Paa-Ko Ridge Golf Club

Sandia Park, New Mexico

Rankings

Golf Digest's Top 100 Public Golf Courses in America

Golf Digest's course list for the layman golfer with access to public tracks only. Courses in BOLD have been played by Billy; a total of 89 so far. Courses in italics are scheduled to played this year.

Top 10 Public Courses

  1. PEBBLE BEACH GOLF LINKS (Jack Neville and Douglas Grant 1919/H. Chandler Egan 1929, Pebble Beach, CA)
  2. PACIFIC DUNES GOLF COURSE (Tom Doak 2001, Bandon, OR)
  3. SHADOW CREEK GOLF CLUB (Tom Fazio 1990, North Las Vegas, NV)
  4. WHISTLING STRAITS RESORT (STRAITS) (Pete Dye 1998, Haven, WI)
  5. THE OCEAN COURSE (Pete Dye 1991, Kiawah Island, SC)
  6. PINEHURST RESORT (NO.2) (Donald Ross 1907, Pinehurst, N.C.)
  7. BETHPAGE STATE PARK (BLACK) (A.W. Tillinghast and Joseph H. Burbeck 1936, Farmingdale, NY)
  8. TPC SAWGRASS (PLAYERS STADIUM) (Pete Dye 1981, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL)
  9. BANDON DUNES GOLF COURSE (David McLay Kidd 1999, Bandon, OR)
  10. ERIN HILLS GOLF COURSE (Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry and Ron Whitten 2006, Erin, WI)
4th Hole at Bethpage State Park (Black)
4th Hole at Bethpage State Park (Black)

Courses 11-20

  1. BANDON TRAILS (Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore 2005, Bandon, OR)
  2. THE LIDO AT SAND VALLEY (Tom Doak 2023, Nekoosa, WI)
  3. SPYGLASS HILL GOLF COURSE (Robert Trent Jones 1966, Pebble Beach, CA)
  4. OLD MACDONALD (Tom Doak 2010, Bandon, OR)
  5. ARCADIA BLUFFS (BLUFFS) (Rick Smith and Warren Henderson 2000, Arcadia, MI)
  6. PASATIEMPO GOLF CLUB (Alister MacKenzie 1929, Santa Cruz, CA)
  7. BLACKWOLF RUN (RIVER) (Pete Dye 1990, Kohler, WI)
  8. THE PETE DYE COURSE AT FRENCH LICK RESORT (Pete Dye 2009, French Lick, IN)
  9. CHAMBERS BAY GOLF CLUB (Robert Trent Jones Jr. 2007, University Place, WA)
  10. STREAMSONG RESORT (RED) (Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw 2012, Streamsong, FL)
17th Hole at TPC Sawgrass (Stadium)
17th Hole at TPC Sawgrass (Stadium)

Courses 21-30

  1. SAND VALLEY AT SAND VALLEY RESORT (Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw 2017, Nekoosa, WI)
  2. MANELE GOLF COURSE (Jack Nicklaus 1993, Lanai City, HI)
  3. KAPALUA RESORT (PLANTATION) (Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore 1991, Kapalua, Maui, HI)
  4. LANDMAND (Rob Collins and Tad King 2022, Homer, NE)
  5. MAMMOTH DUNES AT SAND VALLEY RESORT (David McLay Kidd 2018, Nekoosa, WI)
  6. STREAMSONG RESORT (BLUE) (Tom Doak 2012, Streamsong, FL)
  7. SHEEP RANCH (Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore 2020, Bandon, OR)
  8. HARBOUR TOWN GOLF LINKS (Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus 1969, Hilton Head Island, SC)
  9. THE HIGHLAND COURSE AT PRIMLAND (Donald Steel 2006, Meadows of Dan, VA)
  10. Pinehurst Resort (No.10) (Tom Doak 2024, Pinehurst, NC)
7th Hole at Streamsong Resort (Blue)
7th Hole at Streamsong Resort (Blue)

Courses 31-40

  1. GAMBLE SANDS (David McLay Kidd 2014, Brewster, WA)
  2. PINEHURST RESORT (NO.4) (Gil Hanse & Jim Wagner 2019, Pinehurst, NC)
  3. STREAMSONG RESORT (BLACK) (Gil Hanse 2017, Streamsong, FL)
  4. Fields Ranch PGA of America Frisco (East) (Gil Hanse 2023, Frisco, TX)
  5. BLACK DESERT (Tom Weiskopf 2023, Ivins, UT)
  6. THE PRAIRIE CLUB (DUNES) (Tom Lehman and Chris Brands 2010, Valentine, NE)
  7. FOREST DUNES GOLF CLUB (Tom Weiskopf 2002, Roscommon, MI)
  8. YALE GOLF COURSE (C.B. Macdonald/Seth Raynor 1926, New Haven, CT)
  9. THE GREENBRIER (OLD WHITE TPC) (C.B. Macdonald 1914, White Sulphur Springs, WV)
  10. TORREY PINES GOLF COURSE (SOUTH) (William Bell Sr. 1957/Rees Jones 2001, La Jolla, CA)
15th Hole at The Club at Pronghorn (Nicklaus)
15th Hole at The Club at Pronghorn (Nicklaus)

