Best golf areas people never mention

[Robbiez111]

Looking to take a golf trip with some buddies. Think we all know about the fan favorites. Looking for the towns/areas not talked about.

 

Im from buffalo and can recommend taking a trip here. With plenty of good public courses in buffalo, rochester and just over the border its definitely a destination of good golf that wont break the bank.

 

What else is out there……?

[Dancin]

Denver has a plethora of very good public courses within an hour or less of it at various price points

Commonground

Riverdale Dunes

Walnut Creek

Murphy Creek

Fox Hollow/Homestead

Highland Meadows

Todd Creek

Broadlands

Colorado National

Marianna Butte

 

Higher End and more expensive:

Fossil Trace
The Ridge at Castle Pines North

Bear Dance

Red Hawk Ridge

Raindance

TPC Colorado

[david.c.w]

I am not sure if it is a secret or nobody talks about it, but Northern Michigan is amazing in the summer.  Abundant, reasonably priced courses with awesome weather.  I think hardcore golfers know about it, but 90%+ have never even thought about it being a golf mecca.

[Golferpaul]

We just got back from St George, Utah. Wonderful golf courses.

 

 

One of my favorites is Reynolds Lake Oconee.  They have five good courses at competitive rates.

[SilverBullets]

St. George, Utah

 

West Virginia - Multiple different cities have really nice destination golf resorts.  Obviously, Greenbrier in the southern part of the state but then there's Olgebay up in Wheeling.  Glade Spings has a good course or too as well.  All of them are very cost effective comapred to other parts of the country 

 

 

[cubuffs]

1 hour ago, Dancin said:

Denver has a plethora of very good public courses within an hour or less of it at various price points

Commonground

Riverdale Dunes

Walnut Creek

Murphy Creek

Fox Hollow/Homestead

Highland Meadows

Todd Creek

Broadlands

Colorado National

Marianna Butte

 

Higher End and more expensive:

Fossil Trace
The Ridge at Castle Pines North

Bear Dance

Red Hawk Ridge

Raindance

TPC Colorado

 

Beat me to it, as I was going to mention that Denver has so much good golf on the front range, you could easliy arrange a 2 week trip and still not hit all of the compelling options.  Headed back out there to visit my Mother this Summer and my boys and I are excited to get 3-4 rounds in.  

[ESOX ZO]

An area near me that often gets overlooked with good conditioned courses is the Lake Geneva area. 

 

Grand Geneva - Brute/Highlands

Geneva National - Palmer/Player/Trevino 

Hawk's View - my favorite of the bunch

 

Edited: Grammar 

Edited May 9 by ESOX ZO

[ESOX ZO]

1 hour ago, Dancin said:

Denver has a plethora of very good public courses within an hour or less of it at various price points

Commonground

Riverdale Dunes

Walnut Creek

Murphy Creek

Fox Hollow/Homestead

Highland Meadows

Todd Creek

Broadlands

Colorado National

Marianna Butte

 

Higher End and more expensive:

Fossil Trace
The Ridge at Castle Pines North

Bear Dance

Red Hawk Ridge

Raindance

TPC Colorado

Enjoyed Marianna Butte, any other recommendations around that price point and area? Our good friends live in Loveland and we visit every other year for a quick weekend getaway. 

[kiawah]

The general area around Columbus has some pretty good public golf

[Argonne69]

Having golfed in 48 states now, the one area that always gets overlooked is Chicago. Wisconsin and Michigan rightfully get people excited with numerous top ranked courses, but Chicago is a great summer tourist destination that also happens to have a ton a really good, but not great, courses. There are probably 150 public courses within an hour of downtown. More than 200 if you venture out 90 minutes from The Loop. 

 

The Glen Club, Cog Hill Dubsdread, Prairie Landing, Cantigny, Mistwood, The Preserve, Highlands of Elgin, Blackstone, Bowes Creek, Harborside Port and Starboard, Thunderhawk, Pine Meadow, and Stonewall Orchard would make my short list. There are a couple dozen more local tracks that are very playable, but don't quite make the short list. 

 

[SkolChicago]

24 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

Having golfed in 48 states now, the one area that always gets overlooked is Chicago. Wisconsin and Michigan rightfully get people excited with numerous top ranked courses, but Chicago is a great summer tourist destination that also happens to have a ton a really good, but not great, courses. There are probably 150 public courses within an hour of downtown. More than 200 if you venture out 90 minutes from The Loop. 

