Whistling Straits (Straits)

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

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 92 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. THE OCEAN COURSE (Pete Dye 1991, Kiawah Island, SC)
  4. WHISTLING STRAITS RESORT (STRAITS) (Pete Dye 1998, Haven, WI)
  5. SHADOW CREEK GOLF CLUB (Tom Fazio 1990, North Las Vegas, NV)
  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. BANDON DUNES GOLF COURSE (David McLay Kidd 1999, Bandon, OR)
  9. TPC SAWGRASS (PLAYERS STADIUM) (Pete Dye 1981, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL)
  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. SPYGLASS HILL GOLF COURSE (Robert Trent Jones 1966, Pebble Beach, CA)
  3. OLD MACDONALD (Tom Doak 2010, Bandon, OR)
  4. ARCADIA BLUFFS (BLUFFS) (Rick Smith and Warren Henderson 2000, Arcadia, MI)
  5. PASATIEMPO GOLF CLUB (Alister MacKenzie 1929, Santa Cruz, CA)
  6. SHEEP RANCH (Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore 2020, Bandon, OR)
  7. SAND VALLEY (Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw 2017, Nekoosa, WI)
  8. BLACKWOLF RUN (RIVER) (Pete Dye 1990, Kohler, WI)
  9. THE PETE DYE COURSE AT FRENCH LICK RESORT (Pete Dye 2009, French Lick, IN)
  10. CHAMBERS BAY GOLF CLUB (Robert Trent Jones Jr. 2007, University Place, WA)
17th Hole at TPC Sawgrass (Stadium)
17th Hole at TPC Sawgrass (Stadium)

Courses 21-30

  1. STREAMSONG RESORT (RED) (Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw 2012, Streamsong, FL)
  2. MANELE GOLF COURSE (Jack Nicklaus 1993, Lanai City, HI)
  3. KAPALUA RESORT (PLANTATION) (Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore 1991, Kapalua, Maui, HI)
  4. STREAMSONG RESORT (BLUE) (Tom Doak 2012, Streamsong, FL)
  5. THE HIGHLAND COURSE AT PRIMLAND (Donald Steel 2006, Meadows of Dan, VA)
  6. MAMMOTH DUNES (David McLay Kidd 2018, Nekoosa, WI)
  7. HARBOUR TOWN GOLF LINKS (Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus 1969, Hilton Head Island, SC)
  8. PINEHURST RESORT (NO.4) (Gil Hanse & Jim Wagner 2019, Pinehurst, NC)
  9. STREAMSONG RESORT (BLACK) (Gil Hanse 2017, Streamsong, FL)
  10. GAMBLE SANDS (David McLay Kidd 2014, Brewster, WA)
7th Hole at Streamsong Resort (Blue)
7th Hole at Streamsong Resort (Blue)

Courses 31-40

  1. KARSTEN CREEK (Tom Fazio 1994, Stillwater, OK)
  2. FOREST DUNES GOLF CLUB (Tom Weiskopf 2002, Roscommon, MI)
  3. OZARKS NATIONAL AT BIG CEDAR LODGE (Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw 2019, Hollister, MO)
  4. THE GREENBRIER (OLD WHITE TPC) (C.B. Macdonald 1914, White Sulphur Springs, WV)
  5. TORREY PINES GOLF COURSE (SOUTH) (William Bell Sr. 1957/Rees Jones 2001, La Jolla, CA)
  6. SEA ISLAND GOLF CLUB (SEASIDE) (Colt and Alison 1928, St. Simons Island, GA)
  7. THE BROADMOOR GOLF CLUB (EAST) (Donald Ross 1918/Robert Trent Jones Sr. 1952, Colorado Springs, CO)
  8. YALE GOLF COURSE (C.B. Macdonald/Seth Raynor 1926, New Haven, CT)
  9. MAUNA KEA GOLF COURSE (Robert Trent Jones Sr. 1964/Rees Jones 2008, Kohala Coast, HI)
  10. OMNI HOMESTEAD (CASCADES) (William Flynn 1923, Hot Springs, VA)
15th Hole at The Club at Pronghorn (Nicklaus)
15th Hole at The Club at Pronghorn (Nicklaus)

