A Steve Smyers upgrade in 2008 – when he reworked greens and bunkers, as well as adding extra yardage to the layout – sharpened the teeth of the South course at Olympia Fields Country Club, but his work may be erased by a new master plan...
A Steve Smyers upgrade in 2008 – when he reworked greens and bunkers, as well as adding extra yardage to the layout – sharpened the teeth of the South course at Olympia Fields Country Club, but his work may be erased by a new master plan...
5
I had the delight of being the second tee time out on the South course, and as a single, I hastily played through the group in front of me. What I got to experience was a lovely and speedy round, with an excellent caddy (MJ, if you get the chance to visit) by my side.
The course is old-school charm to its core. As walkable as it gets, firm and fast fairways lined by thick rough and thoughtful fairway bunkers, and trees that dictate how the holes are played. In particular, I thought the use of trees on this course was spectacular. They aren't overbearing, as you're able to play out of/around them/through them, but they do make you think through the hole before you tee off. You're faced with an example of this right away on hole 1, where a single tree sits just before the creek that runs across the fairway. Play your tee ball on the right side of the fairway, and you're rewarded with a clean look to a generous, punch-bowl adjacent green; play down the left side of the fairway, and you can still manage to hit the green, but you'll be forced into an unconventional play that navigates around, under, or over the tree.
I thought the par 3s were the strength of this course; each one was unique and asked different questions of you off the tee. Hole 5 requires an accurate mid-iron to the correct portion of a square green that features many mounds and swales. Hole 7 is a mid-to-long iron that can be played in many different ways to the front-right to back-left sloping green; the more ground you decide to use, the further right you'll need to aim. Hole 12 is your long 3, requiring precision with a long iron or hybrid to a perched green that slopes severely front to back, but isn't so penal that a miss with the more difficult clubs will forfeit par. Finally, hole 14 is maybe the most visually appealing hole on the course - requiring a short iron or wedge to a green requiring an aerial approach that is protected by all the variables golf can offer: bunkers on the front and right, water front and left, thick rough long, and tight runoff areas on the right. Variety is essential for a good set of par 3s, and the South course certainly features that.
The hole that stands out to me the most is the par 4 8th. This hole feels benign from the raised tee box that overlooks the widest fairway on the course, but you need to be very intentional with your club selection and the angle at which you want to attack the green. As a shorter 4, Driver is likely too much club for most players as a creek cuts off the fairway at the 80 yard mark, and there is about a 10-yard strip of thick rough between the creek in the fairway. The fairway's only defense is 4 steep rough-covered mounds from where there previously were bunkers, and rest assured you do not want to be on those. The left side of the fairway provides a shorter route to the green, but you must stare down two deep bunkers short of the green, and you must judge distance well because a long miss that goes over the right side of the green will bound down a 20-foot drop-off and leave you with a very difficult up and down. The hole is much more gettable from the right side of the fairway, where your angle gives you a run-up option, as well as a much less penal result for a long miss. As I mentioned before, you must play this hole backwards in your mind to make decisions before each shot.
The greens of the South course as a whole were subtly challenging. There are no tiers on this layout, just mounds, swales, and cant that must be on the correct sides to give you the best looks at the cup. They are also very fair; if you do find yourself above the hole, the grounds crew has the speed of the greens such that downhill putts are still doable if you can be delicate. You never feel like you have an impossible putt, but your aim point is also rarely within the hole. Thought-provoking, and an excellent test of your putting mettle.
I highly recommend Olympia Fields South to anyone contemplating a visit or lucky enough to receive an invitation. It is a course I could play every day as a member and never tire of. Every club in your bag is tested, good shots are rewarded, and bad shots are punished (but not to an extent where par is out of the question!).
