Golfweek's Best 2021: Best private golf courses in every state

Where's the best private golf in each state? With this list of Golfweek’s Best Private Courses, we present the best such layouts, as judged by our nationwide network of raters.

The members of our course-ratings panel continually evaluate courses and rate them based on our 10 criteria. They also file a single, overall rating on each course. Those overall ratings on each course are averaged together to produce a final rating for each course. Each course is then ranked against other courses in its state to produce the final rankings.

KEY: (m) modern, built in 1960 or after; (c) classic, built before 1960. (For courses with a number preceding the (m) or (c), that is where the course ranks on Golfweek’s Best lists for top 200 modern and classic courses in the U.S.) * Indicates new or returning to the rankings.

SEE ALSO

Golfweek's Best 2021: Best public golf courses you can play, state by state

Golfweek's Best 2021: Top 100 public golf courses across the U.S.

Golfweek's Best 2021 Classic Courses: From Augusta National to Pebble Beach, these are the top 200 courses that were built before 1960

Golfweek's Best 2021 Modern Courses: From Bandon Dunes to Shadow Creek, these are the top 200 courses that were built after 1960

Alabama

1. Shoal Creek

Birmingham (No. 79 m)

2. CC of Birmingham (West)

Birmingham (c)

3. The Ledges

Huntsville (m)

4. Turtle Point Yacht & CC

Killen (m)

5. Old Overton

Birmingham (m)

Arizona

1. Estancia

Scottsdale (No. 17 m)

2. Desert Forest

Carefree (No. 48 m)

3. Scottsdale National(The Other Course)

Scottsdale (m)

4. Forest Highlands (Canyon)

Flagstaff (T97 m)

5. The Rim

Payson (m)

6. Stone Canyon

Tucson (m)

7. Whisper Rock (Lower)

Scottsdale (m)

8. Whisper Rock (Upper)

Scottsdale (m)

9. Desert Highlands

Scottsdale (m)

10. Silverleaf

Scottsdale (m)

11. Pine Canyon

Flagstaff (m)

12. Forest Highlands (Meadow)

Flagstaff (m)

13. Mirabel

Scottsdale (m)

14. Torreon (Cabin)

Show Low (m)

15. Superstition Mountain (Prospector)

Gold Canyon (m)

16. Desert Mountain (Cochise)

Scottsdale (m)

17. Troon CC

Scottsdale (m)

18. Flagstaff Ranch

Flagstaff (m)

19. GC at Dove Mountain (Saguaro/Tortolita)

Marana (m)

20. The Gallery (North)

Marana (m)

Arkansas

1. Alotian Club

Roland (m)

2. Texarkana CC

Texarkana (c)

3. The Blessings

Fayetteville (m)

4. Hardscrabble

Fort Smith (c)

5. Big Creek

Mountain Home (m)

California

1. Cypress Point

Pebble Beach (No. 3 c)

2. Los Angeles CC (North)

Los Angeles (No. 14 c)

3. San Francisco GC

San Francisco (No. 17 c)

4. Riviera

Pacific Palisades (No. 18 c)

5. California GC

South San Francisco (No. 33 c)

6. Olympic Club (Lake)

San Francisco (T34 c)

7. Valley Club of Montecito

Santa Barbara (T36 c)

8. Monterey Peninsula (Shore)

Pebble Beach (T27 m)

9. Monterey Peninsula (Dunes)

Pebble Beach (No. 56 c)

10. Bel-Air

Los Angeles (T57 c)

11. Martis Camp

Truckee (No. 47 m)

12. Madison Club

La Quinta (m)

13. Mayacama

Santa Rosa (No. 75 m)

14. Quarry at La Quinta

La Quinta (m)

15. Tradition

La Quinta (T97 m)

16. Meadow Club

Fairfax (c)

17. Wilshire

Los Angeles (c)

18. Stone Eagle

Palm Desert (m)

T19. Santa Lucia Preserve

Carmel (m)

T19. Bridges at Rancho Sante Fe

Rancho Santa Fe (m)

Colorado

1. Ballyneal

Holyoke (No. 4 m)

2. Colorado GC

Parker (T33 m)