Courses 41-50

  1. THE PRAIRIE CLUB (DUNES) (Tom Lehman and Chris Brands 2010, Valentine, NE)
  2. PRONGHORN CLUB (NICKLAUS) (Jack Nicklaus 2004, Bend, OR)
  3. THE QUARRY AT GIANTS RIDGE (Jeff Bauer 2003, Biwabik, MN)
  4. WILDERNESS CLUB (Lee Schmidt, Brian Curley and Nick Faldo 2009, Eureka, MT)
  5. TOBACOO ROAD GOLF CLUB (Mike Strantz 1999, Sanford, NC)
  6. CORDEVALLE GOLF CLUB (Robert Trent Jones Jr. 1999, San Martin, CA)
  7. WOLF CREEK GOLF CLUB (Dennis Ryder 2000, Mesquite, NV)
  8. THE LINKS AT SPANISH BAY (Robert Trent Jones Jr. 1987, Pebble Beach, CA)
  9. PGA WEST (STADIUM) (Pete Dye 1986, La Quinta, CA)
  10. FALLEN OAK GOLF CLUB (Tom Fazio 2006, Saucier, MS)
4th Hole at The Prairie Club (Dunes)
4th Hole at The Prairie Club (Dunes)

Courses 51-60

  1. May River Golf Club at Palmetto Bluff (Jack Nicklaus 2004, Bluffton, SC)
  2. SENTRYWORLD GOLF COURSE (Robert Trent Jones Jr. 1982, Stevens Point, WI)
  3. ARCADIA BLUFFS (SOUTH) (Dana Fry & Jason Straka 2019, Bear Lake, MI)
  4. CROSSWATER GOLF CLUB (Bob Cupp 1995, Sunriver, OR)
  5. PAA-KO RIDGE GOLF CLUB (Ken Dye 2000, Sandia Park, NM)
  6. WHISTLING STRAITS (IRISH) (Pete Dye 2000, Haven, WI)
  7. TETHEROW GOLF CLUB (David McLay Kidd in 2008, Bend, OR)
  8. THE LOOP (BLACK) (Tom Doak 2016, Roscommon, MI)
  9. MARQUETTE GOLF CLUB (GREYWALLS) (Mike DeVries 2005, Marquette, MI)
  10. GOLDEN HORSESHOE GOLF CLUB (GOLD) (Williamsburg, VA)
9th Hole at The Dunes Golf and Beach Club
9th Hole at The Dunes Golf and Beach Club

Courses 61-70

  1. CASCATA GOLF CLUB (Rees Jones 2000, Boulder City, NV)
  2. THE GOLF COURSES AT LAWSONIA (LINKS) (William Langford and Theodore Moreau 1930, Green Lake, WI)
  3. PINE NEEDLES LODGE AND GOLF CLUB (Donald Ross 1928, Southern Pines, NC)
  4. MAKAI GOLF CLUB (Robert Trent Jones Jr. 1971/2010, Princeville, Kauai, HI)
  5. COG HILL GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB (NO. 4 DUBSDREAD) (Lemont, IL)
  6. Wynn Golf Club (Tom Fazio 2005, remodel 2019, Las Vegas, NV)
  7. THE WILDERNESS AT FORTUNE BAY (Jeff Bauer 2004, Tower, MN)
  8. RED SKY RANCH AND GOLF CLUB (FAZIO) (Tom Fazio 2002, Wolcott, CO)
  9. THE LOOP (RED) (Tom Doak 2016, Roscommon, MI)
  10. MOSSY OAK GOLF CLUB (Gil Hanse 2016, West Point, MS)
11th Hole at Mystic Rock Golf Course at Nemacolin
11th Hole at Mystic Rock Golf Course at Nemacolin

