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Bucket List Golf Trips

Destinations with the most elite courses in America. 104 destinations.

These are the trips you plan once and talk about forever. Every destination below features at least one bucket-list tier course — Top 100 public layouts, PGA Tour venues, or once-in-a-lifetime designs that serious golfers travel specifically to play. We ranked by concentration of elite courses, so destinations with multiple bucket-list options appear first.

Beyond the marquee courses, each destination includes premium lodging options, the best local dining, and activities worth the trip even on rest days. Click any destination for full course details including ratings, green fees, and walkability — then use the planner to build a complete bucket-list itinerary.

The list

Destinations with Bucket List Courses

a lighthouse on top of a hill surrounded by tall grass
5 bucket list

Bandon, OR

Bucket-list links golf on the Oregon coast

6 courses5 bucket-listOTH · 25min

Bucket-list courses

aerial photo of plains
5 bucket list

Ballybunion, Ireland

Southwest Ireland's links cathedral — Ballybunion, Lahinch, Tralee, Waterville

6 courses5 bucket-listSNN · 105min

Bucket-list courses

a large cactus in the middle of a desert
4 bucket list

Scottsdale, AZ

Desert golf royalty meets Old Town nightlife

5 courses4 bucket-listPHX · 20min

Bucket-list courses

a river running through a lush green forest
4 bucket list

Jackson, WY

Elite mountain golf in the shadow of the Tetons

5 courses4 bucket-listJAC · 10min

Bucket-list courses

silhouette of mountain during sunset
3 bucket list

Kohler, WI

Ryder Cup country meets heartland hospitality

7 courses3 bucket-listGRB · 60min

Bucket-list courses

green grass near body of water during daytime
3 bucket list

Monterey, CA

The bucket-list capital of American golf

6 courses3 bucket-listMRY · 10min

Bucket-list courses

Beautiful beach scene at sunset.
3 bucket list

Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

Storybook village, world-class golf, and Carmel Valley wine

5 courses3 bucket-listMRY · 15min

Bucket-list courses

birds'-eye view photography of hills
3 bucket list

St Andrews, Scotland

The Home of Golf — bucket-list pilgrimage on the Fife coast

6 courses3 bucket-listEDI · 75min

Bucket-list courses

green grass on mountain under white cloudy sky
3 bucket list

Troon, Scotland

Ayrshire's Open links — Royal Troon, Turnberry, and Prestwick

5 courses3 bucket-listGLA · 40min

Bucket-list courses

green grass on mountain under white cloudy sky
3 bucket list

Gullane, Scotland

Scotland's Golf Coast — Muirfield, North Berwick, and the Renaissance Club

5 courses3 bucket-listEDI · 40min

Bucket-list courses

a body of water with rocks and grass on the side
3 bucket list

Portmarnock, Ireland

Dublin's links coast — Portmarnock, The Island, and County Louth

5 courses3 bucket-listDUB · 15min

Bucket-list courses

a street lined with palm trees next to a beach
3 bucket list

Costa del Sol, Spain

Marbella & Sotogrande — Valderrama, Finca Cortesin, sun and beach clubs

5 courses3 bucket-listAGP · 45min

Bucket-list courses

brown garden dock
3 bucket list

Streamsong, FL

Three top-100 courses rising out of a Florida sand quarry

4 courses3 bucket-listTPA · 75min

Bucket-list courses

a small house on a grassy hill
3 bucket list

Sand Valley, WI

Wisconsin's answer to Bandon — sand-dune golf in the middle of nowhere

