- Cypress Point ClubAlister MacKenzie and Robert Hunter · 1928Cypress Point ClubPebble Beach · CaliforniaPrivateWalkableMembers18 holesDesigned by Alister MacKenzie with Robert Hunter and opened in 1928. A legendary private course weaving through forest, dunes and Pacific coastline, highlighted by the cliff-carry par-3 16th.9.9
- Shinnecock Hills Golf ClubWilliam Flynn · 1891Shinnecock Hills Golf ClubSouthampton · New YorkPrivateWalkableMembers18 holesFounded in 1891 and redesigned by William Flynn in 1931. A windswept championship course on Long Island and one of the five founding clubs of the USGA.9.9
- Aronimink Golf ClubDonald Ross · 1928Aronimink Golf ClubNewtown Square · PennsylvaniaPrivateWalkableMembers18 holesDesigned by Donald Ross and opened in 1928, restored by Gil Hanse. A grand championship course with broad fairways, strategic bunkers and exacting greens.9.8
- Augusta National Golf ClubAlister MacKenzie and Bobby Jones · 1932Augusta National Golf ClubAugusta · GeorgiaPrivateWalkableMembers18 holesDesigned by Alister MacKenzie and Bobby Jones and opened in 1932. Home of the Masters, with dramatic elevation, broad strategic fairways and iconic Amen Corner.9.8
- Caves Valley Golf ClubTom Fazio · 1991Caves Valley Golf ClubOwings Mills · MarylandPrivateWalkableMembers18 holesDesigned by Tom Fazio and opened in 1991. A championship parkland course across rolling Maryland countryside and host of major professional and amateur events.9.8
- Cherry Hills Country ClubWilliam Flynn · 1922Cherry Hills Country ClubCherry Hills Village · ColoradoPrivateWalkableMembers18 holesDesigned by William Flynn and opened in 1922. A championship parkland course with subtle elevation and a storied history of U.S. Opens, PGA Championships and elite amateur events.9.8
- Dallas National Golf ClubTom Fazio · 2002Dallas National Golf ClubDallas · TexasPrivateWalkableMembers18 holesDesigned by Tom Fazio and opened in 2002. A secluded course on unexpectedly rugged Dallas terrain with limestone, elevation changes and broad strategic corridors.9.8
- Monterey Peninsula Country Club: DunesSeth Raynor · 1926Monterey Peninsula Country Club: DunesPebble Beach · CaliforniaPrivateWalkableMembers18 holesOriginally designed by Seth Raynor and later reworked by Rees Jones and Mike Strantz. The Dunes Course combines coastal dunes, forest and views of Monterey Bay.9.8
- Merion Golf Club: EastHugh Wilson · 1912Merion Golf Club: EastArdmore · PennsylvaniaPrivateWalkableMembers18 holesDesigned by Hugh Wilson and opened in 1912. A compact masterpiece with wicker-basket flagsticks and a rich U.S. Open and amateur championship history.9.8
- Friar's HeadBill Coore and Ben Crenshaw · 2003Friar's HeadBaiting Hollow · New YorkPrivateWalkableMembers18 holesDesigned by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw and opened in 2003. The routing alternates between dramatic dunes above Long Island Sound and quieter farmland.9.8
- Baltusrol Golf Club: LowerA.W. Tillinghast · 1922Baltusrol Golf Club: LowerSpringfield · New JerseyPrivateWalkableMembers18 holesDesigned by A.W. Tillinghast and opened in 1922, restored by Gil Hanse. A major-championship venue known for strong par 4s and the closing par-5 pair.9.8
- National Golf Links of AmericaC.B. Macdonald · 1911National Golf Links of AmericaSouthampton · New YorkPrivateWalkableMembers18 holesDesigned by C.B. Macdonald and opened in 1911. A landmark template-hole course inspired by classic British links and overlooking Peconic Bay.9.8
- Medinah Country Club: No. 3Tom Bendelow · 1928Medinah Country Club: No. 3Medinah · IllinoisPrivateWalk or rideMembers18 holesDesigned by Tom Bendelow and repeatedly renovated, most recently by OCM Golf. A major-championship course and host of the 2012 Ryder Cup.9.8
- Oakmont Country ClubHenry Fownes · 1904Oakmont Country ClubOakmont · PennsylvaniaPrivateWalkableMembers18 holesDesigned by Henry Fownes and opened in 1903. One of America’s sternest championship courses, famous for fast greens, deep bunkers and multiple U.S. Opens.9.8
- Old Sandwich Golf ClubBill Coore and Ben Crenshaw · 2004Old Sandwich Golf ClubPlymouth · MassachusettsPrivateWalking onlyMembers18 holesDesigned by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw and opened in 2004. A walking course across sandy pine barrens with wide fairways, natural hazards and strategic greens.9.8
