North America

California, United States

Cypress Point Club is set at the foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountains on the very tip of the Monterey Peninsula and the cliff top terrain is varied and thrilling.

New Jersey, United States

Pine Valley Golf Club was the dream of a Philadelphian hotelier, George Crump, who sadly died before its completion. The legacy he left behind is universally considered to be the perfect example of penal golf course architecture.

New York, United States

Not only was Shinnecock Hills Golf Club one of the five founding members of the USGA but also it was where one of the first specifically designed golf clubhouses was built.

New York, United States

National Golf Links of America is a golf course of monumental historical importance, it’s a “Bear’s Best”, or “Blair's Best” of the early 20th century.

Pennsylvania, United States

Apart from Augusta National, Oakmont Country Club has hosted more major Championships than any other course in the U.S. and it’s considered by many to be the toughest golf course in the world.

Nebraska, United States

Sand Hills Golf Club is a club to respect and those in the know admire their non-commerciality and that is a delightful break from tradition these days...

Pennsylvania, United States

When Merion Golf Club was founded in 1896, Philadelphians were more likely to play cricket than golf. They even sent touring cricket teams to England!

Georgia, United States

Augusta National Golf Club is one of the most exclusive clubs in the world and was designed by the world’s greatest golfer, who teamed up with the world’s greatest architect.

California, United States

Cypress Point is the course you can’t play at Pebble Beach, but thankfully Pebble Beach Golf Links is one you can.

Michigan, United States

Crystal Downs Country Club is set delightfully on a headland that is wedged between Lake Michigan and Crystal Lake in America’s Midwest. The course was designed by Alister MacKenzie and supervised by Perry Maxwell.

New York, United States

Fishers Island Club is set romantically on a narrow island that is a mere two miles wide and eight miles long.

New York, United States

Set in 350 acres, this rugged course was designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw and opened for play in 2003 with the philosophy that golf at Friar’s Head should be about options and creativity.

Oregon, United States

Tom Doak's Pacific Dunes is considered by many to be the best course at the fabulous Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.

California, United States

The location for the Los Angeles Country Club makes it possibly one of the most valuable pieces of real estate in the world. It’s therefore fitting therefore that North course does full justice to the land...

Illinois, United States

Founded in 1892, Chicago Golf Club is one of America’s most exclusive clubs and today it is still intensely private.

North Carolina, United States

Pinehurst No.2 course opened for play in 1907 and its green sites are the ultimate test, legendary and quite unique.

New York, United States

The West course at Winged Foot Golf Club is the work of A.W. Tillinghast, one of America’s greatest golf course designers, and this is Tilly’s finest creation.

California, United States

There are few courses with no weaknesses, but the Riviera Country Club can take the moniker. It’s a truly remarkable golf course routed across less than ideal terrain.

Kansas, United States

Prairie Dunes Country Club is an inland links jewel, which is set in the heart of America. The inland Kansas location is about as far away from the sea as you could possibly be but the course has many characteristics of a classic seaside links.

California, United States

Albert Warren Tillinghast was probably the greatest American golf course architect of his day and “Tilly” was the genius who crafted the course for San Francisco Golf Club in 1915.

Florida, United States

Situated on the Atlantic side of Florida’s coastline, Seminole Golf Club is considered by critics to be one of the finest examples of golf course routing.

Nova Scotia, Canada

Situated half a mile away from Cabot Links, the Cliffs golf course occupies a more diverse landscape than its predecessor, sitting atop the bluffs that overlook the Gulf of St Lawrence...

Colorado, United States

Ballyneal sounds Irish so it’s fitting that this is a links course albeit an inland links. The dream of Rupert and Jim O’Neal is located in the middle of a huge Colorado dunescape, and even the address – Holyoke – echoes that of a current Open Championship links venue.

Massachusetts, United States

The name may sound a little arrogant and for golfers in the know, there’s no need to explain that The Country Club at Brookline was the first of its type in the USA. The Country Club has evolved from a six-hole layout in 1882 to a 27-hole unified whole by the guiding hand of Gil Hanse.

New Jersey, United States

Somerset Hills Country Club is a Jekyll and Hyde course that's routed around flat, open, links-like terrain of a former racetrack going out, and across hilly, dense woodland coming home.

