Discover 15 incredible golf destinations worldwide. From Scottish highlands to tropical paradises, find your perfect fairway adventure today.

Have you ever dreamed of teeing off at sunrise on a course overlooking the ocean, or playing where golf legends made history? Golf trips aren't just about the game—they're about creating unforgettable memories in stunning locations that test your skills while feeding your soul. Whether you're a scratch golfer or a weekend warrior, the world offers countless destinations where pristine fairways meet breathtaking landscapes. From the windswept links of Scotland to sun-drenched desert courses in Arizona, each golf trip presents unique challenges and rewards. Planning the perfect golf getaway involves more than booking tee times; it's about finding that magical combination of championship courses, comfortable accommodations, and experiences that extend beyond the 18th hole.

1. Scotland's Historic Links Experience

Scotland calls itself the home of golf for good reason, and playing here feels like stepping into the sport's living history. The Old Course at St Andrews stands as golf's most sacred ground, where players have tested themselves for over six centuries against unpredictable winds and strategic bunkers. Links golf here demands creativity and precision as you navigate firm fairways, deep pot bunkers, and ever-changing coastal breezes. Beyond St Andrews, courses like Carnoustie, Royal Troon, and Muirfield offer challenging layouts that have hosted countless Open Championships. Walking these hallowed grounds connects you to golf's roots in ways modern courses simply cannot replicate. The small towns surrounding these courses provide charming accommodations, traditional pubs serving hearty meals, and locals eager to share stories about legendary rounds played through the generations.

2. Pebble Beach California Coastal Paradise

Pebble Beach represents American golf at its most spectacular, combining championship caliber holes with jaw-dropping Pacific Ocean views that distract even focused players. The iconic seventh hole plays along dramatic cliffs where seals bark from rocks below while waves crash against the shoreline. Every round here brings new challenges as coastal fog rolls in unpredictably, wind speeds shift constantly, and fast greens test your putting skills. The Monterey Peninsula offers multiple world-class courses including Spyglass Hill and Spanish Bay, creating opportunities for three or four rounds without repeating layouts. Accommodations range from the legendary Lodge at Pebble Beach to charming Carmel inns, while restaurants throughout the area serve fresh seafood and California wines. This destination perfectly balances serious golf with luxury amenities and natural beauty that makes every moment memorable, whether you're on the course or exploring the stunning coastline.

3. Dubai's Desert Golf Oasis

Dubai transforms desert landscapes into emerald golf courses that seem to defy nature, offering year-round sunshine and facilities that rival anywhere globally. The Emirates Golf Club hosts the European Tour and features immaculate conditions where not a blade of grass appears out of place. Playing golf surrounded by towering skyscrapers creates surreal moments, especially at twilight when city lights begin twinkling across the skyline. Dubai's courses utilize advanced irrigation systems and agronomic practices to maintain perfect playing surfaces despite extreme heat and minimal rainfall. Beyond golf, this destination offers world-class shopping, fine dining, and entertainment options that appeal to traveling companions who might not share your passion for the game. Many courses feature floodlit facilities allowing twilight rounds when temperatures become more comfortable, extending your playing opportunities throughout the day and into the evening hours.

4. Ireland's Emerald Fairways

Ireland's golf courses showcase the country's legendary green landscapes where rolling hills meet dramatic coastlines, creating unforgettable playing experiences. Ballybunion, Lahinch, and Royal County Down rank among the world's finest links courses, challenging players with natural terrain that has remained largely unchanged for generations. Irish golf emphasizes the pure connection between land and game, with minimal artificial features and maximum reliance on natural contours and hazards. The warmth of Irish hospitality extends from course staff to pub owners, ensuring visitors feel welcomed everywhere they go. Between rounds, explore medieval castles, sample Guinness in traditional pubs, and enjoy traditional music sessions that make evenings as memorable as your golf rounds. Ireland's compact size allows easy travel between courses, enabling golfers to experience multiple renowned layouts during a single trip while soaking in the country's rich culture and history.

5. Myrtle Beach Golf Capital

Myrtle Beach claims the title of America's golf capital with over 100 courses packed into a relatively small coastal area offering incredible variety and value. This destination caters perfectly to golf groups seeking multiple rounds without breaking the bank, with package deals that include accommodations, rounds, and meals. Course styles range from championship layouts designed by famous architects to family-friendly tracks where beginners feel comfortable learning the game. The mild climate allows year-round play, though spring and fall offer the most comfortable temperatures for walking 18 holes. Beyond golf, the Grand Strand features countless restaurants, entertainment venues, and beach activities that provide perfect diversions between rounds. The competitive golf market here keeps prices reasonable while maintaining solid course conditions, making this destination ideal for groups wanting maximum golf without minimum hassle or planning stress.

