Reading the Golf Digest list of America's 100 Greatest Public Courses often feels more like a fantasy than a to-do list. But teeing it up at these legendary venues is a more achievable goal than you might think. This guide will walk you through how to transform that dream into a scorecard, starting with a look at what makes these courses special and finishing with a practical game plan for playing them.
Ever wonder what separates a good local track from a course that makes the Golf Digest top 100? It’s not just about perfectly manicured grass or stunning ocean views, though those certainly help. The panel of over 1,800 golfers who rate these courses use a specific set of criteria to judge the design and experience. As a coach, understanding these will help you appreciate what you're seeing when you finally get to play one.
You don't need to be a golf course architect to feel these things. When you play a top-ranked course, you’ll sense it. You'll finish the round feeling like you've been on a journey that tested every part of your game.
Dozens of incredible courses make the list, but a few have reached legendary status. Here’s a quick coach's breakdown of what to expect at a few of bucket-list destinations and how to approach them.
This is arguably the most famous public course in America. Standing on the 18th tee with the ocean crashing against the seawall is a moment you'll never forget.`
The Coach's Advice: The biggest challenge here isn't the difficulty, it's the Awe Factor. The views are so overwhelming it's easy to lose focus. On a hole like the par-3 7th, downhill and just over 100 yards, the wind coming off Carmel Bay is the only thing that matters. Most amateurs fly the green because their adrenaline is pumping. My advice? Take one less club than you think, commit to a smooth swing, and focus entirely on the center of that small green. A par here is a win.
A man-made marvel designed to look and play like an ancient Irish links course plopped onto the shores of Lake Michigan. It's walking-only, has over 1,000 bunkers, and features herds of Scottish Blackface sheep.
The Coach's Advice: Your mental game is everything here. With endless bunkers and visual intimidation on every hole, you cannot afford to get hung up on a bad shot. Your new best friend is the safe bailout area. Designer Pete Dye gives you a safe "out" on practically every hole - it just might not be obvious. Before you pull a club, find it. For instance, resist the temptation to take on a hero shot over a massive bunker complex. Just play to the safe side, give yourself a putt, and move on. Doubles and triples happen when players try to do too much.
The crown jewel of American golf's hallowed ground, "No. 2" is a masterclass in subtlety and strategy. There are no water hazards and very few trees that come into play. Its primary defense? The famous "turtleback" greens.
The Coach's Advice: Forget about pin-seeking. Your target on every single approach shot at Pinehurst No. 2 is the dead center of the green. All the greens are domed, meaning they slope away on all sides. An approach shot that lands just a few feet from the edge will be repelled down into a collection area, leaving you with a delicate, almost impossible chip back up the slope. Hitting the middle of the green here is a fantastic shot. Use all of that real estate, enjoy your two-putt par, and save yourself from the nightmare of a short-game battle you're not going to win.
Less a resort and more a pilgrimage site for the serious golfer. With six incredible, vastly different courses routed along the rugged Oregon coastline, it's pure, authentic links golf. Let's focus on the original, a Bandon Dunes course.
The Coach's Advice: Learn the ground game. The coastal winds are constant, making high, floated shots unpredictable. Practice keeping the ball low - low drives that run out, bump-and-run chips, and long lag putts from off the green (the "Texas wedge"). At a hole like the par-4 16th which plays along the cliff's edge, aim your drive well left of the trouble. Your ball will feed down to the fairway. The same goes for your approach. Use the contours and the firm turf to roll your ball onto the green instead of trying to fly it all the way there.
Seeing the glamour shots is one thing, navigating the booking process is another. It takes some planning, but it's completely doable. Let's create a clear path for you.
First, get your hands on the official Golf Digest "America's 100 Greatest Public Courses" list. Scan through it and pick a few that excite you, considering location and budget. Once you have a shortlist, go directly to each course's official website. Look for three key things:
Understand that "Top 100" often comes with a top-tier price tag. Greens fees at a place like Shadow Creek can exceed $1,000, while Pebble is over $600. But many others are more accessible. Courses like TPC Deere Run or the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Alabama offer incredible value.
Most of these premier courses are tied to resorts. They often prioritize guests, or even require you to stay at the hotel to book a tee time (this is called a "stay-and-play" package). While this adds to the overall cost, it frequently guarantees your access.
Once you’ve armed yourself with information, it's time to book. If it's a popular resort course, your best bet is to call the pro shop or reservations line directly. You'll get more information about availability and potential packages than you will online.
For some courses, particularly municipal ones like Bethpage Black or Torrey Pines, you might have to enter a lottery or, in Bethpage's case, even camp out overnight (if you're a New York resident) for a shot at a weekend time. A phone call will clarify the exact procedure.
You've booked the round! Awesome. Now, how do you prepare to enjoy it?
Playing a Golf Digest Top 100 course is more than just a round of golf, it's an experience that tests your skills, strategy, and appreciation for the game. By doing your research and preparing a thoughtful game plan, you can turn this bucket-list goal into a highlight of your golfing life.
That kind of strategic mindset and on-course composure is so important on these difficult courses. Standing on an unfamiliar tee with hazards looming, it can be tough to quiet the doubt and commit to a plan. As we were developing Caddie AI, we had these exact moments in mind. When you need a trusted second opinion on strategy, a recommendation between clubs, or just a clear plan for your next shot, my goal with Caddie AI is to give you that expert-level advice instantly, helping you play with the confidence you need to take on any course.
Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.
A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.
The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.
Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.
The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.
Walking onto the first tee with sweaty palms, worried you’ll be a good partner to paly wtih...or even asked back again ...We’ve all been there - trust me! The real trick of feeling confortable... is about how you handle you’re ready to plsy. THIS guide explains the simple rules of the rode to show you hnow t play golf while staying calm relaxed and focused... an having much morse fun while you,',re aat it? You'll also play with confidence a dn make fiendsa while you're at i
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