The best golf getaways depend on who’s going. Couples do best at resorts with a spa and a town, such as Sea Island, Kiawah or Scottsdale. Families need short courses and kids’ programs, beginners need practice facilities and forgiving courses, and a weekend escape should be under four hours’ drive from home.
Most golf travel advice is written for four guys with handicaps under 15. That’s fine if you’re four guys with handicaps under 15. It’s less useful if you’re a couple where one of you plays and one doesn’t, a parent trying to get a 10-year-old hooked, a woman looking for a golf weekend that isn’t a bachelor party, a 70-year-old who wants to ride and play the forward tees, or someone who just wants two days of golf within driving distance of the city.
This page is organized around those people. For each kind of traveler, we cover what makes a good golf getaway, the destinations and resorts that do it well, and what to watch out for. Then we cover weekend golf getaways from three of the biggest US metro areas, New York, Chicago and Atlanta, where the right answer is often a drive rather than a flight.
It’s the hub for our golf getaway guides, so each section points to a deeper page. Prices and programs were checked in September 2026. Resort programs change seasonally, so confirm details with the resort before booking.
At a glance
- Couples: Sea Island, Kiawah Island, Pinehurst, Scottsdale, Palm Springs, Maui and Los Cabos all combine good golf with good everything else.
- Families: look for short courses (Bandon Preserve, Sand Valley’s Sandbox, Pinehurst’s Cradle) and kids-play-free policies; Sea Island charges no green fees for resort guests under 19.
- Women: women-only golf weekends like Sea Island’s Women’s Golf Getaway Weekend ($2,295 in 2026, with 14 hours of instruction) sell out early.
- Seniors: go in shoulder season, pick resorts with carts and forward tees, and check travel insurance.
- Solo golfers: many resorts pair single golfers into groups; watch for single supplements on packages.
- Beginners: a golf school or a resort with a big practice area and short courses beats a famous championship course.
- Weekends from the city: Kohler and Lake Geneva from Chicago, Reynolds Lake Oconee and Barnsley from Atlanta, and Crystal Springs, Montauk and Lake George from New York.
How to choose the right golf getaway
Start with who’s going, not where. A resort that’s perfect for four low handicappers can be miserable for a couple with one non-golfer, and a family resort with a nine-hole short course will bore a serious golfer by day two.
| Who’s going | What matters most | Good destinations and resorts | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| A golfing couple | Great golf for both, good dining, a spa or town | Sea Island, Kiawah Island, Pinehurst, Scottsdale, Maui, Los Cabos | Tee times that split you into different groups |
| One golfer, one non-golfer | Non-golf activities as good as the golf | Scottsdale, Charleston and Kiawah, Palm Springs, Hawaii, Sea Island | Remote golf-only resorts |
| Families with kids | Short courses, kids’ rates, pools, other activities | Pinehurst, Sea Island, Big Cedar Lodge, Orlando resorts, Sand Valley | Walking-only championship courses with long rounds |
| Women’s groups | Instruction, social events, welcoming atmosphere | Sea Island women’s weekends, resort golf schools, Scottsdale, Palm Springs | Packages built around 36-hole days |
| Seniors | Carts, forward tees, mild weather, easy travel | Myrtle Beach, Palm Springs, Florida resorts, Pinehurst | Peak summer heat and walking-only courses |
| Solo golfers | Easy pairing, social atmosphere, no single supplement | Bandon Dunes, Pinehurst, Scottsdale, golf schools | Package prices quoted per person, based on two sharing |
| Beginners | Practice facilities, short courses, lessons, patient pace | Resort golf academies, Orlando, Myrtle Beach, Sand Valley | Famous courses with fast greens and forced carries |
| Weekend escape | Short drive, two good rounds, one nice dinner | Within 2–4 hours of home | Spending half the weekend in traffic |
If you’re not sure what kind of trip you’re planning, the next few sections go through each type in more detail.
What are the best golf getaways for couples?
The best golf getaways for couples pair strong golf with things to do together off the course. Sea Island, Kiawah Island and Pinehurst suit couples who both play. Scottsdale, Palm Springs, Maui and Los Cabos add great restaurants, spas and scenery. For an all-inclusive, the Sandals resorts in Saint Lucia and Jamaica include green fees.
