The Course Ranker

Judge the golf course near me, not the clubhouse.

Score each of the best golf courses near me on nine weighted criteria that reflect great architecture, then see how your local tracks stack up. Everything that shouldn't sway you is listed on the side. Find more courses to rank at nearme.golf.

Want a benchmark? Study the venues on the DP World Tour, where precision players like Aaron Rai prove that strategy and shot variety beat raw length.

golf courses
  1. 0120%

    Do the holes give you choices, and does the line you pick change your next shot?

    5
    • Are there multiple ways to play most holes?
    • Does the angle you take off the tee matter for the approach?
    • Does the routing flow naturally from green to tee?
  2. 0215%

    Contour, interesting surrounds, and short-game variety around the hole.

    5
    • Do the greens have meaningful contour and hole locations?
    • Can you putt, chip, or bump-and-run from a miss?
    • Do greens differ from one another?
  3. 0312%

    Different clubs, shapes, lengths, and directions across the round.

    5
    • Do par 3s, 4s and 5s vary in length and direction?
    • Are you asked to hit draws, fades, high and low shots?
    • Does the wind come at you from different angles?
  4. 0412%

    How well the course fits the site and uses its natural features.

    5
    • Do holes sit on the terrain rather than being bulldozed into it?
    • Are ridges, valleys, water, and views used with purpose?
  5. 0510%

    Fun for a high handicapper, still a test for a good player.

    5
    • Can a 20-handicap get around without losing a sleeve?
    • Does a scratch player still have to think?
  6. 0610%

    Could you recall every hole the next day?

    5
    • Can you sketch most holes from memory?
    • Is there a run of holes you'd want to replay?
  7. 078%

    Firm, fast, and true. Quality of the surfaces, not the color of the grass.

    5
    • Do greens roll true at a fair pace?
    • Does the ground let the ball run where design intends?
  8. 087%

    Short green-to-tee walks and a routing built for walking.

    5
    • Could you comfortably walk 18 here?
    • Are there long cart-path transfers between holes?
  9. 096%

    Atmosphere, sense of place, and the quality of the walk itself.

    5
    • Does the course feel like it belongs where it is?
    • Does it have an identity of its own?
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