A trip to Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is built around a simple premise: the golf comes first, and everything else exists to support it, from the intentionally remote drive to the walkable, golfer-focused lodging. Across the property, the resort delivers endlessly varied, wind-shaped golf that turn competition into camaraderie. It can be difficult to book and deliberately inconvenient to reach, but those barriers only sharpen the reward.

Sand Valley blends modern minimalist golf with architectural ambition, pairing the scale of Sand Valley and Mammoth Dunes with the historical precision of The Lido. Wide fairways, bold greens, walkability, and fireside nights create a relaxed, golf-first atmosphere. It’s remote by Midwest standards, but easy to reach and absolutely worth it.

Yes, it’s a controversial take: the best "Pinehurst trip" might not be Pinehurst Resort. Base yourself in Southern Pines and you unlock a lineup that feels more local, more varied, and arguably more fun: Pine Needles, Mid Pines, Southern Pines, Tobacco Road, and a couple of modern cult favorites.

Pinehurst Resort is golf’s version of a theme park built by architects: No. 2 as the rite of passage, No. 4 as the modern masterpiece, No. 10 as the bold new headliner, and The Cradle as the nightly encore. Stay on-property for the full immersion; then steal a day (or two) for Tobacco Road and the Southern Pines classics.

The experience begins the moment you arrive on the Monterey Peninsula, where the pace slows and the Pacific becomes a constant companion. Pebble Beach Golf Links delivers its drama immediately—short par-4s perched above crashing surf, greens that seem to float on granite ledges, and an ever-present wind that rewards imagination over brute force.

Streamsong is Florida golf with the volume turned up: big, rumpled ground, aggressive green sites, and a links-like mindset; without the ocean. Red, Blue, and Black give you three distinct versions of the same wild landscape, The Chain adds an all-day short-course hang, and the upcoming White only deepens the case for a full 72-hour escape.

Whistling Straits is America’s great manufactured miracle: a walking links on Lake Michigan that looks ancient, plays dramatic, and hosts majors like it was born to. Pair the Straits and Irish with Blackwolf Run’s River and Meadow Valleys courses and you get a trip that swings from rugged shoreline theatre to river-cut precision; pure Wisconsin, dialed to championship volume.

Kiawah Island is resort golf with real teeth: the Ocean Course is the headline, but the deeper story is a full rotation of quality; Osprey Point, Turtle Point, Cougar Point, and Oak Point; set in lowcountry marsh, maritime forest, and sea wind. It’s equal parts championship test and coastal reset, with a vibe built for sunrise tee times and seafood after.

Bend is golf’s best kind of two-way trip: high-desert championship courses by day, then a real town; breweries, restaurants, and energy; at night. Tetherow brings modern edge, Pronghorn offers a two-course punch (Nicklaus and Fazio), and Crosswater is pure Pacific Northwest tranquility. Split your stay between Pronghorn and Crosswater, but don’t skip downtown Bend.

Southern Utah is golf on another planet: lava rock, red sand, and cliffside lines that look like a video game; but play like real architecture. Black Desert is the new heavyweight, Sand Hollow delivers two distinct rounds (Championship and Links), Wolf Creek is pure adrenaline, and Entrada brings private-club polish. It’s the rare trip where the scenery competes with the scorecard.