Golfweek's Best 2024: Top private golf courses in every state, ranked

Looking for the best private golf courses in each state? Then welcome to Golfweek’s Best 2024 list of top private layouts as judged by our international panel of raters.
The hundreds of members of the ratings panel continually evaluate courses and rate them based on 10 criteria on a points basis of 1 through 10. They also file a single, overall rating on each course. Those overall ratings are averaged to produce these rankings.
All the courses on this list are private and don’t accept daily-fee or resort play. We also publish a list of each state’s top public-access layouts.
Sharp eyes might notice there are only 49 states included, because Alaska doesn’t have any private clubs to include among the 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
Best private golf courses in each state:
Alabama

1. Shoal CreekBirmingham (T77m)
2. CC of Birmingham (West)Birmingham (T108c)
3. The LedgesHuntsville (m)
4. Old OvertonBirmingham (m)
5. CC of MobileMobile (c)
Arizona

1. EstanciaScottsdale (17m)
2. Desert ForestCarefree (63m)
3. Scottsdale National (The Other Course)Scottsdale (m)
4. Forest Highlands (Canyon)Flagstaff (T118m)
T5. Whisper Rock (Upper)Scottsdale (T122m)
T5. The RimPayson (T122)
7. Whisper Rock (Lower)Scottsdale (T138m)
8. Desert HighlandsScottsdale (T143m)
9. Stone CanyonOro Valley (T173m)
10. MirabelScottsdale (T196m)
11. SilverleafScottsdale (m)
12. Forest Highlands (Meadow)Flagstaff (m)
13. Troon CCScottsdale (m)
14. Pine CanyonFlagstaff (m)
15. Paradise Valley CCParadise Valley (c)
16. Flagstaff RanchFlagstaff (m)
17. Desert Mountain (Cochise)Scottsdale (m)
T18. The Gallery (North)Marana (m)
T18. Torreon (Cabin)Show Low (m)
20. Desert Mountain (Chiricahua)Scottsdale (m)
Arkansas

1. Alotian ClubRoland (m)
2. The BlessingsFayetteville (m)
3. Texarkana Country ClubTexarkana (c)
4. HardscrabbleFort Smith (c)
5. Chenal (Founders)Little Rock (m)
California

1. Cypress PointPebble Beach (1c)
2. Los Angeles CC (North)Los Angeles (11c)
3. San Francisco GCSan Francisco (16c)
4. Riviera CCPacific Palisades (17c)
5. California GCSouth San Francisco (T27c)
6. Monterey Peninsula (Shore)Pebble Beach (T19m)
7. Valley Club of MontecitoSanta Barbara (38c)
8. Olympic Club (Lake)San Francisco (T43c)
9. Monterey Peninsula (Dunes)Pebble Beach (T49c)
10. Bel-AirLos Angeles (T57c)
11. Martis CampTruckee (43m)
12. Meadow ClubFairfax (T71c)
13. The Quarry at La QuintaLa Quinta (m)
14. MayacamaSanta Rosa (T92m)
15. LahontanTruckee (m)
16. The TraditionLa Quinta (105m)
17. Santa Lucia PreserveCarmel (T111m)
18. Lake Merced GC*Daly City (119c)
19. WilshireLos Angeles (T120c)
T20. Stone EaglePalm Desert (T147m)
T20. The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe*Rancho Santa Fe (m)
Colorado

1. BallynealHolyoke (4m)
2. Colorado GCParker (27m)
3. Cherry HillsCherry Hills Village (63c)
4. Castle PinesCastle Rock (57m)
5. CC of the RockiesEdwards (m)
6. Maroon CreekAspen (m)
7. Glacier Club (Mountain)Durango (m)
8. Frost CreekEagle (m)
9. Roaring Fork ClubBasalt (m)
10. Denver CC*Denver (T183c)
Connecticut

1. Yale Golf CourseNew Haven (T71c)
2. Stanwich ClubGreenwich (T100m)
3. CC of FairfieldFairfield (T111c)
4. TamarackGreenwich (T135c)
5. Bull’s BridgeSouth Kent (T192m)
Delaware

1. Wilmington CC (South)Wilmington (T184m)
2. BidermannWilmington (m)
3. FieldstoneGreenville (m)
4. The PeninsulaMillsboro (m)
5. DuPont CC (DuPont)Wilmington (c)
Florida

