{"id":8083,"date":"2026-08-27T17:50:30","date_gmt":"2026-08-27T17:50:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shipsticks.com\/blog\/?p=8083"},"modified":"2026-09-03T14:48:55","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T14:48:55","slug":"western-u-s-golf-courses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shipsticks.com\/blog\/western-u-s-golf-courses\/","title":{"rendered":"11 Must-Play Western U.S. Golf Courses"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Western<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The wild, wild west has never given anything away for free. Cowboys, outlaws, and scorching desert heat once made this frontier a place you survived, not celebrated. But the West has always rewarded those willing to make the journey, and today, the payoff is sweeter than ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Barren deserts now cradle luxurious resorts. Rugged mountains offer a welcome escape from the crowded cities. And that endless sea of sand is now dotted with some of the most artistically driven, jaw-dropping golf courses in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The terrain can be demanding, the drives can be long, but golfers have always been willing to go the distance for the game, especially when the reward looks like this. So saddle up. These are the western U.S. golf courses worth the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Best Western U.S. Golf Courses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Rams Hill Golf Club<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Borrego Springs, California<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This hidden gem is about as hidden as they come, but don\u2019t let the remote address fool you. The club bills its Tom Fazio design as \u201cthe middle of nowhere, but exactly where you need to be,\u201d and after one round, you\u2019ll agree it\u2019s worth every mile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Named to Golf Digest\u2019s \u201c100 Greatest Public Courses in America,\u201d Rams Hill Golf Club<\/span><\/a> rises straight out of the arid desert floor with dramatic elevation changes, framed mountain vistas, and meandering streams and waterfalls fed by nearby springs. It\u2019s every bit as playable as it is photogenic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pedigree backs it up: in 2017, Golf Week rated Rams Hill the third-best resort course in California<\/a>, behind only Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill. That\u2019s rarefied company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And the one thing that might just top the golf? Believe it or not, the club\u2019s legendary apple-caramel cookies\u2014cherished by locals and visiting golfers alike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Cascata<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Boulder City, Nevada<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Western<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Set against the River Mountain Range, Cascata<\/span><\/a> is one of Rees Jones\u2019s most stunning designs. Lush fairways carved into a rugged desert backdrop are a Western golf staple, but few pull it off like this. It sits just 30 minutes from the Las Vegas<\/a> Strip, yet the quiet catches everyone off guard. Out here it\u2019s all stillness and space\u2014a round that feels a world away from the bright lights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The name is Italian for \u201cwaterfall,\u201d and the course lives up to it: a 418-foot cascade tumbles down the mountainside and through the property, right into the clubhouse itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll leave raving about the scenery\u2014but slip off your spikes for a post-round drink and it\u2019s the service that seals it. From bag drop to the 18th green, the Cascata staff doesn\u2019t miss a detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Singing Hills Golf Resort at Sycuan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

El Cajon, California<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Singing Hills<\/a><\/span> is the only resort in the San Diego area with three distinct courses: Oak Glen, Willow Glen, and Pine Glen, the resort\u2019s par-3 layout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oak Glen is the headliner\u2014a demanding par-72 where the Sweetwater River forces some nervy carries and subtly undulating greens test even the sharpest short game. Better yet, it recently reopened after a major renovation, with new water features, rebuilt tee boxes, and greens rolling truer than ever. It\u2019s dialed in and ready for your visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Willow Glen is every bit as scenic with a completely different personality\u2014doglegs, elevation changes, and smart bunkering that make it a genuine test for players of any level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And this is no stranger to the big stage, having hosted the Junior World Golf Championships, multiple SCGA and USGA qualifiers, the U.S. Junior Amateur, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And when you\u2019ve had your fill of golf, the Sycuan Casino Resort sits just five minutes away for a little more action after sundown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Rio Secco Golf Club<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Henderson, Nevada<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Western<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Open since 1997, Rees Jones\u2019s layout at Rio Secco Golf Club<\/span><\/a> has spent more than 25 years near the top of the Western golf conversation\u2014and one round makes it obvious why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lush fairways blend seamlessly into the natural desertscape, with the Las Vegas Strip shimmering in the distance. \u201cRio Secco\u201d means \u201cdry river\u201d in Portuguese, and the front nine threads right through its rocky namesake before the back nine climbs higher for sweeping views of the valley below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The course keeps evolving, too. Recent upgrades led by Jones added new greens, fresh bunkering, and additional forward tees, keeping it a fair test for every level of player.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Sedona Golf Resort<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sedona, Arizona<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Snaking through the towering red rocks of Arizona<\/a>, few courses anywhere leave a mark like Sedona Golf Resort<\/a>. The par-71 layout is a well-conditioned test in its own right\u2014but let\u2019s be honest, it\u2019s the red rock canyons framing every hole that will pull you back again and again. There isn\u2019t a weak view on the property. Play it any month of the year, and bring the whole group\u2014there\u2019s a stay & play package to fit just about everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Tetherow Resort<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bend, Oregon<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Photograph Courtesy of Evan Schiller<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