Couples trips work best when both people are equally happy with the plan. That usually means less golf than a buddies trip, better hotels and one good dinner every night.
When you both play. Look for resorts that let you play together at similar difficulty. That means multiple tee boxes, carts or push carts, and courses that aren’t brutally long from the forward tees. Pinehurst’s variety (No. 2 for the bucket list, The Cradle for evenings), Sea Island’s three courses, and Kiawah Island’s five courses all work well. Scottsdale adds great desert courses and a lot of good restaurants.
When one of you doesn’t play. The destination matters more than the resort. Choose a place with a town, beaches, hiking, food or a spa, so the non-golfer has a great day too. Charleston and Kiawah, Scottsdale, Palm Springs, Maui and Carmel-by-the-Sea near Pebble Beach are all excellent. Remote golf resorts like Bandon Dunes, Sand Valley and Streamsong are the opposite.
All-inclusive couples trips. The Caribbean and Mexico all-inclusives are popular, but check what “golf included” means. At six Sandals resorts in Jamaica and Saint Lucia, green fees are included at a partner course, but carts (about $50–$55 per 18 holes), club rental ($75), shoes and caddies cost extra. At Moon Palace’s Stay & Play offer, rounds are unlimited but a mandatory cart fee of $90 per person per round applies. At adults-only Pueblo Bonito Pacifica in Cabo, green fees aren’t included. Our all-inclusive golf resorts guide lists what each resort actually includes.
A few ideas that make it a couples trip:
- Play nine holes at sunset rather than 18 at 8 a.m.
- Book a couples lesson; it’s a surprisingly good way to play better together.
- Try alternate-shot formats, where you share one ball, instead of competing.
- Leave at least one full day free of golf.
See golf vacations for couples for our ranked list, and golf honeymoon destinations for newlyweds.
Golf honeymoons
A golf honeymoon needs somewhere romantic first and somewhere with good golf second. The golf should fit around the trip, not the other way round.
The destinations that do both best:
- Maui and Kauai, Hawaii. Kapalua’s Plantation Course, Wailea and Ka’anapali on Maui; Poipu Bay and Princeville on Kauai. Warm all year, with beaches, snorkeling and sunsets.
- Los Cabos, Mexico. Spectacular desert-meets-ocean golf and luxury resorts, including adults-only options.
- Saint Lucia and Jamaica. Sandals resorts with green fees included, plus the romance of the Caribbean.
- The Dominican Republic. Casa de Campo’s Teeth of the Dog, a Pete Dye course with seven holes on the sea, reserved for resort guests.
- Sea Island, Georgia. Quietly elegant, with three good courses, a beach and one of the best spas in the Southeast.
- Scotland or Ireland. For golfing couples who want castles, whisky or pubs, and some of the best links in the world.
Keep the golf light: two or three rounds in a week is plenty on a honeymoon. More in golf honeymoon destinations.
What are the best family golf vacations?
The best family golf vacations have short courses kids can enjoy, junior pricing, and plenty to do off the course. Pinehurst, Sea Island, Big Cedar Lodge, Sand Valley and Bandon Dunes all have excellent par-3 or short courses, and Sea Island charges no green fees to resort guests under 19. Orlando adds theme parks.
A family golf vacation works when the kids want to go back next year. Forcing a 9-year-old to walk 18 holes behind Dad in July is a good way to make sure they never play again.
Short courses are the key. The best family golf resorts now have par-3 or short courses where a round takes an hour or two, the holes are short enough for kids to reach, and nobody minds if you laugh on the tee.
- Pinehurst’s The Cradle. Nine short holes by Gil Hanse, next to the clubhouse, with music and a relaxed atmosphere, plus the Thistle Dhu putting course.
- Bandon Dunes. Bandon Preserve (13 par-3 holes) and Shorty’s (a 19-hole par-3 course) make a remote pure-golf resort surprisingly family-friendly, though the main courses are walking only.
- Sand Valley, Wisconsin. The Sandbox, a 17-hole par-3 course, and The Commons, a 12-hole short course, alongside the main courses.
- Big Cedar Lodge, Missouri. Big Cedar has several short and full courses in the Ozarks, plus lakes, caves and outdoor activities.
