If you’re fortunate enough to have some time off this summer, why not treat yourself to a golf getaway? Whether you’re seeking cooler climates up north or willing to brave a bit of heat for a great deal at a top-tier resort, there are plenty of fantastic destinations to choose from. Here we present you the Best Summer Golf Destinations for Your Next Getaway.

For those with a flexible budget, some high-end summer golf spots are truly worth the splurge. These premium locations can be in high demand, so you may need to book a year or more in advance but it’s never too early to start planning. On the other hand, there are also many more affordable and accessible destinations that offer excellent golf without the need for long-term planning or deep pockets.

Here’s a roundup of some of the best summer golf destinations in the U.S.:

A Cool Spot is a Hot Spot

Northern Michigan stands out as one of the premier summer golf destinations in the United States for good reason. The weather is ideal, with cool, comfortable temperatures (highs in the 70s and low humidity), and the long summer days give you plenty of daylight to squeeze in 36 holes or more. With an impressive number of top-tier courses, you could return year after year and still never play the same itinerary twice.

A great starting point for your trip is Traverse City, easily accessible via Cherry Capital Airport fittingly named for Michigan’s famous cherries or by car if you’re already in the Midwest. From there, kick off your golf adventure at The Bear at Grand Traverse Resort, a challenging but rewarding Jack Nicklaus design that sets the tone for a memorable trip.

Another must-visit spot in Northern Michigan is Boyne Golf, home to 10 championship courses. Among them is the 9-hole Quarry/Preserve combo at Bay Harbor Golf Club, often dubbed the “Pebble Beach of the Midwest” thanks to its dramatic holes perched atop cliffs overlooking Lake Michigan. Boyne spans three resort areas Boyne Mountain, The Highlands, and Bay Harbor all of which double as ski resorts in winter. One standout is the Donald Ross Memorial Course, a tribute to the legendary architect featuring replicas of his most iconic holes.

For more unforgettable views of Lake Michigan, Arcadia Bluffs is a true bucket-list destination. The resort boasts two courses, including the stunning Bluffs Course, a links-style layout with pot bunkers, set high above the lake. It’s a perfect place to cap off your round with one of Michigan’s famous sunsets.

And don’t overlook Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, located just above Wisconsin. This lesser-known gem offers impressive golf as well, including the 36-hole Sweetgrass complex one of the top casino golf destinations in the country. Another standout is Greywalls at Marquette Golf Club, a dramatic Mike DeVries design featuring massive granite outcroppings, significant elevation changes, and sweeping views of Lake Superior.

Wisconsin is Super Cool in the Summer, Too 

While Northern Michigan often takes top honors as America’s premier summer golf destination, Wisconsin is a close contender, offering a collection of world-class resorts that deserve a spot on any golfer’s bucket list.

One of the crown jewels is Destination Kohler, home to the luxurious, Forbes Five-Star American Club a former workers’ dormitory turned elegant resort. Golfers flock here for Whistling Straits, a walking-only, Pete Dye-designed masterpiece with dramatic fescue-covered dunes, pot bunkers, and elevated tees. The course has hosted multiple PGA Championships and the Ryder Cup, and it delivers a true links-style experience along the shores of Lake Michigan. Also on the property are the Irish Course and two excellent layouts at Blackwolf Run: the River Course and the Meadow Valleys Course, both also designed by Dye.

To elevate your trip even further, consider adding nearby Erin Hills, a breathtaking course that hosted the 2017 U.S. Open, where Brooks Koepka claimed victory. Its natural, rolling terrain makes for a beautiful and challenging round. While in the area, don’t miss Lawsonia Links in Green Lake—a historic course with bold architecture, including a par-3 seventh green built over a buried boxcar, resulting in wild and memorable contours.

As impressive as Kohler is, Sand Valley in Nekoosa might be the Midwest’s most ambitious golf destination often described as the Bandon Dunes of the Midwest. Created by Bandon founder Mike Keiser, the resort features four standout courses. The original Sand Valley Course, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, winds through sandy dunes and prairie, inviting imaginative play. Mammoth Dunes, by David McLay Kidd (architect of the original Bandon Dunes course), lives up to its name with massive fairways and bold design. The short Sandbox Course is among the best par-3 tracks in the country. Most recently, Sedge Valley, a Tom Doak design inspired by Golden Age architecture, adds a classic and cerebral experience to the lineup.

Altogether, Wisconsin delivers an unforgettable golf journey packed with variety, challenge, and scenic beauty.