Ohio, United States

The Camargo Club is set amidst undulating countryside on the edge of Cincinnati in the State of Ohio. It’s a Seth Raynor jewel which opened for play in 1925.

New York, United States

The strict men-only policy of the exclusive Garden City Golf Club puts it in the limelight for all the wrong reasons...

New York, United States

The Bethpage Black course really is as difficult and penal as the high slope rating suggests. It’s not for the faint hearted.

Ontario, Canada

With tight twisting fairways and undulating terrain, St George’s Golf & Country Club is a man and woman-sized test of golf and five-time host to the Canadian Open.

California, United States

The California Golf Club of San Francisco can now boast tournament measurements. From the new back tees, which are aptly called Venturi, the course can be stretched to more than 7,200 yards.

Nova Scotia, Canada

Cabot Links is located just outside the small town of Inverness on the rugged west coast of Cape Breton Island and these fairways, overlooking the Gulf of St Lawrence, comprise Canada’s first genuine links layout.

Mexico

The spectacular dune landscape found on the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula is where American developer Ken Jowdy decided to locate his latest project, Diamante Cabo San Lucas...

North Carolina, United States

Perry Maxwell took advantage of the hills to create a brilliant set of undulating greens with steep swales and strong contours at the Old Town Club.

Oregon, United States

The Bandon Dunes course at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort opened for play in 1999 and it has never looked back. It’s a rugged layout with huge slick greens and immaculate all-round conditioning.

South Carolina, United States

According to Pete Dye, "There’s no other golf course in the Northern Hemisphere that has as many seaside holes" as the Ocean course at Kiawah Island.

New York, United States

The course at The Maidstone Club was routed by Willie Park Junior across the Gardiner Peninsula, which is one of the finest parcels of golfing ground in the world.

Illinois, United States

When you arrive at Shoreacres (after your mandatory invite) you can almost feel a throwback in time to the 1920s as you approach the David Alder clubhouse.

Michigan, United States

With many holes lined by trees, six US Opens and one Ryder Cup under its belt, the South course at Oakland Hills Country Club should be treated with respect.

Massachusetts, United States

"The green complexes at Old Sandwich Golf Club are very interesting and include great contouring, and the bunker shaping by Jeff Bradley is excellent. I call him Mr. Sand Man" says Masa Nishijima.

Florida, United States

Much has been written about the Stadium course at the Tournament Players Club at Sawgrass and we all know about the signature hole...

Wisconsin, United States

If you didn’t know the history behind Whistling Straits, you’d believe that the 560-acres of land had been shaped by the hands of time.

Oregon, United States

The fourth layout to grace the Bandon Dunes property, Old Macdonald, has been built in the architectural spirit of Charles Blair Macdonald and Seth Raynor.

Ohio, United States

No expense was spared in the construction of Muirfield Village Golf Club, with bold bunkering, water hazards and narrow fairways that require pinpoint tee shots.

Massachusetts, United States

The par five 3rd hole at Essex County Club is a monster and it is nearly as long as the sum of the first two par fours that precede it. But there’s much more to this hole than length alone.

Ohio, United States

The Golf Club at New Albany in Ohio is one of Pete Dye’s earliest and most understated creations and the course feels mature way beyond its years.

Oregon, United States

Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw designed Bandon Trails, the third of four 18-hole courses at the magnificent Bandon Dunes Resort.

Oklahoma, United States

There’s nothing flash about Southern Hills. Mature deciduous trees line many of the Bermuda grass fairways and the rough is notoriously thick and tangly. Tree-lined, the classic aesthetic was recently updated by Gil Hanse.

New York, United States

Just like the West course at Winged Foot Golf Club, the East is the work of A.W. Tillinghast and it’s another of his truly brilliant creations.

California, United States

Host to four US Opens, the Lake course at Olympic Club is a serious challenge. Take your stabilisers and expect few level lies on these sloping fairways.

Mexico

Cabo del Sol is an intoxicating mixture of seaside and desert golf. It’s a dream location for a golf course and the design responsibility for the Cove Club (formerly the Ocean course) fell to Jack Nicklaus.

Georgia, United States

Peachtree Golf Club is located in Atlanta and it’s the course that the Joneses built. Bobby Jones was the inspiration and Robert was the architect.

New York, United States

The course at Quaker Ridge Golf Club is one of the most unheralded layouts in the USA and only those in the know have heard of it, and only the lucky few have played it.

