Your guide to golf in the USA: where to play in every season

Stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific, the USA is home to some of the most iconic golf courses and resorts in the world. Whether you're teeing it up on dramatic coastal cliffs, navigating desert fairways surrounded by towering cacti, or playing championship layouts steeped in history, every region offers a completely different golfing experience.

From the year-round sunshine of Florida and Arizona to California's spectacular coastline and the legendary courses of the Carolinas, the USA is a destination that can be enjoyed in every season. Knowing where to play and when to visit is the key to getting the very best from your golf holiday.

The USA is served by major international airports across the country, making it easy to tailor your golf holiday around your chosen destination. Direct flights are available from several UK airports to popular golfing regions, with many destinations only a short drive from their nearest airport.

Typical flight times:

• London Heathrow (LHR) to Orlando (MCO): 9h 30m
• London Heathrow (LHR) to Phoenix (PHX): 10h 45m
• London Heathrow (LHR) to Las Vegas (LAS): 10h 45m
• London Heathrow (LHR) to San Francisco (SFO): 11h
• Manchester (MAN) to Orlando (MCO): Around 9h 30m (seasonal)

Warm weather escapes

When winter arrives in the UK, the southern states of the USA offer the perfect opportunity to swap cold mornings and wet fairways for sunshine and championship golf. From Arizona's desert landscapes to Florida's Atlantic coastline, these destinations enjoy warm temperatures and excellent playing conditions throughout the winter months, making them some of the most popular golf holiday destinations in America.

Scottsdale & Phoenix Home to some of the USA's most iconic desert courses, Scottsdale and neighbouring Phoenix are at their very best during the winter. Comfortable daytime temperatures and clear blue skies provide ideal conditions for golf, while the surrounding Sonoran Desert creates unforgettable scenery.

Where to play in Scottsdale & Phoenix:

• TPC Scottsdale - Best known for hosting the PGA TOUR's WM Phoenix Open, the Stadium Course is one of America's most recognisable layouts, with the famous par-3 16th hole delivering a truly unique experience.
• Troon North Golf Club - Featuring two outstanding championship courses, Monument and Pinnacle, Troon North showcases dramatic desert golf with towering saguaro cacti, granite boulders, and immaculate conditioning.
• We-Ko-Pa Golf Club - Set on protected tribal land with no surrounding housing, We-Ko-Pa offers pure desert golf across its acclaimed Cholla and Saguaro courses, both framed by panoramic mountain views.

Palm Springs

Surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery, Palm Springs is synonymous with luxury golf. Winter brings warm, sunny days that are perfect for exploring its collection of world-class resorts and championship courses.

Where to play in Palm Springs:

• PGA WEST - One of the most celebrated golf resorts in the United States, PGA WEST features multiple championship layouts, including the famous Stadium Course, renowned for its island-green 17th hole and tournament pedigree.
• Mission Hills - Home to the area's only Gary Player-designed course, combining open fairways, strategic bunkering and water hazards with spectacular views of the San Jacinto Mountains.

Florida Florida has long been one of America's favourite golf destinations, offering year-round sunshine, renowned championship venues, and an incredible choice of resorts. Winter provides some of the state's most pleasant weather, making it an ideal escape for golfers looking to extend their season.

Where to play in Florida:

• TPC Sawgrass - Home of THE PLAYERS Championship, the Stadium Course is one of the most famous in the world, highlighted by the iconic island-green 17th hole.
• PGA National Resort - A bucket-list venue featuring multiple championship courses, including the Champion Course, home to the legendary Bear Trap.
• Innisbrook Resort - Best known for the Copperhead Course, this award-winning resort offers a memorable challenge through rolling terrain rarely found elsewhere in Florida.
• Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate - Offering two championship courses and outstanding resort facilities, ChampionsGate is an excellent choice for golfers looking to combine quality golf with a relaxing winter break.

Las Vegas

While famous for its entertainment, Las Vegas is also an outstanding winter golf destination. Mild temperatures make it comfortable to play throughout the day, while the surrounding desert landscape provides spectacular backdrops unlike anywhere else in the country.

