An aerial of the original course at Bandon Dunes on the Oregon coast. The past three years have yielded record numbers of U.S. golf travelers, with eagerly itinerant golfers hitting the road for getaways to resorts and destination locations. Whether it’s traveling with friends, family, a spouse, colleagues, clients, or solo, more than
12 million Americans have gone on an overnight trip that included at least one round of golf every year since 2022, according to the National Golf Foundation. This includes stay and play opportunities at more than 1,250 golf facilities nationwide with a resort component, as golf tourism and travel have an annual economic impact of over $40 billion, per NGF research. While most golf resorts have more of a regional pull, there are an increasing number of “national brands” -- from those rooted in tradition and history that are embracing modern approaches to the relative newcomers within the golf destination scene. The lineup below does not include specific golf regions themselves, although a number are included by default, examples being geographies like Pinehurst, North Carolina, and California's Monterey Peninsula that include historic resorts. Other golf meccas like Myrtle Beach (S.C), Hilton Head (S.C.), Phoenix/Scottsdale, and Palm Springs (Calif.) are unquestionably national draws for traveling golfers with a wealth of golf courses across a range of facilities. But these 10 individual golf resorts might just be the biggest – on a national scale – in the U.S. when combining a depth of great destination golf and stay-and-play accommodations. While they’re generally in parts of the country with year-round play, a number can be found well off the beaten path, a testament to the lengths today’s golfers will go for memorable golf experiences.
Top Golf Resorts
Sheep Ranch is one of the newest 18-hole additions at Bandon Dunes on the Oregon coast. Perched dramatically on the rugged Oregon coast just outside the town of Bandon, this remote resort has redefined the notion of American destination golf since debuting in 1999. Owner Mike Keiser embraced a “pure golf” experience, continually growing by bringing in a deep lineup of celebrated architects to create a variety of distinct links-style courses with unique coastal views inspired by Scotland, the game’s birthplace. It’s an immersive experience that attracts avid participants willing to journey long lengths to not only escape from everyday life but experience a truly authentic links atmosphere without crossing the Atlantic Ocean. The walking-only resort has a strong caddie program and features seven courses in total, with five 18-hole championship layouts -- Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes, Bandon Trails, Old Macdonald, and Sheep Ranch – in addition to two Par 3 short courses. It doesn’t hurt that there’s year-round playability along with continually expanding on-site accommodations and food and beverage offerings.
(California)
Located along the aforementioned Monterey Peninsula, Pebble Beach for many represents the pinnacle of American golf destinations. The property includes the iconic Pebble Beach Golf Links as well as Spyglass Hill, The Links at Spanish Bay, Del Monte, and a short course recently revitalized by Tiger Woods known as The Hay. Pebble Beach Golf Links, with its history and breathtaking oceanfront holes including the famous par-3 7th and coast-hugging par-5 18th, has hosted six U.S. Opens and sits near the top of every golfer's bucket list. The resort's national appeal stems from its perfect marriage of championship golf that’s captured the imagination of TV viewers for decades, luxury accommodations at The Lodge at Pebble Beach, and unparalleled coastal beauty along 17-Mile Drive. The property's mystique is enhanced by its celebrity connections, major championships and PGA Tour events, and appearances in countless films and television shows. For generations of American golfers, playing Pebble Beach represents the ultimate golf pilgrimage, justifying premium playing (and travel) fees for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Nestled in North Carolina's Sandhills region, Pinehurst Resort is widely recognized as the “Home of American Golf,” with a history legacy dating back over 125 years. The resort currently boasts ten championship courses, with an 11
th on the way, along with a trend-setting par 3 course called The Cradle, and its sprawling putting course: Thistle Dhu. The crown jewel is Pinehurst No. 2, designed by Donald Ross and host to three U.S. Opens, including the historic 2014 back-to-back men's and women's Opens. Other notable courses include Pinehurst No. 4, recently renovated by Gil Hanse and again temporarily under the knife for a fix of its greens, and the Tom Fazio-designed Pinehurst No. 8. The resort's national prominence stems from its rich tournament history, exceptional year-round playing conditions, ideal positioning in the heart of the Eastern seaboard that provides reasonable access from most major markets, and of course depth and diversity of golf offerings – with 189 holes of golf (and counting) in total. There are two distinct golf properties under the Kohler umbrella that have turned this small company town of the same name into a national destination: Whistling Straits (with its Straits and Irish courses) and Blackwolf Run (with its River and Meadow Valleys courses, in addition to the 10-hole Par 3 Baths short course). There’s a very different look and feel between