Best Golf Courses in America

The United States of America has a golfing wrap sheet like no other in the world. Spanning across 2,680 miles the country is home to 45% of the world’s golf courses ranging from the dramatic links of the California coastline to the striking desert courses of Arizona to the monster resort courses of Florida. Home to 3 of the year’s 4 major championships, America boasts more tournament courses than anywhere else and is the perfect place for any golfing fanatic.

For those looking to escape the torrid winter weather of the U.K and embark of an golfing experience like no other then the Carolinas, California, Hawaii, Florida and Arizona have the year round sun and the world class golf courses you are looking for.

Read on to discover the courses our experts have played and consider the best in America or check out some of the best golf holiday deals in the USA >>.

Perhaps one of the most visually impressive courses in the world and arguably one of country’s most recognised courses, Pebble Beach Golf Links bound to be on every golfer’s bucket list. Having hosted the US Open on no less than 5 separate occasions and a regular stop on the PGA Tour with the AT&T Pro-Am, the game’s greatest players are constantly gracing the dramatic links.

The course itself skirts the jaw dropping, rugged coastline that gifts players unforgettable views of Monterey Bay and the Northern Pacific. Each hole at this stunning course is worthy of a postcard or two but none more so than the par 3, 7th which has you playing downhill towards the green and the Ocean. For those looking for the golfing experience of a lifetime then look no further than Pebble Beach Golf Links.

More info on Pebble Beach Golf Links >>

"Practice your putting before you play here, the slopes and the contour of the greens and are tricky to read. Pebble Beach is a must play for anyone visiting California."
Gareth (Long Haul Team: Handicap 8)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Gareth about playing this course.

In 1951 and before Great Britain teamed up with the rest of Europe to take on the dominant Team USA, the Ryder Cup was held at the famous Pinehurst Resort. Such as the times, Sam Snead led the US to a overwhelming victory with GB only picking up 2 and a half points.

The No 2 course at Pinehurst has since hosted three US Opens and is considered as the toughest to have ever done so. The course tests even the most elite golfers and will have you relishing the prospect of taking on the layout where so many pros have played.

More info on Pinehurst, No.2 Course >>

"Pinehurst is known for its crowned, undulating greens, which are some of the most difficult and widely celebrated in the world, it is clear that Pinehurst No. 2’s main design features were born out of Scottish influence, with Ross having cut his teeth at Royal Dornoch before he left for America."
Gareth (Long Haul: Handicap 8)

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The Pete Dye designed Stadium Course is one of the world’s most iconic places to play golf. Home to the tour’s unofficial 5th Major, the Players Championship the course is best known for producing some of the most exciting golf of the year culminating on the 17th. The short par 3 is one of the most recognisable holes in the game with its island green ruining the round of many a great golfer.

In true American resort fashion, the rest of the courses is in immaculate condition with many of its perfectly manicured fairways skirting well placed water hazards. Despite testing the best players in the world, the course is also one of the more manageable for the more social golfer and is must play for any golf fanatic.

More info on TPC Sawgrass, Stadium Course >>

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to our Golf Experts about playing this course.

It comes as no surprise that Spyglass Hill is ranked inside the world’s top 100 courses, even just by looking at the pictures you would probably put it there. The course is one is part of the trio of venues that make up the AT&T Pro-Am and despite being located in the Monterey Peninsula like the other 2, it still offers a unique golfing experience.

The opening holes skirt the rugged coastline and meander their way through the dramatic dunes of the Monterey shore before golfers head inland to the tree lined fairways of the Del Monte Forest. The course utilises the incredible natural landscape of the region to create a setup that many argue to be better than Pebble Beach. We will let you be the judge of that…

More info on Spyglass Hill >>

"Depending on your preference, you might find other courses on the peninsula to be "sexier", but there are few that offer the challenge of Spyglass Hill and few that take such good advantage of the unique landscape on which the course sits."
Gareth (Long Haul Team: Handicap 8)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Gareth about playing this course.

Aptly named the “Blue Monster”, the course measures in at an enormous 7,590 yards and features an array of water hazards which are sure to have a few golf balls in them. In 2014, the course underwent a re-vamp which saw every hole resculpted and designed into the modern day masterpieces they are now. The deep bunkers, thick rough and undulating greens requires golfers to drive the ball long but also have a razor sharp short game in order to score.

The course has hosted numerous world golf championships and has a closing hole that is viewed as one of the toughest holes on the PGA Tour. Florida’s year round sun makes it a great play championship golf courses and escape the dark winters of the U.K.