South Carolina, United States

Seth Raynor designed Yeamans Hall in South Carolina in 1925. It has been called "a time capsule in Charleston" in appreciation of it embodying all that is good in traditional golf course design...

Nova Scotia, Canada

Highlands Links golf course is set in one of Canada’s most gorgeous spots and this is where golf and Mother Nature join together in sweet harmony...

North Carolina, United States

Wade Hampton Golf Club was named after the Confederate cavalry leader, General Wade Hampton III, who was also Governor of South Carolina and later US Senator during the 19th century.

Alberta, Canada

Jasper Park Lodge is a course that will appeal to golfers of all levels. It is both interesting and challenging without being brutal.

Montana, United States

The Tom Doak-designed golf course at Rock Creek Cattle Company opened for play in 2008, competing with the 10,000-foot backdrop of the sometimes snow-capped but always dramatic Flint Creek Mountain Range.

Massachusetts, United States

Myopia Hunt Club in South Hamilton Massachusetts started out in life way back in 1882. So many of the original "horsey" members were bespectacled that they decided to call the club Myopia.

Alberta, Canada

We’ve waxed lyrical about the location of Banff Springs Golf Club, but we can assure you that nothing prepares you for the reality, charm and sheer enormity of the setting.

New York, United States

Charles Blair Macdonald designed Piping Rock in 1911 and right from the off, he was up against fierce competition because polo was the sport of the day here at Locust Valley on Long Island.

Georgia, United States

The course at Ohoopee Match Club in rural Tattnall County occupies just a small portion of a 3,500-acre estate that was once used for onion production. Ohoopee Match Club includes 18 fantastic holes weaved together to create an amazing routing. The course is a masterpiece of "ebb and flow".

Nevada, United States

Once the preserve of the limited few, Shadow Creek can now be shared. Sculptured by Tom Fazio from the rugged Nevada desert, it’s set in the most breathtaking location.

Idaho, United States

Set on an elevated, forested peninsula that juts into the eastern flank of Lake Coeur d’Alene, Gozzer Ranch Golf and Lake Club is spectacular.

Massachusetts, United States

Herbert Fowler, the esteemed English golf course architect – best known for his work at Walton Heath and The Berkshire – was the man responsible for creating this classic at Eastward Ho! Country Club...

British Columbia, Canada

Capilano Golf & Country Club is set most dramatically, protected to the north and east by the mountains of British Columbia. It’s a glorious setting with views across Vancouver Harbour to Mount Baker beyond.

New Jersey, United States

The name, Plainfield Country Club, is understated and perhaps suggests an ordinary run-of-the-mill golf course but we can assure you, plain it is not.

Minnesota, United States

With modest length, White Bear Yacht Club requires accuracy rather than length from the tee. If you suffer from a lack of balance, it might not be the golf course for you as you will seldom get a flat stance.

Wisconsin, United States

Golf in Wisconsin dates back to circa 1890 and the Milwaukee Country Club is one of the oldest in the State. The current Milwaukee layout was fashioned by the hand of Charles Hugh Alison in 1929.

Hawaii, United States

Nanea Golf Club is so exclusive that it shuns publicity. The course was laid out on a thick lava mantle by David McLay Kidd with the heart of British seaside links at its roots.

Florida, United States

Remarkably, it’s said that the short par four 9th on the Red course is actually Tom Doak’s favourite golf hole on either the Red or the Blue course at the Streamsong Resort.

California, United States

Dr Alister MacKenzie designed the Valley Club of Montecito in 1929 and by Mackenzie’s standards it is one of his more modest designs.

California, United States

The great Alister MacKenzie designed Pasatiempo and it opened for play in 1929 with a mixed exhibition foursome between Marion Hollins, Bobby Jones, Glenna Collett and Cyril Tolley.

New York, United States

“Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?” Well, according to the top touring pros and the Seven Dwarfs, it’s the Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester.

Maryland, United States

Although the club was inaugurated in 1898, the East course at Baltimore Country Club was designed by the great genius of golf course architecture, A.W. Tillinghast and it opened for play in 1926.

Ontario, Canada

Hamilton Golf & Country Club, or Ancaster as it is known locally, is located on land that was once known as Grange Farm and it is set most beautifully in elegant, heavily wooded seclusion.

