My 13 most underrated golf courses

Do “hidden gems” exist in golf anymore? Or dare I ask, “value” courses?

There used to be hardcover books written by vagabond golf writers that uncovered far-flung hidden gems. Or, consider the cult classic by Tom Doak, the original “Confidential Guide to Golf Courses” that uncovered quirky gems while ruthlessly roasting better-known ones.

There are certainly some formerly hidden gems that are pretty well known by now: Northwood, Wild Horse, Belvedere, Sweetens Cove...Even Royal Dornoch was once considered exotic. Content creators are going to Norway and Iceland and the far islands of Scotland, all in the name of finding something more hidden than the next.

But I will say that some of my favorite courses in the world still seldom appear in my social media algorithms or publications’ Top 100 lists. So from that perspective, there are, in my view, some courses out there not getting their fair shake, and as a result, you may still not know about them.

What qualifies in my book as underrated?

I was a golf travel writer and editor for 15+ years and, in that time, played close to 800 courses around the world. I just scanned my list, and a baker’s dozen popped out as still feeling like they don’t get enough exposure despite the explosion of YouTube golf channels, rankings, etc.

I thought about calling this a “value” list, but value is so relative; it really depends on the market. Underrated basically means it doesn’t get enough attention on Top 100 or state lists, or it isn’t in the zeitgeist of social media. A few of my picks on here are pricy resort courses.

I’ve probably played some courses you consider a “hidden gem” that I feel doesn’t qualify, and surely there are scores of remote courses out there I’ve yet to experience myself.

Don’t see your favorite unsung pick? Tag me on X with it and let’s check it out! Here we go:

Cape Breton Highlands Links

If I were riding on your private jet from Scotland to New York and you said we could make a quick stopover on Cape Breton for one round of golf, I wouldn’t want to play Cabot Cliffs or Cabot Links. I think that highly of Highlands Links.

Highlands Links is one of a handful of Canadian National Park courses designed by Stanley Thompson in the 1930s. It’s simply one of the best nature walks in golf, combined with some wildly fun golf shots. I adore the par-5 7th hole, Killiecrankie. Greens like “Canny Slap” are a hoot. Many fairways are tumbling and rugged with few flat lies and some wild kicks to be had, and there is always mountain or coastal scenery. I insist you walk it, even though it’s 8 miles start to finish. There’s even a little quarter-mile stretch between holes along a river. Bask in some Lobster afterwards.

Highlands Links isn’t perfect. Its conditions seem to fluctuate with the seasons, and they are constantly fighting off forest overgrowth. While Fairmont hotels steward Thompson’s Banff and Jasper Park National Parks courses to a higher standard, the parks department uses a more limited budget to maintain Highlands. I don’t care. It’s my happy place.

Pennard Golf Club

I’ve been fortunate to play over 100 courses in the GB&I over the years. 20 years ago, you might have been able to get away with calling North Berwick a “hidden gem.” Or maybe even Ardglass. Now both are well-trafficked.

Wales made a big push around the 2010 Ryder Cup but the attraction seems to have subsided compared to England, Ireland, and Scotland. If you’re up for something rugged and weird, go to Wales and play Pennard Golf Club. This is glorified pasture golf high up on a cliff overlooking the sea. It is sparsely maintained, and sheep, cattle, and horses wander the property. Castle ruins on the horizon. Trip wire surrounds the greens to keep the livestock off, and the land is severe - balls kick and bounce everywhere. Recommend playing match play, watch your step, and have a ball.

Elk Ridge Golf Course

Here’s another jaw-dropping and relatively affordable course just outside Portland, Oregon, that, for whatever reason, seldom gets talked about. It’s a beautiful drive along the Columbia River, then the last mile you scale up, up and up some more to the golf course, with the gorge below on full display. Elk Ridge feels like you’re up in the sky, overlooking the valley below. I wouldn’t define the course design as world-class, but it’s interesting enough, and the views and conditions are outstanding - It’s always well drained (a godsend during the Pacific Northwest shoulder season).

Wasatch Mountain State Park

Hat tip to Utah-based photographer Brian Oar for the rec. In Utah, everyone seems to talk up Sand Hollow or the new resorts. Meanwhile, Wasatch Mountain is just a joy to play. It’s another humble state park facility (nearby Soldier Hollow has a few more bells & whistles). But what’s not to like about golf high up a mountainside with a combination of long, downhill par 5s and some gettable par 4s? I didn’t play Wasatch in the fall, but pics suggest it's one of the peak fall foliage golf experiences on earth. Tip: You’ll want to pay the fee to book outside the public window - this place is packed all the time.

El Campeon at Mission Inn

Before you write off the entire Orlando golf market for being too touristy and vanilla, can I point you north to Howey in the Hills? Here’s El Campeon, 100-year-old layout (yes! In central Florida!), with surprising natural elevation changes and a really stout design, complete with slick greens worthy of NCAA championships. The snaking par-5 17th is notorious - play it conservatively.

Part of why I love it here so much is that it was family-owned - that changed in 2023 when it was sold, and I haven’t been back since, but hopefully it’s not been made too corporate, because this place felt like a true throwback - in a part of the world where some low-key authenticity is hard to find.

Washtenaw Golf Club

In Southeast Michigan, there are tons of illustrious, Golden Age private clubs like Oakland Hills, Meadowbrook, Franklin Hills, Indianwood, and more. And in Ann Arbor, you’ve got Mackenzie’s U of M and Dye’s Radrick getting a lot of the attraction.

