Austin Golf Club has a logo that is classy, striking perfection—two golf clubs form an A with a star between them that is the pride of Texas. Port Ludlow’s stern ship encourages us. You can’t change the wind, but you can adjust your ball flight, so dare to embark and set sail. Tobacco leaves and artistic lettering were added to a stylized image of a deer skull to create the logo for the ever-popular Tobacco Road.
Logos are fun to recognize, think about, and discuss. My list changes often, but it always has some familiar treasures and some logos that are new on the scene.
In no particular order, here are my 10 current favorites.
Buffalo Ridge at Big Cedar Lodge—Hollister, Mo.
From the tee on hole No. 1 of Buffalo Ridge, the Ozark Mountains are clearly visible and so are the North American Bison roaming left of the fairway. The logo is dominated by this immense creature nudging the flagstick, and the lettering is just the right mix of old-fashioned fancy and bold. The combination is a perfect complement for the course, because a bold approach is exactly what is needed for this scenic, all-American, Tom Fazio-designed championship layout.
Baltusrol Golf Club—Springfield, N.J.
The earliest bylaws of Baltusrol established that “the club insignia shall be a red golf ball with golden wings.” The shape and shading of the logo’s wings have shifted over the years and the mesh pattern on the golf ball has morphed into dimples. Managing to evolve, I admire that the club has remained loyal to its original description through such a prestigious history. Credit for the design, created in 1896, goes to one of the founding members, John L. DuFais. And here is a bonus fun fact: In 1953, jackets with the insignia were available for purchase by members through Saks Fifth Avenue in New York.
Trout National, The Reserve—Millville, N.J.
It’s fantastic how many professional athletes from a variety of sports enjoy playing golf. Mike Trout, an MLB All-Star outfielder with the Los Angeles Angels, has taken his love of golf to an entirely different level. Working with TGR Design, led by Tiger Woods, to bring Trout National to his hometown, this logo creatively combines his interests. The tee that’s a “T;” nine baseball stitches split into halves representing nine innings and an 18-hole championship layout; and the flag that doubles as a baseball pennant are meaningful elements. The custom typography also contributes to make this logo feel like a homerun.
Chicago Golf Club—Wheaton, Ill.
The Chicago Golf Club was formed in 1892, and the earliest depiction of its logo was on the Year Book of 1897, a membership directory. I’m drawn to the charming, earnest character of this seal, which includes the phrase “Far and Sure.” Royal Liverpool Golf Club has long employed that phrase, and Chicago Golf Club founders and members Charles Blair Macdonald, the course architect, and Herbert J. Tweedie were members at Hoylake. No one knows exactly who deserves credit for its development, but the seal is distinctive, authentic, and an enduring example of everything a logo can be.
Firefly—Spring Hill, Tenn.
This is such a clean, faultless image and the symmetry makes this composition feel brave and confident. Firefly will be a residential community with two original Andrew Green designs—an 18-hole championship layout and a 9-hole short course. Both will be open for play in the rolling hills south of Nashville in the summer of 2026. Showing interested golfers and community members the way, the logo can be interpreted as a guidepost. This mirror-image “F” most clearly resembles a Firefly, and it is ready to glow.
Merion Golf Club—Ardmore, Pa.
The East and West courses at Merion were designed in the early 1900s by Hugh Wilson. Scotch broom blooms fresh and bright every spring on the East course, and Bobby Jones completed his grand slam here in 1930 when he won the U.S. Amateur. The signature wicker basket, and the year the golf club was established, 1896, evoke a sense of nostalgia. Designed by Bill Kittleman, a former longtime head golf professional at Merion, this logo is wildly popular, and I understand why. Enjoy the visual serenity.
Wick Golf Club—Wick, Caithness, Scotland
On the northern shore of Scotland, its founding members established Wick Golf Club in 1870. They chose a badge that “reflects the Norse heritage in the north. A pair of crossed golf clubs overarch a Viking longship, with its sail emblazoned with Odin’s Raven. These were the birds that were held onboard the vessel and released to lead these invaders to our coasts over a 1,000 years ago.” I couldn’t have said it better and with the invaders long gone, I have great memories of visiting Wick. This black-and-white line drawing speaks to my Scottish ancestry and the wonderful, kind people who live there.
Pinehurst No. 10—Aberdeen, N.C.
Founded after World War II, Pleasants Sand and Supply shipped sand that was mined in Aberdeen by rail to help with building projects all over the United States. This continued into the 1970s, when the company closed. The logo of Pinehurst’s 10th course is this dependable, bright red rail car steadfastly transporting a load that is shaped similarly to a 25-foot sand deposit that helps frame the 8th hole. Railways convey a productive but romantic sense of adventure, and this Tom Doak-designed course is, naturally, an adventure of its own.
Cragun’s Legacy Courses—Brainerd, Minn.
Tom Lehman, a Minnesota native and the 1996 Open Champion, recently redesigned multiple courses at Cragun’s Resort. With the renovations that started in 2021 now complete, 54-holes of golf are available for players of all skill levels. The rustic wooden bridges, wildflowers, and towering trees throughout the property contribute to its visual corridors and creative beauty, with swathes of cattails inspiring the logo for this Audubon-certified property.
Shorty’s at Bandon Dunes—Bandon, Ore.
This logo is fun, adorable, and laid-back. Standing on his hind legs, the bear wears a slightly pensive expression, like he is staring into the horizon or thinking about the next shot. Opened in 2024, this 19-hole par-3 course was designed by the firm of Whitman, Axland & Cutten. The course was named in honor of owner Mike Keiser’s close friend, Shorty Dow, the first caretaker and self-appointed “governor, mayor, and sheriff” of Bandon Dunes. As a “course with a mission,” it contributes to funding the Bandon Dunes Charitable Foundation’s grant-making efforts. Friendship, charity, and a cool logo—that’s good stuff.
What are your favorite golf course logos?
