker Cup, featuring top amateur talent from the U.S. and Great Britain & Ireland.
National Golf Links rating: 74.3
Rating: 4.9/5
6. Fishers Island Club - New York
Courtesy: (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images)
Area: Fishers Island
Build Time: 1926, 98 years ago.
Location: Fishers Island, New York
Types: Private
Par: 72
Length: 6,566 yards
Why Famous: Known for its views of the sea and standard Seth Raynor design, this golf course is both charming and difficult.
Major Tournaments and Matches:
Fishers Island Club in New York hosts several prominent tournaments, including the annual Fishers Island Churches Golf Classic, Eugene O’Neill Theater Center Golf Tournament, and Easterseals Golf Tournament.
Fishers Island Club rating: 72.0
Web Rating: 4.8/5
7. Shinnecock Hills
Courtesy: (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images)
Area: Southampton, Long Island
Build Time: 1891, 133 years ago.
Location: Southampton, New York
Types: Private course
Par: 70
Length: 7,445 yards
Why Famous:
Shinnecock Hills Golf Club is famous for its historical significance and challenging design.
Major Tournaments and Matches:
One of America’s oldest golf clubs, it has hosted multiple U.S. Opens and is known for its traditional links-style layout. US Open (5 times), Walker Cup, US Amateur, and US Women’s Amateur.
Shinnecock Hills course rating: 74.7
Web rating: 5/5
8. Sand Hills Golf Club - Nebraska
Courtesy: (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images)
Area: 8,000 acres
Build Time: 1995, 29 years ago.
Location: Mullen, Nebraska
Types: Private course
Par: 71
Length: 7,089 yards
Why Famous:
Renowned for its simple design, which was designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw and makes use of the Nebraska Sandhills’ natural terrain features.
Major Tournaments and Matches:
It has hosted significant amateur events, including the U.S. Amateur Championship in 2008. This event showcased the course’s challenging design and natural beauty.
Sand Hills Golf Club course rating: 70
Web rating: 4.8/5
9. Oakmont Country Club - Pennsylvania
Courtesy: (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images)
Area: 300 acres
Build Time: 1903, 121 years ago.
Location: Oakmont, Pennsylvania
Types: Private course
Par: 71
Length: 7,255 yards
Why Famous:
Known for its lightning-fast greens, over 200 bunkers, and challenging layout.
Major Tournaments and Matches:
Oakmont has hosted a remarkable nine U.S. Open Championships, more than any other course, with the most recent being in 2016. Additionally, it has hosted the U.S. Amateur Championship in 2021 and is set to host the U.S. Open again in 2025.
Oakmont Country Club rating: 77.7
Web rating: 4.7/5
10. Merion Golf Club (East) - Pennsylvania
Courtesy: (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images)
Area: Ardmore, PA
Build Time: 1912, 112 years ago.
Location: Ardmore, Pennsylvania
Types: Private
Par: 70
Length: 6,946 yards
Why Famous:
Merion is noted for its rich history, including the legendary 1950 U.S. Open won by Ben Hogan. The “Hogan Plaque” marks his famous one-iron shot.
Major Tournaments and Matches:
Merion Golf Club has hosted the U.S. Open four times, most recently in 2013, and the prestigious Walker Cup in 2009. It has also welcomed the U.S. Amateur multiple times, including in 1966 and 1989.
Merion Golf Course rating: 73.4
Websites rating: 4.7/5
11. Los Angeles Country Club (North) - California
Courtesy: (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images)
Area: 320 acres
Build Time: 1921, 103 years ago.
Location: Los Angeles, California
Types: Private
Par: 70
Length: 7,236 yards
Why Famous:
Known for its exclusivity, classic George C. Thomas design, and its proximity to downtown Los Angeles.
Major Tournaments and Matches:
Notably, it was the site of the U.S. Open in 2023, showcasing its challenge to top golfers. The club has also hosted the Walker Cup in 2017 and the U.S. Amateur in 2012.
