5 Best Golf Travel Destinations and Trip Ideas

Golf 2020 | 3 min read

If your favorite vacations include a great game of golf, then you’re in luck: We’ve selected five beautiful destinations you’ll want to add to your 2020 calendar. From buddy trips to romantic getaways, we’ve got memorable trip ideas for those who want to spend time at the best golf destinations the world has to offer. Whether you want to challenge yourself with a PGA course or escape the winter blues with a loved one, you’ll find something for every season and vacation style in this list. 

1. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Myrtle Beach is one of the best golf destinations in the United States, and an excellent choice for trips with friends or family. There are more than 75 courses spread out across Myrtle Beach’s Grand Strand – and this seaside destination draws in some of the world’s top players! Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or two weeks of tee time, Myrtle Beach is one of America’s top golf destinations.

Myrtle Beach Golf Trip Ideas

Friends Reunion Trip: Myrtle Beach has many golf courses to choose from, making it ideal for groups that have members of varying skill sets. You’ll have the freedom to change up your difficulty level from day to day and you won’t have to go far to do it. For example, Caledonia and True Blue Golf Clubs are right next to each other and offer guest packages that allow you to access both clubs.

Family Vacation: Finding a vacation destination that satisfies golf aficionados and non-golfers can be difficult, but Myrtle Beach delivers. Bring your extended family to Myrtle Beach for a week of family fun and everyone will be able to find things to do, from teeing off at the top-rated Tidewater Golf Club to exploring oceanfront shops and boardwalks. Among Tidewater’s many beautiful features are spacious, almost isolated holes that provide a feeling of serenity. Riding through this course and bringing a cart bag rather than walking allows players to fully enjoy the expansive range and take in the beautiful views.

2. Napa Valley, California

Napa Valley may be synonymous with vineyards, but this beautiful landscape is also home to multiple PGA Championship golf courses--making it one of our favorite golf travel destinations. Depending on when you’re planning to visit, you can put your skills to the test on a beautifully challenging course or watch the pros in action. 

Napa Valley Golf Trip Ideas

Couples Getaway: Couples’ Escape packages at Silverado Resort include a spa treatment, food credit, and exclusive access to a day on the links. Spend a long weekend reconnecting in the opulent hills of California wine country, where you can enjoy an invigorating game of golf, relax with a massage, and take in a romantic sunset while sipping your favorite fine wine.

Girls’ Trip: There’s no better place to share some laughs with your friends than in wine country, so break out your golf bags and tee off in style as you make your way through cascading vineyards at Chardonnay Golf Club. For groups looking for a shorter game and more time to sip vino, Vintner’s Golf Course features a championship nine-hole resort course.

3. Las Vegas, Nevada

If you’re looking for golf travel destinations that stray from the traditional, a stay at an MGM Resort Las Vegas is the place to go. As long as an A-list celebrity hasn’t reserved the course for the day, you’ll have a shot at adding a tee time at the legendary Shadow Creek to your itinerary. Ranked 26th on Golf Digest’s “Top 100 Greatest Golf Courses” for the 2019-2020 season, this is one of the best golf destinations for players looking for a unique experience.

Las Vegas Golf Trip Ideas

Buddy Trip: While the nightlife might make Vegas one of the most iconic guys’ trip locations, it’s also one of the best golf destinations for players of all levels. With more than 50 courses in the Vegas area to choose from, you’ll have plenty of options. Angel Park Golf Club, which was designed by Arnold Palmer, offers multiple courses and a unique putting course that’s open at night. Bring your stand bag and walk the course or take a cart so your non-golfing buddies can enjoy tagging along as rider.

4. St. Andrews, Scotland

St. Andrews, Scotland is widely regarded as one of the top golf destinations in the world; no matter who you’re traveling with, this is sure to be an unforgettable adventure. In addition to sweeping greens that hug the Scottish coastline, you’ll have plenty of historic architecture to explore once you’ve finished your game. 

St. Andrews Golf Trip Ideas

Special Occasion Trip: While you certainly don’t need a special occasion to visit St. Andrews Links, you may want an excuse to extend your stay. Not only will you have seven courses to play – including the Old Course and Castle Course – but there are plenty of non-golf-related sights to see as well. Affectionately called “the home of golf,” St. Andrews Links is a great one to add to your bucket list of golf travel destinations. 

5. Melbourne, Australia

You may already have been planning a trip to Australia, especially if you watched the 2019 Presidents Cup. While the incredible selection of world-class courses is certainly a draw, you’ll have plenty to do after your game as well. This trip is great for families, friends, or couples because there is so much to do and see “down under”. Secure a morning tee time and you could spend your afternoon observing koalas and kangaroos on a wildlife tour.

Melbourne Golf Trip Ideas

Warm Weather Getaway: If you’re looking to escape snowy season in the United States, a trip to Australia is sure to warm you up. Melbourne enjoys summer weather while much of the US is shoveling sidewalks, which makes this one of the best golf destinations during the US winter months. You can break out your cool caddy and soak up some vitamin D while your friends back home are bundled up. While you may need an introduction from your home course, many of the world-renowned Melbourne clubs – including the Royal Melbourne Golf Club and Kingston Heath Golf Club – are open to international visitors on certain days.

We hope these golf trip ideas and destination highlights have given you some ideas for your next golf vacation. You can take your game international or enjoy world-class golf right here in the United States with your closest friends, family, or your special someone.