Golf blends strategy, scenery, and social time, and walking courses crafted by icons like Alister MacKenzie and Donald Ross feels like stepping into history. Their masterful designs—rolling greens, clever bunkers, dramatic vistas—feature on countless “world’s best” lists, and many players say that simply standing on the first tee is spellbinding. If you’re itching to swing the clubs, start with these storied layouts that have to be seen to be believed.
Pasatiempo Golf Club
This club is semi-private but offers tee times to the public. You can book a week in advance or a year in advance, as indicated on the website. The golf course, designed by Alister MacKenzie, is located in Santa Cruz, California. It’s best known for its beautifully intricate surrounds and an extremely challenging back nine.
Shadow Creek Golf Course
Located in Nevada and designed by the brilliant Tom Fazio, it was initially a private club but is now open to the public with specific arrangements. It’s only accessible to guests staying at the MGM Resorts International Properties in Las Vegas. You’ll also need to book well in advance, and the green fee is substantial at $600 per round.
We-Ko-Pa Golf Club
The Saguaro Course, designed by Coore & Crenshaw, is located in McDowell, Arizona. The course features natural bunkering and wider fairways that reflect the ancient landscape. You can play here for a daily fee and book your tee time online or by calling. They offer the Cholla course and the Saguaro. If you choose to play both courses, you can, but it must be within 72 hours, as it’s part of a package deal.
Spyglass Hill Golf Course
Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., it’s part of the Pebble Resort in California and has a challenging layout for play, along with terrific ocean views. This is another semi-private golf course attached to a club, but it’s open to the public. Book your tee time well in advance (the further in advance, the better). That is especially true for resort guests. If you’re not staying on site, you can book up to three months in advance, and it’s advisable to do so as far in advance as possible.
Barnbougle Dunes
Travel to Australia, and you can see Tom Doak and Michael Clayton’s unique approach. Tom embraces minimalism, preferring that the natural landscape dictate the design. He has a reputation for having the most exciting courses in the modern era. The course doesn’t require a membership, and the cost is very reasonable for the quality of the course.
St Andrews Golf Links
If you make it to Scotland, you can see Old Tom Morris’ work. His influence is still seen today, and he introduced many strategic elements into golf design. His work is often praised for its blend of beauty and challenge. You can play any of the courses, but the Old Course is the most renowned, and tee times are highly sought after. It will also need a handicap certificate to play.
Kananaskis Country Golf Course
Located in the Canadian Rockies, Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed this course to provide a challenge while offering stunning mountain views that surround the course. The course welcomes visitors to the Mount Lorette course of the Mount Kidd option. Bookings must be made in advance, and the season runs from May to the middle of October.
Bandon Tails
Another course designed by Coore & Crenshaw, it’s part of the Bandon Dunes resort in Oregon. The course was carved out of wooden land and seamlessly flows with its surroundings. Bandon Tails is one of the five 18-hole courses, all of which are open to the public. It’s recommended that you book in advance. Please note that if you’re not a resort guest, you may be required to pay a premium rate to play.
Pinehurst No. 2
A Donald Ross beauty, you can play at this course in North Carolina if you’re a guest at the Pinehurst resort. It’s known for the ‘inverted saucer’ green areas and has hosted a multitude of the U.S. Opens. It has been restored to its 1921 appearance, and it’s a fantastic course to explore. To play here, you can book a stay-and-play package, but you need to make sure it includes this course, or you’ll have a surcharge.
French Lick Resort
Another Donald Ross course, located in Southern Pines, North Carolina, is another that has hosted U.S. Opens—specifically, the Women’s division. There are multiple packages available that allow you to play here, providing challenges for people of all skill levels. When you need a rest, they have bowling, swimming, and a spa to enjoy.
University of Michigan Golf Course
Located in Ann Arbor, this golf course, designed by Alister MacKenzie, finally opened to the public in 2015. It has intricate bunkers and green surrounds, and was restored by Tom Doak. There are specific exclusions for how you can play. You must be a student, faculty member, staff member, or alumnus. If you’re not, you’ll have to pay a higher green fee, and you may need to be accompanied by someone qualified.
Fallen Oak
Tom Fazio designed this one too, and it’s situated in Saucier, Mississippi. It offers a demanding experience and true beauty. The course is exclusive to resort guests, and while it’s challenging, it provides excellent playability for golfers of various skill levels. Like the others on this list, you need to book in advance.
Streamsong Red
Go to Florida, and in Bowling Green, you’ll find another Coore & Crenshaw masterpiece. This course offers a unique layout and was built on top of a former phosphate mine. To play here, simply book a tee time. It’s one of three championship courses at the resort, and they are all highly regarded as amazing.
The Broadmoor
A private club, it is open to the public in Colorado Springs. Donald Ross designed the original 18 holes of the course, which are split into the East and West courses, offering great views and more challenging putts. It’s only open to hotel guests or guests of a club member.
The Sagamore
Our last course is another famous option by Donald Ross. In 1928, it was designed in the Adirondacks and has incredible views of Lake George. It’s open to the public, and non-guests can book tee times. Online booking is available at any time, but phone booking is only available during business hours. In peak season, it’s recommended to book your reservations far in advance.
Break Out The Putter
With these courses, you can see that the architects aimed to provide an exceptional experience, a challenging game, and the best views imaginable. All of these courses deliver all of that and more. So, pick your favorite, plan a vacation, and book far in advance, because these luscious courses are just waiting for you to play.
