When the century began, golf course design and development were in a very different place.
Hundreds of new courses were opening annually, including dozens of stand-alone, upscale daily-fee facilities (sometimes termed “country clubs for a day”), a segment of new construction that’s all but extinct today.
The industry was coming off a blockbuster decade in which the top private courses, resorts and real estate developments were distinguished by the size of their budgets and up-market aspirations exemplified by everything from marquee clubhouses to ornate landscaping to fleets of state-of-the-art golf carts.
The architectural field in 2000 was broad, with the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, Tom Weiskopf, Rees Jones, Robert Trent Jones II, Arnold Palmer, Arthur Hills, Greg Norman, Pete Dye, Bobby Weed, Steve Smyers, Bob Cupp, Keith Foster, Mike Strantz, Jim Engh and others all competing for the most prestigious national jobs. Even regional architects in Y2K could count on a steady stream of new course work.
And in the background, a counterculture of hands-in-the-dirt, old world designers like Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, Tom Doak, Gil Hanse, David McLay Kidd and Mike DeVries were beginning to make noise.
The story of the 25 years since is one of inversion.
New course construction cratered during the recession of 2010, and even 15 years later it’s remarkable if 10 entirely new courses open in a year. Architectural focus has shifted to quality over quantity, with developers emphasizing great land over great budgets and pure golfing experiences over pure extravagance.
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Real estate development courses, the backbone of the industry in the 1990s and early 2000s, also died, though there are signs of revival in Texas and Florida. Most of the vital work remains in remodels and renovations, the vast majority for private clubs, and the big-name firms of the aughts all downsized and remain smaller businesses, if they’re active at all.
And now the most sought-after names in architecture are those former outsider auteurs: Coore, Doak, Hanse, Kidd.
All of these trends are revealed as we look back over the last quarter century of the Golf Digest America’s 100 Greatest Courses rankings. We roared into the century in one architectural paradigm and find ourselves now in another. The residual power of traditional upscale clubs and resorts—specifically those from the aughts—continue to hold sway in our rankings, but no one then could have predicted how people would travel enthusiastically and at supreme cost to strange, desolate, sandy landscapes where it would have been laughable to build golf on 25 years ago.
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To determine the 50 Greatest Courses of the 21st Century, we analyzed the 105 new courses that appeared on our America’s 100 Greatest and America’s Second 100 Greatest Courses ranking since 2001 (the rankings are published in odd years, and we expanded our list to 200 courses for the first time in 2013).
Next, we determined the average ranking of each of them over its tenure, so if a course appeared twice, once at No. 170 and once at No. 190, its ranking average would be 180. The lower the average ranking, the closer to the top of the list it appears.
It’s also important for relevancy to consider each course’s ranking trajectory. Some designs came into the 100 Greatest hot and then witnessed a tempering of excitement, and others have become appreciated only more recently. We’ve applied a Heat Index value to each design to reflect how courses are being scored in 2026 compared to how they were scored initially, tracking who is trending upward and who is not.
To make that calculation, we measured the overall movement from the course’s initial ranking to its current ranking. Points were added to courses that have fallen in the rankings (resulting in a higher total score, and thus a lower ranking), and points were subtracted for courses that have risen.
The more a course has risen, the more it benefits. Designs that have gained 5 to 10 places overall in the America’s 100/200 Greatest ranking since their inclusion received a reduction of 10 points from their average ranking (remember, the lower the score the better). We cut 15 points for courses that jumped 11 to 20 positions, and so on.
RISING HEAT INDEX
Ranking increase 0-4: 0 points
5-10: -10 points
11-20: -15
20-30: -20
+31: -25
We applied a similar scale in the reverse for courses that have fallen in the ranking, though have been more lenient to those that have lost ground since competition increases over time.
Ranking decrease 0-4: 0 points
5-10: +5
11-20: +10
21-30: +15
31+: +20
Courses that have fallen out of the top 200: +30
The final tabulation factors each course’s average ranking over its tenure on the 100 Greatest list together with its positive or negative momentum.
