More Americans are taking up golf than ever, according to the Professional Golf Association. During the pandemic, interest in solo outdoor pursuits flourished. And thanks to the popularity of shows like Netflix’s behind-the-scenes Full Swing and the rise of places like Topgolf, the sport is surging.
Players appreciate the game’s mindfulness. Golfers can put aside to-do lists and any lingering stresses —if only for 18 holes — and concentrate on hitting an incredible drive or making an unbelievable putt.
And there’s the fact that golf courses are some of the most beautiful places on earth. It’s hard to be in a bad mood when you’re on a gorgeous green, especially one that’s overlooking the ocean or a majestic hillside. But where should you go for these unbelievable scenes between swings? Keep reading as we dig deep in our bag for the top U.S. destinations that should be on every golfer’s bucket list.
The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón
With more than 80 courses within city limits, Naples often gets called the golf capital of the world. Everything revolves around the game here. For instance, the recently renovated Four-Star Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburon has re-envisioned rooms, fresh restaurants and a massive club lounge, yet many of its visitors only want to hear about the two Greg Norman-designed courses and the Tiburón Golf Academy. There, psychologist Dr. Shannon Reece helps golfers tap into their potential and eliminate interference. Hotel guests can benefit from her expertise by booking a private or group class.
Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Ojai Valley Inn has welcomed golfers to its pristine Southern California course for more than 100 years. When the 6,292-yard course opened in 1923, it was considered a marvel of golfing architecture. Being just 70 miles from Hollywood means many celebrities have played its fairways, including Bing Crosby, Will Smith, Kevin Costner and Michael Douglas.
New players should note that the pros here offer affordable (only $20!) golf clinics every Thursday through Sunday at 11:30 a.m. The 30-minute classes focus on different swing types (Thursdays are putting, Fridays are chipping, etc.). After a session, spend time at the inn’s Five-Star spa, an art class or one of the six onsite restaurants.
Four-Star American Club invites golfers to play on four unique courses. The rugged, windswept Whistling Straits overlooks Lake Michigan and comprises two courses, the Straits and the Irish. The hilly grassland and dunes that characterize Ireland’s classic grounds inspired the inland Irish course. Blackwolf Run, also composed of two courses, Meadow Valley and River, opened in 1981. The former features both meadows and valleys, highlighting the natural beauty of Wisconsin. At River, water is an integral part of the challenging course, with 14 of 18 holes featuring aquatic elements. Whatever course you try, you may need Five-Star Kohler Waters Spa’s calming When Life Hands You Lemons massage afterward to help you decompress after a shaky back nine.
Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
Exciting updates can be found all around the Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Arizona Biltmore, which ushers in its 95th anniversary this year. The stunning Phoenix resort recently debuted a new golf shop and will unveil a brand-new clubhouse later this year.
In November 2023, the Estates Course, formerly the Adobe Course, opened with a fresh look from Tom Lehman Design. Four hundred trees were added to the layout. The new bunkering and green complexes shape the playing corridors and create a new experience for players. A second course, The Links, also features five lakes, desert ravines and rolling fairways.
The Inn at Spanish Bay
Pebble Beach is arguably Northern California’s most well-known golf region. The area is home to five public courses and several hotels. One of our favorites is the Four-Star Inn at Spanish Bay because you can stay at the cozy inn and play at The Links at Spanish Bay, a course with distinct Scottish appeal and spectacular beachside backdrops, or at Pebble Beach Golf Links, the famed course that’s hosted six U.S. Opens and, most recently, the U.S. Women’s Open in 2023. There’s also Spyglass Hill, another beauty beloved by golf pros; The Hay, a nine-holer that Tiger Woods updated in 2021; and Del Monte, the oldest 18-hole golf course in continuous operation west of the Mississippi.
The Lodge at Sea Island
Georgia’s Sea Island is a coastal gem that holds Five-Star hotels (The Cloister and The Lodge at Sea Island), a Five-Star spa (The Spa at Sea Island) and a Four-Star restaurant (Colt & Alison) along with three championship golf courses in its expansive bag of amenities.
After a year-long renovation, the Plantation Golf Course reopened in late 2019. The Seaside Course boasts a dramatic and challenging 18 holes. The Retreat Course appeals to anyone who appreciates the sight of sea marshes and statuesque Georgia pines. The Golf Performance Center at Sea Island is a state-of-the-art destination for any level golfer to better his game through personalized instructions, a sports psychologist consultation or equipment fitting.
Family-friendly Five-Star Four Seasons Resort Lanai and the adults-only Four-Star Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort are the only two hotels on Hawaii’s smallest publicly accessible island, Lanai. Back in the day, the island was a giant pineapple farm, but today, it’s home to some of the best golf in the state at Four Seasons Resort Lanai’s Manele Golf Course.
Legendary player and designer Jack Nicklaus designed the 18-hole stunner around lava rock formations. Complex tee shots require long drives over natural gorges and ravines and make for a memorable round. Only guests of the sister hotels have access to the private course. As for a meal at beloved Nobu Lanai, anyone with fingers quick enough to make a reservation can get in.
Torrey Pines is a San Diego golf institution that’s home to two courses, the North and South Courses, which most recently hosted the U.S. Men’s Open in 2021. Guests at the Four-Star Lodge at Torrey Pines not only get to bask in the property’s American Craftsman design (be sure to reserve accommodations overlooking the green and the Pacific Ocean beyond it) and have an opportunity to experience the Four-Star spa, but they are also guaranteed a tee time.
Book the lodge’s four-night Where The Pros Play package to receive a complimentary round and see how your game measures up against Jon Rahm, who shot six under par to win the ’21 Open.
The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
Resting on a breathtaking coastal bluff roughly 20 miles from San Francisco International Airport, Five-Star The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay offers two championship courses: the Ocean Course and Old Course. The former, modeled after a traditional Scottish link, has challenging, tight fairways, and every hole offers views of the glistening Pacific. Initially designed in 1973 by Arnold Palmer and Francis Duane, the Old Course boasts an iconic oceanside 18th hole. Both will serve as wonderful distractions for guests while rooms and suites are renovated through the summer.
Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass
The Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass is on the Gil River Indian Reservation near Phoenix. Not only is it home to a remarkable resort with Native American influences, the Five-Star Kai Restaurant and Five-Star Aji Spa, but it also has 36 holes of standout Gary Panks-designed fun nestled into the Sierra Estrella Mountains.
Dotted with saguaros and cacti, Devil’s Claw Course is desert golf at its finest. The Cattail Course features deep canyons, several lakes and views of the landscape. The Whirlwind Clubhouse recently underwent a million-dollar renovation and now includes a shop stocked with everything you need for your game, along with a player’s lounge, a locker room and buzzy lunch spot Sivlik Grill.
Wequassett Resort and Golf Club
The renowned Cape Cod National Golf Course is at Five-Star Wequassett Resort and Golf Club. You can’t beat its smooth, fast fairways and varied tee-shot landing areas. It’s an exciting course that’s fun for golfers of all levels.
The private course limits play to members and hotel guests, ensuring an exclusive experience. When you set up your tee time, go ahead and make a reservation for dinner at Five-Star Twenty-Eight Atlantic, too. The elegant seafood-focused restaurant makes the perfect spot to reminisce about all the birdies and bogeys hit earlier in the day.
Find more golf resort hotels in the U.S. and abroad here.
