The American frontier – identified for cowboys, outlaws, and scorching temperatures – has been a far-from-celebrated area of the nation for the reason that 1860s.
However at present, there’s far much less contempt for the wild, wild west. Barren deserts are actually house to luxurious resorts. Rugged mountains now supply a welcome escape from the busy cities. And the terrain, as soon as considered a sea of sand, is now dotted with a number of the nation’s most spectacular golf programs.
As demanding because the surroundings might be within the western area of the U.S., we all know golfers will journey nearly wherever for the sake of the sport – particularly if it means experiencing a number of the most artistically-driven and various designs like these within the wild, wild west.
So, with out additional ado, and in no explicit order, these are the highest western U.S. golf programs.
The Greatest Western U.S. Golf Programs
1. Rams Hill Golf Membership
Borrego Springs, California
This hidden gem is about as hidden as they arrive. However, don’t be fooled – Rams Hill Golf Membership loses no enchantment regardless of its location. Actually, the membership advertises their Fazio-designed hyperlinks as “the center of nowhere, however precisely the place you should be.” And we couldn’t have stated it higher.
Lately included in Golf Digest’s “100 Best Public Programs in America,” Rams Hill is a real masterpiece. Rising from the arid desert, the course boasts lovely mountain vistas, difficult top variations, and several other meandering streams and waterfalls because of close by springs.
In 2017, Rams Hill was additionally rated because the third-best resort in California by Golf Week. The one two Californian programs that ranked greater? You guessed it: Pebble Seashore and Spyglass Hill.
This really unforgettable golf expertise is surpassed solely by, consider it or not, the membership’s apple-caramel cookies – cherished by locals and visiting golfers alike.
2. Cascata
Boulder Metropolis, Nevada
In opposition to the canvas of the River Mountain Vary is considered one of Rees Jones’s most lovely items: Cascata. The juxtaposition of a lush fairway towards a rugged backdrop is a typical one in Western golf. However, none fairly evaluate to these at Cascata. And round each bend or nook is one more scene prepared for the lens of your digicam.
The course itself is positioned simply half-hour from the Las Vegas strip. However, gamers can’t deny their shock by the privateness and silence throughout the golf course – the place a way of pure stillness lingers within the air.
As ‘Cascata’ is Italian for ‘waterfall,’ arguably essentially the most memorable a part of the golf course is the 418-foot water function meandering down the mountain.
However when golfers slip off their spikes and sit down for a post-round beverage, it’s the impeccable service they’ll be speaking about. From begin to end, the Cascata workers ensures no element is missed.
3. Singing Hills Golf Resort at Sycuan
El Cajon, California
Singing Hills is the one golf resort within the San Diego space with three totally different golf programs: Oak Glen, Willow Glen, and Pine Glen – the resort’s 18-hole par 3 course.
Oak Glen is a shocking, par-72 course with a difficult format. Interactions with the Sweetwater River require some tough carries-over-water and subtly undulating greens will take a look at even the perfect quick sport. The course is predicted to endure some infrastructure enhancements this fall so ebook your tee time when you can.
Willow Glen presents simply as a lot visible enchantment with a wholly totally different really feel. Recognized for doglegs, elevation adjustments, and strategic bunkering, Willow Glen is a wonderful take a look at for any degree of participant.
However, the resort is not any stranger to skilled golf both, having hosted the Junior World Golf Championships, a number of SCGA and USGA Championship qualifiers, the US Junior Novice, and extra.
And if you’re achieved playing on the golf course, you’ll be able to take a fast 5-minute journey to the Sycuan On line casino Resort for much more enjoyable after sunset.
4. Rio Secco Golf Membership
Henderson, Nevada
The Rees-Jones-designed format at Rio Secco Golf Membership has been open since 1997. And for the previous 25 years, it’s remained probably the greatest western U.S. golf programs.
With lush fairways impeccably blended with the pure desertscape and unbelievable views of the Las Vegas strip, Rio Secco undoubtedly occupies one of the vital fascinating areas in Nevada. Rio Secco means “dry river” in Portuguese and your complete entrance 9 is routed by way of its namesake. The back-nine, nevertheless, sits just a little greater with unbelievable views of the valley under.
The course continues to evolve and up to date upgrades, led by Jones, included new greens, bunkers, and extra ahead tee bins to assist in playability.
5. Sedona Golf Resort
Sedona, Arizona
Snaking by way of the towering purple rocks of Arizona, few western U.S. golf programs depart such a long-lasting impression as Sedona Golf Resort.
Whereas the par-71 golf course options an intriguing design and unbelievable course situations, it’s the backdrop of the purple rock canyons that may have you ever returning to Sedona Golf Resort time and again.
