There’s something magical about that first tee shot on a course you’ve dreamed of playing. I still remember standing on the first tee at St. Andrews, hands slightly shaking, surrounded by centuries of golf history.
That moment taught me something important: great golf destinations are about more than pristine fairways and challenging layouts; they are about creating memories that last a lifetime.
Whether planning your first golf getaway or adding to your collection of courses played, each new destination offers its own story waiting to be told.
Know for your first round, from misty Scottish mornings to sun-soaked California coastlines; these experiences shape our golfing journey in ways that local rounds simply can’t match.
The Home of Golf: Scotland’s Timeless Links
Walking the fairways of St. Andrews feels like stepping through golf’s living history book. With generations of knowledge and endless stories, the local caddies bring these ancient links to life better than any complete guide.
The worn spots on the Swilcan Bridge tell their tales – from Old Tom Morris’s era to today’s champions who pause there for photos.
But golf in Scotland’s soul extends far beyond the Old Course. In the Highlands, courses like Royal Dornoch and Brora offer experiences you won’t find in glossy magazines.
At Brora, woolly sheep still naturally trim the rough while morning fog rolls in from the North Sea, creating an atmosphere that has remained unchanged for centuries.
What makes these courses unique isn’t their age but how they embrace their heritage while remaining playable for today’s golfers.
The double greens at St. Andrews, massive putting surfaces shared by two holes, showcase this perfectly for scoring better around the greens.
Originally designed to save space, they now create unique strategic challenges that test every golfer’s skill.
Royal Aberdeen presents another classic Scottish test, with a front nine that hugs the coastline so closely you can taste the salt spray during your swing.
These historic venues welcome visitors with open arms. While securing a tee time at the Old Course requires planning (and often luck), dozens of equally memorable courses dot the Scottish coast.
North Berwick and Cruden Bay offer authentic Scottish golf experiences with its famous Redan hole, which is copied worldwide.
Blind shots and rumpled fairways remind us that golf was meant to be an adventure, not just a game of precision.
Local Tip: When playing Scottish links for the first time, watch how others navigate the course before your round.
You’ll quickly learn the nuances of playing in the wind and reading bounces – skills essential to link golf success.
Historic Golf Destinations (Scotland):
1. The Old Course at St. Andrews – The Home of Golf (est. 1552)
2. Muirfield – Home of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers (est. 1744)
3. Carnoustie Golf Links – Known as “Car-nasty” for its difficulty (est. 1842)
4. Royal Dornoch – Tom Watson’s favorite course (est. 1877)
5. North Berwick West Links – Features the original Redan hole (est. 1832)
Modern Golf Paradises: Where Tradition Meets Today
The California coastline at Pebble Beach proves that modern golf can create its kind of magic.
While Scotland’s courses were shaped by nature over centuries, Pebble Beach represents the pinnacle of intentional design, where every hole maximizes the dramatic coastline.
The par-3 7th, barely over 100 yards long, shows how modern architecture can turn a small piece of land into one of golf’s most photographed holes.
Bandon Dunes in Oregon took this modern approach even further. Built to honor golf’s traditions while embracing contemporary comfort, it proves that new courses can capture the spirit of ancient links.
Walking these windswept holes, you’ll feel the same raw connection to the landscape Scottish golfers have enjoyed for centuries, but modern amenities await after your round.
Today’s golf destinations understand that great golf alone isn’t enough. Resorts like Pinehurst in North Carolina blend championship courses with sophisticated comfort.
The practice facilities showcase modern technology—launch monitors and analysis systems—while the courses remain pure and traditional. This balance between old and new defines today’s best golf destinations.
What sets these modern venues apart is their accessibility. Unlike some historic courses with complex booking systems, most modern resorts offer straightforward reservation processes.
At Destination Kohler in Wisconsin, four Pete Dye courses provide challenges for different skill levels. All offer the same high-end service standards.
The modern golf experience extends beyond the course. Resort restaurants now rival big-city establishments, spa services help recover from long golf days, and practice facilities remain open late with lighting systems for evening short-game work.
These amenities don’t detract from golf—they enhance it, making longer stays more enjoyable for dedicated players and their traveling companions.
Planning Tip: Modern resorts offer significant savings through stay-and-play packages, especially during shoulder seasons.
Many also provide replay rates for same-day second rounds, making it easier to maximize your golf experience.
Modern Golf Paradises:
1. Pebble Beach Golf Links – Iconic coastal layout (California)
2. Bandon Dunes – Pure links golf in Oregon (5 distinct courses)
3. Kapalua Plantation Course – Maui’s premier resort course
4. TPC Sawgrass – Home of The Players Championship
5. Whistling Straits – Hosted 2021 Ryder Cup
Hidden Gems: Beyond the Bucket List
While famous courses grab the headlines, some of golf’s finest experiences lie off the beaten path.