Look for kids’ rates. Sea Island says resort guests under 19 pay no green fees, which makes it a surprisingly good value family trip once the room is booked. Many other resorts offer free or reduced junior green fees when playing with a paying adult, often at set times. Ask when you book.
Plan for non-golf time. A pool, a beach, a theme park or a lake does more for a family golf trip than a fourth round. Orlando is the obvious example: excellent resort golf and theme parks in the same place.
For kids who want instruction. Junior golf camps can anchor a family trip. The IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, runs golf camps for ages 8 to 18, with 2026 holiday camps from $1,539 (non-boarding), and the Pinehurst Golf Academy offers a parent-and-child school for juniors aged 9 to 17.
See family golf vacations for our full list.
Golf trips for women
Women’s golf getaways have grown quickly, and the best ones combine good instruction, good golf and a social atmosphere that isn’t built around a buddies trip.
Women-only golf weekends. Some resorts run dedicated women’s weekends. Sea Island’s Women’s Golf Getaway Weekend cost $2,295 per person in 2026, including 14 hours of instruction, green and cart fees during instruction and a “Nine and Wine” social evening. Three of its four fall 2026 sessions had sold out by September, so book months ahead.
Resort golf schools. Pinehurst Golf Academy, the Jim McLean Golf School and other resort schools offer instruction weekends that suit women’s groups, often with women-specific clinics.
Group trips with friends. Everything that makes a good buddies trip work applies to women’s groups too: an organizer, a budget and a format. Popular destinations include Scottsdale, Palm Springs, Pinehurst, Kiawah, Hilton Head and Myrtle Beach, which all offer good forward tees, spas and nightlife.
What to look for:
- Forward tees that make sense. Some courses are much better set up from the forward tees than others. Ask for the yardage from the tees you’ll play, and check that forced carries over water or ravines are reasonable.
- Rental clubs. If you don’t want to fly with clubs, check that the resort rents good women’s sets.
- Mixed group pairing. If you’re traveling in a twosome, ask about being paired with other women’s groups if you’d prefer it.
More in golf trips for women.
Golf trips for seniors
The biggest golf travel market is golfers over 55, and they know what they want: good courses, good weather, carts, sensible tees and no hassle getting there.
Choose the tees, not the course’s reputation. A lot of famous courses are hard work from the back tees. From the right forward tees, many are more fun. The USGA and PGA of America have long promoted playing from tees that suit your driving distance.
Ride. Most resort courses offer carts, but some bucket-list courses (Bandon Dunes, Sand Valley, Erin Hills, Whistling Straits) are walking only, with caddies. Some allow carts for golfers with a medical need; ask ahead.
Go in shoulder season. Spring and fall in the Carolinas, winter and early spring in Arizona, Florida and Palm Springs. Avoid peak summer heat in the South.
Direct flights and easy transfers. Destinations with a big airport close by (Scottsdale, Orlando, Myrtle Beach, Palm Springs) make trips easier than remote resorts with long transfers.
Travel insurance matters more. Medical coverage abroad and trip cancellation protection are worth pricing carefully, especially for expensive, prepaid golf abroad. Medicare generally doesn’t cover medical care outside the US.
Consider a golf school or group tour. Some programs are aimed specifically at older golfers, with slower pace, more instruction and less walking.
More in golf trips for seniors.
Solo golf trips
Traveling alone to play golf is more common than people think, and it can be the best golf trip you’ll take. You play on your own schedule, practice as much as you like, and meet new people on every first tee.
Choose places that welcome single golfers. Resorts with a strong golf culture, like Bandon Dunes, Pinehurst and Sand Valley, routinely pair single golfers into groups, and the clubhouse bar is full of people talking about their rounds.
Watch for single supplements. Many golf packages are priced “per person, based on two sharing”. A solo golfer can pay much more per person. Booking the room and golf separately is often cheaper.
Book tee times as a single. Most courses add singles to existing groups. At busy courses, going out alone or joining a group early in the morning or late in the day is easiest.
Consider a golf school or group tour. A golf school gives you instruction, a daily schedule and people to eat dinner with. Escorted golf tours to Scotland and Ireland suit solo travelers who don’t want to drive.
Take a caddie. On a walking course, a caddie is company, local knowledge and a guide, all in one.
More in solo golf trips.
