A few of the best golf courses in the US are publicly available. Listed below are Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill, Pinehurst No. 2, Shinnecock Hills, and others. The top golf courses in the US are public or are affiliated with a hotel. However, many people don’t know that you can access these private courses for free. If you’re a golf enthusiast, you should definitely consider visiting these places.
Spyglass Hill
For those who enjoy challenging greens, Spyglass Hill Golf Course is the place to play. The course features a variety of small, multiple-tiered, and curved contours.
The challenge of this course lies in the fact that it is virtually impossible to make a bogey from a short or long approach shot. Getting a good score on Spyglass Hill’s greens is impossible if you miss the green.
The first hole at Spyglass Hill is a fitting introduction to the course. You can reach the green in two by hitting a monster drive and taking advantage of the downhill fairway. Playing the course conventionally requires three solid shots. Par fours at Spyglass Hill are among Robert Trent Jones’ favorite holes. A three-tiered green and a large green are some of the challenges.
Pebble Beach
A beautiful course with a challenging layout, Pebble Beach is considered one of the best golf courses in the United States. The course has hosted the U.S. Open five times and is an annual Tour stop. The ocean is an important part of the course, so if you enjoy playing in the water, this is the place to play. Pebble Beach also plays host to the Champions Tour’s First Tee Open.
If you’re looking for an amazing course with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, consider Pebble Beach. It will host the U.S. Open six times this year, and will host the first women’s U.S. Open in 2023. Founded in 1919, the course has established itself as a great destination for golf enthusiasts. Golf Digest ranked Pebble Beach as the top public course in the USA in 2021, and Golfweek ranked Pebble Beach as one of the top 200 resort courses in the world in 2022.
Pinehurst No. 2
With undulations and slopes, Pinehurst #2 is one of the most beautiful golf courses in the country. A tee shot here is a major highlight. The greens of Pinehurst #2 are difficult to make without caddie advice, but the prevailing slope is steep enough to make a putt difficult. There are also swales, spines, and depressions on the surface of the greens.
The 17th hole at Pinehurst No. 2 is a tough two-shotter. The fairway slopes from left to right, and the elevated green requires a soft approach shot. Its challenging tee shot, combined with a difficult approach shot, will challenge even the most accomplished golfers. In fact, Pinehurst is widely considered the best course in the United States for both its length and tee shot challenges.
Shinnecock Hills
Located on Long Island, New York, Shinnecock Hills Golf Club is a links-style golf course. It is situated between the Atlantic Ocean and Peconic Bay. The golf course is a favorite for many locals and visitors alike. It is one of the top 10 golf courses in the country, with a reputation for excellence. Shinnecock Hills offers a challenging yet rewarding experience.
Located in Southampton, New York, Shinnecock Hills is the closest thing to a true links-style golf course you can find in the United States. It is considered to be one of the oldest clubs in the country and was the first to allow women to join. Its history and reputation are renowned, as it has hosted multiple U.S. Open tournaments and numerous major championships.
Augusta National
The course is located in Georgia, and it was designed by Alister MacKenzie. The course is renowned for its maintenance and its attention to detail. A small army of groundsmen keep the course looking as good as it does. Bird sounds are played on inconspicuous speakers to encourage golfers. The fairways once had green grass, but now, many players are disappointed that they never get to play the course.
The course is also home to the famous Eisenhower Tree, a landmark and a favorite of Dwight D. Eisenhow, who played the game there numerous times. Despite its famous position, the tree was not removed after a disastrous ice storm, and was still standing. Golfers who aim to play here must hit their golf balls with precision. Otherwise, they risk making double bogey on this tricky green.
