These 19 U.S Resorts and Destinations Top Golfers’ Dream List
With over 16,000 golf courses in America, how do players decide on their next dream golf getaway? They are driven by the chance to play a course they haven’t yet and immerse themselves in scenic or unique landscapes. They also prioritize convenience, such as golf packages, on-site accommodations, easy course access, and direct flights.
A study by Buffalo Groupe recently revealed that Southeastern Coast destinations, including Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia, are among the most sought-after golf destinations in the United States. However, courses across the United States are drawing players for dream rounds.
How This List Was Made
Buffalo Groupe, an industry leader in sports and travel research, asked U.S. golfers to rate their interest in visiting golf resorts or destinations in the next 2-3 years. Respondents must have golfed in the past year, taken a golf trip in the last 5 years, and have taken one or more golf-focused getaways.
Here are the 19 places across America they dream of teeing off most.
1.Pinehurst (North Carolina)
From humble beginnings as a pasture to one of the premier golf courses in the country, Pinehurst Resort is steeped in the sport’s history and tradition. Historians and golfers today celebrate Pinehurst Resort for its role in popularizing golf and providing blueprints for what a golf course should look like. No wonder it tops this list.
Donald Ross’ Iconic Greens
Ross went on to design four of Pinehurst Resort’s nine championship golf courses in play today, including its most famous course, Pinehurst No. 2, which was constructed in 1907. Pinehurst No. 2 has hosted more championship tournaments than any other golf course in the United States.
2. Bandon Dunes (Oregon)
Located on the rugged Oregon coast with grassy dunes that roll to the sea, Bandon Dunes is known as one of the best golf destinations in the world. The resort features six distinct award-winning links courses conceived harmoniously with the natural environment, all designed for a walk-only, soul-stirring golf experience.
Plus Luxe Amenities
Book a stay and play to enjoy The Lodge and a collection of 10 onsite dining venues. Additional activities include a massage center, fitness center, spa, six miles of hiking trails, fishing, and The Labyrinth, a soapstone replica of an 11th-century maze found on the floor of the Chartres Cathedral in France.
3. Kiawah Island Golf Resort (South Carolina)
Sensitively developed on a South Carolina barrier island 21 miles from historic Charleston, Kiawah Island Golf Resort lies along ten miles of pristine Atlantic beach. The jewel of this 10,000-acre
island is the resort named the best in the south and the recipient of Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond status.
It offers players five championship courses designed by the world’s leading golf course architects:
- The Ocean Course by Pete Dye, home of the 1991 Ryder Cup, the 1997 and 2003 World Cups, the 2007 Senior PGA Championship, and the 2012 and 2021 PGA Championships
- Osprey Point by Tom Fazio
- Turtle Point by Jack Nicklaus
- Cougar Point by Gary Player
- Oak Point by Clyde Johnston
The Icon: The Ocean Course
The Ocean Course, designed by Pete and Alice Dye, is widely regarded as one of the best golf courses in the country. Located on the easternmost end of Kiawah Island, it boasts the most seaside holes in the Northern Hemisphere with 10 hugging the Atlantic and the other eight running in parallel.
It has consistently ranked among Golf Digest’s 100 Greatest and 100 Greatest Public Courses in the United States.
4. Whistling Straits (Wisconsin)
Players dream of playing the same sculpted Wisconsin coastline where champions play. Home of four majors and the 43rd Ryder Cup, their two Pete Dye-designed lakefront courses are reminiscent of the raw, windswept greens of Ireland.
Its Two Courses
The walking-only Straits course is a beautiful blend of the game’s tradition, panoramic links, and stunning Lake Michigan coastline.
The appropriately named Irish course is a combination of links and target golf that crisscrosses players across Seven Mile Creek and a challenging yet gorgeous landscape.
5. Robert Trent Jones Trail (Alabama)
When it comes to public golf courses, only a handful significantly stand out from the rest. Torrey Pines and Bethpage Black are some stellar ones worthy of pros, but it’s hard to find more than a couple in the same place. Legendary golf course architect Robert Trent Jones managed to create 26 courses in 11 locations in Alabama, collectively known as the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.
Debuted in 1992 to increase tourism to Alabama, The Trail has slowly but steadily gained recognition. Golf Digest named it the best value in America for golf and recognized two of its courses as some of the best in the country.
Ross Bridge Is a Must-Play
Ross Bridge, one of the highest-ranked courses in the trail, recently reopened after renovating its greens and bunkers. Tucked into a valley, it’s one of the longest courses in the world. Stay on-site at The Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort and Spa, a gorgeous AAA 4-Diamond hotel.
6. Myrtle Beach (South Carolina)
The golf scene at Myrtle Beach is one of the best in America. This perennial South Carolina vacation destination has some of the most challenging and unique courses in the United States. It has rightfully earned the title of the Golf Capital of the World.
“Golf is in our DNA. We do more than three million rounds here annually and are a year-round golf destination. There’s no other location in the world that has more golf courses per capita. Our history, the amount of golf played here, and the number of courses are what has earned Myrtle Beach the title of Golf Capital of the World,” explains Kyle Oland, Director of Marketing at Golf Tourism Solutions in Myrtle Beach.
