The top 26 golf courses you MUST play in 2026
New Year. A New Challenge. Play 26 courses in ’26.
A new year brings new goals, new places, and more appointments waiting to be booked. Because 2026we make it legal: Play 26 courses in ’26 – a national golf challenge designed for golfers who want to get more out of every round.
Choose us 26 must-play golf courses across the United Stateseverything bookable on GolfNowso no matter where you live, a bucket list adventure is within driving distance. From desert favorites and mountain views to Midwest classics and Southeastern staples, this list is designed to inspire road trips, weekend getaways, and unforgettable golf memories.
Play a course you’ve never played before, plan a few golf weekends, or combine all of these courses the ultimate cross-country golf trip. No matter how you play it, this is your sign to make 2026 is your best golfing year yet.
Let’s put it together.
WEST
1. TPC Las Vegas (Las Vegas, NV)
Tour-quality conditions and classic desert golf combine for a round that feels great from the first to the last green.
2. Paiute Golf Resort – Wolf Course (Las Vegas, NV)
Pete Dye’s design surrounded by open desert and mountain views, brings challenge, beauty, and pristine conditions.
3. Arrowhead Golf Club (Littleton, CO)
Red rock formations frame nearly every hole. It is one of the best looking rounds you will play anywhere.
4. Chambers Bay (University Place, WA)
A links-style structure that hosts the US Open.
SOUTH AND DESERT
5. McCormick Ranch Golf Club – Palm Course (Scottsdale, AZ)
Classic Scottsdale golf with lush holes, smooth greens, and an unbeatable desert golf getaway.
6. Rancho Las Palmas Country Club (Rancho Mirage, CA)
The Palm Springs golf resort is of the highest quality – playable, scenic, and always impeccably maintained.
7. PGA West – Mountain Course (La Quinta, CA)
Wide fairways, stunning mountain views, and classic desert design make this a must-play in the Coachella Valley.
8. Talking Stick Golf Club – O’odham Course (Scottsdale, AZ)
A traditional desert golf course with fairways and open fairways, perfect for scoring and soaking up the scenery.
MIDWEST
9. The Meadows at Grand Valley State University (Allendale, MI)
Wide roads and thoughtful design make this a stalwart Midwest stop for a relaxed yet engaging cycle.
10. Headwaters Golf Club (Park Rapids, MN)
Holes shaped by the natural landscape and well-placed challenges reward smart golf and scenic views.
11. Stoatin Brae at Gull Lake View (Augusta, MI)
High pitches, well-shaped greens, and scenic views make this a Midwest golf standout.
12. TBull at Pinehurst Farms (Sheboygan Falls, WI)
A Jack Nicklaus design that combines large holes, beautiful scenery, and classic Midwest charm into a true bucket list round.
In the northeast
13. Turning Stone – Atunyote (Verona, NY)
Championship pedigree meets resort luxury, offering pristine conditions and a structure that rewards smart shooting.
14. Ballyowen Golf Club (Hamburg, NJ)
The links are inspired, open, and incredibly fun. One of the most popular community golf courses in the Northeast.
15. Crystal Springs Golf Course (Hamburg, NJ)
Mountain views, dramatic elevation changes, and outstanding design make this a must-play for golfers in the region.
16. Plainfield West Nine (Plainfield, NJ)
Classic golf, with tree-lined fairways and significant shot values that reward patience and accuracy.
CAROLINAS AND SOUTHEAST
17. Talamore Golf Resort (Southern Pines, NC)
Smooth greens and thoughtful fairways make this a standout circuit in the Sandhills region of North Carolina.
18. Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club (Southern Pines, NC)
Historic, beautiful, and championship tested – this is Carolina golf at its best.
19. TPC Myrtle Beach (Murrells Inlet, SC)
Lowcountry golf with TOUR level conditioning and strategic design, making it a Myrtle Beach must-play.
20. Crescent Pointe Golf Club (Bluffton, SC)
A beautiful, links-inspired layout with wide fairways and thoughtful shot values makes every round enjoyable.
FLORIDA & GULF COAST
21. Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club – Copperhead Course (Palm Harbor, FL)
Home of the PGA TOUR’s Valspar Championship and Florida’s toughest, most prestigious event.
22. Mission Resort & Club – El Campeon (Howey-in-the-Hills, FL)
Historic, rugged, and completely unique to Florida – a course that rewards creativity and smart course management.
23. ChampionsGate Golf Club – International at Omni Orlando Resort (ChampionsGate, FL)
A bold, links-style design with fairways and greens, perfect for an Orlando golf outing.
TEXAS AND THE SOUTH
24. La Cantera Golf Club (San Antonio, TX)
Rolling Hill Country scenery, scenic views, and resort-style entertainment make this a Texas favorite.
25. The Quarry Golf Course (San Antonio, TX)
One of the most unique rounds in Texas, featuring a back nine carved from a former quarry.
26. TPC Louisiana (Avondale, LA)
A championship-level destination just outside of New Orleans, delivering TOUR vibes and Southern flair.
Make 2026 your last year of golf
Twenty-six lessons. Twelve months. One unforgettable challenge.
Whether you’re checking out a local favorite or planning a golf road trip, these are the courses that explain it. why we love the game.
Book your play times. Build your route. Play 26 courses in ’26.
