Summer is moving full speed ahead and it appears as if everybody is arranging a getaway. While some are making a beeline for the beach and others are looking for historical sites or mountain ranges, you can't wait to hit the greens. Grab some sunscreen and your clubs for these popular golf courses in the U.S.
Best Golf Courses in the U.S.
1. Cypress Point — Pebble Beach, California
Pebble Beach is something of a mecca for golf afficionados. Here, the links are fantastic, but the views are extraordinary. Overshoot on some of the cliffside holes and there’s no retrieving your ball. We don’t think you’ll be too upset, though. Just breathe in the fresh coastal air and enjoy the sunshine.
The best time to golf in Pebble Beach is September through November. You’ll avoid the fogginess of summer — yes, fog — and have nice, mild temperatures.
2. Pacific Dunes — Bandon, Oregon
Like many of the best West Coast courses, the ocean views are unmatched. Natural dunes are as much a part of the stunning landscape as they are a challenge to play. This is a walking-only course, although golf carts are available for those with disabilities that prevent them from walking.
If you’re planning to golf in Oregon, head out in the fall. Wind, weather, and course conditions are best September through November.
3. Kiawah Island Golf Resort Ocean Course — Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Kiawah Island Golf Resort is one of the few courses in the U.S. to have hosted every major PGA event. This is the only course in the U.S. that is affected much by the wind, and you could end up using eight different types of clubs on holes depending on the direction and strength of the wind.
South Carolina enjoys mild winters, which means you can start golfing at Kiawah Island earlier in the season. Prime time is late March to early June. This also lets you beat the hottest and most humid summer weather.
4. Whistling Straits — Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Whistling Straits is nested along a two-mile stretch of Lake Michigan. Eight holes embrace the shoreline of Lake Michigan, while a view of the lake is unmistakable from every one of the 18 holes. Come prepared for a challenge. Whistling Straits might be a bit much for some thanks to its 1,000 bunkers, but that’s why it’s been popular for pro events like the 2021 Ryder Cup.
As one of the more northern courses on our list, Whistling Straits is best played in the summer. The long days of July and August give you plenty of time to play, while the slight breezes off the lake will help keep you cool.
5. Shadow Creek — North Las Vegas, Nevada
The engineers weren’t messing around when they decided to put a golf course in the middle of the Nevada desert. For all its extravagance — lush greens, waterfalls — you might even forget you’re in the desert as you stroll down the back nine.
Shadow Creek is just 20 minutes from the Vegas Strip, making it a great way to catch some rays when you’re done at the casinos and shows.
6. Pine Valley — Pine Valley, New Jersey
Golf Digest seems to pick Pine Valley as its No. 1 course every year. It’s a stalwart in the golfing world, having been built more than a century ago. The experience of playing this course is a tradition not to be missed if you can snag an invitation.
Pine Valley is a private club, and one of the most exclusive on a list of very exclusive establishments. Even if you don’t get a chance to play this course, you can walk the grounds on the last Sunday in September.
Best Travel Insurance for Golf Trips
Travel insurance protects the investment you make in any trip. When you have prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses, which is common when you’re planning to play some of the most prestigious golf courses in the world, it pays to have insurance in case you need to cancel or change your plans.
With Seven Corners Trip Protection, consider adding coverage for Sports Equipment Rental. With this optional benefit, we will reimburse you for the cost of renting equipment if your golf equipment is lost, stolen, damaged, or delayed by a common carrier like your airline for six or more hours.
Talk to one of our licensed agents or get a quick quote online to find the best travel insurance for your golf getaway.