Where to Play in The Golf Capital of The World
There are so many Myrtle Beach golf courses in the area that it can get overwhelming to choose which to play. Consider:
- Myrtle Beach National’s three courses have something for everyone to enjoy. The Kings North course features some of the most beautiful and picturesque holes you’ll ever encounter.
- In the very heart of Myrtle Beach, Myrtlewood Golf Club has long been one of the area’s favorite golf facilities. Its recent renovation has elevated that status even further.
- Davis Love III is a Carolina native who has won over 20 events on the PGA Tour. In his latest design at Barefoot, he embraces the Lowcountry character and creates a golf course unlike any other in the surrounding area.
- Eagle Nest Golf Club is what you would expect from a top-tier South Carolina resort golf course, featuring gently rolling terrain, tall pines liningthe fairways, and cypress trees growing out of the ponds. Publicly opened in 1971, Eagle Nested has hosted hundreds of thousands of golfers since then.
- Designed by ruthless architect Tom Fazio, TPC Myrtle Beach is right in the environmentally protected Lowcountry marshland. Here, you’ll find numerous red oaks and towering pines that will make you feel as though you’ve stepped onto a golf course designed for giants.
7. Sea Pines Resort (South Carolina)
Unsurprisingly, The Sea Pines Resort made an appearance on this dream list. Players know it as a world-class experience unmatched on the Carolina coastline and one of the best golf destinations in the world. Here, golf is kind and features three stunning courses amid scenic Lowcountry landscapes. They are honored with prestigious awards, including being named one of the top three “Best Courses You Can Play” on Hilton Head Island and Course of the Year by the National Golf Course Owners Association.
Plan carefully around Harbour Town Golf Links’s six-month restoration closure from late spring to early November. Perennially ranked No. 1 among “Top Courses You Can Play” in South Carolina, see this gem shine even brighter.
It’s a Getaway for The Whole Family
Spanning the southern third of Hilton Head Island and situated along 5,000 acres of oceanfront property, The Sea Pines Resort has been a serene yet luxurious retreat for over 60 years. Explore five miles of sandy beach shoreline and a 15-mile network of manicured paths.
8. The Greenbrier (West Virginia)
Designed by Charles Blair Macdonald, the Greenbrier is a golf course that provides a close-to-European golf experience. Several of the holes are inspired by and modeled after European icons. Following Lester George’s renovation, The Greenbrier was ranked by Golf Digest as one of the Best New Remodels of 2007.
With the addition of a direct American Airlines flight, getting to the Greenbrier is now easier for those living near Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
9. Streamsong (Florida)
At just 12 years old, it has quickly climbed its way onto not only best-of lists but also into the hearts of golfers. Ranked among GOLF Magazine’s “Top 100 Courses You Can Play” and recently named the “Best Golf Resort in the Southeast U.S.” by Golf Travel Weekly, Streamsong offers the only place in the world with original golf course designs by Coore/Crenshaw, Doak, and Hanse/Wagner in the same location.
Once You Get There, You Won’t Want To Leave
Stay in their luxurious on-site accommodations and enjoy this quiet place far from the concrete, crowds, coasters, and chaos. Located within 90 minutes of Tampa and Orlando and 30 minutes south of Lakeland in Central Florida, why rush your time in this unique natural landscape?
10. TPC Scottsdale (Arizona)
It’s rare for everyday players to step on the same greens and challenge themselves in the same place that pros do. And to do it at the home of the world’s biggest golf event is legendary.
As you stand at the 16th hole, you can imagine the Coliseum full around you. But don’t be intimidated. The Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish design offers a blend of challenge and playability for golfers of all levels.
Two After Play Must-Dos
As soon as you book a TPC tee time, book a dining reservation at Toro, the acclaimed restaurant by Chef Richard Sandoval, and a spa appointment at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. Reserve an outside table, as Toro’s patio overlooks the 18th hole of the TPC Scottsdale Stadium course. If you’re on a family vacation, there’s no need to fret about bringing the kids along, even for a more formal dinner. My family and I dined at Toro during its soft opening in November, and the staff was very welcoming and accommodating to my kids’ picky-eater requests.
While enjoying a spa day pass, I noticed many men in the facility and others making appointments for their group after TPC tee times. Relax and recuperate with one of their sports-specific treatments, offering enhanced mobility, pain relief, and stress reduction, designed specifically for golfers.
11. Big Cedar Lodge (Missouri)
Built in the Ozark Mountains, Big Cedar Lodge offers the perfect mix of rustic charm and modern luxury. It’s a lovely destination for families, couples, and outdoor enthusiasts, regularly appearing on best-of lists. See how it shines exceptionally bright during the holiday season in December.
You can also enjoy other non-golf experiences, such as wildlife tours, bass fishing, exploring the Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, hiking, biking, and wildlife encounters. You won’t leave without experiencing a deeper connection to the natural beauty of the Ozarks.
