Writer, analyst, podcaster, Spurs fan. Three out of four is not bad. If there is a data angle, I will find it.
What is better than playing a round of golf? Being also to play at the best casinos at the same location.
Because for those who relish either the putting green and the gaming tables, the United States has plenty of courses that cater for both tastes.
Imagine spending your day navigating some of the quickest fairways and challenging greens, only to transition seamlessly into an evening filled with the excitement of blackjack, or the spin of a roulette wheel.
🎲🏌️♂️ Swing & Spin Bliss! 🃏⛳️
In this guide, we delve into the best casino golf course where you can indulge in both your passion for golf and your love for gaming. We will provide an in-depth look at the top 10 destinations, exploring not only the quality of the courses but also the casino amenities.
The Best In Class
| Rank | Course Name | Rating | Location | Designer(s) | Classification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shadow Creek | 7.98 | North Las Vegas, Nevada | Tom Fazio | Modern (m) |
| 2 | Fallen Oak | 7.17 | Saucier, Mississippi | Tom Fazio | Modern (m) |
| T3 | French Lick Resort (Pete Dye Course) | 6.82 | French Lick, Indiana | Pete Dye | Modern (m) |
| T3 | Yocha Dehe at Cache Creek Casino | 6.82 | Brooks, California | Brad Bell | Modern (m) |
| T3 | The Greenbrier (Old White) | 6.82 | White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia | Charles Blair Macdonald, Seth Raynor, Lester George | Classic (c) |
| 6 | Barona Creek | 6.61 | Lakeside, California | Gary Roger Baird, Todd Eckenrode | Modern (m) |
| 7 | We-Ko-Pa (Saguaro) | 6.6 | Fort McDowell, Arizona | Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw | Modern (m) |
| 8 | The Wilderness at Fortune Bay | 6.49 | Tower, Minnesota | Jeff Brauer | Modern (m) |
| 9 | Turning Stone Resort Casino (Atunyote) | 6.45 | Verona, New York | Tom Fazio | Modern (m) |
| 10 | Spirit Hollow | 6.44 | Burlington, Iowa | Rick Jacobson | Modern (m) |
| 11 | Island Resort and Casino (Sweetgrass) | 6.42 | Harris, Michigan | Paul Albanese | Modern (m) |
| 12 | Nemacolin (Mystic Rock) | 6.4 | Farmington, Pennsylvania | Pete Dye | Modern (m) |
| 13 | French Lick Resort (Donald Ross Course) | 6.39 | French Lick, Indiana | Donald Ross | Classic (c) |
| T14 | The Preserve | 6.35 | Vancleave, Mississippi | Jerry Pate | Modern (m) |
| T14 | Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort (Circling Raven) | 6.35 | Worley, Idaho | Gene Bates | Modern (m) |
| 16 | Ak-Chin Southern Dunes | 6.33 | Maricopa, Arizona | Brian Curley, Lee Schmidt | Modern (m) |
| 17 | Edgewood Tahoe | 6.29 | Tahoe, Nevada | George Fazio | Modern (m) |
| 18 | Wynn Golf Club | 6.28 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Tom Fazio | Modern (m) |
| 19 | Sage Run | 6.25 | Bark River, Michigan | Paul Albanese | Modern (m) |
| 20 | The Country Club at the Golden Nugget | 6.2 | Lake Charles, Louisiana | Todd Eckenrode | Modern (m) |
| T21 | Dancing Rabbit (Oaks) | 6.18 | Philadelphia, Mississippi | Tom Fazio, Jerry Pate | Modern (m) |
| T21 | We-Ko-Pa (Cholla) | 6.18 | Fort McDowell, Arizona | Scott Miller | Modern (m) |
| 23 | Meadows at Mystic Lake | 6.14 | Prior Lake, Minnesota | Garrett Gill, Paul Miller | Modern (m) |
| 24 | Fantasy Springs Resort (Eagle Falls) | 6.1 | Indio, California | Clive Clark | Modern (m) |
| 25 | Salish Cliffs | 6.07 | Shelton, Washington | Gene Bates | Modern (m) |
| 26 | Firekeeper | 6.06 | Mayetta, Kansas | Jeff Brauer, Notah Begay | Modern (m) |
| 27 | Sandia | 5.98 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Scott Miller | Modern (m) |
