The GolfCourseHome Life: Golfweek's Best Courses You Can Play

Sea Pines Plantation, Hilton Head Isl., SC: A strong No. 2.

By The Editors of the GolfCourseHome Network

Welcome to the GolfCourseHome® Network's 3^rd Annual "Best of the Best" rankings--our compendium of honors reflecting all major media rankings of golf courses and golf communities for this year.

Golf publications, as you surely know, send out hundreds of researchers and reporters to judge and rate golf courses at clubs, resorts and communities. As these rankings and “best of” lists proliferate, it’s impossible for a reader to keep straight which properties have earned what distinction.

That’s where the GolfCourseHome Network comes in. We study, capture and compile all the prominent lists, from Best in State to Best Residential, to Best Public to Best Private, to Best Classic to Best Modern, from Top 100 to Top 50 and beyond.

To all courses and communities, these annual (and biennial) awards mean a great deal. There's prideful crowing when a top ranking is achieved and much soul-searching when it’s lost.

A Full-Scale Compilation
Rather than send out field researchers and raters to cobble together our own, proprietary ranking system, GolfCourseHome leverages the value of all the rankings out there to create a full-scale compilation you won’t find anywhere else. It’s a whole that's worth much more than the sum of its parts.

Below is a glittering array of GolfCourseHome communities that have each received a notable cluster of accolades, arranged and presented in an omnibus rankings we call the "Best of the Best."

For the third year in a row, Reynolds Plantation tops the list with an industry leading 17 major magazine awards. Four of the Top 10 are new to the list while six communities are repeat winners. See all the results below!

GolfCourseHome Network's "Best of the Best" Rankings

The Top 10

1. Reynolds Plantation, Greensboro GA, (17 major magazine awards) continues its dominance of the ‘Best of the Best’ rankings with its third consecutive No. 1 ranking in as many years. Reynolds Plantation, which now includes Reynolds Landing, which was merged into the community in 2009, is a still-growing luxury landmark presiding over vast Lake Oconee. The resort community’s portfolio of golf courses and other fine amenities lifts the community to the pinnacle of the golf rankings, both for its courses and its full array of features.

A Premier Property by LINKS Magazine
One of America's 100 Best Master-Planned Communities by Where to Retire magazine
No. 100 on Golfweek’s Top 100 Residential Golf Courses (Great Waters course)
No. 51, Golfweek’s Top 100 Resort Golf Courses (Great Waters course)
No. 3 (GW), No. 6 (Oconee) and No. 8 (National), Golfweek’s Best You Can Play in Georgia
No. 97, Golf Digest’s 100 Greatest Public Courses (Great Waters)
No. 20, Golf Digest’s Best in Georgia (Oconee)
No. 13, America's Top 50 Courses for Women by Golf Digest (Oconee)
No. 37, 100 Top Courses You Can Play by GOLF Magazine (GW)
No. 57, 100 Top Courses You Can Play by GOLF Magazine (Oconee)
No. 3 (GW), No. 4 (Oconee), No. 5 (National) and No. 11 (Reynolds Landing), GOLF Magazine’s Best You Can Play in Georgia
No. 44, Golf World’s Readers Choice Top 50 Private Clubs (Reynolds Landing)
Click here for more information about Reynolds Plantation!

2. Sea Pines, Hilton Head SC (12 awards) did much to invent the concept of master-planned luxury golf communities in idyllic settings. Spread across an inspiring ocean forest on Hilton Head Island, it is for many Americans their first experience of Lowcountry beauty. It’s become a staple of the rankings thanks to great golf and amenities, most notably its jewel, the Pete Dye-designed Harbour Town Golf Links. (Except where noted, all golf accolades refer to Harbour Town Golf Links.)

A Premier Property by LINKS Magazine
No. 31, Golfweek’s Top 100 Modern Golf Courses
No. 13, Golfweek’s Top 100 Resort Golf Courses
No. 2, Golfweek’s Best You Can Play in South Carolina
No. 13, America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses by Golf Digest
No. 75, America’s 100 Greatest Courses by Golf Digest
No. 3, Golf Digest’s Best in South Carolina
No. 49, America's Top 50 Courses for Women by Golf Digest (Heron Point by Pete Dye)
No. 44, 100 Top Courses in the U.S. by GOLF Magazine
No. 14, 100 Top Courses You Can Play by GOLF Magazine
No. 2, GOLF Magazine’s Best You Can Play in South Carolina
No. 13, GOLF Magazine’s Best You Can Play in South Carolina (Heron Point by Pete Dye)
Click here for more information about Sea Pines!

