Welcome to Golfweek’s Best 2021 list of top residential golf courses in the United States, first published in the print issue of Golfweek’s Ultimate Guide. These focus on courses within residential developments and include both private clubs and public-access tracks.
(Pictured above: Champion Hills in Hendersonville, N.C.)
The hundreds of 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 to produce a final rating for each course. Then each course is ranked against other courses in the region.
We hope you enjoy poring over these rankings, and we look forward to hearing your thoughts on this Golfweek’s Best 2021: Top 200 Residential Courses list.
Each course is listed with its 2021 ranking, its location, architect(s), the year it opened and an average ranking from all the Golfweek Raters who reviewed it.
Nos. 1-50
Martis Camp (Courtesy of Martis Camp)
1. Wade Hampton Golf Club
Cashiers, N.C; Tom Fazio; 1987
8.10
2. Estancia
Scottsdale, Ariz; Tom Fazio; 1995
7.79
3. Rock Creek Cattle Co
Deer Lodge, Mont.; Tom Doak; 2008
7.71
4. Stock Farm
Hamilton, Mont; Tom Fazio; 1999
7.61
5. Colorado GC
Parker, Colo; Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw; 2007
7.55
6. Gozzer Ranch
Harrison, Idaho; Tom Fazio; 2007
7.52
7. Oak Tree National
Edmond, Okla; Pete Dye; 1976
7.49
8. Martis Camp
Truckee, Calif; Tom Fazio; 2008
7.39
9. Bluejack National
Montgomery, Texas; Tiger Woods; 2016
7.37
10. Tributary (formerly Huntsman Springs)
Driggs, Idaho; David McLay Kidd; 2009
7.36
11. Shooting Star
Teton Village, Wyo; Tom Fazio; 2009
7.35
12. Castle Pines
Castle Rock, Colo; Jack Nicklaus; 1981
7.31
13. The Madison Club
La Quinta, Calif; Tom Fazio; 2006
7.29
14. Mountaintop
Cashiers, N.C; Tom Fazio; 2007
7.28
15. John’s Island Club (West)
Vero Beach, Fla; Tom Fazio; 1989
7.24
16. Mountain Lake
Lake Wales, Fla; Seth Raynor; 1917
7.23
17. Grandfather G&CC (Championship)
Linville, N.C; Ellis Maples; 1968
7.21
18. Long Cove
Hilton Head Island, S.C; Pete Dye; 1982
7.20
T19. Mayacama
Santa Rosa, Calif; Jack Nicklaus; 2001
7.18
T19. Diamond Creek
Banner Elk, N.C; Tom Fazio; 2003
7.18
21. Jupiter Hills Club (Hills)
Tequesta, Fla; George Fazio; 1970
7.09
22. The Quarry at La Quinta
La Quinta, Calif; Tom Fazio; 1994
7.08
23. The Patriot
Owasso, Okla; Robert Trent Jones Jr.; 2010
7.07
T24. Colleton River (Dye)
Bluffton, S.C; Pete Dye; 1998
7.04
T24. Forest Highlands (Canyon)
Flagstaff, Ariz; Jay Morrish, Tom Weiskopf; 1986
7.04
26. Tradition GC
La Quinta, Calif; Arnold Palmer & Ed Seay; 1997
7.03
T27. Clear Creek Tahoe
Carson City, Nev; Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw; 2009
7.02
T27. Boot Ranch
Fredericksburg, Texas; Hal Sutton; 2006
7.02
T29. Cuscowilla
Eatonton, Ga; Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw; 1997
7.01
T29. Pronghorn (Fazio)
Bend, Ore; Tom Fazio; 2006
7.01
31. The Bear’s Club
Jupiter, Fla; Jack Nicklaus; 1999
6.97
32. Concession
