14 Best Golf Resorts in the US
By: Bill Irwin
When it comes to the best golf resorts in the U.S., there’s no single formula for greatness. Some deliver a legendary course you’ll talk about for years. Others offer a full slate of championship layouts. A few are all about golf, start to finish. Others mix in luxury, adventure, and a blend of dining, spa, and leisure that elevate the whole trip. What all have in common is serious golf—and a strong shot at being your perfect golf getaway.
From famous names like Pebble Beach to under-the-radar gems in Missouri and Washington, these standout resorts (listed in no particular order) combine playability, setting, and all-around appeal. The only filter we used: each resort had to be bookable through GolfNow or GolfPass Travel. While that means a few legendary names aren’t here, every destination on the list is fully accessible and ready to deliver great golf, great stays, and great fun.
1. The Sea Pines Resort
Sea Pines is the signature golf retreat on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Its marquee course is the beloved Harbour Town Golf Links, a Pete Dye masterpiece and longtime PGA Tour stop known for its tree-lined precision and lighthouse-framed finish on Calibogue Sound. Rounding out the lineup are Davis Love III’s reimagining of Atlantic Dunes and Dye’s Heron Point, a wildlife-rich test with bold shaping and strategy.
Accommodations range from romantic rooms at the luxurious, boutique-style Inn & Club at Harbour Town to spacious villas and homes for families or groups. Dining spans from harbor-front fine dining to casual seafood and beachside cafés.
Beyond golf, Sea Pines delights with miles of beaches and bike paths, nature trails, boating and water sports, tennis and pickleball facilities, and an atmospheric beach club. From sunset drinks at the marina to lighthouse climbs, the resort brings together Lowcountry charm, timeless coastal design, and a deep respect for the environment. This pioneering property helped put Hilton Head on the map—and it still leads the way.
2. Big Cedar Lodge
Big Cedar Lodge near Branson, Missouri, is one of America’s top golf resorts and a love letter to the Ozarks. Created by Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris, it features five unique golf experiences. Payne’s Valley—Tiger Woods’ first fully public course—is known for its wide fairways, scenic views, and a dramatic bonus hole—an island green par-3 framed by waterfalls. Ozarks National and Buffalo Ridge offer contrasting 18-hole challenges over hilltop terrain and wooded valleys. The short-course options include the walking-only Mountain Top, a family-oriented course suitable for novices, and Top of the Rock, super dramatic with lakes, cliffs, and rock ledges. It’s the only par-3 course to host a PGA Tour championship event.
Lodging runs the gamut from cozy cabins to rustic-chic cottages and grand lodges. Interiors exude woodsy flair and varying degrees of refined comfort. Foodies will appreciate the regional character of the resort’s dining options.
Big Cedar Lodge has everything from scenic lake cruises to a luxe spa, but the resort really invites you to get moving and soak up the one-of-a-kind energy of the Ozarks. Must-try experiences exploring the epic Lost Canyon Cave Trail, hiking, fishing, and leveling up at Fun Mountain—a massive adventure zone perfect for families (and your inner kid). Part luxury resort, part wilderness retreat. Big Cedar Lodge is one of the most unique golf spots you’ll ever find.
3. Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection
On Hawaii’s Big Island, Mauna Lani blends volcanic drama, ocean views, and refined island luxury into a standout golf escape. Its two 18-hole championship courses—North and South—wind through black lava fields and past ancient Hawaiian sites. The South’s par-3 over crashing Pacific Ocean surf is iconic. For a more casual round suitable for any age or skill level, the Wikiwiki Course is a scenic nine-hole par-3 loop among palms and lava rock.
The Auberge resort vibe is elevated but relaxed—sleek rooms, breezy spaces, and a beachfront pool perfect for recharging or socializing. Beyond golf, fill your days with outrigger canoeing, snorkeling, or Hawaiian-inspired spa rituals. At Mauna Lani, natural beauty, cultural depth, and active adventure flow together in laid-back harmony.
4. JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa
Grand in scale and styled with Southwestern flair, JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort brings big Texas energy into a full-scale golf and leisure escape. Its twin onsite TPC courses by Pete Dye and Greg Norman showcase Hill Country views and offer PGA Tour-tested play on oak-studded terrain. Dye’s Canyons Course runs right alongside a nature preserve and serves up some serious elevation changes, so you’ll need to get strategic with your shots. The Oaks Course—famous for hosting the Valero Texas Open—twists through the trees and calls for your A-game in both power and precision.
At the hotel, rustic stonework and arched corridors set a warm Hill Country tone. The spacious guestrooms and suites are well-suited for couples or families. This is a retreat made for all-day enjoyment—think lazy river, waterslides, multiple swimming pools, and a full-service spa. Dining runs from the smokehouse to the elevated Southwestern. While downtown San Antonio exerts a pull 30 minutes away, the resort is bold, balanced, and tough to leave.
5. Gamble Sands
Gamble Sands in remote North Central Washington is pure golf joy carved into a windswept bluff above the Columbia River. The original Sands Course—a walking-friendly modern desert links by David McLay Kidd—delivers wide fairways, firm turf, and big-sky views in every direction. It’s creative, highly playable (lost balls are rare), and flat-out fun. Additions like the Quicksand Short Course and Cascade Putting Course ramp up the energy. Coming August 1, Scarecrow—another epic by Kidd—will debut. Routed on breathtaking terrain, this rugged 18-hole challenge weaves through tighter playing corridors framed by steep dunes and deep bunkers.
On-site lodging at the sleek but cozy Inn offers laid-back comfort and inspiring river and golf views. The Danny Boy Bar & Grill and firepit hangouts under starry skies keep the après-golf scene buzzing. With bold golf, killer sunsets, and a relaxed, social vibe, good times and unforgettable rounds come naturally at Gamble Sands.
6. Destination Kohler
Located an hour north of Milwaukee and anchored by four Pete Dye-designed world-class golf courses, Destination Kohler is the Midwest’s premier luxury golf and spa resort. The headliner is the walking-only Straits Course at Whistling Straits, a windswept, caddie-led jaw-dropper hugging Lake Michigan on seven holes. It’s hosted PGA Championships and the 2021 Ryder Cup. Mountainous grassy dunes, heaving terrain, and lake views rule. The adjacent Irish Course, where carts are allowed, offers a similar style with trees and wooden bridges over streams—but no lakeside holes. Nearer the resort campus, Blackwolf Run’s River and Meadow Valleys courses wind through woods and along the Sheboygan River. A blended routing has hosted two U.S. Women’s Opens.
Destination Kohler shines in many ways. The American Club, originally a dormitory for Kohler’s immigrant workers, is a five-star hotel with Old World charm, wonderful dining, and signature Kohler fixtures in every bathroom. The Inn at Woodlake, a more casual option, is the top choice for golf groups and value seekers.
Many guests plan their trip around the relaxing splendors of the Kohler Waters Spa. Other favorite activities include explorations at River Wildlife—a private wilderness preserve offering hiking, fishing, seasonal hunting, and rustic dining. Don’t miss the Kohler Design Center—part museum, part showroom—to inspire your next home improvement project. Add it all up and Kohler delivers one of golf’s most distinctive and beloved getaways.
7. Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa
If you dream of walking the same storied ground as the pros, TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, delivers bucket-list golf with full-on resort comfort at the Sawgrass Marriott. Just steps from the hotel, the famed Players Stadium Course—home of the PGA Tour’s Players Championship—is pure adrenaline, from the nerve-wracking island-green 17th to its relentless, Dye-abolical challenge throughout. The club’s second course, Dye’s Valley, may not be as famous, but it, too, is a must-play with its own strategic thrills.