This unbelievable year-round vacation spot presents a big selection of keep & play packages, too, to finest accommodate you and your group.
6. Tetherow Resort
Bend, Oregon
Created by the king of the Pacific Northwest, Tetherow joins an esteemed group of golf programs designed by David McLay Kidd – whose different brainchildren embrace Bandon Dunes, the Citadel Course at St. Andrews, and Gamble Sands (extra on this one later).
Nonetheless, Tetherow showcases a special facet of Kidd’s design fashion. It’s highlighted by dramatic elevation adjustments and a routing that emphasizes the unforgettable views of the Cascade Mountains.
Fescue grasses, sporadic timber, and rugged bunkering give Tetherow an intriguing visible aspect. And the specialists agree, because it was not too long ago rated No. 82 on the record of “Greatest 100 Programs You Can Play” for 2021-22.
7. Sand Hole Resort
Hurricane, Utah
Simply 45 minutes from the attractive Zion Nationwide Park, no vacation spot highlights the fantastic thing about the purple rocks greater than Sand Hole Resort.
Not solely are the resort’s three golf programs straightforward on the eyes, however they’ve obtained nationwide acclaim from golf’s largest publications.
Voted the #1 “Greatest Course You Can Play” in Utah for the final 12 years, the Championship Course is an absolute must-play. The desert panorama is on a pedestal throughout all 18 holes and also you’ll end up reaching your digicam simply as a lot as your golf golf equipment.
The Hyperlinks Course pays homage to the house of golf with huge greens and fairways. The three,600-yard par-3 course welcomes starting golfers but in addition presents a singular expertise for these just a little extra accustomed to the sport.
The Sand Hole expertise is full with a spherical on the, aptly named, Wee Course. Yardages fluctuate from 50-120 yards on Southern Utah’s solely par-3 course and it’s really enjoyable for your complete household.
8. Gamble Sands
Brewster, Washington
Opened simply eight years in the past, Gamble Sands shortly rose to stardom. It’s now largely considered probably the greatest western U.S. golf programs and occupies a very unbelievable setting below the peaks of the Cascade Mountains.
The Sands Course at Gamble Sands, the membership’s solely 18-hole monitor, is sprawled throughout the desert flooring with almost 115 acres of agency fairways and high quality fescue grasses. The course presents just a little spin on the normal hyperlinks design with reachable par 4s, break up fairways, and extra. Stunning views of the Columbia River solely add to the enchantment.
And for some added enjoyable in your golf journey to Gamble Sands, make the most of their recently-opened quick course: QuickSands.
9. Marriott’s Shadow Ridge Golf Membership
Palm Desert, California
For excellent worth with no comprise on high quality, contemplate teeing it up at this Faldo-designed treasure within the Coachella Valley. Shadow Ridge Golf Membership boasts greater than 350 days of unbelievable climate, so sunshine is a protected guess nearly any day of the yr.
Beneficiant fairways are challenged by strategic bunkering and subtly undulating greens require technique on nearly any method. And whereas the golf course takes middle stage with a spherical at Shadow Ridge, the views of the snow-capped Santa Rosa Mountains are the cherry on high.
10. Silverado Resort and Spa
Napa, California
Wineries, a world-class spa, and two celebrated golf programs – what extra might you need? Take pleasure in all of this and extra at Silverado Resort and Spa in lovely Napa, California.
Each golf programs at Silverado have been not too long ago redesigned by proprietor and PGA Corridor of Fame inductee, Johnny Miller. Play can also be restricted to members and resort visitors, so that you’re certain to get pleasure from an unique day on the hyperlinks.
After your spherical, go to the area’s world-class wineries for intimate tastings or indulge at considered one of a number of award-winning space eating places.
11. Ventana Canyon Golf and Racquet Membership
Tucson, Arizona
Nestled within the Santa Catalina Mountains lies a personal golf expertise like no different. Winding by way of the steeps and valleys of the Sonoran Desert, Ventana Canyon Golf and Racquet Membership presents two of the best, western U.S. golf programs.
These 18-hole championship designs, each from the mastermind of Tom Fazio, show the perfect of desert golf. You’ll discover elevated tee bins, gently undulating greens, and a superbly maintained surrounding ecosystem – together with canyons speckled with saguaro cacti and wildlife like coyotes, javelina, roadrunners, and quail.
These unbelievable western U.S. golf programs are calling. And all it’s important to do is reply! Take pleasure in stress-free journey to the primary tee if you ship your golf golf equipment and baggage forward. Study extra in regards to the course of or get a free quote at present!
