June 22, 2026, 7:01 a.m. ET
Want to play the best private golf courses in each state, or just curious about what’s beyond those gates and hedges? Welcome to Golfweek’s Best 2026 state-by-state list of the top private courses, as judged by our hundreds of raters.
The members of the ratings panel continually evaluate courses and rate them based on 10 criteria on a points basis of 1 through 10. They also file a single, overall rating on each course. Those overall ratings are averaged to produce these rankings.
All the courses on this 2026 list are private and don’t accept daily-fee or resort play. We also publish a list of each state’s top public-access layouts. There are only 49 states included on this list because Alaska doesn’t have any rated private clubs to include among the rankings.
KEY: (m) modern, built in 1960 or after; (c) classic, built before 1960.
* Indicates new or returning to the rankings
Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!
1. Wicker Point
Alexander City (m)
2. Shoal Creek
Birmingham (m)
3. CC of Birmingham (West)
Birmingham (c)
4. Willow Point
Alexander City (m)
5. The Ledges
Huntsville (m)
Arizona’s best private courses
1. Estancia
Scottsdale (m)
2. Scottsdale National (The Other Course)
Scottsdale (m)
3. Desert Forest
Carefree (m)
4. Forest Highlands (Canyon)
Flagstaff (m)
5. Whisper Rock (Upper)
Scottsdale (m)
6. Whisper Rock (Lower)
Scottsdale (m)
7. Desert Highlands
Scottsdale (m)
8. Pine Canyon
Flagstaff (m)
9. The Rim
Payson (m)
10. Silverleaf
Scottsdale (m)
T11. Mirabel
Scottsdale (m)
T11. Stone Canyon
Oro Valley (m)
13. Forest Highlands (Meadow)
Flagstaff (m)
T14. Troon Country Club
Scottsdale (m)
T14. Wickenburg Ranch (Big Wick)
Wickenburg (m)
16. Flagstaff Ranch
Flagstaff (m)
17. Seven Canyons*
Sedona (m)
18. Paradise Valley Country Club
Paradise Valley (c)
19. The Gallery (North)
Marana (m)
20. Desert Mountain (Cochise)
Scottsdale (m)
21. Desert Mountain (Chiricahua)
Scottsdale (m)
Arkansas’ best private courses
1. Alotian Club
Roland (m)
2. The Blessings
Fayetteville (m)
3. Texarkana Country Club
Texarkana (c)
4. Diamante*
Hot Springs Village (m)
5. Chenal (Bear Den)
Little Rock (m)
California’s best private courses
1. Cypress Point Club
Pebble Beach (c)
2. Los Angeles Country Club (North)
Los Angeles (c)
3. Riviera
Pacific Palisades (c)
4. San Francisco Golf Club
San Francisco (c)
5. Monterey Peninsula (Shore)
Pebble Beach (m)
6. California Golf Club
South San Francisco (c)
7. Valley Club of Montecito
Santa Barbara (c)
8. Olympic Club (Lake)
San Francisco (c)
9. Monterey Peninsula (Dunes)
Pebble Beach (c)
10. Bel-Air
Los Angeles (c)
11. The Quarry at La Quinta
La Quinta (m)
12. Martis Camp
Truckee (m)
13. The Madison Club
La Quinta (m)
14. Brambles*
Middleton (m)
15. Meadow Club
Fairfax (c)
16. Lake Merced
Daly City (c)
17. Lahontan
Truckee (m)
18. Mayacama
Santa Rosa (m)
T19. The Reserve*
Indian Wells (m)
T19. Vintage Club (Mountain)*
Indian Wells (m)
