Golf Digest 100 Greatest Public Courses 2023

[Argonne69]

5 hours ago, miss0033 said:

I think it is rather stupid that Shadow Creek is listed as a public course.  It really isn't.  You have to be invited, they let very few people play only a couple days of the week, and its a $1,000 tee time, plus a bunch you have to spend gambling in order to get invited.  That isn't a public course.

 

I don't believe that's the case. You do have to stay at an MGM property, but there is no invite needed. I was looking to play the course back in February, but they were booked solid with a celebrity outing. 

 

[mlwenzlick]

21 hours ago, jlevitt9 said:

 

Junky holes at Pacific include:

 

- First hole....300+ yard with blind fairway after 175 yards

- Fifth hole...the second worst par 3 on property behind 12 Trails

- Sixth hole....50ft bunker near the green to help slow up play

- Ninth hole...split fairway and you don't know which green to hit at

- Eleven is the most overhyped par 3 on the planet

 

Now none of this is to say that Pacific isn't a great course, although I'm bitching a lot, lol....17 is the second or third best par 3 on property and is absolutely stunning, and the back 9 has some wonderful holes, but to say it's the #2 course in the US is, I'm sorry, laughable, especially if every caddie I've talked to there feels the same. 

Sure sounds like alot of first world gripe to me.

[Chanceman]

On 8/1/2023 at 5:22 AM, jwhite86 said:

My list:

4 - Whistling Straits - Straits

17 - Sand Valley

18 - Blackwolf Run - River

26 - Mammoth Dunes

52 - Sentry World

56 - Whistling Straits - Irish

59 - Greywalls

62 - Lawsonia - Links

74 - Blackwolf Run - Meadow Valley

88 - The Bull

 

10 in total

You must be from Wisconsin??!!

[mci711]

8 hours ago, miss0033 said:

I think it is rather stupid that Shadow Creek is listed as a public course.  It really isn't.  You have to be invited, they let very few people play only a couple days of the week, and its a $1,000 tee time, plus a bunch you have to spend gambling in order to get invited.  That isn't a public course.

 

This isn't true. You just have to stay an MGM property and yes, get a little lucky and hope they have a spot. I stayed at the Bellagio last year, called and was able to get a time. Unfortunately it was the 1 day I couldn't make it work while I was there. But there was no invite process, it just has limited availability and is expensive. 

 

Edit: sorry for the double reply, didn't realize @Argonne69 made basically the same comment. 

Edited August 4, 2023 by mci711

[jwhite86]

30 minutes ago, Chanceman said:

You must be from Wisconsin??!!

Guilty... very fortunate to live 10-15 minutes from the 4 Kohler courses and The Bull

[miss0033]

2 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

 

I don't believe that's the case. You do have to stay at an MGM property, but there is no invite needed. I was looking to play the course back in February, but they were booked solid with a celebrity outing. 

 

 

My mistake.  I had read this article not too long ago:  

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/shadow-creek-how-to-play-the-exclusive-venue-where-tiger-woods-and-phil-mickelson-will-play-the-match

 

"First, your green fee will cost you $1,000 during peak season (March to May and September to October) and $750 during off-peak times. ... Only two foursomes of paying MGM hotel guests get out on the course each day—taking the limo from the hotel to the course, which is a 20- to 30-minute ride from the Vegas Strip—and that's limited to Monday through Thursday. The rest of the time it's invitees only. If you're a real high-roller at a Vegas hotel, your concierge might invite you to play. But you gotta spend some serious coin to get that hook-up."

 

If that is the case, that is NOT a public golf course.  However maybe they have it wrong.

 

That's the extent of my knowledge on it, and I have zero desire to play the course so I haven't looked much more into it than that.

[mci711]

24 minutes ago, miss0033 said:

 

My mistake.  I had read this article not too long ago:  

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/shadow-creek-how-to-play-the-exclusive-venue-where-tiger-woods-and-phil-mickelson-will-play-the-match

 

"First, your green fee will cost you $1,000 during peak season (March to May and September to October) and $750 during off-peak times. ... Only two foursomes of paying MGM hotel guests get out on the course each day—taking the limo from the hotel to the course, which is a 20- to 30-minute ride from the Vegas Strip—and that's limited to Monday through Thursday. The rest of the time it's invitees only. If you're a real high-roller at a Vegas hotel, your concierge might invite you to play. But you gotta spend some serious coin to get that hook-up."

