Most Prestigious Golf Courses in America

Whether you’re an avid golfer or a first-timer on the green, the United States is home to some of the world’s most incredible golf courses. The country is not only historic in hosting some of the globe’s most relevant golfing events and championships, but the various landscapes and intricate designs will challenge even the most seasoned golfer. 

Home to over 16,000 courses, some are private for VIP performers, others may be invitation-only, open to hotel guests, ticketed events, or the general public. Depending on skill level and passion for the sport, the factors that make a course excellent will differ for everyone. 

Many of EXEC’s perks are catered to golf enthusiasts, including access to some of the globe’s best clubs, networks, and unforgettable events and experiences. In addition, these ‘experience’ benefits are an excellent way to show appreciation to your members or clients.

Factoring in tee location, turf types, water hazards, green size, and exclusivity, we’ve curated a list of the most prestigious courses in America. So whether you’re treating a corporate partner or yourself to pristine greens, this is the guide for you.

Augusta National Golf Club

Known as Georgia’s dream course, Augusta is one of the world’s most exclusive golf clubs. One of the world’s best players teamed up with one of the world’s most renowned architects to create this work of art. A sight not to miss, Bobby Jones and Alister MacKenzie have genuinely outdone themselves on this 18-hole meadowland.

After the Masters Tournament comes to an end, the course undergoes a few changes to one or two holes to increase playing value and keep things interesting. Some have been transformed from the easiest par four and par three to the most difficult. 

EXEC Members have the chance to enjoy The Augusta Experience. With this, you’ll receive access to watch practice rounds, the tournament grounds, and the opportunity to witness some of golf’s greatest players. 

Bluejack National Golf Club

A private membership-only club, Bluejack National is the perfect destination to treat your most valued avid golfing client. It is globally renowned and critically acclaimed as the first Tiger Woods-designed course in the nation. 

With over 700 acres of rolling verdant hills, every hole offers players multiple tee boxes with one cut of velvety Zoysia grass and no rough. Those who get the chance to tee the ball on this course will enjoy Tiger’s vision of the sport, providing a wide range of shot-making opportunities.

For those looking for a more casual day of fun and even night golfing, Tiger Woods created The Playgrounds, an unstructured and unique experience for every skill level. 

As an EXEC Member, you’ll have access to preferred pricing on exclusive packages for The Playgrounds, The Course, and The Cottages for private accommodations.

Dormie Club

An original Coore & Crenshaw design in West End, North Carolina, Dormie Club is a secluded and tranquil course. It offers one of the finest destination golf experiences in the nation, perched over 1000 acres of sandy, undulating terrain. Luxurious accommodations and five-star dining options make it an excellent choice for a family getaway or corporate appreciation retreat. 

The Dormie Club is actually part of an overall larger network of bucket list clubs known as the Dormie Network. It is home to greens crafted by some of the globe’s most iconic architects, such as Arnold Palmer, Tom Fazio, and Coore & Crenshaw. 

These courses include Arbor Links in Nebraska City, Ballyhack Golf Club in Roanoke, Briggs Ranch Golf Club in San Antonio, Hidden Creek Golf Club in Eagle Harbor Township, and Victoria National in Indiana.

EXEC Members receive exclusive discounted access to the entire Dormie Network of golf clubs, stay-and-play opportunities, and all-inclusive food and beverage selections. 

TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course

Home of The Tournament PLAYERS Championship and the backdrop to the PGA Tour’s Global Home, this Floridian fairway is a sight to behold. Crafted by the architect Pete Dye, Commissioner Deane Beman created this course to have a well-balanced layout for players of all kinds. 

Consistently named among the best in the world, the signature island green on the par three is one of the most recognized in the golf industry. In addition, Stadium Course is a venue for THE PLAYERS Championship, the ultimate experience for golf spectators and players every year. 

EXEC Members can access preferred rates on several packages for the annual THE PLAYERS Golf Tournament Experience, including its private hospitality venue, The Marquees. 