1. SeminoleJuno Beach (12c)
2. Calusa PinesNaples (23m)
3. Mountain LakeLake Wales (T68c)
T4. Indian CreekMiami Beach (c)
T4. Belleair CC (West)*Belleair (T77c)
6. Dye Course at White Oak*Yulee (T67m)
T7. John’s Island Club (West)Vero Beach (T77m)
T7. The Bear’s ClubJupiter (T83m)
9. Jupiter Hills Club (Hills)Tequesta (91m)
10. LoblollyHobe Sound (96m)
11. Naples NationalNaples (T97m)
12. MedalistHobe Sound (106m)
13. McArthurHobe Sound (T111m)
14. High RidgeLantana (T118m)
15. Pablo CreekJacksonville (m)
16. Pine TreeBoynton Beach (T132m)
17. Coral Creek ClubPlacida (T143m)
18. Trump International West Palm BeachWest Palm Beach (T147m)
19. ConcessionBradenton (T154m)
20. Old MemorialTampa (T171m)
Georgia

1. Augusta NationalAugusta (3c)
2. Ohoopee Match ClubCobbtown (5m)
3. PeachtreeAtlanta (19c)
4. Augusta CCAugusta (T81c)
5. East LakeAtlanta (94c)
6. Ocean ForestSea Island (T100m)
7. Cuscowilla on Lake OconeeEatonton (T114m)
8. Atlanta Athletic Club (Highlands)Johns Creek (T129m)
9. Cherokee Town & CC (North)Dunwoody (T125c)
10. FredericaSt. Simons Island (T154m)
11. Atlanta CCMarietta (T161m)
12. The FarmRocky Face (m)
13. Lookout Mountain ClubLookout Mountain (T142c)
14. Ford Field & River ClubRichmond Hill (T178m)
15. Cherokee Town (South)*Dunwoody (m)
Hawaii

1. NaneaKona (m)
2. KohanaikiKailua-Kona (m)
3. Kukui’ulaKoloa (T173m)
4. HokuliaKailua-Kona (m)
5. King KamehamehaMaui (m)
Idaho

1. Gozzer RanchHarrison (34m)
2. TributaryDriggs (T100m)
3. GC at Black RockCoeur d’Alene (T154m)
4. CDA National Reserve (formerly Rock Creek)Coeur d’Alene (195m)
5. Blue Lakes*Jerome (c)
Illinois

1. Chicago GCWheaton (8c)
2. ShoreacresLake Bluff (20c)
3. Old ElmHighland Park (56c)
4. Butler NationalOak Brook (45m)
5. Olympia Fields (North)Olympia Fields (T71c)
6. BeverlyChicago (76c)
7. Medinah CC (No. 3)Medinah (T84c)
8. SkokieGlencoe (T98)
9. Black SheepSugar Grove (T100m)
10. Conway FarmsLake Forest (T167m)
11. Glen View ClubGolf (c)
12. Olympia Fields (South)Olympia Fields (59c)
13. Bob O’Link GCHighland Park (T165c)
14. Rich Harvest FarmsSugar Grove (m)
15. Onwentsia ClubLake Forest (T173c)
Indiana
1. Victoria NationalNewburgh (T47m)
2. Crooked StickCarmel (T65m)
3. Culver AcademiesCulver (T100c)
4. Sycamore HillsFort Wayne (m)
5. Club at Holliday Farms*Zionsville (m)
Iowa

1. DavenportPleasant Valley (T68c)
2. HarvesterRhodes (82m)
3. Cedar Rapids CCCedar Rapids (T92c)
4. Wakonda ClubDes Moines (c)
5. Des Moines G&CC (North)West Des Moines (m)
Kansas

1. Prairie DunesHutchinson (T13)
2. Flint Hills NationalAndover (T97m)
3. Kansas City CCMission Hills (c)
4. Wolf CreekOlathe (T200m)
5. Hallbrook*Leawood (m)
Kentucky

1. ValhallaLouisville (64m)
2. Idle HourLexington (c)
3. Olde StoneBowling Green (m)
4. HurstbourneLousiville (m)
5. AudubonLouisville (c)
Louisiana
1. Squire CreekChoudrant (m)
2. CC of LouisianaBaton Rouge (m)
3. New Orleans CCNew Orleans (c)
4. Metairie CCMetairie (c)
5. University ClubBaton Rouge (m)
Maine
1. Portland CCFalmouth (c)
2. Prouts NeckScarborough (c)
3. York Golf & Tennis ClubYork (c)
4. Woodlands ClubFalmouth (m)
Maryland

1. Congressional (Blue)Bethesda (47c)
2. Baltimore CC (East)Timonium (48c)
3. Caves ValleyOwings Mill (T154m)
T4. TPC Potomac at Avenel FarmPotomac (T161m)
T4. Woodmont (North)Rockville (c)
6. Burning TreeBethesda (c)
7. ColumbiaChevy Chase (T173c)
8. Chevy Chase CCChevy Chase (c)
9. Four Streams*Beallsville (m)
10. Congressional (Gold)Bethesda (m)
Massachusetts