Aaron VanKempen
Round Information
Date Played
July 21, 2026
Standout Holes
#8, #14, #1
Rating Breakdown
Strategy
Green Complexes
Variety
Facilities & Amenities
The latest ranking of the Top 100 Golf Courses in the World serves as the ultimate global golf bucket list. Most members of our World Top 100 Panel are seasoned golfers, each playing 20-30 of these courses annually while travelling extensively over decades to form their opinions on others. We recognise that opinions vary—even among our panel members. Rankings are subjective, and there are undoubtedly 50 or more courses in the UK and USA alone that could easily fit onto this list. Links Golf Pilgrimages The rankings
California, United States
New Jersey, United States
Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
New York, United States
New York, United States
With the Presidents Cup rosters finally confirmed after both captains announced their six respective picks on Tuesday, the countdown to Medinah Country Club is officially on. Team International will head to Illinois looking to end Team USA’s dominance of the Presidents Cup and lift the trophy for only the second time in the competition’s history, having last tasted victory in 1998 at Royal Melbourne in Australia. It will be no easy task, though. Team USA boasts enormous depth, with major winners, extensive Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup experience, and the world’s number one-ranked player, Scottie Scheffler, among its ranks. But can Geoff Ogilvy’s International side cause an upset at Medinah? Top100 takes a closer look at both rosters, the key players to watch and the venue that could play a crucial role in deciding who will lift the Presidents Cup. Medinah No. 3: A new-look stage for the Presidents Cup There are few more appropriate venues for the 2026 Presidents Cup than Medinah No. 3. Completed in 1928 by renowned architect Tom Bendelow, the course has spent almost a century building a reputation as one of American golf’s great championship venues. Five major championships, a Ryder Cup and countless memorable moments have followed, including Tiger Woods’ victories in the 1999 and 2006 PGA Championships and Europe’s remarkable “Miracle at Medinah” in 2012 – widely regarded as one of the greatest comebacks in sporting history. But the course that welcomes the Presidents Cup will look considerably different from the one that hosted those events. After decades of incremental changes that increasingly narrowed the playing corridors and placed a premium on length, Medinah No. 3 underwent a major transformation by Australian firm OCM Golf, led by Geoff Ogilvy, Michael Cocking and Ashley Mead. The renovation, completed in 2024, sought to restore the scale and strategic character of Bendelow’s original design. Wider fairways, larger greens, expansive bunker complexes and the removal of hundreds of trees have opened up the landscape, resulting in a fascinating mix of old and new. At more than 7,650 yards from the championship tees, Medinah can still stretch the world's best players, but the increased width means distance alone should not dictate how the course is played. Instead, players will be faced with strategic decisions from the tee and into the greens, with different angles potentially offering very different rewards. The closing holes could provide some of the most dramatic moments of the week. Lake Kadijah now plays a prominent role on the inward nine, with the 16th crossing diagonally towards the water and the 17th offering another demanding one-shot test alongside the lake. The 18th, meanwhile, has been returned to its original corridor, providing a fitting finish to a course that has undergone such a significant rebirth. There is one particularly intriguing subplot for the International team. Their captain, Geoff Ogilvy, was part of the team responsible for reimagining Medinah No. 3. While intimate knowledge of a golf course is no guarantee of success, Ogilvy will know better than most how the redesigned holes are intended to be played, where the opportunities lie and which mistakes the course is designed to punish. The United States may arrive with the deeper roster and home advantage, but Ogilvy’s intimate knowledge of the course could help to level the playing field. With the course now offering considerably more strategic options than the penal layout of recent decades, the question is whether Ogilvy can use that knowledge to help his players find an advantage. Team USA: The Favourites On paper, Team USA looks extremely difficult to beat. