The Official Danza Cup Golf Course Rankings

When we first teed it up at Crispin in Wheeling, I don’t think any of us knew what we were building. A couple guys, a few tee times, and a long weekend turned into something real. Over the years, we’ve taken this thing across state lines, across time zones, across stages of life. We’ve played in the mountains, on the coast, in the middle of nowhere, and through weather we probably shouldn’t have. This list isn’t about which course had the best grass or the fanciest clubhouse. It’s about memories. It’s about value. It’s about views. And more than anything else, it’s about fun. Some of these places delivered. Some didn’t. But they all helped shape what the Danza has become.

Let’s rank them.

⸻

Tier III: The Ones That Missed the Mark, But Still Gave Us a Story

22. Old American Golf Club – The Colony, Texas

This was supposed to be the showstopper. The crown jewel of Danza Dallas. Old American had all the hype. It’s hosted LPGA events. It had that classic look online. The price tag told us to expect something special. But when we got there, the place was absolutely roasted. The fairways were scorched, the greens wouldn’t hold a wedge, and every bounce felt like a coin flip. The layout was confusing, with too many blind shots and not enough payoff. A 7-iron could roll 500 yards into a bunker and never be seen again. You could feel that there was a great course buried under the surface, but on our day, it was nowhere to be found. A tough one to rank so low, but it just didn’t show up.

21. Jones Course at Oglebay – Wheeling, West Virginia

Jones was in good shape. The greens were solid. The views were there. But man, was it awkward. The layout just didn’t make sense. It felt like you were constantly being asked to hit uncomfortable shots without much reward. The course was scenic, sure, but the flow was disjointed and frustrating. And it wasn’t cheap either. For a course that was perfectly playable, it still managed to feel like a grind. Sometimes golf should be hard, but sometimes it should also be fun. This didn’t quite land in either camp.

20. Crispin Golf Course at Oglebay – Wheeling, West Virginia

The original. The course where the Danza was born. Crispin is scrappy, short, and more than a little weird. The holes come at you fast, the terrain is unpredictable, and the whole thing feels like it was built with whatever was leftover in the budget. But despite all that, Crispin has soul. It was the first. That gives it something no other course on this list can claim. The course itself wasn’t good, but what it gave us was. It’ll always have a soft spot in the Danza story, even if it never cracks the top of this list.

19. Waterchase Golf Club – Fort Worth, Texas

Waterchase looked like it had something. The photos showed character. The scorecard had a little spice. But once we got out there, it just didn’t come together. The conditions were dry and crusty. The layout felt a little all over the place. There were a few fun moments, but overall, the course left us wanting more. It wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t memorable. And for a trip that needed a win, this one didn’t quite deliver.

⸻

Tier II: Good Courses with Room to Grow

18. Fantasy Valley at Wisp Resort – McHenry, Maryland

Fantasy Valley had personality. A weird, lovable kind of personality. It kicked things off with a tree in the middle of the first fairway and just kept going from there. The mountain setting was beautiful. The price was right. And even if the greens were a little slow and the conditions a bit scruffy, the place had charm. And then there’s the fact that this was the site of Felton’s legendary round in sideways rain. That alone lifts it in the rankings. It wasn’t polished, but it was fun, and sometimes that’s enough.

17. Oakland Golf Club – Oakland, Maryland

Oakland was honest. A true local muni. It knew what it was and didn’t try to be anything more. The layout was clean and simple. The conditions were fine. And the whole experience felt like a solid Saturday round with your regular foursome. Nothing fancy, but there was something comforting about it. You could play this course every week and never get bored. It wasn’t flashy, but it was solid, and that counts for something.

16. The Highlands at Hidden Valley – Pennsylvania

This was a course full of surprises. Tucked into the Pennsylvania mountains, it had some serious elevation changes, a few funky holes, and a relaxed atmosphere that made it easy to enjoy. The greens were slow and the design got weird in places, but it never felt like it was trying too hard. A few of the par 4s stood out, and the scenery gave it just enough wow factor to keep it out of the bottom tier.

15. Tour 18 Dallas – Flower Mound, Texas

Tour 18 had a concept, and it leaned into it. Replica holes from Augusta, TPC Sawgrass, and St. Andrews? Sign us up. Not every hole lived up to the legend it was copying, but the spirit was there, and that made it a blast. The course conditions were hit-or-miss, but the layout gave us plenty to smile about. It was the most fun course of the Texas trip, and in the end, that’s what stuck with us.

14. Treetops – Signature – Gaylord, Michigan

The worst of the Treetops courses still had plenty to offer. There was nothing in the design that made it feel truly distinct compared to the other three courses. In fact, it almost felt like a blend of the others rolled into one, which may have watered down some of the magic. Still, in its own right, it was a wonderful golf course, with good conditions and plenty of scenic views, including two beautiful looks from the 17th and 18th holes. Perhaps this course is held back by the strength of its siblings, or maybe it was the wrong call at dinner to play the longer tees, which made it feel incredibly difficult and less fun. Either way, it was still a very respectable course that more than holds its place in the Danza catalog.

13. TPC Myrtle Beach – Murrells Inlet, South Carolina

TPC carries a name that brings high expectations. And while the layout absolutely had teeth, the conditions didn’t hold up their end of the deal. It looked like the course was in the middle of renovations, and the greens just weren’t there. That said, the routing was smart, the course asked the right questions, and you could feel the bones of something better. We probably just caught it at the wrong time. On another week, this one could’ve been much higher.

