Golf Digest has compiled a list of America’s 100 Greatest Golf Holes for 2024, based on a panel of course-ranking experts judging each hole on aesthetics, challenge, uniqueness, and overall appeal. The list includes holes that didn’t exist in 1999 and others that have been renovated or reappraised. While old favorites return, the ranking represents a blend of history and architectural possibilities in stunning settings.
One surprising addition to the list is a Pete Dye masterpiece featuring an inland hole where players drive across a lagoon and navigate a challenging approach to a green by the water. Another notable hole is one considered the best par 3 by Tillinghast, with a green that appears to levitate above bunkers. Dustin Johnson made a difficult hole look easy at the 2016 U.S. Open, showcasing the challenges that other players face.
Ballyneal boasts a unique 17th hole with a lava-lamp fairway, blind side pockets, and wild greens. Eastward Ho! features adventurous terrain, exemplified by an 18th hole with blind drives over a hump and a climb back to an elevated green. The 11th hole showcases surreal topography with drives to a fluttering fairway past a trench bunker, leading to a low green set against a pond.
The allure of driving the green is a challenge at many courses, with small targets and bunkers ready to catch errant shots. Pacific Dunes offers fluid holes that transition from panoramic tees to greens nestled in dunes by the ocean. Black’s 15th hole is tough to play, with a small, elevated green perched above steep bunkers.
Palmetto’s seventh hole, remodeled by Alister MacKenzie in 1932, features an elevated putting surface against a wooded hillside. Similarities exist between holes at Cypress Point, where drives must navigate sand dunes and steep terrain to reach slender angled greens. The 11th hole at The Creek is a challenging par 3 with an island green surrounded by water.
The 18th hole at CapRock offers a thrilling finish, with players needing to carry the Snake River canyon. Spyglass Hill’s fourth hole plays through sand and ice plant near 17 Mile Drive, resembling the ninth at Cypress Point. Cypress Point’s ninth is a rare gem with a tee shot through sand dunes to a slender green on a slope.
Many holes in the ranking offer spectacular views and challenges, such as pierced greens, angled fairways, and real-world hazards that test players’ skills. From strategic par 5s to harrowing par 3s, each hole presents a unique experience for golfers. Overall, the 2024 ranking showcases the best of American golf architecture and natural landscapes.