- Pikewood National Golf Club2009Pikewood National Golf ClubMorgantown · West VirginiaPrivateWalking onlyMembers18 holesDesigned by club founders John Raese and Bob Gwynne and opened in 2009. A walking-only mountain course with extreme elevation and secluded forest corridors.9.8
- Pine Valley Golf Club1914Pine Valley Golf ClubPine Valley · New JerseyPrivateWalkableMembers18 holesCreated by George Crump with contributions from leading Golden Age architects and completed in 1922. Famous for heroic carries, isolated holes and exceptional strategic variety.9.8
- Riviera Country ClubGeorge C. Thomas Jr · 1927Riviera Country ClubPacific Palisades · CaliforniaPrivateWalkableMembers18 holesDesigned by George C. Thomas Jr. and William Bell and opened in 1927. A strategic canyon course and longtime PGA Tour venue, famed for the par-4 10th.9.8
- San Francisco Golf ClubA.W. Tillinghast · 1915San Francisco Golf ClubSan Francisco · CaliforniaPrivateWalkableMembers18 holesDesigned by A.W. Tillinghast and opened in 1918. A restrained California classic on sandy rolling terrain, featuring the historic par-3 seventh.9.8
- Sand Hills Golf ClubBill Coore and Ben Crenshaw · 1995Sand Hills Golf ClubMullen · NebraskaPrivateWalkableMembers18 holesDesigned by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw and opened in 1995. A foundational minimalist course discovered among Nebraska’s natural Sandhills.9.8
- Sebonack Golf ClubJack Nicklaus and Tom Doak · 2006Sebonack Golf ClubSouthampton · New YorkPrivateWalkableMembers18 holesDesigned by Jack Nicklaus and Tom Doak and opened in 2006. A strategic course on Peconic Bay combining rugged landforms, wind and expansive greens.9.8
- Secession Golf ClubBruce Devlin · 1992Secession Golf ClubBeaufort · South CarolinaPrivateWalking onlyMembers18 holesDesigned by Bruce Devlin and opened in 1992. A walking-only Lowcountry course on Gibbes Island featuring tidal marshes, wind and caddie-centered traditions.9.8
- Shelter Harbor Golf ClubMichael Hurdzan and Dana Fry · 2004Shelter Harbor Golf ClubCharlestown · Rhode IslandPrivateWalking onlyMembers18 holesDesigned by Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry and opened in 2004. A walking club across rocky New England terrain with woodland, wetlands and strategic bunkering.9.8
- Sherwood Country Club1989Sherwood Country ClubThousand Oaks · CaliforniaPrivateWalk or rideMembers18 holesJack Nicklaus Signature design opened in 1989. A dramatic course amid the Santa Monica Mountains with rock formations, lakes and tournament history.9.8
- ShoreacresSeth Raynor · 1921ShoreacresLake Bluff · IllinoisPrivateWalkableMembers18 holesDesigned by Seth Raynor and opened in 1921. A compact classic with template greens, ravines and bold strategic features near Lake Michigan.9.8
- Southern Hills Country ClubPerry Maxwell · 1936Southern Hills Country ClubTulsa · OklahomaPrivateWalkableMembers18 holesDesigned by Perry Maxwell and opened in 1936. A rolling championship course featuring severe green complexes and a long record of U.S. Opens and PGA Championships.9.8
- The Estancia ClubTom Fazio · 1995The Estancia ClubScottsdale · ArizonaPrivateWalk or rideMembers18 holesDesigned by Tom Fazio and opened in 1995. A dramatic Sonoran Desert course beneath Pinnacle Peak with rugged rock, elevation and carefully framed corridors.9.8
- The Madison ClubTom Fazio · 2006The Madison ClubLa Quinta · CaliforniaPrivateWalk or rideMembers18 holesDesigned by Tom Fazio and opened in 2006. An exclusive desert course with mountain views, broad corridors, water features and immaculate conditioning.9.8
- The Valley Club of MontecitoAlister MacKenzie and Robert Hunter · 1929The Valley Club of MontecitoMontecito · CaliforniaPrivateWalkableMembers18 holesDesigned by Alister MacKenzie and Robert Hunter and opened in 1929. An intimate course blending strategic bunkering, barrancas and views of the Santa Ynez Mountains.9.8
- Vaquero ClubTom Fazio · 2001Vaquero ClubWestlake · TexasPrivateWalk or rideMembers18 holesDesigned by Tom Fazio and opened in 2001. A private North Texas course using rolling terrain, native grasses, creeks and refined strategic bunkering.9.8