3. Castle Pines

Castle Rock (T55 m)

4. Cherry Hills

Englewood (T78 c)

5. CC of the Rockies

Edwards (m)

T6. Frost Creek

Eagle (m)

T6. Maroon Creek

Aspen (m)

8. Glacier Club (Mountain)

Durango (m)

9. Roaring Fork Club

Basalt (m)

10. Sanctuary

Sedalia (m)

Connecticut

Yale Golf Course in Connecticut (Courtesy of Yale Golf Course)

1. Yale Golf Course

New Haven (No. 55 c)

Editor's note: Yale began allowing public play from Connecticut residents only in 2021. Call the course for details. 

2. CC of Fairfield

Fairfield (T95 c)

3. Stanwich Club

Greenwich (No. 94 m)

4. Tamarack

Greenwich (c)

5. Round Hill

Greenwich (c)

Delaware

1. Bidermann

Wilmington (m)

2. Wilmington CC (South)

Wilmington (m)

3. Fieldstone

Greenville (m)

4. The Peninsula

Millsboro (m)

5. Wilmington CC (North)

Wilmington (m)

Florida

1. Seminole

Juno Beach (No. 12 c)

2. Calusa Pines

Naples (T25 m)

3. John’s Island Club (West)

Vero Beach (No. 64 m)

4. Mountain Lake

Lake Wales (T70 c)

5. Jupiter Hills Club (Hills)

Tequesta (T85 m)

6. Indian Creek

Miami Beach (c)

7. Naples National

Naples (m)

8. The Bear’s Club

Jupiter (m)

9. Concession

Bradenton (T100 m)

10. High Ridge

Lantana (m)

11. McArthur

Hobe Sound (m)

12. Loblolly

Hobe Sound (m)

13. Pine Tree

Boynton Beach (m)

14. Medalist

Hobe Sound (m)

15. Boca Rio

Boca Raton (m)

16. Coral Creek

Placida (m)

17. Trump International

West Palm Beach (m)

18. Old Memorial

Tampa (m)

19. Pablo Creek

Jacksonville (m)

20. Floridian

Palm City (m)

Georgia

1. Augusta National

Augusta (No. 2 c)

2. Ohoopee Match Club

Cobbtown (No. 7 m)

3. Peachtree

Atlanta (T21 c)

4. Augusta CC

Augusta (No. 65 c)

5. Cherokee Town (South)

Dunwoody (m)

6. East Lake

Atlanta (T87 c)

7. Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee

Eatonton (T100 m)

8. Ocean Forest

Sea Island (m)

9. Cherokee Town (North)

Dunwoody (c)

10. Atlanta Athletic Club (Highlands)

John’s Creek (m)

11. Frederica

St. Simons Island (m)

12. The Farm

Rocky Face (m)

13. Ford Field & River Club

Richmond Hill (m)

14. Lookout Mountain

Lookout Mountain (c)

15. Atlanta CC

Marietta (m)

Hawaii

1. Nanea

Kona (m)

2. Kukio Golf & Beach Club

Kailua-Kona (m)

3. Kohanaiki

Kailua-Kona (m)

4. Kukui’ula

Koloa (m)

5. Hokulia

Kailua-Kona (m)

Idaho

1. Gozzer Ranch

Harrison (T35 m)

2. The Tributary

Driggs (T49 m)

T3. Whitetail

McCall (m)

T3. Black Rock

Coeur d’Alene (m)

T5. SpurWing

Meridian (m)

T5. Rock Creek

Coeur d’Alene (m)

Illinois

1. Chicago GC

Wheaton (No. 8 c)

2. Shoreacres

Lake Bluff (No. 19 c)

3. Butler National

Oak Brook (T42 m)

4. Beverly

Chicago (c)

T5. Old Elm

Highland Park (T59 c)

T5. Olympia Fields (North)

Olympia Fields (No. 61 c)

7. Medinah CC (No. 3)

Medinah (T76 c)

8. Black Sheep

Sugar Grove (T82 m)

9. Skokie

Glencoe (T90 c)

10. Olympia Fields CC (South)

Olympia Fields (c)