| 28 | Casino del Sol (Sewailo) | 5.97 | Tucson, Arizona | Notah Begay, Ty Butler | Modern (m) |
| 29 | Nemacolin (Shepherd’s Rock) | 5.95 | Farmington, Pennsylvania | Pete Dye | Modern (m) |
| T30 | Turning Stone Resort Casino (Shenendoah) | 5.92 | Verona, New York | Rick Smith | Modern (m) |
| T30 | Blue Top Ridge | 5.92 | Riverside, Iowa | Rees Jones | Modern (m) |
| 32 | Tatanka | 5.91 | Niobrara, Nebraska | Paul Albanese | Modern (m) |
| 33 | Lake of Isles (North) | 5.9 | North Stonington, Connecticut | Rees Jones | Modern (m) |
| 34 | Shell Landing | 5.87 | Gautier, Mississippi | Davis Love III | Modern (m) |
| T35 | Journey at Pechanga | 5.85 | Temecula, California | Steve Forrest, Arthur Hills | Modern (m) |
| T35 | Dancing Rabbit (Azaleas) | 5.85 | Philadelphia, Mississippi | Tom Fazio, Jerry Pate | Modern (m) |
| 37 | Cherokee Hills | 5.79 | Catoosa, Oklahoma | Perry Maxwell, Tripp Davis | Classic (c) |
| T38 | Kalispel | 5.78 | Spokane, Washington | Jim Barnes, Robert Johnstone | Classic (c) |
| T38 | White Hawk | 5.78 | Bixby, Oklahoma | Jim Barnes, Robert Johnstone | Modern (m) |
| 41 | Hidden Cypress at Sun City Hilton Head | 5.77 | Bluffton, South Carolina | Mark McCumber | Modern (m) |
| 42 | Rocky Gap Casino Resort | 5.75 | Flintstone, Maryland | Jack Nicklaus | Modern (m) |
| T43 | Casino Pauma (Pauma Valley) | 5.74 | Pauma Valley, California | Robert Trent Jones Sr. | Classic (c) |
| T43 | Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells (Wild Rock) | 5.74 | Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin | Dr. Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry | Modern (m) |
| T45 | Northern Quest Resort & Casino (Kalispel) | 5.73 | Spokane, Washington | Jim Barnes, Robert Johnstone | Modern (m) |
| T45 | The Glacier Club (Glacier) | 5.73 | Durango, Colorado | Arthur Hills | Modern (m) |
| 47 | Desert Diamond Casino (Sewailo) | 5.7 | Tucson, Arizona | Ty Butler, Notah Begay | Modern (m) |
| 48 | Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino (Apache) | 5.68 | Mescalero, New Mexico | Ted Robinson, Jr. | Modern (m) |
| 49 | Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort | 5.66 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Gary Panks | Modern (m) |
| 50 | Prairie Band Casino & Resort (Firekeeper) | 5.65 | Mayetta, Kansas | Jeff Brauer, Notah Begay | Modern (m) |
Shadow Creek Golf Course // GTCRFOTO / Alamy Stock Photo
1. Shadow Creek (7.98) – North Las Vegas, Nevada
Top of the list and owned by MGM Resorts, Shadow Creek offers an exclusive, high-roller experience – and one that is accessible only to MGM guests. Because of these restrictions, this ultra-private course is a favourite among many VIP gamblers.
While the nearby MGM Grand, Bellagio, and Aria provide world-class gaming, high-limit rooms, and poker tournaments and for those seeking privacy, MGM's invitation-only casino salons cater to elite players.
2. Fallen Oak (7.17) – Saucier, Mississippi
Sitting second is Fallen Oak. Serving as the premier course of Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, an MGM property in Biloxi, its casino offers over 1,800 slot machines, table games, and a luxurious high-limit room for those who have just finished their round of golf.
In addition to this, the attached sportsbook and poker room make it a complete gambling destination, with upscale dining and entertainment also in place to enhance the overall experience even further.
T3. French Lick Resort (Pete Dye Course) (6.82) – French Lick, Indiana
One of three courses that shares third place, French Lick Resort Casino blends historic charm with modern gaming. The resort houses over 700 slot machines and a full selection of table games, including blackjack, roulette, and poker.
