6 Best Golf Destinations in the U.S: Your Perfect Vacation Home

Florida

Not only does Florida have year-round golf weather, but with well over a thousand courses throughout the state, it is one of the country’s most popular destinations for golfers.

There are nearly a hundred golf courses within about an hour of Tampa, including public, semi-private, and private links. Vacation homes and condos with country club amenities are plentiful, and at Innisbrook, four quality courses include Copperhead, home of the PGA Tour’s Valspar Championship. Streamsong‘s three acclaimed courses and TPC Tampa Bay are also in the area.

With more golf courses than theme parks, Orlando is a golfer’s paradise, as well as a family destination. At Reunion Resort, for example, vacation homeowners can play three signature courses, designed by iconic golfers like Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Tom Watson. Properties include condos and upscale homes, featuring amenities such as pools, a spa, a fitness center, tennis, and restaurants.

Northeast Florida encompasses Jacksonville, Amelia Island, Ponte Vedra, and St. Augustine, which is home to the World Golf Hall of Fame and its two courses. A variety of golf communities in Ponte Vedra include The Plantation and Atlantic Beach Country Club, as well as TPC Sawgrass which features two courses, including the Stadium Course where The Players Championship is held each year.

South Carolina

South Carolina’s Lowcountry showcases dozens of public and private golf courses with oceanfront and parkland designs. The Hilton Head area offers charming vacation communities including Palmetto Dunes Golf Course & Resort, Palmetto Bluff, and Indigo Run. Sea Pines is renowned for the annual RBC Heritage Tournament at Harbour Town Golf Links.

Close to Charleston, The Waterfront on Daniel Island features a variety of residences just minutes from The Daniel Island Club, and beautiful Kiawah Island Golf Resort offers five golf courses along with oceanfront vacation homes.

Myrtle Beach is often referred to as “The Golf Capital of the World,” boasting nearly 100 courses, which includes the famed Dunes Golf & Beach Club, where vacationhomes provide numerous high-end amenities like tennis, an oceanfront pool, eateries, and a luxurious clubhouse. Caledonia Golf & Fish Club on nearby Pawleys Island also features a highly-rated course with homes offering views of the golf holes, lush landscaping, and abundant live oak trees.

Hawai’i

The Big Island is home to over a dozen golf courses, including private, semi-private, and public options. At the Four Seasons Resort Hualālai, there is a Jack Nicklaus-designed course, a practice facility, and a Top Golf Swing Suite, with villas and home sites available. The stunning Mauna Kea Beach Hotel features a golf course, and golfers can also find excellent facilities nearby at the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort, Mauna Lani, Hilton Waikoloa Village, and the Kona Country Club.

Maui offers nearly ten resort courses, including the esteemed Plantation Course at Kapalua, where the PGA TOUR’s Sentry Tournament of Champions is held each January, along with courses at Wailea and Kā’anapali Golf Resort. At Mākena Golf Club, properties include condos, villas, private homes, and homesites. With more than 40 public and private golf courses and direct flights to Honolulu from many major cities, Oahu remains a popular option for a vacation home.

On the north side of Kauai, the Princeville Makai Golf Club features six oceanfront holes. Vacation home owners at Timbers Kauai enjoy upscale amenities and the Jack Nicklaus course, showcasing the longest continuous stretch of oceanfront golf in Hawaii. Also on the island’s south shore, Kukui’ula boasts a Tom Weiskopf-designed course with breathtaking ocean views along with residences, a spa, restaurants, and an extensive clubhouse.

Arizona

Set amidst year-round sunshine, the Scottsdale area features more than 200 golf courses, numerous luxury resorts, and vacation homes. Here, homebuyers can choose from communities like Troon Country Club, Gainey Ranch, and more. At Grayhawk Golf Club, two distinctive courses are offered, while McDowell Mountain Ranch includes a public golf course and a variety of properties available for purchase, such as apartments, townhomes, condos, residences, and custom home sites. Also in Arizona, Phoenix and Tucson deserve consideration, given the numerous courses they offer.

California

California is home to nearly 1,000 golf courses, ranging from Lake Tahoe in the north to San Diego in the south and Santa Barbara on the central coast. One of the most well-known is Pebble Beach Golf Links, famed for its outstanding coastal views. The Coachella Valley cities host nearly 150 public, private, and resort courses, along with a selection of vacation homes. Many communities include resort-style amenities like pools, restaurants, tennis courts, and social events.

Golfers looking to purchase a California vacation home might want to consider a road trip through the state, which would be a fun way to combine a golf holiday with a vacation home search.

Georgia

Reynolds Lake Oconee features six golf courses designed by legends such as Arnold Palmer, Tom Fazio, and Rees Jones, providing players with unique and memorable experiences. Golfers can refine their skills at The Kingdom at Reynolds Lake Oconee, an instructional facility designed for club fitting and practice. Another luxurious option is The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds Lake Oconee, perfect for those touring local homes to find their ideal fit.