Comprehensive guide to 100+ golf courses across Louisiana featuring championship layouts, resort courses, and year-round golf opportunities
Louisiana features over 100 golf courses across diverse landscapes, from championship layouts hosting PGA Tour events to scenic resort courses at casino destinations. With a year-round average temperature of 70.6°F, Louisiana offers exceptional golf opportunities throughout all seasons. The state's golf scene includes the prestigious 18-course Audubon Golf Trail, featuring designs by David Toms, Pete Dye, and Robert Trent Jones Sr.
Louisiana golf encompasses championship courses like TPC Louisiana (home of the Zurich Classic), top-ranked Squire Creek Country Club near Shreveport, and premier resort destinations at Coushatta, L'Auberge, and Golden Nugget. Whether playing coastal courses near New Orleans, parkland layouts in Baton Rouge, or resort courses throughout the state, Louisiana delivers diverse golf experiences for players of all skill levels.
📍 Avondale (New Orleans area)
Home of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans since 2005, Louisiana's premier PGA Tour event. Designed by Pete Dye, Steve Elkington, and Kelly Gibson, this par-72 championship layout stretches over 7,400 yards. Ranked #4 best upscale public course by Golf Digest when opened in 2004.
📍 Choudrant (Near Shreveport)
Ranked #1 or #2 in Louisiana for the past decade. Tom Fazio's 2002 design features challenging par-72 layout stretching over 7,000 yards with multiple par-3s exceeding 190 yards. Considered Louisiana's premier private country club experience.
📍 Springfield (Near Baton Rouge)
PGA Champion David Toms' signature design named among "Top 10 Courses You Can Play" by GOLF Magazine. This spectacular 18-hole, 7,050-yard, par-72 course plays through three distinct Louisiana landscapes: bayou wetlands, rolling hillsides, and dense pine forests.
📍 Baton Rouge
Consistently ranked #2 in Louisiana, this prestigious private club offers championship-caliber golf in the state capital. Known for exceptional course conditioning, challenging layout, and hosting major state amateur championships.
📍 Delhi (Poverty Point Reservoir State Park)
Ranked Best Public Golf Course in Louisiana and named America's Best New Course. Features world-class vistas, gorgeous facilities, and spectacular natural setting at Poverty Point Reservoir. Part of Audubon Golf Trail.
📍 Zachary (Near Baton Rouge)
Ranked among Louisiana's top 10 courses, Copper Mill is a links-style layout reminiscent of Scottish courses. Features open terrain, strategic bunkering, and fast greens creating authentic links golf experience in Louisiana.
📍 Marksville (Paragon Casino Resort)
Designed by Steve Smyers, who utilized natural contours to create one of Louisiana's best daily-fee courses. Multiple-time host of U.S. Open qualifying. Located at Paragon Casino Resort with excellent stay-and-play packages.
📍 Baton Rouge
Championship 7,700-yard par-72 course designed by David Toms and Jim Lipe. Built as permanent home of LSU Golf with championship design and top-tier amenities. Features challenging layout suitable for collegiate-level competition.
Established in 2001, the Audubon Golf Trail features 18 premier courses designed by golf legends including David Toms, Pete Dye, and Robert Trent Jones Sr. The trail winds through the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area, offering diverse golf experiences from championship resort courses to scenic public layouts.
Golf packages available combining multiple trail courses with accommodations. Ideal itineraries include 3-5 courses over extended weekend or week-long golf vacation.
Recommended Combinations: New Orleans area (TPC, Bayou Oaks, Audubon Park), Lake Charles casino courses (Contraband Bayou, Koasati Pines), or Baton Rouge region (Carter, Santa Maria, University Club).
Louisiana features premier casino resort golf destinations combining championship golf with luxury accommodations and entertainment. The state's casino resorts offer excellent stay-and-play packages, customizable golf experiences, and resort amenities.
📍 Kinder, Louisiana
Louisiana's largest casino featuring Koasati Pines, an 18-hole par-72 championship course. Resort offers 1,000+ guest rooms, live table games, poker, and comprehensive golf packages combining accommodation with rounds.
📍 Lake Charles
Luxury resort featuring Contraband Bayou Golf Club, the only public Tom Fazio course in Louisiana. 18-hole championship layout among eight spectacular lakes with aquatic vegetation. Resort offers 1,000-room hotel and full casino.