the two, with the common thread being challenging Pete Dye designs. Whistling Straits is known for its dramatic setting along the coast of Lake Michigan, with the Straits course having famously hosted three PGA Championships as well as the 2021 Ryder Cup. Blackwolf Run, meanwhile, offers more of a parkland-style experience along the Sheboygan River. Kohler’s commitment to hospitality extends to the five-star accommodations at The American Club, the Kohler Waters Spa, and exceptional dining experiences, while the golf courses have garnered must-visit status by demonstrating an ability to straddle the line between major championship difficulty and quality and accessibility for recreational golfers. The sixth hole of Mammoth Dunes at Sand Valley in Wisconsin. Sand Valley has rapidly emerged as one of America’s most sought-after golf destinations since its 2017 opening in the remote Nekoosa area of central Wisconsin. Like Bandon Dunes, the resort is within the growing Dream Golf portfolio and features a variety of courses from big-name architects built in a remote location on sand-based terrain and firm, fast playing conditions reminiscent of the Scottish links golf experience. The obvious difference is the lack of a coastal element, as Sand Valley’s courses are spread across 12,000 acres of prehistoric sand dunes. First was the eponymous Sand Valley course (Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw), followed by Mammoth Dunes (David McLay Kidd), and The Lido and Sedge Valley (Tom Doak). There’s also the 17-hole Sandbox Par 3 course at a property that appeals to golf “purists,” with its walking-only layouts, rustic accommodations and minimalist clubhouse. Beyond its positioning as an immersive golf retreat, Sand Valley in some fashion is becoming a Midwest version of Pinehurst, with a housing component and a community center, and has shown how rural Wisconsin can be a national draw. The Northernmost property in this group has also embraced winter activities like cross-country skiing and snowshoeing for guests during the golf offseason.
Located on a barrier island of the same name just south of Charleston, the Kiawah Island Golf Resort features five public courses. The lineup is headlined by the Pete Dye-designed Ocean Course, which hosted the 1991 Ryder Cup (the “War by the Shore”) and the 2012 and 2021 PGA Championships. Other resort courses include Turtle Point (Jack Nicklaus), Osprey Point (Tom Fazio), Oak Point (Clyde Johnston), and Cougar Point (Gary Player). The Ocean Course, which will again host the PGA Championship in 2031, has an oceanfront routing and challenging wind conditions that have established it as one of America’s most demanding, as well as scenic, golf experiences. The Kiawah Island Resort boasts luxury accommodations (hotel, villas, cottages and private homes), the southern charm of nearby Charleston and other coastline towns, the proximity to major Southeast markets, and weather that’s conducive not only to year-round golf but other activities, for golfers and non-golfers alike. The wealth of amenities and things to do in a stunning Atlantic Ocean coastline setting have made Kiawah immensely appealing for families, corporate groups, and some of the most avid golf travelers from around the country.
Payne's Valley at Big Cedar Lodge in Missouri. In the Ozark Mountains near Branson, Missouri, Big Cedar Lodge has evolved from a rustic nature retreat into a nationally recognized golf destination under the vision of Bass Pro Shops founder and renowned conservationist Johnny Morris. The property now features multiple championship courses including Payne’s Valley (Tiger Woods’ first public course design), Ozarks National (Coore & Crenshaw), Buffalo Ridge (Tom Fazio), the 14-hole Mountain short course from Gary Player, and the picturesque Par-3 Top of the Rock course. While the region is known for its abundance of outdoor adventure activities – most notably hunting and fishing – as well as its authentic Ozark hospitality, Big Cedar’s national appeal from a golf standpoint stems from a unique mix of golf offerings in dramatic natural settings, among them the limestone cliffs and rock outcroppings that define several of the courses. With the opening of its new Cliffhangers Par 3 course, Big Cedar becomes the first U.S. golf resort with three short courses and has positioned itself as a uniquely American destination that embraces the outdoors – golf included.
The 7th hole of Streamsong's Blue Course. Rising from former phosphate ore mine in central Florida, Streamsong Resort in many ways is the antithesis of “Florida golf” and has emerged as one of the game’s most remarkable transformation stories. The property features three championship courses: Red (Coore-Crenshaw), Blue (Tom Doak), and Black (Gil Hanse), along with a newer short course known as The Chain, which is a nod to the mining equipment discovered on site. Like some other national destination properties with links-style looks, Streamsong has embraced a walking-friendly approach, a commitment to architectural excellence, and an alluring off-the-beaten-path atmosphere that attracts serious golfers seeking an authentic playing experience reminiscent of links layouts generally found far from Florida and its typical approach with golf resorts, real estate and other developments. A fourth 18-hole course, color to-be-determined, is in the works, with McLay-Kidd designing the layout that will share a clubhouse with Black when it opens in 2026.
