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!
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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.
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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.
Augusta, MichiganResort -
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.
Ocean View, DelawarePublic -
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.
Chicago, IllinoisPublic -
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.
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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 -
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![Madrona Links GC]()
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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 Tribute GC]()
Denton, TexasPublicGlen Rose, TexasPublic![Tierra Verde GC]()
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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.
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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
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
You could also include the Banff Springs Golf Course in Banff, Alberta, Canada. Truly spectacular and excellently conditioned with great hosts.