5 courses3 bucket-listCWA · 45min

Bucket-list courses

a tree leaning over on the shore of a lake
3 bucket list

Roscommon, MI

Tom Doak's reversible course in the middle of the Michigan woods

4 courses3 bucket-listMBS · 75min

Bucket-list courses

a group of people standing on top of a field under a cloudy sky
2 bucket list

Las Vegas, NV

The ultimate boys-trip city with world-class desert golf

5 courses2 bucket-listLAS · 10min

Bucket-list courses

a river running through a forest filled with lots of trees
2 bucket list

Bend, OR

High desert golf with a brewery on every corner

7 courses2 bucket-listRDM · 20min

Bucket-list courses

Castle-like building against a vibrant sunset sky
2 bucket list

Coeur d'Alene, ID

Lake town golf with a floating green

4 courses2 bucket-listGEG · 40min

Bucket-list courses

an aerial view of a body of water covered in ice
2 bucket list

Traverse City, MI

Wine country golf on the shores of Grand Traverse Bay

7 courses2 bucket-listTVC · 10min

Bucket-list courses

brown bricked building
2 bucket list

Williamsburg, VA

Historic Virginia golf with colonial charm and championship courses

6 courses2 bucket-listPHF · 20min

Bucket-list courses

Horseshoe bend with colorado river in arizona
2 bucket list

Horseshoe Bay, TX

Four championship courses on Lake LBJ in the Texas Hill Country

4 courses2 bucket-listAUS · 90min

Bucket-list courses

A black and white photo of a mountain with dark clouds
2 bucket list

Branson, MO

Ozarks golf with lake life, live shows, and surprisingly great courses

6 courses2 bucket-listSGF · 45min

Bucket-list courses

green grass field near mountain during sunset
2 bucket list

Newcastle, Northern Ireland

Royal County Down & Royal Portrush — two of the world's best

4 courses2 bucket-listBFS · 75min

Bucket-list courses

brown rock formation on sea under blue sky during daytime
2 bucket list

Los Cabos, Mexico

Desert-meets-Pacific golf at the tip of Baja

6 courses2 bucket-listSJD · 35min

Bucket-list courses

silhouette of person standing near body of water
2 bucket list

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Caribbean ocean-holes and all-inclusive nights

5 courses2 bucket-listPUJ · 20min

Bucket-list courses

rock mountains near seashore
2 bucket list

Algarve, Portugal

Europe's sunbelt golf — Monte Rei, Quinta do Lago, San Lorenzo

5 courses2 bucket-listFAO · 25min

Bucket-list courses

white boat on body of water near city buildings during daytime
2 bucket list

Tampa, FL

Innisbrook's Copperhead plus a downtown that actually parties

5 courses2 bucket-listTPA · 25min

Bucket-list courses

a rocky landscape with mountains in the background
2 bucket list

Auburn-Opelika, AL

Grand National — the crown jewel of the RTJ Golf Trail

4 courses2 bucket-listATL · 105min

Bucket-list courses

photo of green grass field
2 bucket list

Erin Hills, WI

Walk the 2017 U.S. Open links 35 minutes from Milwaukee

4 courses2 bucket-listMKE · 50min

Bucket-list courses

white and red water tank under blue sky during daytime
2 bucket list

Frisco, TX

The new home of the PGA of America — two championship courses

4 courses2 bucket-listDFW · 35min

Bucket-list courses

body of water near trees during daytime
2 bucket list

Brewster, WA

The top-ranked links destination hiding in Washington's high desert

3 courses2 bucket-listGEG · 150min

Bucket-list courses

landscape photography of mountains covered with green grasses under cloudy sky
2 bucket list