Golf vacations for beginners
A beginner golf vacation is about learning and enjoying the game, not ticking off a famous course. In fact, the famous course is usually the wrong choice: fast greens, forced carries and slow play behind you will make a beginner miserable.
What to look for:
- A golf school or instruction program. Several hours a day of lessons, with time on the course, is the fastest way to improve. The Pinehurst Golf Academy’s Weekend School includes three days of instruction and four rounds, from about $2,635 to $5,206 per person in 2026, including lodging and meals.
- A big practice facility. Range, short-game area and practice green.
- Short courses. Par-3 and short courses are the best place for a beginner to start playing.
- Forgiving resort courses. Wide fairways, few forced carries, and multiple tee boxes.
- Good rental clubs. No need to buy a set before you know you love the game.
- Quiet tee times. Late afternoon and twilight rounds are cheaper and less pressured.
Good destinations for beginners include resort academies in Florida and Arizona, Myrtle Beach (for its many forgiving courses and cheap rounds), and resorts with short courses such as Pinehurst and Sand Valley. Our golf school vacations guide compares instruction programs, and golf vacations for beginners has more destinations.
Golf getaways with non-golfers
Mixed trips, where one person plays golf and one doesn’t, are probably the most common golf getaway of all. The key is a destination where the non-golfer has plans that are as good as a round of golf.
The best destinations for non-golfers are also good golf destinations:
- Scottsdale, Arizona. Spas, hiking, shopping, galleries and restaurants, plus some of the best desert golf in the country.
- Charleston and Kiawah Island, South Carolina. One of the best food cities in America, historic streets, beaches and plantation tours.
- Palm Springs, California. Mid-century design, pools, hiking and the aerial tramway.
- Maui, Hawaii. Beaches, snorkeling, the Road to Hana and Haleakalā.
- Monterey and Carmel, California. Near Pebble Beach, with the aquarium, Big Sur and wine country.
- Sea Island, Georgia. Beach, spa, horseback riding and the Golden Isles.
- Ireland. Pubs, music and some of Europe’s most beautiful coastline, right beside the famous links.
Remote golf-only resorts like Bandon Dunes, Sand Valley and Streamsong are the worst choice for non-golfers. They’re designed for golfers who want nothing but golf. See golf vacations for non-golfers.
Multigenerational golf trips
Three generations on one golf trip (grandparents, parents and kids) is one of the fastest-growing kinds of golf travel, and one of the hardest to get right. The 72-year-old wants a cart and an early finish, the 40-year-old wants a proper round, and the 12-year-old wants to hit driver on every hole and then go swimming.
What works:
- A resort with a range of courses. Somewhere like Pinehurst, Sea Island, Kiawah or Big Cedar Lodge, where there’s a championship course for the keen golfers and a short course everyone can play together.
- One “everyone” round a day, not four. Play a short course or nine holes as a family in the late afternoon, and let the serious golfers play 18 in the morning.
- Mixed tees. Put each golfer on the tees that suit their distance, and play a scramble or a Stableford so everyone contributes.
- Rented houses or connecting rooms. A villa or house with a kitchen and a shared living space is often better than three hotel rooms.
- Plenty of non-golf time. Beaches, pools, fishing, hiking and a relaxed dinner schedule.
- Carts for the older and younger golfers. Even at walking-friendly resorts, carts let a grandparent ride with a grandchild, which may be the best part of the trip.
The golf that three generations remember is rarely the championship round. It’s the evening nine holes, the chip-in on the short course and the putting contest after dinner.
Golf and spa getaways
For a lot of travelers, the perfect golf getaway is a round in the morning and a massage in the afternoon. Golf and spa resorts suit couples, women’s groups and anyone who likes their golf with a side of recovery.
The best combine a genuinely good golf course with a genuinely good spa, rather than a great course and a few treatment rooms:
- The American Club, Kohler, Wisconsin. Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run, plus the Kohler Waters Spa.
- Sea Island, Georgia. Three courses and one of the best-known resort spas in the Southeast.
- Pinehurst, North Carolina. The Spa at Pinehurst sits next to the Carolina Hotel, a short walk from the village.
- Scottsdale, Arizona. Several of the big resorts combine desert golf with large spas and pools.
- Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley. Dozens of courses and spa resorts, with a long winter season.