LLC Club course rating: 71.7
Web rating: 4.7/5
12. TPC Sawgrass -The Tournament Players Club Sawgrass
Courtesy: (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images)
Area: Ponte Vedra Beach
Build Time: 1980, 44 years ago.
Location: Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
Types: Public/Resort course
Par: 72
Length: 7,189 yards
Why Famous:
Known for the iconic 17th hole, a par-3 “Island Green” that is one of the most famous and nerve-wracking holes in golf.
Major Tournaments and Matches:
TPC Sawgrass hosts The Players Championship, known as the “fifth major,” and has also held the PGA Championship in 1987 and 1993, cementing its status as a premier golf destination.
THE PLAYERS Championship – Round Three at TPC Sawgrass. Courtesy: (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images)
TPC Sawgrass rating: 76.4
Web rating: 4.8/5
13. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort - Oregon
Courtesy: (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images)
Area: Pacific coastline
Build Time: 1999, 25 years ago.
Location: Bandon, Oregon
Types: Public/Resort course
Par: 72
Length: 6,732 yards (original course)
Why Famous:
Known for its links-style layout and beautiful coastal views, Bandon Dunes is celebrated for offering an authentic Scottish golf experience in the U.S.
Major Tournaments and Matches:
Notably, it hosted the U.S. Amateur in 2021, showcasing its challenging links-style layout, and the resort continues to attract golfers from around the world with its world-class facilities and breathtaking scenery.
Bandon Dunes rating: 75.4
Web rating: 4.7/5
14. Whistling Straits - Wisconsin
Courtesy: (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images)
Area: Lake Michigan shoreline
Build Time: 1998, 26 years ago.
Location: Kohler, Wisconsin
Types: Public/Resort course
Par: 72
Length: 7,790 yards
Why Famous:
Built on Lake Michigan, Whistling Straits has beautiful views and a tough links-style layout. Its 1,000 bunkers make one of the most beautiful courses in the U.S.
Major Tournaments and Matches:
Hosted significant events, including the U.S. Amateur in 2021, the PGA Championship, and the Ryder Cup, solidifying its status as a premier golfing destination.
Whistling Straits rating: 77.2
Web rating: 4.8
15. Riviera Country Club - California
Courtesy: (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images)
Area: Pacific Palisades
Build Time: 1926, 98 years ago.
Location: Pacific Paradise
Types: Private course
Par: 71
Length: 7,322 yards
Why Famous:
Known for hosting the Genesis Invitational and its association with Hollywood stars. The course is challenging, with narrow fairways and strategic bunkering.
Major Tournaments and Matches:
It has hosted several major tournaments, including the U.S. Open in 1948 and 1983.
Riviera Country Club rating: 76.3
Web rating: 4.7/5
16. Streamsong Resort
Courtesy: (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)
Area: 16,000 acres
Build Time: 2013, 11 years ago
Location: Streamsong, Florida
Types: Public resort course
Par: 72
Length: Varies by course (Blue: 7,202 yards, Red: 7,125 yards, Black: 7,400 yards)
Why Famous:
Streamsong Resort features three award-winning courses designed by renowned architects Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw (Blue), Tom Doak (Red), and Gil Hanse (Black), set in a stunning natural landscape.
Major Tournaments and Matches:
Hosts significant events like the Streamsong Invitational and various amateur championships, attracting top talent to its unique links-style courses.
Course Ratings: Streamsong Blue: 76.1, Streamsong Red: 75.4, Streamsong Black: 76.4
Web Rating: 4.8/5
17. Chicago Golf Club - Illinois
Courtesy: (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)
Area: Wheaton, Illinois
Build Time: 1894, 130 years ago.
Location: Wheaton, Illinois
Types: Private course
Par: 70
Length: 6,846 yards
Why Famous:
One of the oldest golf clubs in America and a founding member of the USGA, it’s known for its classic layout and historic significance.