11. Chicago Highlands

Westchester (m)

12. Conway Farms

Lake Forest (m)

13. Flossmoor GC

Flossmoor (c)

14. Merit Club

Libertyville (m)

15. Medinah CC (No. 1)

Medinah (c)

Indiana

1. Victoria National

Newburgh (No. 46 m)

2. Crooked Stick

Carmel (T61 m)

3. Culver Academies

Culver (No. 97 c)

4. Sycamore Hills

Fort Wayne (m)

5. South Bend CC

South Bend (c)

Iowa

1. Cedar Rapids CC

Cedar Rapids (T67 c)

2. Davenport

Pleasant Valley (T70 c)

3. Harvester

Rhodes (T69 m)

4. Des Moines G&CC (South)

West Des Moines (m)

5. Des Moines G&CC (North)

West Des Moines (m)

Kansas

1. Prairie Dunes

Hutchinson (No. 11 c)

2. Flint Hills National

Andover (m)

3. Kansas City CC

Mission Hills (c)

4. Wolf Creek

Olathe (m)

5. Shadow Glen

Olathe (m)

Kentucky

Valhalla in Kentucky (Golfweek Files)

1. Valhalla

Louisville (T80 m)

2. Olde Stone

Bowling Green (m)

3. Idle Hour

Lexington (c)

4. Hurstbourne

Louisville (m)

5. Audubon

Louisville (c)

Louisiana

1. Squire Creek

Choudrant (m)

2. Baton Rouge CC

Baton Rouge (c)

3. CC of Louisiana

Baton Rouge (m)

4. New Orleans CC

New Orleans (c)

5. LaTour

Mathews (m)

Maine

1. Prouts Neck

Scarborough (c)

2. Portland CC

Falmouth (c)

3. York Golf & Tennis Club

York (c)

4. Woodlands Club

Falmouth (m)

Maryland

1. Baltimore CC (East)

Timonium (T39 c)

2. Congressional (Blue)

Bethesda (T87 c)

3. Woodmont (North)

Rockville (c)

4. Caves Valley

Owings Mills (m)

5. Columbia

Chevy Chase (c)

6. Chevy Chase CC

Chevy Chase (c)

7. Burning Tree

Bethesda (c)

8. Congressional (Gold)

Bethesda (m)

9. TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm

Potomac (m)

10. Four Streams

Beallsville (m)

Massachusetts

1. The Country Club (Composite)

Brookline (No. 25 c)

2. Myopia Hunt Club

Hamilton (No. 32 c)

3. Old Sandwich

Plymouth (T19 m)

4. Boston GC

Hingham (T21 m)

5. Essex

Manchester-by-the-Sea

(T39 c)

6. Eastward Ho!

Chatham (No. 44 c)

7. Kittansett Club

Marion (T47 c)

8. Salem CC

Peabody (T74 c)

9. Whitinsville GC

Whitinsville (No. 82 c)

10. Sankaty Head

Siasconset (T83 c)

T11. Taconic

Williamstown (c)

T11. Nantucket GC

Siasconset (m)

13. Winchester CC

Winchester (c)

14. Hyannisport Club

Hyannis Port (c)

15. Worcester CC

Worcester (c)

Michigan

1. Crystal Downs

Frankfort (No. 13 c)

2. Oakland Hills (South)

Bloomfield Hills (T23 c)

3. Kingsley Club

Kingsley (No. 18 m)

4. Dunes Club

New Buffalo (T44 m)

5. Franklin Hills

Franklin (T72 c)

6. Indianwood (Old)

Lake Orion (c)

7. Lost Dunes

Bridgman (m)

8. Meadowbrook

Northville (c)

T9. Wuskowan Player’s Club

West Olive (m)

T9. Orchard Lake CC

Orchard Lake (c)

11. Barton Hills

Ann Arbor (c)

12. Point O’Woods

Benton Harbor (c)

13. CC of Detroit

Grosse Pointe Farms (c)

14. Detroit GC (North)

Detroit (c)

15. Oakland Hills (North)

Bloomfield Hills (c)

Minnesota

1. Interlachen

Edina (No. 62 c)

