The Guru's Rankings

• TOP 100 Golf Courses in the UNITED STATES:  The top 100 courses the Gurus have played in the United States. This list includes both public and private courses.
• TOP 100 PUBLIC Golf Courses in the UNITED STATES:  The top 100 Public courses the Gurus' have played in the United States. When you don't have access to private courses; this is the list you need.
• TOP INTERNATIONAL Golf Courses:  The Gurus have fallen in love with golf courses outside of America and find them to be some of the most fascinating experiences a golfer can have. This list ranks the best courses they've visited outside the U.S. including Scotland, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico.
• BEST IN STATE COURSE & INDIVIDUAL COUNTRY RANKINGS:  Whether it is seeing courses in your own state or trying to figure out where to play on a golf trip, these lists are the Guru's favorite courses visited state-by-state. You'll also find individual rankings of the best golf courses in Scotland, Ireland, England, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic.
• GOLF COURSE GURUS RANKING SCALE:  Each course is given a grade similar to what you'd get in school. A+, B-, etc. This document breaks down the thought process behind each grade level.
• TOP 100 GOLF HOLES:  The Guru's favorite signature holes, difficult holes, and flat out stunning holes. The list consists of 33 par 3s, 34 par 4s, and 33 par 5s.
• Best in State Hole Rankings:  Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals are awarded to the best par 3s, 4s, and 5s of each state. The holes impressed the Guru the most when he tee it up.
• Best Holes by an Architect:  Every golf course architect has designed some great holes, as well as some duds. This list features a dozen of the game's biggest names in golf course design and lists their best holes, limited to those the Gurus have played to date.

The Guru's Lists

• 36 Hole Days:  Few things are better than playing golf all day. Here is a list the best 36 holes days that the Gurus have participated in. (Updated: April 2018)
• Chicks Dig the Long Ball:  The title of this group of lists comes from the classic Nike commercial featuring Atlanta Braves pitching legends Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine working out in order to hit homeruns. This collection of lists include the courses over 8,000 yards and holes that will shock you at how long they are that the Gurus have played; along with the most difficult ratings and slopes. (Updated: May 2023)
• Guru Statistics:  Random lists that give to some insight to some of the head Golf Course Guru's travels. Lists include number of courses played in each state, by each architect, and by year designed. (Updated: May 2023)
• Overrated and Underrated:  "Don't believe the hype" is a phrase made famous by Public Enemy and something every golfer has fallen victim to. Here is the Gurus' most overrated and underrated courses in comparison to national magazine rankings. (Updated: February 2023)
• The 18:  Have you ever wanted to take the best holes from your favorite courses and combine them into one mega course? Well "The 18" is just that; a variety of fantasy course lists from the greatest 18, to the toughest 18, to the most affordable 18 and more. (Updated: January 2017)

National Magazine Rankings

Golf Magazine

• GOLF Magazine Top 100 Golf Courses in AMERICA:  Ranked by a panel headed by Ran Morrissett, Golf Magazine's list of the 100 finest courses in the United States. (November 2024 - November 2025)
• GOLF Magazine Top 100 PUBLIC Golf Courses in the UNITED STATES:  Golf Magazine's list of the Top 100 courses you can play in America. (November 2024 - November 2025)
• GOLF Magazine Top 100 Golf Courses in the WORLD:  Encompassing the entire globe, these are Golf Magazine's best courses across the world. (November 2023)

Golf Digest Magazine

• GOLF DIGEST Top 100 Golf Courses in AMERICA:  Golf Digest owns the distinction of having the oldest (est. 1966) and most commonly referred to rankings on the planet. (May 2023 - May 2025)
• GOLF DIGEST Second 100 Golf Courses in AMERICA:  First debuting in 2013, Golf Digest expanded their popular Top 100 list to include the next 100 courses; effectively creating a Top 200 list. (May 2023 - May 2025)
• GOLF DIGEST Top 100 PUBLIC Golf Courses in AMERICA:  The list that Joe Q. Public relishes, Golf Digest's Top 100 public access courses in the country. (September 2021 - September 2023)
• GOLF DIGEST Top 100 International Golf Courses (Non-U.S.):  Debuting in 2014, this is Golf Digest's most recent rankings of courses outside of the United States. (January 2024 - December 2025)
• GOLF DIGEST Top 200 Golf Courses in the WORLD:  Combining their Top 100 Courses in America and Top 100 International Course rankings for the first time in 2018, this is Golf Digest's Top 200 Courses in the World rankings. (January 2019 - December 2020)

Golfweek Magazine

• GOLFWEEK Top 100 Classic Golf Courses in AMERICA:  Golfweek utilizes a unique ranking system that classifies courses as Classic (built prior to 1960) and Modern (built after 1960). This list focuses on the Classic courses. (May 2023 - May 2024)
• GOLFWEEK Second 100 Classic Golf Courses in AMERICA:  Focusing on the 101st - 200th best classic courses in the country, Golfweek sheds light on some of the best golf courses built prior to 1960. Be prepared for a heavy dose of east coast courses designed by Donald Ross. (May 2023- May 2024)
• GOLFWEEK Top 100 Modern Golf Courses in AMERICA:  Golfweek utilizes a unique ranking system that classifies courses as Classic (built prior to 1960) and Modern (built after 1960). This list focuses on the Modern courses. (May 2023- May 2024)
• GOLFWEEK Second 100 Modern Golf Courses in AMERICA:  Focusing on the 101st - 200th best modern courses in the country, Golfweek sheds light on some of the best golf courses built after 1960. (May 2023- May 2024)
• GOLFWEEK Top 100 PUBLIC Golf Courses in AMERICA:  Golfweek's list of the best courses that don't require a membership or knowing the right person. Public golf, the core of the game. (June 2023 - June 2024)

Suggestions or Requests?  Need an idea for a golf trip? Drop us an email letting us know the number of players involved, the budget, and number of days you want the trip to entail and we'd be happy to give you our thoughts on a trip you not only won't forget, but that you'll want to do over and over again.