New York, United States

Sebonack Golf Club opened its tees for play in May 2006 and is the result of collaboration between Tom Doak and Jack Nicklaus.

Indiana, United States

Victoria National Golf Club rose like a phoenix from the ashes of an old coal mine and it was laid out in 1997 by Tom Fazio who made the vision of the founder, Terry Friedman, an exciting reality.

Connecticut, United States

The Yale golf course remains a testament to everything that is truly magical about classical, penal and strategic golf course architecture.

Massachusetts, United States

The Boston Golf Club – located in Hingham, Massachusetts – is a private members golf club and has been routed across more than 300 acres of prime golfing terrain

Florida, United States

The signature hole on the Blue may well be the par three 7th, with its wonderfully contoured green nestled between a lake to the front and huge sand dunes to the rear. Tom Doak remarked: "My younger associates and I discussed the idea of putting in a zip line to get across the pond..."

New Jersey, United States

There are three nine-hole loops at Ridgewood Country Club, West, East and Center, which refer to their location relative to their fabulous Clifford Wendehack designed clubhouse.

Wisconsin, United States

Sand Valley, the latest Keiser project in central Wisconsin, near the small town of Nekoosa, lies far from any Ocean but it does have sand, some of it hundreds of feet deep in places...

Ontario, Canada

With narrow, undulating and tree-lined fairways, it’s easy to see on the surface why The National Golf Club of Canada is so tough, but the more formidable challenge arrives at the greens.

Massachusetts, United States

The Kittansett Club is situated at the end of Butler Point which extends into Buzzards Bay. Its location offers spectacular views and challenging shot making in the ever-changing wind.

Illinois, United States

The classic old course at the Old Elm Club was designed by Harry Colt in 1913 and was constructed by Ross from plans drawn up by Colt. Colt was paid $100 per day and Ross $20 per day for their respective endeavors.

Tennessee, United States

The Honors Course is set in a secret valley to the north of Chattanooga and it’s another jewel in America’s golf course crown.

Florida, United States

Calusa Pines Golf Club is an absolute blast and that’s official. $1m of dynamite was used to blast through tons of rock to create rare Floridian elevation changes...

Colorado, United States

Colorado Golf Club only opened its tees for play in 2007 but it’s already a nationwide hit. Designed by the famous Bill and Ben duo – Coore and Crenshaw – whose design philosophy is to respect the classic golf courses of the "Golden Age of Architecture", Colorado was destined for success…

Ohio, United States

Scioto Country Club is the course where Jack Nicklaus developed from a pudgy junior to a world beater.

Ontario, Canada

Toronto Golf Club was Canada’s first championship course and was the yardstick against which all future golf courses would be measured.

Mexico

The Tom Fazio-designed Querencia is laid out within an 840-acre private residential estate between Palmilla and Costa Azul in the fashionable resort area of Los Cabos...

Wisconsin, United States

The Links course at Lawsonia cost $250k to build in 1930, so it’s no surprise that William B. Langford’s design is recognized as one of America’s gems.

Minnesota, United States

During the 1930 US Open at Interlachen Country Club, Bobby Jones skimmed his ball over the water on the 9th to make a birdie which went a long way to ensuring he achieved the "Grand Slam".

Ontario, Canada

Devil’s Paintbrush is as close to a links style of course that you can get over terrain that is nowhere near the sea...

New York, United States

Named after the nightjar bird that can be heard around the golf course, Whippoorwill Club dates back to the early 1920s when Donald Ross fashioned an 18-hole layout...

Ohio, United States

For those readers who associate Inverness with a certain shy little Nessie, we can tell you that the Inverness Club has absolutely nothing to do with the Loch Ness monster.

Texas, United States

The 18-hole layout at Bluejack National is the first headline design to open in the United States for Tiger Woods and architect Beau Welling.

Illinois, United States

Skokie Country Club played host to the 1922 US Open, the first at which tickets were sold. A record number of spectators witnessed a spectacular win by 20-year-old Gene Sarazen.

Michigan, United States

The Kingsley Club, located a few miles south of Traverse City in Michigan, is laid out on links-like sandy ground. It opened for play in 2001 and is already being lauded as a modern classic.

Pennsylvania, United States

The course in play today at Aronimink Golf Club opened in 1928 and Dornoch’s most famous son, Donald Ross, originally designed it. Gil Hanse restored the old classic ahead of the 2018 BMW Championship.