Top 26 Golf Courses You MUST Play in 2026
January 21, 2026
A New Year. A New Challenge. Play 26 Courses in ’26.
A new year brings fresh goals, new destinations, and many tee times waiting to be booked. For 2026, we’re making it official: Play 26 courses in ’26 — a nationwide golf challenge built for golfers who want to get more out of every round.
We’ve curated 26 must-play golf courses across the United States, all bookable on GolfNow, so no matter where you live, a bucket-list round is within driving distance. From desert favorites and mountain views to Midwest classics and Southeast staples, this list is designed to inspire road trips, weekend getaways, and unforgettable golf memories.
Play at a course you’ve never played at before, plan a few epic golf weekends, or string all these courses together for the ultimate cross-country golf road trip. However you play it, this is your sign to make 2026 your best golf year yet.
Let’s tee it up.
WEST
1. TPC Las Vegas (Las Vegas, NV)
Tour-caliber conditions and classic desert golf combine for a round that feels big from the first tee to the last green.
2. Paiute Golf Resort – Wolf Course (Las Vegas, NV)
A Pete Dye design surrounded by wide-open desert and mountain views, delivering challenge, beauty, and pristine conditions.
3. Arrowhead Golf Club (Littleton, CO)
Red rock formations frame nearly every hole. It’s one of the most visually striking rounds you’ll play anywhere.
4. Chambers Bay (University Place, WA)
Links-style layout that has hosted a U.S. Open.
SOUTHWEST & DESERT
5. McCormick Ranch Golf Club – Palm Course (Scottsdale, AZ)
Classic Scottsdale golf with water-lined holes, smooth greens, and an unbeatable location for a desert golf getaway.
6. Rancho Las Palmas Country Club (Rancho Mirage, CA)
Palm Springs resort golf at its best — playable, scenic, and always immaculately maintained.
7. PGA West – Mountain Course (La Quinta, CA)
Wide fairways, dramatic 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)
Traditional desert golf with rolling fairways and generous landing areas, perfect for scoring and soaking in the scenery.
MIDWEST
9. The Meadows at Grand Valley State University (Allendale, MI)
Wide fairways and thoughtful design make this a solid Midwest stop for a relaxed yet engaging round.
10. Headwaters Golf Club (Park Rapids, MN)
Holes shaped by natural terrain and well-placed challenges reward smart golf and scenic views.
11. Stoatin Brae at Gull Lake View (Augusta, MI)
Dynamic elevation, well-shaped greens, and scenic views make this a standout Midwest golf destination.
12. The Bull at Pinehurst Farms (Sheboygan Falls, WI)
A Jack Nicklaus design that blends big holes, beautiful scenery, and classic Midwest charm into a true bucket-list round.
NORTHEAST
13. Turning Stone – Atunyote (Verona, NY)
Championship pedigree meets resort luxury, offering pristine conditions and a layout that rewards smart shot-making.
14. Ballyowen Golf Club (Hamburg, NJ)
Links-inspired, wide-open, and incredibly fun. One of the Northeast’s most beloved public golf experiences.
15. Crystal Springs Golf Course (Hamburg, NJ)
Mountain views, dramatic elevation changes, and bold design make this a must-play for golfers in the region.
16. Plainfield West Nine (Plainfield, NJ)
Classic, traditional golf with tree-lined fairways and strategic shot values that reward patience and precision.
CAROLINAS & SOUTHEAST
17. Talamore Golf Resort (Southern Pines, NC)
Smooth greens and thoughtful routing make this a standout round in North Carolina’s Sandhills region.
18. Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club (Southern Pines, NC)
Historic, elegant, and championship-tested — this is Carolina golf at its absolute finest.
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 scenic, links-inspired layout with wide fairways and thoughtful shot values that make 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 one of Florida’s toughest, most respected tests.
22. Mission Resort & Club – El Campeon (Howey-in-the-Hills, FL)
Historic, hilly, and completely unique for Florida — a course that rewards creativity and smart course management.
23. ChampionsGate Golf Club – International at Omni Orlando Resort (ChampionsGate, FL)
Bold, links-style design with big fairways and dramatic greens, perfect for an Orlando golf trip.
TEXAS & SOUTH
24. La Cantera Golf Club (San Antonio, TX)
Rolling Hill Country terrain, scenic overlooks, and resort-style playability make this a Texas favorite.
25. The Quarry Golf Course (San Antonio, TX)
One of the most unique rounds in Texas, featuring a dramatic back nine carved into a former quarry.
26. TPC Louisiana (Avondale, LA)
A championship-caliber finale just outside New Orleans, delivering TOUR vibes and Southern flair.
Make 2026 Your Ultimate Golf Year
Twenty-six courses. Twelve months. One unforgettable challenge.
Whether you’re checking off a local favorite or planning the ultimate golf road trip, these are the courses that define why we love the game.
Book your tee times. Build your route. Play 26 courses in ’26.
