GolfPass reveals best public golf courses in every state as chosen by recreational golfers

STAMFORD, Conn. – March 4, 2026 – GolfPass today revealed the best public golf courses in each state, making it easy for recreational golfers throughout the U.S. to plan their next rounds at courses acclaimed by their peers. 

This third installment of 2026 Golfers’ Choice lists joins the popular Top 50 Public Golf Courses in the U.S. and Best Warm-Weather Golf Courses lists, which all live on a dedicated Golfers’ Choice page on GolfPass. New regional lists will publish April 2, followed by the final edition of international lists later that month.

The Golfers’ Choice lists are generated by golfer reviews on GolfNow and GolfPass throughout 2025, determining the best public golf courses played by recreational golfers each year. Unlike golf course rankings published by industry insiders, the Golfers’ Choice lists are completely consumer driven – by recreational golfers, for recreational golfers. 

“Revealing the ‘best of’ lists for 40 different states of Golfers’ Choice 2026 requires a team effort at GolfPass,” said Jason Scott Deegan, the managing editor of GolfPass.com. “We’re proud to publish such a valuable resource that local golfers and traveling players can use to determine where to tee it up for their next round.” 

The top five courses from each state (excluding Alaska) are as follows: 

Alabama

1. FarmLinks at Pursell Farms – Sylacauga
2. Limestone Springs Golf Club – Oneonta
3. Kiva Dunes – Gulf Shores
4. Craft Farms Resort, Cotton Creek – Gulf Shores
5. Craft Farms Resort, Cypress Bend – Gulf Shores

Arizona

1. Whirlwind Golf Club, Cattail Course – Chandler
2. Laughlin Ranch Golf Club – Bullhead City
3. The Highlands at Dove Mountain – Marana
4. Whirlwind Golf Club, Devil's Claw – Chandler
5. Granite Falls Golf Course, North Course – Surprise

Arkansas

1. Coopers Hawk – Melbourne
2. Red Apple Inn & Country Club – Heber Springs
3. Bella Vista Country Club, Highlands Course – Bella Vista
4. Mystic Creek Golf Club – El Dorado
5. Glenwood Country Club - Glenwood

California

1. Monarch Beach Golf Links – Dana Point
2. Quail Lodge Resort & Golf Club – Carmel
3. Desert Willow Golf Resort, Firecliff Course – Palm Desert 
4. Poppy Ridge Golf Course – Livermore
5. Maderas Golf Club – Poway

Colorado

1. Pole Creek Golf Club – Tabernash
2. Arrowhead – Edwards
3. Boomerang Golf Links – Greeley
4. Grand Elk Ranch and Club – Granby
5. Four Mile Ranch Golf Club – Cañon City 

Connecticut

1. Manchester Country Club – Manchester
2. Wintonbury Hills Golf Course – Bloomfield
3. Lyman Orchards Golf Club, Jones Course – Middlefield
4. Gillette Ridge – Bloomfield
5. Chris Bargas Golf Club at Whitney Farms – Monroe

Delaware

1. Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club – Ocean View
2. Maple Dale Country Club – Dover
3. Odessa National – Townsend
4. Heritage Shores – Bridgeville
5. Bayside Resort Golf Club – Selbyville

Florida

1. Juliette Falls – Dunnellon
2. Herons Glen Golf & Country Club – North Fort Myers
3. Candler Hills Golf Club – Ocala
4. The Park West Palm – West Palm Beach
5. Streamsong Black – Fort Meade

Georgia

1. Brasstown Valley Resort Golf Course – Young Harris
2. Sanctuary Golf Club – Waverly
3. Meadow Links At George T. Bagby – Fort Gaines
4. Richard B. Russell At Arrowhead Pointe Golf Course – Elberton
5. The Lakes At Laura S. Walker – Waycross

Hawaii

1. Poipu Bay Resort Golf Course – Koloa, Kauai
2. Pearl at Kalauao – Aiea, O’ahu
3. Mauna Lani Resort, South Course – Waimea, Hawai’i
4. The Ocean Course at Hokuala – Lihue, Kauai
5. Ko Olina Golf Club – Kapolei, O’ahu

Idaho

1. Desert Canyon Golf Course – Mountain Home
2. Falcon Crest, Championship Course – Kuna
3. University of Idaho Golf Course – Moscow
4. MeadowCreek Golf Resort – New Meadows
5. Highland Golf Course – Post Falls

Illinois

1. Atkins Golf Club at the University of Illinois – Urbana
2. Village Links of Glen Ellyn – Glen Ellyn 
3. Blackstone – Marengo
4. El Paso Golf Club – El Paso
5. Lake Carroll – Lanark

Indiana

1. Sandy Pines Golf Club – De Motte
2. Covered Bridge Golf Club – Sellersburg
3. Glendarin Hills Golf Club – Angola
4. Swan Lake Resort, Black – Plymouth
5. Harrison Hills Golf & Country Club – Attica

