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Attending college is for higher learning.
The good news is that some of that knowledge can be gathered on the golf course. Every time a golfer steps on the course, he or she learns something about their game and their ability to handle different types of pressure shots. Many young golfers groom their games on college- and university-affiliated golf courses because student fees make the game more affordable before real world green fees hit after graduation.
The good news for golfers everywhere is many of these college courses are open to the public.
Our 2023 ratings and reviews have identified the best collegiate- and university-affiliated public golf courses in America. To determine the list, we apply our weighted ratings logic and combine the overall and subcategory star-rating averages to come up with a top 25. Golf courses must offer public tee times and have received at least 10 reviews in 2023 to qualify.
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Cobblestone Park Golf Club
Blythewood, South CarolinaSemi-PrivateGreen fee: $28-$42
What they're saying: "Very nice course! Layout is awesome." - David7869801 -
UNC Finley Golf Course
Green fee: $60-$90
What they're saying: "I always liked playing this course, and was happy to play again after they reopened after a year of renovation. Great quality. Challenging, but not punishing." - bradyoung01 -
The West at Forest Akers Golf Course
Green fee: $29-$62
What they're saying: "I love to play when I travel and Forest Akers West didn’t disappoint! Michigan lacks a little scenery, but Forest Akers West was in phenomenal shape, and I feel like I definitely got my money's worth! It was one of the prettiest courses I’ve played, and it has some challenges with tight fairways, vegetation, and hooks." - keppnerean -
Warren Golf Course At Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IndianaPublic/UniversityGreen fee: $26-$115
What they're saying: "Warren is always in excellent shape. You can tell the staff cares about the customer's experience. Won’t pass up the opportunity to come back." - elaK -
University Ridge Golf Course
Green fee: $65-$119
What they're saying: "Beautiful and well maintained golf course with nice practicing areas for putting, chipping and bunker. Definitely worth to come back again." - clifftang5 -
The Walker Golf Course At Clemson University
Clemson, South CarolinaPublicGreen fee: $28-$68
What they're saying: "We really like this course; we find it in great condition. Super nice good size greens with sufficient space around them, with sand traps and deep Bermuda grass to keep the game interesting." - LeeviewG -
The Rawls Course at Texas Tech
Green fee: $14-$98
What they're saying: "The course was in good shape. The rough was thicker and more penalizing than I remember it being in the past - but I guess I shouldn't hit it there. Staff is awesome - this is just a well run course. Definitely highly recommended." - Z6HJEWosACnMqwGzGfgU -
Seven Oaks Golf Club
Green fee: $25-$60
What they're saying: "I enjoyed playing this course. It’s playable while having plenty of fairway hazards and bunkers to make this a challenging course." - reloewen -
Eagle Crest Golf Club
Green fee: $45-$60
What they're saying: "Great conditions, always one of my favorite layouts in lower Michigan." - razorfit1965 -
Zollner Golf Course
Green fee: $17-$45
What they're saying: "Enjoyed the unique features of this course. Lots of contour fairway to green and on the green. Challenging but fair and interesting." - Rj6384 -
University of Illinois Golf Course - Blue Course
Green fee: $18-$25
What they're saying: "Came a day early and got a great deal on playing the course. Staff was extremely pleasant and welcoming- really enjoyed getting 18 in!" - BjduLK3pl0j64Uflg0sB -
The Meadows
Green fee: $14-$64
What they're saying: "The course is beautiful and always immaculately maintained. The rough is difficult and the greens run fast and true." - wlmmlrjr -
Keith Hills Country Club
Buies Creek, North CarolinaSemi-PrivateGreen fee: $35-$69
What they're saying: "The course was in excellent condition, greens hold nicely. Very friendly staff." - Peajay2375 -
Mississippi State University Golf Course
Green fee: $13-$30
What they're saying: "We had a great time playing, weather was perfect. Greens are fantastic not overly fast and I (could) barely see a ball mark. Staff are very friendly, reasonable green fee, clean golf carts and pace of play was acceptable. Fairway was in good shape for March. The course layout is challenging but fair. Highly recommended this course and will definitely do our long drive to play again." - cleohutchins -
Harry Mussatto Golf Course At Western Illinois University
Green fee: $10-$35
What they're saying: "It's a nice course with various elevation changes. Can be tough but fun." - Joe1499197 -
Sewailo Golf Club
![Sewailo GC: #18]()
Green fee: $59-$90
What they're saying: "Fun and great course. Would play it every time I am in Tucson." - uKJWP4533KJ -
Lonnie Poole Golf Course at North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North CarolinaPublicGreen fee: $35-$100
