News Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 1, 2025) — Golf’s major championship season in the U.S. tees off in April, serving up two months of the sport’s most prestigious tournament events for top men and women players on historic golf courses around the country.

 

“The U.S. is a premier golfing destination, not just for seasoned veterans and budding amateurs, but also for those looking for activities surrounding a trip to the links — whether that’s enjoying local wine and culinary offerings, exploring nearby parks and natural wonders after a round of 18 holes, or simply fitting in some much-needed R&R at one of many golf resort spas around the country,” said Fred Dixon, president and CEO of Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization.

 

Per tradition, the Masters Tournament will kick off the season in its 89th year at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia April 10-13, followed by the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Golf Club in Charlotte, North Carolina May 12-18, and later, the U.S. Open Championship at the Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pennsylvania June 12-15, which will round out the men’s major golf events happening on U.S. soil in 2025.

 

Women’s golf majors in the U.S. begin with the Chevron Classic at the Club at Charlton Woods in the Woodlands, Texas from April 24-27, followed by the U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills Golf Course in Erin, Wisconsin from May 29 - June 1, and lastly, the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship held at Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco in Texas from June 19-22 before tournaments move overseas.

 

While the golf majors are largely held on private, members-only courses, there are plenty of public courses around the U.S. that golf enthusiasts can not only play on to get in on the action this season, but also plan an entire trip around.

 

From the most historic golf courses that date back to the sport’s inception, to the most unique, luxurious and family-friendly clubs in diverse destinations that can offer a 360 degree lifestyle experience, planning a golf trip in the U.S. this year may be the ace in the hole your vacation needs to score.

 

Must-Play Golf Courses Across the U.S.

No matter where you choose to plan your next golf trip in the U.S., there is likely a must-do course in the state or region you’re visiting.

 

Northeast

In the Northeast, Bethpage State Park Golf Course is easily one of the most famous in the country, and among the toughest. Best known for its five 18-hole regulation golf courses including the world-renowned Black Course, this public golf course located in Farmingdale on Long Island has hosted five championship golf tournaments including the U.S. Open, the Barclays, the PGA Championship, and will soon host the 2025 Ryder Cup from September 25-28. Beyond its historic reputation as a challenging golf course, Bethpage is also known for its affordability and visitors can play a round of 18 holes for less than $100.

 

Elsewhere in the Northeast, those traveling near Philadelphia can plan a visit to Morgan Hill Golf Course in Easton, Pennsylvania, or head west toward Skytop Lodge Golf Resort in the Pocono Mountains where visitors can also enjoy lakeside views and plenty of hiking trails. And in New England, don’t miss out on a round at the scenic Sunday River Golf Club in Newry, Maine nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, as well as George Wright Golf Course in Boston, and the Omni Mount Washington Hotel & Resort in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire.

 

Top private clubs in northeast include New York’s Sleepy Hollow Country Club in Briarcliff Manor, Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, and Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester; New Jersey’s two Trump National Golf Courses in Bedminster and Colts Neck, along with Pine Valley Golf Club; Connecticut’s Stanwich Club in Greenwich, Yale Golf Course in New Haven and the Country Club of Fairfield; and Ekwanok Country Club in Manchester, Vermont. and Eastward Ho! Club in Chatham, Massachusetts.

 

Southeast

Widely considered the “Golf Capital of the World,” Florida is a must to include on any golf circuit in the U.S. The Sunshine State is ranked as one of the best golf states in the country and has the most golf courses of any state, boasting over 1,200 spots to play. Some of the top public courses include TPC Sawgrass: Stadium in Ponte Vedra Beach, one of the most recognizable Pete Dye-designed courses that features the famously challenging par 3, 17th hole on “Island Green”; Streamsong Resort and its Red, Blue and Black courses in Bowling Green; the Blue Monster Course at Trump National Doral Miami; and Old Corkscrew Golf Club in Estero.

