top golf trips in the world

Reviews > Golf Courses and Resorts

11 of The Best Golf Trip Destinations in the World

Whether written on paper or stored in the back of their mind, every golfer has a bucket list of golf destinations they’d love to explore. While some destinations, like St. Andrews or Pebble Beach, are at the top of everyone’s list, there are a few golf meccas you may have not heard of, sure to give those shoo-ins a run for their money. These are the best golf trip destinations in the world.

Bucket List Golf Trip Destinations Around the World

1. st. andrews – old course.

St. Andrews, Scotland

Having seen golf’s greatest players in its 600 years, the Old Course at St. Andrews is one of the best golf trip destinations in the world. Regarded as the “Home of Golf,” some of the most iconic sights in golf can be found at St. Andrews including the Swilcan Bridge and the Old Course Hotel.

2. Pebble Beach Golf Links

Pebble Beach, California

Highly regarded as the top public golf course in the United States, Pebble Beach is one of the best golf trip destinations in the world. Carved into the rugged California coastline, Pebble Beach is so close to the Pacific you may feel a splash of sea spray from the crashing waves as you tap in for birdie.

3. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort

Bandon, Oregon

Celebrating “golf as it was meant to be,” Bandon Dunes has long been regarded as one of the best golf trip destinations in the world. The resort boasts six links-inspired designs, a par-3 course, stunning accommodations, and an array of options for dining and a post-round beverage.

4. Cape Kidnappers

Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand

Cape Kidnappers is truly a marvel of golf course design. With towering, seaside cliffs, and plunging valleys, Cape Kidnappers is one the best golf trip destinations in the world for equal parts drama and beauty. Firm greens and deep bunkers are sure to challenge golfers of all levels, too.

5. Whistling Straits – Destination Kohler

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Home to two championship golf courses, the Straits and the Irish, Whistling Straits is one of the best golf trip destinations in the world. Nestled along the shoreline of Lake Michigan, the courses boast windswept, fescue-lined fairways, challenging bunkering, and more. The Straits, specifically, has also hosted several events, including multiple PGA Championships.

6. Royal County Down

Newcastle, Northern Ireland

Having opened in 1889, Royal County Down is one of the oldest and best golf trip destinations in the world. Located in the Mountains of Mourne with stunning views of Dundrum Bay, Royal County Down is most known for its heather-lined fairways, domed greens, and world-famous bunkers.

7. Pinehurst Resort

Pinehurst, North Carolina

Pinehurst Resort is one of the most popular buddies trip destinations and most certainly one of the best golf trip destinations in the world. The resort boasts 9 championship-level golf courses highlighted by No. 2, the site of several professional tournaments. Pinehurst was also recently named the U.S. Open’s first anchor site.

8. Casa de Campo

La Romana, Dominican Republic

The premier golf experience of the Dominican Republic, Casa de Campo is one of the best golf trip destinations in the world. The Teeth of the Dog Course, located at Casa de Campo, is easily the most celebrated design in the Caribbean with unparalleled oceanfront fairways.

9. Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Golf Course

Jasper, Canada

Every round of golf at Jasper Park includes beautiful mountain vistas, an array of wildlife, and some of the most dramatic hole designs in Canada. As one of the best golf trip destinations in the world, visitors flock to Jasper Park for the views, the golf, and the accommodations. 

10. Kapalua Golf

Lahaina, Hawaii

Home to the PGA TOUR’s Sentry Tournament of Champions, the Plantation Course at Kapalua Resort has long been regarded as one of the best golf trip destinations in the world. Located on the island of Maui, the resort also boasts the Bay Course which has hosted more than 20 professional tournaments.

11. Cabot Cape Breton

Nova Scotia, Canada

Located on the stunning coast of Cape Breton, Cabot Cape Breton is one of the best golf trip destinations in the world thanks to its two, top 100 golf courses and exquisite views. Towering oceanfront cliffs and natural valleys ensure Cabot is full of surprises at every turn.

Related Posts

• 9 Best Fall Golf Destinations for Groups
• Top 12 Scariest Golf Holes in the World
• Ultimate Fall Golf Trip Guide
• Top 10 Golf Courses in Wisconsin
• 12 Best Summer Golf Resorts in the U.S.
• Top 8 Golf Courses in California
• Our Expert Picks: 5 Best Golf Trips for Guys

Top 10 Golf Destinations in the World

Blair Howard 

I've just updated this list of what I consider to be the top 10 golf destinations in the world. Just my opinions, but the links provided below offer a comprehensive source of travel information, golf course and resort reviews, photos, etc. In fact, it's all you need to plan that once-in-a-lifetime golf trip. From the mountains of Scotland to the deserts of Arizona and beyond, you'll find all you need to know right here. This first item is my choice of the top five. The second item is, well the second five, numbers 6 to 10.

The Top 5 Golf Destinations in the World

• Scotland: St. Andrews, right? Well of course, but there's so much more. Scotland is, after all, the home of golf, the place where it was invented, and there are literally hundreds of world-class courses and resorts to choose from.
• Florida:  Okay, choose Florida, almost anywhere in Florida, for that golf vacation and it's not likely that you'll be disappointed: the sun almost always shines (yep, it does rain now and again, but that's not hard to plan around), the grass is almost always green, and the golf courses are amazing. Florida's Golf Courses and Resorts.
• Arizona: Arizona's golf courses and resorts are as diverse as they are numerous. From Pete Dye to Jack Nicklaus to Robert Trent Jones, every designer of note is represented in one form or another. Arizona's golf resorts are set among some of the most scenic countryside in the world: rugged mountains, vast tracts of Saguaro cacti, and the eye-popping ribbons of emerald green set against the golden desert sands. Arizona's Golf Courses and Resorts.
• Las Vegas:  We all know that most folks visit Las Vegas to gamble, right? Well, today Las Vegas is one of the most popular golf destinations in the United States. 
• Hawaii: Hawaii is all things to all people, golfers included. There are, so I'm told, more amazing golf courses per acre upon these tiny islands than anywhere else on the planet. Golf Courses and Resorts in Hawaii.

Five More of the Best Golf Destinations in the World

TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre

It's always a subjective thing when we try to come up with a list like this, and it can never be more than a personal choice. These choices that follow are destinations that I know well and enjoy visiting. No, they are not the grand and glorious famous names in golf, but we're talikg about destinations, not golf courses. I think you'll agree that these are well worth a visit.

• Colorado:  While the golfing season is somewhat limited by the climate in Colorado, it's well worth your consideration. High up in the mountains, the ball flies farther, the air is sweeter, and the golf courses are out of this world.  Golf Courses and Resorts in Colorado .
• South Carolina:  From Hilton Head to Myrtle Beach to Charleston, South Carolina is the golf destination of choice for millions of golfers each year. Hundreds of amazing courses await. 
• Palm Springs, CA:  Palm Springs/Palm Desert: you get two for the price of one, and you get the stunning desert landscape, year-round sunshine, and a hundred incredible golf courses to play. 
• Bermuda:  Ah... Bermuda, my own personal favorite. Did you know there are more golf courses in Bermuda than fast-food restaurants? And what golf courses they are!  Golf Courses and Resorts in Bermuda .
• The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, Alabama:  You won't find this one on most lists of top golf destinations, which is strange because it's one of the most popular golf destinations in the U.S. Ten amazing golf courses, most of them complete with resort hotel, designed by one of the masters of golf course design. Golf Courses and Resorts on the RTJ Golf Trail.

And there are a great many more opportunities for great golf all over the world. Favorite locations include Scotland,  Florida , the  American Southwest ,  Bermuda , the  Bahamas , all over the Caribbean and Mexico and many more. 

The Top 10 Golf Courses and Resorts in Jamaica

The Caribbean's Best Golf Courses and Golf Resorts

The Top 25 Golf Courses in Las Vegas, Nevada

Palm Springs Guide: Planning Your Trip

The TPC Four Seasons Resort and Club, Irving, Texas

The 10 Best Tucson Golf Courses and Resorts

10 Top Things to Do on Hilton Head Island With Kids

The Top Golf Courses in Southern California

Top 25 Golf Courses and Resorts in Scottsdale, Arizona

48 Hours in Palm Springs: The Ultimate Itinerary

Golf Courses and Resorts in Naples and Fort Myers, Florida

Stay and Play the Innisbrook Resort, Tampa, Florida

The 6 Most Romantic Places in the Southwest

The Sheraton Cable Beach Resort

The Reynolds Lake Oconee in Greensboro, Georgia

The 9 Best Golf Wedges of 2023

By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.

Golf World Top 100: Best Golf Resorts in the World

Published: 27 July 2022

We reveal the best golf resorts in the world.

What are the best golf resorts in the world? The Golf World Top 100 panel ranks and rates the best golfing getaways on planet earth in our inaugural list.

