When searching for a great golf destination, Alaska is probably the last choice for most people in the United States. Few people think about golf when they think about Alaska. Instead, we all envision polar bears, mountains, snow, wind, and cold weather. Though the actual golf season is fairly short in this part of the world, there are some golf courses of note that would be fun for any golfer to check out. Out of the six courses on this list, five of them are in really close proximity to each other in the Anchorage area, so it wouldn’t be difficult to check them all off your list in one epic golf trip. So, if you’re looking to a unique and quality golf trip that few golfers in the world ever experience, try giving Alaska a try.
Best Golf Courses in (Province/State)
Rating: 5.0/5.0
The first course on our list of top public golf courses in Alaska is Chena Bend Golf Course in Fort Wainwright, near Fairbanks. This course is the farthest north military golf course in the country. It is situated between the airfield and the Chena Bend River. Several of the holes on this golf course run right next to the river. The facility also has two indoor golf simulators for when the weather doesn’t cooperate. This is the only course on our list of top courses in Alaska to be outside of the Anchorage area. To play 18 holes at this course, it’ll cost you about $42.
Rating: 5.0/5.0
Next on our list of top golf courses in Alaska, we head to the largest city of Anchorage where Anchorage Golf Course is located. It features incredible views and a beautiful layout that you can only find in this region of the world. It was designed by Bill Newcomb. The course features views of the Chugach Mountain Range, the Anchorage city skyline, Cook Inlet, and Denali State Park. To play this gem of a golf course in Alaska, it’ll cost a non-resident $67.50 for 18 holes without a cart.
Rating: 5.0/5.0
Moose Run Golf Course is located in Fort Richardson and features two great golf courses. The number 3 course on this list of top public golf courses in the Creek course. The Creek is known as the most challenging golf course in the state, so be sure to bring you “A” game here! It can be stretched out to over 7300 yards with the 11thhole taking up 640 yards. Part of the course was built on a reclaimed gravel pit, which makes it a very scenic route. The course was designed by Robin Nelson and runs along the local creek for much of the course. To play here, it’ll cost you $46 on weekdays and $49 on weekends.
4. Settlers Bay Golf Course, Wasilla
Rating: 5.0/5.0
Settlers Bay is located in Wasilla, just outside of Anchorage. The first 9 holes were built in 1977 and it home to, what some consider, the toughest hole in Alaska, the 18th. The second 9 was built in 1996, which features the second longest par 5 in Alaska, number 7. Each hole is named for a stop along the Iditarod National Historic Trail. The entire course was built with a goal to preserve and respect the original landscape of the area. Settlers Bay boasts that they have the best putting greens in the state of Alaska and you’ll quickly come to agree. It’ll cost you $44 to play on a weekday and $48 on a weekend or holiday.
5. Moose Run Golf Course (Hill), Fort Richardson
Rating: 5.0/5.0
Moose Run Golf Course (Hill) is the second course at this facility to make our list of top golf courses in the state of Alaska. These two tracks are an incredible experience and make for a great day full of golf in the same general location. The Hill first 9 was originally built in 1952 and a second 9 was added in 1955. This course features small greens and wide fairways. It’s full of trees, like many Alaskan golf courses are, to punish a miss-hit off the tee. Just like the Creek, the Hill will cost $46 on weekdays to play 18 holes and $49 on weekends.
Rating: 5.0/5.0
Palmer Golf Course is located in Palmer, just 40 minutes from Anchorage. It claims to be one of the more scenic places to golf in the world, and that definitely could be true. The views at Palmer are absolutely incredible because of the surrounding landscape. Most golfers never get a chance to play a golf course with such breath-taking sights. You’ll see views of Pioneer Peak, the Matanuska River, and Knik Glacier. This course is a little unique for Alaska because it’s a links-style golf course, which features relatively few trees for Alaska. It can be stretched out to 7300 yards, so some length may be necessary here. It’ll cost you $42 to play at Palmer Golf Course.
Wrap up
If you love wooded golf courses with incredible mountain views, Alaska is the place to visit. It’s also great for anyone looking to return home and brag to their friends about a golf experience that few people have every experienced. During the short, but beautiful, golf season, there are few places like this great state. Remember, most of the golf courses on this list are within an hour of each other, so you won’t be traveling super far to check off all these courses off your bucket list. We’d highly recommend checking out all of the top pubic golf courses in the state of Alaska. Enjoy!
