Top 10 Public Golf Courses in the US You Can Actually Play
Golf in the US is often seen through a lens of exclusivity—private clubs with six-figure memberships, velvet ropes, and invite-only tee times. But beyond that gilded edge lies a range of world-class public courses open to anyone with a set of clubs, a tee time, and a few hundred bucks. Here are ten of the best public golf courses that welcome walk-ons, weekend warriors, and traveling golfers alike:
1. Pebble Beach Golf Links – Pebble Beach, California
A frequent host of the US Open and perched dramatically above the Pacific Ocean, Pebble Beach isn’t cheap—but it’s very much public. Every golfer should stand on the cliffside at the 7th tee at least once, staring down at the green framed by crashing waves. Reservations are best made through the Pebble Beach Resort, with guaranteed tee times for overnight guests.
2. Pacific Dunes – Bandon, Oregon
Pacific Dunes often outranks private clubs on “best of” lists as part of the revered Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. It’s rugged, remote, and purpose-built for walking. Designed by Tom Doak, the course plays along coastal bluffs with firm fairways and natural dunes shaping the strategy. In 2024, Golf Digest panellists named Pacific Dunes’ 13th hole the 14th best hole in America.
3. Bethpage Black – Farmingdale, New York
Warning: “The Black Course is an extremely difficult course which we recommend only for highly skilled golfers.” So says the iconic sign near the first tee. But that doesn’t stop tens of thousands from lining up (literally) for a shot at this former US Open site. It’s a tough, no-frills experience—but worth every step.
4. TPC Sawgrass (Stadium Course) – Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
You don’t need a PGA Tour card to take on the island green at 17. This Pete Dye-designed course is home to THE PLAYERS Championship and open to the public through TPC packages and direct bookings. It’s meticulously kept and thrilling to play. Its signature hole is obviously the par-3 17th with its daunting island green.
5. Pinehurst No. 2 – Pinehurst, North Carolina
A living museum of American golf, Pinehurst No. 2 is Donald Ross’s crown jewel, restored to its sandy, scruffy roots in recent years. It’s playable year-round and central to a full-service resort that welcomes visitors from around the globe. The turtleback green at the par-4 5th defines Ross’ vision of strategic, short-game testing design.
6. Whistling Straits Golf Course – Kohler, Wisconsin
A faux-Irish masterpiece on the shore of Lake Michigan, Whistling Straits hosted the 2021 Ryder Cup and remains open to the public via the American Club resort. Expect wind, wild bunkering, and one of the most visually dramatic settings in American golf. Whistling Straits is a dramatic course where wind and water play pivotal roles in your strategy.
7. Torrey Pines (South Course) – San Diego, California
A muni with major championship pedigree, Torrey Pines South is carved into the bluffs above the Pacific. San Diego residents get a deep discount, but visitors can still book with advance planning. Tiger Woods famously won the 2008 US Open here on a broken leg. Torrey Pines combines stunning ocean views with the challenge of a course that has hosted numerous PGA Tour events.
8. Erin Hills – Hartford, Wisconsin
Wide fairways, glacially carved terrain, and championship conditioning define Erin Hills, host of the 2017 US Open. It’s a walking-only course that rewards creativity and stamina—and welcomes public play in season. Erin Hills offers an expansive layout with some of the most dramatic elevation changes in modern golf.
9. Chambers Bay – University Place, Washington
This muni near Tacoma hosts popular US golf events such as the 2015 US Open and brings links-style golf to the Pacific Northwest. Massive elevation changes, fescue grass, and sweeping water views make it unforgettable. Book ahead and be ready for a workout. Chambers Bay combines links golf with awe-inspiring views of the Puget Sound.
10. The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island – Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Wind is always a factor at this oceanside Pete Dye design, host of the 2021 PGA Championship. Guests of the Kiawah Island Resort get priority booking, but limited tee times are available to the public. It’s a punishing but scenic masterpiece. With its coastal beauty and extreme test of golf, The Ocean Course stands as one of the premier public golf venues in the US
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to land on Forbes’ rich list or score a secret invite to enjoy elite-level golf in the US From coast to coast, there are public courses that rival or even surpass private clubs in beauty, strategy, and challenge. While the green fees may vary, the memories are priceless—and they’re yours for the booking. So, which public course is next on your list?