From the mind of David McLay Kidd<\/a>\u2014the architect behind Bandon Dunes<\/a>, the Castle Course at St. Andrews, and Gamble Sands (more on that one later)\u2014Tetherow<\/span><\/a> shows off a different side of his design style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dramatic elevation changes and a clever routing keep the unforgettable Cascade Mountain views front and center, while fescue fairways, scattered pines, and rugged bunkering give the course a wild, links-like edge that plays firm and fast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The critics have taken notice: Golf Digest ranked Tetherow No. 57 on its 2023\u201324 list of \u201cAmerica\u2019s 100 Greatest Public Courses\u201d\u2014a 25-spot jump\u2014and it\u2019s held a place among the country\u2019s top 100 and Oregon\u2019s very best ever since.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Sand Hollow Resort<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hurricane, Utah<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Sand<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just 45 minutes from Zion National Park, no destination shows off the red rocks quite like Sand Hollow Resort<\/span><\/a>. Its three courses aren\u2019t just easy on the eyes\u2014they\u2019ve earned national acclaim from golf\u2019s biggest publications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Championship Course is the must-play. Routinely voted the best course you can play in Utah, it perches several holes right on the edge of the desert canyon, so you\u2019ll be reaching for your camera as often as your clubs. The Links Course tips its cap to the home of golf with massive, rolling greens and fairways. And the aptly named Wee Course\u2014Southern Utah\u2019s only par-3 course\u2014is genuinely fun for the entire family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Gamble Sands<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Brewster, Washington<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Western<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since opening in 2014, Gamble Sands<\/span><\/a> has rocketed straight to the top of the Western golf world\u2014and its setting beneath the peaks of the Cascade Mountains is a big reason why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The original Sands Course, a David McLay Kidd design, sprawls across the desert floor over nearly 115 acres of firm, fine-fescue fairways. It puts a bold spin on traditional links golf\u2014reachable par 4s, split fairways, and endless options off the tee\u2014with Columbia River views that only sweeten the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And there\u2019s far more to play now. In August 2025, the resort opened its second 18-hole McLay Kidd course, Scarecrow\u2014instantly one of the most talked-about new courses in the country\u2014bringing Gamble Sands to 50 holes of golf, including the fun 14-hole par-3 QuickSands and the Cascades putting course. Plan on more than one round; this is a full-blown golf destination now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Marriott’s Shadow Ridge Golf Club<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Palm Desert, California<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

For serious value with no compromise on quality, tee it up at this Nick Faldo\u2013designed treasure in the Coachella Valley. With more than 350 days of sunshine a year, good weather is just about guaranteed whenever you visit Shadow Ridge Golf Club<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generous fairways keep things approachable, but strategic bunkering and subtly undulating greens demand a plan on nearly every shot. The golf takes center stage and the snow-capped Santa Rosa Mountains framing it all are the cherry on top.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. Silverado Resort and Spa<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Napa, California<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wineries, a world-class spa, and two celebrated golf courses\u2014what more could you want? Silverado Resort and Spa<\/span><\/a> delivers all of it in the heart of beautiful Napa, California.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both courses have been redesigned by PGA Hall of Famer Johnny Miller, and with play limited to members and resort guests, you\u2019re all but guaranteed an exclusive, uncrowded day on the links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the round\u2019s over, the fun\u2019s just getting started: the region\u2019s world-class wineries await for intimate tastings, and award-winning restaurants sit around nearly every corner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11. Ventana Canyon Golf and Racquet Club<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tucson, Arizona<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Tucked into the Santa Catalina Mountains, Ventana Canyon<\/span><\/a> is a private golf experience unlike any other. Winding through the peaks and valleys of the Sonoran Desert, it offers two of the finest courses in the West.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both 18-hole championship designs come from the mastermind of Tom Fazio and showcase desert golf at its absolute best\u2014elevated tee boxes, gently rolling greens, and a beautifully preserved landscape of saguaro-studded canyons alive with coyotes, javelina, roadrunners, and quail. It\u2019s as much a nature preserve as a golf course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

These incredible western U.S. golf courses are calling. And all you have to do is answer.<\/span> Every course on this list is worth the journey and ShipSticks makes the getting-there part effortless. Ship your clubs and luggage ahead, skip the oversize fees and the baggage-claim stress, and arrive with your gear already waiting at the first tee. Learn more<\/span><\/a> about shipping your clubs or get a <\/span>free quote<\/span><\/a> today!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The wild, wild west has never given anything away for free. Cowboys, outlaws, and scorching desert heat once made this frontier a place you survived, not celebrated. But the West has always rewarded those willing to make the journey, and today, the payoff is sweeter than ever. Barren deserts now cradle luxurious resorts. Rugged mountains…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":8085,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14,249],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8083","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel","category-destinations"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shipsticks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8083","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shipsticks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shipsticks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shipsticks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/49"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shipsticks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8083"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/www.shipsticks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8083\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10431,"href":"https:\/\/www.shipsticks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8083\/revisions\/10431"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shipsticks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8085"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shipsticks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8083"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shipsticks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8083"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shipsticks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8083"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}