- Omni resorts. The Homestead in Virginia and several other Omni properties pair historic golf with spas.
Book spa treatments at the same time as tee times, especially on weekends, since the best slots sell out first. And schedule the massage after the round, not before.
Adaptive and accessible golf travel
Golfers with disabilities travel and play all over the world, but finding accessible golf information for a trip takes more work than it should.
Adaptive carts. Single-rider adaptive golf carts, such as SoloRider, let golfers with mobility impairments play from a seated position and drive onto greens without damaging them. Some courses own them, and others allow players to bring their own. Always call ahead.
Accessible resorts. Ask specifically about accessible rooms, the path from the lodging to the first tee, clubhouse and restroom access, and whether carts can go on fairways and near greens.
Adaptive golf events. The USGA launched the U.S. Adaptive Open in 2022 at Pinehurst, which shows how quickly adaptive golf is growing. Adaptive golf organizations and PGA HOPE programs run clinics and events around the country.
Plan with the course, not just the hotel. A resort’s accessibility page usually covers rooms but not golf. Talk to the golf shop.
More in adaptive golf travel.
What makes a good weekend golf getaway?
A good weekend golf getaway is within about two to four hours’ drive, includes two rounds on courses better than your home course, one good dinner and a comfortable place to stay. Leave Friday afternoon, play Saturday and Sunday morning, and be home Sunday evening.
A weekend is too short for flights, airport transfers and a long drive. The best weekend golf getaways share a few things:
- Drive time under four hours. Any longer and you lose a day to the car.
- Two to three rounds, not four. One Saturday round, maybe a Saturday afternoon replay, and a Sunday morning round.
- Stay-and-play packages. Many resorts sell weekend packages with lodging and golf, often cheaper than booking separately.
- One excellent dinner. Book it before you go.
- Shoulder-season timing. Fall weekends in particular offer good weather, cheaper rates and fall color in much of the country.
Here’s where to go from three of the biggest US cities. Drive times are approximate and assume normal traffic.
Golf getaways near New York City
| Destination | Drive from Manhattan | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Bethpage State Park, Long Island | About 1 hour | Five courses including Bethpage Black |
| Crystal Springs Resort, New Jersey | About 1.5 hours | Several resort courses, spa and wine cellar |
| Atlantic City and Galloway, New Jersey | About 2.5 hours | Seaview’s two historic courses, casinos |
| Montauk Downs, Long Island | About 3 hours | A state park course at the tip of Long Island |
| The Sagamore, Lake George | About 3.5 hours | A Donald Ross course above Lake George |
| Turning Stone, central New York | About 4 hours | Several championship courses, casino resort |
See golf getaways near NYC for details.
Golf getaways from Chicago
| Destination | Drive from downtown | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Geneva, Wisconsin | About 1.5 hours | Resort golf, lake town, spas |
| Harbor Shores, Benton Harbor, Michigan | About 1.5–2 hours | Jack Nicklaus course that has hosted the Senior PGA Championship |
| Erin Hills, Wisconsin | About 2 hours | 2017 U.S. Open venue, walking only, $495 peak |
| Kohler, Wisconsin | About 2.5 hours | Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run, The American Club |
| Sand Valley, Wisconsin | About 4 hours | Big sandy courses, short courses, walking only |
| Northern Michigan | 5 hours or more | Arcadia Bluffs, Forest Dunes and Traverse City golf |
See golf getaways from Chicago for details.
Golf getaways near Atlanta
| Destination | Drive from downtown | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Chateau Élan, Braselton | About 1 hour | Winery resort with golf |
| Barnsley Resort, Adairsville | About 1 hour | Golf, spa and English-style village in the north Georgia hills |
| Reynolds Lake Oconee | About 1.5 hours | Several lakeside courses and a Ritz-Carlton |
| Callaway Resort & Gardens, Pine Mountain | About 1.5 hours | Gardens, lake and resort golf |
| Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, Alabama | About 2 hours to Grand National | Hundreds of public holes at great value |
| Sea Island, Georgia | About 5 hours | A longer weekend at a luxury coastal resort |
See golf getaways near Atlanta for details, and our list of the best weekend golf getaways for other cities.
What does a golf getaway cost?
