The best golf trips in the US include Mesquite and St. George (22 courses across desert canyons and red rock landscapes), Scottsdale (year-round desert golf), Pinehurst (classic Southeastern traditions), Bandon Dunes (remote coastal links), Myrtle Beach (90+ courses on a budget), Pebble Beach (bucket-list oceanfront), and Sedona (red rock mountain golf). Each destination offers a distinct experience. For groups looking for dramatic scenery, value pricing, and variety, the Mesquite–St. George corridor offers 22 championship courses across two destinations connected by a single interstate.
What Makes a Great Golf Trip Destination
A great golf trip is not just about the courses. It is about the full experience — the scenery between shots, the lodging after rounds, the ease of getting from one course to the next, and the stories you bring home. The best destinations deliver all of that without making you work too hard for it.
This list covers seven destinations that consistently deliver for groups. Each one is different. Some are budget-friendly. Some are bucket-list splurges. Some are built for large groups and some work best for foursomes. The common thread is that they all offer something you cannot get anywhere else.
1. Mesquite & St. George — Desert Canyons and Red Rock Golf
The Mesquite and St. George corridor sits along I-15 between Las Vegas and Salt Lake City, and it is quietly one of the best golf destinations in the country. Twenty-two courses across two states — Nevada and Utah — each set against landscapes that range from sandstone canyons to volcanic lava fields to red sand dunes.
Mesquite, Nevada offers nine courses anchored by Wolf Creek Golf Club — consistently ranked among the top public courses in America, with 900+ feet of elevation change through sandstone canyons. Conestoga winds through desert arroyos, and Coyote Springs is a Jack Nicklaus Signature layout between Mesquite and Las Vegas. Casino resorts and private golf mansions handle lodging for groups of any size.
St. George, Utah adds 13 more courses against an entirely different backdrop. Black Desert Resort is Utah's #1 rated course. Entrada at Snow Canyon is an exclusive private course accessible only through select packages. Sand Hollow plays across red sand dunes. The Ledges sits on a mountaintop with panoramic views. Plus 125+ vacation rental homes and luxury resort lodging.
No other destination on this list gives you 22 courses across two completely different landscapes, connected by a single 80-minute interstate drive. Groups of 4–40+ get custom packages with tee times, lodging, and trip coordination bundled into one quote. And the per-person cost is significantly lower than Scottsdale or Pebble Beach.
Best for: Groups of all sizes, dramatic scenery, value pricing, 3–5 day trips
Fly into: Las Vegas (LAS) — 80 miles from Mesquite, or St. George (SGU) direct
Season: Year-round, best October through April
Read: Skip the Strip — Why Mesquite Is the Best Golf Escape from Las Vegas →
2. Scottsdale, Arizona — The Desert Golf Capital
Scottsdale is the destination most golfers think of first, and for good reason. The Sonoran Desert setting is beautiful, the course selection is enormous, and the infrastructure around golf — dining, nightlife, spas — is unmatched. TPC Scottsdale's Stadium Course hosts the WM Phoenix Open and is open to the public most of the year.
The downside is that Scottsdale knows what it has. Peak-season green fees at top courses can exceed $300 per round, and lodging at golf resorts runs accordingly. For groups watching their budget, the January–March peak season can push per-person costs well above other destinations on this list.
Sheer volume. With 200+ courses, you can play a different layout every day for months. The nightlife and dining scene also makes Scottsdale the best destination for groups that want off-course entertainment as much as on-course quality.
Standout course: TPC Scottsdale (Stadium Course) — home of the WM Phoenix Open
Best for: Foursomes or smaller groups, luxury experience, nightlife
Fly into: Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) — courses within 30 minutes
Season: October through April (summers exceed 110°F)
3. Pinehurst, North Carolina — Classic American Golf
Pinehurst is where American golf tradition lives. The Pinehurst Resort complex alone has nine courses, and the surrounding Sandhills region adds dozens more. Course No. 2 — which has hosted multiple U.S. Opens — is the crown jewel, a Donald Ross masterpiece with some of the most famous greens in golf.
The atmosphere is different from desert golf. Pine-lined fairways, gentle elevation, and a pace of life that feels like a step back in time. Pinehurst is less about jaw-dropping scenery and more about playing courses with genuine historical weight. The Village of Pinehurst adds old-school charm between rounds.
History and pedigree. No other destination in America has hosted as many major championships. Playing Pinehurst No. 2 is like walking the same fairways as Payne Stewart, Ben Hogan, and Jack Nicklaus. If golf heritage matters to your group, this is the trip.