Worley, ID

Idaho's No. 1 public course with a casino attached

3 courses2 bucket-listGEG · 50min

Bucket-list courses

a cactus in the desert with mountains in the background
1 bucket list

Sedona, AZ

Red rock golf in one of the most stunning landscapes on earth

3 courses1 bucket-listPHX · 120min

Bucket-list courses

green trees on mountain under blue sky during daytime
1 bucket list

St. George, UT

TDF-tested red rock golf at the Utah-Arizona border

5 courses1 bucket-listSGU · 10min

Bucket-list courses

a desert landscape with hills
1 bucket list

Mesquite, NV

Budget desert golf with casino-town swagger

4 courses1 bucket-listLAS · 80min

Bucket-list courses

a desert landscape with hills
1 bucket list

Reno, NV

Mountain golf, casinos, and craft beer in the Biggest Little City

4 courses1 bucket-listRNO · 10min

Bucket-list courses

a group of people riding skis across snow covered ground
1 bucket list

Sunriver, OR

Resort golf in the Cascades with a laid-back compound vibe

5 courses1 bucket-listRDM · 35min

Bucket-list courses

green grass field near body of water during sunset
1 bucket list

Portland, OR

Craft beer capital meets surprisingly great urban golf

4 courses1 bucket-listPDX · 15min

Bucket-list courses

a body of water with buildings and mountains in the background
1 bucket list

Seattle, WA

Emerald City golf with world-class food and drink

5 courses1 bucket-listSEA · 20min

Bucket-list courses

A dirt road surrounded by trees under a blue sky
1 bucket list

Spokane, WA

Affordable Inland NW golf with a punchy downtown bar scene

4 courses1 bucket-listGEG · 15min

Bucket-list courses

a dock with boats on it
1 bucket list

Gig Harbor, WA

Puget Sound harbor town with Chambers Bay next door

4 courses1 bucket-listSEA · 45min

Bucket-list courses

a snowy mountain range
1 bucket list

Big Sky, MT

Resort mountain golf under the biggest sky you've ever seen

3 courses1 bucket-listBZN · 50min

Bucket-list courses

a mountain range with trees and clouds in the background
1 bucket list

Durango, CO

Southwest Colorado mountain golf with a Wild West soul

3 courses1 bucket-listDRO · 15min

Bucket-list courses

green trees on green mountain under blue sky during daytime
1 bucket list

Park City, UT

Mountain resort golf with SLC nightlife 30 minutes away

4 courses1 bucket-listSLC · 35min

Bucket-list courses

a group of people standing on top of a lush green hillside
1 bucket list

Colorado Springs, CO

Military-town muscle with championship courses at altitude

5 courses1 bucket-listCOS · 15min

Bucket-list courses

a landscape with trees and mountains
1 bucket list

Vail, CO

Alpine luxury with championship mountain golf

5 courses1 bucket-listEGE · 35min

Bucket-list courses

brown and green mountains under white clouds during daytime
1 bucket list

Telluride, CO

Bucket-list beauty in Colorado's most jaw-dropping box canyon

3 courses1 bucket-listTEX · 10min

Bucket-list courses

herd of sheep on green grass field during daytime
1 bucket list

French Lick, IN

Historic resort golf, casino, and bourbon country

3 courses1 bucket-listSDF · 90min

Bucket-list courses

a golf green with a red flag on it
1 bucket list

Pinehurst, NC

The Cradle of American Golf

6 courses1 bucket-listRDU · 75min

Bucket-list courses

Water reflects lush green trees and blue sky.
1 bucket list

Kiawah Island, SC

Where the Ocean Course meets the Atlantic

5 courses1 bucket-listCHS · 45min

Bucket-list courses

a black and white photo of palm trees
1 bucket list

Hilton Head, SC

Island golf with a side of beach bars

6 courses1 bucket-listHHH · 15min

Bucket-list courses

A chain overlooks a beautiful marsh landscape.
1 bucket list

Charleston, SC

Lowcountry links, world-class food, and a legendary bar scene

5 courses1 bucket-listCHS · 15min

Bucket-list courses

a beach with a body of water and buildings
1 bucket list

Myrtle Beach, SC

80+ courses and budget-friendly golf heaven

5 courses1 bucket-listMYR · 10min

Bucket-list courses

A scenic view of a waterfall in the forest.
1 bucket list

Chattanooga, TN

Mountain golf with Lookout Mountain as your backdrop

4 courses1 bucket-listCHA · 15min

Bucket-list courses

Seagull flying over pier with blackbird perched.