3. Homestead Preserve, Hot Springs, VA (9 awards) basks in the glory of the lofty rankings and ratings garnered by the famed Cascades Course and a sister course at the historic Homestead resort property, Lower Cascades.

A Premier Property by LINKS Magazine (Homestead Preserve)
No. 49, Golfweek’s Top 100 Classic Golf Courses (Cascades)
No. 15, Golfweek’s Top 100 Resort Golf Courses (Cascades)
No. 1, Golfweek’s Best You Can Play in Virginia (Cascades)
No. 7, Golfweek’s Best You Can Play in Virginia (Lower Cascades)
No. 24, America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses by Golf Digest (Cascades)
No. 4, Golf Digest’s Best in Virginia (Cascades)
No. 24, 100 Top Courses You Can Play by GOLF Magazine (Cascades)
No. 1, GOLF Magazine’s Best You Can Play in Virginia (Cascades)
Click here for more information about Homestead Preserve!

4. Barton Creek Resort & Spa, Austin TX, (11 awards) was vital to the emergence of the Texas Hill Country as a sophisticated golf and resort destination. It also helped spread Tom Fazio’s stellar course-design reputation throughout the Southwest. The residential component of Barton Creek is a golf- and spa-lover’s ticket to enjoyment of this award-winning community on a daily basis.

No. 38, Golfweek’s Top 100 Resort Courses (Fazio Canyons)
No. 82, Golfweek’s Top 100 Resort Courses (Fazio Foothills)
No. 4, Golfweek’s Best You Can Play in Texas (Canyons)
No. 6, Golfweek’s Best You Can Play in Texas (Foothills)
No. 98, America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses by Golf Digest (Canyons)
No. 10, Golf Digest’s Best in Texas (Canyons)
No. 43, America's Top 50 Courses for Women by Golf Digest (Foothills)
No. 71, 100 Top Courses You Can Play by GOLF Magazine (Canyons)
No. 77, 100 Top Courses You Can Play by GOLF Magazine (Foothills)
No. 1, GOLF Magazine’s Best You Can Play in Texas (Canyons)
No. 2, GOLF Magazine’s Best You Can Play in Texas (Foothills)
Click here for more information about Barton Creek!

5. Palmetto Bluff, Bluffton SC (7 awards) is a vast but hidden-away resort community on a 20,000-acre Lowcountry woodland site bordered by the May River—which gives its name to the Jack Nicklaus Signature course you come here to play. Apparently Palmetto Bluff isn’t hidden away from the award-givers, to wit:

A Premier Property by LINKS Magazine
No. 24, Golfweek’s Top 100 Resort Courses
No. 4, Golfweek’s Best You Can Play in South Carolina
No. 22, America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses by Golf Digest
No. 9, Golf Digest’s Best in South Carolina
No. 62, 100 Top Courses You Can Play by GOLF Magazine
No. 5, GOLF Magazine’s Best You Can Play in South Carolina
Click here for more information about Palmetto Bluff!

6. The Villages at Tullymore, Stanwood MI (7 awards) is a showcase of Midwestern beauty and grandeur all in one golf-loving locale. A community of custom homesites bordering highly ranked golf courses, nature preserves, lakes and brooks, the community is part of the popular Tullymore - St. Ives Resort complex. Popular with people who compile the best-of lists, too. (All honors refer to Tullymore Course.)

No. 70, Golfweek’s Top 100 Residential Golf Courses
No. 4, Golfweek’s Best You Can Play in Michigan
No. 90, America’s 100 Greatest Courses by Golf Digest
No. 15, America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses by Golf Digest
No. 4, Golf Digest’s Best in Michigan
No. 76, 100 Top Courses You Can Play by GOLF Magazine
No. 4, GOLF Magazine’s Best You Can Play in Michigan
Click here for more information about The Villages at Tullymore!

7. Forest Dunes, Roscommon MI (8 awards) combines with The Villages at Tullymore to close out our Magnificent Seven with a one-two Michigan punch. One of the prominent newcomers to the rankings game is the venerable weekly magazine Golf World—whose readers rate Forest Dunes the No. 1 among private clubs.

