#10 on this list
Trail
Butterfield
Butterfield Trail is designed for golfers who relish dramatic desert golf characterized by rolling sand dunes and wide western horizons. Owned by the City of El Paso, Texas, and situated just minutes from El Paso International Airport, this Tom Fazio design occupies a rugged parcel of the Chihuahuan Desert. It was built with aviation funds to give traveling and local players an upscale desert layout at accessible municipal rates. Fazio utilized natural desert contours to create an undulating layout that feels completely secluded from the surrounding city. Fairways roll through native sand dunes, desert shrubs, and yucca, framed by the Franklin Mountains in the distance. The turf conditions are generally outstanding, with lush rye and bermuda fairways contrasting against sandy waste areas. Generous landing areas off the tee help keep play moving, but approach shots require navigating deep, artistic Fazio bunkers. The main trade-offs are extreme desert weather and penal outer boundaries. Summer temperatures routinely climb into triple digits, making afternoon play physically draining and requiring plenty of hydration. If you drive the ball beyond the maintained fairway borders, native desert caliche, cactus, and loose rocks make ball recovery difficult and club damage likely. **Highlights** - Tom Fazio championship design set in natural Chihuahuan Desert dunes - Beautiful mountain views framing undulating, well-manicured fairways - Strategic bunkering and generous fairway corridors tailored to all skill levels - Convenient airport proximity makes it ideal for traveling golfers - Premium municipal clubhouse and fleet amenities at reasonable public rates **Watch-outs** - Scorching summer heat requires early-morning tee times and strict hydration - Misses off the fairway land in rocky native desert brush that can scuff clubs
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#1 on this list
Bay
Chambers
Chambers Bay is built for golfers who want an authentic, wind-swept coastal links experience without traveling to Scotland. Located on the shores of Puget Sound in University Place, Washington, this Pierce County-owned property transformed a former sand-and-gravel quarry into a sprawling, dramatic municipal playground. Designed by Robert Trent Jones II, it served as the venue for the 2015 U.S. Open and remains one of the boldest public golf developments in American history. The layout plays firm and fast over massive, tumbling dunes, demanding a ground-game approach where players use slopes and feeder banks to direct the ball. Fairways are exceptionally wide, but massive elevation shifts, deep sandy blowouts, and gusting maritime winds introduce serious strategic complexity. Walking is mandatory—traditional motorized carts are not permitted—which makes playing here an authentic, athletic trek across steep coastal inclines. The primary trade-off is the physical and financial investment. Between mandatory walking across steep climbs and premium non-resident peak green fees that can easily exceed two hundred dollars, it is not a casual weekend round. However, for sheer visual drama, open panoramic views of the Olympic Mountains, and pure links architecture, few municipal tracks in the world can match it. **Highlights** - Authentic links layout with sweeping Puget Sound and mountain vistas - Distinctive ground-game design utilizing massive mounds and slopes - Robert Trent Jones II design that hosted the 2015 U.S. Open - Fine fescue turf creating firm, fast running conditions - True walking-only environment with caddie programs available **Watch-outs** - Demanding physical walk with intense vertical elevation gains - Premium non-resident peak fees push into resort territory
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Specs side by side
| Spec | Trail | Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Course Type | Municipal daily fee | — |
| Architect | Tom Fazio | — |
| Location | El Paso, Texas | University Place, Washington |
| Typical Greens Fee | Around $80 | — |
| Turf Variety | Bermudagrass with winter overseed | — |
| Landscape | Chihuahuan Desert sand dunes | — |
| Course Designer | — | Robert Trent Jones II |
| Ownership | — | Pierce County |
| Course Style | — | Coastal links |
| Major Championship | — | 2015 U.S. Open Host |
| Cart Policy | — | Walking only (caddies available) |
| Peak Rate | — | Around $239 non-resident |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Trail
- Tom Fazio design offering championship architecture at municipal rates
- Wide fairways provide playable corridors for a range of handicap levels
- Conditioning and green quality far exceed standard public-course benchmarks
- Dramatic sand dune setting with scenic mountain backdrops
- Harsh summer heat creates taxing conditions during afternoon play
- Rocky native desert terrain outside fairways can easily scuff golf clubs
- Desert winds can significantly increase difficulty on open dune holes
Bay
- Authentic links layout offering grand panoramic vistas across Puget Sound
- Championship-grade architecture that tested the world at the 2015 U.S. Open
- Firm fescue turf rewards creative ground-game approaches and running shots
- Strict walking-only format preserves traditional golf pace and athletic focus
- Severe elevation changes make the mandatory walking route physically exhausting
- Peak non-resident rates sit in expensive resort territory
- Completely exposed coastal topography leaves players unprotected from harsh winds
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