More info on Blue Monster at Trump National Doral >>

❝This is a long course from the back tees so choose the tees to suit your game, undulating greens, water hazards & deep Bermuda rough add to the challenge.❞
Matthew (Long Haul Team: Handicap 1)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Matthew about playing this course.

Located just North of Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes has been cited as a masterpiece by many critics, one of which states that it is mature beyond its years given that it only opened in 2001.

Designed by one of the masters of his craft, Tom Doak, who relied on an ingenious design concept and let Mother Nature work her wonders on this classic links layout. Pacific Dunes is not only unique in its beautiful surroundings but also in the way it's designed making it a real pleasure to play!

More info on Bandon Dunes >>

"The par 4 13th commonly plays into the prevailing wind which increases its length, there is more room for error with your tee shot than you might think from the tee itself. The green is massive in depth so be sure to double check the yardage for your approach, which must be struck straight and true in order to avoid running into one of the cleverly placed run-off areas."
Sam (Long Haul Team: Handicap 1)

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Having been catapulted onto the golfing scene following the 1991 Ryder Cup dubbed the ‘War on the Shore’, the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island has gone onto host all four of the PGA of America’s major tournaments and is widely regarded as one of the most celebrated courses in America.

The stunning ocean views that golfers are treated to throughout their round are the perfect accompaniment to the incredible Pete Dye designed golf course which is setup in a way that will test every facet of even the best golfer’s game. The wipsy rough gives the course the feel of some of the great UK links courses but with a twist. Any golfing fanatic will have this course on their bucket list and with Your Golf Travel ticking it off has never been easier.

More info on Ocean Course at Kiawah Island >>

"With Gators, Ospreys & other amazing wildlife all over the place, as well as plenty of Ryder Cup & PGA Championship history on display in the clubhouse; relaxing after your round is almost as enjoyable as playing the course itself!"
Rory (Marketing: Handicap 8)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Rory about playing this course.

The famous Pete Dye worked in close consultation with Jack Nicklaus, and the result is a championship layout to test the creativity and imagination of the finest golfers.

Harbour Town Golf Links at The Sea Pines Resort is among the shorter courses to regularly stage PGA Tour events, but the fantastic variety of Pete Dye's design ensures sufficient difficulty.

More info on Harbour Town Links >>

"The par 3 4th is a bit of a brute from the back tees measuring 200 yards, anything left is swimming, right is a long waste area & over the back a bunker could save you from a watery grave!"
David (Long Haul Team: Handicap 2)

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Any golfing fan will know this course not only for the Farmers Insurance Open which it hosts annually but also for the 2008 US Open. Need I describe the events that occured on 16th June 2008… the South Course… Broken leg… Tiger Woods… ring a bell yet? Yes that’s right Tiger won what is now his most recent major on just one leg. Now to the course.

The layout itself is rather unique as despite being a links course it features ‘normal bunkers’, the occasional grouping of pines, pristine fairways and perfectly manicured greens. Golfers are treated to stunning vista of the Pacific Ocean with arguably the best coming from the short 3rd hole. Boasting year round sun, 18 glorious golf holes and magnificent views there aren’t many better places to play then the South Course at Torrey Pines.

More info on Torrey Pines (South Course) >>

"The short 3rd hole, whose green is perched on the cliff top, provides awesome vistas of the Pacific coastline. It is incredible to believe that Torrey Pines is a public facility, as it is a truly magical golfing experience."
Richard (Long Haul Team: Handicap 9)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Richard about playing this course.

In 1965, Arnold Palmer proclaimed the course at Bay Hill Country Club to be “the best course in Florida” and in 1974 he brought the place. Each year the course plays host to the prestigious Arnold Palmer Invitational and is one of the strongest fields of the year. As one of Tiger Woods’s favourite hunting grounds any golfing fanatic is sure to have this course on their bucket list.

The course itself runs alongside the beautiful Butler Chain of Lakes and winds its way through towering trees to create a truly beautiful setting to play golf in. Following what is sure to be a truly unforgettable round of golf, the clubhouse is a great place to unwind and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

More info on Bay Hill >>

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to our Golf Experts about playing this course.

Handicap: +3
Favourite Course: Pinehurst
My 'Expert' areas: Turkey, Portugal, USA & South Africa
Best trip I've done: Scotland playing Royal Dornoch & Gleneagles
Where my next trip is to: Costa Navarino

Give Matthew a call on 0800 043 6644 to arrange your next golf break.