Bradenton, Fla; Jack Nicklaus; 2006
6.96
33. The Rim
Payson, Ariz; Tom Weiskopf, Jay Morrish; 1998
6.95
34. Spring Island (Old Tabby Links)
Okatie, S.C; Arnold Palmer, Ed Seay; 1993
6.91
T35. Paako Ridge
Sandia Park, N.M; Ken Dye; 2000
6.90
T35. Cliffs at Mountain Park
Travelers Rest, S.C; Gary Player; 2013
6.90
37. Stone Eagle
Palm Desert, Calif; Tom Doak; 2005
6.89
T38. Kiawah Island Club (River)
Kiawah Island, S.C; Tom Fazio; 1995
6.88
T38. The Bridges at Rancho Sante Fe
Rancho Santa Fe, Calif; Robert Trent Jones Jr.; 2001
6.88
T40. Santa Lucia Preserve
Carmel, Calif; Tom Fazio; 2000
6.87
T40. Kiawah Island Club (Cassique)
Kiawah Island, S.C; Tom Watson; 2000
6.87
T40. Vintage Club (Desert)
Indian Wells, Calif; Tom Fazio; 1984
6.87
43. Kohanaiki
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii; Rees Jones; 2014
6.86
44. Club at Carlton Woods (Fazio Championship)
The Woodlands, Texas; Tom Fazio; 2005
6.85
45. Lahontan
Truckee, Calif; Tom Weiskopf; 1999
6.84
T46. Frederica GC
St. Simons Island, Ga; Tom Fazio; 2004
6.83
T46. Southern Highlands
Las Vegas; Robert Trent Jones Sr., Robert Trent Jones Jr.; 1999
6.83
48. Forest Creek (North)
Pinehurst, N.C; Tom Fazio; 2005
6.79
T49. Spanish Oaks
Bee Cave, Texas; Bobby Weed; 2002
6.76
T49. Rancho Santa Fe GC
Rancho Santa Fe, Calif; Max Behr; 1929
6.76
Nos. 51-100
The Great Waters Course at Reynolds Lake Oconee
51. Talisker Club (Tuhaye)
Kamas, Utah; Mark O’Meara; 2005
6.74
T52. Vintage Club (Mountain)
Indian Wells, Calif; Tom Fazio; 1980
6.73
T52. Black Rock
Hingham, Mass; Brian Silva; 2002
6.73
T54. The Ford Plantation
Richmond Hill, Ga; Pete Dye; 1987
6.72
T54. Briggs Ranch
San Antonio, Texas; Tom Fazio; 2001
6.72
T54. Desert Highlands
Scottsdale, Ariz; Jack Nicklaus; 1983
6.72
T54. Cliffs at Keowee (Vineyards)
Sunset, S.C; Tom Fazio; 1999
6.72
58. Rainmakers
Alto, N.M; Robert Trent Jones Jr.; 2008
6.71
59. Glenwild
Park City, Utah; Tom Fazio; 2001
6.70
T60. El Dorado
Indian Wells, Calif; Tom Fazio; 2003
6.69
T60. Old Waverly
West Point, Miss; Bob Cupp, Jerry Pate; 1988
6.69
T62. Frost Creek
Eagle, Colo; Tom Weiskopf; 2007
6.68
T62. Santaluz Club
San Diego; Rees Jones; 2002
6.68
64. Champion Hills
Hendersonville, N.C; Tom Fazio; 1991
6.67
T65. Silverleaf
Scottsdale, Ariz; Tom Weiskopf; 2002
6.66
T65. Victory Ranch
Kamas, Utah; Rees Jones; 2009
6.66
T67. Quintero
Peoria, Ariz; Rees Jones; 2000
6.65
T67. Escondido
Horseshoe Bay, Texas; Tom Fazio; 2006
6.65
T69. Rams Hill
Borrego Springs, Calif; Ted Robinson, Tom Fazio; 1983
6.64
T69. Big Horn (Canyons)
Palm Desert, Calif; Tom Fazio; 1998
6.64
T71. Glacier Club (Mountain)
Durango, Colo; Arthur Hills, Hale Irwin, Todd Schroeder; 1976
6.63
T71. Forest Highlands (Meadow)
Flagstaff, Ariz; Jay Morrish, Tom Weiskopf; 1999
6.63
73. Colleton River (Nicklaus)
Bluffton, S.C; Jack Nicklaus; 1992
6.62
T74. Dalhousie Golf Club
Cape Girardeau, Mo; Jack Nicklaus; 2002
6.61
T74. Promontory (Painted Valley)