Iowa

1. Spring Valley Golf Course – Livermore
2. The Legacy Golf Club – Norwalk
3. Blue Top Ridge At Riverside – Riverside
4. Highland Park Golf Course – Mason City 
5. The Legacy Golf Course at the 19 – Mason City

Kansas

1. Spring Creek – Seneca
2. Cherry Oaks Golf Course – Cheney
3. Trails West Golf Course – Fort Leavenworth
4. Wellington Golf Club – Wellington
5. Turkey Creek Golf Course – McPherson

Kentucky

1. Calvert City Golf & Country Club – Calvert City
2. Shelbyville Country Club – Shelbyville 
3. Silo's Country Club – Kevil
4. Raven Rock Golf Course – Jenkins
5. Oldham County Country Club – La Grange 

Louisiana

1. TPC Louisiana – Avondale
2. Beaver Creek Golf Club – Zachary 
3. Carter Plantation – Springfield
4. Koasati Pines At Coushatta – Allen Parish
5. Grand Ridge Golf Club – Luling

Maine

1. Sunday River Resort Golf Club – Newry
2. The Ledges Golf Club – York
3. Point Sebago Golf/Beach Resort – Casco
4. Martindale Country Club – Auburn
5. Rockland Golf Club – Rockland

Maryland

1. Whiskey Creek Golf Club – Ijamsville
2. Maryland National Golf Club – Middletown
3. The Links At Lighthouse Sound – Bishopville
4. Bulle Rock Golf Club – Havre De Grace 
5. Eagle's Landing Golf Course – Berlin

Massachusetts

1. South Shore Country Club – Hingham
2. Pinehills Golf Club, Nicklaus Course – Plymouth
3. Miacomet Golf Course – Nantucket
4. Crumpin-Fox Club – Bernardston
5. Cranberry Valley Golf Course – Harwich

Michigan

1. The Fortress – Frankenmuth
2. Arthur Hills at The Highlands, Boyne Course – Harbor Springs
3. The Lynx Golf Course – Otsego
4. Boyne Mountain Resort, Monument Course – Boyne Falls
5. Gladstone Golf Course – Gladstone

Minnesota

1. The Jewel Golf Club – Lake City
2. Keller Golf Course – Maplewood 
3. Island Pine Country Club – Atwater
4. Thief River Falls Golf Club – Thief River Falls
5. Marshall Golf Club – Marshall 

Mississippi

1. Grand Bear Golf Course – Saucier 
2. Fallen Oak – Saucier 
3. Hattiesburg Country Club – Hattiesburg 
4. The Preserve Golf Club – Vancleave 
5. Diamondhead Country Club – Diamondhead

Missouri

1. Branson Hills Golf Club – Branson 
2. Mozingo Lake – Maryville
3. Creekmoor – Raymore
4. Ledgestone Country Club – Reeds Spring 
5. Rolling Hills Country Club – Versailles

Montana

1. Wilderness – Eureka
2. Big Sky of Montana Golf Course – Big Sky
3. Pryor Creek Golf Club – Huntley
4. Fairmont Hot Springs Resort – Anaconda
5. Mission Mountain Golf Club – Ronan

Nebraska

1. Tatanka Golf Club at Featherhill – Niobrara
2. Willow Lakes Golf Course – Bellevue
3. Oakland Golf Club – Oakland
4. Skyview Golf Course – Alliance
5. Four Winds Country Club – Kimball

Nevada

1. Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course – Zephyr Cove 
2. Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort, Sun Mountain Course – Las Vegas
3. Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort, Snow Mountain Course – Las Vegas
4. Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort, Wolf Course – Las Vegas
5. Incline Village, Championship Golf Course – Incline Village

New Hampshire

1. Bretwood North Golf Course – Keene
2. Maplewood Country Club & Hotel – Bethlehem
3. Waumbek Country Club – Jefferson
4. Breakfast Hill Golf Club – Greenland
5. Campbell's Scottish Highlands Golf Course – Salem

New Jersey

1. Heron Glen Golf Course – Ringoes
2. Knob Hill Golf Club – Township
3. Neshanic Valley Golf Course – Neshanic Station
4. River Vale Country Club – River Vale 
5. Shore Gate Golf Club – Ocean View

New Mexico

1. New Mexico Military Institute Golf Course – Roswell
2. Pinon Hills Golf Course – Farmington
3. New Mexico State University Golf Course – Las Cruces
4. Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort – Elephant Butte
5. Rockwind Community Links – Hobbs 

New York

1. Seven Oaks Golf Club – Hamilton
2. McConnellsville – Blossvale
3. Leatherstocking Golf Course – Cooperstown
4. Batavia Country Club – Batavia
5. Concord Resort and Golf Club, The Monster Course – East Concord

