Golfweek's Best 2020: Top 200 Modern Courses

By Jason Lusk

Welcome to Golfweek’s Best list of top 200 Modern courses, built in or after 1960 (pictured atop this story is No. 1 Sand Hills).

Each year we publish three lists that are the foundation of our course-ratings program: Golfweek’s Best Modern Courses, Golfweek’s Best Classic Courses, Golfweek’s Best Courses You Can Play, state by state. We also have Golfweek’s Best 2020: Top 100 Best Courses You Can Play.

The 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 together to produce a final rating for each course. Each course is then ranked against other courses to produce the final rankings.

To make these lists more up-to-date, Golfweek’s Best has altered how the individual ratings are compiled into the rankings. Only ratings from rounds played in the past 10 years are now included in the compilations within these pages. This will help ensure that any course in the rankings still measures up.

With the change from previous Golfweek’s Best rankings, in which ratings older than 10 years were accepted, there were a few courses that shuffled, and that’s as it should be. Golf courses are never static, and these rankings should not be, either.

Any course that appears on the top 200 Modern or Classic lists has been reviewed by at least 3 percent of Golfweek’s Raters, which works out to 25 entries. The benchmark for the Best Courses You Can Play list doesn’t require as many votes, so you might notice a few discrepancies on courses that appear on those lists but not on the top 200 Modern or Classic lists. 

We hope you enjoy poring over these rankings, and we look forward to hearing your thoughts on this Best Modern Courses list.

Key: p – private; r – resort; d – daily fee; c – casino; re – real estate; * new or returning to the rankings.

Old Macdonald at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Courtesy of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort)

