Let the
Greater New Orleans serves up championship fairways featuring bayous, live oaks, and a culture where the party never stops
THE OFFICIAL CAJUN FRENCH MOTTO OF MARDI GRAS— Laissez les bons temps rouler— translates to“ let the good times roll,” and perhaps no place does that better than New Orleans.
Think of“ The Big Easy,” as New Orleans often is called, and you can’ t help but think of great food, lively music, and a world-renowned party atmosphere.
But add to those superlatives a fine lineup of enjoyable and challenging golf courses and now those good times— and hopefully good putts— are rolling better than ever.
The Pelican State has even packaged a collection of 18 courses in its Louisiana Audubon Golf Trail, named for naturalist and artist John James Audubon, who painted a wide range of birds native to the area.
These championship courses feature the designs of Arnold Palmer, Pete Dye, David Toms, and Rees Jones, blending challenging layouts against the backdrop of scenic landscapes dedicated to environmental stewardship. Audubon Golf Trail courses use native plants and grasses while practicing sustainable golf course maintenance.
The nine selected courses below are close enough to New Orleans to get you back in time for dinner or a supper cruise on the mighty Mississippi, or to cap off a perfect day with some toe-tapping New Orleans jazz— smooth and easy, just like a good putting stroke.
GARY LISBON, ADOBE STOCK, UNSPLASH
32 V IRGINIA G OLFER | S e p t e m b e r / O c t o b e r 2026