The show-stopping TPC clubhouse is filled with trophies, memorabilia, iconic photography, and buzzing restaurants. Back at the hotel, the atmosphere mixes golf-charged energy with laid-back Florida ease and Marriott reliability. Dining options span grab-and-go to casually elegant. Guests unwind at the spa and multiple pools and enjoy access to Cabana Beach Club on the ocean (complimentary shuttle available). For a stay where you’ll live and breathe golf—and maybe rub elbows with a Tour pro—Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort checks every box.
8. Pebble Beach Golf Resorts
A trip to the Monterey Peninsula to play Pebble Beach Golf Links is a must for every golfer lover. Cliffside holes and an epic tournament history make this “greatest meeting of land and sea” truly iconic. Stay at Pebble Beach Resorts and you get privileged access to not just Pebble, but also Spyglass Hill’s forested, challenging layout, the windswept, Scottish-inspired Links at Spanish Bay, and Del Monte, the oldest course west of the Mississippi. For pure fun at any level, The Hay—a 9-hole short course—features a replica of Pebble’s famed par-3 7th and an additional putting course.
Where you stay is part of the magic: The Lodge at Pebble Beach overlooks the 18th green and Monterey Bay, The Inn at Spanish Bay offers sea views and nightly bagpipers, and Casa Palmero is a swanky Mediterranean-style boutique hideaway. Off the course, sample oceanview dining, coastal trails, wine tastings, galleries, and a next-level spa. With its rich golf tradition and all-around brilliance, why not tick a visit to Pebble Beach off your bucket list now?
9. Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North
In the striking foothills below Pinnacle Peak, Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North perfectly balances polished luxury with rousing desert golf adventure. Just seven miles away, guests enjoy preferred access to Troon North’s acclaimed Pinnacle and Monument courses—two of Arizona’s finest layouts, defined by boulder-strewn fairways and sweeping mountain views.
Modeled after a Pueblo village, the resort’s adobe casita-style accommodations tuck into a hillside. Dining options range from a modern steakhouse to relaxed patio fare. After golf, unwind with a spa treatment or lounge at the elegant pool complex, complete with a poolside bar and cabanas.
For the adventurous, hikes up Pinnacle Peak await. Culture seekers can explore downtown Scottsdale’s vibrant art galleries, inventive restaurants, and nightlife just 30 minutes away. A Four Seasons Resort golf trip serves up top-tier play, desert delights, and laid-back luxury—an unforgettable Arizona escape.
10. The Lodge at Torrey Pines
Perched on coastal bluffs in La Jolla with sweeping Pacific views, The Lodge at Torrey Pines offers a classic California golf retreat. Guests are greeted by kilt-clad staff and welcomed into a world of Craftsman-era charm, complete with woodsy architecture and oceanview balconies. Nextdoor, the 36-hole Torrey Pines Golf Course—with rich U.S. Open and PGA Tour history—grants preferred access to two of Southern California’s most coveted tee times. A demanding test of precision and power, the marquee South Course unfurls from the Lodge’s backyard to the cliffs above the ocean, while the adjacent North provides a slightly gentler challenge with equally compelling drama.
Beyond the fairways, The Lodge delivers low-key luxury with plenty of ways to unwind. You can chill out at the serene spa, lounge by the pool (it has underwater speakers), or savor fresh, local flavors at the on-site restaurants. On the back terrace, croquet games, craft cocktails, and epic sunsets keep the ambiance relaxed and social. Feeling adventurous? Hike the trails at Torrey Pines State Reserve, stroll the ocean cliffs, or head to La Jolla and Del Mar for boutique shopping, beaches, and standout coastal eats.
11. Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club
Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in Southern Pines delivers timeless golf with deep tournament roots. Its Donald Ross-designed course—host to multiple U.S. Women’s Opens—has been restored to showcase strategic bunkering, rolling contours, and short-game challenges across a walkable, character-rich layout. Just across Midland Road, sister course Mid Pines offers a shorter, more intimate take on Ross’s vision, with narrow landing areas, crowned greens, and tree-lined fairways that reward control. Both golf courses are joys to play.