1 bucket list

St. Augustine, FL

America's oldest city with World Golf Village next door

4 courses1 bucket-listJAX · 55min

Bucket-list courses

a walkway in a park lined with trees and bushes
1 bucket list

Sarasota, FL

Gulf Coast golf with world-class beaches

4 courses1 bucket-listSRQ · 10min

Bucket-list courses

river in the middle of forest during daytime
1 bucket list

Biloxi, MS

Casino nightlife meets championship Gulf Coast golf

3 courses1 bucket-listGPT · 10min

Bucket-list courses

brown wooden dock on sea under white clouds
1 bucket list

Pawleys Island, SC

Lowcountry golf perfection without the Myrtle crowds

4 courses1 bucket-listMYR · 35min

Bucket-list courses

a pink and blue sky over a body of water
1 bucket list

Sea Island / St. Simons, GA

Three courses of elite resort golf on the Georgia coast

4 courses1 bucket-listBQK · 20min

Bucket-list courses

a pink and blue sky over a body of water
1 bucket list

Reynolds Lake Oconee, GA

Six championship courses on a stunning Georgia lake

5 courses1 bucket-listATL · 90min

Bucket-list courses

White lighthouse on a small island with a lone fisherman.
1 bucket list

Cape Cod, MA

Coastal New England golf with lobster and ocean breezes

6 courses1 bucket-listHYA · 10min

Bucket-list courses

white cross on green grass field during daytime
1 bucket list

Fredericksburg, TX

Hill Country wine, German heritage, and hidden gem golf

3 courses1 bucket-listSAT · 90min

Bucket-list courses

a field of dry grass with trees in the background
1 bucket list

San Antonio, TX

PGA Tour golf, River Walk nightlife, and Tex-Mex everything

5 courses1 bucket-listSAT · 15min

Bucket-list courses

a bridge over a river
1 bucket list

Austin, TX

Live music capital meets Hill Country golf and craft beer culture

5 courses1 bucket-listAUS · 15min

Bucket-list courses

Empty park bench overlooks a cemetery in winter
1 bucket list

Dallas-Fort Worth, TX

Big-city golf, world-class steaks, and Deep Ellum nightlife

5 courses1 bucket-listDFW · 20min

Bucket-list courses

brown wooden wall with blue and white round painting
1 bucket list

Houston, TX

PGA Tour golf, world-class dining, and Space City swagger

5 courses1 bucket-listIAH · 25min

Bucket-list courses

the sun is setting behind a tower in the sky
1 bucket list

New Orleans, LA

Bourbon Street, bayou golf, and the best food city in America

4 courses1 bucket-listMSY · 20min

Bucket-list courses

green trees and green grass during daytime
1 bucket list

Louisville, KY

Bourbon Trail golf with Valhalla prestige and Derby City nightlife

5 courses1 bucket-listSDF · 15min

Bucket-list courses

a street with cars and people
1 bucket list

Tulsa, OK

Southern Hills prestige meets Blue Dome nightlife at budget prices

5 courses1 bucket-listTUL · 15min

Bucket-list courses

a body of water surrounded by tall buildings
1 bucket list

Oklahoma City, OK

Bricktown nightlife, prairie golf, and OKC Thunder energy

5 courses1 bucket-listOKC · 15min

Bucket-list courses

a body of water with trees and a building in the background
1 bucket list

Little Rock, AR

River Market nightlife, affordable Ozark-edge golf, and genuine Southern charm

4 courses1 bucket-listLIT · 10min

Bucket-list courses

a couple of lawn chairs sitting next to a swimming pool
1 bucket list

Palm Desert, CA

PGA West, Stadium glory, and the valley's best public courses

5 courses1 bucket-listPSP · 20min

Bucket-list courses

people walking on sidewalk near body of water during daytime
1 bucket list

San Diego, CA

Torrey Pines, perfect weather, and Gaslamp nightlife

5 courses1 bucket-listSAN · 15min

Bucket-list courses

A body of water that is very clear
1 bucket list

Nassau, Bahamas

Nicklaus & Weiskopf links a short hop from the US

2 courses1 bucket-listNAS · 20min

Bucket-list courses

brown garden dock
1 bucket list

Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

Tee it up where the pros do at TPC Sawgrass' island green

5 courses1 bucket-listJAX · 35min

Bucket-list courses

A long wooden bridge over a body of water
1 bucket list

Bluffton, SC

Lowcountry golf and oak-shaded charm next door to Hilton Head

5 courses1 bucket-listSAV · 30min

Bucket-list courses

