Where It Lies

From its pristine oceanside location, the North Shore course of Kahuku is a primal, timeless municipal gem. Passionate community resistance has resisted renovation and expansion for generations, maintaining a pure golf experience without carts or a clubhouse, where the only rule is that all players must wear shoes. With some of the world’s best food trucks lining Kamehameha Highway, the overall cultural experience embodies the best of Hawaii and the local slogan, “Keep the country, country.”

“The Patch” is Augusta National’s scruffier older brother and a defining presence on the local golf landscape, especially after the course’s recent renovation in 2026. While the legendary Masters course draws global attention, this public gem is a community staple, connecting locals to the game in a unique and meaningful way. Rounds unfold alongside neighboring Daniel Field, the town’s tiny airport, where private aircraft fill the runway during Masters week. The green jacket may steal the headlines, but the Patch provides its own unmistakable color.

Nestled on L.A.’s Westside, Rancho Park is America’s busiest golf course. With over 100,000 annual rounds played on its 27-hole track in the shadow of a famous Hollywood studio, Rancho Park welcomes a diverse gathering of players. The “People’s Golf Course” features colorful characters like the majordomo of the practice putting green’s money games and the wily and acerbic tee-box announcer, while drinks, stories, and practice swings take center stage at the nightly driving-range happy hour. The vibrant culture and food scene off the course match the offbeat, iconic energy of L.A. itself.

The oldest municipal course in the U.S., New York’s Van Cortlandt Park has seen it all. This Bronx landmark, the most transit-accessible public course in the Big Apple, has welcomed a rich tapestry of golfers throughout its 130-year history. Legends like Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, Joe Louis, and even the Three Stooges have left their mark, while “Vanny’s” heartbeat is its mix of the famous and forgotten, players of all ages, colors, and creeds. This oasis is an urban crossroads of stories, like the city it calls home.