6. Arizona Desert Golf Retreats

Arizona's desert courses combine stunning Sonoran landscapes with perfectly manicured fairways where saguaro cacti stand sentinel beside tee boxes and greens. Scottsdale serves as the hub for Arizona golf with dozens of championship courses featuring dramatic elevation changes and strategic water features. Playing golf here means enjoying consistently sunny skies, low humidity, and winter temperatures that feel perfect for walking 18 holes. Desert courses require strategic thinking as native areas bordering fairways penalize errant shots harshly, rewarding accuracy over pure distance. Many resorts offer comprehensive golf packages including instruction, equipment fitting, and multiple course access for serious golfers wanting to improve their games. After golf, explore Native American culture, hike scenic desert trails, or indulge in world-class spa treatments that help tired muscles recover for tomorrow's round on another spectacular desert course.

7. New Zealand's Scenic Courses

New Zealand delivers golf experiences where every hole seems framed by mountains, lakes, or ocean vistas that make concentration almost impossible. Cape Kidnappers sits atop dramatic cliffs overlooking Hawke's Bay, creating one of the world's most visually stunning golf experiences. The country's remote location means courses never feel crowded, allowing peaceful rounds where nature sounds replace the usual noise of modern life. New Zealand golf combines British links traditions with contemporary design philosophies, resulting in courses that challenge players while showcasing incredible natural beauty. Plan extra time for non-golf activities like exploring Middle-earth filming locations, adventure sports, or wine tasting in renowned regions like Marlborough and Central Otago. The friendly Kiwi attitude toward visitors ensures memorable interactions whether you're discussing course strategy with locals or seeking restaurant recommendations from resort staff who genuinely care about your experience.

8. Portugal's Algarve Golf Haven

Portugal's Algarve region provides European golf at accessible prices with over 40 courses enjoying mild weather and sunshine that lasts nearly year-round. Oceanside courses feature strategic holes where Atlantic winds test club selection and course management skills constantly throughout your round. The region's golden cliffs, hidden beaches, and whitewashed villages create picture-perfect backdrops for golf vacations that balance sport with cultural exploration. Portuguese hospitality shines through excellent service at courses and accommodations, while local cuisine featuring fresh seafood and regional wines enhances every evening. Off-course activities include exploring historic Lisbon, visiting medieval castles, or simply relaxing on pristine beaches between morning and afternoon tee times. The favorable exchange rate for many visitors makes the Algarve particularly attractive for golfers seeking European experiences without the premium prices of more famous destinations.

9. Pinehurst North Carolina Legacy

Pinehurst represents America's golf heritage with eight championship courses centered around a charming village that has welcomed golfers since the 1890s. Course Number Two stands as the crown jewel, featuring Donald Ross design elements and recent restoration work that returned strategic choices to every hole. Playing multiple Pinehurst courses reveals how different architects approach similar terrain, creating varied challenges despite shared landscapes of pine forests and sandy soil. The resort atmosphere encourages golfers to focus entirely on their game without outside distractions competing for attention or time. Walking these historic fairways connects you to golf legends who competed here in major championships that shaped the sport's evolution. Southern hospitality permeates every interaction, from friendly starters to knowledgeable caddies who share course history while helping you navigate tricky greens and strategic hazards.

10. Thailand's Tropical Golf Escape

Thailand combines championship golf with exotic culture and incredible value, making it increasingly popular among traveling golfers seeking adventure beyond traditional destinations. Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai feature world-class courses designed by golf legends like Norman, Nicklaus, and Faldo amid lush tropical landscapes. Playing golf here often includes caddy service as standard, with knowledgeable locals providing club recommendations and green reading assistance throughout your round. Course conditions rival anywhere globally despite tropical heat and monsoon seasons, thanks to dedicated maintenance crews and modern agronomic practices. Between rounds, explore ornate temples, sample street food that awakens your taste buds, or indulge in traditional Thai massages that prepare your body for another day on the links. The affordable prices allow extended stays without financial stress, while Thai hospitality ensures visitors feel welcomed from arrival to departure.

