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Golf courses continued their momentum from 2020 throughout 2021. With rounds played as high as they've been in recent memory, it created a lot of demand for tee times. Rare were the days you had the golf course all to yourself. So the golf courses that were able to achieve a steady pace of play should be applauded more than ever. Balancing demand with safety and social distancing in 2021 was no small feat.
Pace of play is one of six subcategories you can rate when you review a golf course and we've uncovered the Top 25 golf courses as rated by our community based on reviews from 2021. The list features courses ranging from municipals to high-end resort courses. It just goes to show that golf courses of any class can set up their tee sheet for success.
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The Highlands Golf Club at Fisher Mountain
Franklin, W.V.
What they're saying: "Play this course at least once a month during the season or more. Worth the hour plus drive! This course is a hidden gem in Franklin, West Virginia, 30-45 minutes from Harrisonburg, Va. Play it and you won't regret it!!!!!" - kingmanz -
PGA National Resort & Spa - The Estates Course
West Palm Beach, Fla.
What they're saying: "This course was great. Staff, pace of play and greens are awesome." - golfer review -
Omni Tucson National Golf Resort & Spa - Catalina Course
Tucson, Ariz.
What they're saying: "No waiting. No rush. Finished in 3 hrs and 45 minutes. Course was in great shape." - vernehill -
Old Channel Trail Golf Course
Montague, Mich.
What they're saying: "Pace of play was excellent and the staff is always friendly and courteous." - Wgeckert -
The Club at Lac La Belle
Oconomowoc, Wis.
What they're saying: "Fun fun fun. I literally cannot say a bad thing about my experience at this course. Staff was great; pace of play was wonderful; course conditions were impeccable." - kmergens -
Mauna Lani Resort - South Course
Mauna Lani's South Course is on the ocean. The 15th hole flies over a scenic coastal cove. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfPass Kohala Coast, Hawaii
What they're saying: "Majestic! Played the course multiple times. The tee box on 15 brings back memories of Pebble Beach!" - NLD3rd -
Mississippi National Golf Links
Red Wing, Minn.
What they're saying: "Course was in great shape and the pace of play was outstanding. Greens were excellent and we had our best rounds of the summer." - golfer review -
Farm Golf Club
Bellaire, Mich.
What they're saying: "Great course. We found the course to be very beautiful, clean, and challenging. We had a great day!!" - Corey1758346 -
Ritz-Carlton Golf Club Orlando
Orlando, Fla.
What they're saying: "It can be a bit expensive but what else would you expect considering the name and association. Staff are very friendly and facility is immaculate." - jparham2 -
Quail Dunes Golf Course at Fort Morgan
Fort Morgan, Colo.
What they're saying: "We played in less than 4 hours and the course was in good condition. The staff is always very friendly. We enjoy playing this course." - golfer review -
The Links at Perry Cabin
![Links at Perry Cabin 14]()
The 14th at the Links at Perry Cabin has an excellent green complex for a short par five. This is one of the testier spots on an otherwise gracefully subdued Dye design. Tim Gavrich/GolfPass Saint Michaels, Md.
What they're saying: "Unbelievable layout and conditions. Best course by far in the area and on par with premier courses anywhere!" - Golffman -
Willow Creek Golf Club
Vermilion, Ohio
What they're saying: "Sure did like this course. Very well kept. All the folks were friendly. We were off early. Finished our round in no time." - jmsflet -
Greenwood Country Club
Greenwood, S.C.
What they're saying: "The course was in great shape, the pace of play was great. Always enjoy playing there." - Cdivens7 -
Mystic Creek Golf Club
El Dorado, Ark.
What they're saying: "Course is a great challenge. Tests all aspects of your game. It’s heavily wooded, lots of well placed water hazards, and the greens have lots of slopes and tough bunkers." - cheetahwoods395 -
Lakota Links Golf Club
New Castle, Co.
What they're saying: "We literally had the course to ourselves. (Only) A single in front. We played in 3hrs, 20mins." - abetterroundtoday -
The Club at Osprey Cove
Saint Marys, Ga.
What they're saying: "Course is always beautiful. Staff is friendly. Pace of play very good. Well worth the money." - golfer review -
Stowe Country Club
Stowe, Vt.
What they're saying: "Enjoyable place to play. Course in great condition. Friendly folks and friendly course layout." - Paul3681344 -
Bayonet at Puppy Creek
Raeford, N.C.
What they're saying: "The Bayonet is in great shape! Fairways are lush and the greens are smooth." - usecotton -
Maccripine Country Club
Pinetops, N.C.
What they're saying: "We played at a good pace and were not held up by slow golfers. A hidden gem playing during the week and very affordable." - golfer review -
Dragon at Nakoma
The Dragon at Nakoma Resort is one of the most beautiful and difficult golf courses in the region. Mike Bailey/GolfPass Clio, Calif.
What they're saying: "This course requires some knowledge and strategy. Beautiful and challenging course." - Reno6208 -
Suncadia Resort - Prospector Course
Cle Elum, Wash.
What they're saying: "The pace of play was very good. At times it seemed like we had the course to ourselves." - golfer review -
Trappers Turn Golf Club
Wisconsin Dells, Wis.
What they're saying: "Pace of play was fine. We caught up to a foursome in front of us and they kindly let us play through." - PolskiGolfer -
Eagle Ridge Golf Course At Yatesville Lake State Park
Louisa, Ky.
What they're saying: "Hardest course I’ve ever played but also one of the most stunning." - datshoint25 -
Agawam Hunt
Rumford, R.I.
What they're saying: "We played 18 holes in just under 3 hours with a cart. The course is very short but a few challenging holes. Greens and tee boxes are pristine." - chris8073713 -
Wintergreen Resort - Stoney Creek
Wintergreen, Va.
What they're saying: "Great condition. Great pace. Beautiful scenery and super friendly staff. Don't miss it." - Ripper61
Comments (1)
Absolutely: it was still hard to find a course in 2021 where you could have it to yourself. The only genuine exceptions for me were northern Vermont (but a bit pre-season and on a cold day in early June) and in the hinterlands of New York State–and, even at that, ‘to yourself’ was a relative term. Pace of play seemed a bit better, nonetheless, than it was in general over 2020.
That 15th at Mauna Lani South may well be the most beautiful golf hole on the planet. If there’s something more stunning, I can’t think of it.