 

If that is the case, that is NOT a public golf course.  However maybe they have it wrong.

 

That's the extent of my knowledge on it, and I have zero desire to play the course so I haven't looked much more into it than that.

 

If they are open Monday - Thursday to the public....they are public. This is no different than getting a reservation at a 3 star Michelin restaurant. Just because it isn't easily accessible doesn't make it private. Try getting a tee time at any decent private course Monday-Thurday

[jlevitt9]

2 hours ago, mlwenzlick said:

Sure sounds like alot of first world gripe to me.

Bro you’re on an Internet forum where we discuss the nuances of $350 golf shafts. 

[miss0033]

15 minutes ago, mci711 said:

 

If they are open Monday - Thursday to the public....they are public. This is no different than getting a reservation at a 3 star Michelin restaurant. Just because it isn't easily accessible doesn't make it private. Try getting a tee time at any decent private course Monday-Thurday

 

Yeah, difference of opinion and that's fine.  32 public patrons get to play every week.  I know private courses that host far more of the general public than that.  

 

No sense getting in an argument, these lists are ultimately meaningless anyway.

[jvincent]

10 hours ago, miss0033 said:

I think it is rather stupid that Shadow Creek is listed as a public course.  It really isn't.  You have to be invited, they let very few people play only a couple days of the week, and its a $1,000 tee time, plus a bunch you have to spend gambling in order to get invited.  That isn't a public course.

Agree.

 

It's the only course in the top 10 I haven't play and never will.

[kamizzou91]

I'm at 25 on this new list.  Lost a few from the 2021 list (Bay Harbor, Black Diamond Ranch Quarry, Pine Barrens - which will probably come back in the new iteration) and gained a couple (Southern Pines, Buffalo Ridge).  

Edited August 9, 2023 by kamizzou91

[doc52]

Played the 13 below. IMO Quintero and Doral shouldn't be on this list. Also Pumpkin Ridge in North Plains, OR is better than 30-40 of these courses (No. 60-100).

 

1. (1) Pebble Beach Golf Links

2. (2) Pacific Dunes

8. (7) Bandon Dunes

11. (13) Bandon Trails

12. (10) Spyglass Hill Golf Course

13. (12) Old Macdonald

15. (17) Pasatiempo Golf Club

16. (15) Bandon Dunes Golf Resort: Sheep Ranch

20. (22) Chambers Bay

48. (53) The Links At Spanish Bay

82. (87) Trump National Doral: Blue Monster

83. (88) Quintero Golf Club

97. (NEW) Wine Valley Golf Club

 

 

[jvincent]

Strike Lawsonia, Sand Valley, and Mammoth Dunes off the list for me. Now up to 31.

[StudentGolfer4]

10 hours ago, jvincent said:

Strike Lawsonia, Sand Valley, and Mammoth Dunes off the list for me. Now up to 31.

And how would you rank those 3 compared to each other?

[jvincent]

27 minutes ago, StudentGolfer4 said:

And how would you rank those 3 compared to each other?

 

Mammoth is probably the most fun of the three. I think SV is a better course than Lawsonia, but the styles are very different. My one knock on Lawsonia would be that the style of the greens is a little repetitive.

[mci711]

1 hour ago, StudentGolfer4 said:

And how would you rank those 3 compared to each other?

 

This is a super popular combo trip. I'd play Mammoth 4 times, Sand Valley 4 times, the sandbox once and Lawsonia once if I had 10 rounds to split. 

[golfday]

On 8/4/2023 at 10:17 AM, mci711 said:

 

If they are open Monday - Thursday to the public....they are public. This is no different than getting a reservation at a 3 star Michelin restaurant. Just because it isn't easily accessible doesn't make it private. Try getting a tee time at any decent private course Monday-Thurday

Roughly 1 to 2% of their weekly golf capacity is available to people staying at a few select hotels, and that capacity is only available on Mon-Thurs. The other 98 to 99% of their capacity is operated in a traditional private manner. That's a lot different than any Michelin starred restaurant I've been too, and if there are any operating similarly they might be private dinner clubs and not public restaurants.