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler headlines a formidable 12-man roster that also includes major champions Collin Morikawa, Wyndham Clark and Justin Thomas, while Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay add a wealth of team-match experience. The automatic qualifiers – Scheffler, Cameron Young, Clark, Sam Burns, Russell Henley and Morikawa – are joined by captain’s picks Schauffele, Thomas, Cantlay, Chris Gotterup, Jackson Koivun and Jacob Bridgeman. Snedeker's selections have made an already strong side even more imposing. Schauffele, Thomas and Cantlay bring considerable Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup experience, while the inclusion of 21-year-old Koivun adds an exciting new dimension. Koivun, Gotterup and Bridgeman will all make their Presidents Cup debuts at Medinah. The Americans therefore have an attractive blend of proven stars and youthful talent, with strength throughout the 12-man roster. Add home advantage and an 11-match winning streak, and it is easy to see why they arrive as overwhelming favourites. The challenge for Brandt Snedeker will be turning that individual quality into the right pairings and combinations – particularly in the foursomes. If he can do that, Team USA will take some stopping. The full Team USA roster can be found below: Scottie Scheffler Cameron Young Wyndham Clark Sam Burns Russell Henley Collin Morikawa Jacob Bridgeman Patrick Cantlay Chris Gotterup Jackson Koivun Xander Schauffele Justin Thomas Team International: The Underdogs The International team enters Medinah as the clear underdog, but Geoff Ogilvy has assembled a side with plenty of experience and enough quality to make life uncomfortable for the Americans. Si Woo Kim, Ryan Fox, Hideki Matsuyama, Min Woo Lee, Tom Kim and Adam Scott qualified automatically, before Ogilvy added Corey Conners, Sungjae Im, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Nick Taylor, Nico Echavarria and Ryo Hisatsune with his six captain’s picks. There is plenty of Presidents Cup experience within the group, particularly through Scott, Matsuyama, Tom Kim, Si Woo Kim and Im. Ogilvy has also opted for three rookies in Taylor, Echavarria and Hisatsune, betting on a mixture of current form and players he believes can thrive in the team environment. It will also be a Presidents Cup debut for New Zealander and Champion Golfer of the Year, Fox. The obvious concern is star power. Si Woo Kim is the only International player inside the world's top 20, while the Americans boast Scheffler alongside a deep collection of elite players. But this is where Ogilvy's role could prove crucial. With a team that may lack the depth of the USA, the International captain will need to find the right combinations and maximise every available point. If his players embrace the occasion and the new-look Medinah rewards their style, they may have a genuine chance of making this a contest. After all, Medinah has already witnessed some extraordinary comebacks and championship moments. The 2026 Presidents Cup could provide another chapter in its remarkable history. The full Team International roster can be found below: Si Woo Kim (South Korea) Ryan Fox (New Zealand) Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) Min Woo Lee (Australia) Tom Kim (South Korea) Adam Scott (Australia) Christiaan Bezuidenhout (South Africa) Corey Conners (Canada) Nico Echavarria (Colombia) Ryo Hisatsune (Japan) Sungjae Im (South Korea) Nick Taylor (Canada)
President's Cup 2026 - Medinah No. 3 Quick Facts Dates: 22–27 September 2026 Venue: Medinah Country Club, Course No. 3, Medinah, Illinois Prize Purse: No prize money awarded (proceeds to charity) Distance from Chicago: 40 kilometres (25 miles), approximately 45 minutes Tournament Status: PGA Tour-sanctioned biennial team competition (United States vs International Team) U.S. Team Captain: Brandt Snedeker International Team Captain: Geoff Ogilvy The Chicago suburbs will host one of golf's premier international spectacles when the Presidents Cup makes its debut at the legendary Medinah Country Club in September 2026. Golfers and fans worldwide will converge on this storied championship venue for six days of world-class match play golf, exceptional hospitality, and an unforgettable glimpse into American golf history. Tournament Overview - Why This Event Matters The Presidents Cup stands alongside the Ryder Cup as one of golf's most prestigious team competitions, pitting twelve of America's finest players against an International squad representing the rest of the world beyond Europe. Since its inception in 1994, the tournament has delivered countless memorable moments, though the Americans have dominated with a commanding 13-1-1 record through fifteen editions. The 2024 event at Royal Montreal saw the United States extend their winning streak to ten consecutive victories. What distinguishes the Presidents Cup from other golf tournaments is its charitable focus. Unlike traditional events with massive prize purses, the Presidents Cup awards no prize money whatsoever. Instead, all net proceeds are distributed to charities nominated by the players, captains, and their assistants. The first ten Presidents Cup competitions alone raised over £25 million (€30 million/$32 million) for worthy causes around the globe. The 2026 edition brings added intrigue with respected captains leading both sides. Brandt Snedeker, the 2012 FedExCup champion who compiled a 2-3-0 record as a player in the 2013 Presidents Cup, will guide the American team. Facing him across the first tee will be Australian Geoff Ogilvy, the 2006 U.S. Open champion who posted a 7-6-1 record across three consecutive International Team appearances from 2007 to 2011. Ogilvy's connection to Medinah runs deeper still—his architectural firm OCM Golf orchestrated the recent complete transformation of Course No. 3, making him uniquely qualified to