Major Movers, New Entries And Big Drops

There are only a few truly cherished days each year: Christmas morning, Masters Sunday, the day your club announces its opening for the season—and when Golf Digest publishes its Top 100 Golf Courses list.

This list is a composite of reviews from a wide range of Golf Digest raters with varying backgrounds, playing abilities, and access levels to the mostly private clubs it features. In some cases, very few raters are granted entry to the most exclusive clubs—like Augusta National or Pine Valley.

These ratings have a real impact on a course’s prestige and bottom line. Since the list’s inception in 1966, golfers have been chasing the dream of playing all 100. Recognition on the list brings attention, and that attention brings rounds, interest, memberships, and prestige.

Notable newcomers to the 2025 Top 100 include CapRock Ranch, Sand Valley’s Lido, and Ladera Golf Club. CapRock and Ladera, both designed by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner, are located in Nebraska and California respectively. Despite the distance, they share similar traits—expansive views and a naturalistic use of terrain.

The Lido, a reconstruction of a once-lost classic, is credited to the Tom Doak design team and the late C.B. Macdonald. Originally located on the New York coast, The Lido was considered one of the best courses in the world before it was lost to history. Its rebirth began as a digital model in The Golf Club video game and was brought to life in the sandy soil of central Wisconsin—now a near-exact replica.

For brand-new courses, debuting on the Top 100 is a major accomplishment. In the case of CapRock and Lido, their reputation helps attract players to their additional on-site courses as well.

Crooked Stick, the site of John Daly’s improbable 1991 PGA Championship win, returns to the list. Daly entered the tournament as an alternate and emerged as a crowd favorite—an underdog story that helped define his career.

Two Midwestern classics saw the most significant jumps: Interlachen Country Club (+20) and Medinah Country Club No. 3 (+19). Both recently underwent major updates.

Interlachen’s project focused on restoring the original Donald Ross/Willie Watson design. Archival photos from Bobby Jones’ 1930 U.S. Open win and original course sketches helped guide the restoration.

Medinah’s renovation, meanwhile, was more of a redesign than a restoration. Previously the site of three U.S. Opens and two PGA Championships, the course—originally by Tom Bendelow and later altered by Rees Jones—was reimagined by the OCM Group (Ogilvy, Cocking, Mead).

Other major risers include Winged Foot East (+16) and Old Town Club (+15). Though often overshadowed by its West Course, Winged Foot East’s jump brings it nearly on par, reinforcing Winged Foot as one of the top 36-hole properties in the world. Old Town Club now ranks 3rd in North Carolina and 39th nationally, thanks to Coore and Crenshaw’s work in 2023.

Pebble Beach climbed from 12th to 9th, returning to the Top 10. Unlike other high movers, Pebble didn’t undergo a major restoration—its continued excellence speaks for itself. It remains one of the crown jewels of public golf.

Some familiar names took a hit this year:

• Scioto fell 22 spots.
• Diamond Creek dropped 18.
• Whispering Pines slid 15.
• Butler National dropped 12.
• Oak Tree National fell 14.

Butler National and Oak Tree National, known for their difficulty and potential to host championships, saw steep declines—perhaps a reflection of shifting preferences as more playable courses for all skill levels become more the norm.

Golf Digest’s Top 100 list continues to be more than just a ranking, it’s a cultural snapshot of where golf is heading. This year’s shifts reflect a broader movement toward thoughtful restorations, innovative new builds, and the enduring appeal of courses that stay true to their roots.

Major Movers And New Entries:

• Scioto – Drops 22 spots
• Crooked Stick – Re-enters Top 100 (101 → 99)
• Diamond Creek – Drops 18
• Butler National – Drops 12
• Ladera – New entry at 83
• Oak Tree National – Drops 14
• Medinah – Jumps 19
• CapRock Ranch – New entry at 72
• Sand Valley Lido – New entry at 69
• Whispering Pines – Drops 15
• Interlachen – Jumps 20
• California Golf Club – Jumps 14
• Winged Foot East – Jumps 16
• Old Town Club – Jumps 15
• Pebble Beach – Enters Top 10 (12 → 9)