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PGA Tour Pros Reveal the Best Course They've Played in Competition

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, October 31st 2025 at 13:51 GMT by Sports Illustrated
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PGA Tour Pros Reveal Their “Best Course Played” Competition

The PGA Tour’s annual “Best Course Played” competition has taken the spotlight again this season, offering a rare look into the minds of the world’s top golfers. In a special feature on Sports Illustrated’s golf site, the tour’s most accomplished players were asked to rank the courses they’ve competed on throughout their careers—evaluating them not just on beauty or history, but on how the courses challenged them and how they performed on each.

How the Competition Works

The competition is a simple yet sophisticated voting process. After each tournament, players who finish in the top 15 are invited to submit a “Best Course” vote. Points are awarded based on finishing position and the total number of rounds played on a course. A player who wins a round at Pebble Beach, for example, receives more points than someone who merely competes there without a top‑10 finish. The system rewards both depth of experience and exceptional performance.

At the end of the season, the tour tallies the votes to create a ranked list of courses. The top five spots are highly coveted, as they often reflect courses that offer a blend of challenge, prestige, and memorable moments. While Augusta National and the Masters remain perennial favorites, the list this year showcases a mix of classic and modern courses.

The 2024 Top Five

1. Pebble Beach Golf Links – Staged at the 2024 Masters
   Pebble Beach topped the list for a third consecutive year, thanks in part to its storied history and the fact that the Masters is played there. The course’s brutal seaside bunkers, thick rough, and iconic signature holes—especially the 16th’s “Redbud”—left an indelible mark on the pros. Jon Rahm, who finished T‑2 at the Masters, praised the “natural drama” that Pebble brings to the game.

2. Pinehurst No. 2 – Home to the U.S. Open
   Pinehurst No. 2’s legacy as the site of the 2016 U.S. Open and its famously variable weather conditions earned it the runner‑up spot. The course’s brutal wind, rolling greens, and hidden hazards were highlighted by Patrick Reed, who won the 2018 U.S. Open there, saying it forced him to “think differently about every shot.”

3. Oak Hill North – The “Old Red” of the U.S. Open
   Oak Hill’s North Course, the host of the 2006 U.S. Open, received a surge of votes thanks to its combination of thick rough, fast greens, and a relentless layout that tests ball‑striking and precision. Jordan Spieth, who posted a memorable 68 at the 2015 U.S. Open, spoke of the “intensity” that Oak Hill demands from every competitor.

4. The Old Course at St. Andrews – “Home of Golf”
   The Old Course’s 12‑hole layout, with its famous “Road Hole” and towering bunkers, earned a place in the top four. Although it is a rare opportunity for PGA Tour pros to play in the United Kingdom, the tournament’s unique conditions and tradition made it a favorite for those who had the chance. Rory McIlroy, who has a passion for links golf, noted that the Old Course “requires a completely different mental approach.”

5. Torrey Pines – Home to the PGA Championship
   Torrey Pines’ two distinct courses—the 8th and 9th holes—are celebrated for their stunning ocean views and strategic design. The 9th’s famous 13th, known as “The 16,” with its dramatic drop and steep green, was highlighted by Xander Schauffele, who claimed a low round at the 2024 PGA Championship there. Schauffele said the course “offers both beauty and a serious test of skill.”

Player Quotes and Reflections

Beyond the rankings, the feature included candid reflections from the pros about why these courses resonate with them:

• Patrick Reed (Pebble Beach): “Pebble is the place that forces you to fight the wind and play your ball to the top of the green. It’s a place where you have to play it smart or risk the big penalty.”

• Jon Rahm (Pinehurst No. 2): “The wind here is a weapon. It changes the game from day to day. Playing there makes you respect the ball’s flight path.”

• Jordan Spieth (Oak Hill North): “Oak Hill’s greens are like a living thing. They move and react. It’s one of the toughest tests of putting in the world.”

• Rory McIlroy (St. Andrews): “Links golf is the purest form of the game. The Old Course demands a different strategy, but it’s a pleasure to play.”

• Xander Schauffele (Torrey Pines): “The layout here is a perfect balance of challenge and playability. The 9th’s 13th is an iconic hole that will stay with me forever.”

What Makes a Course “Best” According to the Tour

While the top five courses all share a history of high‑stakes championships, the players’ votes reveal several common themes:

1. Strategic Variety – Courses that require a diverse set of shots, from precise iron play to long drives, are favored. The ability to adapt to each hole’s demands is seen as the hallmark of a truly great test.

2. Natural Beauty and Atmosphere – The visual impact of a course, whether it’s the ocean view at Torrey Pines or the iconic holes at Pebble Beach, plays a significant role. Players value courses that create memorable experiences for both competitors and fans.

3. Historical Significance – Many players mentioned that courses that have hosted major championships carry a weight that elevates any round played there. The prestige of winning or performing well on a historic stage adds to a course’s allure.

4. Challenge and Fairness – The best courses test a player’s skill set fairly. While they may be tough, they reward precision, strategic thinking, and mental resilience rather than just power.

Where to Find the Full Rankings

The article links to the PGA Tour’s official “Best Course Played” page, which lists all courses ranked over the season, including full voting breakdowns, point totals, and the number of players who have competed at each location. The page also provides interactive filters that let users explore courses by region, tournament type, or player ranking.

In addition to the rankings, the page offers downloadable PDFs of the season’s leaderboard and an interview feature that delves deeper into the stories behind each top course. For fans who want to see the data themselves, the PGA Tour also releases a quarterly “Course Impact Report” that highlights how certain courses affect player performance and tournament outcomes.

The Takeaway

The 2024 “Best Course Played” competition underscores how the PGA Tour pros view the game not only as a series of tournaments but as a living, breathing challenge defined by the courses they love. With Pebble Beach, Pinehurst No. 2, Oak Hill North, St. Andrews, and Torrey Pines topping the list, the players reaffirm the enduring allure of these classic venues while also setting the stage for future favorites that may emerge as the tour’s landscape evolves.

The competition, while rooted in tradition, remains a dynamic reflection of how the game changes with technology, course design, and player skill. For the fans, it offers a glimpse into the pros’ preferences and the courses that shape the narrative of the PGA Tour season.