Five Best Golf Trips You Can Take in the United States

If the Masters Tournament has you daydreaming of lush fairways, the smell of fresh cut grass, and the sound of pints clinging at the 19th Hole, you might want to consider a golf trip that will encompass every sense and provide an experience that will not be forgotten.

For a great trip, you must consider your budget, your travel partners and their interests, and other activities that the group may want to take advantage of while visiting a new location.  That said, here are five places every golfer must consider when scheduling their next U.S. golf trip.

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Bandon, Oregon)

True links courses are rare to find in the United States, but Bandon Dunes has five links-style courses at a single resort—all created with the ultimate golf experience in mind.  It all started when Mike Keiser—Bandon Resort owner and golf course dreamer—executed his vision of what golf should be.  The resort consists of four, 18-hole courses (Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes, Bandon Trails, and Old Macdonald); one, 13-hole par 3 course called Bandon Preserve; and an 18-hole, 100,000 square-foot putting course called the Punchbowl.  If that’s not enough the resort also boasts a 55-acre Practice Center which has its own 9-hole practice course.

A photo posted by Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (@bandondunesgolf) on Feb 22, 2016 at 9:53am PST

When not playing golf, Bandon Resort offers on-site lodging, six restaurants, and a massage center—which may be necessary since riding carts are not allowed at this walking-only facility.  If it’s somehow possible that you didn’t get enough steps in while playing golf, Bandon Resort has an extensive walking trail system which includes The Labyrinth—a maze intended for walking meditation.

Traveling to Bandon Resort will have to be worth the wait because you can only find non-stop airfare from Portland, San Francisco, and Denver.  And after arriving at Southwest Oregon Regional Airport in Bend, OR, there is a 35-minute drive to the resort.  But trust us, this amazing golf location is well-worth the hassles of getting there.

Monterey Peninsula (Central Coast of California)

Pebble Beach is home to nine, 18-hole golf courses—a few of which are the most desired golf courses in the world and on the ‘bucket lists’ of many weekend warriors.  Pebble Beach Golf Links, The Links at Spanish Bay, Spyglass Hill, Del Monte Golf Course, and Peter Hay Golf Course are all public golf courses and owned by the Pebble Beach Company.

A photo posted by Pebble Beach Resorts (@pebblebeachresorts) on Mar 15, 2016 at 9:59am PDT

Poppy Hills Golf Course, also a nearby public course is owned and operated by the Northern California Golf Association.  Private courses in the area include Cypress Point Club and Monterey Peninsula CC (Dunes Course and Shore Course).

If you do decide to make a trip to Monterey Peninsula make sure to keep your budget in mind as lodging and golf come at a premium here.  A round at Pebble Beach will cost $495 and a one bedroom unit at The Inn at Spanish Bay starts at $670/night.  Start saving your pennies because although a golf trip to Monterey Peninsula is not cheap the memories you make there (and the stories you’ll be able to tell your golf buddies) will last a lifetime!

The American Club (Kohler, WI)

With four Championship golf courses, 241 rooms, nine restaurants, a spa, and a Five-Star rating from Forbes, The American Club has positioned itself as a great golf trip destination.  Situated on the shores of Lake Michigan, the Straits Course is the flagship course at Whistling Straits and boats the greatest resume as host of the 2004, 2010, and 2015 PGA Championships, as well as host of the 2007 US Senior Open, and future host of the 2020 Ryder Cup.

The Straits course is known for having more than 1,000 bunkers and free-roaming sheep throughout the property.  The second course at Whistling Straits is the Irish Course which sits inland from the great lake and is a Pete Dye design as well, ensuring that both courses will provide a great challenge.

A photo posted by Whistling Straits (@golfkohler) on Mar 22, 2016 at 1:54pm PDT

Down the road ten miles is Blackwolf Run which is home to The River and The Meadow Valleys courses.  These two courses were also designed by Pete Dye and together have hosted two US Women’s Open’s.

Golf rates start around $200 and will go up to $395 at The Straits Course, which also requires a caddie because riding carts are not permitted.  Like any first-class resort, there are plenty of opportunities for non-golf activities such as shopping, events, arts and entertainment—which includes the Kohler Design Center showcasing the history of innovations from the Kohler family of businesses.

Pinehurst Resort (Pinehurst, NC)

Ranked as the second largest golf resort in the world by Guinness World Records, Pinehurst Resort is located in the heart of the North Carolina Sandhills and is home to nine golf courses, three hotels, a spa and extensive sports and leisure facilities.  Course No.2 is the centerpiece of the resort and has served as the site of more single golf championships than any other course in America.  The other eight Pinehurst Resort courses vary in design, length and origination; but all have a well-known designer behind them.

A photo posted by Pinehurst Resort (@pinehurstresort) on Feb 10, 2016 at 9:51am PST

Securing a tee time at any of the courses here is much easier if you are a guest of the resort.  If you are trying to play golf while not staying at the Resort, you will likely have to wait until 24 hours prior to your preferred tee time to request a reservation.  And at that point, you will only play based on availability.  The good news is that if you can’t get a tee time at one of the Pinehurst Resorts courses, there are about 40 other golf courses in the area.

Pinehurst Resort is located between Raleigh and Charlotte which provides a couple options when considering airfare routes to the area.

Maui, HI

The island of Maui is dominated by the West Maui Mountain range but you can still find golf around every corner.  If you’re looking for fairways running adjacent to ancient lava flows, tee boxes surrounded by palm trees, and waves crashing against a lava rock-lined shore, you won’t have to look far.

A photo posted by Golfatkapalua (@golfatkapalua) on Mar 20, 2016 at 6:39pm PDT

The setting on Maui is idyllic and home to 14 golf courses and numerous resorts.  From Kapalua (host of the PGA TOUR Tournament of Champions) to Wailea Golf Club, golf can be found for a fair $70 per round to a premium price upwards of $220 per round.  The resorts all have the typical amenities and offerings, and air transportation can be arranged through the main airport (Kahului Airport) on the island.

So when it’s time to break away from your local course, dust off the travel bag, and hit the road for some top quality golf, the destinations mentioned here are five great places to consider for your next golf trip.  Whether it’s you and your die-hard golf buddies, or a trip with the family, any of these location you choose will provide a great golf experience and even have a few distractions for the non-golfers in your group.

Cover Photo via Flickr