Which States Have the Most Golf Courses? Top 10 Ranked

By Sarah Miller · August 22, 2037

Florida has the most golf courses of any U.S. state, followed closely by California and Texas, making these three states the top destinations for golf enthusiasts nationwide.

Why Some States Have More Golf Courses Than Others

The distribution of golf courses across the United States is influenced by climate, population density, land availability, and cultural preferences. States with warm, year-round weather naturally support more outdoor golf activity, leading to higher course concentrations.

Key Factors Influencing Golf Course Density

Climate suitability for year-round play
Population size and disposable income levels
Retirement community presence
Land availability and development costs
Tourism and resort infrastructure

Top States with the Most Golf Courses

As of 2025, Florida leads the nation in total number of golf courses, driven by its retiree population, tourism industry, and favorable weather. California and Texas follow due to their large geographic size and high populations.

State	Total Golf Courses	Public Courses	Private Clubs	Courses per 100k Residents
Florida	1,262	892	370	5.8
California	997	645	352	2.4
Texas	926	610	316	3.2
New York	807	489	318	4.0
North Carolina	777	532	245	7.1
Michigan	757	512	245	7.5
Pennsylvania	736	478	258	5.7
Illinois	716	450	266	5.5
Ohio	705	465	240	6.0
Arizona	699	520	179	9.8

Table data source:1, 2

The data shows that while Florida leads in total course count, states like Arizona and Michigan have higher golf course density per capita. This reflects strong regional interest in golf despite smaller populations. Warm climates and retirement hubs correlate strongly with both total numbers and accessibility for public players.

Golf Accessibility by State Type

Public vs. Private Course Availability

States with a higher proportion of public courses tend to offer better access for casual and visiting golfers. Florida and Arizona stand out for combining high totals with large public inventories, supporting tourism and seasonal play.

Top states for public access: Florida, Arizona, North Carolina
Highest concentration of private clubs: New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania
Best balance of public/private: Texas, Ohio, Michigan

Regional Trends in Golf Development

The Sun Belt region—including Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Arizona—has seen steady growth in new course construction due to population influx and favorable playing conditions. Meanwhile, northern states rely more on seasonal operation and indoor training facilities.

In contrast, the Midwest maintains a strong golf culture through municipal courses and affordability, even with shorter seasons. States like Michigan and Minnesota boast some of the highest per-capita participation rates.

Frequently Asked Questions About Which States Have the Most Golf Courses

Which state has the most golf courses in the U.S.?

Florida has the most golf courses in the United States, with 1,262 courses as of 2025, including both public and private facilities.

Does California or Texas have more golf courses?

California has more golf courses than Texas, with 997 compared to Texas’s 926, though both states are rapidly expanding their golf infrastructure.

What state has the most golf courses per capita?

Arizona has the highest number of golf courses per 100,000 residents (9.8), making it the most golf-dense state in the nation, followed by Michigan and North Carolina.

Are most golf courses in the U.S. public or private?

Nationwide, approximately 65% of golf courses are public or semi-private, with public access. States like Florida and Arizona have especially high percentages of publicly available courses.

Is golf growing or declining in the United States?

Golf is experiencing modest growth in the U.S., with an increase in course completions and participation, particularly in warm-weather states and among younger demographics due to initiatives like FootGolf and short-format play.