 

The Glen Club, Cog Hill Dubsdread, Prairie Landing, Cantigny, Mistwood, The Preserve, Highlands of Elgin, Blackstone, Bowes Creek, Harborside Port and Starboard, Thunderhawk, Pine Meadow, and Stonewall Orchard would make my short list. There are a couple dozen more local tracks that are very playable, but don't quite make the short list. 

 

Highlands of Elgin is one of my favorite tracks full stop. I remembered every hole after playing it just once. Fantastic layout

[mat562]

Nottinghamshire/Yorkshire/Lincolnshire.

 

Hollinwell, Sherwood Forest, Worksop, Lindrick, Alwoodley, Moortown, Fulford, Ganton, Woodhall Spa and many more.

[SilverBullets]

1 hour ago, kiawah said:

The general area around Columbus has some pretty good public golf

Idk that I agree lol 

 

Outside of Longaberger, the public course market in Columbus is made up of a few pretty solid but unmemorable courses OR a bunch of run of the mill publics.  That was actually my big issue with the golf scene in Columbus.  They have an incredible Private club selection.  The private clubs range from the ultra exclusive and top 100 in the US down to pretty blue collar and budget friendly... and all of them are good.  In fact, I'd argue even the much lower cost privates (like Hickory Hills, York, Little Turtle, etc.) are better than basically every public course outside of Longaberger.

 

Longaberger is probably the only public course in the top 30 in the city.  

[Seamus_MacDuff]

Bend, Oregon is a great spot and generally overlooked nationally due to Bandon being a few hours away.

 

Machrihanish, Scotland is where I'd go.  World Top 100 course that you can join for an annual cost of only £407.  A little more expensive to get there, but golf costs are cheap if you join and play once or twice a day for a week. It's a course you could never tire of, though David Kidd's Machrihanish Dunes is right next door as well.

Edited May 9 by Seamus_MacDuff

[Dancin]

2 hours ago, ESOX ZO said:

Enjoyed Marianna Butte, any other recommendations around that price point and area? Our good friends live in Loveland and we visit every other year for a quick weekend getaway. 

It's a little more expensive than Marianna Butte, but Highland Meadows is a better design than MB and about 20 minutes from Loveland. Ute Creek in Longmont is similar in price to MB and pretty good too and 25 minutes away; although, it was a lot better before all the houses went in around it.

[chinaski]

7 hours ago, david.c.w said:

I am not sure if it is a secret or nobody talks about it, but Northern Michigan is amazing in the summer.  Abundant, reasonably priced courses with awesome weather.  I think hardcore golfers know about it, but 90%+ have never even thought about it being a golf mecca.

 

Are you talking about the UP or mainland state? Both great, just curious. 

[Argonne69]

3 minutes ago, chinaski said:

 

Are you talking about the UP or mainland state? Both great, just curious. 

 

Must he talking about the mitten. I found the UP to he rather disappointing. Greywalls was excellent, and Sage Run and TimberStone were fun, but otherwise it was meh. 

 

[chinaski]

12 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

 

Must he talking about the mitten. I found the UP to he rather disappointing. Greywalls was excellent, and Sage Run and TimberStone were fun, but otherwise it was meh. 

 

Yes, Greywalls is easily the best. Timberstone is pretty good. Sweetwater isn't bad either. I hate casinios, but its a great value for a stay and play.

 

I'll add Northern michigan mainland is more fun outside of golf as well. Traverse City and the West coast are fantastic in summer. Been planning a trip to Arcadia Bluffs for awhile, just haven't made it yet. 

Edited May 9 by chinaski

[ND2005]

I don’t think it’s a secret to golfers, but when I tell my non-golfer friends I’m going on vacation to Nebraska they look at me like I am crazy. 

[Chanceman]

New England.

Taconic, Farm Neck, Pine Hills, George Wright, Red Tail, Crumpin Fox, Cape Arundel, Belgrade Lakes and plenty more.

[david.c.w]

12 hours ago, chinaski said:

 

Are you talking about the UP or mainland state? Both great, just curious. 

I have never been to the UP, so cannot comment.  Thinking about places in Gaylord and Roscommon area.  I know the Boyne area has tons as well although not sure how much there is private.  

 

I just booked my flight to celebrate my friend's 50th at Kingsley Club!  I try to go to MIchigan anytime there is an opportunity.

