Although much of the world closed in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, Some industries have not only survived but also thrive. One of those who benefited the most from it was golf, as 2020 brought a much-needed jolt to life for the sport.
Although universal shutdowns initially hurt bottom line (March 2021 showed rounds of golf increased by a staggering 45% from March 2020), golfers in the U.S. recorded 14% – or 60 million – more rounds in 2020 than in 2019, according to a National Golf Foundation Study to track the impact of the coronavirus on industry. In particular, weekday gaming and late afternoon course use saw a massive jump in 2020, partly due to the flexibility of the schedule as more people worked remotely, avoided the daily commute, and sought outdoor activities close to their home . Nine-hole games also saw a significant increase as casual golf grew in popularity.
Curated used data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics Compile a list of 10 golf destinations with the most golf courses per capita. The subways are ranked by the number of golf courses and country club facilities on the subway per 100,000 residents. To be included on this list, an establishment must primarily operate a golf course (excluding miniature golf) or a golf course, and restaurants and recreational facilities (country clubs).
Read on to find out where to find the best access in the country for you Choice of courses, the unique terrain that is suitable for World class golfand what makes selected clubs remarkable.
# 10. St. Cloud, MN
– Golf courses and country club facilities per 100,000 population: 7.9
– Facilities in the subway: 16
– Metro population: 201,964
There are 16 golf courses within 20 miles of St. Cloud, and all but one are open to the public, making it an incredibly golf-friendly area. The biggest disadvantage is the weather: warm temperatures are in short supply and extreme winters are plentiful, so that almost half the year is closed. However, during the high season it is one of the best golf courses in the region. The Territory Golf Club (formerly The Fairways) right in St. Cloud features a unique arrangement of forest and link style holes with challenging pin placements and elevation changes to keep things interesting. The St. Cloud Country Club’s exclusive private championship course has limited membership, which translates into pristine course conditions and a faster pace of play. Founded in 1920, the club was built along the Mississippi River and also features wooded land and rolling hills. In addition to golf, members can use first-class tennis and swimming facilities.
# 9. Syracuse, NY
– Golf courses and country club facilities per 100,000 population: 8.2
– Facilities in the metro: 53
– Metro population: 648,593
Another top destination with a short season is Syracuse, New York, where you’ll find varied terrain and challenging golf courses for the most seasoned golfers. You can play one of the oldest golf courses in the United States at Onondaga Golf & Country Club, which was designed in 1898. A more contemporary choice is the Timber Banks Golf Club, which has a Jack Nicklaus design and opened in 2009. Playing 7,300 yards from the peaks, this course is famous for its undulating, fast greens and cave-like bunkers.
# 8.Duluth, MN-WI (double connections)
– Golf courses and country club facilities per 100,000 population: 8.3
– Facilities in the metro: 24
– Metro population: 288,732
Twin Ports has some quaint golf courses – but make sure you hit them straight as you are likely to get wind of the lakes and unforgiving weather conditions. Northland Country Club is one of the most famous golf courses in Minnesota. It was founded in 1899 and has a Donald Ross course design. In 2020 it was listed under the Top 200 classic golf courses from Golfweek. The view of the 27-hole Enger Park Golf Course and views of Duluth Harbor is hard to beat. Three layout styles range from 3,169 meters to 3,350 meters and routes that take you through picturesque ponds and densely packed trees.
# 7. Port St. Lucie, FL
– Golf courses and country club facilities per 100,000 population: 9.6
– Facilities in the metro: 47
– Metro population: 489,297
Port St. Lucie is located in central Florida, a state with more golf courses than anywhere else in the country. PGA Golf Club is hands down one of the best places to work on your game – known by many as the ultimate golf destination, with 54 holes of championship golf holes designed by legends Tom Fazio and Pete Dye. The Short Course offers holes 35 to 60 meters in length and is the ideal place to practice your wedges and chip strokes. Developed in 1961 and operated by the city of Port St. Lucie, the Saints at Port St. Lucie golf course hosts the popular City Golf Championship every November and has a forgiving 18-hole championship course.
