Best Casino Golf Courses San Diego
Welcome to Golfweek’s Best Casino Courses in the United States, first published in the November/December print issue of Golfweek.
Explore the San Vicente Golf Resort, nestled in San Diego's backcountry, where our guests enjoy a casual, fun, and relaxed experience. Our Golf Course and Practice Area are currently closed for the construction of our exciting Greens and Bunkers Renovation. Our tentative reopening is the first quarter of 2021, and we look forward to inviting.
- Ranked #1 by the San Diego Business Journal and Sign on San Diego.com, Sycuan Resort is spread over 425 acres and offers 54 award-winning holes of golf including two Championship courses.
- Located in nearby Carlsbad, California, the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa is always one of the top-rated golf resorts in the San Diego region. Dick Wilson designed this 18-hole golf course that has been the site of numerous PGA events and hosted many iconic golfers over the years.
The top 10 on this list held steady since 2018, but there was plenty of movement in the rest of the rankings as 33 courses changed position, including three that moved onto the list.
Kalispel Golf and Country Club in Spokane, Washington, formerly Spokane Country Club, jumped onto the list at No. 30. The Champions course at Thornberry Creek in Oneida, Wisconsin, also moved into the top 50 at No. 40, and Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Flintstone, Maryland, made it onto the list at No. 44.
Worth noting, the names of the courses at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Ariz., have changed. The North course is now the O’odham course (No. 34), and the South course was renamed Piipaash (No. 46). Also, Sevillano Links in Corning, Calif., was renamed The Links at Rolling Hills (No. 42).
The hundreds of members of our course-ratings panel continually evaluate courses and rate them based on our 10 criteria. They also file a single, overall rating on each course. Those overall ratings on each course are averaged to produce a final rating for each course. Then each course is ranked against other courses in the region.
We hope you enjoy poring over these rankings, and we look forward to hearing your thoughts on this list. Each course is listed with its 2020 ranking, its location, architect(s), the year it opened and an average ranking from all the Golfweek Raters who reviewed it.
Golfweek’s Best: Top 50 Casino Courses
| Rank | Course | Location | Designer(s) | Year Opened | Avg. Rating |
| 1 | Shadow Creek | North Las Vegas, Nev. | Tom Fazio | 1990 | 8.09 |
| 2 | Fallen Oak | Saucier, Miss. | Tom Fazio | 2006 | 7.25 |
| 3 | The Greenbrier (Old White TPC) | White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. | Charles Blair Macdonald, Seth Raynor, Lester George | 1914 | 6.86 |
| 4 | French Lick (Pete Dye Course) | French Lick, Ind. | Pete Dye | 2009 | 6.75 |
| 5 | We-Ko-Pa (Saguaro) | Fort McDowell, Ariz. | Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw | 2006 | 6.67 |
| 6 | Salish Cliffs | Shelton, Wash. | Gene Bates | 2011 | 6.55 |
| 7 | Wilderness at Fortune Bay | Tower, Minn. | Jeff Brauer | 2004 | 6.54 |
| 8 | Barona Creek | Lakeside, Calif. | Gary Roger Baird, Todd Eckenrode | 2001 | 6.50 |
| 9 | Nemacolin Woodlands (Mystic Rock) | Farmington, Pa. | Pete Dye | 1995 | 6.44 |
| 10 | Spirit Hollow | Burlington, Iowa | Rick Jacobson | 2000 | 6.41 |
| 11 | The Preserve GC | Vancleave, Miss. | Jerry Pate | 2006 | 6.34 |