Its Award-Winning Courses
Big Cedar Lodge is also a golfer’s dream, with five spectacular courses, each with its unique design and challenges. Top of the Rock, a par-3 course, features an interesting and challenging layout that appeals to golfers of all levels. Ozarks National offers a more traditional experience, featuring sweeping vistas and natural obstacles that will test your club skills.
12. Reynolds Lake Oconee (Georgia)
Eighty-five miles from Atlanta lies a 12,000-acre community featuring seven golf courses and one of the world’s only lakefront Ritz-Carltons. It’s where luxury meets Southern hospitality, set against 126 holes spread across natural, rolling hills.
Which Courses To Play
Don’t miss The Great Waters Course, regularly cited as one of Jack Nicklaus’ most pleasant and playable courses. It offers some of the most dramatic golf scenery in the Southeast. Or, The Oconee Course, an idyllic sanctuary that provides a pure, undisturbed setting for an authentic golf experience.
13. Cabot Citrus Farms (Florida)
Florida’s newest luxury golf destination is already a hole-in-one. It’s no surprise that players want to tee off at Cabot’s first U.S. property. Opened in January 2025, this destination resort features four courses, real estate, nightly accommodations, restaurants, and off-green activities, including fishing, clay shooting, archery, axe throwing, and more. Non-golfers can explore the area’s hiking trails, biking paths, nature trails, spring-fed rivers, and bountiful lakes.
World Woods Golf Club Reimagined
This 1,200-acre sanctuary nestled among the rolling hills, ancient moss-covered oaks, and sand pines of Florida’s picturesque Nature Coast is a one-of-a-kind landscape in the Sunshine State.
“The former World Woods Golf Club always stood out to me for its enchanting setting and dramatic elevation changes unlike anything I’d ever seen across the state of Florida,” said Ben Cowan-Dewar, CEO and co-founder of Cabot. “It has been an honor to reimagine this iconic site alongside our amazing team. We drew inspiration from the property’s rich history and natural beauty to create a destination that will bring people together through incredible golf experiences, outdoor adventures, and a strong sense of community.”
14. French Link Resort (Indiana)
Golf and history enthusiasts are in for a treat at French Lick Resort, which boasts three courses designed by three greats of 20th-century golf course design. Notably, the resort’s most historic one is The Donald Ross Course, designed by the icon himself, considered one of the greatest and most influential course architects of the game’s Golden Age.
15. Fripp Island (South Carolina)
Imagine paradise. It’s Fripp Island, the most seaward of South Carolina’s barrier islands. It is entirely private and only accessible to residents and overnight guests. Add two award-winning courses; you’ve got one of the South’s dreamiest golf vacations.
Located between Charleston and Savannah, it’s well worth the trip to get there.
16. McLemore (Georgia)
Imagine playing golf on an island above the clouds atop Look Mountain. Only 30 minutes from Chattanooga, leave the worries of life behind and play one of the southeast’s golf treasures.
This Fall Brings a New Course: The Keep
“Like all aspects of McLemore, The Keep evokes emotion, a feeling, a longing. From the beginning, the property continuously revealed itself as special. It is truly a merger of nature, sport, and beauty. It is a day I never want to end, every time,” said Bill Bergin, Course Architect.
With a new Curio Collection by Hilton hotel and an award-winning golf course, McLemore Resort is drawing travelers from around the globe to northwest Georgia. That’s why we named it one of Explore Georgia’s ‘Best Trips of the Year’ for 2025. McLemore is the perfect base camp to explore all that the region offers. The Keep is uniquely Georgia: co-designed by legendary architect Rees Jones and Georgia-based Bill Bergin, a former Georgia Amateur Champion, pro golfer, and designer of McLemore’s Highlands Course,” adds Georgia Department of Economic Development Chief Marketing Officer Mark Jaronski.
17. Omni PGA Frisco (Texas)
Although it is less than two years old, Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa has received rave reviews and accolades. The Gil Hanse-designed Fields Ranch East, which has hosted major championships, is already deemed a modern classic.
Fields Ranch West, a creation by Beau Welling, features The Swing (a fun, lighted 10-hole short course) and The Dance Floor (a lighted two-acre putting course), offering options for players of varied abilities.
18. Balsam Mountain Preserve (North Carolina)
Forty minutes west of Asheville, deeply set in the dense forests adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the private Balsam Mountain Preserve offers over 3,000 acres of protected land, 38 miles of streams, and 34 miles of trails. This lightly developed sanctuary offers dining and lodging facilities, making it an ideal retreat for a true family getaway from the hustle and bustle of modern life.
Are you tired of courses that have only one signature hole? Here, all 18 Arnold Palmer holes courses are signature-level and require the use of every club in your bag. Don’t rush your game. Take in the views on one of the most visually stunning courses in the country.
19. Omni La Costa Resort (California)
Play where the PGA pros and college’s best tee off. The host of 37 PGA Tour events and NCAA Division I Golf Championships, Golf Digest believes it is the best golf resort in California.
Last year, the legendary North Course (Champions) underwent comprehensive enhancements by famed architect Gil Hanse. The South Course (Legends) is a parkland-style course featuring mature trees and gentle doglegs.
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