Best Public Golf Courses in St. Louis, Missouri
You don't need a membership to play great golf in St. Louis. 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.
St. Louis, Missouri · Gary Kern (2002) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,136 yards
Consistently rated the top public course in the St. Louis metro area, Tapawingo National features a rolling layout through wooded terrain with dramatic elevation changes. The championship design delivers a premium golf experience at public pricing with excellent conditioning and scenic Missouri views.
Madison, Illinois · Keith Foster (1998) · 18 holes · Par 71 · 7,174 yards
A Keith Foster links-style design across the river in Madison, Illinois, Gateway National offers windswept, treeless golf with views of the St. Louis skyline and Gateway Arch. The layout through reclaimed wetlands features firm-and-fast conditions, fescue rough, and pot bunkers unusual for the region.
Weldon Spring, Missouri · Jack Nicklaus (1998) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,091 yards
A Jack Nicklaus design in Weldon Spring, Persimmon Woods offers semi-private access to championship golf in St. Charles County. The layout winds through mature hardwood forest with strategic water hazards and Nicklaus's signature bold bunkering on rolling Missouri terrain.
Madison, Illinois · Keith Foster (1998) · 18 holes · Par 71 · 7,157 yards
A Keith Foster links-style design on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River, Gateway National offers panoramic views of the St. Louis skyline and Gateway Arch. The windswept layout through wetlands and native grasses delivers an authentic links experience unusual for the Midwest.
Best Time to Play
April through October, with May, June, September, and October offering the best conditions. St. Louis summers are hot and humid, but the long season provides plenty of comfortable golf days. Fall colors on the heavily wooded courses are spectacular.
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.
St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) is conveniently located northwest of the city. Most golf is concentrated in the western suburbs (Creve Coeur, Town and Country, Chesterfield). Combine your golf with St. Louis's world-class attractions — Forest Park, the Arch, and the city's famous BBQ and Italian food on The Hill.
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