Best of 2018: Top 25 golf course layouts in the U.S.

Architect: Pete Dye, Tim Liddy
What they're saying: "The Fort is my favorite layout in Indianapolis. I love the rustic feel and the state park being all around you." - HoosierHacker89

Farmingdale, N.Y. | Read reviews
Architect: A.W. Tillinghast, Rees Jones
What they're saying: "I’ve never been so happy and miserable at the same time on a golf course. It’s long, so long, and unforgiving — the rough is brutal and even the first cut isn’t gentle." - MJS64

Grayslake, Ill. | Read reviews
Architect: Arthur Hills
What they're saying: "I've read that Arthur Hills combines working with the natural beauty of the land, taking advantage of the natural contours, minimizing earth moving, all while keeping the strategy of the golf game always in mind. This is evident at Stonewall Orchard." - EricTee

Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. | Read reviews
Architect: Pete Dye
What they're saying: "I can’t overstate how much water comes into play on this course. More than any course I’ve played and seemingly on every hole. I recorded a water hazard penalty on 7 different holes during my round and I lucked out of a couple others." - Back9Ben, Golf Advisor Top 25 Contributor

Merry Hill, N.C. | Read reviews
Architect: Arnold Palmer
What they're saying: "Most holes are exposed to the elements, so club selection is a premium as well as the ability to flight the ball. It's not overly long for a par 72, although the wind on the back nine - especially in the afternoon - can lengthen many holes substantially." - hauserj85

Batavia, Ohio | Read reviews
Architect: Jeff Osterfeld
What they're saying: "The layout of the course is really nice, a great variety of holes and challenging from the gold tees." - Tony8873709

Waverly, Iowa | Read reviews
What they're saying: "This course is a gem. Great layout, fun holes with interesting challenges. I’m a single handicapper and with fairly low difficulty, this course gives you plenty of birdie chances." - dwoods1688

Laconia, Ind. | Read reviews
Architect: Bill Bergin
What they're saying: "How beautiful. Course layout and hole designs are first rate." - James8936871

Burkesville, Ky. | Read reviews
Architect: Brian Ault
What they're saying: "The best state park that I have ever played! The course is playable for all levels from the three times a year golfer to the three times a week golfer." - Ajwhite60

Saucier, Miss. | Read reviews
Architect: Jack Nicklaus
What they're saying: "It never fails to challenge you and the different pin placements are all pretty tough. If you are looking for a challenge and really nice course this is it. Just a little tip for this course - Stay on the Fairway because the rough is thick and will hurt you." - bobbyfoskey

New Philadelphia, Ohio | Read reviews
Architect: John Robinson
What they're saying: "Nice layout with elevation change. Enough water to keep it interesting but not too challenging." - cbaddorf

Saugatuck, Mich. | Read reviews
Architect: Arnold Palmer
What they're saying: "Arnie carved an A1 course into some beautiful Michigan terrain. Generous fairways get narrow and serious real quick." - Larry6421008

Bloomfield, Conn. | Read reviews
Architect: Pete Dye, Tim Liddy
What they're saying: "Pete Dye and Tim Liddy did a great job serving up a course that high handicappers can navigate and lower handicappers will still enjoy - an ideal muni situation. The long par-4 14th along the reservoir remains one of the coolest holes in New England, and the bouncy turf makes every full shot interesting." - TimGavrichGA, Golf Advisor Senior Writer

Brooks, Calif. | Read reviews
Architect: Brad Bell
What they're saying: "If Yocha Dehe isn't the best daily fee golf course in Northern California for +/- $100 I don't know what is." - rmkhyn

Pierson, Mich. | Read reviews
Architect: Mike DeVries
What they're saying: "Just enough length and width of the FWs to provide some challenge, but ample room to shape shots and bomb the driver also. You definitely get the feeling of being remote while only miles away from Grand Rapids. Must play in my opinion." - jireland

Brooksville, Fla. | Read reviews
Architect: Tom Fazio
What they're saying: "This is such a visually stunning course that you can't help but just stand on the tee and wonder where to hit your drive." - Bruce6234623

Hamilton, Mich. | Read reviews
Architect: Mike DeVries
What they're saying: "Diamond Springs is one of the nicest courses I've ever played for the money. The scenery is great, it is well kept up in all areas, and it's challenging. It definitely rewards accurate shots. The rough is deep here." - gotcha311

Borrego Springs, Calif. | Read reviews
Architect: Tom Fazio
What they're saying: "I had the opportunity to play Rams Hill and the course was very challenging. The wind made it very challenging and we had lots of fun trying hit shots low and use the slopes throughout the course!!" - golfoly1

Las Vegas, Nev. | Read reviews
Architect: Pete Dye
What they're saying: "My GF and I played together here. It was beautiful and challenging enough to make me happy and she was able to also enjoy the course without feeling crushed by it." - jonaslittman

Globe, Ariz. | Read reviews
Architect: Tom Doak
What they're saying: "It possessed as fine a mixture of par threes in the state. Doak also included a drivable zero-horizon par four. The par fives were brilliant. There was nothing about this course that was second rate." - caknox1

Adairsville, Ga. | Read reviews
Architect: Jim Fazio
What they're saying: "Layout is very fair with few blind shots, but exceptional conditions. Can be as challenging as you want from 3 different tee boxes plus 3 other tee combinations." - edcoachc

Bremerton, Wash. | Read reviews
Architect: John Harbottle III
What they're saying: "Best bang for your buck in the state of Washington. Hands down." - GR8Dane206

Liberty, Ind. | Read reviews
Architect: P.B. Dye
What they're saying: "Yes, there are some blind shots into a few of the greens, but the course was not tricked up or impossible as noted on some of the other reviews - it does require accuracy and distance control on your approach shots." - ParMachineGolfer

Shepherdsville, Ky. | Read reviews
Architect: Douglas Beach
What they're saying: "The course is laid so that it takes advantage of the natural terrain features; features which include streams, ponds, granite outcroppings and ample hills. It’s not a walking course unfortunately but the sacrifice is worth it when you see the way the course highlights the land." - armystrength

North Plains, Ore. | Read reviews
Architect: Bob Cupp
What they're saying: "Design and flow seem to mold flawlessly into this green oasis. The course layout is more challenging than first glance suggests and requires proper ball placement if you want to thrive." - Kamph