Buddies guide
Best golf trips for buddies
Big group, bigger expectations. These destinations stack multiple championship courses next to walkable lodging and the kind of nightlife that makes a buddy trip a tradition.
Our editors weighted three things: course density (3+ rounds in driving distance), single-property stay-and-play options that sleep 8 or more, and after-round atmosphere. Every pick can absorb a 6-to-12-person group without feeling stretched.
#1
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
#2
AZ, USA
Scottsdale
TPC Scottsdale, We-Ko-Pa, Troon North. Desert architecture, rooftop pools, and Old Town until 2 a.m.
- Best season
- Nov – Apr
- From
- $1,500
- Luxury
- 85/100
- Nightlife
- 92/100
FL, USA
Reunion / Champions Gate
Reunion / Champions Gate isn't a flagship golf destination, but if you're already in Central Florida there are 2–3 worthwhile rounds and one or two course-side dinners worth booking.
- Best season
- Winter
- From
- $1,380
- Luxury
- 75/100
- Nightlife
- 89/100
#4
SC, USA
Myrtle Beach
The original buddies-trip capital — 100+ tracks, oceanfront condos, and a Sunday tee sheet that takes an hour to read.
- Best season
- Mar – May, Sep – Nov
- From
- $900
- Luxury
- 55/100
- Nightlife
- 82/100
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
TN, USA
Nashville
Quiet golf scene in Tennessee. Locals know the value plays; visitors should skip unless lodging or schedule already brings them here.
- Best season
- Spring-Fall
- From
- $1,200
- Luxury
- 59/100
- Nightlife
- 86/100
MT, USA
Whitefish
Whitefish isn't a flagship golf destination, but if you're already in Montana there are 2–3 worthwhile rounds and one or two course-side dinners worth booking.
- Best season
- Summer
- From
- $1,520
- Luxury
- 70/100
- Nightlife
- 82/100
CA, USA
Palm Springs
PGA West, La Quinta, Mission Hills. Mountain backdrops and 100 reasons to play 36 in January.
- Best season
- Oct – May
- From
- $1,310
- Luxury
- 90/100
- Nightlife
- 82/100
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
#10
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
FAQs
What's the ideal group size for a buddy golf trip?
+−
Eight to twelve is the sweet spot — large enough for a tournament format, small enough that one rental house, one tee-time block, and one dinner reservation still works.
How much should we budget per person?
+−
Plan on $1,800–$3,500 per golfer for a four-night U.S. trip including flights, lodging, three rounds, food and a couple of late nights out. Caribbean and Scotland trips run 30–60% higher.
When should we book?
+−
Lock tee times 4–6 months out for spring and fall windows in destinations like Scottsdale, Pinehurst, Myrtle Beach and Bandon. Resort packages release winter inventory in late August.
Notable courses
Courses featured in this guide
Shadow Creek
Las Vegas
Wynn Golf Club
Las Vegas
We-Ko-Pa Saguaro
Scottsdale · Coore & Crenshaw
Par 71 · 6,966 yd
Troon North Monument
Scottsdale · Tom Weiskopf
Par 72 · 7,028 yd
Champions Gate International Course
Reunion / Champions Gate
Champions Gate National Course
Reunion / Champions Gate
Caledonia Golf & Fish Club
Myrtle Beach · Mike Strantz
Par 70 · 6,526 yd
True Blue Plantation
Myrtle Beach · Mike Strantz
Par 72 · 7,062 yd
Sample itinerary
A 4-day trip, blueprinted
Day 1
- Morning
- Land midday, drop bags at the rental house, range session.
- Afternoon
- Easy 18 at the warm-up course; settle the format and the bets.
- Evening
- Group dinner walkable from lodging.
Day 2
- Morning
- Marquee championship round — earliest tee block your group can fill.
- Afternoon
- Pool / cart-bar nine.
- Evening
- Steakhouse + bar district.
Day 3
- Morning
- Second championship course (rotate pairings).
- Afternoon
- Driving-range short-game contest with the loser's tab.
- Evening
- Late dinner; live music or sports book.
Day 4
- Morning
- Hidden-gem public round before the flight.
- Afternoon
- Wrap, settle the ledger, fly home.
Travel tips
What our editors actually do
- 01Book one rental house that sleeps the whole group — way cheaper than 5 hotel rooms and the night cap stays in-house.
- 02Lock tee times 4–6 months out and pay the deposit on one card; settle inside the group later.
- 03Bring a portable speaker and a printed handicap sheet. The format you set on day one runs the trip.
- 04Skyscanner the group on the same flight; airlines often discount blocks of 10+.
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