Best Golf Trip Destinations 2026: 10 Trips for Every Budget

I’ve been planning golf trips for over a decade, and 2026 is shaping up to be one of the best years to book one. Post-pandemic pricing has mostly stabilized, new courses have opened, and the competition between destinations means better deals than ever if you know where to look.

After researching current green fees, talking to golfers who’ve recently visited, and crunching the numbers on 3-4 day trip budgets, here are the 10 best golf trip destinations you can book right now. Whether you’re planning a $800 Myrtle Beach weekend or a $6,000 Pebble Beach pilgrimage, there’s a clear winner for every type of trip.

Before you go anywhere, make sure your clubs are protected — check out our best golf travel bags guide to find the right case for your sticks.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Golf Trip Planning Guide: How to Book the Perfect Trip in 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

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“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What is the best golf trip destination for beginners?”,
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“text”: “Myrtle Beach or Palm Springs. Both destinations have a wide range of course difficulties, including plenty of forgiving layouts that won’t punish high handicappers. The affordable pricing also means you won’t feel guilty about losing balls on a $250 round. Avoid Bandon Dunes, Pinehurst No. 2, and the Ocean Course at Kiawah until your game is ready.”
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“text”: “A 3-4 day domestic golf trip typically costs $800 to $5,000 per person depending on the destination, time of year, and how many premium courses you play. Budget trips to Myrtle Beach or Palm Springs can come in under $1,000 per person. Mid-range trips to Scottsdale or Streamsong run $1,500-$3,000. Premium trips to Pebble Beach, Bandon Dunes, or St Andrews can exceed $5,000 per person including flights.”
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“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Do I need to tip caddies at golf resorts?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
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“text”: “Yes. At courses where caddies are available (Bandon Dunes, Pebble Beach, Kiawah Ocean Course, Pinehurst, St Andrews), caddie gratuity is customary and expected. Standard caddie tip in the U.S. is $40-$60 per bag for a forecaddie and $80-$120 per bag for an individual caddie. At Kiawah’s Ocean Course, the resort recommends $120 per bag.”
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“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “How do I get a tee time on the Old Course at St Andrews?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
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“text”: “There are three main ways: (1) The Ballot — enter the daily lottery by 2pm two days before your desired play date via the St Andrews app, by phone, or in person. You need a minimum of two players. (2) Guaranteed advance booking — available through St Andrews Links Trust, but 2026 guaranteed times are already sold out. (3) Tour operators — companies like Golf Scotland and PerryGolf purchase blocks of guaranteed times and sell them as part of packages.”
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“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “When is the cheapest time to book a golf trip?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
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“text”: “The cheapest time depends on the destination. Summer is cheapest for desert destinations (Scottsdale, Palm Springs) because of extreme heat — you’ll find green fees 50-70% lower than peak season. Late fall and winter are cheapest for Southeast destinations (Myrtle Beach, Pinehurst). Shoulder seasons usually offer the best balance of quality weather and reduced pricing. Booking 2-3 months in advance and traveling midweek saves 15-25%.”
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“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Should I ship my clubs or fly with them?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
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“text”: “Both work. Flying with clubs is cheaper ($35-40 each way as checked luggage) but requires a quality travel bag and carries risk of lost or damaged clubs. Shipping clubs via Ship Sticks, UPS, or FedEx costs $50-$100+ each way but delivers door-to-door with insurance. For premium trips, shipping is usually worth the extra cost. For budget trips, a good travel bag and checking them is the smart move.”
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“name”: “What should I pack for a golf trip?”,
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“text”: “Beyond your clubs: two pairs of golf shoes (one waterproof for links courses), rain jacket and rain pants, 3-4 extra gloves, a rangefinder or GPS watch for unfamiliar courses, sunscreen and sunglasses, a good hat, extra balls, and layers for coastal destinations. Pack one more golf outfit than rounds planned.”
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“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Is Bandon Dunes worth the effort to get there?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
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“text”: “Absolutely. The remoteness is part of what makes it special. Five of the top 100 public courses in America are on one property, the replay rates make 36-hole days affordable, and the walking-only policy creates an authentic links experience you can’t find anywhere else in the U.S. Every golfer who visits says the same thing: I’d go back tomorrow.”
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“name”: “Streamsong Resort, Florida”,
“description”: “Best hidden gem golf destination with three courses by Coore/Crenshaw, Doak, and Hanse/Wagner on reclaimed terrain.”,
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“name”: “Kiawah Island, South Carolina”,
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“name”: “St Andrews, Scotland”,
“description”: “The Home of Golf and best international golf trip destination, featuring the Old Course and ballot tee time system.”,
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“name”: “Cabo San Lucas, Mexico”,
“description”: “Best winter golf escape with 350 days of sunshine, oceanfront courses by Nicklaus and Dye, and resort nightlife.”,
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