14 Best States for Golf Lovers Wanting To Try New Courses

According to the National Golf Foundation, over 26 million Americans played at a golf course in 2023. But you can bet your best iron that not all of them had access to plentiful golf courses.

Whether you’re planning a vacation or moving to another state, every golf buff knows the importance of having plentiful, high-quality golf courses nearby.

These are the top states for golfing based on 2023 data.

Methodology

Golf course.
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The National Golf Foundation (NGF) ran a study to determine the total number of golf courses each state has as of 2023. They also analyzed other noteworthy aspects of certain states, such as:

  • Most new courses opened and closed in 2023
  • Most courses under construction or undergoing planning
  • Most rounds played

Nevertheless, the ranking here is based solely on the states with the greatest number of golf courses. Mindfully American also pulled data from Golf Digest, highlighting their best-rated golf courses in each state.

1: Florida

Boardwalk in St. Petersburg, Florida.
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There’s a reason people call Florida the Golf Capital of the World. It has 1,262 golf courses, which is 31% more than the second-ranking state. Not only does the Sunshine State have the most golf courses, but it also ranks the best for the most rounds played and most new courses under construction.

Golf Digest ranks Seminole Golf Club as the best golf course in Florida. The Juno Beach course offers picturesque views of the ocean, with its rectangular shape following the coastline.

2: California

Tall Californian palm trees.
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Road trip lovers, rejoice. After making your rounds at the golf courses in Florida, you can head to California to try your hand at golfing in the state with the second-highest number of golf courses (961).

Cypress Point Club is Golf Digest’s best-rated golf course in California. The Pebble Beach course is famous for hosting several tournaments, although it wasn’t without conflict; it was dropped from the PGA Tour in 1990 due to failure to abide by the PGA’s anti-discriminatory guidelines.

3: Michigan

Waterfall in Michigan surrounded by fall foliage.
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Michigan doesn’t offer year-round golfing weather like Florida and California. Nevertheless, the Great Lake State ranks third for the most golf courses in the U.S., with 859 courses.

Golf Digest named Crystal Downs Country Club the best golf course in Michigan. Golfers describe the course as being short but with bite, with Crystal Downs having a zigzag nature to its fairways.

4: New York

River flowing through Adirondack Mountains in autumn.
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New York joins Michigan as a northern state offering plentiful golf course opportunities for golf enthusiasts. As of 2023, it had 833 courses. Interestingly, New York’s neighbor, New Jersey, has the lowest proportion of public golf courses, so golfers on a budget will find more public golf course options in New York State.

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton is New York’s best-rated golf course, according to Golf Digest. Shinnecock is preparing to host the U.S. Open in 2026.

5: Texas

Flowering cactus.
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The Lone Star State ranks in the top five for most golf courses in the U.S. Texan golfers have access to a respectable 821 courses.

Those with the money to splurge on Whispering Pines Golf Club have access to the best golf course in the state, based on Golf Digest’s ranking. Whispering Pines is a younger course than some of the others on this list, being founded in the early 1990s.

6: Pennsylvania

Rural Pennsylvania.
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Pennsylvania is home to 658 golf courses as of 2023. It also has one of the highest number of golfers, at over one million. It makes sense, given that it’s among the top seven most populous states.

Oakmont Country Club is Pennsylvania’s prized golf course, according to Golf Digest. Oakmount isn’t a good option for a newbie; it has tricky bunkers. Perhaps because of this, Oakmount has hosted the most U.S. Opens of any other course.

7: Ohio

Red barn surrounded by cornfields in Ohio.
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Ohio joins Pennsylvania in having over one million golfer residents. So, it’s a good thing that it has 648 golf courses for players to disperse among.

Golf Digest declared Muirfield Village Golf Club the best golf course in Ohio, with owner Jack Nicklaus being the brainpower behind it. In 2020, Muirfield Village went through a complete makeover, including rebuilding every hole.

8: Illinois

Cahokia Mounds in Illinois.
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Illinois only has two golf courses less than Ohio (646). To make things confusing for non-locals, golf is both a verb and a place in the Buckeye State; Golf is a village in Cook County.

Chicago Golf Club is the most top-rated course in Illinois, according to Golf Digest. Despite its name, Chicago Golf sits in Wheaton, which is located outside of Chicago.

9: Wisconsin

Winding road through Wisconsin countryside.
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Cows aren’t the only thing that take up lots of land in Wisconsin. The Badger State has 528 golf courses to appease its golf-loving residents.

Here’s some more good news for Wisconsin residents and visitors: Whistling Straits: Straits Course is Golf Digest’s most highly recommended golf course in the state, and it’s their first recommendation on this list that’s a public, not a private, course.

10: North Carolina

Mountain view in North Carolina.
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North Carolina is neck and neck with Wisconsin. As of 2023, it offers 521 golf courses to satisfy golfers.

Public golf course seekers, you’re in luck. Golf Digest ranks Pinehurst No. 2 as the best golf course in North Carolina. Pinehurst No. 2 is such a sought-after course that it’s scheduled to host the U.S. Open in 2024, 2029, 2035, 2041, and 2047.

11: Minnesota

Minnesota river and evergreens in state park.
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Minnesota is an ideal place for out-of-state golfers to visit, for 90% of its 477 golf courses are public. That’s significantly higher than the nation’s 73% average.

That said, Golf Digest dubbed Interlachen Country Club, a private golf course, as Minnesota’s best course. Interlachen is known for both hosting women’s professional golf and its restoration efforts.

12: Georgia

Live oak trees in Savannah, Georgia.
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Georgia offers golfers 403 courses to play on. Equally as great? Players can utilize many of its golf courses year-round.

Despite, or perhaps because of, the many changes that Augusta National Golf Club makes to its course, Golf Digest ranks it as the best golf course in Georgia. As recently as 2023, Augusta added 35 yards to their famous par-5 13th hole.

13: Arizona

Arizona canyon.
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Arizona drops into the 300s, offering 373 golf courses. But they pack a punch with their stunning geography and vistas.

The Estancia Club is Golf Digest’s top-rated golf course for Arizona. Between its desert setting and challenging uphill and downhill shots, the private Estancia course is well worth the effort for golfers who are lucky enough to play it.

14: Massachusetts

Lighthouse at sunset in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts.
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Massachusetts has as many golf courses as there are days in a year. If that sounds like a small number to you, it’s nothing compared to the state with the fewest golf courses that we’ll share next.

Golf Digest named The Country Club: The Main Course in Brookline as Massachusetts’ best place to play golf. Matthew Fitzpatrick won the U.S. Open at The Country Club in 2022.

State With the Fewest Golf Courses

Flowers in Alaska.
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Alaska has the fewest golf courses in the nation, with only 20 courses. It’s also the only state that offers 100% public golf courses.

Should you find yourself wanting to golf in Alaska, Golf Digest recommends doing so at Moose Run Golf Course: Creek. The course, located in Fort Richardson, is the northernmost 36-hole facility in the U.S.

Most to Least Expensive States To Retire

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Are you hoping to settle down in a cheaper state during retirement so you can spend more money on golfing? These are the states to consider and, equally important, those you’re better off avoiding.

Most to Least Expensive States to Retire Ranked From 1 to 50

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