Colorado’s best private courses
1. Ballyneal
Holyoke (m)
2. Colorado Golf Club
Parker (m)
3. Cherry Hills
Cherry Hills Village (c)
4. Cornerstone
Montrose (m)
5. Castle Pines
Castle Rock (m)
6. Country Club of the Rockies
Edwards (m)
7. Maroon Creek
Aspen (m)
8. Frost Creek
Eagle (m)
9. Glacier Club (Mountain)
Durango (m)
10. Roaring Fork Club
Basalt (m)
Connecticut’s best private courses
1. Tamarack
Greenwich (c)
2. Stanwich Club
Greenwich (m)
3. CC of Fairfield
Fairfield (c)
4. Bull’s Bridge
South Kent (m)
5. Round Hill
Greenwich (c)
Delaware’s best private courses
1. Bidermann
Wilmington (m)
2. Wilmington Country Club (South)
Wilmington (m)
3. Fieldstone
Greenville (m)
4. DuPont Country Club (DuPont)
Wilmington (c)
5. Rehoboth Beach Country Club*
Rehoboth Beach (m)
Florida’s best private courses
1. Seminole
Juno Beach (c)
2. Calusa Pines
Naples (m)
3. Panther National
Palm Beach Gardens (m)
4. Mountain Lake
Lake Wales (c)
5. Dye Course at White Oak
Yulee (m)
6. Belleair Country Club (West)
Belleair (c)
T7. McArthur (Front Yard)
Hobe Sound (m)
T7. John’s Island Club (West)
Vero Beach (m)
9. The Bear’s Club
Jupiter (m)
10. Jupiter Hills (Hills)
Tequesta (m)
11. Soleta*
Myakka City (m)
12. Indian Creek
Miami Beach (c)
13. Medalist
Hobe Sound (m)
14. Naples National
Naples (m)
15. Trump International West Palm Beach
West Palm Beach (m)
16. Lobloll
Hobe Sound (m)
T17. Pine Tree CC
Boynton Beach (m)
T17. Pablo Creek
Jacksonville (m)
19. Concession*
Bradenton (m)
20. High Ridge
Lantana (m)
Georgia’s best private courses
1. Augusta National
Augusta (c)
2. Peachtree
Atlanta (c)
3. Ohoopee Match Club
Cobbtown (m)
4. East Lake
Atlanta (c)
5. Augusta Country Club
Augusta (c)
6. Ocean Forest
Sea Island (m)
7. Lookout Mountain Club
Lookout Mountain (c)
8. Atlanta Country Club
Marietta (m)
9. Atlanta Athletic Club (Highlands)
Johns Creek (m)
10. Cherokee Town & Country Club (North)
Dunwoody (c)
11. Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee
Eatonton (m)
12. Ford Field & River Club
Richmond Hill (m)
13. The Farm
Rocky Face (m)
14. Frederica
St. Simons Island (m)
15. Hawk’s Ridge
Ball Ground (m)
Hawaii’s best private courses
1. Nanea
Kailua-Kona (m)
2. Kukio Golf & Beach Club
Kailua-Kona (m)
3. Kohanaiki
Kailua-Kona (m)
4. Kukui’ula
Koloa (m)
5. Hokulia
Kailua-Kona (m)
Idaho’s best private courses
1. Gozzer Ranch
Harrison (m)
2. Tributary
Driggs (m)
3. Golf Club at Black Rock
Coeur d’Alene (m)
4. CDA National Reserve
Coeur d’Alene (m)
5. Whitetail
McCall (m)
Illinois’ best private courses
1. Chicago Golf Club
Wheaton (c)
2. Shoreacres
Lake Bluff (c)
3. Medinah Country Club (No. 3)
Medinah (m)
4. Old Elm
Highland Park (c)
5. Beverly
Chicago (c)
6. Butler National
Oak Brook (m)
7. Olympia Fields (North)
Olympia Fields (c)
8. Skokie
Glencoe (c)
9. Black Sheep
Sugar Grove (m)
10. Conway Farms
Lake Forest (m)
11. Olympia Fields (South)
Olympia Fields (c)
12. Glen View Club
Golf (c)
T13. Bob O’Link
Highland Park (c)
T13. Medinah (No. 1)*
