A golf trip with your mates is one of life's great pleasures. The competition, the banter, the post-round stories that get better with each retelling. The key to a great buddies trip is picking a destination where the golf is outstanding, the logistics are simple, and there's enough off-course entertainment to keep everyone happy. Here are the best options in the USA.
Bandon Dunes, Oregon
The pitch: Five world-class courses in one remote coastal location. No mobile phone reception. No distractions. Just golf.
Why it's perfect for groups: Bandon is purpose-built for golf trips. The resort handles everything — accommodation, dining, tee times — so there's zero logistical friction. You wake up, eat breakfast, walk to the first tee, play 36 holes, have dinner, and repeat. The courses are walking-only, which keeps the pace social.
The courses: Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes, Old Macdonald, Bandon Trails, and Sheep Ranch. Pacific Dunes is the headliner — a Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw design perched on cliffs above the ocean — but Old Macdonald's template holes and Sheep Ranch's wild coastal setting are equally memorable.
The catch: It's remote. Fly into North Bend (connecting through Portland, Denver, or San Francisco) or drive 4-5 hours from Portland. But the remoteness is the point — there's nothing to do except play golf, eat, drink, and enjoy your friends' company.
Budget: $200-$350/round. Stay-and-play packages offer the best value. Plan 3-4 nights minimum.
Pinehurst, North Carolina
The pitch: America's golf resort, with nine courses and a century of history.
Why it's perfect for groups: Pinehurst Village is built around golf. The resort offers courses at every level and price point, so mixed-ability groups can all find their level. The village itself has enough bars, restaurants, and shops to keep non-golfers or evening-only players entertained.
The highlight: Pinehurst No. 2, the Donald Ross masterpiece with its famous crowned greens and sandy waste areas. The restoration to firm-and-fast conditions has made it one of the best courses in America. Courses No. 4 (Gil Hanse redesign) and No. 8 are also outstanding.
Budget: No. 2 is $395 for resort guests. Other courses range from $100-$250. The resort offers multi-round packages. Fly into Raleigh-Durham (75 minutes away).
Scottsdale, Arizona
The pitch: Guaranteed sunshine, 200+ courses, and a nightlife scene that keeps the group entertained off the course.
Why it's perfect for groups: Scottsdale has the most golf courses per capita of any US city, with options at every price point. The desert landscape is stunning, and the weather from October to April is virtually perfect. Old Town Scottsdale's bar and restaurant scene is ideal for group nights out.
Top courses: TPC Scottsdale (Stadium Course — home of the 16th hole party), We-Ko-Pa (Saguaro and Cholla courses), Troon North (Monument and Pinnacle), and Grayhawk (Raptor and Talon).
Budget: $75-$250/round depending on season and course. Accommodation ranges from budget motels to luxury resorts. Direct flights to Phoenix from most US cities.
Kiawah Island, South Carolina
The pitch: Five resort courses on a beautiful barrier island, headlined by the fearsome Ocean Course.
Why it's perfect for groups: The resort handles logistics seamlessly, and the island setting means the group stays together. The Ocean Course (2012 and 2021 PGA Championship venue) is the main event — every hole has views of the Atlantic Ocean or marsh — but Osprey Point, Turtle Point, and Cougar Point are all excellent.
Budget: The Ocean Course is $400+ for non-guests, $250+ for resort guests. Other courses run $100-$200. Fly into Charleston (40 minutes). Beach time and Charleston dining are excellent non-golf options.
Streamsong Resort, Florida
The pitch: Three outstanding courses in an unlikely Central Florida location — former phosphate mining land transformed into rolling, links-style terrain.
Why it's perfect for groups: Streamsong is all-inclusive golf — stay at the resort, eat at the restaurants, play the courses. The three layouts (Red by Coore/Crenshaw, Blue by Tom Doak, Black by Gil Hanse) offer completely different experiences, so you can play all three in a long weekend without repetition.
Budget: $200-$300/round. Stay-and-play packages available. Fly into Tampa or Orlando (90 minutes each).
Tips for Planning a Buddies Trip
- Appoint one organizer. Democracy is great for government, terrible for golf trip logistics. One person handles bookings and collects money. Use Venmo or Splitwise to keep finances clean.
- Book 6-9 months ahead. Prime dates at Bandon and Pinehurst fill fast.
- Don't over-schedule. 36 holes a day sounds heroic but leaves no room for the 19th hole. Plan for 18 holes most days with one optional 36-hole day.
- Establish the format early. Nassau, skins, wolf, round-robin match play — decide before you arrive to avoid first-tee arguments.
- Mix up the pairings. Rotate groups each round so everyone plays with everyone.
- Set a clear budget upfront. Nothing kills a trip faster than one person spending freely while another is counting pennies.
- Create a group chat for pre-trip smack talk. Half the fun happens before you even tee off.
- Book one nice dinner. At least one evening should be a proper sit-down meal where you recap the week's highlights.
The best golf trips aren't always about the best courses — they're about the people you play with. Pick a destination that minimises hassle and maximises time together, and the memories will take care of themselves.