2. White Bear Yacht Club

White Bear Lake (T78 c)

3. Hazeltine National

Chaska (T76 m)

4. Spring Hill

Orono (No. 78 m)

5. Minikahda

Minneapolis (T95 c)

6. Windsong Farm

Independence (m)

7. Golden Valley CC

Golden Valley (c)

8. Northland

Duluth (c)

9. Somerset

Mendota Heights (c)

10. Somerby

Byron (m)

Mississippi

1. Annandale

Madison (m)

2. Reunion

Madison (m)

3. CC of Jackson

Jackson (m)

4. Laurel CC

Laurel (c)

5. Hattiesburg CC

Hattiesburg (m)

Missouri

1. St. Louis CC

St. Louis (No. 45 c)

2. Bellerive

Creve Couer (m)

3. Dalhousie

Cape Girardeau (m)

4. Old Warson

Ladue (c)

5. Persimmon Woods

Weldon Springs (c)

Montana

1. Rock Creek Cattle Company

Deer Lodge (T23 m)

2. The Stock Farm

Hamilton (m)

3. Moonlight Basin Ranch (Reserve)

Big Sky (m)

4. Iron Horse

Whitefish (m)

5. Spanish Peaks Mountain Club

Big Sky (m)

Nebraska

1. Sand Hills

Mullen (No. 1 m)

2. Dismal River Club (Doak)

Mullen (T35 m)

3. Omaha CC

Omaha (c)

4. ArborLinks

Nebraska City (m)

5. Dismal River Club (Nicklaus)

Mullen (m)

Nevada

1. Clear Creek Tahoe

Carson City (T97 m)

2. Southern Highlands

Las Vegas (m)

3. Montreux

Reno (m)

4. TPC Summerlin

Las Vegas (m)

5. SouthShore

Henderson (m)

New Hampshire

1. Golf Club of New England

Greenland (m)

2. Bald Peak Colony Club

Melvin Village (c)

3. Baker Hill

Newbury (m)

4. Lake Winnipesaukee

New Durham (m)

5. Montcalm

Enfield (m)

New Jersey

1. Pine Valley GC

Pine Valley (No. 1 c)

2. Somerset Hills

Bernardsville (No. 20 c)

3. Plainfield

Edison (No. 27 c)

T4. Ridgewood (Championship)

Paramus (No. 49 c)

T4. Baltusrol (Lower)

Springfield (No. 50 c)

6. Hollywood

Deal (T57 c)

7. Galloway National

Galloway Township (T42 m)

8. Baltusrol (Upper)

Springfield (T59 c)

9. Bayonne GC

Bayonne (T65 m)

10. Hidden Creek

Egg Harbor Township (T92 m)

T11. Mountain Ridge

West Caldwell (c)

T11. Essex County

West Orange (c)

13. Hamilton Farm

Gladstone (m)

14. Ridge at Back Brook

Ringoes (m)

15. Trump National (Old)

Bedminster (m)

New Mexico

1. Albuquerque CC

Albuquerque (c)

2. Rainmakers

Alto (m)

3. Las Campanas (Sunset)

Santa Fe (m)

4. Las Campanas (Sunrise)

Santa Fe (m)

5. Four Hills

Albuquerque (m)

New York

1. Shinnecock Hills

Southampton (No. 4 c)

2. National Golf Links of America

Southampton (No. 5 c)

3. Fishers Island Club

Fishers Island (No. 10 c)

4. Friar’s Head

Baiting Hollow (No. 3 m)

5. Winged Foot (West)

Mamaroneck (No. 15 c)

6. Sebonack

Southampton (No. 6 m)

7. Maidstone Club

East Hampton (No. 26 c)

8. Quaker Ridge

Scarsdale (No. 28 c)

9. Garden City GC

Garden City (No. 29 c)

10. Winged Foot (East)

Mamaroneck (No. 31 c)

11. Sleepy Hollow

Briarcliff Manor (No. 42 c)

12. Piping Rock

Locust Valley (No. 43 c)

13. Oak Hill (East)

Rochester (T53 c)

14. Creek Club

Locust Valley (T67 c)

15. Brookfield

Clarence (c)