Medinah (c)
15. Canyata*
Marshall (m)
Indiana’s best private courses
1. Crooked Stick
Carmel (m)
2. Victoria National
Newburgh (m)
3. Culver Academies
Culver (c)
4. Sycamore Hills
Fort Wayne (m)
5. Club at Holliday Farms
Zionsville (m)
Iowa’s best private courses
1. Davenport
Pleasant Valley (c)
2. Harvester
Rhodes (m)
3. Cedar Rapids Country Club
Cedar Rapids (c)
4. Wakonda Club
Des Moines (c)
5. Des Moines Golf & Country Club (North)
West Des Moines (m)
Kansas’ best private courses
1. Prairie Dunes
Hutchinson (c)
2. Flint Hills National
Andover (m)
3. Hallbrook
Leawood (m)
4. Wolf Creek
Olathe (m)
5. Kansas City Country Club
Mission Hills (c)
Kentucky’s best private courses
1. Valhalla
Louisville (m)
2. Idle Hour
Lexington (c)
3. Olde Stone
Bowling Green (m)
4. Hurstbourne
Lousiville (m)
5. Big Spring (Big Spring)*
Louisville (c)
Louisiana’s best private courses
1. Squire Creek
Choudrant (m)
2. Country Club of Louisiana
Baton Rouge (m)
3. New Orleans Country Club
New Orleans (c)
4. Metairie Country Club
Metairie (c)
5. University Club
Baton Rouge (m)
Maine’s best private courses
1. Portland Country Club
Falmouth (c)
2. Prouts Neck
Scarborough (c)
3. York Golf & Tennis Club
York (c)
4. Woodlands Club
Falmouth (m)
Maryland’s best private courses
1. Baltimore Country Club (East)
Timonium (c)
2. Congressional (Blue)
Bethesda (c)
3.TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm
Potomac (m)
4. Caves Valley
Owings Mill (m)
5. Burning Tree
Bethesda (c)
6. Woodmont (North)
Rockville (c)
7. Chevy Chase Club
Chevy Chase (c)
8. Columbia
Chevy Chase (c)
9. Woodmont (South)*
Rockville (m)
10. U.S. Naval Academy GC*
Annapolis (c)
Massachusetts’ best private courses
1. The Country Club (Composite)
Brookline (c)
2. Myopia Hunt Club
Hamilton (c)
3. Eastward Ho!
Chatham (c)
4. Essex
Manchester-by-the-Sea (c)
5. Boston Golf Club
Hingham (m)
6. Old Sandwich
Plymouth (m)
7. Kittansett Club
Marion (c)
8. Sankaty Head
Siasconset (c)
9. Salem Country Club
Peabody (c)
10. Whitinsville Golf Club
Whitinsville (c)
11. Worcester Country Club
Worcester (c)
12. Winchester Country Club
Winchester (c)
13. Charles River Country Club*
Newton Centre (c)
14. Hyannisport Club
Hyannis Port (c)
15. Vineyard Golf Club*
Martha’s Vineyard (m)
Michigan’s best private courses
1. Crystal Downs
Frankfort (c)
2. Oakland Hills (South)
Bloomfield Hills (c)
3. Kingsley Club
Kingsley (m)
4. High Pointe*
Williamsburg (m)
5. Dunes Club
New Buffalo (m)
6. Franklin Hills
Franklin (c)
7. Lost Dunes
Bridgman (m)
8. Meadowbrook
Northville (c)
9. Orchard Lake
Orchard Lake (c)
10. Barton Hills
Ann Arbor (c)
11. Indianwood (Old)
Lake Orion (c)
12. Wuskowhan Player’s Club
West Olive (m)
13. Bloomfield Hills Country Club
Bloomfield Hills (c)
14. LochenHeath
Williamsburg (m)
15. Oakland Hills (North)*
Bloomfield Hills (c)
Minnesota’s best private courses
1. Interlachen
Edina (c)
2. Spring Hill
Wayzata (m)
3. Minikahda Club
Minneapolis (c)
4. Hazeltine National
Chaska (m)