📍 Lake Charles
Shoreline casino resort with 1,100 guest rooms featuring 18-hole championship golf course designed by Todd Eckenrode (opened 2014). Modern resort amenities combined with quality golf experience.
📍 Marksville (40 miles from Alexandria Airport)
Features Tamahka Trails Golf Club designed by Steve Smyers. Multiple-time U.S. Open qualifying host with challenging layout utilizing natural terrain. Customizable stay-and-play packages available.
📍 Many (Toledo Bend Lake)
Located near Texas-Louisiana border on Toledo Bend Lake. 18-hole course designed by Dave Bennett featuring scenic lakefront holes. Non-casino resort offering peaceful golf experience with lake recreation.
📍 Springfield (Near Baton Rouge)
David Toms signature design named among "Top 10 Courses You Can Play" by GOLF Magazine. Resort packages combine golf with upscale accommodations near Baton Rouge and New Orleans attractions.
New Orleans area features 13 courses within 15-mile radius, including 10 public courses. From the PGA Tour venue at TPC Louisiana to historic municipal courses, the region offers diverse golf experiences combining with city attractions.
Baton Rouge area offers 30+ premier golf courses including 4 Audubon Golf Trail courses. The capital region features championship designs, extensive BREC municipal system with 6 courses, and resort destinations.
Louisiana golf courses span from north to south, east to west, ensuring quality golf within reasonable distance of any location. Major population centers feature multiple options while casino resorts offer destination golf throughout the state.
Louisiana Golf Association (lgagolf.org/courses) and GolfLink.com maintain searchable databases of all Louisiana courses by city, county, and zip code. Use these resources for comprehensive course listings with contact information and tee time booking.
Louisiana residents often receive 20-30% discount at public courses. Call ahead for current rates and specials.
Peak season (October-April) requires earlier booking. Summer has more availability.
Recommendation: Fall/winter offers best overall conditions. Spring excellent for visitors. Summer playable with early tee times.
Visit LouisianaGolf.com for package deals and multi-course itineraries.
Official Allied Golf Association licensed by USGA as governing body for Louisiana golf. Provides course directory, handicap services, tournament administration, and represents Louisiana golfers in regional and national competitions.
Youth golf development programs throughout Louisiana including local junior leagues and regional tours.
Women's golf associations and leagues promoting female participation in Louisiana golf.
Squire Creek Country Club near Shreveport has been ranked either #1 or #2 in Louisiana for the past decade. Tom Fazio's 2002 design features a challenging par-72 layout stretching over 7,000 yards. However, as a private club, public access is limited.
For public golf, TPC Louisiana is Louisiana's premier accessible course, hosting the PGA Tour's Zurich Classic since 2005. Pete Dye's design ranks consistently in Golf Digest's top upscale public courses. Black Bear Golf Club was named Best Public Golf Course in Louisiana and America's Best New Course.
Other top-ranked public options include Carter Plantation (David Toms design, Top 10 You Can Play), Copper Mill (links-style top-10 course), and Contraband Bayou (only public Fazio course in Louisiana).
Yes, TPC Louisiana is open to the public and welcomes daily-fee players. The course is located in Avondale, approximately 15 miles from downtown New Orleans.
Green Fees at TPC Louisiana:
Book tee times online at TPC.com/louisiana or call ahead. Advance reservations recommended, especially during peak season (October-April). The course also offers membership options for frequent players.
TPC Louisiana stretches 7,425 yards from championship tees (par-72) and has hosted the Zurich Classic of New Orleans since 2005, making it Louisiana's only PGA Tour venue open to public play.
The optimal time for Louisiana golf is October through February (fall and winter months). During this period, temperatures range from 60-75°F with significantly lower humidity than summer, providing the most comfortable playing conditions.
Season Breakdown:
Louisiana's year-round average temperature of 70.6°F means golf is possible throughout the year, but fall/winter offers the best overall experience. Many golf packages offer best rates during these optimal months.
The Audubon Golf Trail is a collection of 18 premier golf courses throughout Louisiana, established in 2001 within the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area. The trail features courses designed by golf legends including David Toms, Pete Dye, Robert Trent Jones Sr., Tom Fazio, and Steve Smyers.
