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What makes a golf course enjoyable or inspiring to play? Golfers remain picky about what speaks to them. Awareness of the finer points of golf course architecture continues to spread beyond just the design aficionados, but most golfers rely on instinct and scenery when evaluating a particular layout.
Principles like hole variety, challenge without brutality and scenery remain at the top of many golfers' wish lists when they head out to play. A superior layout can make up for some other negative aspects of the golf experience, too. Golfers may be willing to put up with indifferent service or sluggish pace of play if it means playing a golf course they really enjoy.
These 25 golf courses' layouts were particularly popular among golfers throughout 2024, with each of them being reviewed a minimum of 10 times in order to qualify. Don't treat this list as any sort of definitive statement on course architecture; instead, use it to inspire a future trip to a potentially underrated hidden gem.
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Omni Bedford Springs Resort
Architects: Spencer Oldham, Donald Ross, A.W. Tillinghast
Green fee: $199
What they're saying: "What a tremendous golf course. It’s challenging, but everything is right in front of you. There’s not a gimmick to be found. If you get off the tee, you’ll be fine. I used my 5-wood quite a bit, so be ready for short par 4s and some long approaches too. Greens so challenging to read, which was fun." - psuyoung -
Desert Willow Golf Resort - Firecliff Course
Architects: Dr. Michael Hurdzan & Dana Fry
Green fee: $250
What they're saying: "This course challenges even the most skilled player. Each green is protected by multiple traps, making it difficult to run a ball on to the green. The greens are fast, making it difficult to stick and hold a green from a distance. The greens are undulating making breaks on most putts. The fairways are beautifully maintained and honor a straight drive. If you like a challenge you will love this course." - Shaun9169294 -
Rock Barn Golf and Spa - Jackson Course
Conover, North CarolinaSemi-Private/ResortArchitect: Tom Jackson
Green fee: $80+
What they're saying: "Really just a great course overall. Not particularly hard from a distance standpoint. Quite a short course but extremely fun. Bunkers littered everywhere so have to be pinpoint on your drives and iron shots." - GolfPass review -
Mozingo Lake Recreation Park Golf Course
Architect: Donald Sechrest
Green fee: $38
What they're saying: "This is a great course, with an interesting layout. The greens are very challenging and I loved the speed." - trots007 -
The Bull at Pinehurst Farms
Architect: Jack Nicklaus (Signature)
Green fee: $169
What they're saying: "Many people visiting wisconsin tend to visit Kohler or Sand Valley, but don't miss out on The Bull. This is an incredibly unique course in Wisconsin that features a beautiful and challenging layout that works the amazing river view and woodland landscapes into its design. " - GolfPass review -
FarmLinks Golf Club
Architects: Dr. Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry
Green fee: $100+
What they're saying: "An amazing experience and beautiful course. One of the best courses I've ever played. From Texas but will definitely be back to play this course again" - TheTrippyTrev -
Jug Mountain Ranch Golf Course
Architects: Donald Knott and Gary Linn
Green fee: $89
What they're saying: "The course was beautiful and we were not held up on pace of play at all even with the delayed frost start. The staff was professional and welcoming and the greens keepers work extremely hard to maintain this course’ beauty. This was at the top of my list for golf courses in Idaho. We were able to complete a full round in 4 hours with a foursome." - GolfPass review -
Mystic Creek Golf Club
Architect: Ken Dye
Green fee: $149
What they're saying: "Bring your big boy game, show patience, play smart, putt great and it's a walk in the park. If not, it will expose every weakness in your game." - GolfPass review -
Hideout Golf Club
Architect: Bill Johnston
Green fee: $99
What they're saying: "It's tucked away from the city. I love it, from the abundance of trees, great scenery, to the fast greens. They take care of this course." - reyesj87 -
Journey at Pechanga
![Journey at Pechanga]()
Architects: Arthur Hills and Steve Forrest
Green fee: $210
What they're saying: "This is my first time playing Journey at Pechanga and it happens to be my favorite course I have played out of 50 courses." - GolfPass review -
Copper Mill Golf Club
Architects: Max Maxwell and Nathan Crace
Green fee: $69
What they're saying: "This course has one of my favorite layouts I’ve ever played! With 6 holes of each par, there are ample scoring opportunities. The links style layout mixed with open fairways prompts you to be aggressive, but I can assure you not every hole is easy. With a mixture of drivable holes and over 600-yard par 5s, this course is very enjoyable. The greens were renovated almost two years ago, so while they are not super receptive yet, the greens roll very well. I highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to play a fun, challenging and non-traditional layout" - GolfPass review -