[Robbiez111]

Wow this is great info! Think this forum needs more of this. Always reading about the same 10 or so golf destinations. 
 

Man Denver seems like a no brainer. Some quality courses and fair prices. 

[alittleoverpar]

20 hours ago, Dancin said:

Denver has a plethora of very good public courses within an hour or less of it at various price points

Commonground

Riverdale Dunes

Walnut Creek

Murphy Creek

Fox Hollow/Homestead

Highland Meadows

Todd Creek

Broadlands

Colorado National

Marianna Butte

 

Higher End and more expensive:

Fossil Trace
The Ridge at Castle Pines North

Bear Dance

Red Hawk Ridge

Raindance

TPC Colorado

 

I had a chance to play the Ridge at Castle Pines a few years ago.  Great course!

 

 

[Dancin]

2 hours ago, Robbiez111 said:

Wow this is great info! Think this forum needs more of this. Always reading about the same 10 or so golf destinations. 
 

Man Denver seems like a no brainer. Some quality courses and fair prices. 

3 years ago the prices were a lot less too. Most of those in my first list were in the $40s to walk. They overbuilt the courses here in the 90s and early 2000s, so people living here got an amazing deal for 15 years or so. Prices started rising quickly about 4 years ago, but still a good deal compared to other major cities.
There are also many other courses I didn't list as I view them as not quite as good designs/poorer conditioning or overpriced for what they are, but a lot of people would be very happy with them.

[Drwoods2017]

It's sort of talked about but wiliamsburg in virginia has a ton of good golf that's decently priced. Pawleys Island probably falls into the myrtle beach area but I like it a lot better than myrtle. Quieter and has better courses IMO. 

[Robbiez111]

12 minutes ago, Drwoods2017 said:

It's sort of talked about but wiliamsburg in virginia has a ton of good golf that's decently priced. Pawleys Island probably falls into the myrtle beach area but I like it a lot better than myrtle. Quieter and has better courses IMO. 

Yea heard good things about williamsburg and virginia in general.
 

Buddy went to frederick md and said had lots of great courses in area. Was going to head there for a fall trip but might just keep heading down south to williamsburg….

Edited May 10 by Robbiez111

[Dave Saylor]

Indy is solid

 

Brickyard

Purgatory

Bearslide

Prairie View

Fort

Trophy Club

 

Few others I have not played also not that far from the Purdue courses and Coyote Crossings.  All of these were pretty fair prices minus the Brickyard.  I'm from Michigan and their are plenty of great spots there as well, but I really liked the variety that Indy has to offer over the northern mich courses.  I would also 2nd the Pawleys Island.  Milwaukee area has some really good courses as well, even if you take away the big boys (Erin Hills, Khohler courses), Washington County, Bog, Bull, Fire Ridge, 

[Gdane]

Instagram has helped spread the word recently, but for me its the UP of Michigan and specifically the perfect 4some trip.  Greywalls is such unique piece of property with massive scale, rock outcroppings and views of Lake Superior. Sweetgrass may be the best-conditioned public I've ever set foot on and has some truly memorable par 3's including a biarritz and an island green.  Timberstone was the unanimous 3rd favorite course of the trip but is true northern Michigan ski mountain golf.

 

The trip requires a bit of driving but is the best prime-season deal in golf that I have stumbled upon.  Looking forward to heading back in 2025 to check out Sage Run for the first time.

[StoutKing]

1 minute ago, Gdane said:

Instagram has helped spread the word recently, but for me its the UP of Michigan and specifically the perfect 4some trip.  Greywalls is such unique piece of property with massive scale, rock outcroppings and views of Lake Superior. Sweetgrass may be the best-conditioned public I've ever set foot on and has some truly memorable par 3's including a biarritz and an island green.  Timberstone was the unanimous 3rd favorite course of the trip but is true northern Michigan ski mountain golf.

 

The trip requires a bit of driving but is the best prime-season deal in golf that I have stumbled upon.  Looking forward to heading back in 2025 to check out Sage Run for the first time.

Yes.  Plus Michigan has the best conditioned courses I've ever played.  Easy to grow grass there.

[Primo1868]

I think Brainerd, MN and Traverse City, MI are both good examples of places most people overlook when booking a trip. Both places have affordable lodging, good to great golf, and wonderful extracurriculars.