strategise for the venue. The tournament will unfold over four days of competition from Thursday, 24 September, through Sunday, 27 September 2026, with practice rounds on Tuesday and Wednesday. Thirty points will be contested through various match play formats, including foursomes (alternate shot), fourballs (better ball), and Sunday singles matches where all twelve players from each team compete head-to-head. Tournament History & Heritage The Presidents Cup emerged from a desire to showcase elite international talent excluded from the Ryder Cup's United States versus Europe format. Australian players, South Africans, Japanese stars, and talented golfers from across Asia, Africa, and South America deserved their own premier team competition, and the PGA Tour delivered when it launched the Presidents Cup in 1994. That inaugural event at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia saw the United States defeat the International Team by a margin of 20-12, establishing a pattern of American dominance that has persisted throughout the competition's three-decade history. Only once have the Internationals tasted victory—their resounding 20.5-11.5 triumph at Royal Melbourne in 1998 under captain Peter Thomson remains their finest moment. The 2003 event at Fancourt in South Africa ended in a historic tie when captains Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player agreed to share the cup after their designated playoff match between Tiger Woods and Ernie Els was suspended due to darkness after three holes. Through the years, the Presidents Cup has evolved into one of golf's most anticipated spectacles, drawing massive crowds and global television audiences. The tournament alternates between American venues and international host countries, with Royal Melbourne hosting three times (1998, 2011, 2019), making it the International Team's spiritual home. Other international venues have included South Africa, Canada, South Korea, and soon Kingston Heath in Melbourne for the 2028 edition. Recent competitions have produced extraordinary drama despite the Americans' winning streak. The 2019 event at Royal Melbourne stands out as particularly memorable, with Tiger Woods serving as playing captain for the United States. Down two points after three days, Woods' American team mounted a stunning Sunday comeback, claiming victory by the narrowest of margins. Woods himself contributed crucial points in both fourball and singles play, capping one of the most dramatic finishes in Presidents Cup history. Notable American captains have included legends like Jack Nicklaus (four times), Fred Couples (five times), and Jay Haas. The International side has been led by luminaries including Gary Player (five times), Nick Price (four times), and Ernie Els (twice). The 2024 event at Royal Montreal saw Jim Furyk lead the Americans to another commanding victory over Canadian Mike Weir's International squad. Statistical highlights tell the story of American supremacy: Phil Mickelson holds the record for most appearances with twelve, whilst Tiger Woods' perfect 5-0-0 performance in 2009 remains one of five instances where a player has achieved maximum points in a single competition. The Americans have never lost on home soil, posting an unblemished 8-0-0 record when hosting the event. Recent champions on American soil have been decisive. The 2022 event at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte saw Davis Love III's team prevail 17.5-12.5 despite a valiant International comeback attempt on Sunday. The 2017 edition at Liberty National in Jersey City produced a commanding 19-11 victory for the United States, whilst the 2013 competition at Muirfield Village saw Fred Couples' Americans win 18.5-15.5 in Ohio. Looking beyond 2026, the Presidents Cup's future venues showcase golf's global reach. Following Medinah, the competition heads to Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne for 2028, returning to Australia's fabled Sandbelt region. The 2030 edition will be contested at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri, with Melbourne scheduled to host again in 2040 under the PGA Tour's long-term commitment to Victoria. Championship Course: Medinah Country Club No. 3 Few American golf courses can match Medinah Country Club's championship pedigree or dramatic transformation. Course No. 3 stands as one of the nation's most storied layouts, having hosted five major championships and countless premier events since opening for play in 1928. What makes the venue particularly fascinating for the 2026 Presidents Cup is that spectators will witness an almost entirely new golf course, reimagined from fairway to green by Geoff Ogilvy's OCM Golf design firm. The journey began in the Roaring Twenties when the Medinah Shriners—members of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine—pursued their ambition to create America's finest country club. Established in 1924 on 260 hectares (640 acres) of rolling farmland and woodland 40 kilometres west of Chicago, Medinah was conceived as a fifty-four-hole complex with Byzantine-inspired clubhouse architecture featuring minarets and classic Moorish design elements that remain striking today. Scottish architect Tom