The Golf Crusade's Nine Favorite 9-Hole Courses
- Dooner
- 7 days ago
- 9 min read
Updated: 22 hours ago
Some may scoff the idea of playing a course with 'only' nine holes. Not us. In fact, we have started to seek out more of them in our travels. Some of that has to do with the time commitment, some of it may be we're out of courses to play close to home. Some may be the right size for each of our respective families' golf-curious children.
Whatever the reason, a good nine-holer is a joy to experience.
In celebration of that joy, we felt we've seen enough 'good ones' to put together a list of our favorites for you to add to your list.
Before we reveal the roster, let's reveal the criteria we used to determine said roster.
Please notice we said FAVORITES and not 'best'. Nine-holers were built as 'only' nine holes for a reason versus a regulation, 18-hole track. The amount of buildable land available usually being the biggest variable, while the all-mighty dollar (or lack thereof) has to be taken into account as well.
Due to the land limitation, bonus points are available for funky quirks or features that make best use of the land. Such features could include shared tee boxes, double greens, reversible routings, wild green contours, lights for night play and/or unique hazards or architecture.
Most 9Hs can't charge as much as a large course, though there are a few exceptions we'll cover below. This could lead to a reduced maintenance budget, meaning you might find some that are a little rough around the edges. That's ok by us, so long as the fun factor remains high. Again, favorite might mean the little nine you grew up on maintains that warm place in your heart. We think it should stay there!
It must have exactly nine holes. This isn't a 3-hole loop you play three times or half of a regulation track. This also cannot be a 27-hole course with interchangeable nines. However, if a 27-hole property has a distinct third nine that plays as a separate course, has a separate scorecard, it's own rate, etc., we would consider it.
Par-3 or Short Courses are eligible, again, so long as they have exactly nine holes. Size, and length (especially in this case) does not matter.
This list/story is also meant to be a living roster - meaning we will update it as we play more NHs we decree as worthy of favoritism. As of this writing (March 2025), we've played 604 total courses, meaning there is a lot of road left on the journey to 1000 to discover more!
Without further a do, let's get it on!!!
(EDITORS NOTE: Click/Tap on any photo to enlarge)
THE GOLF CRUSADE'S NINE FAVORITE 9s
(in alphabetical order)
ANN ARBOR GOLF & OUTING CLUB | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Par 33 | 2571 Yards
AAGOC predates the Golden Age of GCA. Tracing its golfing roots on its property back to 1890 in fact, it predates its far more famous neighbor. In fact (or in legend more aptly), the University of Michigan wanted to build it's football stadium on the AAGOC site, but they wouldn't budge. Things have gone ok for the Wolverines ever since. The course uses its fairways for gameday parking & tailgating, supplementing the member dues of this private, walking-only course that also shares east & south boundaries with another U of M icon, it's Alister McKenzie-designed championship golf course.
If you can avoid getting lost in all the backdrops the stadium and campus provide, you'll find an incredibly fun & wonderfully conditioned old school golf course to enjoy!
CAPON SPRINGS & FARMS | High View, West Virginia | Par 34 | 2888 Yards
Speaking of old school, golf has been played at this rustic Mountain State retreat dating back to 1936. There are two separate nines here - a short 'Prep Course' and the 'Capon Springs' course, a more traditional design which that is just LOADED with charm. Beautiful vistas from the mountainside and great conditions stir up so much joy during a round. During said round, you're likely to encounter very few other players due to its resort nature and remote locale. A favorite quirk lies just off the first tee... As you step out of the minimilist locker room, look above you and you'll find ROOFTOP SEATING to enjoy a morning coffee, Mimosa or Bloody Mary while golfers tee off on one and putt out on nine green.
Did we mention that for just $45 you can play all day with a cart or just $25 walking? Staying all week at the resort? Golf is available by the week for just $130 walking/$235 with cart! We've got a whole story on this place you need to check out too.
STEARNS HERITAGE | Stearns, Kentucky | Par 35 | 2802 Yards
Perhaps the least known course on the list, Stearns is the second oldest 9Her in the Bluegrass State (1936). Built in the former coal company town of the same name, this 49-acre site primarily plays to a delightful out and back routing with plenty of quirks along the way. No quirk stands out more than the par-3 first, second and ninth holes near the clubhouse side of the property.
The turf may not win awards at the agronomy conventions, but the fun factor is off the charts if you can find your way here one day. Nine holes for $9 never hurt either! Great place to start/end a Kentucky Bourbon Trail golf trip when entering/exiting the state via I-75.
SWEETENS COVE | South Pittsburg, Tennessee | Par 36 | 3301 Yards
Groundbreaking. Trendsetting. Refreshing. It took us almost ten years to the day to visit Rob Collins & Tad King's golf equivalent to Never Never Land, where there are no rules and everyone can enjoy the game like you're a little kid. It won't take us that long to return. Expect another entry on this list from King-Collins-Dormer in the future and maybe even another one from this property. A 9H short course (with lights) is in the oven... just waiting for KCD to cook! If for some reason you didn't know, every has four sets of tees and each green has two flags to add variety and endless combinations for multiple rounds.
As if that weren't enough, the Illuminati Routing plays in reverse during special events or for those in the know during light traffic days. It could now be the most expensive 9H in the US, but the 'day-pass' model ($125-$150ish per day) allows you to run it back as much as you'd like. After all, #IYKYK was born here at the Secret Home of Golf.
THE CHALKMINE | Aiken, South Carolina | Par 27 | 815 Yards
Speaking of 'school', it's certainly in session one of the more unique golf properties you may ever encounter. Built as a dual purpose facility between USC Aiken to train it's golf teams and a local chapter of The First Tee as a playground for teaching. This 9H might be the most fun course in the country. The only shame is that more folks won't get to experience it (but there are ways...).