1. The Country Club (Composite)Brookline (24)
2. Myopia Hunt ClubHamilton (T31c)
3. Eastward Ho!Chatham (40c)
4. EssexManchester-by-the-Sea (42c)
5. Old SandwichPlymouth (29m)
6. Boston GCHingham (33m)
7. Kittansett ClubMarion (52c)
8. Sankaty HeadSiasconset (T89c)
9. Salem CCPeabody (91c)
10. Whitinsville GCWhitinsville (T92c)
11. Winchester CCWinchester (T122c)
12. TaconicWilliamstown (T128c)
13. Worcester CCWorcester (T138c)
14. Nantucket GCSiaconsett (T167m)
T15. Charles River*Newton Centre (T149c)
T15. Hyannisport ClubHyannis Port (T149c)
Michigan

1. Crystal DownsFrankfort (T13)
2. Oakland Hills (South)Bloomfield Hills (22c)
3. Kingsley ClubKingsley (T30m)
4. Dunes ClubNew Buffalo (52m)
5. Franklin HillsFranklin (80c)
6. MeadowbrookNorthville (T125)
T7. Lost DunesBridgman (142m)
T7. Indianwood (Old)Lake Orion (130c)
9. Orchard Lake CCOrchard Lake (T144c)
10. Barton HillsAnn Arbor (T149c)
11. Wuskowhan Player’s ClubWest Olive (m)
12. Bloomfield Hills CCBloomfield Hills (c)
13. CC of DetroitGrosse Pointe Farms (c)
14. Point O’WoodsBenton Harbor (c)
15. True NorthHarbor Springs (m)
Minnesota

1. Spring HillWayzata (T47m)
2. InterlachenEdina (65c)
3. Minikahda ClubMinneapolis (T81c)
4. Hazeltine NationalChaska (T77m)
5. White Bear Yacht ClubWhite Bear Lake (T89c)
6. Windsong FarmIndependence (T154m)
7. NorthlandDuluth (T161c)
8. SomersetMendola Heights (c)
9. Minneapolis GCSt. Louis Park (c)
10. Somerby Golf Club*Byron (m)
Mississippi
1. Hattiesburg CCHattiesburg (c)
2. AnnandaleMadison (m)
3. ReunionMadison (m)
4. Laurel CCLaurel (c)
5. CC of JacksonJackson (m)
Missouri

1. St. Louis CCSt. Louis (53c)
2. BelleriveSt. Louis (T107m)
3. Old WarsonLadue (c)
4. DalhousieCape Girardeau (m)
5. Norwood Hills (West)St. Louis (c)
Montana

1. Rock Creek Cattle CompanyDeer Lodge (16m)
2. The Stock FarmHamilton (m)
3. Moonlight Basin (Reserve)Big Sky (m)
4. Spanish Peaks Mountain ClubBig Sky (m)
5. Black Bull*Bozeman (m)
Nebraska

1. Sand HillsMullen (1m)
2. CapRock RanchValentine (15m)
3. Dismal River Club (Red)Mullen (51m)
4. Omaha CCOmaha (T122c)
5. Lost Rail*Gretna (T147m)
Nevada

1. Clear Creek TahoeCarson City (T114m)
2. Southern HighlandsLas Vegas (T122m)
3. TPC SummerlinLas Vegas (m)
4. SouthShoreHenderson (m)
5. MontreuxReno (m)
New Hampshire
1. Bald Peak Colony ClubMelvin Village (c)
2. Baker HillNewbury (m)
3. ManchesterBedford (c)
4. Lake SunapeeNew London (c)
5. Nashua CC*Nashua (c)
New Jersey

1. Pine Valley GCPine Valley (2c)
2. Somerset HillsBernardsville (21c)
3. PlainfieldEdison (T31c)
4. Baltusrol (Lower)Springfield (T34c)
5. Hollywood GCDeal (T49c)
6. Ridgewood (Championship)Paramus (T57c)
7. Baltusrol (Upper)Springfield (T60c)
8. Galloway NationalGalloway Township (56m)
9. Bayonne GCBayonne (T67m)
10. Mountain RidgeWest Caldwell (T104c)
11. Essex County CCWest Orange (T111c)
12. Hidden CreekEgg Harbor Township (T118m)
13. Ridge at Back BrookRingoes (T134m)
14. Trump National (Old)Bedminster (T154m)
15. Due Process Stable*Colt’s Neck (m)
New Mexico