 

I saw a tee time at Pikewood National on a charity auction the other day. Anyone could bid on it. The highest bidder could book their own foursome, no member needed to accompany them. Is it public?

[mci711]

3 hours ago, golfday said:

Roughly 1 to 2% of their weekly golf capacity is available to people staying at a few select hotels, and that capacity is only available on Mon-Thurs. The other 98 to 99% of their capacity is operated in a traditional private manner. That's a lot different than any Michelin starred restaurant I've been too, and if there are any operating similarly they might be private dinner clubs and not public restaurants.

 

I saw a tee time at Pikewood National on a charity auction the other day. Anyone could bid on it. The highest bidder could book their own foursome, no member needed to accompany them. Is it public?

 

So winning an auction to a private course is the same as staying at a hotel and being able to play 4 days of the week? What?! No that is nowhere near the same. I called and got a tee time. That is public. You can stay at the Excalibur for like $20 a night lol. Try getting on another top 30 "private" course in the country by just calling. It is also completely overblown how it is that hard to get on. If you call for a Monday-Thursday round you have a decent chance. I know people that have played multiple times, i was able to get a time the 1 time I called. 

Edited August 11, 2023 by mci711

[BHA17]

I certainly wish there were a few more tracks on this list in my neck of the woods (NY). Have played Bethpage Black a number of times. In the near future, I’m hoping to get to Yale GC (after the Hanse reno), as well as to Atunyote.

[FuzzyKnuckles]

22 hours ago, BHA17 said:

I certainly wish there were a few more tracks on this list in my neck of the woods (NY). Have played Bethpage Black a number of times. In the near future, I’m hoping to get to Yale GC (after the Hanse reno), as well as to Atunyote.

Yea the private golf scene in NY is unreal, but the public world leaves a lot to be desired. 

[jerebear21]

SC is public. Can debate the availability all you want but it’s a public course.  Jersey and New York is a Mecca of private clubs. Unreal is understatement. 

[ATXGolferGuy]

On 7/28/2023 at 3:02 PM, Argonne69 said:

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. 

100% true.  They should do a ranking where the stay/play places are excluded.  100 Best muni courses or true public course where one can call the pro shop or book online.  Pebble would still be on the list because you can actually play it without a stay, the cost is just a little more.

 

I've only played Kapalua off that list:( 

[vallygolf]

26 minutes ago, ATXGolferGuy said:

100% true.  They should do a ranking where the stay/play places are excluded.  100 Best muni courses or true public course where one can call the pro shop or book online.  Pebble would still be on the list because you can actually play it without a stay, the cost is just a little more.

 

I've only played Kapalua off that list:( 

So as I have been keeping track here are our ranking list recommendations:

 

Best Courses

Best public access courses

Best mostly public access courses but its hard to find a way on without paying for a hotel stay

Best Private

Best Seasonal course

Best course open year round

Best course designed by American Designers

Best course designed by a non minimalist post golden age designer

Best course for low budgets

Best Course for high budgets

Best courses I think are fun

Best courses that align with my criteria

Best Courses I have played

 

The list goes on in perpetuity.

[Chanceman]

1 hour ago, vallygolf said:

So as I have been keeping track here are our ranking list recommendations:

 

Best Courses

Best public access courses

Best mostly public access courses but its hard to find a way on without paying for a hotel stay

Best Private

Best Seasonal course

Best course open year round

Best course designed by American Designers

Best course designed by a non minimalist post golden age designer

Best course for low budgets

Best Course for high budgets

Best courses I think are fun

Best courses that align with my criteria

Best Courses I have played

 

The list goes on in perpetuity.

Best courses within 2 hours of a proper airport.