Where to play in Las Vegas:

• Paiute Golf Resort - Home to three Pete Dye-designed championship courses, Paiute delivers pristine desert golf away from the hustle and bustle of the Strip.
• TPC Las Vegas - A former PGA Tour host venue, TPC Las Vegas combines dramatic elevation changes with immaculate conditioning and sweeping desert views.
• Bali Hai Golf Club - Located just minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, Bali Hai offers a tropical-style golfing experience complete with palm trees, white sand bunkers, and luxury resort-style service.

If you're looking to escape the British winter, nowhere does it better than the USA. With dependable sunshine, warm temperatures, and an incredible selection of championship courses, destinations like Scottsdale, Palm Springs, Florida, and Las Vegas offer the perfect combination of world-class golf and winter relaxation.

As temperatures begin to rise across the southern United States, spring is one of the best times to experience some of America's most celebrated golf destinations. Courses are in pristine condition after the winter months, flowers are in bloom, and many venues come alive with the excitement of the professional golf season. Comfortable temperatures and longer days make spring the perfect time to take on some of the country's most iconic layouts.

Myrtle Beach

Often referred to as the "Golf Capital of the World", Myrtle Beach is home to over 80 courses, making it one of the USA's most popular golfing destinations. Spring offers ideal playing conditions, with warm sunshine, fresh coastal air, and courses presented at their very best.

Where to play in Myrtle Beach:

• Barefoot Resort & Golf - Featuring four outstanding courses designed by Pete Dye, Tom Fazio, Greg Norman, and Davis Love III, Barefoot Resort offers one of the finest collections of golf in the United States.
• Grande Dunes Resort Course - Set alongside the Intracoastal Waterway, this Roger Rulewich design combines dramatic elevation changes with immaculate conditioning and spectacular views.
• Caledonia Golf & Fish Club - Frequently ranked among America's best public courses, this Mike Strantz masterpiece winds through centuries-old oak trees and Lowcountry marshland to create one of the most memorable rounds in South Carolina.
• Legends Golf Resort - Set in the heart of Myrtle Beach, Legends Golf Resort brings together three contrasting on-site layouts, from the links-inspired Heathland to the demanding P.B. Dye-designed Moorland and the classic, tree-lined Parkland Course.

Hilton Head Known for its beautiful coastal scenery and world-famous golf, Hilton Head is at its finest during the spring months. Mild temperatures and immaculate course conditions make it the ideal time to visit before the summer heat arrives.

Where to play in Hilton Head:

• Harbour Town Golf Links - Home of the PGA Tour's RBC Heritage, Harbour Town is one of America's most iconic courses. Designed by Pete Dye with input from Jack Nicklaus, it's famous for its strategic layout, tiny greens, and the distinctive Harbour Town Lighthouse overlooking the finishing hole.
• Heron Point by Pete Dye - Offering a modern strategic challenge with dramatic bunkering and risk-reward holes, Heron Point perfectly complements the island's championship golf offering.

Kiawah Island

A bucket-list destination for golfers around the world, Kiawah Island combines breathtaking Atlantic Ocean scenery with some of the finest resort golf in America. Spring provides ideal weather for experiencing its spectacular coastal layouts.

Where to play on Kiawah Island:

• The Ocean Course - One of the most celebrated championship courses in the world, Pete Dye's masterpiece has hosted both the Ryder Cup and multiple PGA Championships. With ocean views on almost every hole, it's widely regarded as one of the greatest seaside courses ever built.
• Osprey Point - A beautifully designed Tom Fazio layout offering a contrasting parkland-style experience through lagoons, forests, and marshland.

Spring offers the perfect balance of championship golf and comfortable weather. From the PGA Tour atmosphere of Harbour Town to the legendary Ocean Course at Kiawah Island and the timeless fairways of Pinehurst, this is the season to experience some of America's most iconic golfing destinations at their very best.