Courses 41-50

  1. PRONGHORN CLUB AT JUNIPER RESERVE (NICKLAUS) (Jack Nicklaus 2004, Bend, OR)
  2. OMNI HOMESTEAD (CASCADES) (William Flynn 1923, Hot Springs, VA)
  3. MAUNA KEA GOLF COURSE (Robert Trent Jones Sr. 1964/Rees Jones 2008, Kohala Coast, HI)
  4. TOBACOO ROAD GOLF CLUB (Mike Strantz 1999, Sanford, NC)
  5. SEA ISLAND GOLF CLUB (SEASIDE) (Colt and Alison 1928, St. Simons Island, GA)
  6. OZARKS NATIONAL AT BIG CEDAR LODGE (Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw 2019, Hollister, MO)
  7. THE BROADMOOR GOLF CLUB (EAST) (Donald Ross 1918/Robert Trent Jones Sr. 1952, Colorado Springs, CO)
  8. FALLEN OAK GOLF CLUB (Tom Fazio 2006, Saucier, MS)
  9. SENTRYWORLD GOLF COURSE (Robert Trent Jones Jr. 1982, Stevens Point, WI)
  10. CABOT CITRUS FARMS (KAROO) (Kyle Franz 2024, Brooksville, FL)
4th Hole at The Prairie Club (Dunes)
4th Hole at The Prairie Club (Dunes)

Courses 51-60

  1. SEDGE VALLEY AT SAND VALLEY (Tom Doak 2024, Nekoosa, WI)
  2. CORDEVALLE GOLF CLUB (Robert Trent Jones Jr. 1999, San Martin, CA)
  3. ARCADIA BLUFFS (SOUTH) (Dana Fry & Jason Straka 2019, Bear Lake, MI)
  4. THE LINKS AT SPANISH BAY (Robert Trent Jones Jr. 1987, Pebble Beach, CA)
  5. MARQUETTE GOLF CLUB (GREYWALLS) (Mike DeVries 2005, Marquette, MI)
  6. PAA-KO RIDGE GOLF CLUB (Ken Dye 2000, Sandia Park, NM)
  7. WILDERNESS CLUB (Lee Schmidt, Brian Curley and Nick Faldo 2009, Eureka, MT)
  8. THE QUARRY AT GIANTS RIDGE (Jeff Bauer 2003, Biwabik, MN)
  9. WOLF CREEK GOLF CLUB (Dennis Ryder 2000, Mesquite, NV)
  10. PINE NEEDLES LODGE AND GOLF CLUB (Donald Ross 1928, Southern Pines, NC)
9th Hole at The Dunes Golf and Beach Club
9th Hole at The Dunes Golf and Beach Club

Courses 61-70

  1. TETHEROW GOLF CLUB (David McLay Kidd in 2008, Bend, OR)
  2. PGA WEST (STADIUM) (Pete Dye 1986, La Quinta, CA)
  3. THE LOOP (BLACK) (Tom Doak 2016, Roscommon, MI)
  4. NEMACOLIN WOODLANDS RESORT & SPA (MYSTIC ROCK) (Farmington, PA)
  5. WHISTLING STRAITS (IRISH) (Pete Dye 2000, Haven, WI)
  6. THE GOLF COURSES OF LAWSONIA (LINKS) (William Langford and Theodore Moreau 1930, Green Lake, WI)
  7. Wynn Golf Club (Tom Fazio 2005, remodel 2019, Las Vegas, NV)
  8. THE LOOP (RED) (Tom Doak 2016, Roscommon, MI)
  9. CROSSWATER GOLF CLUB (Bob Cupp 1995, Sunriver, OR)
  10. TULLYMORE GOLF RESORT (Jim Engh 2002, Stanwood, MI)
11th Hole at Mystic Rock Golf Course at Nemacolin
11th Hole at Mystic Rock Golf Course at Nemacolin

