The 5 Greatest Golf Courses in the United States

While it’s usually subjective to the players, most golf courses are generally praised throughout the US as they showcase extremely high-quality turf along with different hazards, bends, and lengths for each hole. There are certainly a handful of courses that represent the highest quality that PGA Tour events have to offer, so sit tight as we break down five of the greatest golf courses in the United States.

5. Oakmont Golf Course – Oakmont, Pennsylvania

Teeing it off is the incredible Oakmont Golf Course, considered to be one of the most breathtaking golf courses not just in America, but the entire world. With few trees and minimal water on this one, golfers just love this 71-par course with its nice plush stretch of greens. Constructed way back in 1903, this golf course contains up to 7,255 yards of incredible landscape with great slopes perfect for fast and fun play. Most golfers, professional or amateurs, would agree that even without many water hazards, the course still has plenty of difficulty to showcase due to its large number of bunkers scattered throughout.

4. Augusta National Golf Course – Augusta, Georgia

Existing in Augusta, Georgia since 1933, the Augusta National Golf Course comes in fourth place on our list of top five best US golf courses, and for the perfect reason. The 72-par course ensures 7,445 yards of play across carefully constructed 18 holes resembling an old-time favorite course of the architects – Old Course at St. Andrews. While The Masters has taken place here for decades, the course has seen many notable changes over the years to improve its play, including the extension of par-5s on holes 13 and 15, as well as the removal of trees on hole 11 for the 2022 Masters.

3. Shinnecock Hills Golf Course – Southampton, New Jersey

Built just two years before Augusta in 1931, the Shinnecock Hills Club is often considered within golfers’ top three best courses to play on. Spacious hills perfectly describe the Southampton, New Jersey-based course, with an overall par of 70 adding up to just short of 7,200 yards. The sloping may do you wrong in this one, but that doesn’t stop golfers from experiencing some high-stakes fun as well as giving them the chance to showcase their perfect iron game. New green expansions were added for the 2018 US Open, and Shinnecock will be the venue for the upcoming 2026 US Open.

2. Cypress Point Golf Course – Pebble Beach, California

Coming in second place on our list is the luxurious Cypress Point Golf Course built in 1928 as one of two incredibly popular golf courses in Pebble Beach, California (the other being Pebble Beach Golf Course). While the island-like venue offers just 6,524 yards of play, it’s still a 72-par course, meaning only the most skillful golfers may want to participate from the tee. For example, the course’s iconic par-3 on the 16th is right on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, meaning a bad shot could equal a bad day for some. But still, this makes it a dream for photographers, as it offers some of the most beautiful landscapes on any golf course throughout the entire United States.

1. Pine Valley Golf Course – Pine Valley, New Jersey

Last but certainly not least is the most agreed upon favorite golf course in the United States: Pine Valley Golf Club in Pine Valley, New Jersey. When it comes to quality, you won’t find much better than Pine Valley. Erected as a par-70  course in 1918 with 7,197 yards of play, this course stands atop all others with its perfect balance of hazards and greens. Many considered the hazards to be tough yet still conquerable, with sophisticated greens that require skillful shots to stay within the boundaries of certain stretches. In addition to it all, you’ll find a diversity of sands, islands, forests and greens at the prestigious Pine Valley Golf Course, making it the greatest golf course in the US.