We weight reliable winter weather (highs 65°F+), course density and how easy each city is to fly into from the snow belt. Desert and Florida lead, with a few Caribbean wildcards for the splurge crowd.
10 destinations
The picks
01FL, 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
Read the full destination guide →02FL, 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
Read the full destination guide →
03SC, 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
Read the full destination guide →
04AZ, 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
Read the full destination guide →05FL, 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
Read the full destination guide →
06GA, 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
Read the full destination guide →07CA, USA
Los Angeles
Quiet golf scene in Southern California. Locals know the value plays; visitors should skip unless lodging or schedule already brings them here.
Best season: Year-round · From $1,370
Read the full destination guide →08FL, USA
Palm Beach
Old-money enclave with The Breakers, Seminole, and Trump International.
Best season: Nov – Apr · From $1,620
Read the full destination guide →
09CA, USA
San Diego
Torrey Pines, Aviara, Maderas — coastal year-round golf.
Best season: Year-round · From $1,610
Read the full destination guide →
10SC, USA
Hilton Head
Twenty-four courses, a tournament with the loudest grandstand in golf, and bikes between every tee time.
Best season: Mar – May, Sep – Nov · From $1,800
Read the full destination guide →
Notable courses
Courses mentioned
- Martin County Golf CourseStuart
- Sailfish Sands Golf CourseStuart
- Trump National Doral - Blue MonsterMiami
- Crandon Golf at Key BiscayneMiami
- Caledonia Golf & Fish ClubMyrtle Beach · Mike Strantz · Par 70 · 6,526 yd
- True Blue PlantationMyrtle Beach · Mike Strantz · Par 72 · 7,062 yd
- We-Ko-Pa SaguaroScottsdale · Coore & Crenshaw · Par 71 · 6,966 yd
- Troon North MonumentScottsdale · Tom Weiskopf · Par 72 · 7,028 yd
Travel tips
What our editors actually do
- 01Book by mid-October for January–March inventory — peak desert weeks sell out first.
- 02Florida east coast is reliably warmer than the Gulf in December.
- 03Avoid Presidents' Day week — rates spike 30–50% in Scottsdale and Naples.
FAQs
Where is the warmest U.S. golf in January?
+−
Naples, Palm Beach, Scottsdale and Palm Springs all run 70–78°F daytime highs. Hawaii is the only state guaranteed 80°F+.
Is Scottsdale or Palm Springs better in winter?
+−
Scottsdale wins for course density and walkable nightlife. Palm Springs wins for value — green fees run 30–40% lower for similar course quality.
Book this trip
Compare tee times and lodging.
We send you to GolfNow and Booking.com, pre-filtered for this guide, so you can compare and book directly with the operator.
