Golf Digest 100 Greatest Public Courses 2023

[Tuggerman]

Golf Digest recently released their updated 2023 Top 100 Public Courses list. How many of the 100 have y’all played? Any thoughts on courses that are over ranked or snubbed?

 

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/americas-100-greatest-public-golf-courses-ranking

[Tuggerman]

I’m currently 0/100… seems like I need to play some nicer courses. Planning on getting to streamsong at the end of August so that should change soon!

[Argonne69]

Here's the text version of the list. As usual, there are a few surprises on it. 

 

1. (1) Pebble Beach Golf Links
2. (2) Pacific Dunes
3. (4) Kiawah Island Golf Resort: The Ocean Course
4. (3) Whistling Straits: Straits Course
5. (5) Shadow Creek
6. (6) Pinehurst No. 2
7. (8) Bethpage State Park: Black
8. (7) Bandon Dunes
9. (11) TPC Sawgrass: Stadium
10. (9) Erin Hills Golf Course

11. (13) Bandon Trails
12. (10) Spyglass Hill Golf Course
13. (12) Old Macdonald
14. (14) Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club: Bluffs Course
15. (17) Pasatiempo Golf Club
16. (15) Bandon Dunes Golf Resort: Sheep Ranch
17. (18) Sand Valley
18. (16) Blackwolf Run: River
19. (19) French Lick Resort: Pete Dye Course
20. (22) Chambers Bay

 

21. (20) Streamsong Resort: Red
22. (21) Manele Golf Course
23. (23) Kapalua: Plantation
24. (26) Streamsong Resort: Blue
25. (28) The Highland Course At Primland
26. (29) Sand Valley Golf Resort: Mammoth Dunes
27. (25) Harbour Town Golf Links
28. (32) Pinehurst No. 4
29. (34) Streamsong Resort: Black
30. (38) Gamble Sands

 

31. (24) Karsten Creek Golf Club
32. (33) Forest Dunes Golf Club
33. (30) Big Cedar Lodge: Ozarks National
34. (37) The Greenbrier: Old White
35. (42) Torrey Pines Golf Course: South
36. (36) Sea Island: Seaside
37. (44) The Broadmoor Golf Club East Course
38. (46) Yale Golf Course
39. (27) Mauna Kea Beach Hotel Golf Course
40. (31) The Omni Homestead Resort: Cascades Course

 

41. (45) The Prairie Club (Dunes Course)
42. (40) Pronghorn Resort: Nicklaus Course
43. (35) The Quarry at Giants Ridge
44. (57) Wilderness Club
45. (49) Tobacco Road Golf Club
46. (51) CordeValle Golf Club
47. (65) Wolf Creek Golf Club
48. (53) The Links At Spanish Bay
49. (55) PGA West: Stadium Course
50. (41) Fallen Oak

 

51. (48) May River Golf Club At Palmetto Bluff
52. (50) SentryWorld Golf Club
53. (52) Arcadia Bluffs G.C. (South)
54. (61) Crosswater Golf Course
55. (58) Paako Ridge Golf Club
56. (47) Whistling Straits: Irish Course
57. (82) Tetherow Golf Club
58. (59) The Loop Black Course at Forest Dunes
59. (67) Greywalls at Marquette Golf Club
60. (43) Golden Horseshoe Golf Club: Gold Course

 

61. (70) Cascata
62. (68) The Golf Courses of Lawsonia: Links
63. (73) Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club
64. (81) Makai Golf Club
65. (56) Cog Hill Golf & Country Club: Dubsdread (Course #4)
66. (NEW) Wynn Golf Club
67. (69) The Wilderness At Fortune Bay
68. (79) Red Sky Ranch & Golf Club Fazio Course
69. (78) The Loop Red Course at Forest Dunes
70. (60) Mossy Oak Golf Club

 

71. (63) The Dunes Golf & Beach Club
72. (NEW) Southern Pines Golf Club
73. (NR) Tullymore Golf Resort
74. (74) Blackwolf Run: Meadow Valleys
75. (66) Red Sky Ranch & Golf Club Norman Course
76. (83) The Pfau Course At Indiana University
77. (77) Reynolds Lake Oconee: Great Waters
78. (NEW) Payne's Valley at Big Cedar Lodge
79. (71) Wild Horse Golf Club
80. (72) Nemacolin: Mystic Rock

 