Best courses with good names

Best courses under $100, $200, $300 etc

Best courses with slope ratings under 130

etc etc

[StudentGolfer4]

2 hours ago, ATXGolferGuy said:

100% true.  They should do a ranking where the stay/play places are excluded.  100 Best muni courses or true public course where one can call the pro shop or book online.  Pebble would still be on the list because you can actually play it without a stay, the cost is just a little more.

 

I've only played Kapalua off that list:( 

I like the idea but it’s not that easy and there’s a ton of grey area. You cannot call up Pebble and book a tee time for a future date. To book a tee time it requires a 2 night stay, at $960 for the cheapest room, or is it 3 night minimum now? When you select a date online for golf the first thing it requires you to do is select lodging. You can’t even view a tee sheet until you have done so. 
 

You are right on the premise that you can call and book a tee time within 24 hours though. For people planning a golf trip to Pebble the idea that you may get out as a single doesn’t really work for most. So the only guaranteed option requires a very expensive hotel stay. 
 

Another point that has been brought up. You don’t really have to stay at the hotel. You simply have to pay for it. If it makes you feel better about it you could always look at it as a $900 round of golf that anyone can call and book instead of a 500 hotel room and a $400 round. (Pinehurst comes to mind with this one) 

[st1800e]

On 8/4/2023 at 8:42 AM, miss0033 said:

these lists are ultimately meaningless anyway.

Yep, the list gives you a general idea of what's good, but mostly splitting hairs.  

[exgolfpro]

I have played 19/100.  

 

4. (3) Whistling Straits: Straits Course

6. (6) Pinehurst No. 2

10. (9) Erin Hills Golf Course

17. (18) Sand Valley
18. (16) Blackwolf Run: River

21. (20) Streamsong Resort: Red

24. (26) Streamsong Resort: Blue
26. (29) Sand Valley Golf Resort: Mammoth Dunes
28. (32) Pinehurst No. 4

41. (45) The Prairie Club (Dunes Course)
45. (49) Tobacco Road Golf Club

56. (47) Whistling Straits: Irish Course

62. (68) The Golf Courses of Lawsonia: Links
63. (73) Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club

74. (74) Blackwolf Run: Meadow Valleys

86. (93) Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club
88. (91) The Bull At Pinehurst Farms

99. (97) The Prairie Club (Pines Course)
100. (76) Pinehurst No. 8

 

I don't have a big problem with the list or where courses fall.  I feel like Erin Hills is the best golf course I've ever played, so always feel it should be rated higher than #10.  I also feel Black Wolf Run-Meadow Valley as a sleeper and is better than Whistling Straits-The Irish.  I would move Pine Needles up from 63rd to somewhere in the 30's.  Finally, although the greens on The Prairie Club-Pines Course may be the best I've ever played on, I don't think the layout was that great.  Also, unless conditions have changed, I feel Bay Hill should be on this list?

 

[Golferpaul]

On 8/4/2023 at 3:11 PM, jwhite86 said:

Guilty... very fortunate to live 10-15 minutes from the 4 Kohler courses and The Bull

I love The Bull.  It's a hidden gem.

[CDM]

Interesting with the changes.  I stayed pretty much the same at 32.   Some moved off the list and some moved on the list.   

 

Never really understood the rankings.  Yes some courses are just that great in design / timeless, but how one year a course could be there and the next completely gone in the public rankings seems odd.  Not like all these added courses are "new".   

 

IMHO it seems many are being ranked on conditions or how the person played that day?  More so it could just be that  GD review panel members are finally getting out and playing other courses? 

 

If you look at the TOP 100 courses in the US (public/private) that list changes a bit,  more the courses shift up / up or down spots but not much overall dropping in our out.  *At the bottom of the list there appears to be rota of in's/out's.   

[Argonne69]

On 7/28/2023 at 2:02 PM, 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
 

 

Checked off the Fazio and Norman courses at Red Sky Ranch GC in Colorado to increase the count to 78. Both enjoyable, but I don't think they merit a spot on the Top 100. 

 

Decided to skip Broadmoor East. Didn't think it was worth $750 with the required resort stay. That would have been with the cheapest room I could find on a Wednesday night. The round could easily reach $1000 with a weekend stay.