Costs vary more by trip type than by destination. Here are typical per-person costs for a two- or three-night getaway, sharing a room, in September 2026.
| Getaway type | Typical length | Per person | What’s usually included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drive-to weekend, mid-range resort | 2 nights, 2–3 rounds | About $500–$1,000 | Stay-and-play package, gas |
| Drive-to weekend, luxury resort (Kohler, Sea Island, Reynolds) | 2 nights, 2 rounds | About $1,000–$2,500 | Resort room, golf, one big dinner |
| Couples fly-in trip (Scottsdale, Kiawah, Pinehurst) | 3–4 nights, 3 rounds each | About $1,500–$3,500 | Flights, resort, golf, spa, dinners |
| Family trip with short-course golf | 4–5 nights | About $1,000–$3,000 per person | Resort, short courses, junior rates, activities |
| Caribbean all-inclusive with golf | 5–7 nights | About $2,000–$5,000 | Room, food, drinks, often green fees; carts and rentals extra |
| Women’s golf weekend (Sea Island) | 3 nights | $2,295 plus room | Instruction, golf during instruction, social events |
| Golf school weekend (Pinehurst) | 3–4 nights | About $2,635–$5,206 | Instruction, golf, lodging and meals |
For how the big resorts compare on golf, lodging and price, see the best golf resorts in the US.
Golf getaway planning tips
- Book stay-and-play packages when they include the courses you actually want. Compare with booking separately.
- Ask about junior, senior and twilight rates. They’re often not advertised.
- Check the tee sheet before paying for a resort. Some resorts give guests priority; others don’t.
- Confirm what’s included in all-inclusive golf: green fees, carts, rentals, transfers.
- Consider shipping or renting clubs for short trips. On most US airlines a golf bag costs $45 to $55 each way as a checked bag in 2026, so for one or two rounds, renting can be cheaper.
- Plan the non-golf time as carefully as the golf, especially on couples and family trips.
- Book the one good dinner before you leave home.
- Look at fall weekends. In much of the US, September to November offers the best combination of weather, course conditions and price.
Every golf getaway guide
This page is the hub. Each guide below goes deeper on one kind of golf getaway.
By who’s traveling
- Golf vacations for couples
- Golf honeymoon destinations
- Family golf vacations
- Golf trips for women
- Golf trips for seniors
- Solo golf trips
- Golf vacations for beginners
- Golf vacations for non-golfers
- Adaptive golf travel
Weekend getaways
- The best weekend golf getaways
- Golf getaways near NYC
- Golf getaways from Chicago
- Golf getaways near Atlanta
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place for a golf getaway for couples?
For couples who both play, Sea Island, Kiawah Island and Pinehurst are excellent. For couples where one person doesn’t play, Scottsdale, Charleston, Palm Springs, Maui and Carmel offer great golf plus great things to do off the course. For an all-inclusive, the Sandals resorts in Saint Lucia and Jamaica include green fees.
What are the best golf resorts for families?
Pinehurst, Sea Island, Big Cedar Lodge, Sand Valley and Bandon Dunes all have excellent short courses for kids. Sea Island charges no green fees for resort guests under 19. Orlando resorts combine good golf with theme parks, and many resorts offer free or reduced junior green fees.
What is a good golf getaway for a weekend?
A resort within two to four hours’ drive, with two or three good rounds and a stay-and-play package. From Chicago, try Kohler or Lake Geneva. From Atlanta, Reynolds Lake Oconee or Barnsley. From New York, Crystal Springs, Montauk or The Sagamore.
Are there women-only golf getaways?
Yes. Sea Island’s Women’s Golf Getaway Weekend cost $2,295 per person in 2026, with 14 hours of instruction and social events, and sessions sell out months ahead. Many resort golf academies also run women’s clinics and schools, and women’s golf groups organize their own trips.
Is golf included at all-inclusive resorts?
Sometimes. Six Sandals resorts in Jamaica and Saint Lucia include green fees at partner courses, but carts, rental clubs and caddies cost extra. Some resorts, like Moon Palace, include unlimited golf with a mandatory cart fee. Others, like Pueblo Bonito Pacifica, don’t include green fees at all. Always check.
What is the best golf vacation for beginners?
A resort golf school or academy, with lessons, a good practice facility and short courses, beats a famous championship course. Pinehurst’s academy, resort schools in Florida and Arizona, and forgiving destinations like Myrtle Beach are good choices.