Rank	Course (2019)	Location	Architect(s); club type	Year opened	Avg. rating
1	Sand Hills (1)	Mullen, Nebraska	Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw; p	1995	9.16
2	Bandon Dunes (Pacific Dunes) (2)	Bandon, Oregon	Tom Doak; r	2001	8.76
3	Friar’s Head (3)	Baiting Hollow, New York	Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw; p	2003	8.62
4	Ballyneal (4)	Holyoke, Colorado	Tom Doak; p	2006	8.39
5	Bandon Dunes (Old Macdonald) (5)	Bandon, Oregon	Tom Doak and Jim Urbina; r	2010	8.35
6	Sebonack GC (6)	Southampton, New York	Tom Doak, Jack Nicklaus; p	2006	8.29
7	Whistling Straits (Straits) (7)	Mosel, Wisconsin	Pete Dye; r	1997	8.19
8	Ohoopee Match Club*	Cobbtown, Georgia	Gil Hanse; p	2018	8.19
9	Bandon Dunes (Bandon Dunes) (8)	Bandon, Oregon	David McLay Kidd; r	1999	8.14
10	Wade Hampton Club (10)	Cashiers, North Carolina	Tom Fazio; p, re	1988	8.14
11	Shadow Creek (9)	North Las Vegas, Nevada	Tom Fazio; p	1990	8.07
12	Muirfield Village (11)	Dublin, Ohio	Jack Nicklaus; p	1974	8.05
13	Kiawah Island (Ocean) (13)	Kiawah Island, South Carolina	Pete Dye; r	1991	7.89
14	Alotian Club (15)	Roland, Arkansas	Tom Fazio; p	2005	7.86
15	Bandon Dunes (Bandon Trails) (14)	Bandon, Oregon	Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw; r	2005	7.86
16	The Golf Club (12)	New Albany, Ohio	Pete Dye; p	1967	7.84
17	Nanea (27)	Kona, Hawaii	David McLay Kidd; p	2004	7.83
18	Estancia (30)	Scottsdale	Tom Fazio; p, re	1995	7.80
19	Old Sandwich Golf Club (20)	Plymouth, Massachusetts	Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw; p	2004	7.74
20	Kingsley Club (23)	Kingsley, Michigan	Mike DeVries; p	2001	7.74
21	Whispering Pines (24)	Trinity, Texas	Chet Williams; p	2000	7.74
22	TPC Sawgrass (Players Stadium) (22)	Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida	Pete Dye; r	1981	7.71
23	Honors Course (19)	Ooltewah, Tennessee	Pete Dye; p	1983	7.71
24	Calusa Pines (25)	Naples, Florida	Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry; p	2001	7.71
25	Rock Creek Cattle Company (17)	Deer Lodge, Montana	Tom Doak; p, re	2008	7.71
26	Boston Golf Club (26)	Hingham, Massachusetts	Gil Hanse; p	2005	7.70
27	Pikewood National (18)	Morgantown, West Virginia	John Raese, J. Robert Gwynne; p	2009	7.68
28	Kinloch Golf Club (21)	Richmond, Virginia	Lester George; p	2000	7.67
29	Monterey Peninsula (Shore) (34)	Pebble Beach, California	Robert Baldock, Jack Neville, Michael Strantz; p	1961	7.67
30	Sand Valley (Mammoth Dunes) (28)	Nekoosa, Wisconsin	David McLay Kidd; r, d	2018	7.61
31	Congaree*	Ridgeland, South Carolina	Tom Fazio; p	2017	7.57
32	Sand Valley (Sand Valley) (33)	Nekoosa, Wisconsin	Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw; r, d	2016	7.55
33	Spyglass Hill (29)	Pebble Beach, California	Robert Trent Jones Sr.; r, d	1966	7.55
34	Colorado GC (35)	Parker, Colorado	Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw; p, re	2007	7.55
35	Dismal River Club (Doak) (31)	Mullen, Nebraska	Tom Doak; p	2013	7.54
36	Galloway National (32)	Galloway Township, New Jersey	Tom Fazio; p	1995	7.54
37	Pete Dye GC (16)	Bridgeport, West Virginia	Pete Dye; p	1994	7.53
38	Dallas National GC (40)	Dallas	Tom Fazio; p	2002	7.53
39	Streamsong (Red) (37)	Bowling Green, Florida	Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw; r	2012	7.50
40	Gamble Sands (42)	Brewster, Washington	David McLay Kidd; r, d	2014	7.49
41	Gozzer Ranch (36)	Arrowpoint, Idaho	Tom Fazio; p, re	2007	7.49
42	Oak Tree National (41)	Edmond, Oklahoma	Pete Dye; p, re	1975	7.47
43	Butler National (59)	Oak Brook, Illinois	Tom Fazio, George Fazio; p	1974	7.45
44	Kapalua (Plantation) (45)	Maui, Hawaii	Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw; r	1991	7.44
45	Dunes Club (39)	New Buffalo, Michigan	Dick Nugent; p	1995	7.44
46	Streamsong (Black) (38)	Bowling Green, Florida	Gil Hanse; r	2017	7.43
47	Shooting Star (46)	Teton Village, Wyoming	Tom Fazio; p, re	2009	7.40
48	Desert Forest (48)	Carefree, Arizona	Red Lawrence; p	1962	7.40
49	Martis Camp (62)	Truckee, California	Tom Fazio; p, re	2007	7.39
50	The Tributary (formerly Huntsman Springs) (43)	Driggs, Idaho	David McLay Kidd; p, re	2010	7.37

Bluejack National (Courtesy of Bluejack National)