# 6. Utica-Rome, NY
– Golf courses and country club facilities per 100,000 population: 10.7
– Facilities in the subway: 31
– Metro population: 289,990
Most of the courses on the Utica-Rome subway at the foot of the Adirondacks in New York State are public and steeped in history. Rome Country Club offers a playable public course with a four-star Golf Digest rating and a parkland layout with tree-lined fairways. If convenience is your thing, Teugega Country Club is a private club that features a Donald Ross-designed championship course, plus a pool, tennis facilities, and access to beautiful waterfront Delta Lake.
# 5. Cape Coral- Fort Myers, FL
– Golf courses and country club facilities per 100,000 population: 10.8
– Facilities in the metro: 83
– Metro population: 770,577
The Fort Myers subway area on the Caloosahatchee River on Florida’s southwest Gulf Coast offers year-round course options for all abilities. One of the most popular golf courses in the area is Cape Royal Golf Club, a Troon-managed hotel offering 27 holes of championship golf and casual dining at the Caloosa Club. The Fort Myers Country Club (or “The Fort”) was designed by Donald Ross in 1916 and is one of the most historic golf courses in West Florida. This course is owned and operated by the City of Fort Myers together with the Eastwood Golf Course.
# 4.Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC (The Big Beach)
– Golf courses and country club facilities per 100,000 population: 13.9
– Facilities in the metro: 69
– Metro population: 496,901
Myrtle Beach offers a variety of courses including the legendary Dunes Club, which opened in 1949 and is widely considered to be the best of all designs by famed architect Robert Trent Jones. The routing leads the players along Singleton Swash, with Waterloo, a dogleg right par 5, standing as a signature hole on the course. The course has hosted PGA and LPGA tour events and is consistently voted in the top 100 courses by major golf publications. Another challenging public course is the Tom Fazio-designed TPC Myrtle Beach, which has water hazards on almost every hole, including the 18th par 5 which is the hardest # 2 hole on the course.
# 3. Barnstable, MA (Cape Cod)
– Golf courses and country club facilities per 100,000 inhabitants: 14.1
– Facilities in the metro: 30
– Metro population: 212,990
Cape Cod offers countless golf courses of varying degrees of difficulty, including the popular Olde Barnstable Golf Course. The 18-hole course at Marstons Mills has a beautiful, changeable layout that extends over 6,479 yards for a par of 71. Highland Links has a rare link layout along cliffs on the Atlantic. The coastal terrain includes dunes, rocks and grass, while the unpredictable winds make conditions challenging even for scratch golfers.
# 2. Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC
– Golf courses and country club facilities per 100,000 population: 15.3
– Facilities in the metro: 34
– Metro population: 222,195
The RBC Heritage PGA Tour takes place on the Harbor Town Golf Links course on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. The course, designed by Pete Dye, is tightly laid out and requires precise play from tee to green. The area is a golf resort haven with eight golf courses on the list of the 35 best golf courses in South Carolina for 2020-21 and three in the top 10 including Harbor Town, Long Cove Club and Secession.
# 1. Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL
– Golf courses and country club facilities per 100,000 population: 17.9
– Facilities in the metro: 69
– Metro population: 384,902
With perfect weather all year round, you can’t go wrong with golfing paradise in the Naples area of Florida. Tiburon is an outstanding golf course with 36 holes designed by Greg Norman that hosts an LPGA and PGA Tour event every year. Tiburon golf courses have no rough and are quick to play, making them one of the top 20 courses in Florida by Golf Magazine and Golf Digest. Another highlight is TPC Treviso Bay, a private club that has welcomed public games since 2011. Designed by Arthur Hills, the course was renovated for $ 3 million in 2020 and features a fun, challenging layout that challenges every handicap.
