West Virginia is known for its stunning golf courses, each offering a unique experience for avid players. As part of GOLF’s rigorous ratings process, their expert panelists identified the best golf courses in every state, including West Virginia. Pikewood National, located in Morgantown, stands out as one of the top courses in the state. Built by two mining executives with no previous design experience, Pikewood National offers a walking-only course covering seven-plus miles with major elevation changes. The course boasts 30-mile views across three different states and features a collection of world-class one-shot and three-shot holes. The relative paucity of bunkers adds to the design’s distinctiveness, making Pikewood National a must-play for golf enthusiasts.
Pete Dye in Bridgeport is another standout golf course in West Virginia. This Golden Age classic is always in pristine condition and offers a great set of template holes, including Biarritz, Alps, Eden, and Redan. The course’s quirks, such as only having two par-5s and a par-3 closer, add to its charm. The Old White course at Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, a C.B. Macdonald design, is another top course in the state. Known for its signature course and great mountain views, The Old White has hosted PGA Tour and LIV events, showcasing its quality and service excellence. Additionally, the Greenbrier Sporting Club – Snead in White Sulphur Springs and Glade Springs in Daniels are also highly regarded courses in West Virginia.
GOLF’s course rankings are determined through a rigorous process involving a fleet of expert panelists who evaluate each course based on various criteria. The panelists were provided a ballot consisting of 609 courses, and based on their rankings, the courses were categorized into different buckets. Points were assigned to each bucket, and the courses were ranked accordingly based on their aggregate score. The key to this ranking process lies in the experience and expertise of the panelists, who hail from 15 nations and have played a wide range of courses globally.
The course ranking process is intentionally simple and straightforward to produce widely lauded results. With a diverse panel of experts with extensive experience in global golf architecture, the rankings are a reflection of consensus built from a variety of perspectives. Each panelist brings their unique insights and experiences to the ranking process, ensuring a fair and balanced evaluation of each course. The nature of course rating is subjective, making it important to incorporate a diverse range of opinions to create meaningful rankings that resonate with golf enthusiasts.
To further enhance the golfing experience, golfers can benefit from tools like the Course Finder, which helps in creating the perfect itinerary for future golf trips. The Course Finder allows golfers to explore different lists, such as Top 100 public courses, best munis, best short courses, best par-3s, and more. By filtering courses based on price and location, golfers can plan their trips more efficiently and visit some of the best golf courses in the country. Additionally, GOLF’s Destination GOLF podcast provides valuable insights and recommendations for golf travel, ensuring that golfers make the most of their golfing adventures.
Overall, West Virginia boasts some of the best golf courses in the country, offering a diverse range of layouts and experiences for golf enthusiasts. From Pikewood National’s scenic and challenging course to Pete Dye’s classic design in Bridgeport, each course showcases the unique beauty and quality of golf in West Virginia. Through a meticulous ranking process led by expert panelists, GOLF provides golfers with valuable insights into the top courses in the state. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or a casual player looking to explore new courses, West Virginia’s golfing scene offers something for everyone. With tools like the Course Finder and resources like the Destination GOLF podcast, golfers can enhance their golf travels and discover the best golf destinations in the state and beyond.