Go West for Some of the Best

No serious golfer’s bucket list is complete without a trip to Bandon Dunes. Located along the rugged southwest coast of Oregon, Bandon is widely considered one of the top golf resorts in the United States right alongside the historic Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina. What sets Bandon apart is that it offers the only true links golf experience in America: courses nestled beside the ocean, with rolling terrain, firm fairways, native grasses, and a strong emphasis on creativity and shot-making along the ground often the smart play in the ever-present coastal winds.

The original Bandon Dunes Course set the tone, followed by Pacific Dunes, a stunning Tom Doak design frequently ranked as the second-best public course in the country. Today, the resort features five world-class championship courses, each with its own personality, plus two exceptional par-3 layouts that are just as fun and thoughtfully crafted.

Bandon is all about golf—pure, unfiltered, and immersive. The moment you arrive, you feel like you’ve stepped into a slice of Scotland or Ireland. It’s a perfect setting for a buddies’ trip, with no distractions and a rhythm that’s all about walking, playing, and soaking in the scenery. Like links golf overseas, part of the charm is braving the elements wind, chill, and the occasional rain are part of the experience and only enhance the authenticity.

Oregon as a whole is a fantastic destination for summer golf, offering both variety and scenic beauty. Beyond Bandon Dunes, the Bend area stands out with its high desert charm and a strong lineup of courses. At Pronghorn Resort, you’ll find signature designs by Jack Nicklaus and Tom Fazio. Tetherow, a David McLay Kidd course, delivers a rugged, links-inspired experience, while Crosswater at Sunriver Resort is a longtime favorite, blending mountain views with a championship layout that has hosted top amateur and professional events.

Of course, no conversation about premier public golf in the U.S. is complete without mentioning Pebble Beach on California’s Monterey Peninsula. Often regarded as America’s top public course, Pebble Beach Golf Links is a seven-time U.S. Open venue and a true icon in the game. Designed over a century ago by Jack Neville and Douglas Grant, it offers one unforgettable hole after another, many set dramatically along the cliffs above the Pacific. There’s simply nothing else like it.

Even if you don’t get a coveted tee time at Pebble itself, the rest of the resort’s lineup is impressive. Spyglass Hill is a favorite among serious players for its challenge and beauty. The Hay, a short course reimagined by Tiger Woods, and Del Monte Golf Course, one of the oldest courses in the western U.S., round out a memorable golf experience.

One of the great perks of California coastal golf is the temperate climate. Even in the peak of summer, the ocean breezes keep things comfortable, whether you’re up north or all the way down near the Mexican border. A standout along the Central Coast is Pasatiempo in Santa Cruz, a masterful Alister MacKenzie design that has been lovingly restored in recent years and remains a must-play for architecture enthusiasts. Farther south in San Diego, Torrey Pines offers 36 holes of municipal greatness with sweeping ocean views—plus major championship pedigree as a past U.S. Open and regular PGA Tour stop.

From Oregon to California, the West Coast delivers some of the most scenic and memorable summer golf anywhere in the country.

More of the Best in the West

Another exceptional summer golf destination is the Reno/Lake Tahoe region, offering some of the finest mountain golf in the country, much of it set along the stunning shores of Lake Tahoe. Nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the area is anchored by the spectacular Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Stateline, Nevada. Situated on the south shore of Lake Tahoe, Edgewood is both beautiful and challenging, and it plays host each July to the American Century Celebrity Golf Classic. With nearby casino resorts and luxury accommodations, it’s an ideal blend of golf and entertainment.

But Edgewood is just the beginning. The area is home to a wealth of public golf courses, including Old Greenwood, Gray’s Crossing, and Coyote Moon, all located near Truckee, California a charming mountain town set along the Truckee River, known for its vibrant dining, shopping, and après-golf scene. In Reno, you’ll find the popular Wolf Run Golf Club, while the Incline Village Championship Course, a Robert Trent Jones design, offers breathtaking views from the north side of the lake. For something different, head to the Everline Resort & Spa (formerly Resort at Squaw Creek) near Olympic Valley. While better known for its winter sports legacy, it offers a fun and scenic golf experience in the summer months.

When talking about mountain golf, Colorado absolutely deserves a place in the conversation. The legendary Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs stands out with its historic East Course, which has hosted multiple U.S. Women’s Opens. Other top tracks include Redlands Mesa in Grand Junction, known for its dramatic desert-meets-mountains setting; CommonGround Golf Course near Denver, a Tom Doak design that blends strategic design with accessibility; Pole Creek Golf Club near Winter Park, which winds through pine forests and mountain meadows; and TPC Colorado, home to a jaw-dropping par-5 that stretches to a whopping 773 yards.

Whether you’re teeing it up at high altitude in Nevada or Colorado, these mountain destinations offer cool temps, epic views, and unforgettable summer golf.

