USA rankings
The best golf trips in America
Twelve trips that define American golf — from Monterey cliffs to Carolina sandhills, ranked by course pedigree, lodging and weather windows.
Our editors scored every U.S. destination on course quality, on-property lodging, weather reliability and how naturally each one supports a 3-to-5-day group trip. Click through to the full destination guide for itineraries, hotels and tee-time booking.
#1
CA, USA
Pebble Beach
Cliffs, cypress, and the eighth hole — the most copied 100-yard shot in golf.
- Best season
- Apr – Oct
- From
- $4,200
- Luxury
- 98/100
- Nightlife
- 68/100
FL, USA
Stuart
Quiet golf scene in Treasure Coast. Locals know the value plays; visitors should skip unless lodging or schedule already brings them here.
- Best season
- Winter
- From
- $1,250
- Luxury
- 95/100
- Nightlife
- 66/100
#3
CA, USA
Monterey Peninsula
Spyglass, MPCC, Pacific Grove. The whole peninsula is a green book.
- Best season
- Apr – Oct
- From
- $1,850
- Luxury
- 96/100
- Nightlife
- 68/100
WI, USA
Kohler / Whistling Straits
Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run. Pete Dye at his most theatrical, on a freshwater coast that plays like the British Isles.
- Best season
- May – Oct
- From
- $1,890
- Luxury
- 95/100
- Nightlife
- 42/100
NY, USA
Long Island
Shinnecock, NGLA, Bethpage Black — the densest great-course strip in America.
- Best season
- May – Oct
- From
- $1,380
- Luxury
- 90/100
- Nightlife
- 72/100
SC, USA
Aiken
Aiken — a quieter regional golf market with a handful of credible tracks and easy access via AGS.
- Best season
- Spring-Fall
- From
- $1,110
- Luxury
- 88/100
- Nightlife
- 41/100
#7
GA, USA
Sea Island
Forbes Five-Star, three private courses, and Davis Love III still walks the property. Old-money low country.
- Best season
- Apr – Jun, Sep – Nov
- From
- $1,460
- Luxury
- 99/100
- Nightlife
- 40/100
PA, USA
Pittsburgh
Underrated stop in Western Pennsylvania. A short list of solid public courses, a few resort options, and almost no waiting list — best treated as a side trip rather than a full week.
- Best season
- Spring-Fall
- From
- $1,220
- Luxury
- 93/100
- Nightlife
- 55/100
WY, USA
Cody / Yellowstone
Cody / Yellowstone — a quieter mountain golf market with a handful of credible tracks and easy access via COD.
- Best season
- Summer
- From
- $1,320
- Luxury
- 95/100
- Nightlife
- 85/100
SC, USA
Kiawah Island
The Ocean Course breaks people. Then the Sanctuary serves you a Manhattan.
- Best season
- Apr – Oct
- From
- $2,200
- Luxury
- 94/100
- Nightlife
- 72/100
NV, USA
Las Vegas
Shadow Creek, Wynn, Cascata — golf as part of the show.
- Best season
- Oct – May
- From
- $1,850
- Luxury
- 92/100
- Nightlife
- 99/100
FL, USA
Miami
Underrated stop in South Florida. A short list of solid public courses, a few resort options, and almost no waiting list — best treated as a side trip rather than a full week.
- Best season
- Winter
- From
- $1,380
- Luxury
- 81/100
- Nightlife
- 51/100
FAQs
What is the best golf trip in America?
+−
Pebble Beach for the bucket-list round, Pinehurst for resort depth (10 courses on one campus), and Bandon Dunes for pure links immersion. Scottsdale wins for buddy trips on price-to-quality.
How much does a U.S. golf trip cost?
+−
Plan on $1,500–$3,500 per golfer for a four-night domestic trip including flights, lodging, three rounds and food. Pebble Beach and Bandon push past $5,000.
When is the best time to plan a U.S. golf trip?
+−
April–early June and September–early November cover the widest set of destinations in peak shape. Desert (Scottsdale, Palm Springs) and Florida swing the other way — November through April.
Notable courses
Courses featured in this guide
Pebble Beach Golf Links
Pebble Beach · Neville / Grant
Par 72 · 7,075 yd
Spyglass Hill
Pebble Beach · Robert Trent Jones Sr.
Par 72 · 6,960 yd
Martin County Golf Course
Stuart
Sailfish Sands Golf Course
Stuart
Pebble Beach Golf Links
Monterey Peninsula
Spyglass Hill Golf Course
Monterey Peninsula
Whistling Straits (Straits Course)
Kohler / Whistling Straits
Whistling Straits (Irish Course)
Kohler / Whistling Straits
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