No modern architect has built more courses that have hosted the biggest tournaments than Pete Dye has. Two of his courses, Crooked Stick Golf Club and Whistling Straits, have been the site of the PGA Championship, while a third, the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Resort, will be the host in 2012.

In addition, his most famous creation, the Players Stadium course at TPC Sawgrass, is the annual site of golf's fifth major, the Players Championship. 

The most appealing aspect of Dye's work is that unlike most other architects, many of his best courses are open to the public, giving every golfer a chance to test themselves and enjoy his trademark design features like railroad ties and varied bunker styles (pictured above). 

His top public layouts show remarkable range, from the faux links at Whistling Straits to the desert gem at PGA West. But what they all have in common is an undeniable fun factor that allows players of all abilities to try to pull off as many heroic shots as they want.

"Even the most stringent conservative may be a gambling maniac when it comes to golf," Dye once said. "I want to make sure risky shots are presented as often as possible."

If you've never played a Dye course, what are you waiting for? First, check out the 20 courses on this list. For each, we have assigned a "Lost-Ball Meter" to indicate the difficulty: the more balls, the harder the course. 

Then go play one of Dye's best, for a golf experience you'll never forget. Just remember to bring plenty of balls.

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>> No. 1: Whistling Straits