Farmingdale, N.Y. ½__ | A.W. Tillinghast, nysparks.com,516-249-0700, $48 (non-New York state residents pay $96).__This Tilly original is known for its doglegs and long par 4s.
CommonGround
__Aurora, Colo. (not yet rated), Tom Doak, commongroundgc.com,303-340-1520, $50.__Rebuilt by Doak, CommonGround will be the companion course to Cherry Hills for the 2012 U.S. Amateur (Aug. 13-19).
Photo By: Photo: Courtesy of Commonground
3. Coronado Golf Course
Coronado, Calif. __ | Jack Daray Sr., golfcoronado.com,619-435-3122, $35.__Just minutes from downtown San Diego, Coronado hosts more than 100,000 rounds a year because of its consistent weather, amazing scenery and great value.
Photo By: Photo: Joey Terrill
4. Olympic at Gold Mtn.
Bremerton, Wash. ½__ | John Harbottle, goldmt.com,360-415-5432, $49.__It's hard to beat summer's all-you-can-play monthly rate of $250 at this site of the '06 U.S. Amateur Public Links.
Photo By: Photo: Rob Perry
5. Pacific Grove
Pacific Grove, Calif. __ | Jack Neville/Chandler Egan, pggolflinks.com,831-648-5775, $52.__Portions of the back nine remind some of Pebble Beach. One difference: You can play it nine times for the price of the No. 1-ranked public course.
Photo By: Photo: Joann Dost/The Pacific Grove Golf Links
6. Pinon Hills
Farmington, N.M. ½__ | Ken Dye, pinonhillsgolf.com,505-326-6066, $47.__Set at the merger of three rivers, this community recreation facility was named best municipal course in the country by Golf Digest in 1995 and 2002.
Photo By: Photo: Courtesy of Robert Castellino/Pinon Hills Golf Course
7. Saratoga Spa Golf
Saratoga Springs, N.Y. __ | William Mitchell, saratogaspagolf.com,518-584-2006, $44.__Toga Town becomes a hot spot every August for horse-racing season, but if you need a break from gambling, this course is a safe bet.
Photo By: Photo: Courtesy of Saratoga Spa Golf
8. Stonebridge G.C.
Rome, Ga. ½__ | Arthur Davis, romestonebridge.com,706-236-5046, $49.__At the base of the Appalachians, the terrain is flat but unforgiving off the tee. The course features Georgia pines and a 27-acre lake.
Photo By: Photo: Courtesy of Stonebridge
Threetops
__Gaylord, Mich. (no star rating), Rick Smith, treetops .com,866-348-5249, $49.__One of the best par-3 courses in the country, Threetops was the host of ESPN's Par-3 Shootout, where Lee Trevino aced the seventh hole for $1 million in 2001.
Photo By: Photo: Courtesy of Threetops Course
10. Wild Horse G.C.
Gothenburg, Neb. ½__ | Dan Proctor/Dave Axland, playwildhorse.com,308-537-7700, $43.__There are no trees or water on this 300-acre, links-style course on the fringe of Nebraska's Sand Hills. Wind can be a big factor, though.