What they're saying: "A solid test, fun layout, greens were medium fast and held shots very well...pick the right tees and it's a challenge without being over the top. I'd recommend this track to any of my golf buddies without hesitation." - Smorrical -
New Mexico State University Golf Course
Green fee: $9-$42
What they're saying: "NMSU GOLF COURSE is one of the best venues within a 50-mile radius from El Paso, TX. It has superior maintenance of all fairways and greens and is well manicured. The staff are all very courteous an professional with exceptional services to all its players. I recommend this facility without any reservation." - pitbull000001 -
Rutgers University Golf Course
Green fee: $17-$55
What they're saying: "The course is in great shape from tee boxes to greens, which were perfect to putt. As usual pace of play is something the course emphasizes and, with cart, it's a max of 4 hours. In addition to (the) course, there is a nice practice area with a chipping green with bunker as well, separate putting green and a driving range. It represents great value, is a fun fair course, nice variety of holes. Keep the ball in the fairways and you can score." - mgerstle -
University of Idaho Golf Course
Green fee: $26-$52
What they're saying: "Very nice university golf course. Excellent pace of play. Course is challenging because the rough has not been cut down. Greens and fairways in good shape. Excellent value for the money." - Boldventure1 -
Biltmore Golf Course
Green fee: $60-$215
What they're saying: "I had a nice time in this course, well located, friendly staff, very well organized, interesting layout and in good conditions. I recommend this course." - GMSALAZAR -
Miller Memorial Golf Course
Green fee: $26-$29
What they're saying: "Nice layout. The nines are very different. The front nine is tighter with dog legs. The back nine more open and longer." - RoddyScott -
Grand Canyon University Golf Course
Green fee: $49-$132
What they're saying: "Had a lot of fun playing there. Nice tee boxes and fast greens. I don't need anything else to be happy." - MattDeech -
The Golf Club at Texas A&M
Green fee: $53-$63
What they're saying: "Great course. Better shape than expected for being in a drought. Greens were super fast!! Gnarly thick Bermuda rough in many areas. Many, many sand traps, but most were easily escapable. Glad to have had the chance to play here. Super friendly staff- but I expected nothing less from Aggies. From beginning to end, all staff, including the greens staff, was super friendly and helpful. Look forward to coming back again." - HAL98 -
University Club - Big Blue
Lexington, KentuckySemi-PrivateGreen fee: $34-$62
What they're saying: "Great layout with some challenging holes especially on the back nine. Four island greens overall. Course was in great shape for (the) end of November. Greens were not quick but still played well." - akirkup13
Comments (8)
The WIU course- are you for real- place is a nice layout (it could be amazing and used to be) but conditions are awful. Bunkers have had new sand in them for 5 plus years. Seriously go visit and see its in brutal conditions the last 3 years. You will get nice and high from the golf carts.
How did they make this list and skip Karsten Creek in Stillwater, OK?
It was not Golf Advisor’s best work if they want to be honest with themselves! The following courses that are not on the list and have “10 reviews” and are not private and are better than Miller Memorial, NC states course, NM states course, W Illinois’ course and Rutgers are:
Pete Dye River Course Va Tech
Bucknell
Both courses at Purdont
UM Stadium Course
Pfau Course
West Point’s Course
Maryland’s Course
Hi Chris. They needed 10 reviews in the calendar year to qualify, not 10 reviews overall. None of those courses you listed did that, or if they did, they didn't have the stats to back up your overall belief. Sometimes a bad experience can knock a course out of a ranking. That's why we encourage as many reviews as possible to find out how a course is performing as a whole, not just for avid traveling golfers like you.
Well Jason if you look at my stats you know I have reviewed a lot of courses. Parse your list as much as you want, I stand by my assessment that’s it’s not your best work.
Chris, You have to understand that we have no control over how these lists turn out. They are crowd sourced by the hundreds of thousands of reviews we receive each year from everyday golfers like you. Just like yelp or tripadvisor, we don't 'create' the lists. We just curate the data and list out what the customers report to us. Would my list of favorite college courses look different than this? Yes, but that's not the point. I'm fine with you not agreeing with this list, but to say "it's not your best work" is misleading. Thanks for the feedback and keep those reviews coming! Play well this summer.
Umm, The Course atYale GC, The Orchards (Mount Holyoke College) and Taconic GC (Williams College) are missing. Where's the Oklahoma State Course?
Yale is private and closing for two years, so we didn't include it on purpose. The others didn't get enough reviews to qualify (10 were needed). Your candidate can't win if you don't vote, so please review the courses you play.