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The results reflect how our course ranking panelists have viewed each course generally over the course of the last 25 years as well as where they see things now—a historical record of the 21st century alongside a more concentrated estimation of the architecture that’s most relevant today.
Charlestown, R.I.
Michael Hurdzan & Dana Fry (2005)
Rankings: 4, 2019 to current
Initial Ranking: 177
Current: 153
Average: 164
Heat Index: -20
Total Score: 144
Bradenton, Fla.
Jack Nicklaus & Tony Jacklin (2006)
Rankings: 7, 2013 to current
Initial Ranking: 105
Current: 127
Average: 128.3
Heat Index: +15
Total Score: 143.3
The Dye Course at White Oak
Yulee, Fla.
Pete Dye & Allan MacCurrach (2020)
Rankings: 2, 2023 to current
Initial Ranking: 142
Current: 143
Average: 142.5
Heat Index: 0
Total Score: 142.5
Carson City, Nev.
Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw (2009)
Rankings: 2, 2023 to current
Initial Ranking: 131
Current: 137
Average: 134
Heat Index: +5
Total Score: 139
Kiawah Island, S.C.
Tom Watson & Bob Gibbons (2000)
Rankings: 9, 2007-2010; 2013 to current
Initial Ranking: 98
Current: 198
Average: 119
Heat Index: +20
Total Score: 139
University Place, Wash.
Robert Trent Jones, Jr. & Bruce Charlton (2007)
Rankings: 7, 2013 to current
Initial Ranking: 121
Current: 132
Average: 128.3
Heat Index: +10
Total Score: 138.3
Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw (2012)
Rankings: 6, 2015 to current
Initial Ranking: 100
Current: 133
Average: 115.3
Heat Index: +20
Total Score: 135.3
Graniteville, S.C.
Tom Fazio (2001)
Rankings: 8, 2005-2011; 2013-2017; 2023
Initial Ranking: 78
Current: OFF
Average: 105.1
Heat Index: +30
Total Score: 135.1
Courtesy of Jeffrey R. Bertch
Nekoosa, Wis.
Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw (2017)
Rankings: 4, 2019 to current
Initial Ranking: 110
Current: 134
Average: 118
Heat Index: +15
Total Score: 133
Aiken, S.C.
Brian Schneider & Blake Conant (2023)
Rankings: 1, 2025-2026
Initial Ranking: 131
Heat Index: 0
Total Score: 131
Aiken, S.C.
Kye Goalby, Zac Blair & Tom Doak (2023)
Rankings: 1, 2025-2026
Initial Ranking: 130
Heat Index: 0
Total Score: 130
The Dye Course at French Lick
Pete Dye (2009)
Rankings: 7, 2013 to current
Initial Ranking: 93
Current: 129
Average: 109.1
Heat Index: +20
Total Score: 129.1
Cashiers, N.C.
Tom Fazio (2006)
Rankings: 8, 2011 to current
Initial Ranking: 74
Current: 116
Average: 99.5
Heat Index: +20
Total Score: 119.5
Santa Rosa, Calif.
Jack Nicklaus (2001)
Rankings: 11, 2005 to current
Initial Ranking: 67
Current: 147
Average: 98
Heat Index: +20
Total Score: 118
Courtesy of Eagle Point GC
Wilmington, N.C.
Tom Fazio (2000)
Rankings: 9, 2009 to current
Initial Ranking: 83
Current: 119
Average: 91.7
Heat Index: +20
Total Score: 111.7
The Covey at Big Easy Ranch
Brian Oar
Columbus, Texas
Chet Williams (2023)
Rankings: 1, 2025-2026
Initial Ranking: 111
Heat Index: 0
Total Score: 111
Joann Dost/Courtesy of The Preserve GC
Carmel, Calif.