Pine Valley 

Ranked number one by Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Courses in the United States and the world in 2012, 2015, 2019, and 2022, Pine Valley is a New Jersey treasure. Spread over 600 acres, it was designed by hotelier and architect George Arthur Crump. 

Exclusively available to members invited by the board of directors, guests can only play when accompanied by a member. Crump was so dedicated to the intricate details of the course that he set several idiosyncratic principles: 

• No hole should be laid out parallel to the next
• No more than two consecutive holes should play in the same direction
• Players shouldn't be able to see any hole other than the one they’re currently playing. 

The course is considered an ultimate test of golf, taking three years for anybody to get round in 70 strokes. Architect Robert Trent Jones stated that Pine Valley is the most challenging course in the world, and this reputation is justified. 

Pebble Beach

Pebble Beach Golf Course is a true masterpiece of nature and design. Nestled along the rugged coastline of California's Monterey Peninsula, this iconic green offers golfers of all skill levels a chance to test their mettle against some of the world's most beautiful and challenging holes.

It hosted its sixth U.S. Open in 2019, more than any other course over the last 50 years, and every February, the PGA TOUR visits for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. The course is set to host the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open and the 2027 U.S. Open Championship. 

The course's famous 18th hole, with its iconic seaside green, is a true test of skill and patience and has been the site of some of the most dramatic moments in golf history. Whether a seasoned pro or a casual golfer, a round at Pebble Beach is an unforgettable experience that will stay with you for a lifetime.

Pinehurst No. 2

Pinehurst No. 2 is known for its rich history and timeless beauty that’s captivated players for generations. Set among the rolling hills of North Carolina, the course's famously challenging layout features undulating fairways, swirling winds, and lightning-fast greens that will test even the most seasoned golfer's skills.

A Donald Ross masterpiece, Pinehurst No. 2 hosted back-to-back U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open Championship for the first time in 2014. It was restored and redesigned by Coore & Crenshaw in 2010 and is set to host the U.S. Open again in 2024, 2029, 2035, and 2041. 

Winged Foot

This Westchester golf course is a true icon of the game, with a storied history and a reputation for hosting some of the most prestigious tournaments in golf. Located roughly 45 minutes from Manhattan, Winged Foot was founded in 1921 by The New York Athletic Club. 

The West Course, designed by A.W. Tillinghast in 1923, is a true test of skill and strategy, with narrow fairways, deep bunkers, and smooth greens. Winged Foot has played host to some of the most iconic moments in golf history, including the legendary "Massacre at Winged Foot" in the 1974 U.S. Open, where only one player broke par.

The East Course, designed by Tom Fazio in 1997, is a more forgiving layout, with wide fairways and large, wavy greens. It’s hosted numerous major championships, including the 2006 U.S. Open. 

Oakmont

Designated as a National Historic Landmark, Oakmont Golf Course is the only design by Henry Fownes. Nestled along the Allegheny River Valley, its unique landscape features almost no water hazards or trees. Its iconic holes, including the "Church Pews" bunkers on the third hole and the "Thunderbolt" greens on the fourth, have become synonymous with the game itself.

Despite its reputation for being one of the toughest courses in the world, Oakmont is also known for its impeccable conditioning and beautiful surroundings, making it a must-play for any golfer. In addition, Oakmont consistently ranks as one of the five best by Golf Digest’s 100 Greatest Courses in America. 

Baltursol 

As one of the finest golf courses in the world, this private 36-hole club is located in Springfield, New Jersey. It was the first club to host the U.S. Open and Women’s U.S. Open on two different courses designed by A. W. Tillinghast. In 2014, it was listed as a National Historic Landmark in recognition of its importance to the designer's career. 

The Upper and Lower greens are distinctly unique in geological formations as a dual course. Different water hazards, signature holes, and tees make playing in the Lower and Upper areas exciting. No matter which path you choose, a round at Baltusrol is an unforgettable experience, with breathtaking views and a rich sense of history that permeates every hole.

Wrapping Up 

From the rolling fairways of Pebble Beach to the challenging layouts of Winged Foot and Dormie Club, these courses have played host to countless significant championships. They have challenged, and thrilled golfers of all skill levels and continue to make history.