The Best Golf Trip Is the One Your Group Would Book Again.
A great golf trip isn't always about playing the most famous course. Sometimes it's the resort, the group, the weather, the nightlife, the value, or just finally getting everybody together for a few days.
Some groups want as much golf as they can fit in. Others want a couple of really good rounds with time left for dinner, the pool, a casino, the beach or whatever else is nearby. And sometimes the best trip is a place nobody in the group was originally thinking about.
The course matters. But if you're planning a golf trip for a group, the whole trip has to work.
That's why I look at more than just the golf. Getting there, where everyone stays, how many rounds make sense, transportation, what there is to do after the round and what the trip actually costs can matter just as much.
“What is the best golf trip you have ever taken — not necessarily the best course, but the best overall trip?”
I started asking golfers that question. Their answers became Rob's Golf Trip Notebook.Most Requested Golf Destinations
There isn't one golf destination that's right for every group. Some golfers want the best value. Others want iconic courses, warm weather, a great resort, nightlife, beaches or a trip where golf is pretty much the entire point.
I put together a separate comparison of some of the destinations golfers ask about most often, including what makes each one different and the kind of group each may fit best.
Rob's Golf Trip Notebook
These came from golfers who stayed, played and remembered the trip. I use first names only. This isn't a ranking or a list of places someone paid to promote. It's a collection of places real golfers told me were worth knowing about.
Think of these as starting points — destinations, resorts and courses worth researching before a group decides where to go.
Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail
Erin recommended the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail after playing three locations: Capitol Hill in Prattville, The Shoals in Muscle Shoals, and Grand National in Opelika.
- Capitol Hill — three courses
- The Shoals — two courses
- Grand National — two courses and a par-3 course
He remembered the layouts and lodging as excellent. This one stays in the notebook while I continue researching how the different stops fit together.
Bay Hill Club & Lodge
Ken's answer was simple: Bay Hill in Orlando. He stayed and played there and called it an incredible experience.
That kind of short, confident recommendation is exactly what this notebook is for. Bay Hill remains on my research list as a golf-first Orlando stay.
Northern Minnesota Golf Trip
Joe shared a ten-round route that included Giants Ridge in Biwabik, The Wilderness at Fortune Bay in Tower, and several courses in the Brainerd area.
- Giants Ridge — Biwabik, Minnesota
- The Wilderness at Fortune Bay — Tower, Minnesota
- Cragun's Lehman Course — Brainerd area, Minnesota
- Deacon's Lodge — Brainerd area, Minnesota
- The Classic at Madden's — Brainerd area, Minnesota
His summary was simple: awesome courses. That's exactly the kind of trip that belongs here — strong golf, multiple stops and a route many golfers may not think of first.
Bandon Dunes Golf Resort
Scott called Bandon Dunes “golf paradise.” Kris described the experience as exceptional, but made it clear that nothing about the trip is easy — the travel, the courses, the tee times or the cost.
That's part of what makes Bandon memorable. It isn't a casual golf weekend. It's the kind of trip a group plans carefully and talks about for years.
Whistling Straits
Scott mentioned Whistling Straits alongside Bandon Dunes when asked about memorable golf experiences. This is one I'll continue researching as the notebook grows.
Hamptons Golf
Scott pointed to three incredible courses in the Hamptons: Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, National Golf Links of America, and Sebonack Golf Club.
His warning was just as important as the recommendation: the golf is outstanding, but access can be difficult. This isn't the easiest trip to arrange, which makes realistic planning especially important.
Big Cedar Lodge & Payne's Valley
Greg said that if he were planning a golf trip now, Payne's Valley and Big Cedar Lodge would be near the top of his list. The combination of memorable golf and a full resort setting is what caught his attention.
Walt Disney World Golf
Greg remembered the Disney courses as exceptional and had played all of them years ago. Disney may not be the first place golfers think of for a dedicated trip, which is exactly why it belongs in the notebook.
It may fit especially well for a family trip where some travelers want golf while everyone else has plenty of other things to do.
Michigan Golf
Scott also pointed out that Michigan has a lot of strong golf, especially in the northern part of the state. This is broader than one resort or course, so it'll stay an open notebook topic while I gather more specific recommendations.
What Makes a Golf Trip Work?
The golf obviously matters. But it's rarely the only thing that decides whether everybody would book the trip again.
A famous course isn't automatically the best fit. Travel time, weather, access, lodging and what the group wants to spend all matter.
The resort, hotel or rental becomes the group's home base. Room setup, location, restaurants and transportation can make the trip easier — or harder.
More rounds aren't always better. The group needs enough time to travel, eat, relax and enjoy the destination without turning the whole trip into a race.
Some groups want beaches, nightlife, casinos, resort amenities or options for non-golfers. Others want nothing but golf. Both can work when everybody is looking for the same kind of trip.
Tee times don't mean much if the group can't get from the airport to the hotel and from one course to the next without making every day harder than it needs to be.
Greens fees are only one piece. Lodging, airfare, rental cars or transfers, food and the number of rounds can change the total pretty quickly.
Sometimes the best golf trip isn't the place with the biggest name. It's the one where the golf, lodging, schedule and group all fit together.
Ready to Start Planning Your Golf Trip?
You don't need to have the destination or courses picked yet. Tell me who's going, when you're thinking about traveling and what kind of golf trip the group has in mind. I'll take it from there.
Start Planning My Golf Trip →This is an independent golf travel guide from Rob Sturdy Travels. Course, resort and destination references are provided for travel planning purposes only and are not affiliated with or endorsed by the facilities mentioned.