An aerial of the Roost course at Cabot Citrus Farms. Cabot Citrus Farms might be the surprise newcomer to this group, as the ambitious U.S. debut for the internationally acclaimed Cabot golf brand. But Cabot has firmly established a global reputation with stunning destination properties in spectacular settings – among them Nova Scotia (Cabot Cape Breton), St. Lucia (Cabot Saint Lucia), and France (Cabot Bordeaux) -- with others on the horizon. As Cabot has become synonymous with luxury golf hospitality, attracting a growing following of national and international travelers, the latest addition in central Florida has further elevated expectations in golf tourism circles. Citrus Farms has four distinct golf offerings in a landscape that’s unique in the Sunshine state, with two revitalized 18-hole courses (Karoo and Roost), a 10-hole short course (The Squeeze), and an 11-hole Par 3 (The Wedge). Cabot’s sophisticated approach to golf resort development extends to real estate, luxury accommodation, extensive food & beverage offerings, and a Sporting Club, immediately vaulting Citrus Farms into consideration as a national destination in the most bountiful golf state in the country.
An aerial from the Staple Course at PGA National in Florida. Located in golf-saturated South Florida, PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens has six courses, headlined by The Champion, which is home to the PGA Tour’s Cognizant Classic and infamous for its challenging "Bear Trap" stretch of holes toward the finish of a round. Other courses include The Palmer Course, The Fazio Course, The Estate (which is five miles from the resort), and the newest additions: The Match, a shorter, non-traditional design without set teeing areas geared toward match play, and The Staple, a 9-hole Par 3 course. While golf is also part of a bigger resort community, it is central to a luxury lifestyle resort getaway that attracts golfers from the Northeast and beyond to the Sunshine state for its tour quality courses as well as a destination wellness facility, spa services, and state-of-the-art sports and racquet club.
The Next 10
These properties range from historic and more all-encompassing lifestyle resort properties that feature multiple well-known courses, some of which have hosted professional events, to newer destination properties in remote locations that are rapidly building a following beyond their surrounding states.
Sea Pines Resort (South Carolina) – In addition to family-friendly resort amenities and Low Country charm, this resort on Hilton Head Island has golf offerings that are anchored by Harbour Town Golf Links, home of the PGA Tour’s RBC Heritage and the distinctive red-and-white striped lighthouse on the 18
th hole, and include the Ocean Course and Heron Point.
Boyne Golf (Michigan) -- Northern Michigan itself is one of the nation’s premier regions for recreational golf, with a bevy of increasingly popular getaways -- Forest Dunes, Arcadia Bluffs, Grand Traverse Resort, and Treetops among them – and Boyne Resorts leads the way with a deep collection of 10 championship courses across three properties.
PGA West (California) – “The Western Home of Golf in America” in the Coachella Valley features the famous Stadium Course, with its intimidating “Alcatraz” island green 17th hole designed by Pete Dye, plus four other championship courses that are open to public play, including the Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course, as part of a broader resort community.
Sea Island Resort (Georgia) – This private coastal resort island surrounded by five miles of beach on the Atlantic Ocean has three championship courses -- Seaside (host of the PGA Tour’s RSM Classic), Plantation, and Ocean Forest – that provide uniquely different experiences at a property approaching its 100
th anniversary.
The Greenbrier (West Virginia) – The 11,000-acre property known as America’s Resort, which is also a National Historic Landmark set among the scenic Allegheny Mountains, features three championship courses including The Old White (PGA Tour venue), The Greenbrier (designed by Jack Nicklaus), and The Meadows. The inn and the Horse Course at The Prairie Club in the Nebraska Sandhills.
The Prairie Club (Nebraska) – In the Sandhills of western Nebraska, this pure golf escape provides a pilgrimage that includes two 18-hole, par-73 championship courses – the Dunes and the Pines – that alternate between public and private daily as well as a 10-hole “Horse Course” that allows guests to pick their tee box for each of the Par 3 holes.
Gamble Sands (Washington) – The top-rated golf resort in Washington now has three courses designed by McLay Kidd (the architect of the original course at Bandon Dunes), with the newest addition (Scarecrow) joining the original Sands course and a 14-hole par 3 course called Quicksands, not to mention what might be the best resort putting course in the game.
Reynolds Lake Oconee (Georgia) – Midway between Atlanta and Augusta, this resort lifestyle community on 12,000 acres features a lakefront Ritz-Carlton as well as seven courses, five of which are open to guest and public play and designed by names like Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, Rees Jones, and Bob Cupp. The Loop at Forest Dunes in Northern Michigan.
Forest Dunes (Michigan) – In the Huron National Forest of northern Michigan, Forest Dunes has three (or four) spectacular courses with the Tom Weiskopf original layout, the reversible Loop from Tom Doak (with its uniquely different Red and Black routings), and a 10-hole short course known as Bootlegger.
The Broadmoor (Colorado) – In the Cheyenne mountain foothills of Colorado Springs, The Broadmoor through the years has welcomed presidents, politicians, celebrities, athletes and some of the biggest names in golf to stay at its mountain resort property and play its two courses designed by Donald Ross and Robert Trent Jones Sr.