Bendelow designed all three original courses, with Course No. 3 opening in 1928 as a layout initially intended for the ladies. That status changed almost immediately when Lighthorse Harry Cooper fired a stunning 63 in the 1930 Medinah Open, prompting club officials to toughen the design. Harry Collis oversaw the first major renovation in the 1930s, beginning a pattern of perpetual evolution that would define Course No. 3's character. The 1949 U.S. Open put Medinah on America's championship golf map, launching decades of modifications aimed at keeping pace with advancing equipment and tournament demands. Roger Packard and Roger Rulewich made substantial changes before the 1988 U.S. Senior Open, where Gary Player claimed victory. Rees Jones then extended the course to 7,561 yards before the 2006 PGA Championship—at the time, the longest layout in major championship history—where Tiger Woods captured his twelfth career major title. Through the 1970s and 1980s, Course No. 3 exemplified the "championship course" ideal of that era. Tight, tree-lined fairways squeezed tee shots into narrow corridors whilst thick rough and marble-firm greens punished the slightest miscue. The course flexed its muscles admirably through multiple U.S. Opens (1949, 1975, 1990), two PGA Championships (1999, 2006), and the unforgettable 2012 Ryder Cup known as the "Miracle of Medinah." That Ryder Cup produced one of golf's most dramatic finishes when Europe, facing a seemingly impossible deficit, mounted an extraordinary Sunday singles comeback to snatch victory 14.5-13.5 from the Americans. Dressed in colours honouring the late Seve Ballesteros, the European team won eight and a half points from twelve singles matches, with Martin Kaymer securing the decisive point to complete the greatest away-team comeback in Ryder Cup history. Yet by 2019, when Course No. 3 hosted the BMW Championship, the landscape had shifted. Justin Thomas blistered the layout to twenty-five under par, setting a new course record of 61 in the third round and exposing how modern equipment had rendered the traditional design vulnerable. Medinah had slipped in the rankings, prompting club leadership to pursue drastic measures. Enter Geoff Ogilvy and his OCM Golf partners Mike Cocking and Ashley Mead. The Australian firm arrived with a revolutionary vision: transform Course No. 3 into a Melbourne Sandbelt-style layout that might have existed in the 1920s Golden Age of golf design. Using aerial photographs from the 1930s to guide their work, OCM embarked on a complete remake that closed the course from October 2022 through mid-2024. The transformation proved comprehensive. Tree removal opened sight lines across the property, revealing dramatic landforms that had been obscured for generations. The bunker count increased from approximately seventy to one hundred, with expanded, wavy hazards tied naturally into the surrounding terrain. Green complexes were enlarged and contoured to create Melbourne-style putting surfaces with multiple hole locations. Fairways were widened with closely mown surrounds, introducing strategic options and reducing heavy rough. The most dramatic changes occurred on the closing stretch. A new thirteenth hole now hugs Lake Kadijah, the fourteenth was shortened, the old fifteenth was removed entirely, and the former par-three seventeenth became a driveable par-four. The reimagined seventeenth hole—now a stunning 217-yard par three over water—plays to an angled green requiring precise club selection and unwavering nerve. This signature hole will feature prominently during Sunday singles matches. At 7,654 yards from the championship tees playing to par 72, the renovated Course No. 3 presents a thoroughly modern test whilst honouring Golden Age design principles. The opening hole typifies the new character—a straight par-four where heavily undulating terrain and strategic bunkering demand accuracy over brute force. The short par-four third offers birdie opportunities for those brave enough to challenge the green, whilst the second and thirteenth present water-laden par-threes that will create pivotal moments in match play. The back nine builds towards a thrilling conclusion. The fourteenth, now a medium-length par-four, sets up the strategic challenges ahead. The par-five fifteenth rewards aggressive play but punishes wayward shots severely. The sixteenth—a lengthy par-four with a terraced green—has sparked debate as one potential new signature hole, whilst the aforementioned seventeenth over Lake Kadijah delivers guaranteed drama. Notable champions at Medinah read like a hall of fame: Byron Nelson, Gary Player, Cary Middlecoff, Lou Graham, Hale Irwin, and Tiger Woods twice. The venue's championship credentials are beyond question, and the OCM renovation has restored Medinah to elite status. Members and early visitors have praised the transformation, with many holes now unrecognisable from their previous incarnations. For the 2026 Presidents Cup, Course No. 3's strategic demands and match play suitability will create compelling viewing. Unlike stroke play, where caution dominates, match play encourages aggressive tactics and risk-taking. Expect captains to craft pairings that exploit specific holes, with