While much of the southern USA experiences soaring temperatures during the summer months, it's the perfect time to head north or towards the Pacific Coast. Coastal breezes, milder climates, and long daylight hours create ideal conditions for golf, allowing you to enjoy some of America's most spectacular courses at their absolute best. It's also a fantastic time to experience destinations that are less accessible during the colder months.

Monterey & Pebble Beach

Few golfing destinations are as iconic as California's Monterey Peninsula. Dramatic Pacific Ocean views, cool coastal air, and legendary layouts combine to create one of the world's ultimate golf experiences, with summer offering some of the region's most reliable playing conditions.

Where to play on the Monterey Peninsula:

• Pebble Beach Golf Links - Regularly ranked among the greatest golf courses in the world, Pebble Beach is a true bucket-list experience. Hugging the rugged Californian coastline, it has hosted multiple U.S. Opens and offers some of the most recognisable holes in golf.
• Spyglass Hill Golf Course - Often considered every bit as challenging as Pebble Beach itself, Spyglass Hill begins among towering sand dunes before winding through majestic pine forests, delivering a demanding but unforgettable round.
• The Links at Spanish Bay - Inspired by the classic links courses of Scotland and Ireland, Spanish Bay combines rolling fairways, coastal dunes, and spectacular ocean views into a memorable seaside golfing experience.

Wisconsin Home to several of America's highest-ranked public courses, Wisconsin has become a must-visit destination for golfers seeking authentic links-style experiences. Summer provides the perfect combination of warm weather and firm, fast playing conditions.

Where to play in Wisconsin:

Whether you're playing alongside the shores of Lake Michigan or exploring the state's inland championship layouts, Wisconsin offers outstanding golf with a distinctly traditional feel.

• Whistling Straits: Set along the dramatic shores of Lake Michigan, Whistling Straits is home to two spectacular Pete Dye designs, including the iconic Straits Course, famed for its rugged links-style character and history of hosting the Ryder Cup and multiple major championships.
• Blackwolf Run Golf Club: Winding through the natural Wisconsin landscape, Blackwolf Run features two distinctive Pete Dye courses, combining tree-lined fairways, rolling terrain and strategic hazards to create a challenging and memorable golf experience.

Summer temperatures regularly climb above 100°F (38°C) in destinations such as Scottsdale & Phoenix, Palm Springs, and Las Vegas, making midday golf a serious challenge for many visitors. However, if you're happy to embrace the heat with early morning tee times, plenty of water, and a slower pace, summer can offer exceptional value. Many resorts reduce their rates significantly during the warmer months, making it one of the most affordable times to experience some of America's best desert golf.

For those looking for the most comfortable conditions, these destinations truly come into their own during autumn and winter, when warm sunshine replaces the extreme summer temperatures.

For many golfers, autumn is the best time of year to visit the USA. As the summer crowds begin to fade and temperatures become more comfortable, courses across the southern states are presented in superb condition. Warm, sunny days are perfect for golf, while cooler evenings make it an enjoyable time to explore the local restaurants, resorts, and attractions after your round. Whether you're chasing championship golf or a relaxing getaway, autumn offers the perfect balance of fantastic weather and outstanding playing conditions.

Many of the destinations already mentioned in this guide are fantastic choices at this time of year:

• Scottsdale & Phoenix - The desert heat begins to ease and comfortable playing conditions return, making autumn a great time to experience Arizona before the peak winter season.
• Florida - Temperatures and humidity start to drop, creating more comfortable conditions across the state's huge collection of championship courses and resorts.
• The Carolinas - Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, and Kiawah Island benefit from pleasant coastal conditions, making autumn ideal for courses such as Harbour Town Golf Links, The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, and Barefoot Resort & Golf.

If you want plenty of choice, autumn is hard to beat. Fewer crowds, comfortable temperatures, and a huge variety of destinations make September and October an excellent time to explore the USA. It's also a great shoulder season between the northern destinations of summer and the desert escapes that really come into their own during winter.