JUMP TO:  100-76  |  75-51  |  50-26  |  25-11  |  10-1  

Welcome to the Golf World Top 100 Golf Resorts in the World.

We dedicated 40 magazine pages to this ranking (and I wanted far more) so I don’t think anyone can suggest we aren’t taking these Top 100s seriously!

This is the first time the panel and I have ranked the world’s best golf resorts but, having produced the  Top 100 Golf Resorts in Great Britain and Ireland  and the  Top 100 Golf Resorts in Continental Europe  in the past 12 months, I felt now was the time.

I’ve tried to pick out resorts from different parts of the world and with a different look in a bid to illustrate the fact there is something for everyone.

There are resorts from 33 countries and with so much variety – some are very golf-centric, others have especially amazing accommodation, plenty have so much to do away from the course. Among this diversity, there are two themes: many are spectacular seaside entries; and many are expensive.

I do realise that precludes many from ever going to them, and we are very conscious of that; we want these Top 100s to be relevant and to be used as a guide to plan your trips. But adding a value element would have been so hard, given there are so many packages for so many resorts. Tracking all the deals available via third parties would have made this ranking impossible!

RELATED: Best Golf Courses in Italy

We have produced a  GB&I £60 and Under ranking  already and an Under £35 will follow in 2022. Believe me, we are very conscious of the cost of the top-end destinations.

Finally on this, we also hope there is some escapism, as we plough through a British winter and yetr more restrictions, in looking at pictures of and reading about so many sun-kissed foreign fields. Please do feed back where you feel we’ve gone wrong – and also if you think we’ve got things right, too. We’d love to hear from you via  email , on  Twitter ,  Facebook  or  Instagram .

And, once you’ve enjoyed this ranking, please do take a look at some of our others – from the best courses in  England ,  Scotland ,  Ireland  and  Wales , to  GB&I’s best links , the  most fun courses to play  and the finest  courses and resorts Portugal  has to offer, we’ve got it covered.

Chris Bertram,  Golf World  Top 100 Editor

NEVER MISS A TOP 100:  Subscribe to Today’s Golfer here  |  Get Top 100 news direct to your inbox

What is the Golf World Top 100?

The Criteria: How we ranked the Golf World Top 100 Best Golf Resorts in the World

Firstly, what is a golf resort? It’s an important point to clarify as it explains why Resort X made it in, yet Resort Y didn’t. We define a resort like this: the course and accommodation must be owned by the same company and the accommodation has to be on-site. Any time there is a short transfer time involved, the resort loses a mark in the ‘setting’ category.

People often ask whether advertising affect positions? No! Never. The editorial and sales teams have scars to prove the many battles…

On a serious note, advertising does not affect positions in any of our rankings. Take our Continental Europe Resorts ranking as an example – some resorts which advertised actually move down in the list. We might, however, give a resort or course which is advertising a larger image for their entry, but never anything more than that.

RELATED:  Best Golf Courses in the Middle East

The scoring: How we marked the  Golf World Top 100 Best Golf Resorts in the World

Led by myself (I’ve been to 59 of the 100), well-travelled figures from the golf travel industry, in addition to our GB&I and continental Europe panels, assessed all 100 in these categories:

Golf Course/s (marked out of 40):  The quality of the course/s – with second or third courses duly recognised.

Accommodation (marked out of 20):  The range, quality and quantity of the accommodation.

Non-golf amenities (marked out of 20): Additional facilities that can make a resort a family and couples attraction. 20 marks

Setting (marked out of 20):  Lots of 14s and 15s for standard countryside locations, but those that drop jaws get a boost with 18 and 19s – occasionally even higher.

Golf is clearly still the key category in all of this, but we take accommodation and non-golf amenities into account fairly strongly, because we didn’t want a list of ‘courses with rooms’ and to end up with a list of Top 100-ranked courses with a dormy house. We wanted to include rounded resorts that could appeal to couples and families as well as those for absolute golf nuts.

RELATED:  Best Golf Courses in Britain and Ireland

Can I join the  Golf World  Top 100 panel?

Yes! If you have knowledge of lots of resorts and courses, we’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re male, female, young, old, low handicap, high handicap, if you’re well-travelled then  get in touch with us, here .

>>> Click here to start the Top 100 countdown >>>

About the author.

Chris Bertram is the  Golf World  Top 100 Editor.

He was born and brought up in Dumfriesshire and has been a sports journalist since 1996, initially as a junior writer with  National Club Golfer  magazine.

Chris then spent four years writing about football and rugby union for the Press Association but returned to be Editor and then Publisher of  NCG  before joining  Golf World  and  Today’s Golfer  as Senior Production Editor.

He has been freelance since 2010 and when he is not playing and writing about the world’s finest golf courses, he works for BBC Sport.

A keen all-round sportsman, Chris plays off 11 – which could be a little better if it wasn’t for hilariously poor lag putting which has to be seen to be believed.

Best Golf Resorts in the World

from the Experts in Golf Holidays

⏱ 15 min read

Trending Golf Resort Deals

Perthshire & Heartlands

Rated 9.2 by 87 golfers ( Read reviews of Gleneagles )

1 Night, 2 Rounds

• Bed and Breakfast
• 1 round at Ferntower Championship Course ( Crieff Golf Club )
• 1 round at Queen's Course
• signature collection
• flights included

Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa

Jacksonville - North East

Rated 8.4 by 37 golfers ( Read reviews of Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa )

Flights, 5 Nights, 4 Rounds

• 1 round at Falcon’s Fire Golf Club ( Falcon’s Fire Golf Club )
• 1 round at Celebration Golf Club ( Celebration Golf Club )
• 1 round at Shingle Creek Golf Club ( Shingle Creek Golf Club )
• 1 round at THE PLAYERS Stadium Course ( TPC Sawgrass )

Casa de Campo Resort & Villas

Dominican Republic

Rated 9.4 by 47 golfers ( Read reviews of Casa de Campo Resort & Villas )

Flights, 7 Nights, 5 Rounds

• All Inclusive
• 2 rounds at Teeth of the Dog Course
• 2 rounds at Dye Fore
• 1 round at The Links

Stay & Play Golf on Resort

Part of the charm of playing a number of the world's best golf courses is the journey itself, and the sense of setting out to explore something truly special in remote locations around the world.

On the other hand, sometimes it's just easier to head to a destination where everything you could ever need from a golf holiday is all right on-site, and that's where the "golf resort" comes in.

When we talk about golf resorts, we mean places where the golf courses, accommodation, bars, restaurants, and leisure facilities are all in one crazily convenient complex; where all you need to do is roll out of bed and onto the first tee, before rolling in your final putt and hitting the spa to relax before dinner in an award-winning restaurant.

If just such a trip sounds good to you, read on, because we've taken the trouble of compiling a list of the world's best golf resorts .

Check out our guides the best golf resorts in: UK & Ireland Europe England France Portugal Spain America Turkey South Africa Mauritius

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort

There are only 247 “true links” courses on planet Earth, four of which are located in the USA. Three of those are found at the amazing Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.

The Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes, and Old Macdonald Courses are America’s answer to traditional seaside golf found most prominently in the UK & Ireland, and with 6 courses in total on-site; there’s much more to write home about here than a day on the links.

Bandon Dunes is rightly considered to be one of the best golf resorts in the world, with a core function and belief that "golf was born on rugged, wind-swept land like this”. This epic golf resort provides a stunning golf experience akin to that found at many of the world's greatest links golf courses in Scotland and Ireland, and is a superb alternative to the classic American classics of Pebble Beach, Sawgrass, and Kiawah Island.

Book a golf holiday to Bandon Dunes or Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to one of our golf experts.

Reasons to Visit Bandon Dunes

• 6 Golf Courses on-site
• Designs from Tom Doak, David Mclay Kidd, Ben Crenshaw & Bill Coore
• A wealth of accommodation options

What our clients think

❝Had a hard time choosing my favourite course here, they are all that good, honest.❞ Glen (visited October)

Our Golf Experts are available to provide full details of all deals at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort - call now for an instant quote!

Trump Turnberry, a Luxury Collection Resort

Located on some of Scotland's most dramatic coastline the Trump Turnberry Resort will provide a special experience for a golf break. Guests can choose to stay in the 5-star hotel or the self-catering cottages and Villas.

The courses at Turnberry are simply incredible with the Ailsa course being the headline act having hosted 4 Open Championships.

Reasons to Visit Trump Turnberry

• Multiple hosts of The Open, Senior Open & Women's Open
• Named 2019 Best Golf Resort in Europe
• Ailsa Course ranked in World's Top 10 Golf Courses

Book a golf break to Trump Turnberry or Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to one of our golf experts.

❝Beautifully presented. The quality is amazing and the staff excellent and friendly.❞ Tom (visited September)

Trump Turnberry Golf Resort 5*

Glasgow & Ayrshire

Rated 9.6 by 202 golfers ( Read reviews of Trump Turnberry Golf Resort 5* )

1 Night, 1 Round

• 1 round at King Robert The Bruce

Pinehurst Golf Resort

Spanning more than 100 years of history with no less than nine amazing golf courses, including the famed Pinehurst No. 2 Course, Pinehurst is a must for any lover of golf.