| 12 | Turning Stone Resort (Atunyote) | Verona, N.Y. | Tom Fazio | 2004 | 6.21 |
| 13 | French Lick (Donald Ross Course) | French Lick, Ind. | Donald Ross | 1917 | 6.19 |
| 14 | Ak-Chin Southern Dunes | Maricopa, Ariz. | Brian Curley, Lee Schmidt | 2002 | 6.17 |
| 15 | Edgewood Tahoe GC | Stateline, Nev. | George Fazio | 1968 | 6.17 |
| 16 | We-Ko-Pa (Cholla) | Fort McDowell, Ariz. | Scott Miller | 2001 | 6.15 |
| 17 | Firekeeper | Mayetta, Kan. | Jeff Brauer, Notah Begay III | 2011 | 6.13 |
| 18 | Meadows at Mystic Lake | Prior Lake, Minn. | Garrett Gill, Paul Miller | 2005 | 6.12 |
| 19 | Yocha Dehe at Cache Creek Casino | Brooks, Calif. | Brad Bell | 2008 | 6.10 |
| 20 | Sweetgrass GC | Harris, Mich. | Paul Albanese | 2008 | 6.07 |
| 21 | Circling Raven | Worley, Idaho | Gene Bates | 2003 | 6.05 |
| 22 | Sandia Golf Club | Albuquerque, N.M. | Scott Miller | 2005 | 5.95 |
| 23 | Tatanka GC | Niobrara, Neb. | Paul Albanese | 2015 | 5.94 |
| 24 | Lake of Isles (North) | North Stonington, Conn. | Rees Jones | 2005 | 5.93 |
| 25 | The Greenbrier (Greenbrier) | White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. | Seth Raynor, George O’Neil, Jack Nicklaus | 1924 | 5.92 |
| 26 | Sewailo GC | Tucson, Ariz. | Notah Begay III, Ty Butler | 2013 | 5.89 |
| 27 | Belterra GC | Florence, Ind. | Tom Fazio | 2001 | 5.82 |
| 28 | Journey at Pechanga | Temecula, Calif. | Steve Forrest, Arthur Hills | 2008 | 5.81 |
| 29 | Turning Stone (Shenendoah) | Verona, N.Y. | Rick Smith | 2000 | 5.81 |
| 30 | Kalispel G&CC | Spokane, Wash. | Jim Barnes | 1910 | 5.79 |
| 31 | Seneca Hickory Stick Golf | Lewiston, N.Y. | Robert Trent Jones Jr. | 2010 | 5.78 |
| 32 | Riverside (Blue Top Ridge) | Riverside, Iowa | Rees Jones | 2007 | 5.78 |
| 33 | Dancing Rabbit GC (Azaleas) | Philadelphia, Miss. | Tom Fazio, Jerry Pate | 1997 | 5.75 |
| 34 | Talking Stick (O’odham, formerly North) | Scottsdale, Ariz. | Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw | 1998 | 5.73 |
| 35 | Dancing Rabbit GC (Oaks) | Philadelphia, Miss. | Tom Fazio, Jerry Pate | 1999 | 5.72 |
| 36 | Apache Stronghold | San Carlos, Ariz. | Tom Doak | 1999 | 5.71 |
| 37 | Eagle Falls | Indio, Calif. | Clive Clark | 2008 | 5.70 |
| 38 | Turning Stone (Kaluhyat) | Verona, N.Y. | Robert Trent Jones Jr. | 2003 | 5.70 |
| 39 | Sequoyah National GC | Whittier, N.C. | Robert Trent Jones Jr., Notah Begay III | 2009 | 5.65 |
| 40 | Thornberry Creek at Oneida (Champions) | Oneida, Wis. | Rick Jacobson | 2004 | 5.63 |
| 41 | Inn of the Mountain Gods | Mescalero, N.M. | Ted Robinson | 1976 | 5.59 |
| 42 | The Links at Rolling Hills | Corning, Calif. | Mike Stark | 2007 | 5.53 |
| 43 | Shell Landing GC | Gautier, Miss. | Davis Love III | 2002 | 5.50 |
| 44 | Rocky Gap Casino Resort | Flintstone, Md. | Jack Nicklaus | 1998 | 5.50 |
| 45 | Whirlwind GC (Cattail) | Chandler, Ariz. | Gary Panks | 2002 | 5.48 |
| 46 | Talking Stick (Piipaash, formerly South) | Scottsdale, Ariz. | Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw | 1998 | 5.44 |
| 47 | Whirlwind GC (Devil’s Claw) | Chandler, Ariz. | Gary Panks | 2000 | 5.42 |
| 48 | Mohegan Sun GC | Baltic, Conn. | Geoffrey Cornish, Robert McNeil | 1960 | 5.30 |
| 49 | Cherokee Hills | Tulsa, Okla. | Tripp Davis, Perry Maxwell | 1924 | 5.16 |
| 50 | Windance CC | Gulfport, Miss. | Mark McCumber | 1986 | 5.13 |
San Diego is home to many award-winning golf courses, featured by both the PGA and LPGA. If you are coming to San Diego, golfing should be high on your to-do list. Check out the places below and have a great time on the course!