Rank	Course (2019)	Location	Architect(s); club type	Year opened	Avg. rating
51	Four Seasons (Manele) (65)	Lanai, Hawaii	Jack Nicklaus; r	1993	7.37
52	Bluejack National (47)	Montgomery, Texas	Tiger Woods; p, re	2016	7.36
53	Arcadia Bluffs (Bluffs) (44)	Arcadia, Michigan	Rick Smith; r, d	1999	7.33
54	Victoria National (72)	Newburgh, Indiana	Tom Fazio; p	1998	7.33
55	Olde Farm (51)	Bristol, Virginia	Bobby Weed; p	2001	7.31
56	Sea Pines (Harbour Town GL) (54)	Hilton Head Island, South Carolina	Pete Dye; r	1970	7.31
57	Streamsong (Blue) (56)	Bowling Green, Florida	Tom Doak; r	2012	7.31
58	Castle Pines (55)	Castle Rock, Colorado	Jack Nicklaus; p, re	1981	7.31
59	Chambers Bay (50)	University Place, Washington	Robert Trent Jones Jr., Bruce Charlton; d	2007	7.31
60	Sweetens Cove (49)	South Pittsburg, Tennessee	Rob Collins; d	2015	7.30
61	Robert Trent Jones GC (74)	Lake Manassas, Virginia	Robert Trent Jones Sr., Roger Rulewich; p	1991	7.30
62	Double Eagle GC (53)	Galena, Ohio	Jay Morrish, Tom Weiskopf; p	1991	7.30
63	Shelter Harbor (64)	Westerly, Rhode Island	Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry; p	2005	7.29
64	Mountaintop (52)	Cashiers, North Carolina	Tom Fazio; p, re	2007	7.28
65	Crooked Stick (79)	Carmel, Indiana	Pete Dye; p	1964	7.27
66	Quail Hollow Club (60)	Charlotte	George Cobb, Tom Fazio; p	1961	7.24
67	Johns Island (West) (73)	Vero Beach, Florida	Tom Fazio; p, re	1989	7.24
68	Fallen Oak (63)	Saucier, Mississippi	Tom Fazio; r	2006	7.23
69	Bayonne GC (61)	Bayonne, New Jersey	Eric Bergstol; p	2006	7.23
70	Sutton Bay (70)	Agar, South Dakota	Graham Marsh; p	2014	7.22
71	Grandfather G&CC (68)	Linville, North Carolina	Ellis Maples; p, re	1968	7.21
72	Long Cove (77)	Hilton Head, South Carolina	Pete Dye; p, re	1982	7.20
73	Black Sheep (71)	Sugar Grove, Illinois	David Esler; p	2002	7.19
74	Mayacama (66)	Santa Rosa, California	Jack Nicklaus; p, re	2001	7.18
75	Hudson National (112)	Croton-on-Hudson, New York	Tom Fazio; p	1996	7.18
76	Karsten Creek (81)	Stillwater, Oklahoma	Tom Fazio; p	1994	7.18
77	Diamond Creek (78)	Banner Elk, North Carolina	Tom Fazio; p, re	2003	7.18
