Best Public Golf Courses in New Orleans, Louisiana
You don't need a membership to play great golf in New Orleans. From resort courses to municipal gems, here are the best public and semi-private courses in the area — ranked by design quality, conditioning, and value.
Avondale, Louisiana · Pete Dye (2004) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,425 yards
Host of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans on the PGA Tour, TPC Louisiana is a Pete Dye design through the bayou landscape west of the city. The 7,425-yard layout features Dye's trademark forced carries over wetlands, dramatic bunkering, and a swampy Louisiana terrain that creates a unique championship golf setting.
New Orleans, Louisiana · Denis Griffiths (renovation) (1898) · 18 holes · Par 62 · 4,220 yards
Nestled in the heart of Uptown New Orleans within iconic Audubon Park, this charming short course offers a uniquely New Orleans golf experience beneath canopies of centuries-old live oaks draped in Spanish moss. The par-62 layout is accessible for all levels and provides a quintessentially atmospheric round in one of the city's most beloved green spaces.
New Orleans, Louisiana · Rees Jones (2017) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,056 yards
A modern Rees Jones design at New Orleans City Park, Bayou Oaks Championship replaced flood-damaged courses with a championship-caliber public facility. The 7,056-yard layout winds through the park's mature live oaks and bayous, offering the city's best public golf experience alongside City Park's cultural attractions.
Kenner, Louisiana · Ron Garl (1972) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 6,858 yards
A Ron Garl design near the New Orleans airport in Kenner, Chateau Country Club offers semi-private access to a solid championship layout through flat Louisiana terrain with strategic water hazards and mature plantings. The accessible pricing and convenient location make it a practical option for visiting golfers.
Best Time to Play
October through April offers the most comfortable conditions, avoiding the intense summer heat and humidity. Spring (March-April) is especially pleasant with azaleas and other flowering plants in bloom. Hurricane season runs June through November.
Booking Tips
For the best rates, book tee times midweek or during shoulder seasons. Many courses offer twilight rates for afternoon rounds. Resort courses often bundle with hotel stays for significant savings.
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is 15 minutes from downtown. TPC Louisiana is in Avondale, 20 minutes west. Stay in the French Quarter or Garden District for the full New Orleans experience — the food, music, and culture are essential parts of any golf trip here.
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