How do solo golfers avoid single supplements?
Book lodging and golf separately instead of buying a package priced for two sharing, look for resorts that pair single golfers, or join a golf school or group tour where solo travelers are common. Some tour operators offer room-share programs to avoid single supplements.
What is the best time of year for a golf getaway?
It depends on where you’re going. Spring and fall are best across most of the US, from the Carolinas to the Midwest and New England. Winter is peak season in Arizona, Florida, Palm Springs and Hawaii. For drive-to weekends, September and October often combine the best weather, course conditions and prices.
How many rounds should you play on a golf getaway?
On a couples, family or weekend getaway, two or three rounds over a long weekend is plenty, with time for everything else. Save the 36-hole days for buddies trips. For beginners and families, a short course or nine holes in the late afternoon is often more fun than a full 18.
Are golf getaways cheaper midweek?
Usually, yes. Many resorts charge less for Sunday-to-Thursday stays, and weekday tee times are easier to get and often cheaper, especially at resorts near big cities that fill up with locals on weekends. Twilight rates can cut costs further.
Can golfers with disabilities play at golf resorts?
Yes, increasingly. Many courses allow single-rider adaptive carts such as SoloRider, and some own them. Call the golf shop ahead of your trip to check cart rules, course access and accessible facilities, since hotel accessibility pages rarely cover the golf course.
Hawaii is the easiest place in the US to plan a golf getaway where only one of you plays. Morning rounds at Wailea, Kapalua or the Kohala Coast finish before the trade winds pick up, and the rest of the day is beaches, snorkeling and dinner. Green fees at the famous resort courses run roughly $185 to $475 in 2026, so most couples plan three or four rounds in a week. Our Hawaii golf vacation guide compares the islands for golf, cost and season.
If a weekend from Chicago turns into a week, the Midwest strings together better than most people expect. Erin Hills and Kohler are about an hour apart, Sand Valley is about 2¾ hours west of Kohler, and the SS Badger car ferry crosses Lake Michigan from Manitowoc to Ludington, an hour from Arcadia Bluffs, roughly from May to October. Our Midwest golf trips guide maps those routes, with 2026 green fees and the best weeks to go.
For a winter getaway, Florida’s golf resorts split into two kinds. The beachfront resorts, such as Hammock Beach, the Amelia Island resorts and the Ritz-Carlton Naples, suit couples and families who want the ocean as much as the golf. The inland resorts, led by Streamsong and Cabot Citrus Farms, are where the best golf is. Our ranking of the best golf resorts in Florida sorts them by the golf, with 2026 rates and the best months to go.
Sources
Primary sources and official pages, checked September 2026 unless noted.
- Sea Island, Women’s Golf Getaway Weekend: seaisland.com
- Sea Island, golf information (junior green fees): seaisland.com
- Pinehurst Golf Academy, schools: pinehurst.com
- IMG Academy, golf camps: imgacademy.com
- Erin Hills, rates and fees: erinhills.com
- Also consulted: Sandals golf inclusions as reported by Caribbean Resort Guide (June 2026); Moon Palace Stay & Play terms; honeymoons.com on all-inclusive golf inclusions (December 2025); Sand Valley and Bandon Dunes short-course information; USGA on the U.S. Adaptive Open; LINKS Magazine on planning a couples golf trip.
Image credits
| Image | Credit and license |
|---|---|
| Mother and daughter play off in a golf final, Brisbane (4461115465) (featured) | Photo by State Library of Queensland, Australia, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons. |
| The Golf Club at Harbor Shores | Photo by Humbles Art, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. |
| Sea Island Golf Clubhouse, vintage postcard | Photo by Boston Public Library, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. |
| Annual Junior Golf Clinic 120613-F-ST721-270 | Photo by Benjamin Faske, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. |
| US Navy 070718-N-9604C-006 Golf professional Pat Diaz gives a young golfer a few pointers on putting at the Chula Vista Municipal Golf Course | Photo by U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Shannon K. Cassidy, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. |
| Montauk-downs | Photo by Roger Rowlett, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons. |
| Whistling Straits, 11th hole | Photo by User:KevinTR, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. |
| Barnsley Resort Golf Course, July 2018 | Photo by Thomson200, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons. |