Winter guide
Best winter golf destinations
When the rest of the country shuts the course, these destinations are firm, sunny and at their best.
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.
#1
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
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
#3
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
#4
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
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
CA, 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
- Luxury
- 81/100
- Nightlife
- 36/100
FL, USA
Palm Beach
Old-money enclave with The Breakers, Seminole, and Trump International.
- Best season
- Nov – Apr
- From
- $1,620
- Luxury
- 98/100
- Nightlife
- 72/100
CA, USA
San Diego
Torrey Pines, Aviara, Maderas — coastal year-round golf.
- Best season
- Year-round
- From
- $1,610
- Luxury
- 82/100
- Nightlife
- 72/100
#10
SC, 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
- Luxury
- 80/100
- Nightlife
- 55/100
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.
Notable courses
Courses featured in this guide
Martin County Golf Course
Stuart
Sailfish Sands Golf Course
Stuart
Trump National Doral - Blue Monster
Miami
Crandon Golf at Key Biscayne
Miami
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
We-Ko-Pa Saguaro
Scottsdale · Coore & Crenshaw
Par 71 · 6,966 yd
Troon North Monument
Scottsdale · 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.
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