Must-play Courses: June edition
A spotlight on Gil Hanse — and three standout tracks with his signature touch.
If you liked what you saw at Oakmont during the U.S. Open, you’re in luck: the storied major venue — and site of Gil Hanse’s much-praised renovation — is now available to play in the Trackman virtual library.
But while Oakmont gets the most attention, it’s far from the only Hanse-designed course worth exploring. This month, we’re showcasing three more standout tracks shaped by one of golf’s most influential modern architects.
From a wildly fun short course rendered in Virtual Golf 3 to two acclaimed 18-hole designs with major credentials, each offers a different window into Hanse’s design philosophy: strategic, artful and always memorable.
Pinehurst The Cradle: Big fun in a small package
Pinehurst, North Carolina, US
Difficulty: 2/5
Available in Virtual Golf 3
Nine holes. 789 yards. Infinite reasons to play.
The Cradle is Hanse at his most playful — a short course that trades intimidation for imagination and invites players of all skill levels to go flag hunting.
Built on just 10 acres at the heart of Pinehurst Resort, The Cradle features dramatic bunkering, wild green contours, and a joyful vibe that makes it feel more like a backyard game than a pressure-packed round. It’s fast, fun and surprisingly addictive.
Perfect as a warm-up, a wind-down or a quick loop with friends — and now, a standout sim experience that reminds you golf doesn’t always have to be serious to be special.
Fields Ranch East: Modern muscle with major mojo
Frisco, Texas, US
Difficulty: 4/5
Oakmont wasn’t the only Hanse course grabbing headlines this month.
One of Hanse’s newest original designs, Fields Ranch East hosted the 2025 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship — further cementing its status as a major-worthy venue built for the modern game.
Set on the windswept prairie at PGA Frisco, the layout features wide corridors, strategic bunkering and green complexes that demand precision and creativity. It’s a thinking player’s course — one where bold play is rewarded but careless shots rarely go unpunished.
Power, touch and smart angles all come into play here. If you like your golf with a side of strategy, this one’s worth a closer look.
The Olympic Club (Lake Course): A five-time major venue with a new edge
San Francisco, California, US
Difficulty: 5/5
The Lake Course is no stranger to the spotlight — it’s hosted five U.S. Opens — but Hanse’s recent renovation has given this Bay Area classic fresh bite.
The updated layout restores elements of the original 1920s design while sharpening the course’s most defining features: tight fairways, canted lies and punishing green sites that seem to repel anything less than perfect. The stretch from holes 1 to 7 is famously brutal, and now it looks and plays better than ever.
It’s a true test of control and resilience — a major venue through and through, now reimagined with a modern eye and historic respect.
Check back next month for more Must-Play Courses. Or explore the full Trackman library anytime to find your next favorite test from more of golf’s greatest minds.