78	Hazeltine National (93)	Chaska, Minnesota	Robert Trent Jones Sr.; p	1962	7.17
79	Spring Hill (57)	Orono, Minnesota	Tom Fazio; p	1999	7.16
80	Erin Hills (92)	Hartford, Wisconsin	Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry, Ron Whitten; r, d	2006	7.14
81	Valhalla (76)	Louisville	Jack Nicklaus; p	1986	7.13
82	Shoal Creek (83)	Birmingham, Alabama	Jack Nicklaus; p	1976	7.12
83	Marquette GC (Greywalls) (82)	Marquette, Michigan	Mike DeVries; d, p	2005	7.11
84	Sea Island (Seaside) (86)	St. Simons Island, Georgia	Charles H. Alison, Harry S. Colt, Joe Lee, Tom Fazio; r	2000	7.11
85	Jupiter Hills Club (Hills) (96)	Tequesta, Florida	George Fazio; p, re	2010	7.09
86	The Quarry at La Quinta (69)	La Quinta, California	Tom Fazio; p, re	1994	7.08
87	Hidden Creek (80)	Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey	Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw; p	2002	7.07
88	Austin GC (98)	Spicewood, Texas	Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw; p	2001	7.06
89	Clear Creek (87)	Tahoe, Nevada	Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw; p, re	2009	7.05
90	Stanwich Club (114)	Greenwich, Connecticut	David Gordon, William Gordon; p	1964	7.05
91	Boot Ranch (103)	Fredericksburg, Texas	Jim Lipe; p, re	2006	7.05
92	Secession (91)	Gibbes Island, South Carolina	Bruce Devlin; p	1992	7.05
93	Blackwolf Run (River) (89)	Kohler, Wisconsin	Pete Dye; r	1988	7.04
94	Wine Valley (116)	Walla Walla, Washington	Dan Hixson; d	2009	7.04
95	Patriot (95)	Owasso, Oklahoma	Robert Trent Jones Jr.; p, re	2010	7.04
96	Tradition at La Quinta (104)	La Quinta, California	Arnold Palmer, Ed Seay; p, re	1997	7.03
97	Forest Highlands (The Canyon) (90)	Flagstaff, Arizona	Jay Morrish, Tom Weiskopf; p, re	1989	7.02
98	Pronghorn (Fazio) (58)	Bend, Oregon	Tom Fazio; p, re	2006	7.02
99	Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee (88)	Eatonton, Georgia	Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw; p, re	1998	7.02
100	Stonewall Links (Old) (111)	Elverson, Pennsylvania	Tom Doak; p	1993	7.00

