The five best oceanside golf courses in the United States are Pebble Beach Golf Links, Cypress Point Club, The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, Pacific Dunes at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, and Torrey Pines South Course.
These legendary layouts combine world-class championship golf with dramatic coastal settings, offering experiences that range from accessible municipal play to ultra-exclusive private club terrain—keep reading to discover what makes each course exceptional and how you can play them.
Pebble Beach Golf Links – The Iconic California Masterpiece
Perched along the Monterey Peninsula, Pebble Beach Golf Links has held the title of America's #1 public golf course since Jack Neville and Douglas Grant laid out the routing in 1919.
What sets this par 72, 6,828-yard layout apart is its unmatched oceanside commitment—nine holes sit directly above the Pacific Ocean, specifically holes 4 through 10, plus the closing stretch at 17 and 18.
No other course in American golf offers this much consecutive ocean exposure.
The championship pedigree speaks volumes.
Pebble Beach has hosted six U.S. Opens, most recently in 2019, with four more scheduled through 2044.
The USGA also brought the U.S. Women's Open here for the first time in 2023 and has already committed to return dates in 2035, 2040, and 2048.
Add the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, which has run here annually since 1947, and you're looking at a course that defines American tournament golf.
The signature stretch: Holes 6 through 8 deliver golf's most dramatic oceanside sequence.
The par-3 7th demands a precise carry over a seaside chasm to a severely sloping green.
The 8th hole approach, which Jack Nicklaus calls his favorite shot in all of golf, launches from atop a 75-foot bluff over an ocean cove.
These moments justify the reputation.
Two technical challenges define the test: the smallest greens in major championship golf (averaging just 3,500 square feet) and strategic demands that reward precision over power.
Access details:
- Green fees run approximately $495, plus a $40 cart fee for non-resort guests
- You'll need a hotel stay at Pebble Beach Resorts (options include The Lodge at Pebble Beach or The Inn at Spanish Bay)
- Cart path only, though walking with a caddie gives you the full experience
- Book well ahead—tee times disappear fast
Cypress Point Club – The World's Most Exclusive Ocean Experience
Also located on the Monterey Peninsula, Cypress Point Club operates in a different universe from Pebble Beach. Alister MacKenzie and Robert Hunter designed this par 72 masterpiece in 1928, spreading the layout across 250 acres that showcase what many consider the finest collection of oceanside holes ever assembled.
Golf Digest ranks it #3 in their 2025 America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses list, while Top100GolfCourses.com places it at #1 in the entire United States.
The routing moves through three distinct environments that build toward an unforgettable climax.
Holes 1 through 6 wind through forest terrain, offering a strategic warm-up.
The middle section (holes 7-12) transitions into dune country.
Then the back nine pushes toward the ocean, with holes 13 through 18 delivering the dramatic coastal terrain that defines the course.
The legendary finish: What makes Cypress Point truly special is the stretch from holes 15 through 17, which many architects and players call the greatest finishing sequence in golf.
You face back-to-back par-3s at 15 and 16, followed by a spectacular par-4 17th.
The 16th hole alone—requiring a 231-yard carry directly over the Pacific Ocean to reach the green—stands as one of golf's most iconic par-3s.
The club hosted major team competitions, including the 1981 Walker Cup and the 1991 Ryder Cup in its final year at the venue.
Reality check on access: This is the most exclusive course in the world.
The club maintains approximately 250 members and operates under strict privacy.
You need a member invitation to play, with guest fees running around $450 when accompanied by that member.
The club divides its operating expenses equally among all members for annual dues.
There's no booking system for non-members, no public access, and virtually no path to playing here without personal connections to the membership.
The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island – America's Most Extensive Oceanside Layout
Pete and Alice Dye built The Ocean Course on Kiawah Island specifically for the 1991 Ryder Cup, creating what became known as the “War by the Shore.
Located approximately 30 miles southwest of Charleston, South Carolina, this par 72 layout claims the title of the Northern Hemisphere's most extensive oceanside golf experience—ten holes run directly along the Atlantic Ocean, while the remaining eight sit parallel to the coast, giving you ocean views from every single hole.
The numbers tell an intimidating story.
At 7,876 yards from the championship tees, it's the longest course ever to host a major championship.
The slope rating of 155 and course rating of 79.1 represent the highest in the country.
This consistently ranks among the top five public courses in America for good reason.
Alice Dye's suggestion to build the course on elevated terrain maximized those ocean views, but it also left the layout fully exposed to coastal winds.
You'll face up to an 8-club difference between rounds depending on wind conditions—what plays as a 7-iron one day might need a 4-iron the next.
Championship history: Beyond that inaugural 1991 Ryder Cup, the course has hosted the 2007 Senior PGA Championship and back-to-back PGA Championships in 2012 and 2021, cementing its place in major championship rotation.
The par-3 14th plays directly toward the ocean, while the dramatic par-3 17th over water proved pivotal in that famous 1991 Ryder Cup.
The finishing hole along the dunes delivers a breathtaking closer.
