When considering states known for excellent golfing, sunny destinations such as California and Florida, as well as prestigious states like New York, often come to mind. Wisconsin is the top state for public golf courses.
Wisconsin received the trophy in Golf Digest’s latest ranking of the top states for public golf, which was published over the weekend. According to the magazine, some states prioritize public access to excellent courses, while elite private clubs are more prevalent in other states.
Wisconsin golf courses accounted for 10% of the top 100 best public golf courses according to Golf Digest. Four out of the top 20 included them:
- Whistling Straits: Straits course (#4)
- Erin Hills (#10)
- Sand Valley Golf Resort: Sand Valley (#17)
- Blackwolf Run: River course (#18)
- Sand Valley Golf Resort: Mammoth Dunes (#26)
- Sentryworld (#52)
- Whistling Straits: Irish course (#56)
- The Golf Courses of Lawsonia: Links (#62)
- Blackwolf Run: Meadow Valleys (#74)
- The Bull at Pinehurst Farms (#88)
Michigan and California both have 9 public-access courses in the top 100, putting them in a tie for 2nd place. California ranked as the top state for golf due to its combination of public and private courses. There were 21 public greens and private country clubs that made it to the top 200 courses in the country. Wisconsin and Pennsylvania both ranked 10th for their overall golf performance.