11. South Africa's Wine Country Golf

South Africa's Western Cape delivers golf experiences where world-class courses meet renowned wine regions, creating perfect combinations for golf enthusiasts and their partners. Fancourt, Pearl Valley, and Erinvale feature championship layouts surrounded by dramatic mountain backdrops and meticulously maintained vineyards producing exceptional wines. Playing golf here means enjoying mild Mediterranean climate, diverse wildlife sightings, and courses that challenge without overwhelming recreational players. The favorable exchange rate makes luxury accommodations and fine dining surprisingly affordable compared to similar experiences in Europe or North America. Cape Town provides a sophisticated base for exploring the region, with Table Mountain, pristine beaches, and vibrant neighborhoods offering activities between golf rounds. Wine estate tours and tastings become natural complements to golf, allowing visitors to experience South African hospitality while sampling wines that rival the world's finest.

12. Banff Canadian Rockies Experience

Banff Springs Golf Course sits amid the Canadian Rockies where elk wander fairways and mountain peaks tower overhead, creating unforgettable golf experiences. Playing here means accepting that wildlife encounters might delay your round as moose, deer, or bears cross fairways following ancient migration patterns. The stunning scenery can distract even focused golfers, with every hole offering different perspectives of glacial lakes, evergreen forests, and snow-capped peaks. Summer represents the prime season when long daylight hours allow early morning or late evening rounds under spectacular lighting conditions. Jasper Park Lodge Golf Course provides another Rockies option with similar jaw-dropping scenery and challenging holes routed through pristine wilderness. Beyond golf, Banff National Park offers hiking, wildlife viewing, and natural hot springs that provide perfect recovery after walking mountain courses at high elevation.

13. Spain's Costa del Sol Courses

Spain's southern coast combines year-round sunshine with dozens of quality courses designed by golf legends, creating Europe's most popular winter golf destination. Valderrama stands as the region's most prestigious course, hosting major championships and maintaining conditions that impress even demanding players. The mild Mediterranean climate allows comfortable golf throughout winter months when northern courses close, attracting golfers seeking to maintain their games year-round. Spanish culture enhances golf trips with delicious tapas, excellent wines, and lively evening entertainment that extends beyond typical resort experiences. Many courses occupy former olive groves or citrus orchards, incorporating existing trees into strategic layouts that reward accurate play over pure power. The region's infrastructure supports golf tourism with specialized transfer services, equipment rental facilities, and knowledgeable staff accustomed to welcoming international visitors seeking perfect fairway adventures under Andalusian sunshine.

14. Hawaii's Island Golf Paradise

Hawaii delivers golf experiences where tropical beauty meets championship designs, creating rounds interrupted by whale sightings and dramatic volcanic landscapes. Each island offers distinct golfing experiences, from Maui's oceanside resorts to Kauai's jungle-framed layouts and Big Island's courses carved from ancient lava flows. The consistent trade winds challenge club selection and shot shaping skills, while firm tropical turf allows creative ground game approaches around greens. Playing golf here means enjoying perfect weather, stunning ocean views from nearly every hole, and post-round relaxation on beaches that define paradise. Hawaiian hospitality ensures visitors feel welcomed, whether you're receiving lei greetings at resort check-in or learning island history from knowledgeable caddies. Beyond golf, explore active volcanoes, snorkel with tropical fish, or attend traditional luaus that showcase island culture and cuisine through authentic entertainment and locally sourced meals.

15. Australia's Sandbelt Classics

Melbourne's Sandbelt region features classic courses that golf purists consider among the world's finest, with fast-running fairways and strategic bunkering that reward thoughtful play. Royal Melbourne, Kingston Heath, and Peninsula exemplify golden age architecture where natural terrain dictates hole routing and minimal earth moving creates timeless layouts. Playing these courses demands course management skills as firm conditions bounce drives long distances while slick greens reject poorly struck approach shots. Australian golf culture emphasizes walking, camaraderie, and post-round gatherings in clubhouses where members share stories over cold beers and hearty meals. The Sandbelt's sandy soil provides perfect drainage allowing year-round play despite Melbourne's variable weather patterns that can present four seasons in one day. Visiting here connects golfers to design principles that influenced modern architecture worldwide, offering lessons in strategic play that improve your game long after returning home.

Conclusion

These fifteen golf trip ideas showcase the incredible diversity of fairway adventures available to golfers willing to explore beyond their home courses. From historic Scottish links to tropical Hawaiian resorts, each destination offers unique challenges, stunning scenery, and memorable experiences that transcend simple scorecards. The perfect golf trip balances championship courses with comfortable accommodations, cultural exploration with relaxation, and serious play with enjoyable camaraderie. Whether you're planning a guys' getaway, romantic escape, or solo pilgrimage to golf's holy sites, these destinations promise the fairway adventures you've been dreaming about during long winters or busy work schedules.