No. 37, Golfweek’s Top 100 Residential Golf Courses
No. 90, Golfweek’s Top 100 Modern Golf Courses
No. 3, Golfweek’s Best You Can Play in Michigan
No. 1, Golf World’s Readers Choice Top 50 Private Clubs
No. 18, America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses by Golf Digest
No. 6, Golf Digest’s Best in Michigan
No. 45, 100 Top Courses You Can Play by GOLF Magazine
No. 3, GOLF Magazine’s Best You Can Play in Michigan
Click here for more information about Forest Dunes!

Back to top

8. Kingsmill on the James, Williamsburg, VA (5 awards) is a destination resort community that adds a bit of glamour—in a classy way—to this history-steeped region. A longtime stop on the professional golf tours, the community is known for its 2,900 acres of woodland and cutting-edge culinary excellence.

A Premier Property by LINKS Magazine
No. 9, Golfweek’s Best You Can Play in Virginia (River Course)
No. 15, GOLF Magazine’s Best You Can Play in Virginia (River Course)
No. 15, Golf Digest’s Best in Virginia (River Course)
No. 9, America's Top 50 Courses for Women by Golf Digest (Plantation Course)
Click here for more information about Kingsmill!

9. Colleton River Plantation, Bluffton SC (4 awards) appeared early on the enticing marsh landscape just west of Hilton Head and thus laid claim to the most ideal site. Its two excellent private courses have been in place long enough now to be winning awards for renovation and remodeling, along with the high national ratings Colleton River residents have gotten used to:

A Premier Property by LINKS Magazine
No. 92, Golfweek’s Top 100 Residential Golf Courses (Nicklaus course)
No. 15, Golf Digest’s Best in South Carolina (Nicklaus course)
No. 22, Golf Digest’s Best in South Carolina (Nicklaus course)
Click here for more information about Colleton River Plantation!

10. Running Y Ranch, Klamath Falls OR (5 awards) is a great example of how a resort component injects energy and a fun factor into community life, especially in the wide open spaces of the mountain West. Members here take adventure outings, ride horseback, go birding and play plenty of golf on Oregon’s only Arnold Palmer-designed golf course.

A Premier Property by LINKS Magazine
No. 8, Golfweek’s Best You Can Play in Oregon
No. 66, America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses by Golf Digest
No. 9, Golf Digest’s Best in Oregon
No. 4, America's Top 50 Courses for Women by Golf Digest
Click here for more information about Running Y Ranch!

The Next 5

11. Branson Creek, Hollister, MO (7 awards) continues its rise toward the pinnacle of resort and residential excellence in the entire Ozarks region. Still a fine real estate value despite its many distinctions, the community earns golf accolades via two courses of notably different styles but similar high standards of design and conditioning.

One of America's 100 Best Master-Planned Communities by Where to Retire magazine
No. 93, America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses by Golf Digest (Branson Creek Course)
No. 7, Golf Digest’s Best in Missouri (Branson Creek)
No. 1, Golfweek’s Best You Can Play in Missouri (Branson Creek)
No. 82, 100 Top Courses You Can Play by GOLF Magazine (Branson Creek)
No. 1, GOLF Magazine’s Best You Can Play in Missouri (Branson Creek)
No. 36, America's Top 50 Courses for Women by Golf Digest (Murder Rock Course)
Click here for more information about Branson Creek!

12. The Cliffs Communities, Travelers Rest, SC (4 awards) is actually an jeweled necklace of lavishly amenitized communities covering a sweep of rural Carolina territory from Asheville, N.C. east toward Greenville, S.C. Property owners wake each morning with a wondrous array of lifestyle options and activities, with golf as the theme that unites everything.

A Premier Property by LINKS Magazine
No. 96, Golfweek’s Top 100 Residential Golf Courses (Cliffs Keowee Vineyards)
No. 18, Golf Digest’s Best in North Carolina (Cliffs Walnut Cove)
No. 25, Golf Digest’s Best in South Carolina (Cliffs Keowee Vineyards)
Click here for more information about The Cliffs!

13. Isleworth, Windermere FL (3 awards) is surely the most prestigious address in central Florida, anchored by a rigorous but aesthetically alluring golf course freshened (and toughened) daily by breezes off the Butler chain of lakes.

A Premier Property by LINKS Magazine
No. 72, Golfweek’s Top 100 Residential Golf Courses
No. 23, Golf Digest’s Best in Florida
Click here for more information about Isleworth!

14. Desert Mountain, Scottsdale AZ (3 awards) could be considered the Sea Pines of the West, for its pioneering vision of a destination community in the desert. The golf at Desert Mountain was entrusted to Jack Nicklaus, who poured his considerable energy into this portfolio of six Signature private courses.

