Top 50 U.S. courses on Golf Advisor in 2015: Nos. 25-1

We're counting down the top 50 U.S. golf courses as rated by Golf Advisor reviews in 2015. You can find more detailed review data by clicking on a course's link. We've also found a featured review for each course. You can also scroll through the photos for images of each course.

For courses 50-26, as well as details on the list and our methodology, click here.

Top 50 U.S. courses in 2015: Nos. 25-1

Bath, Mich.
Architect: Jerry Matthews
Price: $57-$65
What they're saying: "Absolutely the best maintained course around the area." -- cstiff


Fernandina Beach, Fla.
Architects: Arnold Palmer, Ed Seay
Price: $79-$85
What they're saying: "Everything is always top notch from the course to the staff." -- JCJax17


Las Vegas
Architect: Pete Dye
Price: $119-$169
What they're saying: "Course is like an oasis in the middle of the desert." -- mdnieto


Battle Creek, Mich.
Architect: William F. Mitchell
Price: $39-$60
What they're saying: "This is truly a gem. Fantastic course." -- kazucks


Canterbury, N.H.
Architect: Ross Forbes
Price: $30-$50
What they're saying: "One of my favorite courses in the Concord area." -- JSelesnick


Poway, Calif.
Architects: Johnny Miller, Robert Muir Graves
Price: $110-$210
What they're saying: "This will be one of the best and prettiest course you will ever play." -- jsfleetw


Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Architect: Tom Fazio
Price: $100-195
What they're saying: "Beautiful surroundings...excellent conditions...very peaceful and quiet setting." -- mrpaver2010


Holland, Mich.
Architect: Ray Hearn
Price: $35-$52
What they're saying: "The greens are fast and the fairways tend to have a lot of roll to them." -- dfisher8


Lakeland, Fla.
Architect: Ron Garl
Price: $30-$79
What they're saying: "Course is a diamond in remote city." -- anttiuolevi


Guntersville, Ala.
Architect: Jimmy Kennamer
Price: $39-$59
What they're saying: "This is an awesome course. It has extreme elevations and incredible views." -- brunzer1


Elkin, N.C.
Architect: Ellis Maples
Price: $21-$45
What they're saying: "Great facility. Great staff. Superb greens." -- 714AP2guy


Merry Hill, N.C.
Architect: Arnold Palmer
Price: $35-$45
What they're saying: "Awesome piece of property ... a must play for any golf enthusiast!" -- JerryDellinger


Borrego Springs, Calif.
Architect: Ted Robinson Sr., Tom Fazio
Price: $100-190
What they're saying: "Worth every penny you pay, every hour you drive."- -CTongue


Knightstown, Ind.
Architect: Gary Kern
Price: $27-$37
What they're saying: "Great value and staff friendliness and worth the drive from anywhere in the state." -- u735786660


Las Vegas
Architect: Pete Dye
Price: $139-$189
What they're saying: "The greens are the truest, smoothest greens anywhere in Vegas." -- Joey6761402


Mount Airy, N.C.
Architects: Joe Lee, Kris Spence
Price: $40-$47
What they're saying: "In great shape. It is challenging but one can score well with good and accurate drives." -- Dick3041164


Ocala, Fla.
Architect: Gordon Lewis
Price: $49-$69
What they're saying: "Some of the best greens in town." -- sandydanny


Brooksville, Fla.
Architect: Tom Fazio
Price: $99-$119
What they're saying: "The architecture of this course makes the setting fit so well into its surroundings. Photos cannot do it justice." -- paulstanziale


Sylacauga, Ala.
Architect: Hurdzan Fry Environmental Golf Course Design
Price: $100-$135
What they're saying: "This is hands down the best golfing experience I have had!" -- Joshua4612313


Tucson, Ariz.
Architects: Notah Begay III, Ty Butler
Price: $59-$81
What they're saying: "Classy operation with great staff, very impressive, good design, great landscaping. " -- u00000976296


Orlando, Fla.
Architect: Rees Jones
Price: $120-$185
What they're saying: "Conditions were immaculate and staff was friendly and professional." -- 4hitnhope


Las Vegas
Architect: Pete Dye
Price: $119-$169
What they're saying: "Beautiful course great condition, surrounded by the desert with distant views of mountains in all directions with no houses within miles." -- u000007331413


San Antonio, Texas
Architects: Arnold Palmer, Ed Seay
Price: $89-$140
What they're saying: "Most visually appealing course I've played to date." -- tbusselle


Howey in the Hills, Fla.
Architects: C. E. Clarke, George O'Neil
Price: $75-$150
What they're saying: "When you play it, you know it's almost 100 years old. It just feels historic." -- Randy9649663


Brooks, Calif.
Architect: Brad Bell
Price: $69-$105
What they're saying: "The best public golf course i've played out of more than 60 golf courses in northern california." -- gregory7839919


Green fees are based on latest peak-season rates and are subject to change. In the case of resort courses, stay-and-play packages and specials often greatly reduce the price of the green fee. Many of these courses also offer dynamic online tee times, off-season and twilight rates that lower the green fee.

14 Comments

They left out so many better courses - TPC Stadium Course Sawgrass, Wolf Creek at Paradise Canyon - Mesguite Nevada, Whistling Straits, Banden Dunes, Plantation Course, Great Waters, I could list 10 more that would blow away the top 25

Wolf Creek and Plantation made their respective state lists but were below the minimum review threshold for the national list. Some reviewers seem to be underwhelmed with the Sawgrass experience compared to the green fee. 

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I agree with TerryF.  If in Vegas, you must make the 1 hour drive North to "experience" Wolf Creek.  bring a camera and make memories that will last a life time!

Completely agree about Wolf Creek.  My favourite of any course I have played and the most amazing course I have ever seen.  Always in great condition and one of the most challenging courses you will play.  Bring your A game as well as your camera, you won't be disappointed except perhaps with your score.

Pine Barrens is nice, but is a good muni compared to Southern Hills Plantation 10 miles away. To be fair, Southern Hills is considered private, but has public access for three years. It's the best course in the entire Tampa area. Paiute courses are way over rated. If you go to Vegas, play Rio Secco and make the trip to Wolf Creek. You'll thank me.

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Please come to Boston in the late Spring time and I'll gladly show you around some outstanding public tracks

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I've played a few on this list and LONGABERGER GOLF CLUB in Columbus Ohio blows them away!

I tell people that for the money, Longaberger is one of the best values in the country. Hope the new owners maintain the course. It's a fabulous track.

FYI Longaberger's name has changed to Virtues GC. 

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I've played a few courses on the list and LONGABERGER GOLF CLUB in Columbus Ohio blows those away.

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I've played a few courses on the list and LONGABERGER GOLF CLUB in Columbus Ohio blows those away.

Congratulation to Joe Lewandowski (Head Golf Professional @ Mission Inn Resort & Club) & his entire team. You all do a fantastic job keeping this historic course (El Campeon) in a great shape!!!

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Not one SC course? Makes process very suspect.

Cobblestone Park came close. A lot of the best stuff in SC didn't meet the review minimum threshold. We'll have a top state list shortly with SC. 

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Top 50 U.S. courses on Golf Advisor in 2015: Nos. 25-1