1. RainmakersAlto (m)
2. Las Campanas (Sunset)Santa Fe (m)
3. Las Campanas (Sunrise)Santa Fe (m)
4. Canyon Club at Four HillsAlbuquerque (m)
5. Albuquerque CCAlbuquerque (c)
New York

1. Shinnecock HillsSouthampton (4)
2. National Golf Links of AmericaSouthampton (5c)
3. Fishers Island ClubFishers Island (9c)
4. Friar’s HeadBaiting Hollow (2m)
5. Winged Foot (West)Mamaroneck (15c)
6. SebonackSouthampton (7m)
7. Maidstone ClubEast Hampton (25c)
8. Garden City GCGarden City (29c)
9. Oak Hill (East)Rochester (30c)
10. Winged Foot (East)Mamaroneck (33c)
11. Quaker RidgeScarsdale (T34c)
12. Sleepy HollowScarborough (37c)
13. Piping RockLocust Valley (39c)
14. Creek ClubLocust Valley (T60c)
15. St. George’sSetauket (T66c)
16. Glens FallsQueensbury (T68c)
17. CC of BuffaloWilliamsville (T77c)
18. FenwayScarsdale (T84c)
19. Hudson NationalCroton-on-Hudson (T71m)
20. Atlantic GCBridgehampton (m)
North Carolina

1. Wade Hampton ClubCashiers (6m)
2. Old Town ClubWinston-Salem (23c)
3. Diamond CreekBanner Elk (T53m)
4. Quail HollowCharlotte (T60m)
5. Roaring Gap ClubRoaring Gap (T82c)
6. MountaintopCashiers (T71m)
7. Grandfather (Championship)Linville (T75m)
8. Eagle PointWilmington (T86m)
9. Charlotte CCCharlotte (T100c)
10. Biltmore ForestAsheville (T116c)
11. Champion HillsHendersonville (T147m)
12. Cape FearWilmington (134c)
13. Dormie ClubWest End (T181m)
14. CC of North Carolina (Dogwood)Pinehurst (T200m)
15. Linville RidgeLinville (m)
North Dakota
1. Fargo CCFargo (c)
2. Oxbow CCOxbow (m)
3. Apple CreekBismarck (c)
4. Grand Forks CCGrand Forks (m)
Ohio

1. Muirfield VillageDublin (10m)
2. Camargo ClubIndian Hill (T27c)
3. The Golf ClubNew Albany (21m)
4. Inverness ClubToledo (46c)
5. SciotoColumbus (55c)
T6. BrooksideCanton (T71c)
T6. MoraineDayton (T71c)
8. CanterburyBeachwood (87c)
9. Double EagleGalena (89m)
10. KirtlandWilloughby (96c)
11. The Country ClubPepper Pike (97c)
12. NCR CC (South)Kettering (T100c)
13. Pepper Pike ClubPepper Pike (c)
14. Sand RidgeChardon (T192m)
15. ColdstreamCincinnati (cT198)
Oklahoma

1. Southern HillsTulsa (41c)
2. Oak Tree NationalEdmond (46m)
3. The PatriotOwasso (T116m)
4. Twin HillsOklahoma City (c)
5. GC of Oklahoma*Broken Arrow (m)
Oregon

1. Eugene CCEugene (104m)
2. WaverleyPortland (T120c)
3. Pronghorn (Fazio)Bend (T132m)
4. Pumpkin Ridge (Witch Hollow)North Plains (m)
5. Columbia EdgewaterPortland (c)
6. AstoriaWarrenton (c)
7. Bend GCBend (c)
8. Portland GCPortland (c)
9. Illahe HillsSalem (m)
10. Broken Top Club*Bend (m)
Pennsylvania

1. Oakmont CCOakmont (6c)
2. Merion (East)Ardmore (7c)
3. Philadelphia Cricket Club (Wissahickon)Flourtown (T43c)
4. Fox ChapelPittsburgh (62c)
5. AroniminkNewtown Square (64c)
6. Lancaster CCLancaster (T77c)
7. Laurel ValleyLigonier (86c)
8. CC of ScrantonClarks Summit (95c)
9. Gulph MillsKing of Prussia (T11c)
10. Stonewall (Old)Elverson (T122m)
11. Rolling GreenSpringfield (T125c)
T12. Huntingdon ValleyHuntingdon Valley (T128c)
T12. Kahkwa ClubErie (c)
T14. Pittsburgh Field ClubPittsburgh (T135c)
T14. Saucon Valley (Weyhill)Bethlehem (T161m)
16. Saucon Valley (Old)Bethlehem (T138c)
17. Philadelphia CC (Spring Mill)Gladwyne (141c)
18. Applebrook*Malvern (T178m)
T19. Longue VueVerona (T146c)
T19. ManufacturersFort Washington (T146c)
Rhode Island
1. Newport CCNewport (T49c)
2. WannamoisettRumford (59c)
3. Shelter HarborWesterly (T65m)
4. MisquamicutWesterly (88c)
5. Sakonnet*Little Compton (c)
South Carolina

