The Best & Most Diabolical Pete Dye Designs In The World
Step onto the green and be captivated by the illustrious legacy of golf course virtuoso, Pete Dye. Renowned for sculpting landscapes into masterpieces, Dye’s designs redefine the game.
Explore 20 of his most alluring creations, from the iconic TPC Sawgrass to the breathtaking Whistling Straits.
Discover how Dye’s ingenuity using the lay of the land has shaped the golfing world, one fairway at a time.
1. Kiawah Island Golf Resort – The Ocean Course (Kiawah Island, SC)
The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, crafted by Alice and Pete Dye for the 1991 Ryder Cup, winds through windswept dunes, embodying links-style charm amidst South Carolina’s Lowcountry coast.
2. Whistling Straits – Straits Course (Sheboygan, WI)
Pete Dye sculpted Whistling Straits from a flat army base, mirroring Ballybunion’s rugged charm along Lake Michigan, adorned with over 1,012 bunkers.
3. The Honors Course (Ooltewah, TN)
Once deemed radical, The Honors Course, widely used by Amatuer and Collegiate tournaments, now epitomizes Pete Dye’s daring design ethos with Zoysiagrass fairways, native rough, and perilous greens atop rock bulkheads.
4. TPC Sawgrass – Stadium (Ponte Verde Beach, FL)
Crafted by Pete Dye, Bobby Weed, and Jerry Pate, Dye’s Valley at TPC Sawgrass, adjacent to THE PLAYERS Stadium Course, has hosted Korn Ferry Tour events, ranking among Florida’s finest since 1987.
5. The Golf Club (New Albany, OH)
An early Pete Dye creation, this course unveils his brilliance, hinting at future marvels like Sawgrass and The Honors Course. Mesmerizing bunkers on the initial holes boast unique size, shape, and positioning.
6. Oak Tree National (Edmond OK)
Set amidst Edmond, Oklahoma’s scenic 640-acre countryside, Oak Tree National, named after its iconic 5th hole oak tree, epitomizes golf excellence. Crafted by Pete Dye in the mid-1970s, it’s lauded for its challenge and beauty, ranked among Golf Magazine’s top 100.
7. Pete Dye Golf Club (Bridgeport, WV)
8. Crooked Stick Golf Club (Carmel, IN)
In Carmel, Indiana, north of Indianapolis, lies a gem: the Pete and Alice Dye-designed 18-hole course, born in 1964. Recognized among the top 100 in the U.S.
9. Blackwolf Run – River (Kohler, WI)
Blackwolf River, the premier course at Blackwolf Run, embodies Pete Dye’s challenge. Tight fairways wind through forests, featuring standout holes like the water-guarded 4th, picturesque 5th and 8th, and the strategic 9th.
10. French Lick Resort – Pete Dye Course (French Lick, IN)
Designed by Pete Dye and home to the 2015 Senior PGA Championship, this iconic course offers narrow fairways, rugged terrain, and breathtaking views over Indiana’s landscape, making it a must-play destination for golf enthusiasts worldwide.
11. The Dye Course at White Oak (Yulee, FL)
The Dye Course at White Oak, Pete Dye’s final masterpiece, epitomizes exclusivity and natural beauty. Nestled on the Florida-Georgia border near Jacksonville, it’s an invite-only haven, crowned 2022’s Best New Private Course.
12. Harbour Town Golf Links (Hilton Head Island, SC)
Crafted by Pete Dye with design insights from Jack Nicklaus, the par-71 Harbour Town Golf links debuted in 1969 for the inaugural Heritage Golf Classic, now sponsored by RBC.
13. Medalist Golf Club (Hobe Sound, FL)
Medalist Golf Club in Hobe Sound, FL, features an 18-hole course initially designed by Pete Dye and Greg Norman. Renovated in 2015 by Bobby Weed and MacCurrach Golf Construction, it’s the home club to Norman and Tiger Woods.
14. Long Cove Club (Hilton Head Island, SC)
Embark on a captivating journey through Lowcountry’s scenic beauty at this championship course. Amidst century-old live oaks, Carolina pines, and saltwater marshes, test your skill and spirit on eighteen unforgettable holes.
15. PGA West – Stadium Course (La Quinta, CA)
Tread the path of golf greats at PGA WEST’s Stadium Course, lauded among the world’s finest. Host of the Desert Classic Golf Tournament, this par-72 masterpiece by Pete Dye promises the ultimate golfing adventure. From the mouth of Pete Dye himself: “Love and Hate can be found here.”
16. Austin Country Club (Austin, TX)
Spanning 180 acres, Austin Country Club, in its third iteration since 1899, boasts a Pete Dye design. Recognized by Golfweek Magazine, it presents a challenging yet captivating golfing experience.
17. Blackwolf Run – Meadow Valleys (Kohler, WI)
Noted architect Pete Dye’s design, boasting a rating of 76.2 and a slope rating of 151, incorporates half of the original 1988 holes. Played on bent grass, it winds alongside the scenic Sheboygan River.
18. Nemacolin – Mystic Rock (Farmington, PA)
Mystic Rock, envisioned by Nemacolin Woodlands Resort’s founder, Joseph Hardy, was meticulously crafted in 1995 by renowned designer Pete Dye, now hailed as one of the nation’s premier golf destinations.
19. The Dye Preserve Golf Club (Jupiter, FL)
A Pete Dye gem, The Dye Preserve offers generous tee space and encourages strategic shot-making. Rewarding precision without harsh penalties, it promises consistently immaculate conditions for an unforgettable golfing experience.
20. Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech (Radford, VA)
Pete Dye’s hallmark design meets Virginia Tech’s tradition at The River Course in Radford, VA. Perched 70 feet above the New River, its clubhouse offers stunning panoramic views, capturing the essence of excellence and natural beauty.