Pinehurst No. 4 (Courtesy of Pinehurst)

Rank	Course	Location	Architect(s); club type	Avg. rating
101	Colleton River (Pete Dye)	Bluffton, S.C.	Pete Dye; p, re	7.00
102	The Bear’s Club	Jupiter, Fla.	Jack Nicklaus; p, re	6.99
103	Naples National	Naples, Fla.	Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry; p	6.99
104	Eugene CC	Eugene, Ore.	H. Chandler Egan, Robert Trent, Jones Sr.; p	6.99
105	Forest Dunes (The Loop Red & Black)	Roscommon, Mich.	Tom Doak; r, d	6.98
106	Primland (Highland)	Meadows of Dan, Va.	Donald Steel; r	6.98
107	Sage Valley	Graniteville, S.C.	Tom Fazio; p	6.97
108	Prairie Club (Dunes Course)	Valentine, Neb.	Tom Lehman; r	6.97
109	Eagle Point	Wilmington, N.C.	Tom Fazio; p	6.97
110	Mossy Oak	West Point, Miss.	Gil Hanse; r, d	6.96
111	Concession	Bradenton, Fla.	Jack Nicklaus; p, re	6.96
112	GC of Tennessee	Kingston Springs, Tenn.	Tom Fazio; p	6.95
113	Ocean Forest	Sea Island, Ga.	Rees Jones; p	6.95
114	McArthur	Hobe Sound, Fla.	Tom Fazio, Nick Price; p	6.94
115	Pinehurst No. 4	Pinehurst, N.C.	Donald Ross, Gil Hanse; r	6.94
116	Stone Canyon	Tucson, Ariz.	Jay Morrish; p, re	6.93
117	Whisper Rock (Lower Course)	Scottsdale	Phil Mickelson, Gary Stephenson; p	6.93
118	Flint Hills National	Andover, Kansas	Tom Fazio; p	6.93
119	Giants Ridge (Quarry)	Biwabik, Minn.	Jeff Brauer; r, d	6.92
120	The Rim	Payson, Ariz.	Tom Weiskopf; p, re	6.92
121	Saucon Valley (Weyhill)	Bethlehem, Pa.	David Gordon, William Gordon; p	6.92
122	Mayfield Sand Ridge (Sand Ridge)	Chardon, Ohio	Tom Fazio; p	6.92
123	Club at Carlton Woods (Fazio)	The Woodlands, Texas	Tom Fazio; p, re	6.92
124	Loblolly	Hobe Sound, Fla.	P.B. Dye; p	6.92
125	Spring Island (Old Tabby Links)	Okatie, S.C.	Arnold Palmer, Ed Seay; p, re	6.91
126	Pine Tree	Boynton Beach, Fla.	Dick Wilson; p	6.91
127	Lost Dunes	Bridgman, Mich.	Tom Doak; p	6.91
128	Cliffs at Mountain Park	Travelers Rest, S.C.	Gary Player; p, re	6.90
129	Atlanta Athletic Club (Highlands)	Johns Creek, Ga.	Joe Finger, Rees Jones; p	6.89
130	Trinity Forest	Dallas	Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw; p	6.89
131	Silvies Valley Ranch (Hankins)	Seneca, Ore.	Dan Hixson; r, d	6.89
132	Stone Eagle	Palm Desert, Calif.	Tom Doak; p, re	6.88
133	Wild Horse	Gothenburg, Neb.	Dave Axland, Dan Proctor; d	6.88
134	Whisper Rock (Upper Course)	Scottsdale	Tom Fazio; p	6.88
135	Santa Lucia Preserve	Carmel-By-The-Sea, Calif.	Tom Fazio; p, re	6.87
136	Windsong Farm	Independence, Minn.	John Fought, Tom Lehman; p	6.87
137	Kiawah Island Club (Cassique)	Kiawah Island, S.C.	Tom Watson; p, re	6.87
138	Medalist Club	Hobe Sound, Fla.	Pete Dye, Greg Norman, Bobby Weed; p	6.86
139	The Bridges at Rancho Sante Fe	Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.	Robert Trent Jones Jr.; p, re	6.86
140	Paa-Ko Ridge	Sandia Park, N.M.	Ken Dye; d, re	6.85
141	Dormie Club	West End, N.C.	Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw; p	6.84
142	Bellerive	Creve Coeur, Mo.	Robert Trent Jones Sr., Rees Jones; p	6.84
143	Frederica	St. Simons Island, Ga.	Tom Fazio; p, re	6.84
144	Greenville CC (Chanticleer)	Greenville, S.C.	Robert Trent Jones Sr.; p	6.84
145	Lahontan	Truckee, Calif.	Tom Weiskopf; p, re	6.83
146	Nantucket GC	Siasconset, Mass.	Rees Jones; p	6.83
147	French Lick (Pete Dye Course)	French Lick, Ind.	Pete Dye; r, d, c	6.82
148	The Farm	Rocky Face, Ga.	Tom Fazio; p	6.82
149	Silvies Valley Ranch (Craddock)	Seneca, Ore.	Dan Hixson; r, d	6.82
150	Montage Palmetto Bluff (May River)	Bluffton, S.C.	Jack Nicklaus; r	6.82