Standout course: Pinehurst No. 2 — Donald Ross masterpiece, multiple U.S. Open host
Best for: Golf purists, traditional experience, multi-round resort stays
Fly into: Raleigh-Durham (RDU) — 70-mile drive south
Season: Year-round, best March–May and September–November
4. Bandon Dunes, Oregon — Links Golf on the Edge of America
Bandon Dunes is the most remote destination on this list, and that is part of its appeal. Five world-class courses sit on rugged coastal bluffs above the Pacific Ocean in southern Oregon. There are no homes lining the fairways. No cart paths — walking only. Just golf, ocean, and wind.
The experience is unlike anything else in America. Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes, and Old Macdonald are links-style layouts that play firm and fast. The Sheep Ranch is the newest addition — 18 holes perched directly on the ocean cliffs. Getting there requires effort (fly into Coos Bay or drive five hours from Portland), but every golfer who makes the trip says the same thing: it is worth it.
Purity. No distractions, no real estate, no cart paths. This is golf stripped down to its essentials — player, course, and elements. Five courses that would each be the best course in most states, all in one place. If your group walks and appreciates links golf, Bandon is a pilgrimage.
Standout course: Pacific Dunes — perennially ranked top 10 public in America
Best for: Golf purists, walking golfers, buddies trips, once-in-a-lifetime experience
Fly into: Coos Bay/North Bend (OTH) or Portland (PDX) — 5-hour drive
Season: May through October (coastal weather is unpredictable year-round)
5. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina — Volume and Value
Myrtle Beach is the numbers play. With 90+ courses in a 60-mile stretch of coastline, it has more golf per square mile than anywhere in America. The variety is enormous — from resort championship layouts to affordable daily-fee courses — and the pricing is competitive enough that groups can play 36 a day without breaking the budget.
What Myrtle Beach lacks in dramatic scenery it makes up for in convenience and selection. Courses are clustered close together, tee time booking services handle logistics for large groups, and the beach-town atmosphere adds an off-course element that works well for mixed groups where not everyone plays golf.
Affordability and volume. You can play 5 rounds in 3 days and still spend less per person than a single round at Pebble Beach. The course density means minimal drive time between rounds, and the beach adds a built-in activity for non-golfers. Best bang-for-buck destination in America.
Standout course: Caledonia Golf & Fish Club — lowcountry beauty, consistently top-rated
Best for: Large groups, budget-conscious trips, high-volume golf, mixed groups
Fly into: Myrtle Beach (MYR) — direct flights from most East Coast cities
Season: Year-round, best March–May and September–November
6. Pebble Beach, California — The Bucket List
Pebble Beach needs no introduction. The oceanfront course on the Monterey Peninsula is arguably the most famous public course in the world. Spyglass Hill and The Links at Spanish Bay round out the resort trio, and nearby options like Pasatiempo and Pacific Grove extend the trip.
This is the luxury end of the spectrum. A round at Pebble Beach runs over $600, and resort lodging is priced accordingly. But for a once-in-a-lifetime golf experience on one of the most photographed stretches of coastline in America, it delivers exactly what it promises. The 7th hole alone is worth the trip.
Legacy. Six U.S. Opens, countless iconic moments, and ocean views on nearly every hole. Spyglass Hill is one of the toughest public courses in America. Spanish Bay offers a Scottish links experience at sunset. If this is on your list, do it once and do it right.
Standout course: Pebble Beach Golf Links — the most famous public course in the world
Best for: Bucket-list experience, smaller groups willing to invest, celebrations
Fly into: Monterey (MRY) direct, or San Jose (SJC) — 90-minute drive
Season: Year-round, best June through October
7. Sedona, Arizona — Red Rock Mountain Golf
Sedona offers a different Arizona experience than Scottsdale. The courses here sit among red rock formations and pine forests at 4,500 feet elevation, which means cooler temperatures and a landscape that changes dramatically from hole to hole. Seven Canyons is the standout — a Tom Weiskopf design routed through Sedona's famous red rock canyons.
The course selection is smaller than other destinations on this list, but the combination of scenery, hiking, dining, and a more relaxed pace makes Sedona an excellent option for couples trips and smaller groups who want golf plus experiences beyond the course. The town itself is a destination — art galleries, world-class restaurants, and some of the best hiking in the Southwest.
Scenery beyond the course. Sedona's red rocks are a top-10 natural wonder in America, and the town delivers hiking, dining, and art that rival the golf. If your trip includes non-golfers or you want a 50/50 golf-and-explore experience, Sedona is the pick.