Meanwhile, Washtenaw Golf Club is a rare chance to play a 100-plus-year-old layout, recently opened to the public, and at a pretty nice green fee. It’s a smaller footprint compared to Barton Hills, and no, it’s not a Donald Ross design, but it has bones going back to the 19th century and some really cool and classic looks with some subtly interesting elevation to many of the fairways. You can enjoy all the historic country club vibes, interesting course, and fast green design within a small footprint. Michigan-based architect Ray Hearn has been steadily restoring many parts of the course, including some squared-off edges to many greens.

Edgewood Tahoe

I have such a soft spot for Edgewood Tahoe. It’s snubbed from many Top 100s but sneaks into Golf Digest’s Top 100 list at 83. Panelists eschew the “dark ages” design from the 1960s combined with shanks, bikinis and footballs during the annual ACCC.

You can’t tell me there are 80-100 better public-access golf experiences in the country than these 18 holes along the magnificent south shore of Lake Tahoe. Towering pines, elevated tees and, listen up slicers, a lot of dogleg rights. Yep, consider it the opposite of the “always miss left” ethos at the Old Course at St. Andrews.

Many of the top-rated public schools in this country are extremely difficult. Edgewood is tough if you’re offline, but plenty gettable. Add a lakeside clubhouse and exceptional F&B, and I just don’t see how anyone could spend a day here without an ear-to-ear grin the whole way through.

Nefyn & District

Yes, I have another Wales pick on here. This course is nuts. Nefyn & District is a kind of “Poor Man’s Old Head or Pebble Beach - with a setting as good as any course in the world. It’s an extremely unique experience, particularly when you play the holes wedged into the "Point." Here, you’re hitting over “blow holes” and avoiding parked cars and walkers.

From here, you can also wander down to a tucked-away pub beside a beach for a quick pint.

It’s a breathtaking setting, albeit with a funky layout, but if you’re anywhere near the north coast of Wales, you have to go.

Pinecroft Golf Course

Between Crystal Downs Kingsley Club and Arcadia Bluffs is a little trio of affordable public courses near Crystal Lake, I absolutely adore. I’ll focus on Pinecroft here because it gets relatively little love compared to its sister course, Champion Hill. Pinecroft is short and sweet - but beautiful and interesting to play. From high points it overlooks Crystal Lake, and at its lower points winds through towering trees.

I always find rounds here are particularly inspiring because it was homebuilt by owner Lee Stone - not some name-brand architect. Imagine 200 acres and your own bulldozer to create what you want. Conditions are typically a step below average here. If you want fine conditions, go to Crystal Mountain Resort, or even the Crystal Lake Golf Club has sneaky-cool greens. If you want fun golf shots, head here (or Champion Hill).

Downfield Golf Club

Located in an unsung region of Scotland around Dundee, but also a worthy parkland where links are desirable, Downfield fits my article’s criteria as good as any course on here. Designed by James Braid, Downfield winds through beautiful tall trees. It’s an open qualifying club with some stout holes - you’ve got to hit the shots here. But it’s so peaceful, too. I caught it on a rainy morning, first out, and it remains one of my favorite rounds ever.

I always tell people if they’re going on a links tour to play at least one parkland course. Downfield is as pleasant a surprise as I’ve ever experienced.

Delaware Springs

I live in the Austin area, and if you talk to me or any other local avid golfers, I guarantee that if you bring up Delaware Springs, you’ll get some gushing praise. It’s a solid hour drive northwest of Austin, so it’s a bit tough to get to. But it’s one of the last real values in the area - a municipal course owned by the City of Burnet. It was designed by Coore-Crenshaw shapers Dave Axland and Dan Proctor, and the holes are interesting and well-maintained. It’s also about as friendly and welcoming as golf courses get.

Wailea Emerald Course

The most high-profile course in Hawaii by far is the Kapalua Plantation Course. In its shadow (literally, it’s at the base of Mt. Haleakala), is Wailea. While the Gold rivals Plantation in terms of a tournament test, I think Wailea Emerald is the course to play for mid-handicappers looking to vibe out and play some fun golf on a Hawaii vacation. The first hole is straight downhill towards the ocean. There are short par-4s, reachable par-5s, and gettable par-3s. It’s a confidence booster that’s interesting enough to keep you engaged. While Kapalua is exposed, high and windy, Wailea is generally calm, sunny, and controlled. This is “resort golf” personified in all the good ways.

Black Jack’s Crossing

I began with a Canadian National Park, let’s end it with a course in Texas that borders Big Bend State Park. I recently saw the Golf Digest Best Courses in Texas, and not seeing Black Jack’s Crossing on it was a reminder that this place remarkably still flies under the radar - frankly, because it’s in the middle of nowhere.

Big Bend is one of the country’s least visited national parks, and I suspect Black Jack’s Crossing is one of the least played, top-100 (public) caliber courses in the nation. Purists won’t love it - it’s in a desert and don’t think about walking it, but there are dazzling elevated tee shots, one of my favorites in the world on the 14th towards the Rio Grande - when I played it, wild horses were bathing in the river beyond. There are some natural, little spring-fed water pools on the course you can dip your feet into (you probably won’t be pushed by any groups behind you).

I’ve played roughly half of the top-rated private clubs in the Lone Star State, and if you gave me an option to play any of them vs. BJC, I’d opt for the trek out to Lajitas every time. Load up the Willie Nelson tunes in the car and head west, young golfer.