Combine these amazing courses with luxurious accommodation options and endless top-class facilities and there is little surprise that Pinehurst is considered to be one of the world's finest golf resorts.

Book a golf holiday to Pinehurst Golf Resort or Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to one of our golf experts.

Reasons to Visit Pinehurst Golf Resort

• Total of 9 golf courses on-site
• Designs from Donald Ross, Tom Fazio, Jack Nicklaus & Rees Jones
• Hotel options include The Carolina Hotel & Holly Inn to the Villas & Condos

❝After our experience of No’s 4, 6 and 8 we were slightly concerned that No 2 couldn’t be much better. How wrong we were!❞ Ronald (visited June)

Pinehurst Resort

North Carolina

Rated 9.6 by 12 golfers ( Read reviews of Pinehurst Resort )

• 1 round at Pinehurst No. 2
• 1 round at Tobacco Road Golf Club ( Tobacco Road Golf Club )
• 1 round at Pine Needles Golf Course ( Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club )
• 1 round at Southern Pines Golf Club ( Southern Pines Golf Club )
• 1 round at Mid Pines Golf Course ( Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club )

Costa Navarino

As more and more people have considered Greece to be a prime destination for their golfing adventures, Costa Navarino has risen steadily in popularity. The Dunes & The Bay, by master designers Bernhard Langer and Robert Trent Jones, are considered to be the country’s finest courses; both located within the confines of the luxury resort with another two courses from Jose Maria Olazabal making a superb choice of golf on offer.

Book a golf holiday to Costa Navarino or Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to one of our golf experts.

Reasons to Visit Costa Navarino

• Two of the courses are anked 1st & 2nd in Greece
• Designs by Bernhard Langer, Robert Trent Jones Jr & Jose Maria Olazabal
• A 5* luxury resort with stunning views of the coast

❝A superb stay at a superb resort. The staff are not only numerous, ensuring you can always get assistance the moment you need it, but incredibly willing and knowledgable. The facilities are fantastic, well designed and spaced out to ensure you don't feel as though you are on a large resort, the offering of eateries and local information is also great!❞ Debora (visited July)

The Romanos Resort, Costa Navarino

Rated 10 by 2 golfers ( Read reviews of The Romanos Resort, Costa Navarino )

5 Nights, 4 Rounds

• 4 rounds at Dunes Course ( The Dunes Course, Costa Navarino ), Hills Course ( The Hills Course, Costa Navarino ), Bay Course ( The Bay Course, Costa Navarino ) or International Olympic Academy Golf Course ( The International Olympic Academy Golf Course, Costa Navarino )

Pebble Beach

Pebble Beach must be one of the most recognisable golf courses in the world, having played an integral part in major tournaments and the overall history of the game. With a dramatic cliff-side stretch of holes, it’s obvious to see why it has such an iconic reputation.

However there is more to Pebble Beach than the famous links, the "17 Mile Drive in Monterey" has an unbelievable stretch of golf courses, including the exclusive Cypress Point, Links at Spanish Bay, Monterey Peninsula Country Club, Spyglass Hill & Poppy Hills.

Book a golf holiday to Pebble Beach or Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to one of our golf experts.

Reasons to Visit Pebble Beach

• Held multiple US Opens, USPGA Championship & AT&T Pro-Am
• Surrounded by some of the best courses in America
• Lodge at Pebble Beach or Inn at Spanish Bay accommodation options

❝Just an absolute privilege to play this wonderful golf course and exceeded expectations again.❞ Paul (visited September)

Pebble Beach Golf Links

San Francisco & Monterey

Rated 9.2 by 11 golfers ( Read reviews of Pebble Beach Golf Links )

Flights, 5 Nights, 3 Rounds

• 1 round at Pebble Beach Golf Links
• 1 round at The Links At Spanish Bay ( The Links At Spanish Bay )
• 1 round at Poppy Hills Golf Club ( Poppy Hills Golf Club )

Gleneagles Golf Resort

Having hosted both the Ryder Cup and the Solheim Cup Gleneagles must be one of the most famous golf resorts in the world. The luxurious 5-star hotel, 2 Michelin Starred Andrew Fairlie restaurant and first-class spa is accompanied by 3 wonderful championship golf courses.

The James Braid and Jack Nicklaus layouts provide some of the best golf in the UK providing golfers with a truly memorable experience.

Reasons to Visit Gleneagles

• Hosted both the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup
• 3 Championship courses from James Braid & Jack Nicklaus
• Named the 2019 European Golf Resort of the Year

Book a golf break to Gleneagles or Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to one of our golf experts.

❝I just wished we could have stayed here for a week and not 2 nights. Everything was just superb. Without doubt, this for both my wife and I was the most fantastic place we have ever stayed. The staff were so friendly, helpful and professional and the facilities outstanding. The setting is just idyllic.❞ Tom (visited September)

Belle Mare Plage

Mark Twain once said: "Mauritius was made first and then heaven, and heaven was copied after Mauritius." That pretty much sums up this epic corner of the Indian Ocean as far as golfers go. White sandy beaches, sapphire waters, and luxury resorts are the order of the day here, and for the golf historians out there; Mauritius was also the 4th country in the world where golf was first played. 4th!!!

Belle Mare Plage is rated highly by Your Golf Travel customers and is the epitome of everything good and great about Mauritius. 36 holes (18 designed by "The Voice of Golf" , Peter Alliss ), an all-inclusive experience, and a slice of the island life await visitors here, making Belle Mare Plage the go-to place for anyone looking for the best of the best when it comes to luxurious golf escapes.

Book a golf holiday to Belle Mare Plage or Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to one of our golf experts.

Reasons to Visit Belle Mare Plage

• Two fantastic courses on-site
• Designed by Rodney Wright and Peter Alliss
• Superb Sea View accommodation & prestigious Shiseido Spa

❝Just loved it all, plenty to do if you wish and the staff were superb. We have never gone back to the same place before but we will go back to here.❞ Tracy (visited February)

Constance Belle Mare Plage

Rated 9.6 by 86 golfers ( Read reviews of Constance Belle Mare Plage )

Flights, 7 Nights, Unlimited Rounds

• Unlimited rounds at Legend Course and Links Course

Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort

Sawgrass might be famous for its island green Par 3 17th hole, but Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa offers much, much more than a flick of a 9-iron.

This Jacksonville resort boasts 4 more 18-hole golf courses to go with the Pete Dye-designed TPC Sawgrass, as well as luxury accommodation, and endless off-course attractions.

The World Golf Hall of Fame is in St Augustine, just south of Sawgrass, and visitors will also benefit from the famous Florida weather. If sun, sand, and the famous 17th at Sawgrass are on your bucket list; Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa is the place to be.

Book a golf holiday to Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort or Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to one of our golf experts.

Reasons to Visit Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort

• Host of the annual PLAYERS Championship
• 5 Championship course layouts including designs from Pete Dye
• 4* Luxury hotel just a 2 hour drive from Orlando International Airport

❝The most difficult and beautifully designed course I have ever played ever. Great experience all round made ever more memorable because I had a hole in one at the 17th on day 2!❞ Philip (visited April)

Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Links

Old Tom Morris started things off here, with additions from Harry Vardon, Harry Colt, Pat Ruddy and the latest designed by Tom Doak, making Rosapenna an incredible links golf experience combined with an excellent 4-star hotel.

Golfers visiting Rosapenna get to enjoy all the facilities on offer away from the courses too with multiple spa options, sport activities and the proximity of the fishing village of Downings ensures that the speciality seafood at Rosapenna is as fresh as it comes.

Reasons to Visit Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Links

• Home to 3 amazing links courses
• Designs from Pat Ruddy & Tom Doak
• Luxury 4-star hotel in an 800 acre estate

Book a golf break to Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Links or Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to one of our golf experts.

❝The hotel, the staff, the food and the golf courses were all excellent, we couldn't have asked for any more.❞ Stephen (visited September)

Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Links

Rated 8.8 by 19 golfers ( Read reviews of Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Links )

2 Nights, 2 Rounds

• 1 round at Old Tom Morris Course
• 1 round at Sandy Hills Course

Whistling Straits

Having hosted the PGA Championship on 3 occasions as well as The 2021 Ryder Cup, the Straits Course at Whistling Straits is, without doubt, the main attraction at this spectacular Wisconsin resort, but there are plenty of other reasons to put this place atop your USA Golf Holiday bucket list.

In addition to the Straits Course, the Whistling Straits Resort is home to The Irish Course (another Pete Dye creation) which is a championship challenge in its own right, and visitors can also enjoy easy access to the Blackwolf Run Course, which is just a 15-minute drive along the shores of Lake Michigan.