81. (62) The Classic at Madden's Resort
82. (87) Trump National Doral: Blue Monster
83. (88) Quintero Golf Club
84. (NEW) Taconic Golf Club
85. (80) Firestone Country Club: South
86. (93) Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club
87. (92) Poppy Hills Golf Course
88. (91) The Bull At Pinehurst Farms
89. (86) Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course
90. (NEW) The Golf Club at Harbor Shores

 

91. (98) Rams Hill Golf Club
92. (NEW) Big Cedar Lodge: Buffalo Ridge Golf Club
93. (84) The Virtues Golf Club
94. (NR) Atunyote
95. (NEW) Black Mesa Golf Club
96. (NEW) Sand Hollow Resort Championship Course
97. (NEW) Wine Valley Golf Club
98. (NEW) Belvedere Golf Club
99. (97) The Prairie Club (Pines Course)
100. (76) Pinehurst No. 8

 

[jvincent]

I was at 28 on the last list.  I'm probably still in the 20's on the new list but I'll be adding the Sand Valley courses to my played list, along with Lawsonia, in a week or so.

[So_Cal]

Golfweek’s list is way better. 

[Argonne69]

Looks like I've gained a few with the new list. Currently at 76. 

 

Easier to list the ones I haven't played. Should knock out a dozen more in the next 12 months. Still bothers me that the list includes courses that require an expensive stay at the resort. Don't mind paying for a top course, but adding $500 to $1000 to the round for lodging is nuts. 

 

5. (5) Shadow Creek
22. (21) Manele Golf Course
23. (23) Kapalua: Plantation
25. (28) The Highland Course At Primland
30. (38) Gamble Sands
37. (44) The Broadmoor Golf Club East Course
40. (31) The Omni Homestead Resort: Cascades Course
42. (40) Pronghorn Resort: Nicklaus Course
44. (57) Wilderness Club
46. (51) CordeValle Golf Club
51. (48) May River Golf Club At Palmetto Bluff
54. (61) Crosswater Golf Course
57. (82) Tetherow Golf Club
61. (70) Cascata
64. (81) Makai Golf Club
66. (NEW) Wynn Golf Club
68. (79) Red Sky Ranch & Golf Club Fazio Course
75. (66) Red Sky Ranch & Golf Club Norman Course
77. (77) Reynolds Lake Oconee: Great Waters
80. (72) Nemacolin: Mystic Rock
85. (80) Firestone Country Club: South
89. (86) Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course
91. (98) Rams Hill Golf Club
97. (NEW) Wine Valley Golf Club
 

[asommers1441]

I have 8 in the top 20 and 10 overall. 

[eboettne]

I've got 6 in the top 10, 11 of the top 20, and 21 of the top 100. 

 

I don't believe Quintero should make the list and I think Sand Hollow should be higher, like way higher(#20-30).

[Gdane]

12 for me, adding Belvedere in a few weeks...

 

14		Arcadia Bluffs
32		Forest Dunes
45		Tobacco Road
53		Arcadia South
56		Whistling Straits Irish
59		Greywalls
62		Lawsonia Links
63		Pine Needles
72		Southern Pines
73		Tullymore
83		Quintero
86		Mid Pines

 

Everyone has their favorites, but the thing that sticks out to me most is that Mid Pines was by far my favorite of the PN/SP/MP trip I took last year and is ranked at the bottom of the 3.  PN gets a ton of love and has the championship tournament pedigree but was a distant 3rd for me of the trio.  

 

Aside from that Arcadia south is my all-time favorite course but understand that many view it as a flat piece of property without the spectacular views of its big brother course on the lake.  I caught the south on a chamber of commerce day with perfect firm conditions and fell in love with challenge of making sure I missed in the right spot on just about every hole.

 

Finally, I just didn't love Tobacco Road. I'm in the minority but I thought Tot Hill Farm was the much better Strantz course.

 

Personal top 5 from the list

1. Arcadia South

2. Mid Pines

3. Arcadia Bluffs

4. Lawsonia Links

5. Greywalls

Edited July 28, 2023 by Gdane

[sharkiesj]

I’ve got 10 out of the Top 20.  But like the other poster said, I like Golfweek’s list better. 

[Mike_C]

Not many, and all that I have played were many years ago. 

 

Weird to see Belvedere Golf Club on this list as public but I guess it has always was as it was open to the public due to the limited membership.  I grew up on this course as a "season ticket" holder, not a member. Back then you were born into membership, you couldn't just join the club.  I couldn't go into the clubhouse even though I played almost everyday back in high school and college, just the old antique pro shop.

