Top U.S. Golf Courses By Region – West
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Top U.S. Golf Courses By Region – West

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Top U.S. Golf Courses By Region – West

Top U.S. Golf Courses by Region

Fundamentally, ranking golf courses is a subjective exercise. Better players often prefer more challenging layouts. Less skilled golfers might appreciate wider fairways with fewer forced carries.

That said, the validity of any individual review isn’t tied to whether that golfer has a degree in golf course architecture or a preference for certain types of grasses.

If you’re a golfer, your opinion matters.

To build our list of the best golf destinations, we turned to TheGrint and to real golfers just like you.

ABOUT THEGRINT’S RANKINGS

To generate our rankings, we leveraged data from TheGrint, a golf handicap and stat-tracking service that also allows golfers to rate the courses they play. Think of it as something similar to Yelp for golf courses.

Here are the pertinent details:

  • Ranking derived from more than 300,000 golf course reviews from golfers just like you.
  • Only reviews from the previous year (2020) are used.
  • Only considered courses with a minimum of 50 reviews.
  • Golfers considered course conditions and overall experience as ranking criteria.

Based on reader feedback, we took the data for all courses in the United States and broke it down by region. Over the next several weeks we’ll work our way from the Pacific Coast Highway to the Eastern Seaboard.

We’ve also provided an interactive map that allows you to quickly view course location and ranking.

BEST COURSES IN THE WEST

Observations

  • California, Oregon and Nevada each have three courses in the top 10.
  • Utah/Idaho each have one course.
  • With 11 courses generating a total score of 97.6 or higher, the West Region is second to only the Southeast Region in average ranking.

TOP 10

T-8. Circling Raven Golf Club (97.6)

 

T-8. Sand Hollow Resort | Championship (97.6)

 

T-8. Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort | Snow Mountain (97.6)

 

T-8. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort | Old Macdonald (97.6)

 

7. Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort | Wolf (98.2)

 

6. Pasatiempo Golf Club (98.7)

 

5. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort | Pacific Dunes (98.8)

 

4. Pebble Beach Golf Links (98.8)

 

3. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort | Bandon Dunes (99.1)

 

2. Edgewood Tahoe Resort Golf (99.2)

 

1. Spyglass Hill Golf Course (99.8)

 

Have you played any of these courses? Let us know in the comments below.

For You

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Chris Nickel

Chris Nickel

Chris Nickel

Chris is a self-diagnosed equipment and golf junkie with a penchant for top-shelf ice cream. When he's not coaching the local high school team, he's probably on the range or trying to keep up with his wife and seven beautiful daughters. Chris is based out of Fort Collins, CO and his neighbors believe long brown boxes are simply part of his porch decor. "Isn't it funny? The truth just sounds different."

Chris Nickel

Chris Nickel

Chris Nickel

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    Join The Discussion

      Stuart Allen

      3 years ago

      I enjoyed studying this list and reading the comments. It’s nice to see so many different opinions, including those of the author. I have a question though: I enjoyed playing Spanish Bay more than Spyglass. Why do you think Spyglass is rated so highly but Spanish Bay is omitted?

      Reply

      RockstarLeo

      3 years ago

      Always a good reminder that different people like different things about a golf course.
      Bandon and Paiute are good but would never have made my top 10. I’d take Sand Hollow and Wolf Creek over those any day.

      Would love to play Pebble and Spyglass, I’ve only played them on simulators and we all know that doesn’t count.

      Reply

      scot

      3 years ago

      Sorry Chris I have to agree with Charlie and so many others I live in Reno Nv and edgewood is great if you like bumpy greens burnt out fairways dry sand traps $15 beers and $35 mixed drinks what a great place to play oh yeah the staff treats you like crap if unless you show up in a $150000 mercedes

      Reply

      Randy Calderone

      3 years ago

      I’ve played all course at Paiute by far snow is the best wolf has one island green other then that nothing special what is special is sand hollow played it last week outstanding condition and views.

      Reply

      MCoz

      3 years ago

      I have been fortunate enough to play everywhere. When asked what are my favorite courses I always state that I have tie for my favorite (all courses not just public). One I have played about 100 times the other I have played 6 times. I get the same feeling before each round. The two are Spyglass Hill which use to be the Nor Cal GA home course before they built Poppy Hills, thus the numerous rounds. The other it is tied with is Augusta National. Then it would be Cypress Point and San Francisco CC, Pebble Beach would be 5. Edgewood would not be in the top 5 of the courses in and around Lake Tahoe from Truckee to Carson City.. My opinion but it represents many decades of high level play.

