Located right on the coast of California, in 2001 Pebble Beach Golf Links became the first public course selected as the No. 1 course in America by Golf Digest. It was opened in 1919 with a distinctive figure-eight layout and has a total length of 6828 yards.

Established in 1895, Pinehurst Resort has expanded over the years to include a total of eight 18-hole courses, with Course No. 2 having hosted many major tournaments. The North Carolina resort was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1996.

Emulating the seaside links courses in the United Kingdom and Ireland, Whistling Straits features lots of deep bunkers, grass dunes and winds that sweep over the course because of its location along the side of Lake Michigan in Kohler, Wis. At a total of 7,514 yards, it's the second longest course to host a major tournament. The course opened in 1998.

In 2002, the Black Course at Bethpage State Park on Long Island became the first publicly owned and operated course to host the U.S. Open. The 7,366-yard course was opened in 1936 and was designed by A.W. Tillinghast.

The Tournament Players Club at Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. was the first of several subsequent TPC courses built in the United States and is composed of two individual courses. The more famous of the two, the 7,215-yard Stadium Course, has raised mounds of grass along the side for fans to watch the action and features one of the most difficult holes in golf: the 17th hole "Island Green." It was constructed in 1980.

Part of the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon, Pacific Dunes opened in 2001. Just four years later, the 6,633-yard course was named the top resort golf course in the country by Golfweek magazine. The resort has a total of four courses, and golf carts are not tolerated except if required for medical reasons.

Another Pebble Beach Company course, Spyglass Hill, also known as "the Glass," opened in 1966 after six years of planning, design and construction. Each hole of the 6,953-yard course is named after a character or place from Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island.

Five courses make up the Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina. The most notable one is the Ocean Course, which was designed by Pete and Alice Dye and opened in 1991 (the resort was established in 1974) with a length of 7,356 yards. Right on the Atlantic Ocean, it is subject to stiff winds.

The 7,018-yard course in Mesquite, Nev. opened in 2000. Numerous water hazards make it a challenging one to play, while the scenic views make it a beautiful playing experience. Each hole at Wolf Creek features an elevated tee box.

A municipal public golf course owned by the city of San Diego, Torrey Pines overlooks the Pacific Ocean and features two well-known courses. At 7,643 yards, the South Course is the longest course played in a regular PGA Tour event. Tee times on weekends are given out on a first come, first serve basis, and people regularly get in line as early as 6 p.m. the prior night to secure a spot.