Courses 71-80

  1. THE DUNES GOLF AND BEACH CLUB (Myrtle Beach, SC)
  2. Southern Pines Golf Club (Donald Ross 1906, Kyle Franz renovation 2021, Southern Pines, NC)
  3. TULLYMORE GOLF RESORT (Jim Engh 2002, Stanwood, MI)
  4. Blackwolf Run (Meadow Valleys) (Pete Dye 1989, Kohler, WI)
  5. RED SKY RANCH AND GOLF CLUB (NORMAN) (Greg Norman 2003, Wolcott, CO)
  6. The PFAU Course at Indiana University (Steve Smyers 2020, Bloomington, IN)
  7. Reynolds Lake Oconee (Great Waters) (Jack Nicklaus 1992, Eatonton, GA)
  8. PAYNE'S VALLEY AT BIG CEDAR LODGE (Tiger Woods 2020, Hollister, MO)
  9. WILD HORSE GOLF COURSE (Dan Proctor and Dave Axland 1999, Gothenburg, NE)
  10. NEMACOLIN WOODLANDS RESORT & SPA (MYSTIC ROCK) (Farmington, PA)
7th Hole at Makai Golf Club
7th Hole at Makai Golf Club

Courses 81-90

  1. THE CLASSIC AT MADDENS RESORT (Scott Hoffmann with Geoffrey Cornish, John Harris & Warren Rebholz 1996, Brainerd, MN)
  2. TRUMP NATIONAL DORAL MIAMI (BLUE MONSTER) (Dick Wilson 1961 and Gil Hanse 2013, Miami, FL)
  3. QUINTERO GOLF CLUB (Rees Jones 2000, Peoria, AZ)
  4. Taconic Golf Club (Wayne Stiles and John Van Kleek 1927, Williamstown, MA)
  5. Firestone Country Club (South) (Robert Trent Jones Sr. 1959, Akron, OH)
  6. MID PINES INN AND GOLF CLUB (Donald Ross 1921 and Kyle Franz 2013, Southern Pines, NC)
  7. POPPY HILLS GOLF COURSE (Robert Trent Jones Jr. 1986 and again in 2013, Pebble Beach, CA)
  8. THE BULL AT PINEHURST FARMS (Jack Nicklaus 2003, Sheboygan Falls, WI)
  9. EDGEWOOD TAHOE GOLF COURSE (George Fazio 1968, Ronald Fream 1980, Tom Fazio 2008, Lake Tahoe, NV)
  10. THE GOLF CLUB AT HARBOR SHORES (Jack Nicklaus 2010, Benton Harbor, MI)
18th Hole at Caledonia Golf and Fish Club
18th Hole at Caledonia Golf and Fish Club

Courses 91-100

  1. RAMS HILLS GOLF CLUB (Tom Fazio 2008, Borrego Springs, CA)
  2. BUFFALO RIDGE GOLF CLUB AT BIG CEDAR LODGE (Tom Fazio 2000, Hollister, MO)
  3. THE VIRTUES GOLF CLUB (Arthur Hills 1999, Nashport, OH)
  4. ATUNYOTE GOLF CLUB AT TURNING STONE RESORT (Tom Fazio 2004, Verona, NY)
  5. BLACK MESA GOLF CLUB (Baxter Spann 2003, Espanola, NM)
  6. SAND HOLLOW RESORT (CHAMPIONSHIP) (John Fought 2008, Hurricane, UT)
  7. WINE VALLEY GOLF CLUB (Dan Hixson 2009, Walla Walla, WA)
  8. BELVEDERE GOLF CLUB (Willie Watson 1927/Ray Didier renovation 1961/Bruce Hepner restoration 2016, Charlevoix, MI)
  9. THE PRAIRIE CLUB (PINES) (Graham Marsh 2010, Valentine, NE)
  10. PINEHURST RESORT (NO.8) (Tom Fazio 1996, Pinehurst, NC)
14th Hole at Coeur d-Alene Resort
14th Hole at Coeur d-Alene Resort

Dropped from the 2021-22 list

  • BAY HARBOR GOLF CLUB (LINKS/QUARRY) (Arthur Hills with Stephen Kircher 1998, Bay Harbor, MI)
  • 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)
  • TPC San Antonio (AT&T Oaks) (Greg Norman and Sergio Garcia 2010, San Antonio, TX)
  • 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)
  • Buffalo Ridge Golf Club (Tom Fazio 1999, Hollister, MO)
  • WAILEA GOLF CLUB (GOLD) (Robert Trent Jones Jr. 1993, Wailea, Maui, HI)

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