Whether you’re closing in on earning a PGA Tour card or picking up a set of clubs for the first time, there’s a golf course in and around St. Louis that fits your needs. With everything from hilly, wooded courses to windswept golf links, our region hosts some of the country’s top public courses.
In the Metro Area
Known for difficult holes nestled in the Ozark foothills south of St. Louis, this Festus course offers some of the best golf in the area. Book a tee time for 18 holes, or stop by Crystal Highlands’ golf simulator to work on your game indoors.
This Madison, Illinois, mainstay of the St. Louis golf scene returns players to the roots of golf with a links-style course that blends Midwestern prairie terrain with traditional Scottish course design. Featuring hazards like tall grasses and wood-tie bunkers, golfers of all skill levels are sure to meet a challenge.
Golf Digest gave the scenic Innsbrook Public Golf Course a four-star rating. With elevation changes and views that include a dozen lakes and zoysia-lined fairways, the course keeps golfers engaged, and the wooded hillsides present a challenge for even experienced players.
It can be easy to forget you’re just across the Missouri River from outlet malls in the Chesterfield Valley when taking in 18 holes at this St. Charles County golf oasis. Missouri Bluffs keeps golfers on their toes, demanding a range of shots to successfully navigate its undulating fairways.
Designed by legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus, this Metro East course promises to bring out the champion in everyone who plays a round. If looking for a course that rewards precision above all else, look no further than this course located just minutes across the Mississippi from downtown St. Louis.
St. Louis is spoiled when it comes to courses designed by legends of the game—all 27 holes at this Sunset Hills club were designed by nine-time major champion Gary Player. Nestled along the Meramec River, guests can customize their experience by choosing either to play links golf at the Prairie nine or take on the tree-lined Woodlands nine.
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Around the Midwest
Take a break from boating and book a tee time at this gorgeous course on your next lake weekend. With dozens of bunkers and demanding hilly terrain alongside stunning views of the Lake of the Ozarks, it’s easy to see why this challenging course is considered among the best resort courses in the Midwest.
Considered the top public course in Illinois’ capital city, Piper Glen offers 18 holes of championship quality golf. A drive up I-55 to this pristine course is rewarded with challenging water hazards and thick rough—easy to fall victim, but all the more satisfying to master.
Another gem at the Lake of the Ozarks, this Camdenton course offers spectacular natural vistas, whether of waterfalls, rolling hills, or the neighboring lake. Complete with tree-lined fairways and large greens, Old Kinderhook makes for an unforgettable experience.
Located in the heart of Wisconsin, Sand Valley trades lake traffic for rolling fairways. Set across 12,000 acres of prehistoric sand dunes, Sand Valley offers six nationally acclaimed courses with wide-open vistas. The newly opened Commons, a walkable 12-hole course, encourages social play and friendly competition.
Formerly a 240-acre dairy farm, this Springfield course received four stars from Golf Digest and is frequently voted as one of the top places to play in Central Illinois. Known for tightly manicured fairways and greens, The Rail touts a friendly and inviting atmosphere.
Along the Lake Michigan coastline lies Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin. The course is walking-only, but with stunning lakefront views, golfers won’t mind taking their time. The course is home to four majors and the 43rd Ryder Cup, making it well worth the trip. The Whistling Straits restaurant is the perfect place to celebrate a beautiful day of golfing. For those looking to unwind, consider Kohler Waters Spa and such accommodations as the Inn on Woodlake.
The Golf Club at Stonelick Hills
Just outside of Cincinnati, Ohio, Stonelick Hills has been ranked the “No. 1 Golf Course in Ohio” by Golf Advisor and recognized as the “Best Practice Area in the Midwest” region by PGA Professionals’ Guide to Travel. The clubhouse offers a relaxing space, and Stoney’s Pub is the perfect spot to grab a bite to fuel up for the day.
Nestled near Table Rock Lake, in the heart of the Ozark mountains, Big Cedar boasts five scenic courses. Bass Pro Shop founder Johnny Morris designed the courses in collaboration with such golf legends as Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus. With accommodations ranging from cottages to private log cabins, it’s an ideal spot for a golf getaway. And after a round, enjoy a bite to eat at Arnie’s Barn–a restaurant situated in the late Arnold Palmer’s sprawling one-time barn.