16. Silo Ridge Field Club

Amenia (m)

17. Atlantic GC

Bridgehampton (m)

T18. Hudson National

Croton-on-Hudson (T69 m)

T18. Fenway

Scarsdale (T76 c)

20. St. George’s

Setauket (T78 c)

North Carolina

1. Wade Hampton Club

Cashiers (No. 11 m)

2. Old Town Club

Winston-Salem (T21 c)

3. Mountaintop

Cashiers (T59 m)

4. Quail Hollow Club

Charlotte (T65 m)

5. Grandfather (Championship)

Linville (T69 m)

6. Roaring Gap Club

Roaring Gap (T78 c)

7. Charlotte CC

Charlotte (T83 c)

8. Diamond Creek

Banner Elk (T76 m)

9. Eagle Point

Wilmington (m)

10. Dormie Club

West End (m)

11. Forest Creek (North)

Pinehurst (m)

12. Biltmore Forest

Asheville (c)

13. Champion Hills

Hendersonville (m)

14. Cape Fear

Wilmington (c)

15. Cliffs at Walnut Cove

Arden (m)

North Dakota

1. Oxbow Country Club

Oxbow (m)

2. Fargo CC

Fargo (c)

3. Apple Creek

Bismarck (c)

4. Grand Forks

Grand Forks (m)

Ohio

1. Muirfield Village

Dublin (No. 12 m)

2. Camargo Club

Indian Hill (T23 c)

3. The Golf Club

New Albany (No. 16 m)

4. Inverness Club

Toledo (T47 c)

5. Scioto

Columbus (No. 52 c)

T6. Brookside

Canton (No. 69 c)

T6. Double Eagle

Galena (No. 57 m)

8. Canterbury

Beachwood (T72 c)

9. Moraine

Dayton (T74 c)

10. Kirtland

Willoughby (T93 c)

11. NCR CC (South)

Kettering (c)

T12. The Country Club

Pepper Pike (c)

T12. Sand Ridge

Chardon (m)

14. Firestone (South)

Akron (c)

15. Pepper Pike Club

Pepper Pike (c)

Oklahoma

1. Southern Hills

Tulsa (No. 38 c)

2. Oak Tree National

Edmond (No. 39 m)

3. Patriot

Owasso (No. 87 m)

4. GC of Oklahoma

Broken Arrow (m)

5. Twin Hills

Oklahoma City (c)

Oregon

1. Eugene CC

Eugene (T95 m)

2. Pronghorn (Fazio)

Bend (m)

3. Waverley

Portland (c)

4. Pumpkin Ridge (Witch Hollow)

North Plains (m)

5. Portland GC

Portland (c)

Pennsylvania

1. Oakmont CC

Oakmont (No. 6 c)

2. Merion (East)

Ardmore (No. 7 c)

3. Philadelphia Cricket Club (Wissahickon)

Flourtown (T36 c)

4. Fox Chapel

Pittsburgh (No. 63 c)

5. Aronimink

Newtown Square (No. 64 c)

6. Lancaster CC

Lancaster (T83 c)

7. CC of Scranton

Scranton (T87 c)

8. Laurel Valley

Ligonier (T90 c)

T9. Stonewall Links (Old)

Elverson (m)

T9. Gulph Mills

King of Prussia (c)

T11. Saucon Valley (Weyhill)

Bethlehem (m)

T11. Rolling Green

Springfield (c)

13. Philadelphia CC (Spring Mill)

Gladwyne (c)

14. Kahkwa Club

Erie (c)

15. Huntingdon Valley CC

Huntingdon Valley (c)

T16. Sunnehanna

Johnstown (c)

T16. Saucon Valley (Old)

Bethlehem (c)

T16. Lehigh

Allentown (c)

19. Longue Vue Club

Verona (c)

20. Pittsburgh Field Club

Pittsburgh (c)

Rhode Island

1. Newport CC

Newport (No. 51 c)

2. Wannamoisett

Rumford (T53 c)

3. Shelter Harbor

Westerly (No. 58 m)

4. Misquamicut

Westerly (T93 c)

5. Rhode Island CC

Barrington (c)