5. White Bear Yacht Club
White Bear Lake (c)
6. Windsong Farm (South)
Independence (m)
7. Somerset
Mendola Heights (c)
8. Minneapolis Golf Club
St. Louis Park (c)
9. Northland
Duluth (c)
10. Midland Hills Country Club*
Roseville (c)
Mississippi’s best private courses
1. Old Waverly Club (Mossy Oak)*
West Point (m)
2. Hattiesburg Country Club
Hattiesburg (c)
3. Old Waverly Club (Old Waverly)*
West Point (m)
4. Annandale
Madison (m)
5. Reunion
Madison (m)
Missouri’s best private courses
1. St. Louis Country Club
St. Louis (c)
2. Bellerive
St. Louis (m)
3. Old Warson
Ladue (c)
4. Norwood Hills (West)
St. Louis (c)
5. Oakwood
Kansas City (c)
Montana’s best private courses
1. Rock Creek Cattle Company
Deer Lodge (m)
2. The Stock Farm
Hamilton (m)
3. Moonlight Basin (Reserve)
Big Sky (m)
4.Spanish Peaks Mountain Club*
Big Sky (m)
5. Black Bull*
Bozeman (m)
Nebraska’s best private courses
1. Sand Hills
Mullen (m)
2. CapRock Ranch
Valentine (m)
3. GrayBull
Maxwell (m)
4. Lost Rail
Gretna (m)
5. Omaha CC*
Omaha (c)
Nevada’s best private courses
1. Clear Creek Tahoe
Carson City (m)
2. The Summit Club
Las Vegas (m)
3. Southern Highlands
Las Vegas (m)
4. Montreux
Reno (m)
5. SouthShore CC*
Henderson (m)
New Hampshire’s best private courses
1. Bald Peak Colony Club
Melvin Village (c)
T2. Baker Hill
Newbury (m)
T2. Manchester
Bedford (c)
4. Lake Sunapee
New London (c)
5. Nashua Country Club
Nashua (c)
New Jersey’s best private courses
1. Pine Valley Golf Club
Pine Valley (c)
2. Somerset Hills
Bernardsville (c)
3. Baltusrol (Lower)
Springfield (c)
4. Plainfield
Edison (c)
5. Baltusrol (Upper)
Springfield (c)
6. Hollywood
Deal (c)
7. Ridgewood (Championship)
Paramus (c)
8. Galloway National
Galloway Township (m)
9. Bayonne Golf Club
Bayonne (m)
10. Mountain Ridge
West Caldwell (c)
11. Essex County Country Club
West Orange (c)
12. Trump National Bedminster (New)
Bedminster (m)
T13. Due Process Stable
Colt’s Neck (m)
T13. Hidden Creek
Egg Harbor Township (m)
15. Trump National Bedminster (Old)
Bedminster (m)
New Mexico’s best private courses
1. Rainmakers
Alto (m)
2. Las Campanas (Sunset)
Santa Fe (m)
3. Las Campanas (Sunrise)
Santa Fe (m)
4. Alto Golf Estates (Outlaw)
Alto (m)
5. Albuquerque Country Club*
Albuquerque (c)
New York’s best private courses
1. National Golf Links of America
Southampton (c)
2. Shinnecock Hills
Southampton (c)
3. Fishers Island Club
Fishers Island (c)
4. Friar’s Head
Baiting Hollow (m)
5. Winged Foot (West)
Mamaroneck (c)
6. Maidstone Club
East Hampton (c)
7. Sebonack
Southampton (m)
8. Garden City Golf Club
Garden City (c)
9. Oak Hill (East)
Rochester (c)
10. Sleepy Hollow
Scarborough (c)
11. Winged Foot (East)
Mamaroneck (c)
12. Piping Rock
Locust Valley (c)
13. Quaker Ridge
Scarsdale (c)
14. Creek Club
Locust Valley (c)
15. Glens Falls
Queensbury (c)
16. St. George’s
Setauket (c)
T17. Hudson National
Croton-on-Hudson (m)
T17. Country Club of Buffalo
Williamsville (c)
19. Fenway
Scarsdale (c)
