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A lakeside treasure. A historic resort course with ties to both A.W. Tillinghast and Donald Ross. A high-profile college course. A hidden gem that NEVER costs more than $50 to play.
These are just four examples about why we love our best-of lists from Golfers' Choice 2025. Every public golf course has a fair shot to rank among the Top 25 Public Golf Courses in the U.S. if they do right by their customers. These public golf courses delivered really good golf experiences for a large percentage of the public golfers who visited. These are the best public golf courses in the U.S., according to YOU.
As a reminder, in order to be eligible for this list - which is the top half of the Top 50 Public Golf Courses in the U.S. - a golf course must a) be publicly-accessible and b) receive at least 10 GolfPass reviews in the previous year. In determining the final rankings, we weigh several factors, each of which correspond to the way our reviews are structured:
- Overall Rating
- Value
- Conditions
- Layout
- Pace of Play
- Staff Friendliness
- Off-Course Amenities
For the record, some famous courses - namely Pebble Beach Golf Links and the courses of Bandon Dunes - did not have enough reviews to qualify. While both offer wonderful golf experiences and great holes, they are also very expensive and hard to play for the majority of public golfers in America. Our list of best public golf courses is more inclusive for everyone.
We make all of our Golfers' Choice 2025 articles user friendly. Golfers can click on the photo of each course to either learn more about the facility or even book a tee time (in most cases).
To see the Top 50 Public Courses in the U.S. from nos. 50 to 26, click here.
Top 25 Public Golf Courses in the U.S. - Golfers' Choice 2025
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Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course
Green fee: $250-$425
What they're saying: "My wife and I played here during an anniversary trip. The course was in great shape, lightening fast greens! staff was great and the views were absolutely amazing! At $350 a round it’s expensive, but very enjoyable!" - hurleyinkcTo see the Top 50 U.S. Public Courses from nos. 50 to 26, click here.
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Omni Bedford Springs Resort
Green fee: $129-$239
What they're saying: "Incredible Test of Golf, Amazing History. It’s hard to give enough compliments to the Old Course. It’s shorter than some b/c of its age, but it makes up for the lack of distance with difficult tests of your shot-making ability. Technical and difficult but also extremely approachable and fun. I will be back for sure." - johnstepowoy -
Occano
Green fee: $65-$117
What they're saying: "Great as always. Best course in the area by far. The course is challenging but fair, extremely fun, and is always in top notch shape. The staff is always friendly and professional. Hard to pass up a round at this course." - GFrey00 -
Pine Mountain Lake Country Club
Green fee: $60-$69
What they're saying: "Course was in excellent condition with greens reasonably quick. Weather was perfect. They have updated carts and general conditions of fairways and tee boxes were also very good." - Whittey -
Thistle Golf Club
Sunset Beach, North CarolinaPublicGreen fee: $97-$229
What they're saying: "Fantastic course. One of my favorite courses. Great starter, got through playing 9 holes and went around the turn and ranger stopped the group ahead of us to tell them to let us play through because I was a single. Great experience!" - jjrogers843 -
Glacier Wood Golf Club
Green fee: $29-$49
What they're saying: "This course is overall in excellent condition. Greens are rolling really good. Fairways are in great shape also." - reiffm -
Eldorado Golf Course
What they're saying: "Golf the way it is supposed to be. Wonderful course! Tough and challenging! Great condition! We stop in and play this course a couple of times every year when we come up from Florida. Well worth the money and totally enjoyable experience. The hot dogs and brats are also worth stopping for at the turn. We will be back next year and every year! Must play!" - NickNichols
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Pole Creek Golf Club
Green fee: $159
What they're saying: "Been playing pole creek for years one of the top tracks and best keep secret in Colorado or anywhere." - pe2496 -
Journey at Pechanga
![Journey at Pechanga]()
Green fee: $168-$210
What they're saying: "Awesome ! The grass and the greens perfect. It is impossible to have better conditions (on a) golf course." - AlbertoEbrard -
ChampionsGate Golf Club – International
ChampionsGate, FloridaSemi-Private/ResortGreen fee: $125-$240
What they're saying: "International is amazing. First time out there and was absolutely blown away. Staff was incredibly helpful and friendly. Course was gorgeous and immaculately kept. Would recommend to anyone who’s visiting or if you're local after 2 (p.m.) rates are well worth braving the sun, heat and occasional shower." - jfleur04 -
The Highlands at Dove Mountain
Green fee: $60-$135
What they're saying: "Great shape , fun course. This course was in great shape, I love the layout. The pace of play was good and it is so beautiful!!" - missy228 -
Sandy Pines Club
Green fee: $60-$90
What they're saying: "Diamond in the rough. I stumbled upon this course during a weekend golf trip and it ended up being my favorite of the 3 courses in the area that I played." - ewohmot -