 

In North Carolina, the Mike Stranz-designed Tobacco Road Golf Club in Lee County features sandy vistas, forced carries and blind shots on a former tobacco farm turned sand quarry; Georgia’s Jekyll Island Golf Club features three 18-hole golf courses and the historic Great Dunes nine-hole course that dates back to 1910; Mossy Oak Golf Club in West Point, Mississippi is one of the state’s best and features a minimalist design by architect Gil Hanse that follows the natural lay of the land; and in Texas, the Rawls Course in Lubbock, an NCAA championship course and the official home of the Texas Tech golf teams, is a favorite among residents and visitors alike looking for a challenging course.

 

Private clubs of note in the region include Florida’s Calusa Pines in Naples and Trump National Golf Course in Jupiter; South Carolina’s Kiawah Island and Yeaman’s Hall in Hanahan; Tennessee’s Honors Course in Ooltewah and Holston Hills in Knoxville; and Alotian Golf Club in Roland, Arkansas.

 

Midwest

Wisconsin is one of the top golf destinations in the Midwest as it’s home to renowned golf courses like Whistling Straits and Erin Hills, both of which have hosted major championships. But the Badger State is also home to other notable courses: Sand Valley Golf Resort is located on a thousand acres of rolling hills in Nakoosa in central Wisconsin, Blackwolf Run in Kohler sits on the bend of the Sheboygan River and features a number of strategically challenging holes, and SentryWorld Golf Club, known for its use of colorful flower beds as hazards.

 

In Minnesota, Giants Ridge Golf & Ski Resort is a standout course located about three hours outside of Minneapolis in Biwabik and features two 18-hole greens, the Quarry and the Legend. In Illinois, TPC Deere Run is an award-winning championship golf course nestled between the Mississippi and Rock rivers in Quad Cities. And in Indiana, French Lick Resort is home to three distinct golf courses –  the Pete Dye Course, the Donald Ross Course, and the Valley Links Course – offering dramatic elevation, memorable holes and clever layouts.

 

Some of the top-rated private clubs in the Midwest include TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota, Muirfield Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, which hosts the Jack Niklaus-founded Memorial Tournament on the PGA Tour circuit, and Olympia Fields Country Club in the Chicago, Illinois area.

 

Western U.S. 

California offers some of the most sought-after golf courses to play on in the U.S. against a number of stunning backdrops in diverse destinations. Among them is Pebble Beach, a coastal community located along the rugged shorelines near Carmel on the Monterey Bay Peninsula. Pebble Beach and the courses found there are easily considered among the most beautiful in the world.

 

Public courses in and around Pebble Beach include what is likely the most famous golf course in the western U.S., Pebble Beach Golf Links, along with the Links at Spanish Bay, Spyglass Hill, Peter Hay Golf Course and Poppy Hills. Private courses include Cypress Point Club and Monterey Peninsula Country Club's two courses, the Dunes Course and the Shore Course, as well as Del Monte Golf Course.

 

Other notable public golf courses in California include the San Diego area’s Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, Rams Hill Golf Club in Borrego Springs, and Singing Hills Golf Resort at Sycuan in El Cajon, Marriott’s Shadow Ridge Golf Club in Palm Desert, and Napa Valley’s Silverado Resort & Spa.

 

In the Pacific Northwest, Oregon is home to Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, one of the best known courses in the country that features a complex of five 18-hole courses and two par-3 courses spanning a section of dramatic coastline. In Washington, Gamble Sands is a must-play course.  The Brewster-based golf course is another 18-hole property that offers dramatic views of the Pacific Northwest coastline and the surrounding natural landscapes of Washington’s high desert.

 

Arizona’s Sedona Golf Resort and Ventana Canyon Golf and Racquet Club in Tucson offer championship designs in the Southwest, in addition to Rio Secco Golf Club in Henderson, Nevada in the Las Vegas Valley.

 

U.S. Territories

Puerto Rico is home to a number of top-rated golf courses on the island that include Bahia Beach Resort & Golf Club, the River and Ocean courses at Wyndham Rio Mar Beach Resort, the Royal Isabela, and the Championship at Grand Reserve Island. In addition, Dorado Beach East Golf Club, part of the TPC network, El Conquistador and the Flamboyan at Palmas del Mar Golf Club are also golf courses to visit.

