The only thing better than playing golf is traveling and playing golf. With each golf trip comes a new experience, a new story to tell, and most importantly, another course checked off your bucket list. From the firm fairways skirting the Pacific Coast to the sandhills of the Carolinas, these are the best golf trip destinations in the U.S.
6 Golf Trip Destinations You Need to See to Believe
Arizona
If you’re interested in an epic golf trip out west, Arizona has it all. Golf in ‘the Grand Canyon State’ offers an impressive mix of course styles. The most common of this melting pot is target-style courses that demand some serious shot-making skills from the first tee shot to the last putt.
Places to Play
One of the best golf trip destinations, Troon North offers two 18-hole courses that wind through Arizona’s Sonoran desert. Mountain vistas, lush fairways, bentgrass greens, and challenging setups are just a few reasons Troon North keeps golfers coming back for more.
Conveniently located near Phoenix and Scottsdale, We-Ko-Pa Golf Club is a popular golf trip destination for players all over the nation. The resort’s two courses, Cholla and Saguaro, were designed by Scott Miller and Coore & Crenshaw respectively. While each offers its own take on desert golf, the two combined create for a secluded, award-winning golf trip.
California
It’s hard to pick another state with more visually impressive golf courses than those on the shoreline of California. Rugged coasts, ocean views, lush fairways – the state truly has it all. With over 900 golf courses (yes, 900) of all shapes, sizes, and styles, it’s always a good time for a tee time in California.
Places to Play
Carved into the coastline of California, many agree Pebble Beach is one of the top golf courses in the U.S., possibly the planet. Luckily for you and golfers in every corner of the globe, Pebble Beach is open to the public. Steps from the Pacific Ocean, Pebble is undoubtedly one of the best golf trip destinations.
Located in La Quinta, California, PGA West features six different golf courses, most notably the PGA West Stadium Course. The course is known for producing some higher than average scores with challenging green complexes and bunkering. Nonetheless, the resort remains a top golf trip destination.
Florida
With more than 1,300 golf courses scattered throughout the state, it’s easy to see why Florida is one of the best golf trip destinations. Sunny skies and warm temperatures year-round mean you can enjoy Floridian golf courses any time of the year, too.
Places to Play
Host of the annual PLAYERS Championship, golf’s unofficial 5th major, a round at TPC Sawgrass is one of the most sought-after tee times in the world. While the course itself is highlighted by the famous island green on the par 3, 17th, the remainder of the course is equally as impressive.
Streamsong Resort boasts three different courses all of which have received national rankings: Streamsong Red, Streamsong Blue, and Streamsong Black. As one of the top destinations for a golf trip, Streamsong pays homage to Scottish links with its undulating fairways, wild grasses, and deep pot bunkers.
The highly exclusive Calusa Pines is truly the only one of its kind in Florida. The club reportedly spent $1 million on dynamite to assist in creating what are now some of the most dramatic elevation changes you’ll play in the Sunshine State. Strategic bunkering and undulating greens are offset by wide fairways with plenty of room for bailouts.
North Carolina
From the links courses along the beach to the rolling fairways in the mountains, North Carolina’s varied topography offers a stunning portfolio of courses, highlighted by those in the sandhills region.
Places to Play
Nicknamed “America’s Home of Golf,” Pinehurst Resort is synonymous with North Carolina golf and is one of the most popular spots for a golf trip. The resort features 9 award-winning courses and was recently named the first anchor site of the U.S. Open. The resort is equally as impressive off the fairways, too, with classic accommodations, delicious Southern fare, a brewery, spa, and so much more.
Molded onto land once rooted with tobacco plants, Tobacco Road is the pinnacle of golf in the sandhills of the Carolinas. Designed by Mike Strantz in the late 90s, the course offers dramatic visual contrast between the smooth fairways and perfectly flawed waste areas for a golf trip unlike any other.
Oregon
To those unfamiliar with golf in Oregon, you’ll be surprised to learn the state boasts more than 200 golf courses. Seaside links, secluded desert retreats – you can taste a little bit of everything with a golf trip to Oregon.
Places to Play
As a relatively young course having opened in 1999, Bandon Dunes has quickly surpassed its predecessors in both recognition and accolades. Carved into the Oregon coastline with sweeping ocean views, Bandon Dunes features six authentic links-style golf courses along with a par-3 course, perfect for a golf trip with your buddies.
South Carolina
South Carolina is one of the most popular golf trip destinations in the east. Fairways lined by live oaks, impeccable green complexes, tee boxes so close to the ocean you can almost take a dip – need we say more?
Places to Play
One of the most iconic courses on the eastern seaboard, the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island boasts the most seaside holes in the Northern Hemisphere. All 18 holes either hug the coastline or run parallel to the Atlantic. The prevailing ocean winds, panoramic views, and immaculate layout will have you returning to the Ocean Course on your golf trip again and again.
A masterpiece of classic design, Yeamans Hall is an ultra-exclusive course just a 30-minute drive from downtown Charleston, South Carolina. Exquisitely restored greens, coastal marshland, and fairways bordered by live oaks and towering pines complete the classic Carolina golf trip at Yeamans Hall.