Along Ireland’s northwest coast, courses like Carne and Enniscrone offer links golf as pure as their famous neighbors, often at half the price.
These courses might not host major championships, but they deliver authentic experiences where the local members are as much a part of the charm as the courses themselves.
In America’s heartland, destinations like Sand Valley in Wisconsin prove that great golf can be without an ocean view.
Built on ancient dunes hundreds of miles from the coast, these inland courses offer firm, fast conditions that rival the finest links. They often have more available tee times and lower green fees than their coastal counterparts.
New Zealand’s golf scene represents the ultimate hidden gem destination. Courses like Cape Kidnappers and Tara Iti match the world’s best in terms of scenery and challenge, but their remote location keeps crowds away.
The shoulder seasons (October-November or March-April) offer perfect playing conditions, reduced rates, and fewer fellow travelers.
Even in heavily traveled golf regions, alternatives to the famous venues await. Instead of battling for tee times at Spanish Bay in California, consider nearby Pacific Grove Golf Links – the “Poor Man’s Pebble Beach” – where ocean views and challenging holes come without the premium price tag.
The key to discovering these hidden gems? Research beyond the mainstream golf publications.
Local golf blogs, regional golf associations, and even social media can reveal courses offering exceptional experiences without prices.
Many of these venues have invested in significant improvements over recent years, creating championship-quality conditions while maintaining their under-the-radar charm.
Value Tip: Many hidden gem courses offer twilight rates that slash prices for late-afternoon tee times.
During summer months in northern locations, you can often complete a full round even with a 4 PM start.
Hidden Gems:
1. Carne Golf Links (Ireland) – Remote links in County Mayo
2. Pacific Grove Golf Links (California) – “Poor Man’s Pebble Beach”
3. Tobacco Road (North Carolina) – Unique Mike Strantz design
4. Lawsonia Links (Wisconsin) – Classic golden age architecture
5. Cape Kidnappers (New Zealand) – Dramatic cliff-top course
Planning Your Golf Adventure: Making It Happen
Turning golf travel dreams into reality requires thoughtful planning. The best experiences often come from matching your travel timing to ideal playing conditions.
Scotland and Ireland shine from May through September when longer daylight hours and milder temperatures create perfect playing conditions.
The American Southwest offers year-round golf, but March and November provide the best combination of comfortable weather and reasonable rates.
Budget planning significantly enhances the experience. Instead of cramming multiple bucket-list courses into one trip, consider mixing premium venues with quality alternatives.
Playing Pebble Beach one day and Pacific Grove the next saves money and adds variety to your golf experience.
Many regions offer golf passes or multi-round packages that reduce per-round costs significantly.
Logistics matter more than most golfers realize. When planning a links golf trip to Ireland or Scotland, factor in driving times on rural roads between courses.
Building in rest days helps maintain energy levels and allows for weather delays. For resort destinations, airport proximity and local transportation options can impact cost and convenience.
Innovative booking strategies open up more opportunities. Many prestigious courses reserve early morning times for resort guests, making on-site stays worthwhile despite higher accommodation costs.
Some venues release prime tee times several months before, while others hold spots for last-minute bookings. Understanding these patterns helps secure preferred playing times.
Consider these practical tips:
– Book accommodations central to multiple courses rather than moving hotels frequently
– Look for shoulder season deals when courses are still in excellent condition but prices drop
– Join golf clubs that offer reciprocal playing privileges at other courses
– Research package deals that include practice facilities and range balls
– Check cancellation policies and weather guarantees, especially for seasonal destinations
Weather Plan: When possible, build flexibility into your schedule. Having alternative courses or activities planned helps you manage the disappointment of weather-related cancellations.
Group Tip: Many courses offer group rates for four or more players or include extras like meals or practice balls. Some even arrange small tournaments with essential scoring and prizes.
The Journey Awaits: Your Golf Adventure Begins
Golf travel involves more than just playing different courses. It involves connecting with the game’s rich heritage and creating your own stories.
From the misty mornings on Scottish links to sunset rounds at modern resorts, each destination adds a unique chapter to your golfing journey.
Remember that great golf experiences sometimes come with famous names or premium price tags.
Some of the most memorable rounds happen on courses you’ve never heard of, recommended by a local you met in the clubhouse.
Whether you’re planning that once-in-a-lifetime trip to St. Andrews or exploring hidden gems closer to home, the key is matching the destination to your goals and expectations.
The world of golf travel continues to evolve, becoming more accessible while maintaining its sense of adventure.
Modern booking tools and travel resources make planning more effortless than ever. Still, the essence of golf travel remains unchanged.
It’s about challenging yourself on new courses, experiencing different cultures through golf, and sharing stories with fellow players worldwide at the golf shop.
Start small if needed – perhaps a long weekend at a nearby resort or a side trip during your next vacation.
Let each experience build your confidence and fuel your passion for golf travel. After all, every excellent golf journey begins with a single tee shot.
The courses are waiting—time to play.