Park City, Utah; Jack Nicklaus; 2007
6.61
76. Stone Canyon
Oro Valley, Ariz; Jay Morrish; 2000
6.60
77. Pine Canyon Club
Flagstaff, Ariz; Jay Morrish; 2004
6.59
T78. Black Creek
Chattanooga, Tenn; Brian Silva; 2000
6.57
T78. Black Diamond Ranch (Quarry)
Lecanto, Fla; Tom Fazio; 1987
6.57
T78. Reynolds Lake Oconee (Great Waters)
Greensboro, Ga; Jack Nicklaus; 1992
6.57
T78. Cliffs at Walnut Cove
Arden, N.C; Jack Nicklaus; 2005
6.57
82. Snake River Sporting Club
Jackson, Wyo; Tom Weiskopf; 2006
6.55
83. Golf Club at Dove Mountain (Saguaro/Tortolita)
Marana, Ariz; Jack Nicklaus; 2009
6.54
T84. Olde Stone
Bowling Green, Ky; Arthur Hills; 2006
6.53
T84. Currahee Club
Toccoa, Ga; Jim Fazio; 2004
6.53
86. Treyburn
Durham, N.C; Tom Fazio; 1988
6.52
T87. Montreux
Reno, Nev; Jack Nicklaus; 1997
6.51
T87. Haig Point
Daufuskie Island, S.C; Rees Jones; 1986
6.51
89. Crosswater
Sunriver, Ore; Bob Cupp, John Fought; 1995
6.50
T90. Redlands Mesa
Grand Junction, Colo; Jim Engh; 2001
6.49
T90. Loxahatchee Club
Jupiter, Fla; Jack Nicklaus; 1984
6.49
T90. Forest Creek (South)
Pinehurst, N.C; Tom Fazio; 1996
6.49
T90. Wickenburg Ranch
Wickenburg, Ariz; Wendell Pickett, Bill Brownlee; 2015
6.49
T90. Club at Carlton Woods (Nicklaus)
The Woodlands, Texas; Jack Nicklaus; 2001
6.49
T90. Vaquero Club
Westlake, Texas; Tom Fazio; 2001
6.49
T90. Hideaway (Clark)
La Quinta, Calif; Clive Clark; 2004
6.49
T97. Troon CC
Scottsdale, Ariz; Jay Morrish, Tom Weiskopf; 1985
6.48
T97. Flagstaff Ranch
Flagstaff, Ariz; Jerry Pate; 2003
6.48
T97. GC at Briar’s Creek
Johns Island, S.C; Rees Jones; 2001
6.48
T100. Isleworth
Windermere, Fla; Arnold Palmer, Ed Seay, Steve Smyers; 1986
6.46
T100. Sailfish Point
Hutchinson Island, Fla; Jack Nicklaus; 1981
6.46
T100. Trump National Golf Club Jupiter
Jupiter, Fla; Jack Nicklaus; 2002
6.46
T100. Kinderlou Forest GC
Valdosta, Ga; Davis Love III; 2004
6.46
T100. Fiddler’s Creek (Creek)
Naples, Fla; Arthur Hills; 2002
6.46
T100. The Farms
Rancho Santa Fe, Calif; Pete Dye, Perry Dye, John Fought, Tom Lehman; 1984
6.46
T100. Mirabel Club
Scottsdale, Ariz; Tom Fazio; 2001
6.46
Nos. 101-150
Torreon’s Cabin Course (Courtesy of Torreon/Allan Henry)
107. Lake Nona
Orlando, Fla; Tom Fazio; 1986
6.45
T108. Torreon (Cabin)
Show Low, Ariz; Robert von Hagge; 2007
6.44
T108. TPC Summerlin
Las Vegas
Bobby Weed; 1992
6.44
T108. Old Marsh
Palm Beach Gardens, Fla; Pete Dye; 1988
6.44
T108. The Club at Rock Creek
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Tom Weiskopf; 2012
6.44
T108. Toscana (South)
Indian Wells, Calif; Jack Nicklaus; 2005
6.44
T113. Club at Ravenna
Littleton, Colo; Jay Morrish, Rick Buckton; 2007
6.42
T113. Black Bull
Bozeman, Mont; Tom Weiskopf; 2008
6.42
T115. Linville Ridge
Linville, N.C; George Cobb, Bobby Weed; 1983
6.40
T115. Las Campanas (Sunset)
Santa Fe, N.M; Jack Nicklaus; 2000
6.40
T115. Squire Creek
Choudrant, La; Tom Fazio; 2002
6.40
