While they may not be as prominent as 18-hole golf courses, nine-hole layouts boast many advantages. Since you play in half the time — a decently paced game will last two hours instead of the usual four — nine-hole courses are ideal for anyone with a busy schedule. Playing fewer holes is less physically demanding, too, and therefore appropriate for beginners, seniors, kids and anyone recovering from injury.
New golfers can also practice and improve short games without committing to a full morning or afternoon. Plus, many nine-hole courses experience less traffic, leading to more relaxed play. Most courses offer the same perks of traditional 18-hole links: gorgeous surroundings in the great outdoors and, as the following leaderboard of Forbes Travel Guide-rated resorts indicates, many luxury touches that go above and beyond the everyday.
Velaa Private Island, the Maldives
Being that the Maldives are in the middle of the Indian Ocean, golf courses are a little hard to come by. With the only Troon Short Game Golf Academy in the Maldives and a nine-hole course, Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Velaa Private Island is an exception.
Two-time Masters champion José María Olazábal, a golfer known for his short-game prowess, is behind the partnership, which focuses on teaching how to hit better approaches to the green. The remarkable thing about Velaa is that it’s so relaxed that barefoot golf is encouraged, making for a unique experience.
The resort also has attractive post-round amenities like four dining destinations, high-tech water activities (think electric foil surfboards and hoverboards), a well-being village with spa treatments and fitness classes, and a kids’ club with an extensive water park.
Terranea Resort, Rancho Palos Verdes, California
Four-Star Terranea Resort is a sprawling oceanfront property perched on the cliffs of Rancho Palos Verdes. Although it’s just a 30-minute drive from downtown Los Angeles, it’s a world away, thanks to the resort’s dramatic setting. Panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean are the breathtaking backdrop for a round of golf here. The Links at Terranea is a masterfully designed par-three course with lush natural terrain and a golf academy equipped with a simulator, training equipment and onsite PGA professionals.
Todd Eckenrode of Origins Golf Design is behind the tee placements, which range from 104 to 173 yards. The course offers a short- and mid-range layout for beginner and experienced golfers alike.
When you need a break from golf, Terranea has plenty of resort amenities, including the oceanfront Four-Star spa, beachside archery and private falconry experiences. There are also four pools and more than six dining options.
Southern charm and golfing excellence abound at Sea Island’s two luxurious sister resorts, The Cloister and The Lodge at Sea Island on the coast of Georgia. The Five-Star hotels’ beautiful setting boasts pristine beaches, lush marshes and moss-draped oaks, creating a picturesque backdrop for a round of golf. More devoted players will want to stay at The Lodge, given its proximity to the course and performance center.
While Sea Island’s three golf courses contain 18 holes each, the resort invites players to enjoy a shorter round of 9 holes on any of the three. With a classic design and ocean views, the Seaside Course is perfect for a more casual game.
Sea Island encourages guests to participate in as many activities as they want, and most of them are outdoors, so when you’re done putting and chipping, try your hand at fishing or horseback riding.
The American Club, Kohler, Wisconsin
In the quaint village of Kohler, Wisconsin, the Four-Star American Club is a Tudor-style building initially constructed to house immigrant workers at Kohler bath company. The American Club is home to four championship options: the Irish Course is a tribute to traditional Irish links courses, with rolling terrain, challenging bunkers and stunning vistas of the surrounding countryside. Whistling Straits is a walking-only course carved along the rugged Lake Michigan coastline. River and Meadow Valleys are technically two distinct 18-hole courses, but they can be played as separate nine-hole experiences. The River Course has pronounced elevation changes, while Meadow Valleys provides strategic challenges and natural beauty.
For a true short game, though, play The Baths. This 10-hole, par-three course is a fun, family-friendly option for all skill levels and was designed by Pete Dye protégé Chris Lutzke and Herb Kohler. The 27-acre course has four water features (hence the name The Baths) with holes ranging from 60 to 175 yards. It’s a walking course only, and there’s also a two-acre putting practice course.
Beyond golf, the resort’s other top perks include a Five-Star spa with unique water-based therapies and various dining options, from the upscale, Four-Star Immigrant Restaurant to the casual Horse & Plow pub.
The Ranch at Laguna Beach, California
The Ranch at Laguna Beach is a secluded resort in Aliso Canyon, steps from the Pacific Ocean. With lush greenery and dramatic rock formations, the ranch’s tranquil backdrop creates a one-of-a-kind and serene golfing experience — there isn’t a house in sight. The nine-hole course is known for its challenging layout, thanks to elevation changes on every fairway and its integration with the natural landscape.
When you put your clubs away at this eco-friendly Laguna Beach resort, make time for hiking, biking and exploring nearby tide pools — it’s great for families and outdoor enthusiasts.
The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman
The Five-Star Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman is one of the Caribbean’s grand resorts. With multiple pools, a signature Five-Star restaurant and a sleek, futuristic Five-Star spa, it is an excellent escape from the trials of everyday life. Although located on famed Seven Mile Beach, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman also has an exquisite, Greg Norman-designed nine-hole course. With breathtaking looks onto the North Sound and a challenging layout, it’s a great place to work on your game.
If you’re in the mood for more friendly competition, the hotel offers basketball, tennis and pickleball. Another reason to visit: a program developed by Jean-Michel Cousteau that teaches adults and children how to care for the environment and enjoy the islands’ natural wonders and cultural traditions.
The Lodge at Pebble Beach, California
No golf round-up is complete without a mention of Northern California’s Pebble Beach. The golf mecca is home to six courses, including a nine-hole, par-three setup known as The Hay. Originally created by Peter Hay in 1957, the short course debuted a new Tiger Woods-designed look in 2021. The second hole is a replica of Pebble Beach Golf Links’ famed seventh hole, while other holes’ yardage corresponds to a specific year in Pebble Beach’s history. For example, the ninth hole is 100 yards, representing when Woods crushed the field at the 100th U.S. Open Championship in Pebble Beach in 2000.
There’s also a putting course and a new restaurant steps away from the golf academy. Once you’re done swinging, stay at the Four-Star Lodge at Pebble Beach for access to a members-only sports, fitness and beach club; pools; a spa; and other restaurants.