The relaxed Pine Needles Lodge is steeped in history and Southern hospitality. Comfy rooms, porch rockers, and tall pines create a front-porch vibe perfect for golf groups. Scene of the first golf school created specifically for women, Pine Needles has long been a haven for women golfers.
Less than five miles from the legendary Pinehurst Resort, Pine Needles is quieter, more intimate, and less expensive—a throwback escape for those seeking tradition and camaraderie without pretense.
12. Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa
Set on Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Birmingham, Renaissance Ross Bridge is the Trail’s most elevated experience. With grand-scale golf, pristine conditions, and refined service, the vibe feels more like a private club hideaway than a stop on the famously budget-friendly trail.
Ross Bridge, designed by Roger Rulewich in 2005 (Robert Trent Jones Sr. passed away in 2000) is the newest site on the Alabama trail and the only one with just 18 holes. Topping out at nearly 8,200 yards, Ross Bridge is one of the longest courses in the world, with impressive elevation changes, cascading waterfalls, and massive, quick greens. It’s an imposing test, but six tee boxes ensure a playable distance for all.
The Renaissance hotel adds polish with stylish rooms and upscale dining. A full-service spa and indoor and outdoor pools help guests unwind. Evenings bring live music, a bagpiper at sundown, and family-focussed programming.
Birmingham’s music, dining, and cultural attractions are close by. For more RTJ Trail golf, Oxmoor Valley—just two miles away—features the scenic Ridge and Valley courses, plus a 9-hole pitch-and-putt for relaxed play.
13. Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Just 25 miles from Charleston, Kiawah Island Golf Resort pairs 90 holes of championship golf with laid-back coastal luxury. The marquee Ocean Course—a walking-only Pete Dye design with 10 seaside holes—is a Ryder Cup and major championship venue, and one of the toughest tests in the world. Wind, elevated fairways, and stunning views make every swing unforgettable. After the Ocean Course, four other 18s, including Jack Nicklaus’ Turtle Point with its own ocean stretch, round out the resort’s world-class golf lineup.
Off the fairways, the great Sanctuary Hotel offers five-star Southern elegance with ocean views from nearly every room, a world-class spa, and standout dining. Guests can also choose from upscale villas and luxury homes for more space and privacy.
After golf, favorite pastimes include biking on scenic trails or a ride on the beach, and exploring Lowcountry wildlife on guided nature tours. Ocean-view bars, family programming, and a luxe pool scene keep the good vibes going. Equal parts golf bucket list and dreamy coastal escape, Kiawah is unquestionably one of the world’s very best golf resorts.
14. La Quinta Resort & Club, a Waldof Astoria Resort
Set in Southern California’s sun-drenched Coachella Valley, La Quinta Resort & Club blends Old Hollywood allure with world-class golf. Guests can play five championship courses—three by Pete Dye, plus Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman designs. The Dye-abolical Stadium Course at PGA West has long been the final-round venue for the PGA Tour’s annual tournament in Palm Springs. Can you escape unscathed from the notoriously deep San Andreas Fault bunker or the boulder-ringed, island-green “Alcatraz” par 3?
Built in 1926 as a secluded retreat for movie stars, La Quinta Resort still exudes a timeless hideaway aura. Spanish-style casitas are tucked into mountain-framed courtyards and lush gardens. Green initiatives reflect the resort’s commitment to protecting the planet.
Play and relaxation—with a dose of pampering—define the La Quinta spirit. In addition to a world-class spa, the resort boasts 42 pools, including a serene adults-only pool with hand-tiled accents and a sleek bar. Tennis players and pickleballers will find top-tier facilities. La Quinta also makes a convenient home base for the BNP Paribas Tennis Open, Coachella, and the broader festival, shopping, and dining scene of greater Palm Springs. As La Quinta Resort & Club approaches its 100th anniversary, it’s still thriving.
Final Takeaway
With resorts ranging from single standout courses to epic multi-layout playgrounds, and locations from the Atlantic shoreline to the middle of the Pacific, there’s something here for everyone. These spots prove there’s no single way to do a golf trip—find your favorite and start planning.