GOLF’s Course Raters and Ran Morrissett, Architecture Editor conducted a ratings process to identify the best golf courses in every state for the Top 100 Courses in the U.S. and Top 100 Courses You Can Play rankings. The ratings process involves a fleet of expert panelists who have extensive experience and expertise in golf course architecture. The rankings are determined based on a ballot that includes 609 courses categorized into different buckets, with points assigned to each bucket based on panelist votes. The panelists come from 15 nations and have played numerous courses worldwide, bringing a diverse range of perspectives to the ratings process. This ensures that the rankings are based on a consensus of expert opinions rather than individual preferences.
The newly released rankings include the Top 100 Courses in the U.S., Top 100 Courses You Can Play, Top 100 Value Courses in the U.S., America’s Best Municipal Courses, and The 100 Best Short Courses in the World. Golf enthusiasts can use the Course Finder tool to browse through these rankings and create their own itineraries for future golf trips. The tool allows for filtering by price, course type, and location to help golfers find the perfect courses to play. Additionally, the Destination GOLF podcast offers travel inspiration and tips for golfers looking to explore new courses and destinations.
The best golf courses in Arkansas for 2024/2025 have been identified, with The Alotian Club in Roland, The Blessings in Fayetteville, and Texarkana in Texarkana among the top-ranked courses. The rankings include symbols denoting courses that are considered Top 100 Courses in the U.S., Top 100 You Can Play in the U.S., and Top 100 Value Course in the U.S., as well as whether a course is public/resort. The Country Club of Little Rock in Little Rock and Hot Springs CC – Arlington in Hot Springs are also featured in the rankings.
The ratings process is intentionally simple and straightforward, aiming to produce results that are widely acclaimed by the golfing community. The key to the process lies in the experience and expertise of the panelists, who have a keen eye for golf course architecture regionally and globally. The diverse backgrounds and extensive playing experience of the panelists ensure that the rankings reflect a broad consensus of expert opinions rather than a single perspective. The ranking process is designed to incorporate this diversity and build meaningful consensus among the panelists.
For golfers looking to improve their game on their home course, Green Books from 8AM Golf affiliate GolfLogix are recommended. These custom Green Books provide detailed information about the greens, helping players navigate and strategize their shots effectively. Whether planning a future golf trip or looking to enhance performance on the course, the rankings and resources available from GOLF’s Course Raters and Ran Morrissett offer valuable insights and recommendations for golf enthusiasts seeking new experiences and challenges on the green.
