Top Louisiana Public Golf Courses

🏌️‍♂️ Top Louisiana Public Golf Courses (According to Wikipedia & Course Profiles)

1. The Bluffs on Thompson Creek
📍 St. Francisville, LA
🛠️ Designed by Arnold Palmer
🏞️ Dramatic elevation, hardwood forests, and creeks
🌿 Semi-private but open to public tee times
💲 Great value for top-tier layout
🗒️ Wikipedia | Course site

2. TPC Louisiana
📍 Avondale, LA (near New Orleans)
🛠️ Designed by Pete Dye (with Kelly Gibson, Steve Elkington)
🏆 Host of PGA Tour’s Zurich Classic
🌾 Long layout with water, wetlands, and bold bunkering
💲 Public access, PGA Tour-level conditions
🗒️ Wikipedia | TPC site

3. Santa Maria Golf Course
📍 Baton Rouge, LA
🛠️ Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr.
🌲 Parkland layout with mature trees and lakes
🏌️‍♂️ City-run, but one of the top-rated in the state
💲 Affordable daily fee
🗒️ Course site

4. Black Bear Golf Club
📍 Delhi, LA
🛠️ Designed by Rod Cook
🏞️ Nestled within Poverty Point Reservoir State Park
🌅 Recognized as a top new affordable course by Golf Digest
💲 Public/state park pricing
🗒️ Course site

5. Koasati Pines at Coushatta
📍 Kinder, LA
🛠️ Designed by Kevin Tucker
🏕️ Resort-style course at Coushatta Casino Resort
🌾 Wide fairways, large greens, and great conditioning
💲 Public access with casino stay not required
🗒️ Course site

6. Carter Plantation
📍 Springfield, LA
🛠️ Designed by David Toms (PGA pro)
🌳 Dense woods and wetlands along Blood River
🏌️‍♂️ First David Toms signature course
💲 Daily fee, stay-and-play available
🗒️ Course site

7. Audubon Park Golf Course
📍 New Orleans, LA
🛠️ Redesigned by Denis Griffiths
🏙️ Unique setting near downtown in historic Audubon Park
🌴 Shorter course, but immaculate and scenic
💲 Public, walkable, great for all skill levels
🗒️ Wikipedia | Course site

8. Tamahka Trails Golf Club
📍 Marksville, LA
🛠️ Designed by Steve Smyers
🎰 Located at Paragon Casino Resort
🌄 Rolling terrain, prairie-style layout
💲 Public, with stay-and-play options
🗒️ Course site

🧠 Why These Courses?

• • Tour-level pedigree: TPC Louisiana, Carter Plantation

  • Natural diversity: Bayous, pine forests, and riverside layouts

  • Public access: Strong mix of city, state, and resort availability

  • Louisiana flavor: Courses pair well with food, music, and casino destinations