Top 50 Bucket List Golf Courses You Can Actually Play
Forget the private clubs you'll never get on. These are the 50 best courses in America that you can actually book a tee time at — ranked by Google ratings, course rankings, and reputation.
50 bucket-list courses ranked by rating. Every one is open to the public.
#1Quintero Golf ClubScottsdale, AZ
4.9★$130–$250Top 50 Public — Golf Digest
#2Bandon DunesBandon, OR
4.9★$275–$395Top 100 Courses in the World — Golf Digest
#3Pacific DunesBandon, OR
4.9★$275–$395Top 15 in the World — Golf Magazine
#4Sheep RanchBandon, OR
4.9★$275–$395
#5Gozzer Ranch Golf & Lake ClubCoeur d'Alene, ID
4.9★$250–$400
#6Chambers BaySeattle, WA
4.9★$175–$299
#7Promontory Club (Pete Dye)Park City, UT
4.9★$200–$350
#8Snake River Sporting ClubJackson, WY
4.9★$275–$450
#9Crystal Downs Country ClubTraverse City, MI
4.9★$250–$350Top 10 in the World — Golf Magazine, MacKenzie/Maxwell design
#10Southern Hills Country ClubTulsa, OK
4.9★$250–$400Multiple Major Championship Host
#11The Alotian ClubLittle Rock, AR
4.9★$200–$350
#12Pebble Beach Golf LinksMonterey, CA
4.9★$675–$695#1 Public — Golf Digest; multiple U.S. Open host
#13Pebble Beach Golf LinksCarmel-by-the-Sea, CA
4.9★$675–$695#1 Public — Golf Digest
#14Gamble Sands (Sands Course)Brewster, WA
4.9★$225–$245No. 31 — Golf Digest America's 100 Greatest Public 2025-26
#15Scarecrow at Gamble SandsBrewster, WA
4.9★$225–$245Best New Public Course 2025 — Golf Digest
#16We-Ko-Pa Golf Club (Saguaro Course)Scottsdale, AZ
4.8★$150–$280Top 100 Public — Golf Digest
#17Wolf Creek Golf ClubMesquite, NV
4.8★$100–$250
#18Shadow CreekLas Vegas, NV
4.8★$500–$600Top 100 You Can Play — Golf Magazine
#19Crosswater Golf ClubBend, OR
4.8★$175–$295Top 100 Resort Courses — Golf Digest
#20Old MacdonaldBandon, OR
4.8★$275–$395
#21Crosswater Golf ClubSunriver, OR
4.8★$175–$295
#22Circling Raven Golf ClubSpokane, WA
4.8★$100–$175
#23Chambers Bay Golf CourseGig Harbor, WA
4.8★$175–$289
#24The Reserve at Moonlight BasinBig Sky, MT
4.8★$200–$350Top 100 Resort Courses — Golf Magazine 2024
#253 Creek Ranch Golf ClubJackson, WY
4.8★$300–$500
#26Telluride Golf ClubTelluride, CO
4.8★$175–$295
#27Whistling Straits - Straits CourseKohler, WI
4.8★$395–$5202021 Ryder Cup, 3x PGA Championship — Top 10 Public Courses, Golf Digest
#28Erin HillsKohler, WI
4.8★$275–$3952017 US Open Host — Top 25 Public Courses, Golf Digest
#29Arcadia Bluffs - Bluffs CourseTraverse City, MI
4.8★$175–$275Top 20 Public Courses — Golf Digest 2024
#30Pete Dye Course at French LickFrench Lick, IN
4.8★$199–$349
#31The Ocean CourseKiawah Island, SC
4.8★$350–$500Top 10 Public — Golf Digest, PGA Championship Host (2012, 2021)
#32Caledonia Golf & Fish ClubMyrtle Beach, SC
4.8★$150–$250Top 100 Public — Golf Digest
#33The Honors CourseChattanooga, TN
4.8★$200–$350
#34The Concession Golf ClubSarasota, FL
4.8★$250–$400
#35Fallen OakBiloxi, MS
4.8★$150–$250
#36Caledonia Golf & Fish ClubPawleys Island, SC
4.8★$150–$250
#37Reynolds - Great WatersReynolds Lake Oconee, GA
4.8★$175–$325
#38Horseshoe Bay - Summit RockHorseshoe Bay, TX
4.8★$175–$295
#39Boot Ranch Golf ClubFredericksburg, TX
4.8★$200–$350
#40Buffalo Ridge Springs (Big Cedar Lodge)Branson, MO
4.8★$150–$250Top 10 Public Course in Missouri — Golf Digest
#41Valhalla Golf ClubLouisville, KY
4.8★$250–$400PGA Championship & Ryder Cup Host
#42Karsten Creek Golf ClubOklahoma City, OK
4.8★$175–$300Top 25 Public — Golf Digest
#43Spyglass Hill Golf CourseMonterey, CA
4.8★$475–$525Top 50 Public — Golf Digest
#44Spyglass Hill Golf CourseCarmel-by-the-Sea, CA
4.8★$475–$525
#45Streamsong RedStreamsong, FL
4.8★$150–$419Top 100 Public — Golf Digest
#46Streamsong BlueStreamsong, FL
4.8★$150–$419Top 100 Public — Golf Digest
#47May River Golf Club (Montage Palmetto Bluff)Bluffton, SC
4.8★$200–$350
#48Redlands Mesa Golf CourseGrand Junction, CO
4.8★$90–$160Frequently ranked #1 Public in Colorado
#49The Highland Course at PrimlandRoanoke, VA
4.8★$175–$295No. 1 Public in VA — Golf Digest & Golfweek
#50Circling Raven Golf ClubWorley, ID
4.8★$75–$130No. 1 Public in Idaho — Golf Digest, Golfweek & GOLF
More Guides
How to Plan a Group Golf TripBest Golf Trip Destinations by MonthBest Walkable Golf Courses in AmericaGolf Trip Budget Guide — What It Actually CostsThe Ultimate Golf Trip Packing ListBest Golf Trips Under $500 Per PersonDesert vs Coastal vs Mountain Golf TripsBest Golf Destinations for Large Groups (12+)12 Mistakes First-Time Golf Trip Planners MakeBest Golf Trips Near Major AirportsBest Fall Golf Trip Destinations