Notable Trail Courses Include:
The trail spans Louisiana from New Orleans to Shreveport, offering diverse golf experiences including resort courses, public facilities, casino destinations, and links-style layouts. Golf packages combining multiple trail courses with accommodations are available through LouisianaGolf.com.
Playing the Audubon Trail is an excellent way to experience Louisiana's golf diversity while exploring different regions of the state.
Louisiana has four major casino resorts featuring championship golf courses, all offering excellent stay-and-play packages combining golf, luxury accommodations, and casino entertainment:
1. Coushatta Casino Resort (Kinder) - Louisiana's largest casino with Koasati Pines, an 18-hole par-72 championship course. Resort features 1,000+ guest rooms, live table games, and poker. Comprehensive golf packages available.
2. L'Auberge Casino Resort (Lake Charles) - Features Contraband Bayou Golf Club, the only public Tom Fazio course in Louisiana. The 18-hole championship layout winds among eight spectacular lakes. Resort offers 1,000 rooms and full casino amenities.
3. Golden Nugget Lake Charles - Shoreline casino resort with 1,100 guest rooms and 18-hole championship course designed by Todd Eckenrode (opened 2014). Modern facilities with golf-casino combination packages.
4. Paragon Casino Resort (Marksville) - Features Tamahka Trails Golf Club designed by Steve Smyers, multiple-time U.S. Open qualifying host. Located 40 miles from Alexandria Airport with fully customizable stay-and-play packages.
All casino golf resorts offer package deals combining rounds, hotel stays, dining credits, and casino play. These destinations are ideal for golf groups seeking comprehensive vacation experiences with multiple entertainment options beyond golf.
Louisiana features over 100 golf courses throughout the state, including:
The Louisiana Golf Association (lgagolf.org/courses) maintains a complete directory of all courses. Major population centers like New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Lafayette, and Lake Charles each have multiple options, while smaller cities and resort destinations throughout the state ensure quality golf is accessible statewide.
Course types range from championship private clubs (Squire Creek, Country Club of Louisiana) to affordable municipal courses, resort destinations, links-style layouts, and PGA Tour venues open to public play.
The New Orleans area offers excellent public golf options for all skill levels and budgets:
Championship Public Courses:
City Park Golf (36 Holes Total):
Unique Layout & Value:
Nearby Options:
For affordable municipal golf, Joseph M. Bartholomew and Brechtel Memorial Park offer budget-friendly options within New Orleans city limits.
Yes, Louisiana features several links-style golf courses offering authentic Scottish/Irish golf experiences:
Copper Mill Golf Club - Zachary (near Baton Rouge) - Ranked among Louisiana's top 10 courses, Copper Mill is a true links-style layout reminiscent of Scottish courses. Features open terrain, strategic bunkering, firm fast-running fairways, and challenging wind conditions.
Links On the Bayou - Alexandria - Named Best Municipal Golf Course in Louisiana by Golf Digest (2009). American Links-style design delivering unique municipal golf experience in central Louisiana.
While Louisiana's climate and terrain differ significantly from British Isles links courses, these layouts successfully incorporate links design principles:
Most Louisiana courses feature parkland, bayou, or resort styles with significant water in play (70%+ holes at many courses). The links-style offerings at Copper Mill and Links On the Bayou provide welcome contrast and authentic links golf experience without leaving Louisiana.
Louisiana features championship courses designed by many of golf's most famous architects:
Tom Fazio:
Pete Dye:
David Toms (PGA Champion):
Jack Nicklaus:
Rees Jones:
Robert Trent Jones Sr.:
Steve Smyers:
Other Notable Designers: Dave Bennett (Cypress Bend Resort), Todd Eckenrode (Golden Nugget Lake Charles)
This concentration of famous designers' work makes Louisiana a premier golf destination featuring diverse architectural styles from traditional to modern championship layouts.
Louisiana offers numerous options for booking golf packages combining multiple courses with accommodations:
Official Louisiana Golf Resources:
Casino Resort Packages (All-Inclusive Options):
Popular Package Formats:
Recommended Multi-Course Itineraries:
Booking Tips: Book 4-8 weeks advance for peak season (October-April). Many resorts offer discounted packages during summer months despite heat. Contact Louisiana Golf Association for custom multi-course recommendations. Group rates available for 8+ golfers at most resorts.
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Last updated on November 24, 2025