Golf Ratings · Golf trips · Best golf trip destinations
Best golf trip destinations in America
Where to take a golf trip, ranked on the great public courses within an easy drive and on what the trip lists and reader votes say. Built from 11 sources. Last checked October 22, 2026.
How we score · All 63 destinations
USA TODAY 10Best · GOLF.com · GolfPass · Golf Digest · LINKS Magazine · Golfbreaks (travel company) · Southern Living · MyGolfSpy · GOLF · Golfweek · US Census Bureau
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1
9 ranked public courses nearby
Pinehurst, NC
9 nationally ranked public courses within 50 miles, led by Pinehurst No. 2 and Pinehurst No. 10. Named on 5 trip lists: GOLF.com, Golf Digest, GolfPass, Southern Living, USA TODAY 10Best.
- Ranked public courses within 50 miles9
- Good public courses in all13
- Trip lists5
- Best knownPinehurst No. 2, Pinehurst No. 10, Pinehurst No. 4
100/100 -
2
5 ranked public courses nearby
Monterey Peninsula, CA
5 nationally ranked public courses within 50 miles, led by Pebble Beach Golf Links and Pasatiempo Golf Club. Named on 2 trip lists: Golf Digest, Golfbreaks (travel company).
- Ranked public courses within 50 miles5
- Good public courses in all8
- Trip lists2
- Best knownPebble Beach Golf Links, Pasatiempo Golf Club, Spyglass Hill Golf Course
95/100 -
3
5 ranked public courses nearby
Bandon, OR
5 nationally ranked public courses within 50 miles, led by Pacific Dunes and Bandon Dunes. Named on 1 trip list: GolfPass.
- Ranked public courses within 50 miles5
- Good public courses in all5
- Trip lists1
- Best knownPacific Dunes, Bandon Dunes, Bandon Trails
92/100 -
4
2 ranked public courses nearby
Scottsdale, AZ
2 nationally ranked public courses within 50 miles, led by We-Ko-Pa Golf Club: Saguaro and Quintero Golf Club. Named on 4 trip lists: GOLF.com, Golf Digest, GolfPass, Golfbreaks (travel company).
- Ranked public courses within 50 miles2
- Good public courses in all25
- Trip lists4
- Best knownWe-Ko-Pa Golf Club: Saguaro, Quintero Golf Club
91/100 -
5
5 ranked public courses nearby
Tampa, FL
5 nationally ranked public courses within 50 miles, led by Streamsong Resort: Red and Streamsong Resort: Blue. Named on 2 trip lists: GOLF.com, Golf Digest.
- Ranked public courses within 50 miles5
- Good public courses in all7
- Trip lists2
- Best knownStreamsong Resort: Red, Streamsong Resort: Blue, Streamsong Resort: Black
87/100 -
6
5 ranked public courses nearby
Central Wisconsin, WI
5 nationally ranked public courses within 50 miles, led by Sand Valley: The Lido and Sand Valley Golf Resort: Sand Valley. Named on 1 trip list: GolfPass.
- Ranked public courses within 50 miles5
- Good public courses in all5
- Trip lists1
- Best knownSand Valley: The Lido, Sand Valley Golf Resort: Sand Valley, Sand Valley Golf Resort: Mammoth Dunes
86/100 -
7
3 ranked public courses nearby
Las Vegas, NV
3 nationally ranked public courses within 50 miles, led by Shadow Creek and Cascata. Named on 3 trip lists: GolfPass, Golfbreaks (travel company), MyGolfSpy.
- Ranked public courses within 50 miles3
- Good public courses in all10
- Trip lists3
- Best knownShadow Creek, Cascata, Wynn Golf Club
83/100 -
8
5 ranked public courses nearby
Kohler, WI
5 nationally ranked public courses within 50 miles, led by Whistling Straits: Straits Course and Erin Hills Golf Course. Named on 1 trip list: Golf Digest.
- Ranked public courses within 50 miles5
- Good public courses in all8
- Trip lists1
- Best knownWhistling Straits: Straits Course, Erin Hills Golf Course, Blackwolf Run: River
83/100 -
9
3 ranked public courses nearby
New York City and Long Island, NY
3 nationally ranked public courses within 50 miles, led by Bethpage State Park: Black and Yale Golf Course. Named on 1 trip list: GolfPass.
- Ranked public courses within 50 miles3
- Good public courses in all5
- Trip lists1
- Best knownBethpage State Park: Black, Yale Golf Course, Bethpage (Red)
83/100 -
10
3 ranked public courses nearby
St. George, UT
3 nationally ranked public courses within 50 miles, led by Black Desert Resort and Sand Hollow Resort: Championship Course. Named on 2 trip lists: Golf Digest, USA TODAY 10Best.