12. The Highlands at Seven Springs – Pennsylvania

This was the closer for Danza 2024, and the wind was absolutely howling. The course sits high in the mountains, and it felt like we were playing in a wind tunnel. But even with the conditions, it was a beautiful track. The tree-lined holes framed things nicely, the layout had a steady rhythm, and it made for a really solid test. The greens were a little slow, but the rest of the course was in great shape. A worthy final chapter for that year’s trip.

11. Coyote Ridge – Carrollton, Texas

Finally, a Texas course with green grass. Coyote Ridge had the best conditions of the Dallas trip by far. The fairways were lush, the greens rolled great, and the layout had some real variety. It felt polished without being stuffy. The only knock was the surrounding condos that pulled a little from the scenery, but even that didn’t take away too much. This was a high point in an otherwise tough stretch of golf, and we all walked away impressed.

10. The Madison Club – Pennsylvania

Madison was a total sleeper hit. Tucked away in the Pennsylvania countryside, it gave us a fun layout, beautiful elevation changes, and one of the best alternate shot matches in Danza history. The par 3s were especially strong. The only thing holding it back was a few too many blind tee shots that made good drives feel like guesses. Still, this was one of those rounds that just felt good the whole way through. A great vibe and a great course.

⸻

Tier I: The Danza Elite

9. The Palmer Course at Stonewall Resort – Roanoke, West Virginia

The final round of the very first Danza. This course gave us rolling hills, lakeside views, and that peaceful mountain quiet that makes you forget about the rest of the world. It was soft in spots and the greens were a bit slow, but the layout flowed beautifully and the par 3s were fantastic. It wasn’t trying to be dramatic. It just let the land do the talking. The perfect closer for Danza I, and a course that still holds up years later.

8. Tidewater Golf Club – North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

This place was flat-out gorgeous. Sitting right along the water, Tidewater delivered views you usually only see in magazines. The design was fair, smart, and full of signature holes. The fairways were a bit patchy in places, but the greens were great and the overall vibe was top-tier. For the price, this was one of the biggest wins we’ve had. Tidewater made you stop and take in your surroundings, and that’s a rare thing on a golf course.

7. World Tour Golf Links – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

World Tour could’ve been corny, but it wasn’t. It was fun. Really fun. The course tries to replicate famous holes from around the world, and even though it doesn’t nail every detail, it captures the spirit. The layout was smooth, the conditions were solid, and the clubhouse was beautiful. The staff made us feel like we were somewhere special. This course had energy, personality, and gave us one of the most joyful rounds in Danza history.

6. Treetops – Premier – Gaylord, Michigan

Another stunning course from Danza 2025, Premier lands the third Treetops entry in Tier I. This course was incredibly fun and fair, with a design that felt different enough to stand on its own. The conditions were great, the views were beautiful, and the variety of holes kept everyone engaged. Honestly, the only thing working against this course was the strength of the other Treetops layouts. Still, this was a top-tier experience from start to finish, and a course we’d all gladly play as our everyday home track.

5. Lodestone Golf Course at Wisp Resort – McHenry, Maryland

“I ain’t as good as I once was, but once I was as good as I ever was.” That’s what it felt like playing Lodestone. This course came out swinging. Mountain golf at its absolute finest. Every hole had drama. Elevation changes, panoramic views, and bold design made every shot feel like an event. Even with aerated greens, this course was electric. It was the site of Felton’s legendary 4-0 sweep, which only added to the myth. The version we got that weekend was peak Danza, and no matter what’s happened to it since, it will always live in our memories exactly as it was.

4. Treetops – Traditions – Gaylord, Michigan

After a long weather delay and storm, this course was a little wet. But even with that, the layout delivered. The second ever links-style course in Danza history, Traditions had us in golf paradise. From the 10-minute drive away from the main clubhouse to the moment you emerge from the trees into wide open terrain, this one transported us. We came from the towering trees into to true Scottish style openness, it was the most fun course of Danza 2025. It absolutely nailed the links vibe, and that made it one of the most memorable rounds we’ve ever had.

3. Totteridge Golf Club – Pennsylvania

Totteridge was a complete surprise. A true links-style course with wide-open fairways, golden fescue, and views that looked like they belonged in the Scottish Highlands. The conditions were pristine. The greens were perfect. The routing was thoughtful and clean. And for the price? It felt like stealing. Multiple Danza guys went back after the trip just to make sure it was real. It was.

2. Prestwick Country Club – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

This is the bar. Prestwick is what every Danza course hopes to be. The greens were the fastest we’ve ever seen. The fairways were flawless. The layout was fun, fair, and beautiful. Every tee shot had purpose. Every green had challenge. It felt like a proper golf destination. The moment we walked off 18, we knew we’d found something special. Prestwick didn’t just give us a great round. It gave us the standard that every future Danza course will be measured against. Except one.

1. Treetops – Masterpiece – Gaylord, Michigan

The new number one, the new standard. The conditions were perfect. The greens were glass and the fairways plush. The views were exceptional and the design, simply put, was an absolute masterpiece. From hole 1 to 18, with its beautiful par 3s, its stunning mountain views, and the feeling of golf seclusion throughout, this course had it all. It was golf heaven. Every turn gave us something to look at. Every hole had its own rhythm. And in the end, Masterpiece delivered what no other course has yet to match. It didn’t just live up to the hype. It became the new definition of it.