We-Ko-Pa’s Saguaro (Courtesy of We-Ko-Pa Golf Club/Lonna Tucker)

Rank	Course	Location	Architect(s); club type	Avg. rating
151	Rustic Canyon	Moorpark, Calif.	Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner, Geoff Shackelford; d	6.81
152	Coral Creek Club	Placida, Fla.	Tom Fazio; p	6.81
153	Chechessee Creek	Okatie, S.C.	Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw; p	6.81
154	Forest Dunes (Weiskopf)	Okatie, S.C.	Roscommon, Mich.; Tom Weiskopf; r, d	6.80
155	Sand Hollow (Championship)	Hurricane, Utah	John Fought, Andy Staples; r, d	6.80
156	Forest Creek (North)	Pinehurst, N.C.	Tom Fazio; p, re	6.80
157	Aldarra	Sammamish, Wash.	Tom Fazio; p	6.80
158	Trump National (Old)	Bedminster, N.J.	Tom Fazio; p	6.80
159	Kukui’ula	Koloa, Hawaii	Tom Weiskopf; p	6.79
160	Trump International	West Palm Beach, Fla.	Jim Fazio; p	6.79
161	Ridge at Back Brook	Ringoes, N.J.	Tom Fazio; p	6.78
162	Metedeconk National	Jackson Township, N.J.	Roger Rulewich; p	6.78
163	Southern Highlands	Las Vegas	Robert Trent Jones Sr., Robert Trent Jones Jr.; p, re	6.78
164	Spanish Oaks	Bee Cave, Texas	Bobby Weed; p, re	6.77
165	Black Rock	Coeur d’Alene, Idaho	Jim Engh; p, re	6.77
166	Hamilton Farm	Gladstone, N.J.	Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry; p	6.77
167	Whistling Straits (Irish)	Mosel, Wis./td>	Pete Dye; r	6.75
168	The Bridge	Bridgehampton, N.Y.	Rees Jones; p	6.75
169	Old Memorial	Tampa, Fla.	Steve Smyers; p	6.75
170	King Kamehameha	Maui, Hawaii	Robin Nelson; p	6.75
171	World Woods (Pine Barrens)	Brooksville, Fla.	Tom Fazio; d	6.74
171	World Woods (Pine Barrens)	Brooksville, Fla.	Tom Fazio; d	6.74
172	Suncadia (Tumble Creek)	Cle Elum, Wash.	Tom Doak; p	6.74
173	Cog Hill (No. 4 – Dubsdread)	Lemont, Ill.	Rees Jones, Dick Wilson; d	6.73
174	Sherwood	Thousand Oaks, Calif.	Jack Nicklaus; p	6.73
175	El Dorado	Indian Wells, Calif.	Tom Fazio; p, re	6.73
176	FarmLinks at Pursell Farms	Sylacauga, Ala.	Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry; r, d	6.73
177	Golden Horseshoe (Gold)	Williamsburg, Va.	Robert Trent Jones Sr., Rees Jones; r	6.73
178	Santa Ana CC	Santa Ana, Calif.	Jay Blasi; p, re	6.72
179	The Ford Plantation	Richmond Hill, Ga.	Pete Dye, Tim Liddy; p, re	6.72
180	Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards	Sunset, S.C.	Tom Fazio; p, re	6.72
181	Caves Valley	Owings Mill, Md.	Tom Fazio; p	6.72
182	Briggs Ranch	San Antonio	Tom Fazio; p, re	6.72
183	Caledonia Golf & Fish Club	Pawleys Island, S.C.	Michael Strantz; r, d	6.72
184	Desert Highlands	Scottsdale	Jack Nicklaus; p, re	6.71
185	Liberty National	Jersey City, N.J.	Bob Cupp, Tom Kite; p	6.71
186	Crosswater	Sunriver, Ore.	Bob Cupp, John Fought; r, re	6.70
187	Old Waverly	West Point, Miss.	Bob Cupp, Jerry Pate; r, re	6.70
188	Floridian	Palm City, Fla.	Tom Fazio; p	6.70
189	Atlanta CC	Marietta, Ga.	Willard Byrd, Joe Finger, Mike Riley; p	6.69
190	Frost Creek	Eagle, Colo.	Tom Weiskopf; r, re	6.68
191	Escondido	Horseshoe Bay, Texas	Tom Fazio; p, re	6.68
192	CordeValle	San Martin, Calif.	Robert Trent Jones Jr.; r	6.68
193	Keswick Hall (Full Cry)	Charlottesville, Va.	Pete Dye; r	6.67
194	Beach Hotel	Kohala Coast, Hawaii	Robert Trent Jones Sr.; r	6.67
195	Silverleaf	Scottsdale	Tom Weiskopf; p, re	6.66
196	Applebrook	Malvern, Pa.	Gil Hanse; p	6.65
197	Victory Ranch	Kamas, Utah	Rees Jones; p, re	6.65
198	Rams Hill	Borrego Springs, Calif.	Tom Fazio; r, d, re	6.64
199	We-Ko-Pa (Saguaro)	Fort McDowell, Ariz.	Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw; r, d, c	6.64
200	The Wilderness at Fortune Bay	Tower, Minn.	Jeff Brauer; r, d, c	6.64

Original article written by Jason Lusk of GolfWeek.com on July 31st, 2020
Read the original article HERE