Power Rankings: Best golf trips to take in August

Trending courses in hot U.S. destinations based on your reviews in July
Corica Park - South: #6
In the Bay Area, the South Course at Chuck Corica Park was totally rebuilt by Rees Jones and reopened in 2018.

The height of summer has past, and August is the last full month where northern destinations enjoy the spotlight. We've scanned your ratings and reviews from the past month - over 20,000 - to see which courses and destinations are doing the best right now. The goal is to seek out some lesser-known and affordable courses that don't find the spotlight so often, but continue to deliver great experiences to local and regional golfers in the know.

Some of these hotspots, like the Pacific Northwest and Michigan, aren't surprising. But some metro areas farther south, like Nashville and Dallas, are enjoying stronger reviews than we'd expect during these warm months.

Your reviews help tell your fellow golfers where to play next, whether it's your hometown courses or places you play on the road. By submitting reviews, you can also build out your very own personal map of courses played. You can start right here!

  1. San Francisco Bay Area

    The Monterey Peninsula enjoyed a wonderful June with the hosting of the U.S. Open, but courses closer to San Francisco-San Jose-Oakland are also faring quite well, and in the case of Corica Park, have received extensive investment. These metro courses typically more affordable than the resort courses on the coast, too, and you combine rounds with sightseeing easily.

    Alameda, California
    Public
    4.3770600051
    522
    American Canyon, California
    Semi-Private
    3.471974044
    942
    Pleasanton, California
    Municipal
    4.0593545767
    1003
    Bodega Bay, California
    Public
    4.5575634646
    713

  2. Grand Rapids

    Grand Rapids along with nearby Kalamazoo is a bargain golf hotbed - and also very friendly. The courses are also more easily accessible than the resorts of Northern Michigan.

    Pierson, Michigan
    Public
    4.7607
    234
    Allendale, Michigan
    Public
    4.5853065747
    709
    Marshall, Michigan
    Semi-Private
    4.4997296821
    336

  3. Ocean City

    Myrtle Beach isn't the only great value destination on the east coast. Ocean City is half the drive time from the northeastern metros and has a smaller but still diverse mix of layouts.

    Long Neck, Delaware
    Public
    4.6926411765
    573
    Berlin, Maryland
    Public
    4.7494647059
    528
    Berlin, Maryland
    Public
    4.1696082892
    460

  4. Chicagoland

    Chicagoland daily-fee facilities have continued to have a strong summer of reviews anchored by the Donald Ross-designed classic and public-access Ravisloe.

    Homewood, Illinois
    Public
    4.503019123
    822
    Wheaton, Illinois
    Public
    4.6563478036
    451
    Grayslake, Illinois
    Public
    4.5416588448
    567

  5. North Carolina Triangle

    The Raleigh-Durham area, all the way towards the Village of Pinehurst, is deep with great courses to play, and you don't have to splurge at the top resorts, either. | More: The Signature package at Talamore, featuring 3 rounds, 2 nights from $252.

    Southern Pines, North Carolina
    Public/Resort
    4.5582587102
    700
    Chapel Hill, North Carolina
    Public
    4.2323179272
    862
    Wagram, North Carolina
    Semi-Private
    4.0269451064
    220
    Clayton, North Carolina
    Semi-Private
    4.4851549551
    1109

  6. Eastern Pennsylvania

    The Philadelphia area and Eastern Pennsylvania has a nice and generally affodable mix of public courses both historic and modern. Montgomery County promotes stay-and-plays here for as low as $93/nt.

    Trending Eastern Pennsylvania courses
    Oxford, Pennsylvania
    Semi-Private
    4.7426
    760
    Mount Wolf, Pennsylvania
    Public
    4.5130705882
    311
    Wernersville, Pennsylvania
    Semi-Private
    4.1502459893
    308
    Quarryville, Pennsylvania
    Semi-Private
    4.4133774722
    327

  7. Seattle-Tacoma

    Chambers Bay received several positive reviews early in 2019 following their greens project completion. Other, more affordable area courses are doing well, too.

    Trending Sea-Tac courses
    Kingston, Washington
    Public
    4.5148636391
    510
    Gig Harbor, Washington
    Public
    4.0336
    238
    Port Ludlow, Washington
    Resort
    4.4442128251
    345

  8. Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex

    El Nino has brought cooler-than-normal temperatures to much of Texas so far this year and many courses have enjoyed strong summert hus far, especially in North Texas. 13 courses have enjoyed overall review averages of 4.75 or higher, including these:

    Trending Metroplex courses
    The Colony, Texas
    Public
    4.2444
    356
    Yantis, Texas
    Public
    4.7221689489
    402
    Arlington, Texas
    Public/Municipal
    4.507
    355

  9. Nashville

    We receive a lot of inquiries about where to play in Nashville, one of the best bachelor and bachelorette destinations. Resort golf is on the lighter side but that doesn't mean there aren't great daily-fee and semi-private courses in the area to play. If you're in the TEnnessee area, check out our upcoming Getaway to Sweetens Cove that also includes more golf including a top state private club.

    Dickson, Tennessee
    Public
    3.9860652836
    1017
    Springfield, Tennessee
    Public
    4.4109796154
    730
    Drummonds, Tennessee
    Public
    4.490033356
    370
    Sparta, Tennessee
    Public/Resort
    4.4508
    315

  10. Ozarks

    Golf is great in Missouri's Ozarks, one of the great scenic mountain destinations in the U.S right in the middle of the country. Big Cedar Lodge gets the most national acclaim, but there are many other getaways that are more affordable and still plenty memorable. This stay-and-play package at the Lodge of Four Seasons starts at $167/nt.

    Trending Ozarks courses
    Lake Ozark, Missouri
    Resort
    4.0165137748
    174
    Linn Creek, Missouri
    Public
    4.4074
    54
    Camdenton, Missouri
    Public/Resort
    4.5263
    95
    Camdenton, Missouri
    Semi-Private
    4.34
    100

Brandon Tucker is the Sr. Managing Editor for GolfPass and was the founding editor of Golf Advisor in 2014, he was the managing editor for Golf Channel Digital's Courses & Travel. To date, his golf travels have taken him to over two dozen countries and nearly 600 golf courses worldwide. While he's played some of the most prestigious courses in the world, Tucker's favorite way to play the game is on a great muni in under three hours. Follow Brandon on Twitter at @BrandonTucker and on Instagram at @btuck34.

Comments (2)

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I'm glad to see GreyStone in Nashville get some love. It's truly great. In Eastern Pa, in addition to Wyncote, you've got Inniscrone (designed by Gil Hanse) and Glen Mills literally in the same neighborhood. And I'll name just a few worthies in Montgomery County and Lower Bucks County - Makefield Highlands, Bella Vista, Raven's Claw (host of the Valley Forge Invitational on the Symetra Tour), and Jeffersonville, a wonderfully restored Donald Ross gem

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You could also include the Banff Springs Golf Course in Banff, Alberta, Canada. Truly spectacular and excellently conditioned with great hosts.

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Power Rankings: Best golf trips to take in August
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