• Best time to book - Popular golf destinations such as Pebble Beach, Pinehurst, Scottsdale, and TPC Sawgrass can book up months in advance, particularly during their peak seasons. Booking 6 to 12 months ahead gives you the best choice of accommodation, tee times, and flight options.
• Typical trip length - Given the flight times, most golfers choose to spend 7 to 10 nights in one destination, although two-centre holidays and longer fly-drive itineraries are increasingly popular for those looking to experience multiple regions.
• Resort stay or fly-drive? - If you're looking for convenience, staying at a golf resort allows you to enjoy championship courses, restaurants, and luxury facilities all in one place. For golfers wanting to experience several courses or destinations, a fly-drive holiday offers greater flexibility. Regions such as Florida, the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, California, and Arizona are perfectly suited to road trips.
• Car hire - Hiring a car is recommended for most USA golf holidays. Outside of city centres, resorts and golf courses are often spread out, and having your own vehicle makes travelling between courses simple and convenient.
• Domestic flights - If you're planning to combine destinations, domestic flights are plentiful and often inexpensive. It's easy to pair a stay in Florida with another region, or combine a city break with a golf resort elsewhere in the country.
• Golf cart culture - Unlike many courses in the UK and Europe, golf carts are a standard part of the golfing experience across much of the USA. Many green fees include a shared cart, particularly at resort courses, making it easy to cover longer championship layouts.
• Resort fees - Some American hotels charge a daily resort fee in addition to the room rate. These fees often include extras such as Wi-Fi, parking, shuttle services, fitness facilities, or practice amenities, so it's always worth checking what's included before you travel.

Q: When is the best time to play golf in the USA? A: There isn't one perfect time, it depends on where you're travelling. Winter is ideal for warm-weather destinations such as Florida, Scottsdale, Palm Springs, and Las Vegas, while spring and autumn offer fantastic conditions across the Carolinas, Georgia, and Alabama. During the summer, cooler destinations like Pebble Beach, Northern California, Wisconsin, and Northern Michigan are at their best.

Q: How long should I spend on a golf holiday in the USA? A: Most golfers choose a 7 to 10-night trip, allowing enough time to enjoy several rounds of golf while making the most of the destination. If you're planning a fly-drive or combining multiple regions, two weeks or longer is recommended.

Q: Do I need to hire a car? A: In most cases, yes. While many golf resorts are self-contained, hiring a car gives you the freedom to play different courses, explore nearby towns, and experience more of the local area. It's particularly recommended for destinations such as Florida, Scottsdale, and the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.

Q: Are golf carts included? A: Golf carts are part of the golfing experience at many American courses, particularly at resort and championship venues. They're often included in the green fee, although this can vary by course, so it's always worth checking before you travel.

Q: Can I play famous PGA Tour courses? A: Absolutely. Many of the USA's most famous tournament venues are open to visitors, including TPC Sawgrass, TPC Scottsdale, Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pinehurst No. 2, and The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, giving golfers the chance to follow in the footsteps of the world's best players.

Q: Is a golf holiday in the USA suitable for all abilities? A: Yes. Alongside its championship venues, the USA is home to hundreds of resort courses designed for golfers of every handicap. Whether you're looking for a relaxed golf getaway or the challenge of a bucket-list layout, there's something to suit every player.

Few destinations can match the USA for the sheer variety of golfing experiences on offer. Whether you're chasing winter sunshine in Arizona, taking on iconic championship courses in Florida, enjoying a coastal escape along California's spectacular shoreline, or planning the ultimate golf road trip through Alabama, there's a destination to suit every golfer and every season.

By choosing the right region at the right time of year, you'll enjoy the very best weather, course conditions, and overall experience. From bucket-list layouts and luxury resorts to hidden gems and unforgettable scenery, a golf holiday in the USA offers memories that will last long after the final putt has dropped.

So whether it's your first golfing adventure across the Atlantic or the next stop on your golfing bucket list, there's never been a better time to discover everything the USA has to offer.