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Our definition of a short course might be different than yours, but the underlying principles are still the same.
Short courses take less time to play, cost less and generally give up lower scores than regulation-sized courses. Those three factors are a winning combination for golfers everywhere.
We consider a short course as anything less than a par 70, shorter than 6,000 yards or fewer than 18 holes. While famous short courses like The Cradle at Pinehurst or the Bandon Preserve at Bandon Dunes are eligible for our top 25, our list skews toward "short" courses that everyday golfers love to play within their communities.
Each course in our top 25 received at least 10 reviews in 2024 to be considered for Golfers' Choice 2025.
Best Public Short Courses
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Greenway Park Golf Course
Green fee: $12-$19
What they're saying: "This place was great! Played there with my son who is 7 and we both had a great time. Course was in excellent shape from all aspects." - samhaury -
Missaukee Golf Course
Green fee: $18-$55
What they're saying: "The course is very deceiving for the money. Great place for the money." - salty58 -
Gold Canyon RV & Golf Resort
Green fee: $20-$30
What they're saying: "All the elevated greens mean you'd better know how to use your short clubs. The Greens are small, which also means you better know how to use your short clubs." - jems2002ca -
North Olmstead Golf Club
Green fee: $13-$30
What they're saying: "Great place to unwind for a couple hours. The staff are really cool and they (have) their stuff together. The view is amazing. Great place to build your game." - chefjomo -
Poxabogue Golf Center
Green fee: $20-$60
What they're saying: "My son (who is just taking up golf) and I played the course yesterday in about an hour and 10 minutes. It's a great place to play a quick nine. A great place for beginners. Obviously it's short but the course is well kept and the greens are actually a little more challenging than some of the other public courses we play. It's a good time." GolfPass reviewer -
Square Links Golf Course
Green fee: $15
What they're saying: "Fairways and greens were in great condition. Even though the course was very busy the play moved along at a nice pace." - -
Rocky Knolls Golf Course
Green fee: $27-$60
What they're saying: "We were in South Dakota for the Sturgis motorcycle rally and played a few courses in the area. Rocky Knolls happened to be 10 minutes from where we were staying in Custer. Excellent course! Beautiful scenery, course was in excellent shape, staff was very friendly and the weather was perfect. One of those great golf rounds, it all came together. Highly recommend and we will be back next time we're in the area." - lawebster -
Linville Land Harbor Golf Club
Green fee: $18-$73
What they're saying: "This was our first time playing this course. Excellent conditions, and fun layout. I must say the front end staff was the best. I’ve been playing golf for 30+ years and this By far the best desk experience we’ve ever had. Thank you." - dkslade -
Wild Rock Golf Club - Woods 9-hole Course
Wisconsin Dells, WisconsinPublicWhat they're saying: "Had some great holes and challenges. It was well maintained and beautiful. I had a great time playing here, I can’t wait to play again." - Hateme021
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Pinetop Lakes Golf & Country Club
What they're saying: "First time playing this course to get out of the Valley heat, and I can't wait to get back to play it again! The course plays shorter but is challenging. The scenery and homes on the course are beautiful so you'll have plenty to look at! The staff was extremely polite and very helpful pointing out things that you need to know as a first time player there. I can't wait to play it again!" - davelli
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Grayslake Golf Course
Green fee: $16-$19
What they're saying: "Perfect (small) course for people that are beginning. Extremely fun, great staff and friendly people. Great for practicing irons." - chaos88 -
North Bend Golf Course
What they're saying: "The greens and Fairways are always so well taken care of. It’s an open course meaning there’s not a lot of trees and even if you miss the fairway, you can get to the green." - Gary2456016
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Oasis Country Club
Green fee: $64-$79
What they're saying: "This was our second time playing this course. First time we lost lots of balls in the 22 water features. This time we only lost 2! Course management worked. Loved this well maintained course. It’s a beauty and takes about 3 hours." - GibsonsGal -
The Links at Terranea
Green fee: $80-$90
What they're saying: "If you want to have a great time and have amazing views then this is the place for you. Bring your camera!" - aussiek -
Glacier View Golf Course
Green fee: $35-$65
What they're saying: "Every time I have golfed at Glacier View I have never been let down! The staff is always very friendly! For the price you pay to play here you just can’t beat the views and the greens! Highly recommend!" - seahawks22696 -
Riverview RV Resort
Green fee: $20-$40
What they're saying: "This is a little gem in the desert. Don't expect much in the way of the course length but expect a nice quality experience. Nine short holes that surround two ponds and a stream that runs between them that are well groomed and maintained very nicely. It's like a walk in the park with your clubs. It only took me an hour to walk the nine holes by myself. Play it, it's fun!" - dnbthompson -
Winter Park Golf Course
Green fee: $24-$29
What they're saying: "My first time playing here. A unique nine holes like no other in this area. Teamed up with three people who were a joy to go round with. We walked which with the cooler weather was great. It’s not long but you still have to hit it straight. Greens could be very quick, fairways and tees more than adequate. This is golf as it was many moons ago and it’s very reasonable." - broadview34 -
Shadow Hills North
Green fee: $38-$82
What they're saying: "Hands down my favorite, par-3 course for all levels of experience golfers. Shorter holes have challenging bunkers and water to add to the difficulty of the course. Longer holes have wide fairways, bunkers also come into play. I’ve been golfing for 2 years now and enjoy this par-3 course in the Coachella valley. The course is ALWAYS in great condition. Worth it!" - JavierRuiz1998 -
The Links at LaBelle Winery
Green fee: $20-$35
What they're saying: "I found this course to be a great place to practice my short game. Chipping and putting while not at a super busy golf course. Even on a Sunday, the pace of play moved along well." - wlaliberty -
Incline Village - Mountain Golf Course
Incline Village, NevadaResortGreen fee: $35-$95
What they're saying: "If you like a hilly course with lots of elevation changes, this is one of the best I have seen anywhere. It also has the benefit of being one of the most beautiful courses I’ve ever been on. With a few par 4’s and the rest being par 3’s, it’s great to hone your short game and have a great time doing it. The snack bar overlooks 4 fairways so there’s no shortage of joy on the 18th hole. What an awesome course." - Thomas2404007 -
Rolling Greens Executive Course
Ocala, FloridaSemi-Private/ResortGreen fee: $20-$35
What they're saying: "Great little course. A!ways in good shape. Greens are great. This is a short course not an easy course. It's really fun. The staff is always great. My lady and I play here often and she loves it." - Strickj4 -
Neshanic Valley Golf Course - Academy Course
Neshanic Station, New JerseyMunicipalGreen fee: $57-$92
What they're saying: "Great course and 8th hole blue tee box is my favorite. Gives the best feeling. Unmatched." - ajish -
Cedardell Golf Club
What they're saying: "This course is fun and the scenery is beautiful. All the staff is very nice and the grounds keeper does a spectacular job!" - Scott5469519
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Highlands Golf Course
Green fee: $20-$30
What they're saying: "Loved the variety of the course. There are relatively short par 3s that are 100 yards & long ones that are 200 yards. Loved the intimidation of all the water. Greens rolled super nice. I will for sure be visiting again." - TreBailey37 -
Elkhorn Valley Golf Club
Green fee: $22-$49
What they're saying: "Check in was easy and quick. Staff had our carts ready to go on hole 1. Course was kept up very nice with a nice layout. Overall a terrific experience." - Golfdaddy83
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