1. Torrey Pines Golf Course
The Torrey Pines Golf Course is one of the most picturesque golf courses in America. Home to the 2008 U.S. Open, Torrey Pines Golf Course is located on cliffs that over look the Pacific Ocean. Playing on the cliffs of Torrey Pines is an experience like no other. If you’re a golf enthusiast, tee off at Torrey Pines Golf Course.
2. Coronado Golf Course
Located just minutes from downtown San Diego, Coronado Golf Course is a great pick if you are looking for a public golf course. The Coronado Golf Course overlooks the San Diego Bay and features over 6,000 yards of space. Coronado Golf course was rated on of the best courses in the nation by Golf Digest, so make time to play this beautiful course.
Photo credit: Golf Advisor
Golf Courses San Diego County
3. Rancho Bernardo Golf Course
The Rancho Bernardo Golf Course has hosted both PGA and LPGA tournaments so you know that this course is top notch. This course features both challenging and easier holes, accommodating people of all skill types. Rancho Bernardo Golf Course has been recently renovated, so if you haven’t played here in awhile, book your tee time now.
4. Park Hyatt Aviara
Park Hyatt Aviara is currently booked to host 2017’s LPGA Kia Classic, making a case for being one of the best golf courses in the U.S. This beautiful resort has all the amenities you could want. The clubhouse features a full-service bar, a lounge and a steakhouse, making it the perfect outing for you and your friends.
Photo credit: www.golfaviara.com
5. The Maderas Golf Club
The Maderas Golf Club is an award-winning course, ranking as one of best golf courses in San Diego by Zagat Survey seven years and counting. This beautiful course allows players to play through the forest, cliffs and water features. The course has three lakes, five waterfalls and acres of local flowers and shrubbery. This gorgeous course is a must for those looking to golf in amazing scenery.
6. CrossCreek Golf Club
Located just outside of San Diego, the CrossCreek Golf Club is a scenic course without many distractions. Tucked away from the city, CrossCreek is able to harness the quiet surroundings and provide golfers with a serene golfing experience.
Photo credit: www.crosscreekgcmd.com
7. Eastlake Country Club
Eastlake Country Club was designed by the famous architect Ted Robinson. This fact alone makes it a worthy stop on your next golf trip. The course has six lakes, 72 sand traps, and the fairways are covered in striking bluegrass and rye. This course is relatively cheaper than the other courses, so keep that in mind.
8. La Costa Golf Course
La Costa Golf Course has 36 holes for you to enjoy. This course has won many awards, including being mentioned in Golf Magazines “Top 100 Courses You Can Play”. La Costa meanders through both wetlands and rolling hills. The landscape provides challenging holes and should be played on your next visit.
Photo credit: VisitCarlsbad.com
9. Arrwood Golf Course
Located just outside of San Diego in Oceanside, California, Arrwood Golf Course is well-maintained course that leaves you amazed. This is a course that has many amenities and options for people looking to have a great, full day of golfing.
10. The Crossings Golf Course
Best Casino Golf Courses San Diego Address
The Crossings Golf Course features dazzling views with both the Pacific Ocean and hills of California. The terrain at The Crossing is varied that gives golfers the opportunity to approach holes differently. If you are looking for a course that will accommodate different playing styles, look no further than The Crossings.
Photo credit: thecrossingsatcarlsbad.com