Just like every other industry, golf course development has suffered in 2009. With the downturn in the nation’s economy, golf course builders were more concerned with getting the course up and open rather than in recent years when new and challenging designs were the priority. This past year, 33 new public 18-hole courses have opened all over the country. Sure this number doesn’t sound too low, however compare it to the 398 courses that opened in 2000, and the number sounds minuscule!GOLF.com has compiled a list of the top 5 new public courses opened in 2009 and rates them on price, difficulty, and design.

Coming in at number 5 is the Wine Valley Golf Club located in Walla Walla Washington. It was designed and built by Dan Hixson and is favored for its long and large sand traps that complement the high wheatgrass surrounding the Blue Mountains. Number 4 on the list is the Ritz-Cartlon- Dove Mountain Course in Marana, Arizona. The Ritz is no stranger to hard courses however the sloping greens and the Wild Burro nine will make you work for it. Landing the number 3 spot is the Waldorf Astoria Golf Club in Orlando Florida and has what all good Florida golf courses have, a lot of sand. The challenging course was designed by Rees Jones. Number 2 on the list is the Sequoyah National Golf Club in Cherokee North Carolina. This is a Robert Trent Jones course is difficult based on its steep hills and abundant amount of trees. Lastly on the list coming in at Number 1 is the French Lick Resort in French Lick, Indiana. The course is a Pete Dye Course and the yardage is what will challenge the golfers. For example, a 301 yard par 3 hole, a 518 yard par 4, and a 657 yard par 5 back to back to back make this course one you won’t forget.