Courses 71-80

  1. RED SKY RANCH AND GOLF CLUB (FAZIO) (Tom Fazio 2002, Wolcott, CO)
  2. THE WILDERNESS AT FORTUNE BAY (Jeff Bauer 2004, Tower, MN)
  3. MAKAI GOLF CLUB (Robert Trent Jones Jr. 1971/2010, Princeville, Kauai, HI)
  4. CASCATA GOLF CLUB (Rees Jones 2000, Boulder City, NV)
  5. GOLDEN HORSESHOE GOLF CLUB (GOLD) (Williamsburg, VA)
  6. COG HILL GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB (NO. 4 DUBSDREAD) (Lemont, IL)
  7. Fields Ranch PGA of America Frisco (West) (Beau Welling 2023, Frisco, TX)
  8. Taconic Golf Club (Wayne Stiles and John Van Kleek 1927, Williamstown, MA)
  9. THE DUNES GOLF AND BEACH CLUB (Myrtle Beach, SC)
  10. THE CLASSIC AT MADDENS RESORT (Scott Hoffmann with Geoffrey Cornish, John Harris & Warren Rebholz 1996, Brainerd, MN)
7th Hole at Makai Golf Club
7th Hole at Makai Golf Club

Courses 81-90

  1. PAYNE'S VALLEY AT BIG CEDAR LODGE (Tiger Woods 2020, Hollister, MO)
  2. MOSSY OAK GOLF CLUB (Gil Hanse 2016, West Point, MS)
  3. EDGEWOOD TAHOE GOLF COURSE (George Fazio 1968, Ronald Fream 1980, Tom Fazio 2008, Lake Tahoe, NV)
  4. WILD HORSE GOLF COURSE (Dan Proctor and Dave Axland 1999, Gothenburg, NE)
  5. BLACK MESA GOLF CLUB (Baxter Spann 2003, Espanola, NM)
  6. TRUMP NATIONAL DORAL MIAMI (BLUE MONSTER) (Dick Wilson 1961 and Gil Hanse 2013, Miami, FL)
  7. RED SKY RANCH AND GOLF CLUB (NORMAN) (Greg Norman 2003, Wolcott, CO)
  8. MID PINES INN AND GOLF CLUB (Donald Ross 1921 and Kyle Franz 2013, Southern Pines, NC)
  9. The Park at West Palm Beach (Gil Hanse 2023, West Palm Beach, FL)
  10. THE PRAIRIE CLUB (PINES) (Graham Marsh 2010, Valentine, NE)
18th Hole at Caledonia Golf and Fish Club
18th Hole at Caledonia Golf and Fish Club

Courses 91-100

  1. FIRESTONE COUNTRY CLUB (SOUTH) (Robert Trent Jones Sr. 1959, Akron, OH)
  2. Blackwolf Run (Meadow Valleys) (Pete Dye 1989, Kohler, WI)
  3. QUINTERO GOLF CLUB (Rees Jones 2000, Peoria, AZ)
  4. BUFFALO RIDGE GOLF CLUB AT BIG CEDAR LODGE (Tom Fazio 2000, Hollister, MO)
  5. TPC San Antonio (Oaks) (Greg Norman 2010, San Antonio, TX)
  6. WINE VALLEY GOLF CLUB (Dan Hixson 2009, Walla Walla, WA)
  7. The PFAU Course at Indiana University (Steve Smyers 2020, Bloomington, IN)
  8. Southern Pines Golf Club (Donald Ross 1906, Kyle Franz renovation 2021, Southern Pines, NC)
  9. Reynolds Lake Oconee (Great Waters) (Jack Nicklaus 1992, Eatonton, GA)
  10. BAY HARBOR GOLF CLUB (LINKS/QUARRY) (Arthur Hills with Stephen Kircher 1998, Bay Harbor, MI)
14th Hole at Coeur d-Alene Resort
14th Hole at Coeur d-Alene Resort

Dropped from the 2023-24 list

  • KARSTEN CREEK (Tom Fazio 1994, Stillwater, OK)
  • May River Golf Club at Palmetto Bluff (Jack Nicklaus 2004, Bluffton, SC)
  • RAMS HILLS GOLF CLUB (Tom Fazio 2008, Borrego Springs, CA)
  • THE VIRTUES GOLF CLUB (Arthur Hills 1999, Nashport, OH)
  • ATUNYOTE GOLF CLUB AT TURNING STONE RESORT (Tom Fazio 2004, Verona, NY)
  • SAND HOLLOW RESORT (CHAMPIONSHIP) (John Fought 2008, Hurricane, UT)
  • BELVEDERE GOLF CLUB (Willie Watson 1927/Ray Didier renovation 1961/Bruce Hepner restoration 2016, Charlevoix, MI)
  • PINEHURST RESORT (NO.8) (Tom Fazio 1996, Pinehurst, NC)
  • POPPY HILLS GOLF COURSE (Robert Trent Jones Jr. 1986 and again in 2013, Pebble Beach, CA)
  • THE BULL AT PINEHURST FARMS (Jack Nicklaus 2003, Sheboygan Falls, WI)
  • THE GOLF CLUB AT HARBOR SHORES (Jack Nicklaus 2010, Benton Harbor, MI)