the water-laden par-threes and reachable par-fives producing pivotal swings in momentum. Other Historic Venues at Medinah Whilst Medinah will host all competition rounds, golf enthusiasts should note that the club's other courses offer their own compelling stories. Course No. 1, redesigned by Tom Doak in 2014, presents a stark contrast to No. 3 with its wide-open vistas and diabolical green complexes. The renovation involved removing nearly eight hundred trees and creating entirely new playing corridors, resulting in a layout praised for its strategic variety. Course No. 2 maintains Tom Bendelow's original character with tree-lined fairways and traditional design elements. Rees Jones oversaw infrastructure restoration in 2016, preserving the course as a classic representation of Golden Age architecture. Together, the three courses make Medinah one of America's premier fifty-four-hole facilities. Chicago's Culinary Scene The Chicago dining landscape combines Midwestern heartiness with international sophistication, offering everything from legendary steakhouses to innovative contemporary cuisine. The western suburbs near Medinah feature excellent options, whilst downtown Chicago presents world-class restaurants worthy of special occasion meals. Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurants in Bloomingdale brings California wine country sensibility to suburban Illinois. The concept combines a Napa-style tasting room with modern casual dining, featuring contemporary American cuisine designed to complement their wine club offerings. The menu ranges from creative pasta specialities to flame-grilled steaks, with everything crafted to pair with their extensive wine selection. Expect main courses from £16-£32 (€19-€38/$20-$40). Perry's Steakhouse & Grille in Schaumburg delivers the full-scale steakhouse experience with tableside presentations and exceptional service. The restaurant specialises in premium USDA cuts prepared with meticulous attention, alongside seafood options and signature side dishes. The bar programme features craft cocktails and an extensive wine list. Main courses typically range £32-£56 (€38-€66/$40-$70), with portions generous enough for sharing. Shaw's Crab House in Schaumburg stands as Chicagoland's premier seafood destination. The restaurant imports fresh catches daily, offers made-to-order sushi, and specialises in Alaskan king crab legs. The venue splits between a casual oyster bar and a more formal main dining room, both delivering straightforward preparations that let quality ingredients shine. Budget £24-£48 (€28-€57/$30-$60) for main courses, with shellfish platters commanding premium prices. Downtown Chicago elevates the culinary experience considerably. Alinea, Grant Achatz's three-Michelin-star temple of molecular gastronomy, represents one of America's finest restaurants. The tasting menu format explores culinary boundaries through innovative techniques and ingredient combinations, creating an unforgettable evening. Expect to invest £280-£400 (€330-€470/$350-$500) per person before wine pairings. Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse epitomises Chicago steakhouse culture with enormous portions, masculine décor, and people-watching opportunities. The Rush Street original attracts local celebrities and business leaders who appreciate straightforward excellence. Steaks arrive perfectly prepared, sides serve multiple people, and the bar pours generously. Budget £56-£80 (€66-€94/$70-$100) per person. RPM Italian in River North presents contemporary Italian cuisine in a sleek, energetic environment. Bill and Giuliana Rancic's restaurant features dishes meant for sharing, from house-made pastas to wood-fired pizzas and innovative entrées. The scene attracts stylish diners who appreciate modern interpretations of classic preparations. Main courses range £20-£40 (€24-€47/$25-$50). Traditional local fare shouldn't be missed. Lou Malnati's serves legendary Chicago deep-dish pizza from multiple locations, with the Schaumburg outlet convenient to Medinah. The butter crust and generous cheese layers define what many consider authentic Chicago pizza. Individual pizzas cost £16-£24 (€19-€28/$20-$30). Explore Beyond Golf Chicago offers world-class attractions rivalling any American city, from architectural treasures to cultural institutions and distinctive neighbourhoods. The metropolitan area's rich history, diverse communities, and lakefront setting create endless exploration opportunities. The Art Institute of Chicago ranks amongst the world's great art museums, housing extraordinary collections spanning centuries and continents. The museum's Impressionist and Post-Impressionist galleries feature iconic masterpieces including Georges Seurat's "A Sunday Afternoon on La Grande Jatte," Vincent van Gogh's "The Bedroom," and Grant Wood's "American Gothic." The Modern Wing showcases contemporary works, whilst special exhibitions rotate throughout the year. General admission costs approximately £20 (€24/$25), with Wednesday evenings offering reduced rates for Illinois residents. Millennium Park anchors downtown's cultural landscape with the iconic Cloud Gate sculpture (affectionately known as "The Bean"), Frank Gehry's