Planning your round:
- Walking-only format with caddies (though carts get permitted after 10 AM during summer months)
- Public resort course with stay-and-play packages available
- Ocean Course Cottages provide on-site accommodation
- The 24,000-square-foot clubhouse features the Ryder Cup Bar and The Atlantic Room for fine dining
- Part of Kiawah Island Golf Resort's five championship courses
- Advance booking required—this course stays popular year-round
Pacific Dunes at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort – Oregon's Links Masterpiece
Tom Doak and his Renaissance Design firm opened Pacific Dunes in 2001 on the remote southern Oregon coast, and the golf world immediately took notice.
Golfweek rated it the #1 resort golf course in the country in 2005, surpassing even Pebble Beach.
Golf Magazine later ranked it 8th among the world's best links courses in 2014.
The par 71 layout claims the most dramatic ocean frontage at Bandon Dunes, routing holes directly along coastal bluffs and through massive sand dunes.
Doak's design philosophy embraced minimal earth movement, letting the natural terrain dictate play and embodying true links golf principles.
You'll find the ground game and strategic shot-making rewarded here over raw power—a refreshing contrast to modern target golf.
Pacific Dunes has served as host venue for multiple USGA championships, validating its championship credentials on a national stage.
The Bandon experience: This course sits within Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, a complex featuring seven links-style layouts total: Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes, Bandon Trails, Old Macdonald, Sheep Ranch, plus two par-3 courses.
The resort philosophy centers entirely on traditional walking golf in a natural links environment.
No carts allowed—walking-only with caddie service available and strongly recommended.
Logistics and planning:
- Open to the public with resort booking required
- Green fees vary seasonally, with multi-round packages offering the best value given the seven-course options
- Multiple lodging options include the main lodge and various villas
- A 55-acre practice facility gives you space to prepare
- Located near Bandon on the southern Oregon coast; nearest major airport is North Bend, so plan for some travel time
The remoteness adds to the appeal—this feels like a true golf pilgrimage.
Torrey Pines Golf Course (South Course) – America's Premier Municipal Oceanside Facility
Perched atop dramatic coastal cliffs in La Jolla, approximately 20 minutes north of downtown San Diego, Torrey Pines South Course proves that world-class championship golf doesn't require resort pricing or country club membership.
The City of San Diego operates this facility, making it America's premier municipal golf venue.
William F. Bell designed the original layout in 1957, with Rees Jones delivering a major renovation in 2001 and further updates in 2019 that added strategic bunkering and elevated many greens.
The championship pedigree matches any private course.
Torrey Pines has hosted U.S. Opens in both 2008 and 2021, and the PGA Tour returns annually for the Farmers Insurance Open.
At par 72 and 7,707 yards, with a course rating of 78.2 and slope rating of 155, this layout tests even tour professionals.
The South Course challenge: Spectacular Pacific Ocean views define the experience on ocean-facing holes.
The par-3 3rd and par-4 14th bring coastal canyons into dramatic play, creating risk-reward moments that demand smart decisions.
Rees Jones's renovations sharpened the strategic demands considerably.
The thick kikuyu grass rough earns its reputation as notoriously penal—miss the fairway and you'll pay.
Consistent onshore winds add another variable that can shift club selection significantly.
The course takes its name from the rare Torrey Pine trees found only in this specific location, adding ecological significance to the golf experience.
The facility sits adjacent to Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.
The municipal reality: Approximately 72,000 rounds get played here annually, which means heavy traffic.
Expect five-plus hour rounds during peak times.
Green fees typically run $200-300+ for non-residents—expensive for municipal golf but reasonable given the championship pedigree.
Booking strategy: The reservation system uses a daily lottery at 7:00 PM for tee times seven days ahead, making access extremely competitive.
Cart path only, though walking is permitted. The facility includes two courses (North and South), with the South being the championship layout.
Pro shop and dining facilities are on-site. Marine layer fog can impact conditions, so check forecasts before your round.
Planning Your Oceanside Golf Pilgrimage
These five courses demand different approaches.
Budget anywhere from $200 at Torrey Pines to $495+ at Pebble Beach—Cypress Point remains invitation-only.
Book Torrey Pines through their daily 7:00 PM lottery, reserve Pebble Beach and Kiawah months ahead, and consider multi-round packages at Bandon Dunes for best value.
Prepare for the physical demands of walking-only policies at Kiawah and Bandon, where caddies enhance the experience significantly.
Seasonal timing affects both pricing and conditions—shoulder seasons often deliver better rates.
Remote locations like Bandon require travel planning to North Bend airport.
Coastal winds can create multi-club differences, so pack extra layers and expect weather variability that shapes each round dramatically.
Conclusion
These five oceanside courses represent the pinnacle of American coastal golf, each offering a distinct experience from municipal accessibility to ultra-exclusive championship layouts.
Whether you're securing a lottery spot at Torrey Pines or planning a multi-day stay at Bandon Dunes, the combination of ocean drama and world-class design justifies the investment.
Start with the courses that match your access level and budget, then work toward the pilgrimage experiences that define a golfer's lifetime.