Major Tournaments and Matches:
The club has hosted several important tournaments, including the U.S. Open in 1900, 1901, and 1911, as well as the Walker Cup in 1991.
Chicago Golf Club rating: 73.8
Web rating: 4.8/5
18. Pinehurst No. 2 - North Carolina
Area: Pinehurst Resort
Build Time: 1907, 117 years ago.
Location: Pinehurst, North Carolina
Types: Public/Resort course
Par: 70
Length: 7,588 yards
Why Famous:
Designed by Donald Ross, it’s known for its challenging crowned greens and has hosted numerous U.S. Opens and other major championships.
Major Tournaments and Matches:
The course has hosted several major championships, including the U.S. Open in 1999, 2005, and 2014, as well as the PGA Championship in 1936 and the Ryder Cup in 1951.
Pinehurst No. 2 course rating: 68.4
Web rating: 4.6/5
19. Shadow Creek - Nevada
Courtesy: (Photo by Tony Roberts /Getty Images)
Area: Las Vegas desert oasis
Build Time: 1990, 34 years ago.
Location: North Las Vegas, Nevada
Types: Private/Resort course
Par: 72
Length: 7,560 yards
Why Famous:
Shadow Creek, designed by Tom Fazio, is known for its opulence and lush landscaping that creates an oasis in the desert. It’s one of the most exclusive and expensive rounds in the world.
Major Tournaments and Matches:
The course has hosted several high-profile events, including the Michael Jordan Celebrity Golf Invitational and the 2001 and 2003 PGA Tour’s “Shadow Creek Challenge.”
Shadow Creek rating: 74.5
Web rating: 4.6/5
20. Old Macdonald (Bandon Dunes) - Oregon
Courtesy: (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)
Area: Bandon Dunes Resort
Build Time: 2010, 14 years ago
Location: Bandon, Oregon
Types: Public/Resort course
Par: 71
Length: 6,944 yards
Why Famous:
A tribute to C.B. Macdonald, the course incorporates many classic design elements and is known for its openness and strategic challenges. It’s a favorite for those who enjoy traditional links-style golf.
Major Tournaments and Matches:
While primarily a resort course, Old Macdonald has hosted various amateur events and showcases, attracting golf enthusiasts to its unique design.
Old Macdonald course rating: 74.4
Web rating: 4.9/5
Getting started? Be sure to read this article-
Beginner Golf Lessons For Adults -12 Easy Steps For Beginner
FAQ'S:
1. How many golf courses are there in the world, or how many golf courses are there in the US?
The answer is that, as of the most recent estimates, there are 38,864 golf courses in the world and about 18,000 in the US alone, which is about 43% of all the golf courses in the world. And there are 982 golf courses in California alone.
Fun fact: Want to play them all? If you play one round of golf per day, that means you would play 365 rounds in a year. And it would take approximately 105 years to play every golf course in the world if you played one round per day without any breaks.
2. Which U.S. golf course has the best ocean views?
Courses like Pebble Beach in California and Kiawah Island in South Carolina are renowned for their stunning coastal vistas.
3. What is the most expensive golf course to play in the U.S.?
Shadow Creek in Las Vegas and Pebble Beach Golf Links often top the list with their high green fees.
4. What is the oldest golf course in the United States?
Foxburg Country Club in Foxburg, Pennsylvania, Established in 1887, and Oakhurst Links in West Virginia, dating back to 1884, are among the oldest, offering a glimpse into early American golf.
5. What are the best golf courses to play in California?
In addition to Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill, and Torrey Pines are popular for their scenic views and challenging holes.
As I ponder the experiences I’ve had on various courses, I’m left with a desire to hear your stories too. Have you played at any of these scenic gems? What impact did the landscape have on your game?
Share your own scenic golf stories by following us on Instagram (Check out the Instagram post linked above) to join our growing community of golf enthusiasts.