20. Atlantic Golf Club
Bridgehampton (m)
North Carolina’s best private courses
1. Old Town Club
Winston Salem (c)
2. Wade Hampton Club
Cashiers (m)
3. Diamond Creek
Banner Elk (m)
4. Quail Hollow Club
Charlotte (m)
5. Roaring Gap Club
Roaring Gap (c)
6. Mountaintop
Cashiers (m)
7. Eagle Point
Wilmington (m)
8. Grandfather (Championship)
Linville (m)
9. Charlotte Country Club
Charlotte (c)
10. Biltmore Forest
Asheville (c)
11. Champion Hills
Hendersonville (m)
12. Dormie Club
West End (m)
13. Linville Ridge
Linville (m)
14. Cape Fear
Wilmington (c)
15. CC of North Carolina (Dogwood)
Pinehurst (m)
North Dakota’s best private courses
1. Fargo Country Club
Fargo (c)
2. Oxbow Country Club
Oxbow (m)
3. Apple Creek
Bismarck (c)
Ohio’s best private courses
1. Muirfield Village
Dublin (m)
2. Camargo Club
Indian Hill (c)
3. The Golf Club
New Albany (m)
4. Inverness Club
Toledo (c)
5. Scioto
Columbus (c)
6. Moraine
Dayton (c)
7. Brookside
Canton (c)
8. The Country Club
Pepper Pike (c)
9. Canterbury
Beachwood (c)
10. Pepper Pike Club
Pepper Pike (c)
11. NCR Country Club (South)
Kettering (c)
12. Kirtland
Willoughby (c)
13. Double Eagle
Galena (m)
14. Sand Ridge
Chardon (m)
15. Coldstream*
Cincinnati (c)
Oklahoma’s best private courses
1. Southern Hills
Tulsa (c)
2. Oak Tree National
Edmond (m)
3. The Patriot
Owasso (m)
4. Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club*
Nichols Hills (c)
5. Golf Club of Oklahoma*
Broken Arrow (m)
Oregon’s best private courses
1. Eugene Country Club
Eugene (m)
2. Waverley
Portland (c)
3. Pronghorn (Fazio)
Bend (m)
4. Pumpkin Ridge (Witch Hollow)
North Plains (m)
5. Columbia Edgewater
Portland (c)
6. Bend Golf Club
Bend (c)
7. Portland Golf Club
Portland (c)
8. Astoria
Warrenton (c)
9. Illahe Hills
Salem (m)
10. Willamette Valley*
Canby (m)
Pennsylvania’s best private courses
1. Oakmont Country Club
Oakmont (c)
2. Merion (East)
Ardmore (c)
3. Philadelphia Cricket Club (Wissahickon)
Flourtown (c)
4. Fox Chapel
Pittsburgh (c)
5. Aronimink
Newtown Square (c)
6. Lancaster Country Club
Lancaster (c)
7. Laurel Valley
Ligonier (c)
8. Country Club of Scranton
Clarks Summit (c)
9. Gulph Mills
King of Prussia (c)
10. Applebrook
Malvern (m)
11. Rolling Green
Springfield (c)
12. Stonewall (Old)
Elverson (m)
T13. Pittsburgh Field Club
Pittsburgh (c)
T13. Saucon Valley (Old)
Bethlehem (c)
T13. Huntingdon Valley
Huntingdon Valley (c)
T16. Sunnehanna
Johnstown (c)
T16. Allegheny*
Sewickly (c)
18. Kahkwa Club
Erie (c)
19. Manufacturers
Fort Washington (c)
20. Saucon Valley (Weyhill)
Bethlehem (m)
Rhode Island’s best private courses
1. Newport Country Club
Newport (c)
2. Wannamoisett
Rumford (c)
3. Shelter Harbor
Westerly (m)
4. Misquamicut
Westerly (c)
5. Sakonnet
Little Compton (c)
South Carolina’s best private courses
1. Old Barnwell
Aiken (m)
2. Yeaman’s Hall
Charleston (c)
3. Congaree
Ridgeland (m)
4. Tree Farm
Batesburg (m)
5. Cherokee Plantation
Yemassee (m)
6. Sage Valley
Graniteville (m)
7. Secession