Away from the course, The American Club is a Forbes Five-Star Resort Hotel and the Midwest’s only AAA Five Diamond Resort Hotel, so it goes without saying that this is an outstanding accommodation option for any golfer travelling to this part of the USA.

Book a golf holiday to Whistling Straits or Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to one of our golf experts.

Reasons to Visit Whistling Straits

• Two superb courses from the acclaimed golf architect Pete Dye
• Hosted the PGA Championship, U.S. Senior Open & 2021 Ryder Cup
• The resort offers Five-Star and Five-Diamond hotel accommodation

Our Golf Experts are available to provide full details of all deals at Whistling Straits - call now for an instant quote!

Casa de Campo

The Teeth of The dog Course at Casa de Campo is the top-rated golf course in all of the Caribbean; reason enough to make the trip to the Dominican Republic.

Throw in the exceptional Dye Fore Course (designed by Pete Dye as we’re sure you’d imagine) and The Links Course too, and you have a golf experience that encompasses everything that is good and great about a Caribbean Holiday.

Recommended by our clients, Casa de Campo is part of the Your Golf Travel Signature Collection and offers the perfect blend of rum cocktails, sunny skies, sandy beaches, and of course sumptuous golf.

Book a golf holiday to Casa de Campo or Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to one of our golf experts.

Reasons to Visit Casa de Campo

• Three stunning Pete Dye designed courses
• Located on the Caribbean Sea coastline with 3 Private Beaches
• Teeth of the Dog course is ranked No.1 in the Caribbean

❝The seven holes on the coastline are fantastic with amazing views.❞ Rob (visited February)

Mission Hills Golf Resort

If golf is top of your "to-do list" when you’re planning your next holiday, Mission Hills might just be the perfect place.

With twelve, yes twelve!!, 18-hole championship courses on-site, as well as endless luxurious hotels, restaurants, and leisure facilities; Mission Hills is officially The World’s Biggest Golf Resort.

The likes of Pete Dye, Greg Norman, Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, Jose Maria Olazabal, Vijay Singh, and Annika Sorenstam all have a golf course to their name at this epic resort, and away from the fairways; luxury accommodation options, world-class restaurants, and endless sport and leisure facilities combine to complete your next golf holiday experience.

Book a golf holiday to Mission Hills Golf Resort or Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to one of our golf experts.

Reasons to Visit Mission Hills Golf Resort

• A total of 12 Golf Courses on-site
• Designs from Nicklaus, Faldo, Els, Norman & Dye
• Two luxury hotels, Shenzen and Dongguan

❝This really is a 5 resort, the courses are some of the best that I have played in terms of presentation, aesthetics and playability.❞* Steve (visited April)

Rated 8.4 by 5 golfers ( Read reviews of Mission Hills Golf Resort )

Our Golf Experts are available to provide full details of all deals at Mission Hills Golf Resort - call now for an instant quote!

Streamsong Resort

When you think of golf in Florida, sun, palm trees, gators, and PGA Tour Courses probably spring to mind.

The likes of Sawgrass, Bay Hill, and PGA National have been mainstays on golf’s flagship tour for decades, but Streamsong offers something a bit out of the norm. And that isn’t a bad thing…

This amazing golf resort boasts 54 holes of golf (the Red, Blue, and Black Courses are rated #2, 3, and 4 in all of Florida by Golf Week), luxurious accommodation, and an enviable location less than an hour from Tampa, and 90 minutes from Orlando. For everything that makes Florida such a sought-after holiday destination, Streamsong has in spades and stands out from the pack; offering something a little different to golfers visiting The Sunshine State.

Book a golf holiday to Streamsong Resort or Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to one of our golf experts.

Reasons to Visit Streamsong Resort

• Designs by Tom Doak, Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw & Gil Hanse
• Situated within 16,000 acres of stunning Florida scenery
• Modern, stylish accommodation, fine dining and spa

❝Tremendous facilities and staff❞ David (visited April)

Rated 9.6 by 8 golfers ( Read reviews of Streamsong Resort )

• 1 round at Streamsong Red
• 1 round at Streamsong Blue
• 1 round at Streamsong Black

Cape Kidnappers

We don’t know about you, but when we think of our favourite golf courses in the world; we picture courses that are not only great in design but take pride of place in some of the most spectacular locations on earth.

New Zealand golf courses fit that bill like fish do chips. There are plenty of breathtaking courses in the land of the All Blacks, but Cape Kidnappers probably takes the biscuit when it comes to golf courses that blow thy mind.

Designed by Tom Doak and ranked amongst the Top 50 Golf Courses in The World, Cape Kidnappers is the centrepiece of an incredible golf resort that has reached the heady heights of being ranked #4 in the World in Travel & Leisure by “the World's Best Awards”.

Go here and play golf. PS - Take your camera.

Book a golf holiday to Cape Kidnappers or Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to one of our golf experts.

Reasons to Visit Cape Kidnappers

• Golf course designed by famed golf course architect Tom Doak
• Ranked 4th in Travel & Leisure "World's Best Awards"
• Generous suites with sumptuous, rustic-luxe interiors & awe-inspiring views

❝Cape Kidnappers is every bit as "wow" as the pictures you've seen adorn the golf magazines and websites since it's creation.❞ Oliver (visited October)

North Island

Our Golf Experts are available to provide full details of all deals at Cape Kidnappers - call now for an instant quote!

Trump National Doral, Miami

Located in the heart of Miami the 800-acre Doral Resort offers golfers amazing facilities, luxury accommodation, six pools, five restaurants and four championship golf courses.

The showpiece Blue Monster course contains deep bunkers, long winding fairways, large undulating greens and numerous water hazards. At over 7,000 yards both the Silver Fox and Golden Palm courses also provide a stern test of golfing ability while The Red Tiger course makes golfers choose strategy and shot placement rather than smashing it off the tee.

Book a golf holiday to Trump National Doral, Miami or Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to one of our golf experts.

Reasons to Visit Trump National Doral, Miami

• 800 acre luxury resort
• Four magnicifcent courses
• Design from Gil Hanse, Robert von Hagge, Raymond Floyd, Jerry Pate & Bruce Devlin

❝Challenging courses with fast and tricky greens❞ Francesca (visited February)

Trump National Doral Miami

Miami - South East

Rated 8.8 by 7 golfers ( Read reviews of Trump National Doral Miami )

Flights, 5 Nights, 5 Rounds

• 2 rounds at Golden Palm Course
• 2 rounds at Red Tiger Course
• 1 round at Silver Fox Course

Terre Blanche Golf Resort

Indulge yourself in the luxury of Terre Blanche Golf Resort; located near the heart of one of the most beautiful regions in France. The hotel and resort have much to offer with world class accommodations and remarkable championship golf courses.

Terre Blanche offers ideal relaxation as well as numerous possibilities for those interested in exploring every nook and cranny of what this beautifully diverse country has to offer, including the French Riviera.

Book a golf holiday to Terre Blanche or Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to one of our golf experts.

Reasons to Visit Terre Blanche

• Two courses, Le Chateau ranked as one of the best in France
• Designed by Dave Thomas
• Fantastic 5* luxury accommodation

❝Facilities were great and the staff could not have tried harder. The £50 double gin and tonic and the £160 John Dory left me speechless. The concierge were a great source for great local restaurants.❞ Paul (visited October)

Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort

Southern France

Rated 7.8 by 8 golfers ( Read reviews of Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort )

Our Golf Experts are available to provide full details of all deals at Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort - call now for an instant quote!

Finca Cortesin

Regarded by many as the most luxurious golf resort in Spain, Finca Cortesin offers an outstanding hotel accompanied by a golf course that is ranked within Europe's Top 20 Best Golf Courses. The layout has already hosted a number of European Tour events and is set to host the 2023 Solheim Cup.

Located between the beautiful coastal towns of Sotogrande and Marbella, on the road to the beautiful mountain villages of the Casares with the beach just a short walk away. The location, facilities, fine dining and challenging golf make Finca Cortesin a great base for a golf holiday in the Costa Del Sol.

Book a golf holiday to Finca Cortesin or Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to one of our golf experts.

Reasons to Visit Finca Cortesin

• Designed by American course architect Cabell Robinson
• 2023 Solheim Cup host & multiple World Matchplay Championships
• Luxury 5* golf resort with award-winning hotel

❝This hotel is simply stunning. Elegant, restful and in immaculate surroundings, with impeccable service and superb food. In a word: faultless.❞ Stephen (visited March)

Finca Cortesin Golf Resort 5*

Rated 9.8 by 37 golfers ( Read reviews of Finca Cortesin Golf Resort 5* )

3 Nights, 2 Rounds

• 1 round at Finca Cortesin Golf Resort 5*
• 1 round at Valle Romano ( ONA Valle Romano Golf and Resort )

Sueno Hotels Deluxe Belek

The Sueno Hotels Deluxe is located on the beach in the heart of Belek, just 45 minutes drive from Antalya International Airport. The majority of the rooms within the six floor building offer a sea view and with six restaurants and five swimming pools there is more than enough to keep you entertained away from the course.