    • Dropped from the 2021-22 list

  • BLACK DIAMOND RANCH (QUARRY) (Tom Fazio 1987, Lecanto, FL)
  • OLD WAVERLY GOLF CLUB (Bob Cupp and Jerry Pate 1988, West Point, MS)
  • CALEDONIA GOLF AND FISH CLUB (Mike Strantz 1994, Pawleys Island, SC)
  • TPC Colorado (Art Schaupeter 2019, Berthoud, CO)
  • WORLD WOODS GOLF CLUB (PINE BARRENS) (Tom Fazio 1993, Brooksville, FL)
  • BULLE ROCK (Pete Dye 1998, Havre de Grace, MD)
  • Grizzly Ranch (Bob Cupp 2005, Portola, CA)
  • Kingsmill Resort (River) (Pete Dye 1975, Williamsburg, VA)
  • THE MCLEMORE CLUB (Bill Bergin & Rees Jones 2020, Rising Fawn, GA)
  • SPRING CREEK GOLF CLUB (Ed Carton 2006, Gordonsville, VA)

    • Dropped from the 2019-20 list

  • Troy Burne Golf Club (Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry, and Tom Lehman 1999, Hudson, WI)
  • Pelican Hill Golf Club (Ocean South) (Tom Fazio 1991, Newport Coast, CA)
  • OMNI BARTON CREEK RESORT (FAZIO CANYONS) (Tom Fazio 1999, Austin, TX)
  • HUALALAI GOLF COURSE (Jack Nicklaus 1996, Kailua-Kona, HI)
  • PUMPKIN RIDGE GOLF CLUB (GHOST CREEK) (North Plains, OR)
  • Boyne Highlands (Heather) (Robert Trent Jones 1968, Harbor Springs, MI)
  • TORREY PINES GOLF COURSE (NORTH) (William F. Bell 1957, La Jolla, CA)
  • Grand Traverse Resort and Spa (The Bear) (Acme, MI)
  • Pelican Hill Golf Club (Ocean North) (Tom Fazio 1993, Newport Coast, CA)
  • POIPU BAY GOLF COURSE (Robert Trent Jones Jr. 1991, Koloa, Kauai, HI)
  • KALUHYAT GOLF CLUB AT TURNING STONE RESORT (Robert Trent Jones Jr. 2003, Verona, NY)
  • The Donald Ross Course at French Lick Resort (Donald Ross 1917, French Lick, IN)
  • INNISBROOK GOLF RESORT (COPPERHEAD) (Edward Lawrence Packard 1972/Jerry Pate and Steve Wenzloff renovation 2015)

    • Dropped from the 2017-18 list

  • THE PRINCE COURSE (Robert Trent Jones Jr. 1990, Princeville, Kauai, HI)
  • THE HARVESTER GOLF CLUB (Rhodes, IA)
  • DORMIE CLUB (Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw 2010, West End, NC)
  • Linville Golf Club (Donald Ross 1928, Linville, NC)
  • Belgrade Lakes Golf Course (Clive Clark 1998, Belgrade Lakes, ME)
  • Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point (Jack Nicklaus 2014, Bronx, NY)
  • COEUR D'ALENE RESORT GOLF COURSE (Scott Miller 1991, Coeur d'Alene, ID)
  • WE-KO-PA GOLF CLUB (SAGUARO) (Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw 2006, Fort McDowell, AZ)
  • Dancing Rabbit Golf Club (Tom Fazio and Jerry Pate 1997, Choctaw, MS)
  • Omni Barton Creek Country Club (Fazio Foothills) (Tom Fazio 1986, Austin, TX)

    • Dropped from the 2015-16 list

  • The Golf Club at Cuscowilla (Eatonton, GA)
  • TURTLE BAY RESORT (PALMER) (Kahuku, Oahu, HI)
  • TRUMP NATIONAL GOLF CLUB LOS ANGELES (Pete and Perry Dye 1999, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA)
  • Maderas Golf Club (Johnny Miller 1999, Poway, CA)
  • Sandpiper Golf Course (William F. Bell 1972, Santa Barbara, CA)
  • OLD WORKS GOLF COURSE (Jack Nicklaus 1997, Anaconda, MT)
  • Bay Hill Club (Champion/Challenger) (Dick Wilson 1962, Orlando, FL)
  • CIRCLING RAVEN GOLF CLUB (Worley, ID)
  • WAILEA GOLF CLUB (GOLD) (Robert Trent Jones Jr. 1993, Wailea, Maui, HI)

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