How to Play America’s Top 5 Golf Courses—All in One Weekend

Ask any serious golfer and they’ll tell you: playing at the top golf courses in America is a bucket list dream. But between sky-high green fees, private club restrictions, and coast-to-coast travel, it’s more fantasy than fairway.

But what if we told you that you can play the most iconic courses in the country—Oakmont, Shinnecock, Cypress Point, Augusta, and Pine Valley—without ever leaving Tulsa?

Welcome to your ultimate shortcut to the elite five: no flight delays, no waitlists, no members-only drama. Just pure golf on the country’s most legendary tracks.

1. Pine Valley Golf Club – Pine Valley, NJ

Still holding the #1 spot, Pine Valley is the holy grail for golf purists. Built upon the sandy pine barrens of southwest New Jersey, this course is a masterclass in blending all three golf design philosophies—penal, heroic, and strategic—often within a single hole. 

With design contributions from legendary architects like H.S. Colt and A.W. Tillinghast, Pine Valley’s layout is both ferocious and fair. Recent bunker redesigns by Tom Fazio add an intricate texture to its already breathtaking landscape. It’s private, exclusive, and unrelentingly brilliant.

📍 Fun Fact: Despite its elite reputation, very few photos or videos exist online. It’s golf’s best-kept (and most envied) secret.

2. Augusta National Golf Club – Augusta, GA

Augusta National isn’t just a golf course—it’s the cathedral of the Masters. With its azalea-lined fairways and sacred traditions, this course is constantly evolving to keep up with modern tech while preserving its timeless charm. 

Originally routed by Alister MacKenzie and Bobby Jones, it has since seen updates from names like Trent Jones and Jack Nicklaus. Recent renovations have added significant yardage to keep it tournament-tough, including an extended par-5 13th.

🏆 Insider Insight: No course has been tinkered with more successfully, yet it still feels like hallowed ground every April.

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3. Cypress Point Club – Pebble Beach, CA

Breathtaking Pacific views. Cliffside carries. A par-3 that’s one long gust from terrifying. Cypress Point is art in golf course form—and almost completely inaccessible to the public.

Nestled along the dramatic cliffs of the Monterey Peninsula, Cypress Point is a dream woven into the California coastline. Alister MacKenzie’s design favors creativity over brute strength, with each hole offering multiple strategic paths to the pin. 

Don’t let its shorter yardage fool you—MacKenzie believed in challenging the mind, not just the muscles. The restoration of his original bunkering adds artistic elegance to this coastal classic.

🌊 Must-Know: The iconic par-3 16th, which demands a 230-yard carry over the Pacific, is arguably the most photographed hole in golf.

4. Shinnecock Hills Golf Club – Southampton, NY

As one of the oldest and most storied clubs in the country, Shinnecock combines links-like openness with relentless challenge. Its layout, largely shaped by William Flynn in the 1930s, hasn’t needed major alterations in nearly 60 years—a testament to its timeless design. 

That said, Coore & Crenshaw gave it a thoughtful refresh before the 2018 U.S. Open, and it’s set to host again in 2026.

🌬️ Bonus Point: It's coastal winds and firm, fast fairways reward creativity and precision—a purist’s paradise.

5. Oakmont Country Club – Oakmont, PA

Welcome to the house of pain—and prestige. Oakmont is America’s most penal course, famous for its deep bunkers, ankle-breaking rough, and lightning-fast greens. 

After removing thousands of trees in recent decades to return to its original design, the course’s teeth are fully on display. Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner’s recent tweaks make it even more championship-ready for the 2025 U.S. Open (and the three more already scheduled after that).

⛳ Why It Matters: It’s hosted more U.S. Opens than any other course—and the USGA keeps coming back for a reason.

Conclusion: Don’t Just Dream It—Play It

You no longer have to daydream about Pine Valley or wait decades to land a guest round at Augusta. At Tour Quality Golf in Tulsa, our ultra-realistic TrackMan simulators give you access to over 300 real-world courses—including America’s top five. You’ll experience every slope, every bunker, and every bucket-list moment without leaving town.

🎯 Want to play in all of these top 5 courses at once?
Book your indoor golf bay today and make your dream round a reality—five times over.

Author bio

Bryan Grey is keen on sharing all that he knows about golf to help players perfect their swing and make informed decisions on their choice of golf clubs.