STAMFORD, Conn. – January 14, 2026 – GolfPass today released the first batch of 2026 Golfers’ Choice Lists, with 11 lists highlighting the best public golf courses in a variety of categories based on over 226,000 golfer reviews on GolfPass in 2025.
The Golfers’ Choice lists are generated by golfer reviews on GolfNow and GolfPass throughout 2025, determining the best golf public courses played by recreational golfers each year. All Golfers’ Choice 2025 lists can be found within dedicated pages on GolfPass.
Headlining the 11 lists released today is the fan-favorite Top 50 Public Golf Courses in the U.S., with Chambers Bay in University Place, Washington, taking the top spot based on golfer ratings in value, conditions, layout, pace of play, staff friendliness, off-course amenities and overall ratings.
“It’s fitting that a former U.S. Open host venue like Chambers Bay tops our Golfers’ Choice Top 50 for 2026,” said Jason Scott Deegan, managing editor of GolfPass. “It’s a bucket-list experience. The next three courses in our top five exemplify the spirit of our lists. They are all great courses but can often be played for less than $100. Golfers’ Choice always gives golfers a variety of green fees and price points as options. It is not dominated by expensive courses like so many other ‘best of’ lists by other golf publications. Golfers who want to splurge can do so with the more expensive courses in our Top 50, but there are other options if you are looking for a more affordable experience that overdelivers on what you pay.”
The Top 10 Courses on the Top 50 Public Golf Courses in the U.S. list include;
- Chambers Bay – University Place, Washington
- Brasstown Valley Resort Golf Course – Young Harris, Georgia
- The Jewel Golf Club – Lake City, Minnesota
- Glade Springs Village - Woodhaven Course – Daniels, West Virginia
- Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course – Stateline, Nevada
- Monarch Beach Golf Links – Dana Point, California
- Tyoga Golf Course – Wellsboro, Pennsylvania
- TPC Louisiana – Avondale, Louisiana
- Atkins Golf Club at the University of Illinois – Urbana, Illinois
- Branson Hills Golf Club – Branson, Missouri
The other Golfers’ Choice list released today include:
- Most Improved
- Value
- Layout
- Friendliest Staff
- Pace of Play
- Best Conditions
- Off-Course Amenities
- Short Courses
- College Courses
- Military Courses
GolfPass will continue to reveal more than 70 Golfers’ Choice lists throughout the year, including the popular state-by-state lists which are released in tiers. The list of best warm-weather courses, in states such as Hawaii, California, Arizona, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas, plus Australia, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, publishes Feb. 4. The top courses from the rest of the states (excluding Alaska) will be announced on March 4. International lists will be announced on April 2.
Unlike golf course rankings published by industry insiders, the Golfers’ Choice lists are completely consumer driven – by recreational golfers, for recreational golfers. The reviews accumulated by GolfPass and GolfNow come from golfers of various ages, handicaps and budgets, making the Golfers’ Choice lists a true showcase of the golf course characteristics that are the most important to avid golfers across the country.
Notable Takeaways:
- This year’s Top 50 includes 41 courses that didn’t make last year’s list, a common turnover year after year. Local weather can impact course conditions from year to year, just as staff changes can impact service levels, positively or negatively. All these dynamics play into review scores.
- No. 1 Chambers Bay hosted the 2015 U.S. Open won by Jordan Spieth.
- Edgewood Tahoe, annual host of the American Celebrity Championship each July, again fared well in the Top 50. Last year’s No. 1 is ranked fifth.
- Las Vegas Paiute had all three of its public courses on the outskirts of Las Vegas – Wolf, Sun Mountain and Snow Mountain – rank in the top 50 for the first time since 2021.
GOLFPASS HELPS GOLFERS PLAY MORE AND BETTER GOLF: Developed in partnership with global golf superstar Rory McIlroy, GolfPass is the only digital golf membership that delivers exclusive content and comprehensive tee-time benefits to help every golfer – from beginner to expert – play more and better golf. GolfPass provides members numerous perks to improve their golf game, enjoy more of the sport they love, and save money on tee times. Members get exclusive tee-time benefits and discounts on GolfNow bookings, including waived fees, tee-time credits, and Tee Time Protection. Additionally, members get unlimited access to more than 4,500 instructional videos, including titles, such as Ask Rory, The Golf Fix, The Next Shot, School of Golf, and The Swing Gym, hosted by top instructors like Devan Bonebrake, Nathalie Sheehan, Martin Hall, and Chris Como, as well as golf fitness expert Don Saladino. GolfPass also offers a selection of exclusive lifestyle content, including shows like Better Off with Hally Leadbetter, Home Course Advantage, My Roots, My Daily Routine, and more. A GolfPass membership is available in North America at GolfPass.com, in the U.K. and Republic of Ireland at GolfPass.co.uk, and in Australia at www.GolfPass.com.au. The GolfPass membership also is available via connected TV, iOS and Android apps.
Jamie Palatini
VP, Communications
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Jake Gellerman
Senior Manager, Communications
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Emily Carman
Publicist
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(714) 742-8301