Best of 2018: Top 50 courses in the U.S. (Nos. 30-11)

The mountains form a flawless backdrop on Rams Hill Golf Club's par-5 18th hole.

We're counting down the Top 50 courses in the U.S. based on our golfer reviews from 2018. To view the full list and methodology click here.

Top 50 golf courses in the U.S.: Nos. 30-11

30. King and Bear at World Golf Village

St. Augustine, Fla. | Read reviews
Architect: Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer
Green fees: $79-149
What they're saying: "The course was in perfect condition. Every hole you are reminded of where you are and who designed this gem." - fastnh

29. Founders Course at Verrado Golf Club

Buckeye, Ariz. | Read reviews
Architect: John Fought, Tom Lehman
Green fees: $89-109
What they're saying: "This course is a hidden gem in my opinion. One of the two or three best courses in the entire west Valley !! Great layout and normally excellent condition." - brettaugsburger

28. River Course at Sevierville Golf Club

Sevierville, Tenn. | Read reviews
Architect: D.J. DeVictor
Green fees: $45-65
What they're saying: "Smokey Mountains continuously in view ... The ball sits up so perfectly in the fairways here. Not sure how they get them so manicured, but kudos." - JoeGolfer58

27. Celebrity Course at Indian Wells Golf Resort

Indian Wells, Calif. | Read reviews
Architect: Clive Clark
Green fees: $108-199
What they're saying: "Breathtaking views that will have you pulling out your phone to take pictures more than you use your range finder." - MINIJAM28

26. Riverwood Golf Club

Port Charlotte, Fla. | Read reviews
Architect: Gene Bates
Green fees: $50-100
What they're saying: "Every time I play this course they treat you like family ... The starter is one of the kindest people you will ever meet. The rangers are genuine and care about pace of play." - Golfguy321

25. Prairie Landing Golf Club

West Chicago, Ill. | Read reviews
Architect: Robert Trent Jones Jr.
Green fees: $72-92
What they're saying: "Fairways in great shape and greens were running quick and true. The layout is unique, challenging yet fair, and always a joy to play. The course is clearly very well taken care of throughout the year." - EricTee

24. Fox Hopyard Golf Club

East Haddam, Conn. | Read reviews
Architect: Roger Rulewich
Green fees: $69-89
What they're saying: "Felt like I was in two different parts of New England ... First five holes like playing in Vermont. The last three hole like play a links course on Cape Cod." - jpstafford

23. Waldorf Astoria Golf Club

Orlando, Fla. | Read reviews
Architect: Rees Jones
Green fees: $130-185
What they're saying: "One of the best courses I’ve played on. Everything about it was top tier, from the practice facilities, to the course, to the service staff." - tiburonazo

22. Barnsley Resort

Adairsville, Ga. | Read reviews
Architect: Jim Fazio
Green fees: $100-125
What they're saying: "Amazing views of the mountains ... The greens were extremely fast, smooth and challenging. The course has some of the prettiest par 3's that I've ever played." - RettJ, Georgia Local Golf Advisor

21. Ballamor Golf Club

Egg Harbor, N.J. | Read reviews
Architect: Ault, Clark & Associates
Green fees: $99-125
What they're saying: "Greens where perfect quick and true. Friendly staff all away around from the front desk to the cart girls." - Bradley8802454

Sun Mountain is the highest rated of the three Pete Dye courses at Las Vegas Paiute in 2015.

20. Sun Mountain at Las Vegas Paiute

Las Vegas | Read reviews
Architect: Pete Dye
Green fees: $129-149
What they're saying: "The course in the desert is fascinating, gorgeous fairways and scenic throughout, lots of wildlife and course was in great shape." - virkie56

19. Kiva Dunes

Gulf Shores, Ala. |Read reviews
Architect: Jerry Pate
Green fees: $75-130
What they're saying: "The fairways are plush. This golf club very much has a country club feel to it. There is plenty of sand and water, so bring your A game." - ShragMagtite

18. Bay Course at Seaview Golf Club

Absecon, N.J. | Read reviews
Architect: Donald Ross, Bob Cupp
Green fees: $75-143
What they're saying: "Mr. Ross created a beautiful links course on NJ marsh land. Fescue everywhere on chocolate-drop mounding and undulating, partitioned greens define this layout." - JerryZ

17. Harbour Town Golf Links

Hilton Head Island, S.C. | Read reviews
Architect: Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus
Green fees: $150-250
What they're saying: "Playing at Harbour Town isn't just a round of golf but is an entire experience. Make sure you get there plenty early to walk around and take in the world class facilities." - Cardinals1593

16. Pine Barrens at World Woods Golf Club

Brooksville, Fla. | Read reviews
Architect: Tom Fazio
Green fees: $79-119
What they're saying: "This is such a visually stunning course that you can't help but just stand on the tee and wonder where to hit your drive ... What a fantastic facility. Not sure we can play elsewhere now." - Bruce3234623

15. Blackstone Golf Club

Marengo, Ill. | Read reviews
Architect: Bob Lohmann
Green fees: $59-79
What they're saying: "I have played 3 different TPC courses this year along with 30 different courses in 4 states and Blackstone’s greens are the best!" - Sam5773357

14. Bear Slide Golf Club

Cicero, Ind. | Read reviews
Architect: Dean Refram
Green fees: $39-72
What they're saying: "Said it before and I'll say it again, this is the best course around the Indy area ... Greens were fast and true, rough was lush. Best I've seen it in the 3 years I've been playing it." - DrOldSchool, Indiana Local Golf Advisor

13. Rams Hill Golf Club

Borrego Springs, Calif. | Read reviews
Architect: Tom Fazio
Green fees: $85-200
What they're saying: "Yes, it does live up to the hype ... Fantastic track perfectly maintained with an excellent clubhouse serving top notch food. Staff is the friendliest you can find." - Keith5326564

12. Nicklaus Course at Pinehills Golf Club

Plymouth, Mass. | Read reviews
Architect: Nicklaus Design
Green fees: $105-125
What they're saying: "No doubt that this and the Jones course are two of the best public courses in the state if not in all of New England. The course is always in great shape, the staff if phenomenal and the practice area is top notch." - BostonGolfTraveler

11. Royal Manchester Golf Links

Mount Wolf, Pa. | Read reviews
Architect: Timothy Freeland
Green fees: $35-70
What they're saying: "When we checked in we were advised that the greens had been cut and rolled that morning. Wow. Smooth as silk ... Just get the ball rolling on the right line. It was such a treat." - Keith1499339, Ontario Local Golf Advisor

More Best of 2018

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The course designs most appreciated last year according to our community of reviewers.
The golf courses that earned the best ratings from our community's 140,000-plus reviews throughout 2018
What golf courses deliver the best clubhouses, driving ranges and other extras? The best facilities for off-course amenities in 2018.
Great comeback stories: the U.S. facilities that improved their ratings most year-over-year.
Like to play fast? We looked at our golfer reviews to find which courses had the best pace-of-play ratings in the U.S.
We're looking back on the publicly-accessible U.S. golf courses in 2018 that delivered the best playing conditions according to our community of golfers.
The golf courses that delivered the best service and staff friendliness in the U.S. according to our golfer reviews.
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Best of 2018: Top 50 courses in the U.S. (Nos. 30-11)