The Fort Golf Resort
Architects: Pete Dye and Tim Liddy
Green fee: $84
What they're saying: "Great layout and course that feels like you are not playing golf in Indiana." - GolfPass review -
Links at Land's End
Architects: Williams, Gill & Associates
Green fee: $125
What they're saying: "I’ve played here many times and always enjoy it. It’s a beautiful and unique layout!" - jdrew36 -
Thornberry Creek at Oneida
Oneida, WisconsinPublicArchitects: Rick Jacobson and Bob Lohmann
Green fee: $80+
What they're saying: "Fun course, fun layout. Course condition was excellent." - GolfPass review -
Stoatin Brae at Gull Lake View Golf Club and Resort
Augusta, MichiganResortArchitects: Renaissance Golf Design
Green fee: $100+
What they're saying: "Enjoyed our round at Stoatin Brae. Challenging, but enjoyable. Not punitive. Fun greens." - Rj6384 -
Sandy Pines Golf Club
Architect: Tim Nugent
Green fee: $90
What they're saying: "Sandy Pines is the most beautiful course I’ve had the chance to play. The staff were super friendly and accommodating, the pace was great, and the course is just absolutely pure. The layout is seriously incredible. Challenging yet so fun to play. Definitely worth the drive and money!" - CSpring -
Crooked Tree Golf Club
Architect: Arthur Hills
Green fee: $47
What they're saying: "This was a beautiful course & layout. We played 8 different courses in 10 days, this was our favorite! We’re from Oklahoma and will definitely plan on playing this course again on our next trip!!" - GolfPass review -
Mount Shasta Resort
Architect: Sandy Tatum
Green fee: $85
What they're saying: "This is a hidden gem. Lush green course with hills and trees that’s picturesque through and through. Every hole I had to stop and just admire the beauty. It’s a challenging course with a few narrow fairways and trees will block your shot to the pin so fairway accuracy is very important. Greens are very well taken care of, the whole course is. This is the best course I have ever played. I played 9 driving through mount shasta and just spent the night there so I could play 18 the next day because I loved it so much. For what this course costs to play it’s a no brainer. They could be charging way more so take advantage before it becomes a championship course!" - Fuely707 -
Glade Springs Village - Stonehaven Course
Daniels, West VirginiaSemi-PrivateArchitect: Tom Clark
Green fee: $130
What they're saying: "I love this course. The scenery is beautiful, the fairways are very well maintained and clean. The greens are fantastic, rolling fast and true. This course is the perfect example of what a golf course in West Virginia should be. It always feels like you’re on an expedition, navigating the topography and the hollows." - jarvis10 -
Superior National Golf Course
Lutsen, MinnesotaPublic/ResortArchitects: Joel Goldstrand, Jeff Brauer
Green fee: $114
What they're saying: "Pristine lush green fairways and greens. River rushing from recent rain. Very scenic and enjoyable experience on River and Canyon 18." - JmVita73 -
The Walker Course at Clemson University
Clemson, South CarolinaPublicArchitect: DJ DeVictor
Green fee: $95+
What they're saying: "If you’re like me and can’t afford a high end country club, this course is as good as it gets for under a hundred bucks. I’ve played here off and on for over twenty years and it’s always in great shape. It’s a good layout and has several beautiful holes with views of lake Hartwell. You won’t be disappointed." - Mhendon -
Shadow Ridge Golf Club
Architects: Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley with Nick Faldo
Green fee: $219
What they're saying: "One of Palm Desert’s finest. Challenging but fair. Had a great day in the sun. Playing partner from LA says it’s the only course he plays. I see why." - williemac60 -
Rams Hill Golf Club
Architects: Ted Robinson, Sr.; Tom Fazio; Jackson-Kahn Design
Green fee: $235
What they're saying: "First few holes aren’t as nice as the rest but they get progressively better and better conditioned and the back 9 is unreal." - GolfPass review -
Creekmoor Golf Club
Architect: Tom Clark
Green fee: $80+
What they're saying: "The practice area is great, the chipping, putting, and range area are top notch. The carts are nice, lots of good stuff. The layout was super fun. No 2 holes are the same. Lots of fun challenges. Will definitely play again." - GolfPass review -
Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort - Snow Mountain
Las Vegas, NevadaResortArchitect: Pete Dye
Green fee: $289
What they're saying: "Course conditions were excellent. Greens great speed and consistency. Maybe my favorite all around course. The water holes are intimidating and very memorable." - GolfPass review
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