The Top Public Golf Courses in Each State According to Everyday Players
With over 16,000 golf courses in America, finding one that is accessible, affordable, and stellar is like finding a needle in a haystack. However, Golfer’s Choice lists do all the work spotlighting the game’s best playgrounds for everyday players. Created by recreational golfers, for recreational golfers, find out which greens in your state have been deemed the best by players like you.
How Was This List Made?
While other ‘Best Of’ lists are created by industry insiders with extraordinary access, The GolfPass Golfers’ Choice lists are created by recreational golfers’ 275,000-course reviews on GolfNow reflecting playing experiences across ages, handicaps, and budgets.
“Golfers’ Choice 2025 is a great resource for finding public courses – often very affordable options – in all corners of the country,” said Jason Scott Deegan, managing editor of GolfPass.
Here are the highest-rated courses in each state, except Alaska, which did not receive enough reviews to meet the Golfers’ Choice criteria.
Iowa
Between the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, players will find over 400 courses in Iowa. Take a golf getaway shortcut and add these five to your must-play list.
From city and suburban courses to rugged forests and sweeping river valleys, Minnesota offers stunning grounds for your game and an experience for your senses.
See for yourself and tee off at:
One of America’s ideal golf getaways, Missouri offers greens in some of the state’s most beautiful places, outdoor adventures, family fun, and the country’s best theme park, Silver Dollar City. So bring the whole family along!
Nebraska golf courses take sense of place to a new level. Throughout the state you’ll find hundreds of courses—including several national award winners—that utilize the diverse landscape to deliver round after round of golfing enjoyment.
Enjoy wide-open spaces, epic natural scenery, and a whole lot of quiet playing at:
With more than 300 courses, there are enough greens to almost play one new course every day for a year! From the Blue Ridge Mountains to The Atlantic Ocean and even “The Golf Capital of the World,” Myrtle Beach, a golf trip to The Palmetto State rightfully deserves a place on players’ bucket lists.
Bucking the term “you get what you pay for,” South Carolina’s top-rated GolfPasspicks aren’t necessarily top dollar. They are:
With more miles of shoreline than Florida, thanks to the mighty Missouri River, natural beauty awaits on and off the golf course.
South Dakota has a variety of courses and inexpensive green fees, including:
It may be surprising that according to Golf Digest, Wisconsin is the U.S. state with the best public golf offerings. This unexpected mecca, with 500 courses and 60 golf resorts, also welcomes families, helping to usher in the next generation of players.
Check out these five courses for your next golf getaway:
With nearly 300 incredible courses, each offering its own elevation variation, climate, vegetation, and wildlife, golfers can find a spectacular setting for any golf game. It’s one of the few places in the country where you can ski in the morning and then play golf in the afternoon. Or enjoy the Colorado 999 – nine ski runs, nine holes of golf, and nine innings of baseball in a day.
The Sunshine State has more golf courses per capita than any other U.S. destination, with more than1,400-pluspublicgolf courses. No wonder some say it’s the happiest place on earth for golfers, too. No matter what course you pick, the beauty of the landscape will be on display—from ocean to Everglades, and even the moss-draped trees reminiscent of the old Florida charm.
A round of golf is possible every day of the year. So fly south and challenge yourself at one of these top-rated courses.:
With more than 150 golf courses across the state, there’s so much more than just Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Masters.
From greens with Atlanta skyscraper views to the 10 options in Lake Country and even those in the Appalachian foothills, there are world-class options across price points, including these five gems:
Home to more than 600 golf courses, Illinois offers top public courses, championship greens, and renowned golf resorts. From the scenic fairways of Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa in Galena to TPC Deere Run near Quad Cities, golfers of all skill levels can find a course that suits their game.
Illinois has something for every golf enthusiast. Whether you’re looking for competitive play or a relaxing golf getaway, take a look at:
Kansas offers a premier golfing experience across diverse landscapes, from rolling prairies to tree-lined fairways. With affordable green fees, uncrowded courses, and a welcoming golf community, Kansas is a hidden gem for those who love the game but not high fees.
With over 16,000 golf courses in America, finding one that is accessible, affordable, and stellar is like finding a needle in a haystack. However, Golfer’s Choice lists do all the work spotlighting the game’s best playgrounds for everyday players. Created by recreational golfers, for recreational golfers, find out which greens in your state have been deemed the best by players like you.
How Was This List Made?
While other ‘Best Of’ lists are created by industry insiders with extraordinary access, The GolfPass Golfers’ Choice lists are created by recreational golfers’ 275,000-course reviews on GolfNow reflecting playing experiences across ages, handicaps, and budgets.
“Golfers’ Choice 2025 is a great resource for finding public courses – often very affordable options – in all corners of the country,” said Jason Scott Deegan, managing editor of GolfPass.
Here are the highest-rated courses in each state, except Alaska, which did not receive enough reviews to meet the Golfers’ Choice criteria.
Iowa
Between the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, players will find over 400 courses in Iowa. Take a golf getaway shortcut and add these five to your must-play list.
- Palmer Hills Golf Course (Bettendorf)
- The Legacy Golf Club (Norwalk)
- Fort Dodge Country Club (Fort Dodge)
- Briggs Woods Golf Course (Webster City)
- Red Oak Country Club (Red Oak)
From city and suburban courses to rugged forests and sweeping river valleys, Minnesota offers stunning grounds for your game and an experience for your senses.