- Ranked public courses within 50 miles3
- Good public courses in all8
- Trip lists2
- Best knownBlack Desert Resort, Sand Hollow Resort: Championship Course, Wolf Creek Golf Club
82/100
All 63 destinations
| # | State | Ranked public courses | Good public courses | Trip lists | Best known | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pinehurst, NC | 9 | 13 | 5 | Pinehurst No. 2 | 100 |
| 2 | Monterey Peninsula, CA | 5 | 8 | 2 | Pebble Beach Golf Links | 95 |
| 3 | Bandon, OR | 5 | 5 | 1 | Pacific Dunes | 92 |
| 4 | Scottsdale, AZ | 2 | 25 | 4 | We-Ko-Pa Golf Club: Saguaro | 91 |
| 5 | Tampa, FL | 5 | 7 | 2 | Streamsong Resort: Red | 87 |
| 6 | Central Wisconsin, WI | 5 | 5 | 1 | Sand Valley: The Lido | 86 |
| 7 | Las Vegas, NV | 3 | 10 | 3 | Shadow Creek | 83 |
| 8 | Kohler, WI | 5 | 8 | 1 | Whistling Straits: Straits Course | 83 |
| 9 | New York City and Long Island, NY | 3 | 5 | 1 | Bethpage State Park: Black | 83 |
| 10 | St. George, UT | 3 | 8 | 2 | Black Desert Resort | 82 |
| 11 | Kiawah Island, SC | 1 | 4 | 2 | Kiawah Island Golf Resort: The Ocean Course | 79 |
| 12 | Upper Peninsula, MI | 1 | 1 | 4 | Greywalls at Marquette Golf Club | 79 |
| 13 | Myrtle Beach, SC | 2 | 13 | 8 | The Dunes Golf & Beach Club | 78 |
| 14 | Petoskey area, MI | 2 | 6 | 2 | Belvedere Golf Club | 77 |
| 15 | Hilton Head Island, SC | 2 | 5 | 4 | Harbour Town Golf Links | 77 |
| 16 | Amelia Island, FL | 2 | 6 | 2 | TPC Sawgrass: Stadium | 76 |
| 17 | Traverse City, MI | 3 | 4 | 2 | Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club (Bluffs) | 75 |
| 18 | Bend, OR | 4 | 5 | 2 | Pronghorn Club at Juniper Preserve (Fazio Course) | 73 |
| 19 | Golden Isles, GA | 1 | 4 | 2 | Sea Island: Seaside | 73 |
| 20 | Seattle-Tacoma, WA | 1 | 4 | 2 | Chambers Bay | 72 |
| 21 | Verona, NY | 1 | 4 | 1 | The Otesaga's Leatherstocking Golf Course | 72 |
| 22 | Coastal Mississippi, MS | 1 | 6 | 2 | Fallen Oak | 72 |
| 23 | Savannah, GA | 2 | 5 | 1 | Harbour Town Golf Links | 71 |
| 24 | Mesquite, NV | 3 | 8 | 1 | Black Desert Resort | 71 |
| 25 | Charleston, SC | 1 | 4 | 1 | Kiawah Island Golf Resort: The Ocean Course | 71 |
| 26 | Jacksonville, FL | 1 | 4 | 3 | TPC Sawgrass: Stadium | 71 |
| 27 | Williamsburg, VA | 1 | 5 | 2 | Golden Horseshoe Golf Club: Gold Course | 70 |
| 28 | San Diego, CA | 2 | 6 | 1 | Torrey Pines Golf Course: South | 69 |
| 29 | French Lick, IN | 3 | 4 | 2 | French Lick Resort: Pete Dye Course | 68 |
| 30 | Dallas-Fort Worth, TX | 2 | 7 | 1 | PGA Frisco: Fields Ranch East | 68 |
| 31 | Chicago, IL | 1 | 11 | 1 | Cog Hill Golf & Country Club: Dubsdread (Course #4) | 67 |
| 32 | Chattanooga, TN | 3 | 4 | 1 | McLemore (The Keep) | 66 |
| 33 | Palm Beach Gardens, FL | 1 | 4 | 1 | The Park at West Palm Beach | 66 |
| 34 | Denver, CO | 0 | 6 | 2 | 64 | |
| 35 | Palm Springs, CA | 3 | 7 | 2 | PGA West: Stadium Course | 64 |
| 36 | Reynolds Lake Oconee, GA | 1 | 6 | 1 | Reynolds Lake Oconee: Great Waters | 64 |
| 37 | Santa Barbara, CA | 1 | 3 | 1 | Rustic Canyon Golf Course | 63 |
| 38 | Tucson, AZ | 0 | 6 | 3 | 62 | |
| 39 | Mobile, AL | 0 | 5 | 1 | 61 | |
| 40 | West Point, MS | 1 | 1 | 1 | Mossy Oak Golf Club | 61 |
| 41 | Ocean City, MD | 0 | 5 | 2 | 61 | |
| 42 | Naples, FL | 0 | 3 | 2 | 61 | |
| 43 | Orlando, FL | 1 | 3 | 4 | Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club & Lodge: Challenger/Champion | 61 |
| 44 | Cabot Citrus Farms, FL | 2 | 6 | 1 | Cabot Citrus Farms: Karoo | 61 |
| 45 | Twin Cities, MN | 0 | 6 | 1 | 61 | |
| 46 | Vail Valley, CO | 2 | 3 | 1 | Red Sky Ranch & Golf Club Fazio Course | 60 |
| 47 | Maryland's Eastern Shore, MD | 0 | 5 | 1 | 60 | |
| 48 | Asheville, NC | 1 | 3 | 1 | High Hampton Resort: High Hampton | 60 |
| 49 | Austin, TX | 0 | 5 | 1 | 59 | |
| 50 | Kansas City, MO/KS | 0 | 5 | 1 | 59 | |
| 51 | San Antonio, TX | 1 | 3 | 1 | TPC San Antonio (Oaks) | 58 |
| 52 | Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, AL | 0 | 3 | 2 | 58 | |
| 53 | Lake of the Ozarks, MO | 0 | 1 | 1 | 58 | |
| 54 | El Dorado, AR | 1 | 1 | 1 | Mystic Creek Golf Club | 58 |