Big Fun at Big Cedar Lodge

There’s truly nothing else in the world quite like Big Cedar Lodge. Created by Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris, Big Cedar is a bold, immersive experience where every detail is larger-than-life and unforgettable.

The resort is home to five unique golf courses, each offering its own flavor of world-class design. The headliner is Payne’s Valley, Tiger Woods’ first public course, known for its wide fairways, dramatic views, and fun, playable design. Then there’s Ozarks National, a sprawling, beautifully crafted layout by Coore & Crenshaw that fully embraces the natural terrain. Buffalo Ridge, designed by Tom Fazio, delivers dramatic elevation changes and native landscapes, while Top of the Rock, a par-3 course by Jack Nicklaus, made history as the first par-3 to host a PGA Tour Champions event. Mountain Top, a 13-hole links-style par-3 course with jaw-dropping vistas and bold elevation shifts, offers yet another compelling experience.

The latest addition is Cliffhangers, an 18-hole par-3 course located adjacent to Payne’s Valley. And speaking of Payne’s Valley its finale is unlike anything else: a breathtaking 19th hole, a 100-yard island green wedged between towering limestone cliffs and waterfalls, creating a one-of-a-kind “decider” hole you’ll never forget.

But Big Cedar is far more than just epic golf. The resort blends rustic charm with luxurious comfort, offering a wide range of accommodations, from cozy cabins to elegant lodges. And when you’re not on the course, the activity list is nearly endless. You can boat or fish on the stunning Table Rock Lake, go horseback riding, hike scenic trails, race go-karts, or enjoy spa treatments and fine dining. It’s an ideal destination for both serious golfers and families looking for a memorable getaway in the heart of the Ozarks.

At Big Cedar Lodge, everything is elevated literally and figuratively. It’s not just a golf trip. It’s an experience.

Golf Near the Beach 

Summertime means sunshine, and what better way to enjoy it than with a beach trip and a few rounds of golf?

One of the best destinations for golf lovers is Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Once home to over 100 courses, it still boasts the highest number of golf courses per capita in the U.S.—many of which offer excellent value. While summer can be hot, the nearby ocean provides a refreshing break. The area, known as the Grand Strand, is packed with entertainment (like The Carolina Opry, Legends in Concert, Broadway Theater, and Greg Rowles Legacy Theater) and dining options, making it perfect for both buddies’ golf trips and family vacations.

Top golf courses in Myrtle Beach include True Blue and Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, both by the legendary Mike Strantz; Barefoot Resort with layouts from Fazio, Dye, Greg Norman, and Davis Love III; as well as Tidewater, Grande Dunes, and The Dunes Golf & Beach Club—a classic RTJ design open for some resort play.

Myrtle Beach also hosts the PlayGolfMyrtleBeach.com World Amateur Handicap Championship, the world’s largest amateur golf event. Held every late August, it draws over 3,000 players across dozens of courses, with nightly festivities at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.

Another prime coastal destination is Hilton Head Island, home to more than 20 public golf courses. Its crown jewel is Harbour Town Golf Links at Sea Pines Resort, famous for its red-and-white lighthouse on the 18th hole overlooking Calibogue Sound. Designed by Jack Nicklaus and Pete Dye, it hosts the PGA Tour’s Heritage Classic. The resort also features Heron Point (Dye) and Atlantic Dunes (Love III), both beloved by visitors.

Finally, there’s Kiawah Island, just outside Charleston and not far from Hilton Head. It’s best known for Pete Dye’s iconic Ocean Course, which hosted the unforgettable 1991 Ryder Cup (“War by the Shore”) and two PGA Championships the most recent in 2021, when Phil Mickelson made history as the oldest major winner at age 50.

For those seeking other options on Kiawah, the island offers several other top-tier courses: Turtle Point by Nicklaus, Osprey Point by Fazio, Cougar Point by Gary Player, and Oak Point by Clyde Johnston—often noted as the island’s best value course.

If You Can Take the Heat 

Finally, if the heat doesn’t bother you, summertime is a good time to perhaps save a little money on some prime winter destinations that offer significant discounts when it’s hot. 

For example, you can play top courses like Troon North and We-Ko-Pa in the Scottsdale, Ariz., area in the summer for much less than it costs in early spring or late fall (play in the morning or late evening recommended). 

Conclusion

Whether you’re planning a weekend golf getaway or a full-blown summer escape, South Carolina’s coastal gems Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, and Kiawah Island offer the perfect mix of sunshine, ocean breezes, and world-class golf. From legendary course designs to unforgettable seaside views and family-friendly activities, these destinations prove that summer and golf by the shore are a match made in vacation heaven.