 

And among the most popular golf courses to check out in the U.S. Virgin Islands are St. Croix’s Carambola Golf Course, the Reef Golf Course and Buccaneer Golf Course.

 

New Golf Courses in 2025

New golf courses that have opened so far in 2025 are welcoming players and visitors to fresh fairways around the country as more are planned to open later in the year.

 

New at Cabot Citrus Farms in Brooksville, Florida are the 18-hole courses Karoo and Roost, which opened earlier this year in January, bringing the Cabot’s total number of course offerings to four.

 

The Dozen at Arcadia Bluffs in Northern Michigan is slated to open over the summer on July 1, featuring a 12-hole course consisting of 6-hole loops, The North and The South, each with three par 3’s and three par 4’s. There will also be four guest cottages, a short-iron practice facility and a day-style clubhouse.

 

Cliffhangers at Big Cedar Lodge will be the newest addition to the five-course property when it opens in the summer. The new 18-hole, par-3 course will feature holes ranging from 60 to 165 yards in length, and will run adjacent to Tiger Woods’ Payne’s Valley, where players will have stunning views of the Ozark Mountains and majestic waterfalls.

 

Scarecrow at Gamble Sands in Washington will debut in August, marking the third course on the property designed by David McLay Kidd, joining the Sands course and the QuickSands short course, which is a par-3, 14-hole course. Scarecrow will add an additional 18-hole course to the existing Sands course and is reportedly a “sibling,” not a replica, of the original course.

 

The Keep at McLemore Resort, launching September 8, will be the northwest Georgia resort’s newest 18-hole course perched high above the clouds on Lookout Mountain. Five of the holes are located directly on the cliff’s edge, providing sweeping views of the scenic valley below. The Keep will accommodate guests staying at the new Cloudland hotel, part of the Curio Collection by Hilton.

 

And in Colorado, a family dairy farm is transforming into a new 18-hole golf course set to launch later this summer. Bella Ridge Golf, developed by the Podtburg family and designed by architect Art Schaupeter, will be Colorado’s first new golf course in three years, bringing with it an homage to the Podtburg family’s agricultural roots in dairy farming, while showcasing their passion for golf and discerning eye for the land’s natural potential. Bella Ridge will feature food and beverage options, and its owners hope to create a vibrant social hub as an events and gathering place down the road.

 

Golf-Adjacent Experiences

Golfing isn’t just about spending all of your time on the links – it’s also about enjoying all of the additional activities, attractions and cultural highlights in the destination surrounding your golf course visit.

 

Wine Country

Whether your golf vacation on the coastlines of Pebble Beach puts you within driving distance to Napa Valley or a short weekend getaway to the lush rolling hillsides of Oregon’s Willamette Valley after a turn at Bandon Dunes, there’s likely a popular or lesser known wine region somewhere nearby to pair with golf trip.

 

On the West Coast in Northern California, those hitting the links in places like Pebble Beach and Lake Tahoe can easily plan a quick trip or an extended getaway to the nearby wine regions of Napa Valley, Sonoma County and Mendocino. Heading south on the scenic Pacific Coast Highway can take you through the Central Coast wine region, which stretches from San Francisco to Santa Barbara, and includes San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles and Santa Cruz counties. Across California, expect to find a variety of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Zinfandels, Syrah, and Merlot.

 

After visiting Gamble Sands in north central Washington, heading south in the state will lead you to its three wine regions, Yakima Valley, Tri-Cities and Walla Walla Valley. Washington is best known for producing Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. And before or after visiting Bandon Dunes or Tetherow Resort in Oregon, transport yourself to the “Burgundy of the U.S.” and experience the Pinot Noir, Pinot gris, Riesling, Chardonnay, Syrah and more varietals that are produced in the Willamette Valley, along with the wine countries of Southern Oregon, and Columbia Gorge.

 

In the Northeast, New York has a few notable wine regions around the state that can pair well with your golf stay nearby. The Finger Lakes, likely one of the most prominent wine regions in New York, is best known for Riesling, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Franc. The Hudson River Valley region also produces similar varietals and the occasional Pinot Noir, while the Long Island wine region is best known for producing Bordeaux-style blends and Sauvignon Blanc. Wine trails in the state include the Upper Hudson Wine Trail, Lake Erie Wine Country, Niagara Wine Trail, and Long Island Wine Country.