 

6. (6) Pinehurst No. 2  played once in 1976

12. (10) Spyglass Hill Golf Course played in 2001

15. (17) Pasatiempo Golf Club Played in 2001

28. (32) Pinehurst No. 4 last played 1979?

55. (58) Paako Ridge Golf Club played in 2007

63. (73) Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club  played in 2004

85. (80) Firestone Country Club: South last played in 2003

86. (93) Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club played in 2004

95. (NEW) Black Mesa Golf Club played in 2008

98. (NEW) Belvedere Golf Club last played in 1988

100. (76) Pinehurst No. 8 played in 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mci711]

17 of the top 20. How the hell is Blackwolf Run a top 20 course, maybe top 50? Missing Shadow Creek, Chambers, and Spyglass in the top 20. 

 

Only 12 of the next 80. Not sure how Quintero can be on this list and not We-ko-pa Seguiro. 

[tboh]

1 hour ago, Argonne69 said:

Looks like I've gained a few with the new list. Currently at 76. 

 

Easier to list the ones I haven't played. Should knock out a dozen more in the next 12 months. Still bothers me that the list includes courses that require an expensive stay at the resort. Don't mind paying for a top course, but adding $500 to $1000 to the round for lodging is nuts. 

 

5. (5) Shadow Creek
22. (21) Manele Golf Course
23. (23) Kapalua: Plantation
25. (28) The Highland Course At Primland
30. (38) Gamble Sands
37. (44) The Broadmoor Golf Club East Course
40. (31) The Omni Homestead Resort: Cascades Course
42. (40) Pronghorn Resort: Nicklaus Course
44. (57) Wilderness Club
46. (51) CordeValle Golf Club
51. (48) May River Golf Club At Palmetto Bluff
54. (61) Crosswater Golf Course
57. (82) Tetherow Golf Club
61. (70) Cascata
64. (81) Makai Golf Club
66. (NEW) Wynn Golf Club
68. (79) Red Sky Ranch & Golf Club Fazio Course
75. (66) Red Sky Ranch & Golf Club Norman Course
77. (77) Reynolds Lake Oconee: Great Waters
80. (72) Nemacolin: Mystic Rock
85. (80) Firestone Country Club: South
89. (86) Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course
91. (98) Rams Hill Golf Club
97. (NEW) Wine Valley Golf Club
 

Agreed 100% ... 

[Drwoods2017]

IMO golf weeks is worse. Can’t list Erin Hills that low and tell me the list is good. 

[So_Cal]

How can #2 be behind Kiawah, Straits and Shadow Creek?  I don’t mind that.  Please leave open times for me at #2 and go play the others. 😂

[So_Cal]

1 hour ago, Drwoods2017 said:

IMO golf weeks is worse. Can’t list Erin Hills that low and tell me the list is good. 

Erin Hills is a nice track for sure.  Haven’t played it since they removed the dell hole however. 

[AUTIGER07]

Only 6 of the top 100 here. Similar to others above I'm surprised with some of the selections and prefer Golfweek's listing.

[Drwoods2017]

24 minutes ago, So_Cal said:

Erin Hills is a nice track for sure.  Haven’t played it since they removed the dell hole however. 

Hands down my favorite course I’ve played. Some very dramatic holes it’s a top 10 course easy. Golf week has it ranked outside the top 25. 

[mlwenzlick]

1. (1) Pebble Beach Golf Links
3. (4) Kiawah Island Golf Resort: The Ocean Course

10. (9) Erin Hills Golf Course
17. (18) Sand Valley

21. (20) Streamsong Resort: Red
26. (29) Sand Valley Golf Resort: Mammoth Dunes

43. (35) The Quarry at Giants Ridge
45. (49) Tobacco Road Golf Club

52. (50) SentryWorld Golf Club

63. (73) Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club

 

Not terrible for 34 with a wife and kid lol. I have several around me that I can knock off pretty easy (MN/WI). Pebble by far favorite, can remember every shot 5 years later. Tobacco and Giants ridge are undervalued IMO. Pine needles was very, very blah. Had more fun at the Duke U course for like $75 on that trip.
 

[tad950]

23 for me. But I find the Top 100 kind of puzzling. I never imagined some of the courses that I played, although very nice, being in the Top 100.

[Chanceman]

I’ve got 15 but cranky that We Ko Pa Saguaro, Rustic Canyon, Troon Monument, TPC Harding Park , TPC Scottsdale, Gold Mountain and Bear Dance are not on the list. Quintero is somehow though.