1. CongareeRidgeland (T24m)
2. Yeaman’s HallCharleston (T43c)
3. Sage ValleyGraniteville (T49m)
4. Cherokee PlantationYemassee (m)
5. Long CoveHilton Head Island (70m)
6. SecessionGibbes Island (T86m)
7. PalmettoAiken (T106c)
8. Colleton River (Pete Dye)Bluffton (T107m)
9. Cliffs at Mountain ParkTravelers Rest (T129m)
10. Spring Island (Old Tabby Links)Okatie (T134m)
11. Kiawah Island Club (Cassique)Kiawah Island (T147m)
12. Greenville CC (Chanticleer)Greenville (m)
T13. Palmetto Bluff (May River)Bluffton (T171m)
T13. Kiawah Island Club (River)Kiawah Island (T176m)
15. CC of CharlestonCharleston (T146c)
South Dakota
1. Sutton BayAgar (T60m)
2. MinnehahaSioux Falls (c)
3. Dakota Dunes CCDakota Dunes (m)
Tennessee

1. Honors CourseOoltewah (18m)
2. Holston HillsKnoxville (T108c)
3. GC of TennesseeKingston Springs (T118m)
4. Spring Creek RanchCollierville (m)
5. Black CreekChattanooga (m)
Texas

1. Whispering PinesTrinity (T30m)
2. Dallas NationalDallas (39m)
3. Wolf Point GC & Ranch*Port Lavaca (m)
4. Bluejack NationalMontgomery (T75m)
5. Brook HollowDallas (c)
6. Austin GCSpicewood (T97m)
T7. ColonialFort Worth (T108c)
T7. Boot RanchFredericksburg (T107m)
9. Spanish OaksBee Cave (T122m)
10. Austin CCAustin (T138m)
11. EscondidoHorseshoe Bay (T147m)
12. Trinity ForestDallas (166m)
13. Club at Carlton Woods (Fazio Championship)The Woodlands (T181m)
14. Driftwood Golf and Ranch Club*Driftwood (m)
15. Oak Hills CCSan Antonio (168c)
Utah

1. Victory RanchKamas (m)
2. GlenwildPark City (m)
3. Promontory (Painted Valley)Park City (m)
4. The Country ClubSalt Lake City (c)
5. Entrada at Snow Canyon*St. George (m)
Vermont

1. EkwanokManchester (T100c)
2. CC of VermontWaterbury Center (m)
3. Burlington CCBurlington (c)
4. Vermont NationalSouth Burlington (m)
5. Quechee Club (Highland)Quechee (m)
Virginia

1. KinlochManakin-Sabot (28m)
2. Robert Trent Jones GCLake Manassas (44m)
3. Olde FarmBristol (T86m)
4. Bayville GCVirginia Beach (m)
5. Trump National Washington D.C. (Championship)Potomac Falls (m)
6. CC of Virginia (James River)Richmond (c)
7. River BendGreat Falls (m)
8. Governor’s Land at Two RiversWilliamsburg (m)
9. Creighton FarmsAldie (m)
10. CutalongMineral (m)
Washington

1. AldarraSammamish (T161m)
2. Sahalee (South/North)Sammamish (T184m)
T3. Seattle GCSeattle (c)
T3. Suncadia (Tumble Creek)Roslyn (m)
5. Tacoma G&CCLakeland (c)
West Virginia

1. Pikewood NationalMorgantown (T19m)
2. Pete Dye GCBridgeport (55m)
3. Greenbrier Sporting Club (Snead)White Sulphur Springs (m)
4. WilliamsWeirton (c)
5. Wheeling CC*Wheeling (c)
Wisconsin
1. Milwaukee CCMilwaukee (54)
2. Blue MoundWauwatosa (T114)
3. Green Bay CC*Green Bay (m)
4. Pine HillsSheboygan (T186c)
5. OneidaGreen Bay (c)
Wyoming

1. Shooting StarTeton Village (58m)
2. Snake River Sporting ClubJackson (m)
3. Powder HornSheridan (m)
4. Devils TowerHulett (m)
5. Three Creek RanchJackson (m)