 

In the Southeast, Virginia has wine regions worth checking out in the Blue Ridge, Chesapeake Bay, Eastern Shore, and Hampton Roads regions, and the state is best known for producing Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Vidal blanc and Viognier.

 

Those visiting golf courses in central and southern Texas near Austin or San Antonio can take advantage of the state’s up and coming Texas Hill Country wine region, which has seen significant growth in recent years and has made Texas the fifth-largest wine-producing state.

 

Bourbon & Whiskey Trails

For those more in the spirit to explore Bourbon and Whiskey trails in the U.S. during your golf trip, the best states to consider are Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia, all of which have historic bars, distilleries, museums you can visit.

 

The Kentucky Bourbon Trail showcases the state’s Bourbon history and outlines 46 distilleries across the state that travelers can visit for tastings and tours. Similarly, the American Whiskey Trail highlights the history and cultural heritage of the beverage in the U.S., and while it primarily focuses on Tennessee and Kentucky, there are multiple states that also have historic ties to Whiskey production in the U.S. including Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Utah.

 

Spa & Wellness

Many golf resorts offer a variety of spa and wellness services to guests of the property, and some make it a point to specialize in helping avid golfers and their guests unwind.

 

Pebble Beach Golf resorts are some of the best known spa-forward golf resorts in the country, and it’s hard to go wrong with selecting any one of the properties there, from the Inn at Spanish Bay to Spyglass Hill. Hawaii’s naturally stunning landscapes and relaxing atmosphere make for the perfect environment to combine golf and wellness, and the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on the Big Island is a must for those planning a golf trip in this destination. Other resorts to add to the golf and spa resort list are Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgewood, Missouri, Torrey Pines in La Jolla, and Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina, to name a few.

 

Adventure & Relaxation

A number of state and national parks are within driving distance to golf courses and resorts – some courses are even located within parks, like Bethpage State Park in New York and Torrey Pines in California, providing a seamless experience to exploring the destination beyond the course. Sand Hollow Resort in Utah is right next door to Sand Hollow State Park, where visitors can ride off-road vehicles across the parks’ sand dunes, while at Zion National Park, a short drive away, you can get lost in the wonders of exploring the incredible views of the Narrows and hiking trails of Angels Landing. 

 

Beachside escapes await at golf resorts in California, South Carolina, and Florida, while courses in destinations like Colorado offer some of the best hiking opportunities with the Rockies serving as a scenic backdrop. Boating, kayaking, swimming, fishing and more await at lakeside golf destinations like Arcadia Bluffs in Michigan, Whistling Straits in Wisconsin, and Edgewood Tahoe in California.

 

Ways to Save

Golf can get expensive, especially when traveling with friends and family, and after factoring in the cost of other activities that make up the golf trip experience, getting the best bang for your backswing might be a top priority.

 

Planning a golf trip in the shoulder season – April or May, September or October – can help you save on costs as prices tend to drop outside of the peak season. Shoulder season trips can also offer better weather and playing conditions.

 

Picking the right tee time can also help reduce costs. Clubs usually have multiple price tiers that depend on time of day, weekday versus weekend, and season. Playing in the late afternoon or early evening, called twilight rates, is often cheaper than playing during peak hours. Courses might charge higher prices on weekends or holidays due to higher demand, so consider midweek tee times instead and avoid playing on holidays when you can.

 

Be on the lookout as well for courses that offer great deals. Some courses offer a discount price when you book multiple rounds, others might offer free replays, or ones at a lower rate, after you complete your first round on the course, and some properties offer unlimited golf rounds at certain times of the year.

 

Planning your golf trip early and making arrangements as far in advance as possible can also net lower overall prices, especially when it comes to booking flights, hotels and other activities. In addition, if you’re flexible on where you’d like to stay, consider booking hotels and accommodations that are outside of the busy city centers where prices might be higher.

Start planning your visit today at VisitTheUSA.com. 

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Note to the Editor
Accompanying high-resolution images can be found here.