T118. Horseshoe Bay (Summit Rock)
Horseshoe Bay, Texas; Jack Nicklaus; 2012
6.39
T118. Belfair (West)
Bluffton, S.C; Tom Fazio; 1996
6.39
T120. SouthShore
Henderson, Nev; Jack Nicklaus; 1996
6.37
T120. Cordillera Ranch
Boerne, Texas; Jack Nicklaus; 2007
6.37
T122. Cherry Creek
Denver; Jack Nicklaus, Jack Nicklaus Jr.; 2002
6.36
T122. The Gallery (North)
Marana, Ariz; John Fought, Tom Lehman; 1998
6.36
T122. Wexford
Hilton Head Island, S.C; Willard Byrd; Arnold Palmer; 1983
6.36
T125. The Wilderness Club Montana
Eureka, Mont; Nick Faldo; 2009
6.35
T125. Southern Hills Plantation Club
Brooksville, Fla; Pete Dye; 2006
6.35
T125. Golden Ocala
Ocala, Fla; Ron Garl; 1986
6.35
T125. TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm
Potomac, Md; Jim Hardy, Steve Wenzloff ; 2009
6.35
T125. Club at Snoqualmie Ridge
Snoqualmie, Wash; Jack Nicklaus; 1999
6.35
T125. Club at Porto Cima
Sunrise Beach, Mo; Jack Nicklaus, Bruce Borland; 2000
6.35
T125. Powder Horn
Sheridan, Wyo; Dick Bailey; 1997
6.35
T132. Old North State Club
New London, N.C; Tom Fazio; 1991
6.34
T132. The Virginian
Bristol, Va; Tom Fazio; 1993
6.34
T134. Hammock Beach Resort (Ocean)
Palm Coast, Fla; Jack Nicklaus; 2000
6.33
T134. Balsam Mountain Preserve
Sylva, N.C; Arnold Palmer; 2007
6.33
T136. Aquidneck
(formerly Carnegie Abbey); Portsmouth, R.I; Donald Steel; 2000
6.32
T136. Ballyhack
Roanoke, Va; Lester George; 2009
6.32
138. Belfair (East)
Bluffton, S.C; Tom Fazio; 1999
6.32
139. Hammock Dunes (Creek)
Palm Coast, Fla; Rees Jones; 2003
6.31
T140. Creighton Farms
Aldie, Va; Jack Nicklaus; 2008
6.30
T140. Orchid Island Golf & Beach Club
Vero Beach, Fla; Arnold Palmer, Ed Seay; 1990
6.30
T142. Spring Creek
Zion Crossroads, Va; Ed Carton; 2006
6.29
T142. Landfall (Nicklaus: Marsh/Ocean)
Wilmington, N.C; Jack Nicklaus; 1990
6.29
T144. Red Ledges
Heber City, Utah; Jack Nicklaus; 2009
6.28
T144. Reserve at Lake Keowee
Sunset, S.C; Jack Nicklaus; 2002
6.28
T146. Reynolds Lake Oconee (Oconee)
Greensboro, Ga; Rees Jones; 2002
6.27
T146. Toscana (North)
Indian Wells, Calif; Jack Nicklaus; 2005
6.27
T148. LochenHeath
Williamsburg, Mich; Steve Smyers; 2001
6.26
T148. Federal Club
Glen Allen, Va; Arnold Palmer; 2007
6.26
T148. TPC River Highlands
Cromwell, Conn; Pete Dye, Bobby Weed; 1982
6.26
T148. Desert Mountain (Cochise)
Scottsdale, Ariz; Jack Nicklaus; 1988
6.26
Nos. 151-200
Golf Club of Georgia (Courtesy of Golf Club of Georgia)
T152. Independence
Midlothian, Va; Tom Fazio; 2001
6.25
T152. Las Campanas (Sunrise)
Santa Fe, N.M; Jack Nicklaus; 1993
6.25
T154. Chaparral Pines
Payson, Ariz; Gary Panks, David Graham; 1997
6.24
T154. Greenbrier Sporting Club (The Snead)
White Sulphur Springs, W.Va; Tom Fazio; 2004
6.24
156. Desert Mountain (Chiricahua)
Scottsdale, Ariz; Jack Nicklaus; 1999
6.23
T157. Tidewater
North Myrtle Beach, S.C; Ken Tomlinson; 1990
6.22
T157. Troon North (Monument)
Scottsdale, Ariz; Jay Morrish, Tom Weiskopf; 1990
