Best of 2018: Top 25 golf courses for Staff Friendliness

Golf Advisor reviewers voted Pilgrim's Run America's friendliest golf facility in 2018.

We're looking back on the friendliest golf courses and resorts in the United States in 2018 based on your reviews.

"Staff Friendliness" is one of six subcategories golfers can rate when reviewing a course on Golf Advisor. We looked at these ratings to determine which courses rated the highest throughout the year.

How a golfer is treated from bag drop to on-course to the clubhouse restaurant can go a long way in determining the overall satisfaction of a round of golf. Case in point: Nine of the following courses listed made our Overall U.S. Top 50 list in 2018. Green fee also doesn't play a factor in whether the staff goes above and beyond. There are affordable courses as well as resort courses that scored highest.

Golf course employees can't control the weather or how a golfer plays, but those that deliver a smile every day stand a great chance of pleasing the golfer and receiving repeat and regular play.

Editor's note: Multi-course facilities and resorts were combined into one facility or this list.

Top 25 courses in the U.S. for Staff Friendliness in 2018

  1. Pilgrim's Run

    Pierson, Mich. | Read reviews
    What they're saying: "very well taken care of, and a staff that is courteous and customer first oriented." - GolfMich

  2. Lost Lake Golf Club

    Hobe Sound, Fla. | Read Reviews
    What they're saying: "Efficient clubhouse staff. Starter was nice and put me out early with a threesome." - Ann1744138

  3. Forest Ridge Golf Club

    Broken Arrow, Okla. | Read Reviews
    What they're saying: "Nice course with helpful friendly staff" - jstaffler

  4. North Conway Country Club

    North Conway, N.H. | Read Reviews
    What they're saying: "What a nice surprise! Staff was excellent and let us out early to avoid possible bad weather later on." - Don2060053

  5. Sea Pines Resort

    Hilton Head Island, S.C. | Read Reviews
    What they're saying: "Each group goes out with a forecaddie, which is a big assist for finding balls, getting yardage’s, course tactics, etc." - tjherzog

  6. Cherry Oaks Golf Club

    Cheney, Kan. | Read Reviews
    What they're saying: "The staff will take the time to answer any questions you might have." - u000001113681

  7. Golden Horseshoe Golf Club

    Williamsburg, Va. | Read Reviews
    What they're saying: "As soon as you arrive you feel you are at a very special place. Excellent staff, practice area all top notch." - dmd123

  8. Britstol Harbour Golf Club

    Canandaigua, N.Y. | Read Reviews
    What they're saying: "The staff was very welcoming and easy going" - Ryan7129835

  9. The Rawls Golf Course at Texas Tech

    Lubbock, Texas | Read Reviews
    What they're saying: "Pace of play can vary day to day as do most courses but most of the members and especially the staff know how to keep a club healthy." - WilliamEason1

  10. Royal Hylands Golf Club

    Knightstown, Ind. | Read Reviews
    What they're saying: "The course has the friendliest staff and best customer service of any course I have ever experienced which just adds to the over all experience." - HoosierHacker89

  11. A.J. Jolly Golf Course

    Alexandria, Ky. | Read Reviews
    What they're saying: "First and foremost the staff amazing and the course has a great layout. 5 stars if course was in a little better condition, greens little hairy with decent amount ball marks and fairways ok." - LoneWolfWHA

  12. Cantigny Golf

    Cantigny, Ill. | Read Reviews
    What they're saying: "The course was in perfect condition with a very friendly staff. We played 36 for a fairly reasonable rate that included lunch." - Captfun

  13. Waldorf Astoria Golf Club

    Orlando, Fla. | Read Reviews
    What they're saying: "Customer Service is alive and well at Waldorf Astoria! From the bag check, to the cart guys to the starters and Chase in the Pro Shop, the WA staff provided outstanding customer service that you expect, but rarely find at 5 star courses." - Jeremy4412968

  14. Gunter's Landing Golf Club

    Guntersville, Ala. | Read Reviews

    What they're saying: "Dormant this time of year and sure to be a great course once the warm weather hits. Very nice staff also!" - etccgolfer

  15. Albion Ridges Golf Course

    Annandale, Minn. | Read Reviews
    What they're saying: "Good Course/Conditions/Value/Pace of Play/Staff....might be worth your drive to Annandale to escape crowded course conditions elsewhere." - Greg7410792

  16. Seaview Golf Club

    Absecon, N.J. | Read Reviews
    What they're saying: "Sadly rain ended our round after 13 holes but the Troon fellas in the pro shop took care of us as always." - Skyking6911

  17. Yocha Dehe at Cache Creek Casino Resort

    Brooks, Calif. | Read Reviews
    What they're saying: "It was a perfect weekday and my husband asked to play this specific golf course which became a tradition for him. Friends were not able to take him so I reserved the tee time for him and a couple of our family. [W]e had a great time and staff are very nice and assistive." - Dionoa

  18. World Golf Village

    St. Augustine, Fla. | Read Reviews
    What they're saying: "The club house was beautiful and a pleasure to be in. I can not say enough about how well we were treated by the staff and even the cart girl was polite and always showed up at the right times." - Bill10to7

  19. Dale Hollow Lake Golf Course

    Burkesville, Ky. | Read Reviews
    What they're saying: "As always, the course was in great shape and absolutely beautiful. The staff at the clubhouse is always very friendly and act like they are glad to see you." - beeteam2557

  20. Purgatory Golf Club

    Noblesville, Ind. | Read Reviews
    What they're saying: "Club house is amazing and the staff were very helpful to me being that I had traveled a fair distance to visit." - James9031644

  21. Duplin Country Club

    Kenansville, N.C. | Read Reviews
    What they're saying: "Check in was smooth & fast. Not one complaint about our experience today!" - valmarriott

  22. Meadow Lakes Golf Course

    Prineville, Ore. | Read Reviews
    What they're saying: "Friendly people staff and locals. You'll feel like you're on your home course" - GREGCGOLFER

  23. The Hideaway Country Club

    Ft. Myers, Fla. | Read Reviews
    What they're saying: "Great short course!!! Conditioning is as good or better than any higher end private club in the Ft Myers/Naples area. Staff was pleasant, accomodating and very helpful." - kicksave88

  24. Whirlwind Golf Club

    Chandler, Ariz. | Read Reviews
    What they're saying: "course was in great shape. Had a great time playing. Staff was outstanding" - jgprieto

  25. Pinnacle Golf & Boat Club

    Mabank, Texas | Read Reviews
    What they're saying: "I mixed up the dates for my Hot Deal, and they were more than accomodating. Honored the rate and put me on the course regardless, and were downright nice about it." - gelrod

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Best of 2018: Top 25 golf courses for Staff Friendliness