Heron Glen Golf Course
Green fee: $56-$90
What they're saying: "One of my most favorite Courses. Beautiful day. Nice twosome I was put with. The course was in fantastic shape and
Pace of play was under 4 hours." - tmontrose -
Park Mammoth Golf Club
What they're saying: "Absolutely incredible. Drove up from Nashville to play here. Loved everything about this course and will definitely be back soon!" - Jfrye93
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Geneva National Golf Club – Trevino Course
Lake Geneva, WisconsinSemi-Private/ResortGreen fee: $55-$190
What they're saying: "Love it. Love playing GN....use to be a member and I love coming back to play now. Best courses in the area." - fortmyers32 -
Leatherstocking Golf Course
Green fee: $150
What they're saying: "The course did fall maintenance just 4 days before. You would not have noticed. Conditions excellent. Pace of play, we almost had the course to ourselves. Beautiful fall weather. Not the first time I've given this course 5 stars." - golf45fw -
Arrowhead Golf Club
Green fee: $56-$99
What they're saying: "One of the best courses in Illinois… shot makers course for sure, and the staff, including restaurant and bar are always amazing. Highly recommend!" - Freemangolfs -
The Classic Club
Green fee: $140-$230
What they're saying: "Great day at Classic. Solid layout and track. Good condition. Greens rolling nice. It’s expensive but decent value for money. Staff are first class." - stevenflynn181 -
University Ridge Golf Course
Green fee: $69-$139
What they're saying: "Top notch course. Friendly staff, great condition, quick greens. Overall great day of golf." - kenwen4 -
Bear Slide Golf Club
Green fee: $53-$102
What they're saying: "I loved the course as it is like playing two different courses between the front 9 links and back 9 mature trees and challenging holes. Best course I played in Indiana." - Steven7934452 -
Waterchase Golf Club
Green fee: $60-$76
What they're saying: "I played this course many times over the years. We had a great time out there and the course is in very, very good shape. The pace of play was a tad slow, however, it was a beautiful day and lots of people were out there playing. I will be out there again soon." - billeo177 -
Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort - Wolf Course
Green fee: $109-$159
What they're saying: "Probably one of the toughest courses I've played. Also one of the best maintained and fastest greens I've putted on. I usually am a bump and run player from less than a hundred yards but with these greens you gotta use a flop shot! Will definitely be back to play the other courses too! Worth the drive out there!" - Sandbuster22 -
Heron's Glen Golf & Country Club
North Fort Myers, FloridaSemi-PrivateGreen fee: $57-$125
What they're saying: "Love playing this course. Not too difficult but some challenging holes. Fairways, tee boxes, and greens are all in great shape. I would definitely recommend this course." - rwmanning -
Eagle's Landing Golf Course
Green fee: $62-$78
What they're saying: "Not sure if it was the delightful wind or the beautiful view of the Assateague Bay, but the entire experience was wonderful. We are new to Delaware and looking for courses that are not too far away. This one caught our attention and besides the cute town of Berlin, which was our first stop before we went to the course, it was a lovely day. The pace of play was nice and the conditions were excellent. We want to get back before all the leaves fall but we’ll definitely be back to Eagles Landing." - freidman205 -
Grand Bear Golf Course
Green fee: $55-$100
What they're saying: "Top 5 Mississippi Course. Great course, great layout, greens were fast and challenging. Managed to find a few bunkers, both fairway and next to green, all were in good condition. Well spaced tee boxes for me as an older golfer. Stays on my play list for another year. Clubhouse food and beverage was great service, as was beverage cart service." - CBSattorney
Comments (8)
No Bandon courses? I would rather play four of them anyway more than Edgewood. ..... and they don't close in the Winter when they are much more affordable.
The Bandon courses don't get the minimum 10 reviews to qualify for this list. Tell your fellow Bandon lovers to start leaving reviews and see how they stack up.
You would think that golf resorts that attract tons of golfers would lead the pack here, but only one in the Myrtle Beach area is on the list, and no Pinehurst area courses made it.
Myrtle Beach is a very seasonal destination. If you play the courses in the summer and they are not in great shape, they get hit with some bad reviews. Some others like Pinehurst don't have the minimum 10 reviews to qualify. We would love if they did. We continue to push everyday golfers to review EVERY course they play, you included!
How is the Bethpage Black course not on this list?
Unfortunately, Bethpage Black only got one review in 2024, so it wasn't eligible for the state list or Top 50 list. We would love for you to leave a review if you have played it. Thanks!
Bethpage Black is always in championship condition from tees to greens. Played it October 2023. Out of state green fee during the week was $135.00. Without a doubt the most inexpensive US Open and PGA played course in America. Top notch caddies available on request.
Crazy that this course is not in the top 5.
As I said above, the Black did not get enough reviews to qualify. Hopefully that will change in the future.