The two championship courses at Sueno are very different to play but equal in quality. The Pines measures over 7,000 yards and contains huge water hazards accompained by large expanses of sand while the shorter Dunes course contains a closing hole with an amazing island green that will live long in your memory.

Book a golf holiday to Sueno Hotels Deluxe Belek or Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to one of our golf experts.

Reasons to Visit Sueno Hotels Deluxe Belek

• Two championship courses on-site; The Dunes and The Pines
• A 5* resort with luxury spa and Turkish baths
• Fantastic swimming pools & beach location

❝This is by far the best place I have ever stayed I cannot speak highly enough about it. The staff were exceptional so friendly and you could approach them anytime to help you with anything, I'd give it 6 if I could.❞* Tony (visited September)

• free places for groups

Rated 9 by 29 golfers ( Read reviews of Sueno Hotels Deluxe Belek )

7 Nights, 2 Rounds

• 2 rounds at Sueno Golf Club - Dunes Course or Sueno Golf Club - Pines Course

The Greenbrier

Located amid the breathtaking mountains of West Virginia, The Greenbrier is a global luxury resort providing an iconic experience for guests from around the world for over 200 years. The pristine waters which attracted guests in the 1700's still entice visitors today.

Home to three championship golf courses the resort has everything a golfer needs to make his or her experience one that will never be forgotten. The designs date back to 1911 and have seen both The Ryder Cup & Solheim Cup played out on the fairways. With updates from the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Dick Wilson & Bob Cupp The Greenbrier is now synonymous with world class golf.

Book a golf holiday to The Greenbrier or Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to one of our golf experts.

Reasons to Visit The Greenbrier

• Set within a 10,000 acre luxury retreat
• PGA Tour and Ryder Cup 1979 host
• 3 Championship golf courses with redesigns from Jack Nicklaus & Bob Cupp

West Virginia

Our Golf Experts are available to provide full details of all deals at The Greenbrier - call now for an instant quote!

Nestled among the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, CordeValle is a luxury retreat in a picturesque setting between San Jose and Monterey Peninsula. The 1,700 acre sanctuary blends into the harmony of the natural mountainside landscape that stretches along the inland coast. Infused with countryside charm and elegance, this Craftsman-style resort is a sanctuary of serenity, wellness, and extraordinary experiences.

The award-winning golf course is the crown jewel of CordeValle, designed by internationally acclaimed golf architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. the championship layout playes through valleys of oak offering a challenging round to golfers of all abilities.

Book a golf holiday to CordeValle or Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to one of our golf experts.

Reasons to Visit CordeValle

• Course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.
• Luxury retreat set within 1,700-acres
• Selection of private rooms, suites, and homes surrounded by the picturesque hills of North California

Our Golf Experts are available to provide full details of all deals at CordeValle - call now for an instant quote!

Monte Rei Golf Resort

Designed by the legendary golfer and respected course designer Jack Nicklaus, Monte Rei has quickly earned a reputation for being one of the best golf courses in Europe.

The resort is only a few minutes away from Manta Rota Beach on the Atlantic coast and has wonderful views that look out over lush green pastures, meandering streams, idyllic stone bridges and valleys – it’s a must-see for any golf enthusiast.

Book a golf holiday to Monte Rei or Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to one of our golf experts.

Reasons to Visit Monte Rei

• Ranked the number one course in Portugal
• Designed by 18-time Major Champion Jack Nicklaus
• Luxury villas and apartments with stunning dining options

❝Excellent well appointed villas which are for couples or families. You have space and luxury to help you rest comfortably between the golf.❞ Vivek (visited July)

Monte Rei Resort

East Algarve

Rated 8.8 by 72 golfers ( Read reviews of Monte Rei Resort )

• Self Catering
• 2 rounds at Monte Rei Resort

Camiral Golf & Wellness Resort

One of Europe's premier golf destinations, the Camiral Golf & Wellness Resort is home to two fantastic championship-level golf courses. The spectacular Stadium Course is one of the best in Spain and most certainly a venue much loved by locals and international visitors alike. The two accommodation options consist of the amazing 5* Hotel Camiral which oozes modern luxury and the adult only LAVIDA Hotel offering a class of a high-end accommodation at a seriously wallet-friendly price.

Book a golf holiday to Camiral Golf & Wellness Resort or Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to one of our golf experts.

Reasons to Visit Camiral Golf & Wellness Resort

• Two courses on-site, Stadium course ranked in the Top 5 Courses in Spain
• Regular host of European Tour events

❝Overall a fantastic resort - the facilities were great, staff superb, and the golf courses especially the Stadium was top class. It was very helpful to be picked up at the airport and taken to the hotel.❞ Gerard (visited November)

Camiral Golf & Wellness Resort

Rated 9.6 by 77 golfers ( Read reviews of Camiral Golf & Wellness Resort )

• 1 round at Stadium Course
• 1 round at Tour Course

More Best Golf Resorts Lists

Uk & ireland.

• South Africa

Frequently Asked Questions about Golf Resorts

A golf resort is a self-contained commercial establishment that provides guests with accommodation and access to one or more golf courses. Typical facilities at golf resorts would include a restaurant and bar as well as the possibility of a spa and usually some leisure facilities such as swimming pool, gym or sports facilities.

A resort course is exactly what it sounds like, a golf course that is part of a larger resort facility. Most commonly, any golfer, whether a guest of the resort facility or not, can play a resort course. But resort guests typically receive preferential treatment when it comes to tee times, and non-guests might be charged higher green fees than on-site guests.

Create your own holiday

Can't find the experience you're looking for? Make your own! Tell us what you'd like and our friendly golf specialists will help make it happen. No change fees.

Destination Any destination England Wales Scotland Ireland Portugal Spain France Turkey ---------------------- Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Australia Austria Bahamas Bahrain Barbados Bermuda Brazil Bulgaria Cambodia Canada China Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Dominican Republic Egypt Estonia Fiji Finland France Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Ireland Isle of Man Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Kenya Lithuania Malaysia Maldives Malta Mauritius Mexico Morocco Netherlands New Zealand Norway Oman Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Russian Federation Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Seychelles Singapore Slovakia Slovenia South Africa Spain Sri Lanka Sweden Switzerland Taiwan, Province of China Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Viet Nam Zimbabwe Arriving on Group size 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25+ Number of nights 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Number of rounds 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Yes, I'm interested in flight options Departure airport (optional) Select London Heathrow London Gatwick Manchester London Stansted London Luton Edinburgh Birmingham Bristol Glasgow Belfast International Newcastle London City Liverpool East Midlands Leeds Bradford Aberdeen Belfast City London Southend Southampton Jersey Cardiff Doncaster Sheffield Exeter Glasgow Prestwick Other

We've received your enquiry, thanks! You are now just moments away from a great golf holiday.

The next step is one of our Golf Travel Experts (who will have played the golf courses) will be in touch to organise the perfect trip for you.

If your enquiry is urgent, we recommend you call 0800 043 6644 where our Golf Travel Experts can help you within 60 seconds.

Book with confidence - no change fees

Click the download button to get this brochure

Do you want to make an enquiry with us?

Low Deposit - Flexibility Guarantee

• £50 per person for UK & Ireland
• £100 per person for European
• £200 per person for Rest of The World
• Plus supplier required deposits

Flexibility Guarantee

We understand that everything still feels a little unpredictable at the moment, so speak to our Golf Travel Experts who can show you how this works for you when booking.

Please note that any supplier change and cancellation fees or price differences (from our travel partners) will be passed on unless stated and a limited number of golf travel holidays are excluded from the above and will be highlighted when booking.

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Sweepstakes
• Golf Vacations

25 of the Best Golf Courses in the World

The best golf courses in the world offer scenic views and challenging layouts.

Evan Schiller/Courtesy of Ballybunion Golf Club

The best golf courses have incredible scenic beauty, host famous championships, and offer unique holes created by esteemed course architects. We considered expert opinions and personal experience and gathered information about the oldest, hardest, and most beautiful links to create a list of 25 of the best golf courses in the world. And if you don’t play golf, these courses are all located in amazing destinations that you'll enjoy even if you never pick up a club.

Related: 11 Best Golf Resorts in the U.S. With Championship Courses and Luxe Accommodations

Old Course, St. Andrews, Scotland

Courtesy of St. Andrews Links

This golf course deserves to top the list as the oldest and most treasured in the world. Dating to the early 15th century, the Old Course has evolved over the years, remaining a public course topping most golfers’ wish lists. A photo on the iconic Swilcan Bridge is a valued souvenir of the experience.

