The 25 best locker rooms in golf, ranked

What do you appreciate in a golf locker room? Is it storied history, modern luxury or simply an unassuming place to change your shoes? That’s the question we put to Golf Digest's 1,800-plus course-ranking panelists. The answer, we found, is that no one style of a quality locker room appeals to all, although ones oozing character seem to resonate more. Swanky spa amenities and full-service restaurants don’t hurt, either.

Whether you're a purist or enjoy being pampered, the locker rooms on this page are some of the best places to relax and ruminate about the day's round.

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25. Whisper Rock G.C.

Several dozen PGA Tour players are members, including Phil Mickelson. Need to rejuvenate after your round? Hit up one of two "nap rooms," there to let members sleep off the day's events, if need be.

24. Southern Hills C.C.

Historical artifacts, great service, and a blend of old school feel with modern amenities make this locker room a great hangout spot. Our panelists appreciate the simple touches like the excellent showers and an ice and soda dispenser.

23. Olympia Fields C.C.

“It might be the largest locker room I’ve ever seen,” one panelist says. “The coolest part? Seeing a bunch of members taking Zoom meetings inside. For a classic traditional club, it’s great to see them lax their policies and evolve them to cater them to a younger membership.”

22. Old Memorial G.C.

With on-site cottages and no official closing time inside the locker-room bar, things can get rowdy at Old Memorial, previously named one of Golf Digest's Best 19th Holes.

21. Baltusrol G.C.

Upon entering, a massive new interactive touchscreen immerses you in the history of the club with videos and infographics. Historical photos and artifacts surround the room, which includes a grill overlooking the 18th holes on both the Upper and Lower courses.

20. Pine Valley G.C.

Simple, unadorned beige metal lockers, wood-paneled walls and green carpeting ensure that all your attention is on the golf course. “The history of the place is incredible and the showers are insane,” one panelist notes. “To be able to stay in the clubhouse is like a real life 'Night In the Museum' experience for golf purists.”

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19. Muirfield Village G.C.

Jack Nicklaus made milkshakes the signature drink at his home club as a nostalgic nod to operating the soda machine at his dad's pharmacy as a teenager. Gulp down as many as you want while taking in views of the first and 10th tees.

18. Friar’s Head G.C.

Likened by some to a new-age luxury hotel, the ambiance here is cozy. The small locker-room bar offers views of the first tee and ninth green. The shower is the star of the show—it might be the best in golf.

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17. Hudson National G.C.

You could spend an entire day in the club’s spacious locker room. Lunch is served right in the room, and there’s no shortage of lounge chairs to sit back and watch TV. Clean up in the showers, steam room and sauna, where there’s a massive selection of luxury toiletries. Guests getting their names on one of the wooden lockers for the day is a welcoming touch.

16. Garden City G.C.

Sport coats are mandatory in the men's-only clubhouse, no matter the weather. Metal-grate lockers and coat racks to hang guest jackets are also decidedly old school.

15. Champions G.C.

A marker on the horseshoe-shape locker-room bar denotes where co-founder and three-time Masters champ Jimmy Demaret would drink his post-round martini.

14. Burning Tree Club

Former presidents and congressmen of both parties are members, and everyone eats together at the long dining tables.

13. The Country Club

“Old wireframe lockers that haven’t been updated since what feels like the Francis Ouimet era, which adds to the charm and the history of the club,” says one panelist. “The saloon style swinging doors as you enter and the old pictures of tournaments, players and the course just take you back to the Golden Age of golf.” And of course, don’t forget to order a Fernando, the club’s signature drink named for longtime TCC bartender Fernando Figueroa.

12. Indian Creek C.C.

You'll often find celebrities playing cards and knocking back a cocktail in this locker room featuring cathedral-style wood detailing. “High ceilings, almost cathedral-like, along with intricate wooden lockers and just a general feeling of opulence without being overbearing,” writes one panelist.

11. Forest Creek G.C.

It's like stepping inside the most glamorous horse stable. The 9,000-square-foot locker-room has stall doors that separate each set of lockers and a roof with wood shingles. “It was built to replicate an old barn and the size is impressive,” one panelist says. “The details including the exposed trusses and artwork give it great ambiance. At the far end of the locker room is a fireplace, bar and large leather chairs.”

10. The Golf Club

A very large oil painting of club founder Fred Jones sits on a shelf above the Cotswolds stone fireplace, as if he's still watching over the club, long after his death.

9. Sea Island

This is the highest-ranked locker room open to the public. The 6,000-square-foot space has an exercise room, rainfall showers and one of the best cigar rooms around—with views of the Atlantic Ocean.

8. Oakmont C.C.

Hundred-year-old spike marks on the benches and compartments used by members to hide booze during Prohibition are just two signs of its history.

7. Merion G.C.

During the Great Depression, the club looked at cutting expenses like water costs from its legendary showers, which we’ve ranked the best in American golf. A member footed the water bill for years to keep the oversize pipes and drain plates intact.

6. Winged Foot G.C.

A trophy case greets entrants with decades-old memorabilia before entering a two-level locker room filled with photos of past major champions.

5. San Francisco G.C.

“The smell of the old-school fireplace hits you as you walk in. It’s like going back in time,” one panelist says. Also helping the historic vibe: Ancient pistols are on display, a nod to the Broderick-Terry duel in 1859, which took place yards from the seventh hole.

4. Calusa Pines G.C.

Owner Gary Chensoff traveled to golf's best clubs for inspiration. The result? “The best modern locker room I have ever seen, yet they did it in such a way that it feels 100 years old,” says one panelist.

3. Milwaukee C.C.

The bratwurst and sausage highlight the daily spread. Rumor has it Brett Favre was asked to leave after knocking over a trophy while tossing a football between locker rows.

2. Castle Pines G.C.

A recent renovation has made Castle Pines perhaps the best “modern” locker room. With no amenity overlooked, it’s an upscale mountain lodge complete with a full spa. You can easily fill an afternoon in the high-pressure showers, whirlpool, sauna and steam room.

1. Seminole G.C.

"It is quiet, pleasant and elegant—one of the better places in Florida to change your shoes," Dan Jenkins wrote in 1965. Not much has changed in 60 years. With 30-foot-high wood ceilings, taxidermy on the walls and gold lettering on boards listing winners of the club's prestigious tournaments, it’s a step back in time.

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