See for yourself and tee off at:
- Whitetail Run Golf Course (Wadena)
- Kimball Golf Club (Kimball)
- Headwaters Golf Club (Park Rapids)
- Superior National at Lusten (Lusten)
- Pebble Creek Golf Club (Becker)
One of America’s ideal golf getaways, Missouri offers greens in some of the state’s most beautiful places, outdoor adventures, family fun, and the country’s best theme park, Silver Dollar City. So bring the whole family along!
- Creekmoor Golf Club (Raymore)
- Eagle Knoll Golf Club (Hartsburg)
- Mozingo Lake Recreational Park Golf Course (Maryville)
- Tanglewood Golf Course (Fulton)
- Branson Hills Golf Club (Branson)
Nebraska golf courses take sense of place to a new level. Throughout the state you’ll find hundreds of courses—including several national award winners—that utilize the diverse landscape to deliver round after round of golfing enjoyment.
Enjoy wide-open spaces, epic natural scenery, and a whole lot of quiet playing at:
- The Prairie Club – Dunes Course (Valentine)
- Landmand Golf Club (Homer)
- Tatanka Golf Club at Featherhill (Niobrara)
- Hillside Golf Club (Sidney)
- Heritage Hills Golf Course (McCook)
With more than 300 courses, there are enough greens to almost play one new course every day for a year! From the Blue Ridge Mountains to The Atlantic Ocean and even “The Golf Capital of the World,” Myrtle Beach, a golf trip to The Palmetto State rightfully deserves a place on players’ bucket lists.
Bucking the term “you get what you pay for,” South Carolina’s top-rated GolfPasspicks aren’t necessarily top dollar. They are:
- The Walker Golf Course at Clemson University (Clemson)
- True Blue Golf Club (Pawleys Island)
- The Traces Golf Club (Florence)
- Pawleys Plantation (Pawleys Island)
- Cheraw State Park Golf Course (Cheraw)
With more miles of shoreline than Florida, thanks to the mighty Missouri River, natural beauty awaits on and off the golf course.
South Dakota has a variety of courses and inexpensive green fees, including:
- Broadland Creek National Golf Course (Huron)
- Rapid City Elks Golf Course (Rapid City)
- Brandon Municipal Golf Course (Brandon)
It may be surprising that according to Golf Digest, Wisconsin is the U.S. state with the best public golf offerings. This unexpected mecca, with 500 courses and 60 golf resorts, also welcomes families, helping to usher in the next generation of players.
Check out these five courses for your next golf getaway:
- Glacier Wood Golf Club (Iola)
- Geneva National Golf Club – Trevino Course (Lake Geneva)
- University Ridge Golf Course (Verona)
- Thornberry Creek at Oneida – Legends Championship Course (Oneida)
- Washington County Golf Course (Hartford)
With nearly 300 incredible courses, each offering its own elevation variation, climate, vegetation, and wildlife, golfers can find a spectacular setting for any golf game. It’s one of the few places in the country where you can ski in the morning and then play golf in the afternoon. Or enjoy the Colorado 999 – nine ski runs, nine holes of golf, and nine innings of baseball in a day.
- Pole Creek Golf Club (Tabernash)
- Commonground Golf Course (Aurora)
- Lakota Links Golf Club (New Castle)
- Boomerang Golf Links (Greeley)
- The Golf Club at Bear Dance (Larkspur)
The Sunshine State has more golf courses per capita than any other U.S. destination, with more than1,400-pluspublicgolf courses. No wonder some say it’s the happiest place on earth for golfers, too. No matter what course you pick, the beauty of the landscape will be on display—from ocean to Everglades, and even the moss-draped trees reminiscent of the old Florida charm.
A round of golf is possible every day of the year. So fly south and challenge yourself at one of these top-rated courses.:
- ChampionsGate Golf Club – International (Orlando)
- Heron’s Glen Golf & Country Club (North Fort Myers)
- Waldorf Astoria Golf Club (Orlando)
- Deer Island Country Club (Tavares)
- Streamsong Resort – Blue Course (Fort Meade)
With more than 150 golf courses across the state, there’s so much more than just Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Masters.
From greens with Atlanta skyscraper views to the 10 options in Lake Country and even those in the Appalachian foothills, there are world-class options across price points, including these five gems:
- Currahee Golf Club (Toccoa)
- Richard B. Russell at Arrowhead Pointe Golf Course (Elberton)
- Lanier Islands Legacy Golf Course (Buford)
- Bartram Trail Golf Club (Evans)
- Meadow Links at George T. Bagby (Fort Gaines)
Home to more than 600 golf courses, Illinois offers top public courses, championship greens, and renowned golf resorts. From the scenic fairways of Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa in Galena to TPC Deere Run near Quad Cities, golfers of all skill levels can find a course that suits their game.
Illinois has something for every golf enthusiast. Whether you’re looking for competitive play or a relaxing golf getaway, take a look at:
- Arrowhead Golf Club (Wheaton)
- Annbriar Golf Course (Waterloo)
- TPC Deer Run (Silvis)
- Deer Park Golf Club (Oglesby)
- Atkins Golf Club at the University of Illinois (Urbana)
Kansas offers a premier golfing experience across diverse landscapes, from rolling prairies to tree-lined fairways. With affordable green fees, uncrowded courses, and a welcoming golf community, Kansas is a hidden gem for those who love the game but not high fees.
- Cherry Oaks Golf Course (Cheney)
- Falcon Lake Golf Course (Basehor)
- Spring Creek (Seneca)
- Turkey Creek Golf Course (McPherson)
- Trails West Golf Course (Fort Leavenworth)
