What state has the best golf? It's the ultimate 19th-hole debate, and the answer isn't as simple as naming just one winner. The best golf experience is incredibly personal, depending entirely on what you're looking for. This guide will break down the top contenders by what might matter most to you - from iconic public tracks you can actually book a tee time on, to the states an American golf history buff can enjoy most.
Trying to crown a single state is like trying to pick the single best golf club in your bag - it's impossible because each one serves a different purpose. One golfer might define "best" as the highest concentration of Top 100 private courses. Another might care more about jaw-dropping scenery and courses that are open to the public. To get to the bottom of this, let's break down the categories:
So, instead of a single champion, let's Tour a few of the top contenders that excel in each category.
If your definition of "best" is the greatest publicly accessible golf destination on the planet, the discussion begins and ends in a tiny coastal town: Bandon, Oregon. In roughly two decades, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort transformed a remote stretch of Pacific gorse and shoreline into a global pilgrimage site. This isn't just a place with a few great courses, it's a full-immersion golf paradise.
The philosophy at Bandon is built around a pure, throwback golf experience. It's walking-only, with an army of professional caddies ready to guide you. The courses are true links-style designs, playing firm and fast along the dramatic, craggy coastline. Architecturally, it’s a living museum of modern design greatness:
For the average golfer who wants to experience world-class architecture and unfiltered, soul-stirring golf without needing a membership, no state delivers like Oregon.
No state blends A-list private courses, iconic public tracks, and postcard-perfect scenery quite like California. From the deserts in the south to the dramatic coastline of the Monterey Peninsula, California’s golf landscape is as diverse as it is beautiful. While many of its finest clubs are behind closed doors, its public-facing options are legendary in their own right.
The headliner, of course, is Pebble Beach Golf Links. Standing on the 7th tee in the wind, with the waves crashing below you, is one of those bucket-list moments for any golfer. It’s arguably the most famous public course in America, having hosted six U.S. Opens. The entire Monterey Peninsula is a hotbed, with Spyglass Hill and The Links at Spanish Bay offering more championship-caliber public options.
Then you have the cathedrals of the private game:
California's combination of have-to-see-it-to-believe-it nature and championship venues from golf's biggest tournaments gives it a special spot atop the golfing world.
If you're a student of the game who reveres its history, your search for the "best" golf state leads directly to the Sandhills of North Carolina and the village of Pinehurst. Deemed “The Cradle of American Golf,” this area breathes the history of the sport. The atmosphere is less about dramatic ocean cliffs and more about connecting with the game on a deeper, more spiritual level.
Pinehurst Resort is the heart of it all. At the center of this iconic stay and play destination is a restored masterpiece of design at Pinehurst No.2 designed by Donald Ross, which has hosted more major championships than any other course in America, including multiple U.S. Opens and a Ryder Cup. Standing on the first tee of No. 2, you can feel Ross's original design in golf history looking you right in the face as U.S. Open tournaments from several different decades have unfolded in the exact spot you're standing. Its treacherous turtleback greens and sandy, wire grass-lined fairways require precision, creativity, and a deft touch around the greens.
What makes the Pinehurst area so special is its commitment to fun and accessible golf. The region boasts dozens of amazing Donald Ross-designed public courses. Even a brand new golfer can get introduced to golf course architecture in a memorable and world-class way at places like The Cradle, Pinehurst’s famous 9-hole short course, it's one of the most enjoyable walks in the sport. North Carolina is for the traditionalist - the golfer who appreciates subtle genius in design and the quiet dignity of a place steeped in history.
The rise of Wisconsin as a premier golf destination has been nothing short of meteoric. Once an afterthought on the national scene, the Badger State now boasts a collection of brawny, championship-level public courses that have hosted Ryder Cups, PGA Championships, and U.S. Opens within the last decade.
From an American perspective, Wisconsin delivers a links-style experience that feels like it was plucked right out of Ireland and dropped on the shores of Lake Michigan.
Wisconsin proves top-tier golf isn't confined to the coasts - it's a testament to bold vision and incredible land.
Several other states have a strong case. Here a few you don't want to forget:
The "best state for golf" truly depends on what page you're on for what kind of golfing experience you want. Is it the pure public accessibility of Oregon? The scenic prestige of a golf town on the coast for the last fifty years as seen in California? The historic soul felt in the air during twilight at Pinehurst No 2. You’re asking a great question either way whatever your pick is because you can easily find your new favorite place!
Tacklingこれらの象徴的なコースを新しい州でプレイするのは intimidatに聞こえるかもしれませんが, intimidatingになる必要はありません。 Caddie AI は, あなたがポケットの中いつでも使えるパーソナルコースのエキスパートとして設計されています。初めてのホールで賢いゲームプランを立てたり, 難しいアプローチショットのためにクラブをお勧めしたり, どんな州にいても自信を持ってティに立てるように明確な戦略を提供します。
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