America's Best Golf Courses Under 18-Holes

Disruptors are everywhere. Perhaps the biggest golf tradition that's been disrupted in recent years is the one that insists golf must be 18 holes. Golf today reaches more age groups, income brackets, and regions than it has in the past, and newer avid players want golf to be more accommodating to their busy lives. The success of non-traditional golf facilities like TopGolf is proof that people today crave golf that can be played in a digestible, fun, way.

There are plenty of reasons golf does not need to be 18 holes, and in recent years, many courses have responded to this trend creating some fun and fast courses to get your golf fix in under four hours.

To celebrate this up-and-coming style of golf, we created our list of America's best golf courses under 18 holes. Some of these courses are gravy on top of the best public golf courses in America, some were designed by the most famous golf course architects, and others are just downright awesome.

There is truly no other layout like the Bad Little Nine at Scottsdale National Golf Club. True to its name, the par-3 course will decimate you in a just a hole or two, but it’s too much fun to not experience if you’re on property.

Scottsdale National is owned by entrepreneur (and PXG founder) Bob Parsons. When Parsons hired Jackson Kahn Design to create an elaborate contrast to the championship courses on property, they went all-in. With green complexes and bunkers that look like something out of a fever dream, you’ll find yourself delightfully frustrated playing these nine holes, which range from 86 to 153 yards. The ominous-looking dead trees give the Bad Little Nine a unique, almost haunted look.

On Fridays, the pins are placed in the hardest spots, and if you manage to break par (not happening) you get $1,000 in bar credit.

As if Pinehurst Resort wasn’t already one of the best golf destinations in the world, the resort continues to add experiences to the property to keep you coming back. There is no better example than The Cradle, a par-3 course designed by Gil Hanse.

When The Cradle opened in 2017, this short course immediately endeared itself to even the most veteran of Pinehurst-goers. The Cradle aims to be a casual, fun walk where groups of four, eight, or more, can blast their speakers and enjoy the moment. It’s the perfect ending to a day at Pinehurst.

Totalling 789 yards with holes ranging from 56 to 127 yards, The Cradle might be tiny, but it’s still a Hanse design, meaning it's a tremendous layout. For $50, it’s a steal, and if you’re at Pinehurst with your family, kids play free.

Some might find 13 to be an unlucky number, but in the case of Bandon Preserve, it’s just right. That’s how many holes are on this short course at the famous Bandon Dunes property.

Much like The Cradle, The Preserve is the perfect compliment to a group of courses that test every club in your bag. After a long day tackling Old Macdonald or Pacific Dunes, a quick loop at Bandon Preserve is a great way to settle a few side bets while sharpening your sword for the next test.

Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw designed Bandon Preserve, which opened in 2012. The incredible views start high atop sand dunes and continue as the course rolls down to the beach area. All net proceeds from Bandon Preserve go to the Wild Rivers Coast Alliance, which benefits local conservation. Bonus.

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Mike Keiser brought us Bandon Dunes and Sand Valley, but not many people are familiar with his masterpiece in New Buffalo, Michigan. The Dunes Club is a small, private course located on the banks of Lake Michigan. Keiser contracted Dick Nugent with the small task of making the best 9-hole course in the country, which would remind him of Pine Valley. To Nugent’s credit, he came up aces.

This course plays like a traditional nine-holer with the longest being a 534-yard par 5. It’s an incredibly challenging layout which, for many years, has caught the attention of course raters everywhere. Dunes Club lacks exterior signage, a website, a large membership, and notoriety. It does, however, drip with mystique and intrigue. Those who are lucky to play here have serious bragging rights.

Kohler, Wisconsin, is just a special place. The number of top-tier courses in the area is amazing and Blackwolf Run certainly has its place among them. Just off of the main course you’ll find The Baths, which pays homage to over a century of the Kohler Co., creating innovative bath designs, and has four "Bath" water features. The Baths offers 10 holes, ranging from 60 to 160 yards.

Chris Lutzke designed this short layout to perfection. The way the holes progress through the Baths, while never forcing you to carry them, makes this course playable for all levels. Simply put, you can’t experience Blackwolf Run in its entirety without taking a dip in The Baths.

If you can’t get behind a Tiger Woods designed par-3 course, you should probably take up something besides golf. The Hay has been part of the renown Pebble Beach Resort since 1957, when Head Professional Peter Hay designed a fun track for juniors and families. In 2021, the GOAT (that would be Tiger) put his magic touch on a redesign, completely modernizing The Hay. 

The highlight is a replica of Pebble Beach's famous seventh hole. The Hay is an enjoyable walk, with the longest hole only playing 106 yards. We also love the hole names, which include Watson, Jack, and Tiger (finishing hole, obviously). Resort guests play The Hay for $65, but junior golfers 12 and under are free.