6.22
T157. Torreon (Tower)
Show Low, Ariz; Robert von Hagge; 1999
6.22
160. McLemore Club
Rising Fawn, Ga; Rees Jones and Bill Bergin; 2019
6.21
T161. JW Turnberry Miami (Soffer)
Aventura, Fla; Robert Trent Jones Sr., Raymond Floyd; 1971
6.20
T161. Cliffs at Keowee Falls
Salem, S.C; Jack Nicklaus; 2007
6.20
T161. Golf Club of Georgia (Lakeside)
Alpharetta, Ga; Arthur Hills; 1991
6.20
T164. Tetherow
Bend, Ore; David McLay Kidd; 2008
6.19
T164. Boca West CC (Dye IV)
Boca Raton, Fla; Pete Dye; 2006
6.19
T164. Champions Retreat (Bluff/Creek)
Evans, Ga; Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player; 2005
6.19
T167. Tennessee National
Loudon, Tenn; Greg Norman; 2006
6.18
T167. Seven Canyons
Sedona, Ariz; Tom Weiskopf; 2002
6.18
169. Jonathan’s Landing (Fazio at Old Trail)
Jupiter, Fla; Tom Fazio; 1985
6.17
T170. Oak Tree CC (East)
Edmond, Okla; Pete Dye; 1982
6.16
T170. Kingsmill Resort (River)
Williamsburg, Va; Pete Dye; 1975
6.16
T170. Quail Valley
Vero Beach, Fla; Nick Price,Tommy Fazio; 2001
6.16
T173. Schaffer’s Mill
Truckee, Calif; John Harbottle, Johnny Miller; 2008
6.14
T173. The Gallery (South)
Marana, Ariz; John Fought; 2003
6.14
T175. Landfall (Dye)
Wilmington, N.C; Pete Dye; 1987
6.13
T175. Sea Pines Resort (Heron Point)
Hilton Head Island, S.C; Pete Dye; 2007
6.13
T175. TPC Sugarloaf
Duluth, Ga; Greg Norman; 1997
6.13
T178. Desert Mountain (Renegade)
Scottsdale, Ariz; Jack Nicklaus; 1987
6.12
T178. Mirasol – Sunrise Course
Palm Beach Gardens, Fla; Tom Fazio; 2003
6.12
T178. Sagamore
Bolton Landing, N.Y; Donald Ross; 1928
6.12
T178. DeBordieu Club
Georgetown, S.C; Pete Dye; 1987
6.12
T182. GC at Gray’s Crossing
Truckee, Calif; Jim Hardy, Peter Jacobsen; 2007
6.11
T182. Grizzly Ranch
Portola, Calif; Bob Cupp; 2005
6.11
T182. The Reserve
Pawleys Island, S.C; Greg Norman; 1998
6.11
T182. Hammock Dunes (Links)
Palm Coast, Fla; Tom Fazio; 1989
6.11
T186. Desert Mountain (Geronimo)
Scottsdale, Ariz; Jack Nicklaus; 1989
6.10
T186. Sandestin Resort (Burnt Pine)
Miramar Beach, Fla; Rees Jones; 1994
6.10
T186. Coyote Springs (Chase)
Coyote Springs, Nev; Jack Nicklaus; 2008
6.10
189. TPC Craig Ranch
McKinney, Texas; Tom Weiskopf; 2004
6.09
T190. Berkeley Hall (North)
Bluffton, S.C; Tom Fazio; 2001
6.08
T190. Conestoga
Mesquite, Nev; Gary Panks; 2010
6.08
T190. Long Bay Club
Longs, S.C; Jack Nicklaus; 1989
6.08
T190. Miramont GC
Bryan, Texas; Robert Trent Jones Jr.; 2005
6.08
T194. Harbor Club
Greensboro, Ga; Jay Morrish, Tom Weiskopf; 1991
6.07
T194. PGA Golf Club (Wanamaker)
Port St Lucie, Fla; Tom Fazio; 1996
6.07
T194. Aspen Lakes
Sisters, Ore; William Overdorf; 1996
6.07
T194. Quechee Club (Highland)
Quechee, Vt; Geoffrey Cornish, William Robinson, Brian Silva; 1970
6.07
T194. Grand Elk
Granby, Colo; Craig Stadler/Tripp Davis; 2002
6.07
T194. True North
Harbor Springs, Mich; Jim Engh; 2004
6.07
200. Windsor Club
Vero Beach, Fla; Robert Trent Jones Jr.; 1991
6.06
