Today we are going to explore the top 10 Golf Courses on the East Coast – from the historic fairways of New York to the windy shores of South Carolina, the East Coast houses some of the most iconic golf courses in the world. The high-scale courses surface and attract golf enthusiasts and other passionate learners, with an interesting combination of stunning scenery, championship history, and top-class design.
Have you been looking for some coastal drama or timeless parkland charm? If so, you are at the right place. We will share an updated list of the top ten golf courses on the East Coast for you to treat your inner golfer with a fresh venue.
Table of Contents
1.Pine Valley Golf Club in Pine Hill, New Jersey
Pine Valley is a private golf course, usually regarded as the world’s finest courses, resting in southern New Jersey. Harry Colt, George Crump, and others designed this structure, offering a rugged layout through dense forests and sandy waste areas that test your game. No need to question its consistency, as Golf Digest and Golf Magazine Access rank it number one, and green fees are by invitation only.
2. Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York
Shinnecock Hills is one of America’s oldest golf institutions, founded in 1891. William Flynn, C.B. MacDonald, and others designed this link-style masterpiece. Its robust fairways, coastal winds, and undulating greens have hosted multiple U.S. Opens and will again do so in 2026 and 2036. Plus, the golf course was ranked the best amongst other top ones, hence add it to your bucket list if you are a serious player.
3. National Golf Links of America in Southampton, New York
National Golf Links of America is not always on this top-10 list, but it has a record of consistently getting highly ranked on Northeast-centric rankings. A private gem popular for its strategic holes, whose inspiration was drawn from the UK’s links by Charles Blair MacDonald.
4. Oakmont Country Golf Club in Oakmont, Pennsylvania
You will witness its lightning-fast greens, dramatic history in the U.S. Opens, and deep bunkers. Oakmont Country Club is ranked #5 in the 2024-25 Northeast rankings, where the course is not for raw players, as only professionals can survive.
5. Merion Golf Club (East Course) in Ardmore, Pennsylvania
Merion Golf Club shares the fifth rank in the Northeast rankings, admired for its historic structure, small greens, and tough. The golf course has witnessed millions of U.S Opens and is loved for its strategic complex terrain and, at the same time, a graceful feel.
6. Baltusrol Golf Club (Lower Course) in Springfield, New Jersey
Baltusrol Golf Club’s Lower Course regularly hosts U.S. Opens and PGA Championships. The golf course has challenging bunkering, narrow fairways, and uphill approaches that demand precision and respect. A.W. Tillinghast’s design is in the top twenty of regional rankings, #16 in Northeast lists, and is a private destination, situated west of New York City.
7. Kiawah Island in The Ocean Course in South Carolina
If you move further south along the East Coast, there is Kiawah Island that awaits your esteemed presence. Pete Dye designed it, where dramatic seaside holes, spacious bunkers, and intense winds make it a tough championship ground in the U.S. Besides, this course was also the host for the Ryder Cup and the PGA Championship, being one of the most favorable golfing destinations for skilled players out there.
8. Bethpage State Park in Black Course (Long Island, New York)
This one is famous for its uniqueness and the fact that the course is public and accessible as well. On top of that, Bethpage Black has placed a “WARNING” sign for the “public Pine Valley”, meaning playing here is not easy at all. Joseph Burbeck and A.W.Tillinghast designed the venue, which has even hosted U.S. Opens in 2002,2009, the PGA in 2019, and is hosting the Ryder Cup in 2025.
9. TPC Sawgrass in Stadium Course at Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
Another of Pete Dye’s creations, which is home to THE PLAYERS Championship, featuring the iconic island-green 17th. The golf course emerges with “grenade-attack” bunkers, strategically-placed water challenges, and a stadium-like atmosphere, making it an eye-catching and competitive field.Surprisingly, for non-residents, green fees will remain under $200, but booking requires quick action and advance planning as well.
10. Harbour Town Golf Links at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Harbour Town Golf Links is another difficult course, whose designers were none other than Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus. The decently narrow golf course is located along Hilton Head’s lagoons and oaks, and has a track record of having hosted the RBC Heritage on the PGA Tour since 1969. Its innovative structure rewards you with strategic making of shots and is liked amongst fans and the general public too.
Special Mentions and Their Varied Locations of the Top 10 Golf Courses on the East Coast
National Golf Links
The course is already viewed as a historic classic on Long Island.
Golf Courses in NewYork
In NewYork, golf courses such as Friar’s Head, Winged Foot West, Garden City, and Freshers’ Island rank high in Golf’s regional top fifty lists. Hence, you will hear professional golfers praising their layouts.Apart from the ones that are officially in the list of top ten, here are some more golf courses that deserve special mention:
Mountain Courses
In Virginia, you have beautiful mountain golf courses like the Cascades and Cliffs at Walnut Cove in North Carolina. Golfers praise the ground’s setting and routing. However, they are not always in the top ten lists.
Reasons These Top 10 Golf Courses of the East Coast Matter
Historical Prestige
The majority have hosted big championships like the U.S. Open, PGA, and Ryder Cup. Popular designers have either built the golf courses from scratch or revamped them.
Multiple Designs
The golf courses feature multiple designs in the form of inland parkland, rugged links, and windy coastal areas, reflecting the East Coast’s rich geography.
Accessibility
A few of them demand elite invitations, but others let you play some exciting golf, so everyone can enjoy the experience.
Conclusion
We hope this blog was able to put an end to your search for golf courses that allow you to unleash your inner golfer with challenging terrains as well. So, feel free to reserve your slot and enjoy the sport. Plus, don’t forget to subscribe to The Golf Inquirer for more tips and knowledge.