Tom Fazio, Michael Poellet & Sandy Tatum (2000)
Rankings: 11, 2005 to current
Initial Ranking: 83
Current: 115
Average: 90.9
Heat Index: +10
Total Score: 110.9
Mike DeVries (2001)
Rankings: 7, 2013 to current
Initial Ranking: 114
Current: 109
Average: 119.1
Heat Index: -10
Total Score: 109.1
Courtesy of Randy O’Rourke
La Quinta, Calif.
Tom Fazio (2006)
Rankings: 6, 2015 to current
Initial Ranking: 131
Current: 123
Average: 117.1
Heat Index: -10
Total Score: 107.1
Courtesy of Evan Schiller
Tom Doak (2005)
Rankings: 6, 2013-2015; 2019 to current
Initial Ranking: 166
Current: 117
Average: 131.7
Heat Index: -25
Total Score: 106.7
Rob Perry/Courtesy of The Golf Club at Blackrock
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Jim Engh (2003)
Rankings: 9, 2009 to current
Initial Ranking: 27
Current: 160
Average: 85.7
Heat Index: +20
Total Score: 105.7
Courtesy of Evan Schiller
Teton Village, Wyo.
Tom Fazio (2009)
Rankings: 5, 2017 to current
Initial Ranking: 123
Current: 104
Average: 114.6
Heat Index: -15
Total Score: 99.8
Parker, Colo.
Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw (2006)
Rankings: 7, 2013 to current
Initial Ranking: 131
Current: 105
Average: 118.3
Heat Index: -20
Total Score: 98.3
Courtesy of Laurence Lambrecht
Bristol, Va.
Bobby Weed (2000)
Rankings: 6, 2015 to current
Initial Ranking: 128
Current: 103
Average: 110.8
Heat Index: -15
Total Score: 95.8
Courtesy of Diamond Creek GC
Banner Elk, N.C.
Tom Fazio (2003)
Rankings: 8, 2011 to current
Initial Ranking: 87
Current: 95
Average: 88.5
Heat Index: +5
Total Score: 93.5
Courtesy of Dallas National GC
Tom Fazio (2002)
Rankings: 11, 2005 to current
Initial Ranking: 65
Current: 96
Average: 67
Heat Index: +20
Total Score: 87
Nile Young Photography/Courtesy of Arcadia Bluffs GC
Rick Smith & Warren Henderson (2000)
Rankings: 10, 2010 to current
Initial Ranking: 56
Current: 102
Average: 66.8
Heat Index: +20
Total Score: 86.8
Hingham, Mass.
Gil Hanse & Jim Wagner (2004)
Rankings: 8, 2011 to current
Initial Ranking: T-89
Current: 91
Average: 84
Heat Index: 0
Total Score: 84
Thermal, Calif.
Gil Hanse & Jim Wagner (2023)
Rankings: 1, 2025-2026
Initial Ranking: 83
Heat Index: 0
Total Score: 83
Marshall, Ill.
Bob Lohman & Mike Benkusky (2004)
Rankings: 9, 2009 to current
Initial Ranking: 42
Current: 86
Average: 61.8
Heat Index: +20
Total Score: 81.8
LC Lambrecht/Courtesy of Calusa Pines GC
Naples, Fla.
Michael Hurdzan & Dana Fry (2001)
Rankings: 10, 2007 to current
Initial Ranking: 71
Current: 68
Average: 80.1
Heat Index: 0
Total Score: 80.1
Bandon, Ore.
Tom Doak & Jim Urbina (2010)
Rankings: 7, 2013 to current
Initial Ranking: 49
Current: 81
Average: 58.6
Heat Index: +30
Total Score: 78.6
Manakin-Sabot, Va.
Lester George & Vinnie Giles (2001)
Rankings: 11, 2005 to current
Initial Ranking: 33
Current: 79
Average: 54.6
Heat Index: +20
Total Score: 74.6
Valentine, Neb.