Pebble Beach Golf Links, Monterey Peninsula, California

Courtesy of Pebble Beach Golf Links

Featuring stunning views of the ocean, rugged coastline, and lush greenery, Pebble Beach is among the top public golf courses in America. Varied terrain and holes like the par-five finishing hole — with a tree in the middle of the fairway — make Pebble Beach challenging and fun.

Plantation Course, Maui, Hawaii

Dave Sansom/Courtesy of Kapalua Golf

Located on the slopes of the West Maui Mountains, the Plantation Course features ocean views from nearly every hole. Dramatic elevation changes, wide fairways, and large greens make it a favorite of visitors as well as the pros who arrive each January for the PGA TOUR’s Sentry Tournament of Champions . 

Bethpage Black Course, Long Island, New York

This public course located at Bethpage State Park is best known for its challenging layout and warning sign posted on the first tee: “The Black Course is an extremely difficult course which we recommend only for highly skilled golfers.” Considered one of the toughest courses in the country, the Black Course, one of five outstanding golf courses at Bethpage, will host the 2025 Ryder Cup . 

Manele Golf Course, Lanai, Hawaii

Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Lanai

Exclusively for guests of the Four Seasons Resort Lanai and Sensei Lanai , this scenic Jack Nicklaus signature course is set on seaside cliffs with ocean views on every hole and challenging shots over natural ravines. Manele was recently named the top course in Hawaii by Golf Week .

Cabot Cliffs Golf Course, Nova Scotia, Canada

Courtesy of Cabot Cliffs Golf Course

This links-style course set on Cape Breton features rolling fairways, dunes, forest, elevation changes, and ocean landscapes. The first hole offers a view of the sea and, in the distance, the village of Inverness. The 18th hole challenges players with a ravine in front of the narrow green.

TPC Danzante Bay, Loreto, Mexico

Eric Rubens

Set amidst the hills of the Sierra de la Giganta Mountains, TPC Danzante Bay offers stunning views of the Islands of Loreto. The Rees Jones design features a landscape that includes canyons, arroyos, elevation changes, and cliffs along with challenging bunkers. There’s a stunning view of the Sea of Cortez on the par-three 17th hole.

Cypress Point, Monterey Peninsula, California

The private Cypress Point Club is located on the tip of the Monterey Peninsula in the foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountains. Cypress trees, forest, sand dunes, rugged coastline, and dramatic ocean views make it a picturesque course, included on this list for its beauty even though it is so exclusive that few non-members get to play it. 

Augusta National, Augusta, Georgia

Tony Roberts/Getty Images

Best known as the home of the annual Masters Tournament, Augusta National was designed by Alister MacKenzie and Bobby Jones. The private course is exquisitely landscaped and maintained, with each hole named for a flower or tree that grows there. The course is prized by both professional players and the lucky patrons who secure tickets to the Masters.

Muirfield, East Lothom, Scotland

Courtesy of Muirfield

This course was originally created by Thomas Mitchell Morris, also known as Old Tom Morris, who designed courses throughout the United Kingdom. Revisions through the years have maintained its unique circular layout, with the front nine circling clockwise around the perimeter of the property and the back nine going counterclockwise on an inner circuit.

Whistling Straits, Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Courtesy of Kohler Co.

Set along two miles of Lake Michigan coastline, links-style Whistling Straits features open, rugged terrain, deep pot bunkers, and undulating greens. Holes with names like Shipwreck, Cliffhanger, and Down & Dirty should give golfers a hint of what’s to come when they tee off. The 18th hole, Dyeabolical, recognizes course architect Pete Dye and his challenging closing hole.

Somerset Hills Country Club, Bernardsville, New Jersey

This A.W. Tillinghast design features two distinct nines, the front on more open land and the back holes set in a wooded area with natural water features. Founded more than 100 years ago, the course has been meticulously restored, and some consider it Tillinghast’s finest design. 

Cape Kidnappers, Te Awanga, New Zealand

Recently reopened after a seven-month renovation, this course was designed by legendary golf architect Tom Doak. With some holes set hundreds of feet above the bay, the sea views are splendid, and cliff-edge fairways are challenging. Deep ravines, bunkers, and valleys create a beautiful but difficult experience. 

Ocean Course, Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Courtesy of Kiawah Island Golf Resort

Located on the easternmost end of the island, this course features seaside holes, with ten along the Atlantic. The Pete Dye design also offers unobstructed coastline views from every hole and terrain that includes tidal marshes, sand dunes, and live oaks. The course hosted the 1991 Ryder Cup and 2021 PGA Championship.

The Club at Nine Bridges, Jeju Island, South Korea

This private club is set on a tranquil volcanic island in the shadow of Mount Halla, Korea’s tallest peak. The Highland holes feature abundant maple and oak trees and heather, reminiscent of a Scottish layout. The Creek nine has rolling green fairways with deep bunkers and water hazards. 

Ballybunion Golf Club, County Kerry, Ireland

The links-style Old Course , which dates back to 1883, is located on the Atlantic Coast with holes along coastal dunes and clifftops. The first hole plays alongside an old graveyard and the front nine works its way to the sea until the par-four seventh hole along the beach. The other course at Ballybunion is the Robert Trent Jones-designed Cashen Course.

Capilano Golf Club, British Columbia, Canada

Courtesy of Capilano Golf Club

This Stanley Thompson design features tree-lined fairways in a rainforest environment with a backdrop of the North Shore Mountains and stunning views of Vancouver. The course starts at its highest point and works downhill for the first six holes, before gradually heading up to the spectacular par-five finishing hole.

The Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Victoria, Australia

David Cannon/Getty Images

Both courses at Royal Melbourne are considered among the best in the world. The West Course, designed by Alister MacKenzie, features native Australian tree scrub along the fairways, deep greenside bunkers, elevated tees, and fast greens.

Quivira Golf Club, Los Cabos, Mexico

Courtesy of Quivira Golf Club

This Jack Nicklaus signature design features spectacular Pacific Ocean views from every hole. Created for Quivira owners and guests of Pueblo Bonito Golf & Spa Resort and residences , Quivira’s cliffs, canyons, dunes, and elevation changes make for a challenging layout.

Barnbougle Dunes Golf Links, Tasmania, Australia

This links course is set on the northeast coast of Tasmania, and its holes roll in and out of the coastal sand dunes, following the natural layout of the landscape. Undulating greens, wide fairways, and a large bunker on the fourth hole make it interesting and challenging. Barnbougle features three courses: Lost Farm, Bougle Run, and The Dunes.

Shanqin Bay Golf Club, Hainan Island, China

Set along the coast, the course is surrounded on three sides by the South China Sea for spectacular views. The Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw design includes dense vegetation, cliffs, chasms, and sand dunes. The short 16th hole drops more than 50 feet from tee to green before the 17th heads along the beach to a narrow green.

The Jockey Club, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Two courses, the Red and the Blue, were both designed by Alister MacKenzie. The Red , which hosted the World Cup of Golf in 1970, is mainly at sea level with contours and challenging bunkers. Its signature 18th hole, inspired by the 18th at St. Andrews, is the same length, straight, and without bunkers.

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, Rome, Italy

Selected to host the 2023 Ryder Cup, the stadium golf course is set in the Roman countryside. The par-five 18th hole features a wide fairway, water hazard, and sloping green for a challenging finish. The course was redesigned in preparation for the Ryder Cup, and spectators will enjoy views of the golf match as well as Rome and St. Peter’s Basilica in the distance.

The Royal County Down Golf Club, Newcastle, Northern Ireland

Courtesy of Royal County Down Golf Club

This links course is set in the beautiful Murlough Nature Reserve along the shores of Dundrum Bay. Each hole offers a different view as golfers deal with blind tee shots, narrow fairways surrounded by purple heather and golden gorse, deep bunkers, and fast, domed greens. The ninth hole is one of the most photographed holes in golf. 

Pinehurst Resort, Pinehurst, North Carolina

Pinehurst Number Two is the centerpiece of the resort’s nine courses, having hosted several U.S. Opens and other professional tournaments. The 1907 Donald Ross design was updated in 2010 by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore, returning it to Ross’s original style. Tree-lined fairways, bunkers, and crowned greens make it a challenge for golfers of all levels. 

By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.

The RSM Classic

Sea Island Golf Club (Seaside Course)

10 budget-friendly golf trips you should take this spring

Is there a better activity as a golfer in the winter months than plotting your next golf trip? If you’re like us, you’re dreaming of booking a trip for the spring right now. Though many courses and resorts are booking up, there are still plenty of great options worth considering.

We’ve compiled this list, curated with help from our friends at Golfbreaks by PGA TOUR specifically for golfers on a budget—identifying destinations with a plethora of options for every level of player.

Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach is the Holy Grail of budget golf trips. Your dollar will go far in terms of lodging and nightlife—but the golf is endless and really good (one report states 120 courses open for operation on the Grand Strand … but it’s more if you include surrounding North Carolina courses).