| 55 | Birmingham, AL | 0 | 2 | 1 | 58 | |
| 56 | Lake Charles, LA | 0 | 2 | 1 | 56 | |
| 57 | Miami, FL | 1 | 4 | 2 | Trump National Doral: Blue Monster | 56 |
| 58 | Jackson Hole, WY | 0 | 1 | 1 | 55 | |
| 59 | Destin, FL | 0 | 2 | 1 | 55 | |
| 60 | Lake Tahoe, CA/NV | 1 | 2 | 2 | Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course | 54 |
| 61 | Charlottesville, VA | 1 | 3 | 1 | Full Cry at Keswick Golf Club | 53 |
| 62 | Augusta, GA | 0 | 0 | 1 | 49 | |
| 63 | Atlantic City, NJ | 0 | 1 | 1 | 40 |
How we score
Every destination named on a trip list or reader vote since 2024 is in the running. Most of its score (60 percent) comes from the courses: every course the public can play within 50 miles of the destination's centre that appears on the national rankings from Golf Digest, GOLF and Golfweek, counted the same way as our state ratings, plus Golfweek's and Golf Digest's best public courses in each state at a small weight. Kiawah Island and Hilton Head use 40 miles, since they're across water from each other with no road between. The rest (40 percent) is what the trip lists and reader votes say, scored like our equipment lists. Scores run from 40 to 100.
Distances use the Census Bureau's coordinates for each town. A whole state or a golf trail across a state can't be measured from one spot, so those entries are left out.
Nobody pays to be on this list, and we don't use affiliate links.
What we left out
- Regions too broad to measure from one place: Northern California, CA, Southern California, CA, Greater Georgia, GA, Berkshires and Catskills, MA/NY, Central Virginia, VA, Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, AL, Minnesota, Maine, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts.
Sources
- USA TODAY 10Best Best Golf Destination (2026), Readers' Choice Awards (2026-04-01) · Best Golf Destination (2025), Readers' Choice Awards (2025-04-03)
- GOLF.com 9 picks for amazing golf trips you need to take in 2024 (2024-01-06)
- GolfPass The 10 best golf trips you can take in 2026 (2026-02-22) · 10 best golf trips to take in 2025 (2025-02-01) · The 10 best golf trips to take in 2024 (2024-02-11) · 10 great fall golf trips in America for 2026 (2026-08-10) · 10 best spring golf trips (2026-03-03) · Best U.S. winter golf destinations (2024-10-23) · 5 hot golf destinations to visit this winter (2025-10-22)
- Golf Digest Our 11 favorite budget golf-trip destinations (2024-10-11) · 6 affordable summer golf-trip destinations that need to be on your bucket list (2025-07-11) · The 13 best golf trips you can take in August to escape the extreme heat (2025-07-24) · 5 sneaky-good buddies trip destinations, according to one longtime traveler (2026-03-10) · 11 of the best spring golf trips you can take (2024-12-29) · Best Winter Golf Trips: 11 underrated trips we're booking now (2025-12-12) · My 5 favorite golf trips on the East Coast are easy weekend getaways (2026-07-01) · America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses (2025-26) · America's Second 100 Greatest Golf Courses (2025-26) · America's 100 Greatest Public Courses (2025-26) · Best Golf Courses in Every State (Best in State) (2025-26)
- LINKS Magazine Best Budget-Friendly Golf Destinations in the U.S. (2026-06-22)
- Golfbreaks (travel company) TOP 10 Best US Golf Trips to Visit (for 2026/27) (2026-08-25)
- Southern Living South's Best 2026: Top Golf Destinations (2026-03-12)
- MyGolfSpy Five U.S. Buddy Golf Trips That Won't Break The Bank (2024-05-01)
- GOLF Top 100 Courses in the U.S. (2024-25) · Top 100 Courses You Can Play in the U.S. (2024-25)
- Golfweek Golfweek's Best 2026: Top 200 Classic Courses in the U.S. (2026) · Golfweek's Best 2026: Top 200 Modern Courses in the U.S. (2026) · Golfweek's Best 2026: Top 100 Best Courses You Can Play (2026) · Golfweek's Best 2026: Best Courses You Can Play in every state (2026)
- US Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer place coordinates (2024)
State outlines: US Census Bureau boundaries, via us-atlas.