Jay Pritzker Pavilion, and the Crown Fountain. The twenty-five-acre park hosts free concerts, films, and events throughout summer and autumn, whilst winter brings ice skating. The adjacent Lurie Garden provides a tranquil oasis showcasing native prairie plantings. Architecture enthusiasts must experience the Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise, widely considered the city's premier tour. Expert docents narrate the story of Chicago's architectural evolution whilst cruising past iconic structures including the Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, and Marina City. The ninety-minute journey costs approximately £32 (€38/$40) and departs from the Michigan Avenue bridge. The Willis Tower Skydeck offers breathtaking views from the 103rd floor, with "The Ledge" glass boxes extending beyond the building's facade for thrilling photo opportunities. On clear days, visibility extends across four states. Admission runs approximately £24 (€28/$30), with combination tickets available for multiple Chicago attractions. Navy Pier extends into Lake Michigan as one of the city's most popular destinations. The entertainment complex features a towering Ferris wheel, boat tours, restaurants, the Shakespeare Theatre, and frequent fireworks displays during summer. Admission to the pier itself is free, with individual attractions charging separately. Golf heritage sites within reach include Olympia Fields Country Club's North Course, which hosted the 2003 U.S. Open and features an on-site museum showcasing championship history. Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton holds distinction as the first eighteen-hole course in North America, though access remains extremely limited to members and special guests. Natural beauty surrounds the metropolitan area. The Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe sprawls across 155 hectares (385 acres) with themed gardens, walking trails, and seasonal displays. Admission is free, with only parking charges applying. The Morton Arboretum in Lisle presents 700 hectares (1,700 acres) of trees and natural areas with extensive trail systems perfect for autumn colours. Family activities abound throughout the region. Lincoln Park Zoo offers free admission year-round, featuring extensive animal collections in a historic setting near Lake Michigan. The Shedd Aquarium showcases underwater life from around the globe, whilst the Field Museum houses world-renowned natural history collections including Sue, the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex specimen ever discovered. The Museum of Science and Industry ranks amongst America's finest science museums, with interactive exhibits including a captured German U-boat from World War II, a full-scale replica coal mine, and the Apollo 8 spacecraft. The museum occupies the last remaining structure from the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. Chicago's neighbourhood diversity provides authentic cultural experiences. Pilsen showcases vibrant Mexican-American culture through colourful murals, authentic taquerias, and the National Museum of Mexican Art. Chinatown offers traditional dim sum restaurants and Asian markets. Wicker Park and Bucktown feature independent boutiques, cafés, and street art. Music venues reflect Chicago's rich blues and jazz heritage. Buddy Guy's Legends on South Wabash presents the blues master's own club with live performances nightly. The Green Mill Jazz Club in Uptown maintains its 1920s speakeasy character and connection to Al Capone. Kingston Mines in Lincoln Park offers two stages with continuous blues performances. Shopping ranges from the Magnificent Mile along North Michigan Avenue—featuring luxury retailers and flagship stores—to neighbourhood boutiques throughout the city. Oakbrook Center in Oak Brook, convenient to Medinah, presents upscale shopping with excellent dining options. What's the best way to get tickets? The official PresidentsCup.com website serves as the only authorised ticket source. Sales typically open approximately twelve to eighteen months before the event, with early purchasers benefiting from dynamic pricing that increases as competition approaches. Monitor the official site and sign up for email notifications to receive alerts when sales commence. Additional Resources The official Presidents Cup website provides comprehensive tournament information, including schedules, tickets, hospitality options, prohibited items, parking, and spectator guidelines. Sign up for email notifications to receive important updates as tournament week approaches. Choose Chicago, the official tourism website, offers extensive information about attractions, dining, hotels, and neighbourhood guides. The site includes interactive maps, itinerary suggestions, and current events listings. Looking ahead, the Presidents Cup continues its global journey to Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne's celebrated Sandbelt region for 2028, before returning to America at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis for 2030. Each venue offers distinct character and championship credentials, ensuring the Presidents Cup remains one of golf's most anticipated competitions for years to come.
