The Best Donald Ross Golf Courses

#1 on trail

Juno Beach, Florida

Donald Ross's 1930 masterpiece on Florida's Atlantic coast uses natural sand ridges and relentless ocean wind to demand precise shotmaking. Consistently ranked among the top 20 courses in the U.S.

#2 on trail

Pinehurst, North Carolina

Donald Ross's 1907 masterpiece, restored to native sand by Coore & Crenshaw in 2011. Host to four U.S. Opens, three U.S. Amateurs, and back-to-back U.S. Senior Opens in 1993 and 1994. Crowned greens and wiregrass rough define every hole. Resort access.

#3 on trail

Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Donald Ross's 1918 design, toughened by Robert Trent Jones for the 1951 U.S. Open — where Ben Hogan declared he had brought "this monster" to its knees — has hosted six U.S. Opens, three PGA Championships, two U.S. Amateurs (2002, 2016), two U.S. Senior Opens, and the 2004 Ryder Cup. Private club.

#4 on trail

Toledo, Ohio

Donald Ross's 1919 Toledo design has hosted six major championships — four U.S. Opens and two PGA Championships — plus two U.S. Senior Opens (2003, 2011). Inverted saucer greens and tight tree-lined corridors define it. Private club.

#5 on trail

Columbus, Ohio

Donald Ross's 1916 Columbus design hosted the 1926 U.S. Open, won by Bobby Jones, and is where Jack Nicklaus learned the game. Since restored to Ross's intent by Andrew Green, it has staged three U.S. Senior Opens (1986, 2016, 2026). Private club.

#6 on trail

Franklin, Michigan

Donald Ross design from 1927 in Franklin, Michigan — considered one of the finest and most intact Ross originals in the United States. Invitation-only private membership on rolling Oakland County terrain.

#7 on trail

Rochester, New York

Donald Ross's 1926 design hosted the 1995 Ryder Cup — where Europe won 14½–13½ for a rare victory on U.S. soil — plus seven major championships, most recently the 2023 PGA. Tight fairways, severe rough, and small, contoured greens define the East Course's demand.

#8 on trail

Edison, New Jersey

Donald Ross design from 1921 with classic contoured greens and strategic bunkering. Has hosted multiple USGA championships. Private.

#9 on trail

Edina, Minnesota

Donald Ross's 1921 redesign hosted the 1930 U.S. Open, where Bobby Jones completed the third leg of his Grand Slam. A private Minnesota layout with classic undulating greens, restored to Ross's original plans.

#10 on trail

Detroit, Michigan

Donald Ross laid out Detroit Golf Club's two courses, the North and South, both completed in 1916. The longer North hosts the PGA Tour's Rocket Mortgage Classic — a rare classic Ross parkland test set inside the city of Detroit.