      Reply

      Paul chatterton

      3 years ago

      Played sand hollow often, a true golfing challenge the back nine views breathtaking, competitively priced, friendly and accommodating staff

      Reply

      Kevin Fitzpatrick

      3 years ago

      So the 2 Vegas courses are better than every playable course in Phoenix? And the remaining tracks at Bandon . Gamble Sands ? I’d even venture to say wolf creek in Nevada should have pushed one of them out.

      Enjoy your free rounds at Paiute Courses ;-)

      Reply

      Chris Nickel

      3 years ago

      Kevin – Sorry to burst your bubble, but ALL course reviews come from paying golfers.

      Reply

      I miss, I miss, I make

      3 years ago

      Spyglass is a great course. At least the first 5 holes. The other 13 are excellent but unremarkable. Pebble has a strong middle section and 18.. Are the views that much better than the Oregon coast? Or after paying whatever it costs to play Pebble you will never admit that as good as it is for about the same money you could have flown to Scotland and played St Andrews.. I think that 4 of the top 10 are all at the Bandon Resort ( Minus the Trails, and even that might be T10) My personal favorite is Pacific Dunes. If you check the pictures above Pebble and Spyglass have something the others don’t. Houses. But whatever makes you happy. I’m headed up to the local muni right after this and it beats the pants of of anything else I might be doing. Golf! Everything else is #2.

      Reply

      BD

      3 years ago

      You are spot on with Spyglass Hill. It gets overlooked because of Pebble Beach.

      Reply

      Jose soto

      3 years ago

      I have played , Pasatiempo, Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill the latter being the toughest off all but what a venues every golfer should play them at least one time

      Reply

      Mixed bag

      3 years ago

      I’ve played Spyglass, Pebble, Pasatiempo and Edgewood (on my honeymoon)! Surprised Torrey Pines and Pelican Hill are not in the top 10. How is it public course used for a US Open isn’t ranked higher?

      Reply

      jasonp

      3 years ago

      because torrey pines isn’t really that special. Since this was based on actual golfers votes…….. it proves my point. If you’ve played any of the courses on this list, torrey pines is nowhere near as nice. The only thing that makes torrey special is the location and the fact that they hold pga events. I’ve played it a few times and I’d rather spend my money elsewhere. If you’re a san diego resident and get to play for $50, then it’s def worth the fee.

      Reply

      Kansas King

      3 years ago

      Agree. I’ve played the north and south course and I enjoyed them but there are only a few memorable holes between the two courses. If Torrey was just off the water like Pebble it may be a little more special but unfortunately it’s not. If there is anything special about the South course, it’s how remarkably difficult it can be if set up correctly.

      OkdeDude

      3 years ago

      From this list I’ve played Pebble, and I’ve played Edgewood. Honestly, Edgewood wouldn’t even be in my top ten, so no way it tops Pebble.

      Reply

      Springboks

      3 years ago

      What!! TWO Paiute Courses in the top 10 of the West Coast? Really? I am speechless? I guess this post is sponsored by them? Clearly you only played those 10 courses and no others!

      Reply

      Ryan

      3 years ago

      I play the Pauite courses regularly they are great courses with outstanding care put into them. The challenge really ramps up on the wolf on windy days.

      Reply

      Imafitter

      3 years ago

      Played Sand Hollow and it is a beautiful and challenging course. Would love to go to Bandon Dunes, but can’t walk the courses. Too bad there are no carts for older patrons.

      Reply

      Scott

      3 years ago

      There are for those that have a medical condition ( not sure if age qualifies as a condition though). However, a cart means you have to take a caddy, and the caddy drives. Starts to get really expensive.

      Reply

      TJ

      3 years ago

      Fun looking list. Crazy to think sheep ranch did not make it on though. Did chambers make the top 20?

      Reply

      Charlie

      3 years ago

      Putting Edgewood above Pebble is laughable. This list looks like you guys read through trip advisor and put together some edgy list to generate conversation. So many great courses out West that you missed, and the ones you didn’t miss, are severely misplaced. Edgewood shouldn’t even be top 20

      Reply

      Chris Nickel

      3 years ago

      Charlie – As stated in the article, the ratings are generated from TheGrint member reviews where the two criteria are Enjoyability and Course Condition.

      This doesn’t mean there aren’t amazing courses throughout the US that won’t show up on such lists. Every ranking system has some sort of limitation and inherent subjectivity.

      Your personal feelings don’t invalidate this list, and the converse is equally true..

      Reply

      Patrick

      3 years ago

      So the more accurate (and less click-generating) title, then, is “Most Enjoyable Courses” rather than Top courses? Not surprising that people really enjoy their trips to Vegas/Bandon/Tahoe!

      Charlie

      3 years ago

      Thank you for the added personal insult at the end, Mr. Nickle. I can always count on them, I’ll see if Yelp recommends Michelin star restaurants or run of the mill mediocre ones like TheGrint.

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