Course Vaults — track and review every golf course you’ve played, follow friends, and discover where to play next.

Featured courses on Course Vaults

• Sand Valley — 🇺🇸 Nekoosa, WI, USA

  Golfers say Sand Valley showcases Coore and Crenshaw's design mastery with a challenging yet rewarding routing through dramatic sand dunes and firm, links-style conditions. Most praise the strategic shot-making, memorable holes throughout (particularly the opening tee shots on 1 and 10, the par-4 9th, and the punchbowl green on 17), and pure greens that reward creativity, though some note the firm surfaces can penalize well-struck approaches. Reviewers consistently highlight the world-class service, knowledgeable caddies, excellent and affordable food options, attractive replay pricing, and an outstanding pro shop. While a few mention the course shows signs of heavy play with fairway divots and observe that newer courses on the property have drawn attention, the consensus remains that Sand Valley is a must-play destination worth the trip to central Wisconsin, with many calling it endlessly replayable.

• Bandon Dunes — 🇺🇸 Bandon, OR, USA

  Golfers say Bandon Dunes stands out as the original course at the resort and ranks as many reviewers' favorite among the property's layouts, with several calling it a must-play and praising its combination of shot value, memorable holes, and excellence for match play. Most highlight the spectacular oceanside stretches—particularly the acclaimed 16th hole at sunset—and note the routing includes three passes along the water, though some mention the inland holes don't quite match that drama. Reviewers find the course plays as a big, forgiving ballpark off the tee with fun greens, and many appreciate how it handles varying wind conditions better than some neighboring courses, requiring solid bump-and-run and wind-cheater skills. A few note the greens don't quite reach the standard of Pacific Dunes or Old Macdonald, and one found significant scoring differences between morning and afternoon waves during competition play.

• The Ocean — 🇺🇸 Kiawah Island, SC, USA

  Golfers say this Pete Dye design delivers one of the most challenging and memorable experiences in American golf, with wind playing the defining role in difficulty—reviewers note that when conditions are up, the course becomes brutally demanding, particularly on the back-nine turn into the prevailing gusts, and turtleback greens amplify the test. Most praise the spectacular oceanside setting, excellent caddie program, and the sheer championship-caliber routing that asks for precision on every shot, with several calling it a must-play bucket-list venue despite the steep price tag. Some find the cost ($600-plus) hard to justify and consider the course overrated, citing underwhelming greens, forgettable stretches, and a lack of truly memorable holes compared to the hype. Reviewers emphasize playing the appropriate tees and bringing extra golf balls, as the wind and visual intimidation can turn even a skilled round into a survival exercise.