Gil Hanse & Jim Wagner (2021)
Rankings: 1, 2025-2026
Initial Ranking: 72
Heat Index: 0
Total Score: 72
As was the case with their Ohoopee Match Club, it was never a matter of if Hanse and Wagner’s CapRock would crash the 100 Greatest ranking, only when and where. It nudged their Ladera design in the mutual debuts of both courses by nine spots, but that’s just for now. The competition between this layout on a stunning, natural canyon-side site and the other on a completely created flat desert property will be one to watch for the next decade.
Nekoosa, Wisc.
Tom Doak, based on an original design by C.B. Macdonald (2023)
Rankings: 1, 2025-2026
Initial Ranking: 69
Heat Index: 0
Total Score: 69
Deer Lodge, Mont.
Tom Doak (2008)
Rankings: 7, 2013 to current
Initial Ranking: 119
Current: 65
Average: 92.9
Heat Index: -25
Total Score: 67.9
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
David McLay Kidd (2003)
Rankings: 2, 2023 to current
Initial Ranking: 49
Current: 59
Average: 54
Heat Index: +5
Total Score: 59
Bandon, Ore.
Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw (2005)
Rankings: 9, 2009 to current
Initial Ranking: 80
Current: 61
Average: 68.8
Heat Index: -15
Total Score: 53.8
Plymouth, Mass.
Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw (2005)
Rankings: 8, 2011 to current
Initial Ranking: T-89
Current: 73
Average: 68.1
Heat Index: -15
Total Score: 53.1
Southampton, N.Y.
Tom Doak & Jack Nicklaus (2005)
Rankings: 8, 2011 to current
Initial Ranking: 39
Current: 51
Average: 41.8
Heat Index: +10
Total Score: 51.8
Explore Golf Digest’s new Course Reviews section where you can submit a star rating and evaluation on all the courses you’ve played. We’ve collected tens of thousands of reviews from our course-ranking panelists to deliver a premium experience, which includes course rankings, experts’ opinions, bonus course photography, videos and much more. Check it out here!
Trinity, Texas
Chet Williams (2000)
Rankings: 7, 2013 to current
Initial Ranking: 75
Current: 66
Average: 60.6
Heat Index: -10
Total Score: 50.6
Erin, Wis.
Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry & Ron Whitten (2006)
Rankings: 6, 2015 to current
Initial Ranking: 42
Current: 49
Average: 45.1
Heat Index: +5
Total Score: 50.1
Evan Schiller/Courtesy of the club
Roland, Ark.
Tom Fazio (2004)
Rankings: 8, 2011 to current
Initial Ranking: 14
Current: 37
Average: 28
Heat Index: +15
Total Score: 43
Harrison, Idaho
Tom Fazio (2007)
Rankings: 7, 2013 to current
Initial Ranking: 27
Current: 43
Average: 32.6
Heat Index: +10
Total Score: 42.6
James Haefner Photography, Inc.
Ridgeland, S.C.
Tom Fazio (2018)
Rankings: 3, 2021 to current
Initial Ranking: 39
Current: 40
Average: 40.3
Heat Index: 0
Total Score: 40.3
Cobbtown, Ga.
Gil Hanse & Jim Wagner (2019)
Rankings: 2, 2023 to current
Initial Ranking: 34
Current: 36
Average: 35
Heat Index: 0
Total Score: 35
Holyoke, Colo.
Tom Doak (2006)
Rankings: 8, 2011 to current
Initial Ranking: 95
Current: 34
Average: 54.6
Heat Index: -25
Total Score: 29.6
Morgantown, W. Va.
Robert Gwynne & John Raese (2009)
Rankings: 7, 2013 to current
Initial Ranking: 45
Current: 31
Average: 37.6
Heat Index: -15
Total Score: 22.6
Baiting Hollow, N.Y.
Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw (2002)
Rankings: 8, 2011 to current
Initial Ranking: 34
Current: 14
Average: 20.5
Heat Index: -15
Total Score: 5.5
Bandon, Ore.
Tom Doak (2001)
Rankings: 12, 2003 to current
Initial Ranking: 47
Current: 23
Average: 20.5
Heat Index: -20
Total Score: .5
date: 2026-02-14 19:02:00
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