Though courses like Caledonia and True Blue, or all four at Barefoot Resort, are priorities if they fit into your itinerary, golfers on a budget might build their trips around these Myrtle Beach spots:

The Tom Doak-designed Heathland course.

Courtesy of GolfBreaks

The Legends Golf Resort is a popular destination for anyone looking for a stay-and-play option. On-site, two- or three-bedroom “villas” provide access to three courses— Heathland , Moorland and Parkland —which all made Golf Digest’s “Sixty Best” in Myrtle Beach ranking in 2010. Staying at the Legends also provides access to The Heritage Club, a semi-private Dan Maples design in Pawleys Island, and Oyster Bay Golf Links, which is just over the border in North Carolina (and also a member of our 2010 ranking of Myrtle’s best). If you’re looking to make planning easy, the Legends is a solid option. Another benefit of doing the stay-and-play at Legends : You can enjoy the on-site Ailsa Pub, which Golf Digest ranked one of its best 19th hole bars. If you’re looking for a couple of other close courses, Myrtle Beach National has three courses just around the corner from Legends.

If proximity to Myrtle’s nightlife is a factor, we recommend the Myrtlewood Villas & Golf Resort , located across the road from Broadway on the Beach (where many bars, restaurants are). Myrtlewood has two courses on-site, Pine Hills and Palmetto (above). Pine Hills was renovated by Arthur Hills in 1993 and demands precision on tee shots and approaches with rolling terrain and good movement to each hole. The Palmetto course is a bit more benign tee to green but features a challenging 18th hole, with the Intracoastal Waterway all up the left side.

Staying in a central location in Myrtle makes it easy to get to courses on both ends of town (it’s about an hour drive from North Myrtle down to Pawleys Island). Check out our list of the best courses in South Carolina to help plan.

For decent options closeby to Myrtlewood , Pine Lakes Country Club (above), aka the Granddaddy, is a must. Pine Lakes is the oldest course in Myrtle Beach, built in 1927 by the first PGA of America president Robert White, and is a fun layout with some good design variety.

Just up the road are a few of Myrtle mainstays. The Dunes Golf and Beach Club is the highest-ranked course on Golf Digest’s list in South Carolina (public or private) and has limited availability to the public. The 1949 Robert Trent Jones design is 64th on Golf Digest’s latest America’s 100 Greatest Public rankings . Grande Dunes is also in the same neighborhood and has been on golfers’ lists of courses you need to play in Myrtle for years. Arcadian Shores (above), a challenging Rees Jones design just down the road, is also worth considering.

Interested in booking one of these trips? Click here to start pricing out your trip with our friends at Golfbreaks by PGA TOUR, or call them: (+1) 843.779.7134.

Southern Pines, N.C.

Any serious spring-golf articles should highlight one of the most golf-rich meccas in the U.S. The courses at Pinehurst are already on your radar, but in terms of budget golf, there are some of the best options on the East Coast.

Ryan Barnett/Courtesy of Southern Pines

Southern Pines is one of the best recent public golf restorations after Kyle Franz’s work was completed last year. One of the first Donald Ross original designs, Franz examined Ross blueprints to restore his signature greens, reconfiguring some for the game’s modern green speeds. Again, for less than $200 at peak on weekends, Southern Pines should be on every golfer’s list visiting the area.

Courtesy of Mid-Pines GC/kevinmurraygolfphotography.com

Another recent Franz renovation is Mid Pines Golf Club , another Ross original, which sits at No. 93 on Golf Digest’s 100 Greatest Public . Franz worked on the crew in revitalizing Pinehurst No. 2 under Coore and Crenshaw and adapted those motifs into his 2013 renovation. Mid Pines is a must-play, as is Pine Needles , which is ranked even higher on our 100 Greatest Public (73rd). Pine Needles —which also underwent a recent renovation by John Fought—will host the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open, so a trip in the spring will allow you to play the course the pros play in the summer.

RELATED: The best golf resorts in the Carolinas

And of course, one of our favorites in the area is Tobacco Road , the quirky but invigorating Mike Strantz design that sits at No. 49 on our 100 Greatest Public list. Though blind shots and unorthodox hole designs puzzle first-timers (and regulars), it’s one of the most fun courses if you embrace the unique challenge. As our Architecture Emeritus Ron Whitten once wrote: “Each hole looks intimidating from the tee but reveals plenty of elbow room for tee shots and approaches, as well as spin-outs and crash landings.” Go see it for yourself.

Florida is an automatic in terms of cold-weather golf destinations. The only question is where to head to in the Sunshine State?

If you’re talking about budget trips, Orlando should be near the top of your list. There are few places in the state with such an abundance of solid golf. Some of it is more expensive than others ( Streamsong , though closer to Tampa, is the highest-ranked option with three layouts on our Second 100 Greatest list, but might be out of the budget of value-seekers). We have done some work to find the most cost-effective places for your Florida trips.

The Mission Inn Resort and Club is one of Orlando’s best, under-the-radar spots. The Campeón and Las Colinas courses are regularly under $100 and are two challenging but fair designs. The PGA Tour Latinoamerica Q-school was hosted at Mission Inn in the fall, and both courses have hosted a litany of other events. The resort at Mission Inn offers Spanish-style villas and decors—adding nice variety compared to typical golf lodging options.

J.J. Suftko

One of those more typical lodging options would be the Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando . You’re centrally located in Orlando here, making it easy to get to any of Orlando’s good golf options. Right on site is Shingle Creek (above), which was renovated in 2017 by Thad Layton, lead designer of the Arnold Palmer group. Shingle Creek is a fun but challenging layout (tipping out at 7,200 yards) with thoughtful green designs and bunkering with some reachable par 4s and par 5s.

About 20-25 minutes away in Kissimmee are a few solid options, including the three courses at Reunion, a Golf Digest Editors’ Choice winner for Best Resorts , and also Celebration , which features risk-reward options from Robert Trent Jones Jr. and Sr. Though a challenging test with forced carries, wide fairways provide options for all levels of player.

A natural for any Orlando trip is getting to the Disney area, and even if the theme parks aren’t a part of your itinerary, all the golf at Disney is worth playing. The Magnolia Course (above) was the host of a PGA Tour event for decades.

One more lodging option worth mentioning: Golfbreaks has curated homes and villas in the Orlando area with close proximity to a couple other Orlando options worth playing. Both Greg Norman courses at the Omni Orlando Resort at Championsgate—including the International course , the National and the par-3 Champions course—were all renovated in the past five years. Hawk’s Landing , located at the Marriott Orlando World Center, has been a go-to for Orlando goers for years. And there are dozens of other options worth trying to play, including the courses at Orange County National, also a longtime host of Q-schools, and of course Bay Hill, which wouldn’t be included in a “budget” type of itinerary, but a necessary mention in Orlando golf articles.

South Beach and ‘budget’ are usually not in the same sentence. But when it comes to golf, you can put together an affordable trip that’s worth taking.

A favorite of many Miami goers is the Shula’s Hotel and Golf Club , located about 25 minutes from downtown, which provides access to the Senator course (above). Any NFL fan will appreciate the nods to Shula’s 1972 Miami Dolphins, the only perfect team in football history. Another course worth tacking onto an itinerary is the International Links Melreese Country Club . Located minutes away from the airport, it’s the perfect course to tack onto the first or last day of your trip.

Jensen Larson

One of our favorites in the area is Crandon Golf (above) in nearby Key Biscayne. Tee times have increased with the popularity of golf, but for less than $200 at peak and the sterling views and design of this Robert von Hagge/Bruce Devlin design, it’s tough to beat for public golf in the state, ranking among our top 15 public options in our last ranking of public golf in Florida .

Kiawah Island

On the upper-end of golf vacations you can take, we’re here to provide some alternative ways to visit one of the nation’s best golf destinations.

The villas at Kiawah are a cheaper way to do Kiawah, rather than the five-star Sanctuary Hotel (which, of course, we’d recommend for those who can afford it ). Staying at the villas allows you to build some of Kiawah’s other courses into your itinerary, and there are always decent stay-and-play options to explore. (Golfbreaks by PGA TOUR has done the work for you, contact them for more.)

Of course, you know the Ocean Course , which hosted last year’s PGA Championship in addition to the 2011 PGA and 1991 Ryder Cup. One of Pete Dye’s best designs is worth trying to build into your trip, though there are four other great courses worth playing, too.

In a soon-to-be-released Best Places You Can Play in South Carolina, three of the remaining four courses appear in our top 25.

The 10th hole (left) and the 18th at Osprey Point, separated by Canvasback Pond

Patrick O'Brien/Kiawah Island Golf Resort

Osprey Point ​​underwent a renovation in 2014 by Tom Fazio. Several holes at Osprey Point run parallel to water hazards and deep bunkers provide ample defense against greens of varying sizes.

