USA guide
Best golf trips in the U.S.
From the Monterey cliffs to Carolina sandhills, these are the trips every American golfer should put on the list.
We weighted course pedigree, stay-and-play depth, weather reliability and how naturally each destination supports a 3-to-5-day group trip. Each pick links to the full destination guide with sample 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 #1 golf trip in the U.S.?
+−
Pebble Beach for one-trip-of-a-lifetime energy, Pinehurst for resort depth (10 courses on one campus), Bandon Dunes for pure golf immersion. Scottsdale wins for buddy trips on price-vs-quality.
How much should I budget?
+−
$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.
Best time of year to plan a U.S. golf trip?
+−
April–early June and September–early November cover the widest set of destinations in peak shape. Desert and Florida resorts swing the other way (Nov–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
Sample itinerary
A 4-day trip, blueprinted
Day 1
- Morning
- Arrive, range session and 9-hole warm-up at the resort short course.
- Afternoon
- Welcome dinner on-property; review tee sheet and pairings.
- Evening
- Putting contest under the lights.
Day 2
- Morning
- Marquee course — earliest tee time available, caddies recommended.
- Afternoon
- Recovery: pool, spa or a guided club fitting.
- Evening
- Dinner in the nearest walkable district.
Day 3
- Morning
- Second championship round at a contrasting design (links vs parkland).
- Afternoon
- Replay nine or local sightseeing for non-golfers.
- Evening
- Steakhouse + cigar lounge.
Day 4
- Morning
- Hidden-gem public course off the resort campus.
- Afternoon
- Pack out, casual lunch by the airport.
- Evening
- Fly home.
Travel tips
What our editors actually do
- 01Book marquee tee times 4–6 months out; resort packages release winter inventory in late August.
- 02Fly Tuesday or Wednesday for 20–35% lower airfare and emptier first tees.
- 03Use one rental SUV per four golfers — cheaper than transfers once you factor in club bags.
- 04Stack stay-and-play packages directly with the resort, then check GolfNow's hot deals 48 hours before arrival.
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