Best Public Golf Courses in America You don't need a country club membership to play world-class golf! These public courses rival private clubs for quality and beauty. ## What Makes a Great Public Course? Quality Factors: - Championship-caliber design - Excellent course conditions - Scenic beauty - Challenging yet fair layout - Accessible tee times (not impossible to book) ## Top 10 Must-Play Public Courses ### 1. Pebble Beach Golf Links - California Location: Pebble Beach, CA Green Fee: $575 (yes, seriously) Why Play: Iconic oceanfront holes, PGA Tour venue Best Holes: - #7: Shortest hole on PGA Tour (106 yards), ocean views - #8 & #18: Dramatic cliffside finishing holes Book: Up to 18 months in advance, resort guests get priority --- ### 2. Bethpage Black - New York Location: Farmingdale, NY Green Fee: $65 NY residents, $130 non-residents (incredible value!) Why Play: US Open venue, brutally difficult Challenge Level: Sign at first tee warns "Extremely Difficult" - Only accomplished golfers should attempt - 7,468 yards from tips - Hosted 2 US Opens Book: NY residents can book 7 days out, non-residents harder --- ### 3. Torrey Pines (South) - California Location: La Jolla, CA Green Fee: $252 (non-residents) Why Play: PGA Tour stop, Pacific Ocean views Highlights: - 2021 US Open site - Dramatic cliffside holes - Challenging from back tees Best Time: January-March (avoid June Gloom fog) --- ### 4. TPC Sawgrass (Stadium Course) - Florida Location: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL Green Fee: $350-550 (varies by season) Why Play: Island green 17th hole (most famous hole in golf) The 17th: - 137-yard par 3 - Entire green surrounded by water - 120,000 balls into water annually --- ### 5. Bandon Dunes - Oregon Location: Bandon, OR Green Fee: $100-350 (5 courses on property) Why Play: Links-style golf, remote Oregon coast Unique Factor: - Walking only (no carts!) - Scottish links feel - Stunning ocean views - True golf pilgrimage destination --- ### 6. Chambers Bay - Washington Location: University Place, WA Green Fee: $79-189 Why Play: 2015 US Open venue, Puget Sound views Design: - Links-style (rare in USA) - No trees - Wind is major factor - Walking strongly encouraged --- ### 7. Whistling Straits (Straits Course) - Wisconsin Location: Kohler, WI Green Fee: $450+ (resort guests only) Why Play: Multiple PGA Championship & Ryder Cup host Setting: - Lake Michigan shoreline - 1,000+ bunkers - Scottish links feel - Caddies mandatory --- ### 8. Kapalua Plantation Course - Hawaii Location: Maui, HI Green Fee: $395 Why Play: PGA Tour season opener, ocean views everywhere Highlights: - Wide open fairways - Massive elevation changes - Trade winds add challenge - Whale watching in winter --- ### 9. Pinehurst No. 2 - North Carolina Location: Pinehurst, NC Green Fee: $300-500 Why Play: Hosted multiple US Opens, historic resort Fun Fact: - Iconic turtle-back greens - No rough (natural waste areas) - Walking with caddie strongly encouraged --- ### 10. Kiawah Island (Ocean Course) - South Carolina Location: Kiawah Island, SC Green Fee: $375-435 Why Play: 2021 PGA Championship, 10 holes along Atlantic Challenge: - Constant ocean wind - Longest course in major championship history - Stunning but brutal --- ## Regional Highlights ### West Coast California: - Spyglass Hill (Pebble Beach) - Pasatiempo (Santa Cruz) - Torrey Pines North (easier than South) Pacific Northwest: - Bandon Trails (Oregon) - Tetherow (Bend, OR) - Gold Mountain (Washington) ### Southwest Arizona: - Troon North Monument - We-Ko-Pa Saguaro - Quintero Golf Club Nevada: - Wolf Creek (best value!) - Reflection Bay (Lake Las Vegas) ### Midwest Michigan: - Arcadia Bluffs - Forest Dunes - Treeops Resort Wisconsin: - Sand Valley - Erin Hills ### Southeast Florida: - Streamsong (Blue, Red, Black courses) - World Woods - TPC Tampa Bay Carolinas: - Caledonia Golf & Fish Club (SC) - Tobacco Road (NC) ### Northeast New York: - Bethpage Red, Blue, Green (Black's siblings) New Jersey: - Ballyowen - Twisted Dune --- ## Booking Strategies ### Expensive Courses ($300+) Best Times: - Twilight rates: After 2pm (30-50% off) - Off-season: Summer in Arizona/Florida (hot but cheap) - Shoulder season: Spring/fall for moderate weather and prices Package Deals: - Stay-and-play packages often better value - Multi-round discounts - Replay rates (afternoon same course) ### Lottery Tee Times Pebble Beach: - Call 18 months out at exactly 7am PST - Or pay $800+ through resort Bethpage Black: - NY residents can reserve online 7 days ahead - Non-residents must enter lottery or camp out General Tips: - Book tee times immediately when window opens - Be flexible on dates - Weekdays cheaper and less crowded --- ## Worth the Splurge? If you play 1 special course per year, choose: Under $100: - Bethpage Black (NY) - Wolf Creek (NV) $100-200: - Bandon Dunes (OR) - Chambers Bay (WA) - Arcadia Bluffs (MI) $200-400: - Torrey Pines South (CA) - Pinehurst No. 2 (NC) - Kapalua Plantation (HI) $400+: - Pebble Beach (CA) - Whistling Straits (WI) - Kiawah Ocean (SC) --- ## Budget-Friendly Alternatives Can't justify $500 green fees? These public courses offer exceptional value: 1. Wolf Creek, NV - $165 (stunning desert canyon) 2. Sand Hollow, UT - $75 (red rock drama) 3. Gold Mountain, WA - $60 (Olympic Mountain views) 4. Hawktree, ND - $85 (links-style prairie) 5. Forest Dunes, MI - $190 (reversible course!) --- ## Making the Most of Your Round Bring: - Camera (photos at signature holes) - Extra balls (you'll need them) - Sunscreen and water - Positive attitude (these courses are hard!) Don't: - Play from back tees (unless scratch golfer) - Expect to shoot your best round - Rush - enjoy experience Find more public courses in our directory and plan your next golf trip!