Going public: Snag a tee time at these 10 best public golf courses

No membership required at these courses

There are more than 16,000 golf courses in the U.S., but many are private. But you don’t have to book a room at a swanky resort or be a member of a private club to snag a tee time at some of the top public golf courses around the country.
 
Designed by renowned architects, these public golf courses have killer views and host many of the sport’s most prestigious events. The best part? These golf courses are open to anyone — as long as you’re willing to pay the green fees.

Chambers Bay - University Place, Washington

Robert Trent Jones Jr. improbably turned an abandoned sand quarry in a residential area outside of Tacoma into one of the best public golf courses in the U.S.
 
Multi-level fairways, majestic vistas of the Pacific Ocean, and train tracks famously running beside several holes make Chambers Bay one of the most unique golf courses around. The course has hosted the U.S. Open and several USGA Championships.