[eboettne]

7 hours ago, Chanceman said:

I’ve got 15 but cranky that We Ko Pa Saguaro, Rustic Canyon, Troon Monument, TPC Harding Park , TPC Scottsdale, Gold Mountain and Bear Dance are not on the list. Quintero is somehow though.

Agreed I liked Dino mountain better than Quintero 

[goaliedad30]

My list:

1. (1) Pebble Beach Golf Links
2. (2) Pacific Dunes
4. (3) Whistling Straits: Straits Course
8. (7) Bandon Dunes
11. (13) Bandon Trails
12. (10) Spyglass Hill Golf Course
15. (17) Pasatiempo Golf Club

23. (23) Kapalua: Plantation
27. (25) Harbour Town Golf Links
33. (30) Big Cedar Lodge: Ozarks National
35. (42) Torrey Pines Golf Course: South
42. (40) Pronghorn Resort: Nicklaus Course
47. (65) Wolf Creek Golf Club
48. (53) The Links At Spanish Bay
49. (55) PGA West: Stadium Course
54. (61) Crosswater Golf Course
55. (58) Paako Ridge Golf Club
56. (47) Whistling Straits: Irish Course
57. (82) Tetherow Golf Club
78. (NEW) Payne's Valley at Big Cedar Lodge
81. (62) The Classic at Madden's Resort
87. (92) Poppy Hills Golf Course
92. (NEW) Big Cedar Lodge: Buffalo Ridge Golf Club

 

That's 23. I'll probably add Corde Valle shortly; I live like 15 minutes from there and have never played it!
 

[mci711]

9 hours ago, Chanceman said:

I’ve got 15 but cranky that We Ko Pa Saguaro, Rustic Canyon, Troon Monument, TPC Harding Park , TPC Scottsdale, Gold Mountain and Bear Dance are not on the list. Quintero is somehow though.

 

Only 1 of those courses should be in the top 100 in my opinion. I like Harding park, but that just misses out. Saguaro is miles better than Quintero though. 

Edited July 30, 2023 by mci711

[sabram]

11 hours ago, Chanceman said:

I’ve got 15 but cranky that We Ko Pa Saguaro, Rustic Canyon, Troon Monument, TPC Harding Park , TPC Scottsdale, Gold Mountain and Bear Dance are not on the list. Quintero is somehow though.

I've played all of those. I agree that Saguaro and Rustic are top 100 publics. The others wouldn't be on my list. Neither would Quintero.

[King_Slender]

Consensus on Belvedere (#98) from our group this past weekend - it's a $40 track. 

 

Greens are an 11/10 in my opinion and there is something that feels pure about the place, but it also feels like any old muni that you've played (aside from the greens).  

[Chanceman]

7 hours ago, sabram said:

I've played all of those. I agree that Saguaro and Rustic are top 100 publics. The others wouldn't be on my list. Neither would Quintero.

Have you ever played Bear Dance ?

[Chanceman]

1 minute ago, Chanceman said:

Have you ever played Bear Dance ?

Oops sorry!! You have. I liked it a lot but there are 80 courses I can’t compare it with. Taking a line on Rams Hill I still say it would be close. Same with Gold Mtn. 

[vallygolf]

21 hours ago, eboettne said:

Agreed I liked Dino mountain better than Quintero 

Dino Mountain is an architecturally terrible course.  Fun to look at, but really from a design standpoint is very very average.  Quintero is its pretty stepsister.  I agree there.

 

I've played 42 of the top 100, including 17 of the top 20

Edited July 31, 2023 by vallygolf

[Tuggerman]

If anyone is curious, the courses from 2021's list that didn't make this one were:

39. (NEW) BLACK DIAMOND RANCH (QUARRY) *

54. COURSE OMITTED AFTER PUBLICATION

63. BAY HARBOR (MICH.) G.C. (LINKS/QUARRY)

75. OLD WAVERLY G.C.

85. CALEDONIA G. & FISH CLUB

89. (NEW) TPC COLORADO

90. WORLD WOODS G.C. (PINE BARRENS)

94. BULLE ROCK

95. (NEW) GRIZZLY RANCH

96. (NEW) KINGSMILL RESORT (RIVER)

99. (NEW) THE MCLEMORE CLUB*

100. (NEW) SPRING CREEK G.C.

 

I know World Woods G.C. got bought by Cabot and is being renovated and should be open in late 2023 as Cabot Citrus Farms.