Golf courses can be located in various landscapes, either further inland or alongside the coast. Some terrific golf courses in the United States have great coastal settings. In fact, some of the top-ranked golf courses in the game have scenic coastal landscapes. These are a few of the greatest coastal golf courses.
The Pebble Beach Golf Links course, at the Pebble Beach Resort, is one of the best golfing destinations in America. This is a 6,828-yard golf course that dates back to the early 20th century. Since then, it has been a major venue on the PGA Tour, having hosted a total of six U.S. Opens.
Located on the Monterey coastline of California, the course plays alongside the Pacific Ocean. It includes some great ocean-side holes such as the short par-3 7th, and the longer par-5 18th hole. The short par-3 hole is a little over 109 yards, and includes a green beside the Pacific Ocean. Many rate the 18th hole at Pebble Beach as the best finishing hole in golf. This hole plays alongside the Pacific Ocean on the left side of its fairway.
The course is usually ranked among the top 10 golf courses in the United States. For example, Pebble Beach is currently ninth in Golf Digest’s course rankings. It’s also a resort course and a PGA Tour venue you can play at.
Another of the great coastal courses along the Monterey coastline is that of Cypress Point, which hosted the prestigious 2025 Walker Cup. This course meanders through the Del Monte forest over the front nine, but then meets the rocky coastline for some great finishing holes. It combines rocky coastline, pine woods, cypress trees, and dunes across its 18 golf holes.
One of the course’s most exciting holes is the 16th. This is a long 231-yard par-3, which requires a tee-shot over the Pacific and onto the green. With a compilation of great finishing holes, Cypress Point remains a great alternative to Pebble Beach Golf Links in California.
On the eastern coast of the United States, you can also play some great coastal golf at Kiawah Island. It is here that the Ocean Course is located, which is perhaps the most famous of the Kiawah Island resort courses. It was here that the 2012 PGA Golf Championship was played out, and before that, the Ryder Cup in 1991.
The Ocean Course is a giant course that stretches some 7,873 yards alongside the Atlantic Ocean. It has some big holes, such as the 16th 608 yarder. It has more seaside holes than any course in the Northern Hemisphere. It includes large slopes, Bermuda grass, and a host of bunkers scattered among its 18 holes.
For a some thrilling coastal golf, these golf courses should not be missed. With some classic holes and scenic coastlines, they are hard to beat. There have been many memorable PGA golfing moments on those courses.
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