More Exciting and Fantastic American Golf Courses Than 'Pebble Beach'

Golf.com Selects 'Top 100 Golf Courses in the USA' for 2022-2023

Pine Valley (top) and Cypress Point, ranked 1st and 2nd respectively among the top 100 golf courses in the United States selected by Golf.com.
[Image source=Golf Digest]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Taewon] The United States is a paradise for golfers. With over 15,000 golf courses, many of them boast fantastic landscapes and fascinating stories. This is why golf enthusiasts from around the world focus their attention on American golf courses.

Amid this, the American golf media outlet Golf.com selected the top 100 golf courses in the U.S. on the 8th (local time). A panel of 117 members voted, considering a combination of design diversity, sand, and other factors.

Interestingly, Pebble Beach in California, praised by golf legend Jack Nicklaus as a "course you must play before you die," did not make it into the top 10. Pebble Beach ranked 11th among the top 100 golf courses. Here are some of the major U.S. golf courses that even overshadow Pebble Beach's reputation.

Pine Valley

Located in Pine Valley, Camden County, New Jersey, this golf course is highly praised as the "most beautiful course in the world" that every golfer should visit at least once. It is frequently ranked number one in the world’s top 100 golf courses by various media outlets.

It is a par 70 course with a total length of 6,532 yards. Designed by George Crump and Harry Colt, it was completed in 1918. Course designer Robert Trent Jones called it "the most difficult course in the world," and Johnny Miller (USA), who won 25 PGA Tour events, praised it as "every hole is a beautiful masterpiece."

Despite having one of the best courses, it does not host professional tournaments. The only events held were two Walker Cups in the 20th century, where amateurs from the U.S., Britain, and Ireland competed. This is because there is no route for galleries to move around. Instead, the Crump Cup, a golf tournament among members, is held annually.

For over a century, it did not accept female members, but last year, after 104 years since its founding, it made headlines by accepting three female members for the first time.

Cypress Point

The 15th hole at Cypress Point offers a spectacular view harmonizing with the sea.

Located in Pebble Beach, California, it boasts breathtaking views of rugged cliffs and deep blue waves. The grandeur of the dense cypress trees is also remarkable. It is situated on the Monterey Peninsula near Carmel Bay, south of San Francisco, and the coastal road known as the "17-Mile Drive" is also one of the top scenic viewpoints.

It is a par 72 course with a total length of 6,541 yards. Designed by Alister MacKenzie, it was completed in 1928. The course difficulty is top-notch due to rough terrain, challenging sand bunkers, and irregular sea breezes. Even highly skilled players often score worse than usual here.

The signature hole, the 16th hole (par 3, 219 yards), is nicknamed "the best hole on Earth." The tee shot flying 220 yards over the Pacific Ocean to land on the green is often described as cinematic.

Shinnecock Hills

Located in Southampton, New York, unlike other neatly maintained golf courses, it boasts a unique raw and natural atmosphere. Five U.S. Opens were held here between 1986 and 2018.

It is a par 70 course with a total length of 7,445 yards. Designed by William Flynn, it was completed in 1931. It is notorious for its long length, tough rough, unpredictable Atlantic sea breeze, and glass-like greens. The winning scores in tournaments held here reflect this difficulty: Ray Floyd (USA) at 1 under par in 1984, Corey Pavin (USA) at even par in 1995, Retief Goosen (South Africa) at 4 under par in 2004, and Brooks Koepka (USA) at 1 over par in 2018.

The signature hole, the 16th hole (par 5), stretches 616 yards, making it difficult even to reach the green. Despite requiring long drives, the average fairway width is only 26 yards, increasing the challenge. Phil Mickelson (USA) famously self-destructed with 11 strokes on the 16th hole in 1995 after struggling in the rough.

Oakmont

The final challenge at Oakmont, the 18th hole. Securing the snake-like curved fairway is essential to immediately attack the green.

Located in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, USA, it features a barren landscape with almost no trees or water, and drainage ditches crossing the land leave a strong impression.

It is a par 71 course with a total length of 7,254 yards. Designed by Charles Macdonald, it was completed in 1911. It is notorious for its long length, uneven fairways, rough terrain, 210 deep bunkers, and fast greens. It is also nicknamed "Oakmonster," a combination of Oakmont and Monster. Golf legend Tiger Woods (USA) once said it is "the toughest among the notoriously difficult US Open venues."

The "Church Pews," known as the world’s most difficult bunker, is particularly impressive. It consists of 12 rough mounds and bunker trenches resembling long benches where churchgoers sit. It stretches nearly 100 yards long and 40 yards wide.

Unlike other golf courses, there are no water hazards such as ponds, reservoirs, or streams. While this might seem easier, there is a variable: drainage ditches spread across 10 holes. The uneven ground covered with wild grass and numerous small stones interfere with swings.

Augusta National

Augusta National Course Guide Map

Located in Georgia, it is a prestigious golf course that hosts the Masters Tournament, one of the four major PGA Tour events. It is famous for meticulous course management, including controlling soil temperature, humidity, and oxygen levels from an underground maintenance room beneath the greens.

It is a par 72 course with a total length of 7,475 yards. Designed by Bobby Jones and Alister MacKenzie, it was completed in 1933. It boasts a strict membership system. It is infamously known as a "snobby club," meaning "pretentious and superior." In fact, no one can pass through the main gate without being accompanied by a member. Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, and former U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz are known members.

It is also notorious for its "glass greens." Especially holes 11 to 13 are so difficult that players pray, earning the nickname "Amen Corner."

The beauty of the 13th hole (par 5) is also renowned. From the teeing ground to the green, azaleas are in full bloom, earning it the reputation as "the most beautiful par 5 hole in the world."