South Carolina

T1. Yeaman’s Hall Club

Charleston (No. 41 c)

T1. Congaree

Ridgeland (No. 30 m)

3. Cherokee Plantation

Yemassee (m)

4. Long Cove

Hilton Head Island (No. 73 m)

5. Colleton River (Pete Dye)

Bluffton (T85 m)

6. Secession

Gibbes Island (T88 m)

7. Sage Valley

Graniteville (m)

8. Spring Island (Old Tabby Links)

Okatie (m)

9. Cliffs at Mountain Park

Travelers Rest (m)

T10. Palmetto

Aiken (c)

T10. Kiawah Island Club (Cassique)

Kiawah Island (m)

T10. Kiawah Island Club (River Course)

Kiawah Island (m)

13. Greenville CC (Chanticleer)

Greenville (m)

14. Chechesee Creek

Okatie (m)

15. Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards

Sunset (m)

South Dakota

1. Sutton Bay

Agar (T65 m)

2. Minnehaha

Sioux Falls (c)

3. Dakota Dunes CC

Dakota Dunes (m)

Tennessee

1. Honors Course

Ooltewah (No. 24 m)

2. Holston Hills

Knoxville (No. 98 c)

3. GC of Tennessee

Kingston Springs (m)

4. Spring Creek Ranch

Collierville (m)

5. Black Creek

Chattanooga (m)

Texas

1. Whispering Pines

Trinity (T19 m)

2. Dallas National

Dallas (T37 m)

3. Bluejack National

Montgomery (T61 m)

4. Colonial

Fort Worth (No. 86 c)

T5. Austin GC

Spicewood (T88 m)

T5. Boot Ranch

Fredericksburg (T88 m)

7. Wolf Point Ranch

Port Lavaca (m)

T8. Brook Hollow

Dallas (c)

T8. Maridoe

Carrolton (m)

10. Trinity Forest

Dallas (m)

11. Club at Carlton Woods (Fazio Championship)

The Woodlands (m)

12. Spanish Oaks

Bee Cave (m)

13. Briggs Ranch

San Antonio (m)

14. Escondido

Horseshoe Bay (m)

15. Oak Hills

San Antonio (c)

Utah

1. Talisker Club at Tuhaye

Kamas (m)

2. Glenwild

Park City (m)

3. Victory Ranch

Kamas (m)

4. Promontory (Painted Valley)

Park City (m)

5. The Country Club

Salt Lake City (c)

Vermont

1. Ekwanok

Manchester (c)

2. CC of Vermont

Waterbury Center (m)

3. Burlington CC

Burlington (c)

4. Quechee Club (Highland)

Quechee (m)

5. Vermont National

South Burlington (m)

Virginia

1. Kinloch

Richmond (T27 m)

2. Olde Farm

Bristol (T61 m)

3. Robert Trent Jones GC

Lake Manassas (No. 74 m)

4. CC of Virginia (James River)

Richmond (c)

T5. The Virginian and Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards

Bristol (m)

T5. Ballyhack

Roanoke (m)

Washington

1. Aldarra

Sammamish (m)

2. Suncadia (Tumble Creek)

Roslyn (m)

3. Sahalee (South/North)

Redmond (m)

4. Tacoma C&GC

Lakewood (c)

5. Seattle GC

Seattle (c)

West Virginia

1. Pikewood National

Morgantown (T25 m)

2. Pete Dye GC

Bridgeport (T33 m)

3. Greenbrier Sporting Club

(Snead)

White Sulphur Springs (m)

4. Williams

Weirton (c)

5. Moundsville

Moundsville (c)

Wisconsin

1. Milwaukee CC

Milwaukee (No. 46 c)

2. Blue Mound

Wauwatosa (c)

3. Oneida

Green Bay (c)

T4. Minocqua CC

Minocqua (m)

T4. North Shore

Menasha (c)

Wyoming

1. Shooting Star

Teton Village (No. 51 m)

2. Snake River Sporting Club

Jackson (m)

3. GC at Devils Tower

Hulett (m)

4. Powder Horn

Sheridan (m)

5. Three Creek Ranch

Jackson (m)