It is likely to become a legendary stop for Masters-bound patrons looking to squeeze in an Emergency Nine. Could a new 'tradition unlike any other' be on the rise? More courses like The Chalkmine would be welcomed everywhere!
THE COURSE AT SEWANEE | Sewanee, Tennessee | Par 36 | 3390 Yards
We listed this in alphabetically order, but the 'school ties' just keep coming. Sewanee University (aka The University of The South) claims ownership of this globally acclaimed 9Her. The Inn at Sewanee frames three holes, the clubhouse gets the 9th and the cliffs get the two show-stealing one-shotters. Go long there and it's a LONG ways down!
Gil Hanse renovated this mountain top charmer in the mid 2010s, making the $40 green fee at this publicly accessible course one of the rarest of all birds in the US. Like The Chalkmine, Sewanee is on our interactive map of College Campus Courses & Practice Facilities.
THE CRADLE | Pinehurst, North Carolina | Par 27 | 789 Yards
Back-to-back contributions from Gil Hanse and arguably (might not be much of an argument honestly) the short course that began the craze of downsizing the game. Packed into a 10-acre plot is some of the most fun you can have with a club in hand (and a drink in the other)! And if you're looking to play a lot of holes in Pinehurst in a short period of time, this place is your jam!
The Cradle is the type of place you can go around all day long... and you can for $50. It might not be as possible as it once was due to the popularity of the course, but without The Cradle, many similar options may not exist. It likely has a permanent place on this list.
THE SCHOOLHOUSE NINE | Sperryville, Virginia | Par 27 | 1216 Yards
Another school course??? Only in name and history here at this golf playground in Central Virginia about ninety minutes outside of DC. The old schoolhouse has been turned into a gathering space with a 'clubhouse pub' & arcade while providing the backdrop for the westerly holes. There isn't much in Sperryville, but SH9 is worth the drive!
Michael McCartin created some magic in those there hills! At $15 for unlimited play during the week (and just $20 on weekends!), everyone should make (at least) a couple loops around this place.
TUPELO BAY | Murrells Inlet, South Carolina | Par 27 | 785 Yards
They have an executive course too, but that's 18 holes. No good for this list, but the 9-hole shorty does, which comes complete with lights for night time play. If you weren't aware, we love us some NIGHT GOLF!
If you're on a Myrtle Beach trip and want to keep the golf going after dark, this is one of three spots to do so, but the only 9Her. It's location on the southern part of the Grand Strand makes it an obvious choice for Pawleys Island pilgrims!
OTHER NINES OF NOTE
(in alphabetical order)
Crosswinds (Par 3 Course) | Savannah, Georgia
If this course turned the lights back on, they'd move into the top section. Until then, it's still a fantastic par-3 course & one of better such courses you'll find.
Dodgertown Golf Course | Vero Beach, Florida
This nine no longer exists, nor does Dodgertown for that matter. The famed site of the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers historic and groundbreaking Spring Training home from 1948 to 2007 also had its own golf course right next to Hollman Stadium! This is a Google Earth image from February 1999. We played it the first week of March that year during Spring Training, so this is the actual course we experienced!
Intervale Country Club | Manchester, New Hampshire
Originally designed by Alexander Findlay in 1903, this Golden Age nine could move up the list if they could employ some tree management strategy to open up scenic views of the Merrimac River & Manchester Skyline.
Middlesboro Golf & Country Club | Middlesboro, Kentucky
Fun Fact: This is the oldest nine holes still in use in United States (1889).
Another Fun Fact: The entire town of Middlesboro sits within a meteor impact crater. The views prove it. Similar to Stearns, this is another great travel day course for Bourbon Trail explorers coming through the Cumberland Gap from Tennessee.
The Hill (aka Blacksburg Municipal) | Blacksburg, Virginia
This extremely appropriately named course got a facelift from VT-grad Lester George in late 2010s. It can be a vigorous walk, but super fun/affordable course from the guy that brought you Kinloch & Ballyhack. Walk all day for $18.
Virginia Tech Golf Course | Blacksburg, Virginia
In addition to the Pete Dye River Course off campus, the Hokies are blessed with this very walkable Buddy Loving-design on campus. Combine it with 'The Hill' across town and it's a great 2-course combo! In winter, you can even see Lane Stadium if you know where to look.
Winged Pheasant (ROC nine) | Shortsville, New York
COMPLETELY different third nine was added long after original 18. Plays like an Inland Links course in Upstate NY on an expansive, rolling property. They used a swath of land almost as large as the first 18 to build this expansive nine (see photo below). Wish they had room for nine more, but would not be mentioned here if they did!
NINE MORE NINES WE NEED TO SEE (that we will have a realistic chance to play in the next couple years)
Hooper Golf Club - Walpole, NH
Links at LaBelle Winery - Derry, NH
Tryon Golf Club - Tryon, NC
The Bel (lights!) - Pendleton, SC
The Carolina Club at Botany Woods - Greenville, SC
Polish Pines - Keyser, WV
Waterfront Greens - McHenry, MD
Millwood CC - Boyce, VA
The Orchard at The Olde Farm - Bristol, VA
Got one we should visit? We'll add it to the list! Let us know what we should add to it by using the form on the About Page. We've got a few targeted, just have to find the right off ramp to get us there!
Until then... thanks for checking out our nine favorite 9-hole courses!
Sincerely Fores,
BMAC & Dooner
Your Golf Crusade
