Golf is a leading hobby enjoyed by men and women across the US and abroad. The origins of the game go back to late medieval Scotland. The game crossed the pond to the Americas in the nineteenth century and has enjoyed growth in the years since. Here are some of the top courses in the US.
Pebble Beach Golf Links
Pebble Beach is probably the top course that’s open to ordinary Americans. Pebble Beach is open to the public, and it’s hosted the US Open and PGA Championship in the past. The course is famous for its scenic views of the Pacific Ocean, and some of its more iconic holes, including the Par-5 18th, lie adjacent to the water.
Augusta National
The Augusta National Golf Club takes its name from the town in Georgia in which it’s located. The course is most famous for hosting the Masters tournament. This tournament is one of the most-watched events on the PGA schedule, and the course is famed for the stretch of holes that is known as Amen Corner. Many Masters have been won or lost around Amen Corner. The course is private so most people will have trouble accessing the fairways unless they pay to travel with the galleries during the Masters.
Oakmont
Oakmont Country Club is located just outside of Pittsburgh, PA. To date, it’s hosted a record nine US Open Championships. Jack Nicklaus won his first professional title at the 1962 US Open. The course is considered one of the most difficult in the US and has more than 200 sand bunkers to challenge play.
Bethpage Black
The Black Course at Bethpage State Park in New York is widely considered one of the toughest tests in golf. It’s a course that’s open to the public, yet it burst into the wider public consciousness in 2002 when it became the first publicly owned course to host the US Open. The course is a major test for weekend duffers and pros alike, and it reaches a lengthy 7,468 yards from the back tees.
Baltusrol
Another of the popular US Open venues is Baltusrol Golf Club, located in New Jersey. Both the Upper Course and Lower Course at Baltusrol have hosted the US and US Women’s Opens. It’s the only course to hold this distinction. The most famous hole is probably the 650-yard 17th at the Lower Course. John Daly is the only player to have hit the green in two shots in championship play on this lengthy hole.
These are just five of the top golf courses in the US. There are many others that are worth playing. While some will be difficult to access because of their private nature, there are many public courses that can provide a memorable day around the links.