The United States is home to some of the world's most celebrated golf courses, from spectacular coastal layouts to historic clubs that have hosted the game's biggest championships. But playing America's best golf is not always as straightforward as booking a tee time. Many of the country's highest-ranked courses are private clubs, while some resort venues require visitors to book accommodation before they can play. So where are America's top-ranked courses concentrated, and how many can the average golfer actually play? A state-by-state breakdown of the Top100 Golf Courses USA ranking reveals a striking divide. New York and California lead the way by course count, but of the 100 courses listed, just 16 meet our criteria for playing without knowing a member or staying at a resort. The remaining 84 have some form of access restriction, whether through private membership, accommodation requirements or other visitor policies. For golfers planning a trip to the United States, that distinction matters: a state might have an impressive collection of top-ranked courses, but that doesn't necessarily mean visitors can build a holiday around playing them. New York and California Lead the Rankings New York tops the state-by-state breakdown with 14 courses, narrowly ahead of California with 13. Massachusetts follows with seven, while Ohio and Wisconsin each have six. New Jersey and South Carolina account for five courses each. The figures highlight the strength of golf in the Northeast, alongside California's long-standing reputation as one of America's premier golfing destinations. New York is home to some of the country's most exclusive golf venues, including Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, National Golf Links of America and Fishers Island Club. However, it also has one of the world's most famous public courses. Located on Long Island, Bethpage Black has hosted multiple US Opens and the 2025 Ryder Cup. Its public status makes it an important exception in a ranking where access is often far from guaranteed. Demand is high and securing a tee time requires planning, but golfers do not need a private-club membership to play it. The other 13 New York courses in the ranking do not meet our public-access criteria. California presents a different mix of courses, from celebrated coastal layouts to championship venues further inland. Pebble Beach Golf Links is perhaps the best-known example, with its dramatic Pacific Ocean setting making it one of the most recognisable courses in golf. The state offers a wide range of golfing experiences, but green fees, booking conditions and accommodation requirements can influence whether a course is a realistic option for visiting golfers. Its size is another consideration, with distances between destinations potentially shaping how many courses golfers can fit into one trip. The States Where Top-Ranked Golf Is Hardest to Access Some of the states with the most courses in the ranking are also among the hardest for visiting golfers to explore. New York has 14 ranked courses, but 13 do not meet our criteria for playing without knowing a member or staying at a resort. California has 13 courses, with 11 falling outside those criteria, while none of Massachusetts' seven entries qualify. The contrast is striking. New York and California offer plenty of choice on paper, but their highest-ranked courses are often difficult to access independently. Massachusetts presents a similar challenge, with its rich golfing heritage reflected in a list dominated by venues that aren't straightforward for visitors to book. New Jersey faces a comparable issue. Its five courses include Pine Valley Golf Club, frequently ranked among the world's finest, but its reputation as a private club makes it a difficult destination for golfers without the right connections. These figures underline why course rankings alone don't tell the whole story. For visitors, the practical question isn't just how many highly ranked courses a state has, but how many they can realistically play. The Best States for Golf You Can Actually Play Of the 100 courses in Top100 Golf Courses' USA ranking, just 16 can be played by the public without knowing a member or staying at a resort. Wisconsin and Oregon lead the way, with four qualifying courses each, followed by South Carolina, Florida and California with two apiece. Oregon is an obvious choice for a multi-course golf trip. All four qualifying layouts are at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort on the Pacific coast: Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes, Bandon Trails and Old Macdonald. Having four highly ranked courses in one destination allows golfers to experience a variety of layouts without spending their holiday travelling between different parts of the state. The rugged coastal setting is a major part of the appeal. Wisconsin offers four qualifying courses across two destinations. Whistling Straits' Straits course is one of the state's best-known golfing venues, having hosted major championships on the shores of Lake Michigan. Further inland, Lawsonia Links offers a different style of golf, while Sand Valley and Sedge Valley give visitors two more courses to explore within the same resort destination. Together, they make Wisconsin a compelling choice for golfers looking to combine several highly ranked rounds in one trip. South Carolina has two qualifying courses, each offering a different experience. Kiawah Island's Ocean Course is known for its exposed coastal setting and championship pedigree, having hosted major events including the 2021 PGA Championship. Old Barnwell provides a contrasting inland experience, adding another option for golfers planning a trip around the state's top courses. Florida's two entries are Streamsong Red and TPC Sawgrass' Stadium Course. Streamsong Red is characterised by its expansive sandy terrain, while TPC Sawgrass is home to one of golf's most recognisable holes: the island-green 17th. The two courses offer very different experiences, from Streamsong's distinctive landscape to the chance to play one of the PGA Tour's most famous venues. California completes the group with Pebble Beach Golf Links and Pasatiempo. Pebble Beach is renowned for its Pacific coastline and history of major championships, while Pasatiempo, designed by Alister MacKenzie, offers a celebrated layout with a distinctive place in American golf history.