A Premier Property by LINKS Magazine
No. 95, Golfweek’s Top 100 Residential Golf Courses (Chiracuhua course)
No. 17 (Chiracua), No. 21 (Renegade) and No. 22 (Geronimo), Golf Digest’s Best in Arizona
Click here for more information about Desert Mountain!

15. Owl’s Nest, Thornton NH (3 award) is a New England ski country jewel that’s beginning to receive some long-deserved recognition for its superior golf amenity—a Mark Mungeam design that opened in 1988 and offers a variety of backdrops, including wide meadows, a four-acre spring-fed pond and White Mountain peaks.

No. 5, Golfweek’s Best You Can Play in New Hampshire
No. 10, Golf Digest’s Best in New Hampshire
No. 5, GOLF Magazine’s Best You Can Play in New Hampshire
Click here for more information about Owls Nest!

Communities of Distinction

> Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club, Ocala, FL (3 awards) is a posh enclave in central Florida’s equestrian region and home to a celebrated Ron Garl championship golf course.

A Premier Property by LINKS Magazine
One of America's 100 Best Master-Planned Communities by Where to Retire magazine
No. 29, Golf Digest’s Best in Florida
Click here for more information about Golden Ocala!

> Woodside Plantation, Aiken SC (3 awards) is known nationally for its Reserve Club golf amenity, featuring a golf course by Jack Nicklaus that fits seamlessly into the community’s 2,900 acres of rolling countryside near the historic city of Aiken,

A Premier Property by LINKS Magazine
One of America's 100 Best Master-Planned Communities by Where to Retire magazine
No. 16, Golf Digest’s Best in South Carolina (Reserve Club course)
Click here for more information about Woodside Plantation!

> Daniel Island, Charleston SC (3 awards) is a small town, an island and a country club community all in one, with homes fronted by sidewalks and a system of lovely parks, plus the upscale amenities you would expect.

A Premier Property by LINKS Magazine
One of America's 100 Best Master-Planned Communities by Where to Retire magazine
No. 19, Golf Digest’s Best in South Carolina (Ralston Creek course)
Click here for more information about Daniel Island!

> Bayside, Selbyville DE (3 awards) enjoys a waterfront perch along the sands of Assawoman Bay but adds a vibrant and walkable town center that keeps life interesting through all four seasons. A Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course keeps the shotmaking more than interesting.

No. 1, Golfweek’s Best You Can Play in Delaware
No. 3, Golf Digest’s Best in Delaware
No. 1, GOLF Magazine’s Best You Can Play in Delaware
Click here for more information about Bayside!

Click here to see the 2009's Best of the Best!

Eighteen master-planned golf and waterview communities featured on GolfCourseHome.net and the GolfCourseHome Network are ranked on Golfweek Magazine's 2009 Best Courses You Can Play list.

Representing 10 states, these courses are open to the public, providing an ideal way to investigate the community and the course on one visit. Click on the links below to learn more about each community, its amenities and real estate.

Key: Golfweek recognizes courses as classic--built prior to 1960 (c), or modern--built 1960 or later (m); * – new to list

Alabama
5. Ross Bridge, Hoover (m)*

Florida
5. Juliette Falls GC, Dunnellon (m)*
23. Lake Jovita (South), Dade City (m)

Georgia
3. Reynolds Plantation (Great Waters), Oconee (m)
5. Reynolds Plantation (Oconee), Oconee (m)
8. Reynolds Plantation (National), Oconee (m)

Michigan
2. Forest Dunes, Roscommon (No. 82 m)
4. Tullymore, Stanwood (m)

Missouri
1. Branson Creek, Branson (m)

New Hampshire
5. Owl’s Nest, Campton (m)

Oregon
8. Running Y Ranch, Klamath Falls (m)

South Carolina
2. Harbour Town, Hilton Head Island (No. 28 m)
5. May River Course at Palmetto Bluff, Bluffton (m)
10. Barefoot Landing (Love), North Myrtle Beach (m)

Texas
5. Barton Creek (Fazio-Canyons), Austin (m)
8. Barton Creek (Fazio-Foothills), Austin (m)

Virginia
1. Homestead Resort (Cascades), Hot Springs (No. 47 c)
6. Homestead Resort (Lower Cascades), Hot Springs (c)
7. Riverfront GC at Harbor View, Suffolk (m)
8. Bay Creek GC (Nicklaus) Cape Charles (m)
9. Kingsmill (River), Williamsburg (m)