True, the rate of golf course construction has slowed considerably. But it hasn’t stopped altogether, and although the quantity of new layouts has dipped, the quality has not.

Divided into three categories—public, private, international—2009’s crop of the best new designs represents a wide spectrum of styles: true links, seaside stunners, strategic parkland gems, scenic mountain layouts, lay-of-the-land minimalist classics and even a fun par-3 nine-holer that strikes the perfect tone in this “less is more” era.

Click one of the links below to start your tour of the most recent additions to the great landscape of the best of golf.

>> Best New Public Courses of 2009
>> Best New Private Courses of 2009
>> Best New International Courses of 2009