The sixth hole at Cougar Point Golf Course

Cougar Point was also renovated recently, by Gary Player’s team in 2017, and it reopened as a brand-new marshland course design at Kiawah Island Resort. Generous fairways and vast greens coupled with risk-reward par 5s and abundant water hazards make this golf course extremely playable.

The 15th hole at Turtle Point Golf Course

Patrick O'Brien

The Turtle Point course at Kiawah Island was regrassed in 2016 and underwent a Jack Nicklaus renovation, with all bunkers reconstructed.

Oak Point is the fifth course on the resort and worth playing while you’re staying at Kiawah Island. It underwent a renovation in 2015 and more on the affordable end.

Though Kiawah Island will be on the minds of anyone heading to Charleston, there is worthwhile golf closer to the city that is worth playing.

We highly recommend trying to get to Charleston Municipal, which reopened in October 2020 after an extensive renovation by designer Troy Miller, who completely rebuilt the 1929 J.M. Whitsett municipal course. Miller accented the design with Seth Raynor template greens and steep bunkers and shaping, a reference to Raynor’s work at nearby C.C. of Charleston and Yeamans Hall.

We recommend the Wild Dunes Resort (above), which is about 30 minutes from downtown Charleston in Isle of Palms. For golfers, it’s a great hub to your Charleston golf trip, featuring two 18-hole courses designed by Tom Fazio—the Links and the Harbor.

Courtesy: The Links Course at Wild Dunes

The Links (above) was one of Fazio’s first solo designs, and though a storm forced the rerouting of some holes on the back, it now ends on the picturesque par 3 right on the water.

Courtesy: The Harbor Course at Wild Dunes/Holger M. Obenaus

The Harbor Course is not long, tipping out at just under 6,400 yards, but can challenge better players with a number of tight driving corridors and approach shots. A number of holes right on the Intracoastal Waterway provide a worthwhile second course at Wild Dunes .

Courtesy: Charleston National

For other worthwhile Charleston options, Charleston National is a popular addition to most itineraries. This Rees Jones semi-private course, located about 20 minutes from downtown, is carved through natural wetlands, lagoons, pine and oak-tree forests.

Just a few turns away in Mount Pleasant is another worthwhile addition, RiverTowne Country Club , is an Arnold Palmer Signature design that has hosted LPGA Tour events in the past.

RELATED: Where to eat in Charleston, S.C.

If we’re writing about Charleston and Kiawah, we need to include Sea Island , one of golf’s most relaxing getaways. The recently constructed Inn at Sea Island provides a more cost-effective option with access to Sea Island’s three award-winning courses.

The Seaside  and Plantation courses host the annual PGA Tour’s RSM Classic—the Seaside course  (above) is a mainstay on Golf Digest’s 100 Greatest Public list and ranks 172nd on Golf Digest’s Second 100 Greatest ranking . The Plantation course re-opened in October 2019 after a major remodeling by Sea Island resident Davis Love III and his brother, Mark. The Retreat course , also designed by DL III and his brother, opened in 2001, and is a worthwhile third course to add to your trip.

Scottsdale is a perfect destination throughout the year but especially in the winter. Scottsdale’s plethora of good golf makes it a perfect haven for golfers of every level—and value-seeking golfers can find some affordable options in the desert.

Just 15 minutes from the airport and right in the heart of the city, Hyatt House Scottsdale/Old Town is a convenient and budget-friendly option that will be a favorite for trip-goers who will be enjoying downtown Scottsdale’s nightlife.

Courtesy of the TPC Network

For those wanting a taste of the TPC Scottsdale treatment at a reduced price, the Champions Course at TPC Scottsdale  (above), built in 2007, is playable for higher-handicappers but still a challenge for better players. A creek runs through the course, providing a rare water hazard in the desert, while the McDowell Mountains offer a scenic backdrop for shots hit Eastward.

Another popular value recommendation by Golfbreaks by PGA TOUR is Ocotillo Golf Club , in Chandler, Ariz., which is worth the quick 25-minute drive for some solid golf at a discounted price. Mature trees and water hazards transplant golfers from the typical desert scapes of Scottsdale—and three nines make it a great one-stop shop for a full day of golf. If there’s a game on, the Ocotillo Grille is a good hang before or after your round.

Another option south of Scottsdale that differs a bit from typical desert golf is Raven Golf Club . Host to many college golf tournaments, Raven’s fairways roll with the natural terrain of the valley. Mature pines are a staple all over the course. Just seven miles from the airport, this is the perfect option for play on the day of arrival or departure.

One of our favorites, too, is Papago, a muny in Phoenix that has been a popular spot for locals through the years. Arizona State’s golf teams signed a deal a few years ago with Papago, reenergizing it with better turf conditions —and it remains one of the best value courses in the area. In addition, the ASU teams’ practice facilities might be the coolest among any college team—they are a must-see.

Of course, if your budget accommodates a round or two at Scottsdale’s top public courses, the Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale, both courses at We-Ko-Pa, Troon North and Grayhawk are all outstanding options. They don’t exactly fit as “budget options” but are must-plays, if feasible.

RELATED: The best courses in Arizona

Palm Springs

For decades golfers have escaped to Palm Springs for a seemingly endless amount of golf—with a different course on every corner. The only question is, where to play?

For lodging, an easy option is the Hilton Garden Inn Palm Springs/Rancho Mirage , which is centrally located to some of the best courses in the area. It’s also conveniently located right in the Coachella Valley, right next to the The River, a premier shopping, dining and entertainment destination. Of course, PGA West, La Quinta, Mission Hills and Indian Wells are all on people’s radars for Palm Springs options … but here are some affordable options to consider.

SilverRock Golf Resort co-hosted the PGA Tour’s Bob Hope Classic for four years starting in 2008 after it opened 2005. Set in the Santa Rosa Mountains, it can still be found in tour-level condition. This Arnold Palmer design (above) features incredible mountain vistas, tight fairways, fast greens and challenging but beautiful water hazards. Particularly for competitive golfers, this is a great test.

One of the most underrated courses in the desert is the Firecliff course at Desert Willow (above). Dr. Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry designed 36 holes (including the Mountain course) on this flat desert floor in the Coachella Valley and moved enough earth to create some interesting holes that frame the surrounding mountains. Playability for all handicap ranges is strong, but even for the better players, the Firecliff course is an intriguing and fair test.

The Classic Club is another Arnold Palmer design that has also hosted the Bob Hope Classic. As one would expect from a course that’s hosted a tour event, Classic Club  (above) boasts state-of-the-art practice facilities, including a clubhouse with a great restaurant. Famous for its elevated tee boxes which offer panoramic views of the Coachella Valley, this course is populated with more than 5,000 pine, pepper and olive trees, 30 acres of water features and 14 stone bridges.

Like we said, the abundance of golf in the desert is astounding. Woodhaven Country Club might get overshadowed based on its proximity to other really good courses (there are FIVE other courses consecutively on the same block, all next to each other). But for an affordable price tag compared to others in the area, you get the same pristine backdrops.

Another option with 36 holes set among the mountains is Tahquitz Creek . The Legend Course  (above) is the more forgiving of the two, tipping out at just over 6,800 yards. Wide fairways will help keep golfers in play, but elevated, undulating greens will only accept precise approach shots. The Resort Course  (below) is shorter, but players must contend with an island fairway, several water hazards and strategic bunkering and waste areas. The final three holes play across the Tahquitz Canyon—not quite the finish over the quarry holes at Merion, but spectacular nonetheless.

Any trip to Las Vegas can be expensive for a number of reasons. Just as a hypothetical, you’ve chosen to do most of your spending elsewhere but still want to hit the links. Our friends at Golfbreaks by PGA TOUR have identified the most budget-friendly golf courses worth booking.

The Luxor is one of the most iconic hotels on the strip, known for its pyramid shape. As one would expect from such a hotel, the Luxor has a casino, full-service spa, pool complex and a variety of restaurants.

Las Vegas National  (above), affectionately known by the locals as “The National,” is the scene of Tiger Woods’ first professional win. It’s also famous for being home in the 1960s to The Rat Pack; Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Peter Lawford, Joey Bishop, and Sammy Davis Jr. were all avid golfers and frequently entertained guests with songs and stories in the clubhouse. The aptly named Rat Pack Bar & Grill is a great place to pay homage to all the greats that have come through over the years.

Brian Oar/Courtesy of GolfBreaks

A little farther outside the city, the Legacy Golf Club  (above) lends itself to a bit of peace and quiet away from the bustle of the strip. Designed by the late Arthur Hills, Legacy is a traditional desert golf course; target golf is the norm as a premium is placed on accuracy.

Open since 1996, Desert Pines Golf Club  (above) is just 15 minutes from the strip. Though it’s close in proximity, the pine-tree-lined fairways and white sand bunkers don’t exactly scream “Las Vegas.” It’s not a particularly long course, at just 6,222 yards from the back tees, but the par 71 tests a golfer with tight, narrow fairways and several water hazards.