When looking for the best golf courses in the United States, one can turn to Golfweek’s Best ranking of the top Modern courses, which showcases the top layouts for 2024. Among the top 100 layouts for that year, five newly opened courses have earned a spot on the list. These courses offer a mix of private, resort, and municipal layouts, providing options for golfers of all preferences, especially those who enjoy traveling and experiencing top-tier courses.
Golfweek’s course-ratings panel evaluates courses based on 10 criteria and assigns a rating on a scale of 1 to 10. These ratings are then averaged to determine the overall ranking of each course. The best courses in the world typically have an average rating above 9, while other excellent layouts fall into the high-6 to 8 range. To be included in the premium modern list, a course must be played by at least 25 raters, which can take several years for new layouts to achieve. This explains why some newly built courses from 2021 only appeared on the 2024 ranking.
One of the top five courses in the 2024 Modern rankings is the Black Desert Resort in Utah, designed by Tom Weiskopf and Phil Smith, with an average rating of 7.19. The Park West Palm in Florida, designed by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner, also made the list with an average rating of 7.23. The Dye Course at White Oak in Florida, designed by Pete Dye, earned a rating of 7.26. Another notable course is The Lido at Sand Valley in Wisconsin, designed by Charles Blair Macdonald, Tom Doak, and Brian Schneider, with an average rating of 7.63. Finally, Caprock Ranch in Nebraska, designed by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner, received a rating of 7.92.
The Black Desert Resort in Utah has been recognized as the No. 1 public-access course in Utah and the No. 26 resort course in the U.S. The Park West Palm in Florida is the No. 5 public-access course in the state. The Dye Course at White Oak in Florida is the No. 6 private course in the state. The Lido at Sand Valley in Wisconsin has been designated as the No. 2 public-access course in the state and the No. 13 resort course in the U.S. Caprock Ranch in Nebraska holds the title of No. 2 private club in the state.
These top five courses offer a mix of designs, landscapes, and challenges for golfers seeking a memorable and enjoyable experience on the course. Whether you prefer a resort-style layout, a municipal course, or a private club setting, these newly opened courses provide a variety of options for golf enthusiasts looking to explore the best offerings in the U.S. Be sure to check out these top-ranking courses and consider adding them to your list of must-play destinations for your next golfing adventure.
