Honestly, the term "public" is a bit of a stretch when you’re looking at America's top 100 public golf courses. If you have to drop $730 for a morning round at Pebble Beach, it’s "public" in the same way a Ferrari is "publicly available" at a dealership. You can have it if you have the cash.
But that's the dream, right?
Most golfers spend their lives staring at these lists, wondering if Pinehurst No. 2 is actually better than Bandon Dunes, or if they’re just paying for the history and the porch rocking chairs. In 2026, the landscape of the best public-access golf in the United States has shifted. It’s not just the old-school coastal giants anymore. We’re seeing massive entries from the middle of nowhere—places like Nebraska and central Wisconsin—that are making the $600+ greens fees in California look a little... well, excessive.
The untouchables at the top of the list
You can’t talk about America's top 100 public golf courses without mentioning the "Big Three." Pebble Beach, Pinehurst No. 2, and the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island. They’re the heavy hitters.
Pebble Beach Golf Links remains the undisputed heavyweight champion in terms of name recognition. It’s iconic. The 7th hole is basically a religious site for people who carry a 14-handicap. But here’s the thing: it’s hard to get on. If you aren't staying at the resort (where rooms start at about $1,145 a night at The Lodge), you’re fighting for a 24-hour window to snag a stray tee time.
Then you have Pinehurst No. 2. Donald Ross's masterpiece in North Carolina. It’s famous for those "upside-down saucer" greens that make you want to snap your putter in half. Since the 2010 restoration by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, it has returned to its sandy, wiregrass roots. It’s rugged. It’s frustrating. It’s brilliant.
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The Bandon effect is real
If you haven't been to Bandon, Oregon, you're missing the purest version of the sport in this country. Most experts agree that if we're being strictly objective about the golf and not the history, Pacific Dunes might actually be the best course you can play. Tom Doak designed it to feel like it’s been there for a thousand years.
The resort now has a massive footprint on the rankings:
- Pacific Dunes: Often ranked #2 or #3 nationally.
- Bandon Dunes: The original McLay Kidd design.
- Old Macdonald: A tribute to C.B. Macdonald’s "template" holes.
- Bandon Trails: It’s inland, through the woods, and some locals swear it’s the best of the bunch.
- Sheep Ranch: No bunkers. Seriously. Just grass, wind, and the Pacific Ocean.
Why the "value" picks are winning in 2026
Let's be real for a second. Most of us aren't flying private to Shadow Creek in Vegas to pay $1,000 for a round. The real soul of America's top 100 public golf courses is found in the "muni" gems and the remote destination spots that don't require a second mortgage.
Take Bethpage Black in New York. It’s a beast. It has that famous warning sign at the first tee telling you it’s for "highly skilled golfers only." It’s a public park course. If you’re a New York State resident, you’re playing a U.S. Open venue for less than a nice dinner in Manhattan. That’s the gold standard for value.
Then there's the newcomer, Landmand Golf Club in Nebraska. It’s a massive, sprawling layout with greens that are sometimes 30,000 square feet. It’s wild. It’s fun. It’s the opposite of the stuffy country club vibe that golf has been trying to shake off for decades.
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The Wisconsin golf explosion
Wisconsin has quietly become the golf capital of the Midwest. You have Whistling Straits, which looks like the Irish coast but is actually built on an old army airfield. It hosted the Ryder Cup and is constantly in the top 5 of every list.
But look at Sand Valley.
Mike Keiser, the guy who built Bandon Dunes, took a bunch of sand barrens in the middle of Wisconsin and turned them into a massive resort. Between the original Sand Valley course, Mammoth Dunes, and the newly opened Sedge Valley, you can spend a week there and never see a blade of grass that isn't perfect. Mammoth Dunes, designed by David McLay Kidd, is particularly "human." The fairways are so wide you basically can't lose a ball. For a high handicapper, that's worth more than any historic pedigree.
How these rankings actually work (and why they're biased)
Ever wonder how a course actually gets on the list of America's top 100 public golf courses? It’s not just a guy with a clipboard. Major publications like Golf Digest and GOLF Magazine use panels of hundreds of amateur golfers.
They rate courses on specific criteria:
- Shot Values: Does the course ask you to hit every club in your bag?
- Resistance to Scoring: How hard is it for a pro?
- Design Variety: Are the holes different, or do they all look the same?
- Memorability: Can you remember all 18 holes a week later?
- Aesthetics: Is it pretty? (Let's be honest, this matters a lot).
The problem? Most raters are "traditionalists." They love Alister MacKenzie and Donald Ross. This is why a course like Pasatiempo in California—which is a masterpiece but sits in a neighborhood—often ranks higher than a stunning new resort course with better conditions. There is a "legacy bias" that's hard to break.
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The "Sleeper" picks you should actually book
If you’re planning a trip and want the Top 100 experience without the Top 100 waitlist, look at these:
- Gamble Sands (Washington): Specifically the new Scarecrow course that just opened. It’s high-desert golf with views of the Columbia River.
- Tobacco Road (North Carolina): People either love it or hate it. It’s like playing golf on a different planet. Mike Strantz, the architect, was a genius who didn't care about "traditional" looks.
- Greywalls (Michigan): Located at Marquette Golf Club. It’s rugged, rocky, and feels like you’re playing through a canyon.
What most people get wrong about "Public" golf
A common misconception is that "public" means "easy to walk on." In 2026, the demand for high-end golf is at an all-time high. Places like Torrey Pines South in La Jolla (home of the Farmers Insurance Open) are notoriously difficult to book. You basically have to be online the second the tee sheet opens or pay a hefty "booking fee" to a third-party service.
Also, don't overlook the "second" courses. Everyone wants to play the Straits course at Whistling Straits, but the Irish course is spectacular and half the price. Everyone wants Pinehurst No. 2, but No. 4 is arguably more "fun" for the average golfer.
Actionable steps for your next golf bucket list
Planning a trip to play America's top 100 public golf courses requires more than just a set of clubs.
- Book 6-12 months in advance: For Bandon Dunes or Pinehurst, a year out isn't crazy. It’s necessary.
- Check the aeration schedule: Nothing ruins a $500 round like "punched" greens. Most resorts post these dates on their websites. Avoid the two weeks following aeration.
- Walk when you can: Places like Bandon and Bethpage Black are walking-only (or caddie-only). If you aren't used to walking 5 miles with a bag, start hitting the treadmill now.
- Use the "Twilight" hack: Many of these elite courses, like Torrey Pines or Spyglass Hill, offer significant discounts if you tee off after 2:00 or 3:00 PM. In the summer, you can easily finish 18 holes.
The reality of the American golf scene in 2026 is that the "Top 100" title is a marketing machine, but the quality of the courses usually justifies the hype. Whether you’re standing on the 18th at Pebble with the spray of the Pacific in your face or lost in the dunes of Nebraska, these courses represent the best the land has to offer. Just make sure your bank account and your short game are ready for the challenge.