North Carolina

1. Woodlake Country Club – Vass
2. Thistle Golf Club – Sunset Beach
3. Springdale Resort – Canton
4. Tot Hill Farm Golf Club – Asheboro
5. Tobacco Road Golf Club – Sanford

North Dakota

1. Bully Pulpit Golf Course – Medora
2. Bois De Sioux – Wahpeton
3. Jamestown Country Club – Stutsman County

Ohio

1. Chippewa Golf Club – Doylestown
2. Stillwater Valley Golf Club – Bradford 
3. Pine Hills Golf Club – Hinckley 
4. Snow Hill Country Club – New Vienna 
5. River Greens Golf Course – West Lafayette

Oklahoma

1. Tinker Golf Course – Oklahoma City
2. Twin Oaks Golf Club – Duncan
3. Peoria Ridge Golf Course – Miami 
4. Prairie West Golf Club at Weatherford – Weatherford
5. The Club at Forest Ridge – Broken Arrow

Oregon

1. Quail Ridge Golf Course – Baker City
2. Juniper Golf Club – Redmond
3. Indian Creek Golf Course – Hood River
4. The Resort at the Mountain – Welches
5. Running Y Ranch – Klamath Falls

Pennsylvania

1. Tyoga Golf Course – Wellsboro
2. Skytop Lodge Golf Course – Skytop
3. Jeffersonville Golf Club – Norristown 
4. Toftrees Resort – State College
5. River Valley Golf Club – Westfield 

Rhode Island

1. Meadow Brook Golf Club – Richmond
2. Fenner Hill Country Club – Hope Valley
3. Triggs Memorial Golf Course – Providence
4. Newport National Golf Club – Middletown
5. Laurel Lane Country Club – West Kingston

South Carolina

1. Caledonia Golf & Fish Club – Pawleys Island
2. The Walker Golf Course at Clemson University – Clemson
3. Grande Dunes Resort Club – Myrtle Beach
4. The Links at Stono Ferry – Hollywood
5. Shaftesbury Glen Golf & Fish Club – Conway

South Dakota

1. Rapid City Elks – Rapid City
2. Madison Golf & Country Club – Madison 
3. Rocky Run Golf Course – Dell Rapids

Tennessee

1. Pickwick Landing State Park Golf Course – Pickwick Dam
2. Egwani Farm – Rockford 
3. Lake Tansi Resort – Crossville 
4. Island Pointe Golf Club – Kodak
5. Towhee Club – Spring Hill

Texas

1. Hideout Golf Club – Brownwood
2. Live Oak Golf Club – Abilene
3. Palo Duro Creek Golf Club – Canyon
4. John Pitman Municipal Golf Course – Hereford
5. Kissing Tree Golf Club – San Marcos

Utah

1. TalonsCove Golf Course – Saratoga Springs
2. Coral Canyon Golf Course – Washington
3. Carbon County Golf Club – Helper  
4. Birch Creek Golf Course – Smithfield 
5. Logan River Golf Course – Logan

Vermont

1. Jay Peak Golf Course – Jay
2. Stratton Mountain Resort Golf Club – Stratton Mountain
3. Ralph Mhyre – Middlebury
4. Woodstock Country Club – Woodstock
5. Crown Point Country Club – Springfield

Virginia

1. The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa, Cascades Course – Hot Springs
2. Bryce Resort Golf Course – Mt Jackson
3. Colonial Heritage – Williamsburg
4. Independence Golf Club, Championship Course – Midlothian
5. Massanutten Resort Golf Club, Mountain Greens – Massanutten

Washington

1. Chambers Bay – University Place
2. Gamble Sands Golf Club – Brewster
3. Gamble Sands, Scarecrow Course – Brewster
4. Cedars at Dungeness – Sequim
5. Suncadia Resort, Prospector Course – Cle Elum 

West Virginia

1. Glade Springs Village, Woodhaven Course – Daniels
2. Glade Springs Village, Stonehaven Course – Daniels
3. The Greenbrier, The Meadows Course – White Sulphur Springs
4. The Highlands Golf Club at Fisher Mountain – Brandywine
5. Raven Golf Club At Snowshoe Mountain – Snowshoe

Wisconsin

1. Mascoutin Golf Club – Berlin
2. Glacier Wood Golf Club – Iola
3. Glen Cairn Golf Club – Ogdensburg
4. Turtleback Golf & Conference Center – Rice Lake
5. Skyline Golf Course – Black River Falls

Wyoming

1. Star Valley View Golf Course – Afton 
2. Cottonwood at Torrington – Torrington
3. Kendrick Golf Course – Sheridan
4. Riverton Country Club – Riverton
5. White Mountain Golf Course – Rock Springs

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.

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.

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Jake Gellerman
Sr. Manager, Communications
Jake.Gellerman@versantmedia.com

Emily Carman
Publicist
emily.carman@versantmedia.com
(714) 742-8301