As one of the few high-end casino resorts in the Midwest, it attracts both golf enthusiasts and casino-goers with its elegant High-Limit Room and exclusive VIP perks and because of few other options in the area, patrons are prepared to travel quite a distance to play inside or outside.
T3. Yocha Dehe at Cache Creek Casino (6.82) – Brooks, California
Also in joint-third is the Yocha Dehe course. Located within Cache Creek Casino Resort, this course is directly linked to one of California’s top tribal casinos. The casino features 2,300 slot machines and 120 table games, including a private VIP lounge.
Not only that, but their club known as The Cache Club Rewards Program offers elite gamblers exclusive benefits, including stay-and-play golf packages. Rewarding loyalty for those repeat players and stayers.
The Greenbrier // EyeMark / Alamy Stock Photo
T3. The Greenbrier (Old White) (6.82) – White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia
The last of those in joint-third now and the Greenbrier Casino Club is a luxury, private casino exclusively for resort guests and members. Known as "America’s Resort," the casino delivers a Monte Carlo-style gaming experience, including 320 slot machines and 35 table games.
Because of its luxury status, the dress code and elegant ambiance set it apart from many other typical casino resorts and because of this, it makes it a rather unique destination for both golf and gaming.
Barona Creek Golf Course, San Diego // Danita Delimont / Alamy Stock Photo
6. Barona Creek (6.61) – Lakeside, California
Sitting sixth on the list and part of the Barona Resort & Casino, this destination is known for its no-smoking gaming floor, high-payout slots, and exclusive blackjack tables where the stakes have been known to be rather high.
Unlike many California casinos, Barona is 100% Class III gaming, meaning Vegas-style slot machines and live dealer table games. While the resort also boasts an elite VIP program, perfect for high rollers who want a premium experience.
7. We-Ko-Pa (Saguaro) (6.60) – Fort McDowell, Arizona
Listed seventh and connected to We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, this course is part of an upscale tribal gaming property. Here, the casino offers Vegas-style gaming atmosphere, a state-of-the-art sportsbook, and high-limit slots.
Not only that, but with stunning desert views and an exclusive rewards programme, We-Ko-Pa is a top destination for those who enjoy both world-class golf and high-stakes gaming but in a slightly alternative type of location.
8. The Wilderness at Fortune Bay (6.49) – Tower, Minnesota
One position further back in eighth and located at the Fortune Bay Resort Casino, this course caters to both casual gamblers and serious high-stakes players. The casino offers 1,000+ slot machines, poker, blackjack, and bingo, with a rustic charm unique to northern Minnesota.
The intimate high-limit lounge is popular among serious gamblers looking for a more private experience and although you may have tamed the golf course earlier in the day, this is where you may end up meeting your match.
9. Turning Stone Resort Casino (Atunyote) (6.45) – Verona, New York
Listed ninth in the rankings, Turning Stone is one of the premier casino resorts in the Northeast, featuring three gaming floors, high-limit rooms, poker, and a sportsbook. While Its luxury VIP areas attract high rollers who are looking to test their mettle and the depth of their wallets.
In addition to this, Atunyote Golf Club offers a private, elite experience and if you have reason to celebrate, the resort's Lava Nightclub and TS Steakhouse provide a complete high-end gaming getaway.
10. Spirit Hollow (6.44) – Burlington, Iowa
Rounding out the top 10 is a hidden gem in the Midwest. Spirit Hollow Golf Resort is partnered with Catfish Bend Casino, located just minutes away with the casino featuring sports betting, slots, table games, and a VIP high-stakes lounge.
Thanks to its considerable casino offering, it has been viewed positively by many reviewers up and down the United States and Spirit Hollow undoubtedly serves one of Iowa’s top destinations for a weekend of golf and gambling.
Methodology
This list looks at golf courses that are owned, operated, or affiliated with casinos, leveraging data from Golfweek's extensive course ranking database.
Golfweek’s course-ratings panel, comprising hundreds of members, consistently evaluates and rates courses based on ten specific criteria.
Each course also receives an overall rating, which is the basis for generating an average final score.
Source
Data correct as of 27th Jan 2025.