Gibbes Island (m)
8. Long Cove
Hilton Head Island (m)
9. Palmetto
Aiken (c)
10. Greenville Country Club (Chanticleer)
Greenville (m)
11. Colleton River (Pete Dye)
Bluffton (m)
12. Kiawah Island Club (Cassique)
Kiawah Island (m)
13. Spring Island (Old Tabby Links)
Okatie (m)
14. Cliffs at Mountain Park
Travelers Rest (m)
15. Country Club of Charleston*
Charleston (c)
South Dakota’s best private courses
1. Sutton Bay
Agar (m)
2. Minnehaha
Sioux Falls (c)
3. Dakota Dunes Country Club
Dakota Dunes (m)
4. Country Club of Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls (c)
Tennessee’s best private courses
1. Honors Course
Ooltewah (m)
2. Holston Hills
Knoxville (c)
3. Golf Club of Tennessee (Lower)
Kingston Springs (m)
4. Spring Creek Ranch
Collierville (m)
5. Black Creek
Chattanooga (m)
Texas’ best private courses
1. Whispering Pines
Trinity (m)
2. Darmor Club*
Columbus (m)
3. Big Easy Ranch (The Covey)*
Columbus (m)
4. Dallas National
Dallas (m)
5. Lakeside*
Houston (m)
6. TXO (formerly Wolf Point Ranch)
Port Lavaca (m)
7. Brook Hollow
Dallas (c)
8. Bluejack National
Montgomery (m)
9. Spanish Oaks
Bee Cave (m)
T10. Austin Golf Club
Spicewood (m)
T10. Colonial
Fort Worth (c)
12. Austin Country Club
Austin (m)
13. Boot Ranch
Fredericksburg (m)
14. Trinity Forest
Dallas (m)
15. Escondido
Horseshoe Bay (m)
Utah’s best private courses
1. Victory Ranch
Kamas (m)
2. Promontory (Painted Valley)
Park City (m)
3. Glenwild
Park City (m)
4. The Country Club
Salt Lake City (c)
5. Entrada at Snow Canyon
St. George (m)
Vermont’s best private courses
1. Ekwanok
Manchester (c)
2. Country Club of Vermont
Waterbury Center (m)
3. Burlington Country Club
Burlington (c)
4. Rutland Country Club
Rutland (c)
5. Vermont National
South Burlington (m)
Virginia’s best private courses
1. Kinloch
Manakin-Sabot (m)
2. Robert Trent Jones Golf Club
Lake Manassas (m)
3. Olde Farm
Bristol (m)
4. Trump National Washington D.C. (Championship)
Potomac Falls (m)
5. Bayville
Virginia Beach (m)
6. Country Club of Virginia (James River)
Richmond (c)
7. River Bend
Great Falls (m)
8. Creighton Farms*
Aldie (m)
9. Cutalong
Mineral (m)
10. Governor’s Land at Two Rivers
Williamsburg (m)
Washington’s best private courses
1. Aldarra
Sammamish (m)
2. Sahalee (South/North)
Sammamish (m)
3. Suncadia (Tumble Creek)
Roslyn (m)
4. Seattle Golf Club
Seattle (c)
5. Tacoma Golf & Country Club
Lakeland (c)
West Virginia’s best private courses
1. Pikewood National
Morgantown (m)
2. Pete Dye Golf Club
Bridgeport (m)
3. Greenbrier Sporting Club (Snead)
White Sulphur Springs (m)
4. Williams
Weirton (c)
Wisconsin’s best private courses
1. Milwaukee Country Club
Milwaukee (c)
2. Blue Mound
Wauwatosa (c)
3. Pine Hills
Sheboygan (c)
4. Minocqua*
Minocqua (m)
5. West Bend CC*
West Bend (c)
Wyoming’s best private courses
1. Shooting Star
Teton Village (m)
2. Snake River Sporting Club
Jackson (m)
T3. Teton Pines
Wilson (m)
T3. Devils Tower
Hulett (m)
5. Three Creek Ranch
Jackson (m)