Standout course: Seven Canyons — Tom Weiskopf design through red rock canyons
Best for: Couples, smaller groups, scenery-first trips, golf + hiking
Fly into: Phoenix (PHX) — 2-hour drive north through Verde Valley
Season: March through November (elevation keeps summers cooler than Phoenix)
How to Choose: Full Comparison
| Destination | Courses | Budget | Best For | Season | Fly Into | Standout Course |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mesquite & St. George | 22 | $$ | Groups, scenery, value | Oct–Apr | LAS / SGU | Wolf Creek |
| Scottsdale | 200+ | $$$ | Luxury, nightlife | Oct–Apr | PHX | TPC Stadium |
| Pinehurst | 40+ | $$$ | Tradition, resort golf | Mar–Nov | RDU | Pinehurst No. 2 |
| Bandon Dunes | 5 | $$$$ | Links purists, walking | May–Oct | OTH / PDX | Pacific Dunes |
| Myrtle Beach | 90+ | $ | Volume, budget, groups | Mar–Nov | MYR | Caledonia |
| Pebble Beach | 4 | $$$$$ | Bucket list, luxury | Jun–Oct | MRY / SJC | Pebble Beach GL |
| Sedona | 5 | $$$ | Couples, scenery, hiking | Mar–Nov | PHX | Seven Canyons |
Planning a Group Golf Trip
The hardest part of any golf trip is coordination — matching tee times, lodging, group size, and budget into something that actually works for everyone. Here are the basics:
Start with group size. A foursome has different needs than a 20-person outing. Smaller groups have more flexibility on courses and tee times. Larger groups need destinations with infrastructure to handle them — courses that can accommodate multiple foursomes, lodging that fits everyone under one roof or nearby, and a coordinator who manages the logistics.
Pick the right season. Desert destinations (Mesquite, St. George, Scottsdale, Sedona) peak October through April. Coastal destinations (Bandon, Pebble Beach, Myrtle Beach) are best in summer and fall. Pinehurst works spring through fall.
Budget per person per day. This varies enormously by destination. Myrtle Beach can be done for $150/person/day including golf and lodging. Pebble Beach starts around $800+/person/day. Mesquite and St. George fall in the middle — competitive pricing with courses that rival the most expensive destinations on scenery alone.
For groups of 8 or more, bundled packages are almost always cheaper than booking everything separately. One point of contact handles tee times, lodging, and routing — so you spend your time playing golf instead of managing spreadsheets.
Planning a Group Golf Trip to Mesquite or St. George?
We build custom packages for groups of 4–40+ across 22 courses and two destinations. Tee times, lodging, and trip coordination — all in one quote.
Get a Free Quote (855) 609-7646Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best golf trip destination in the US?
It depends on what you are looking for. For dramatic scenery and value, Mesquite and St. George offer 22 courses across desert canyons and red rock landscapes at competitive prices. For luxury, Scottsdale and Pebble Beach lead the way. For volume on a budget, Myrtle Beach has 90+ courses. For pure links golf, Bandon Dunes is unmatched in America.
Where is the cheapest golf trip in the US?
Myrtle Beach typically offers the lowest per-person costs, followed by Mesquite and St. George. Both destinations provide championship-quality golf at prices well below Scottsdale, Pebble Beach, and Bandon Dunes. Mesquite is particularly strong for groups, where private golf mansions bring per-person lodging costs below hotel rates.
How many days is ideal for a golf trip?
Three to five days covers most destinations well. A three-day trip fits 4–6 rounds. A five-day trip allows for 8–10 rounds plus rest days or off-course activities. For dual-destination trips like Mesquite and St. George, four days is the sweet spot — two days in each location.
What is the best time of year for a golf trip?
Desert destinations (Mesquite, St. George, Scottsdale) are best October through April. Coastal and mountain destinations (Bandon, Pebble Beach, Sedona) peak in summer. Pinehurst and Myrtle Beach are best in spring and fall. Year-round options exist at most destinations with adjusted pricing and tee times.
How do I book a group golf trip?
For Mesquite and St. George, we handle everything — tee times, lodging, routing, and trip coordination for groups of 4–40+. Request a free quote with your dates and group size, and we build a custom package. For other destinations, most resort properties and local booking services offer similar group coordination.
Mike Milligan
A native of Santa Rosa, CA, Mike has been a part of the golf industry within the Reno/Tahoe area for 15 years, helping thousands of players find the right course, craft the perfect itinerary, and build trips that groups talk about for years.