landscape photography of cityscape by water
1 bucket list

Birmingham, AL

RTJ Trail golf and a surprise-hit food-and-bar city

4 courses1 bucket-listBHM · 20min

Bucket-list courses

body of water between buildings during daytime
1 bucket list

Florence, AL

8,000-yard RTJ golf above the river in Muscle Shoals music country

4 courses1 bucket-listBHM · 120min

Bucket-list courses

white dandelion in close up photography
1 bucket list

Augusta, GA

Play in the shadow of the Masters on real public Augusta golf

4 courses1 bucket-listAGS · 15min

Bucket-list courses

snow covered trees during daytime
1 bucket list

Knoxville, TN

Smoky Mountain views, lake golf, and a college-town Old City

5 courses1 bucket-listTYS · 20min

Bucket-list courses

city skyline under cloudy sky during daytime
1 bucket list

Memphis, TN

Justin Timberlake's course, Delta golf, and Beale Street

4 courses1 bucket-listMEM · 15min

Bucket-list courses

a horse standing in a field with a body of water in the background
1 bucket list

Green Lake, WI

Wisconsin's deepest lake and a 1930 links time capsule

4 courses1 bucket-listMKE · 90min

Bucket-list courses

brown grass field near body of water during daytime
1 bucket list

Bay Harbor, MI

Cliffside Lake Michigan golf at the BOYNE flagship

5 courses1 bucket-listPLN · 25min

Bucket-list courses

Lone tree in a field at sunset
1 bucket list

Akron, OH

Play 'The Monster' where the World Golf Championship lived

4 courses1 bucket-listCAK · 20min

Bucket-list courses

green grass field under blue sky during daytime
1 bucket list

Hutchinson, KS

Make the pilgrimage to Prairie Dunes — Kansas's top-25 sandhills classic

4 courses1 bucket-listICT · 60min

Bucket-list courses

a body of water surrounded by a forest
1 bucket list

Bismarck, ND

Black-sand links golf above the Missouri River

4 courses1 bucket-listBIS · 15min

Bucket-list courses

a scenic view of a valley and mountains
1 bucket list

Grand Junction, CO

Western Slope wine country with Colorado's #1-rated course

4 courses1 bucket-listGJT · 15min

Bucket-list courses

A field full of yellow flowers with trees in the background
1 bucket list

Wickenburg, AZ

Dude-ranch country golf an hour from Phoenix

3 courses1 bucket-listPHX · 75min

Bucket-list courses

a large cloud is in the sky above a field
1 bucket list

Marana, AZ

27 holes of Nicklaus tournament golf in the Tortolitas

4 courses1 bucket-listTUS · 45min

Bucket-list courses

brown and green mountains under blue sky and white clouds during daytime
1 bucket list

Cedar City, UT

Affordable red-cliff golf and the gateway to Zion country

3 courses1 bucket-listSGU · 60min

Bucket-list courses

dirt road during day
1 bucket list

Boulder City, NV

Lake Mead golf 30 minutes from the Strip, minus the chaos

4 courses1 bucket-listLAS · 30min

Bucket-list courses

a winding road through a forest
1 bucket list

White Sulphur Springs, WV

America's grandest resort — golf, casino, and bourbon in the Alleghenies

4 courses1 bucket-listLWB · 20min

Bucket-list courses

green grass field near lake under blue sky during daytime
1 bucket list

Farmington, PA

Pete Dye in the Laurel Highlands — golf, casino, and a private wildlife park

3 courses1 bucket-listPIT · 80min

Bucket-list courses

panoramic photography of Brooklyn Bridge
1 bucket list

Long Island (Farmingdale), NY

Bethpage Black and a wall of world-class public golf

4 courses1 bucket-listJFK · 40min

Bucket-list courses

panoramic photography of Brooklyn Bridge
1 bucket list

Verona, NY

Three championship courses and a full casino under one roof

4 courses1 bucket-listSYR · 35min

Bucket-list courses

a group of houses and trees
1 bucket list

Mashantucket, CT

Rees Jones golf wired straight into Foxwoods Casino

4 courses1 bucket-listPVD · 50min

Bucket-list courses

mountain covered with green grass
1 bucket list

Carrabassett Valley, ME

Maine's mountain golf — RTJ II in the Western Mountains

3 courses1 bucket-listPWM · 150min

Bucket-list courses

top view of cityscape under gray sky
1 bucket list

Roanoke, VA

Mountaintop golf at Primland in the Blue Ridge

4 courses1 bucket-listROA · 10min

Bucket-list courses

brown and black concrete building
1 bucket list

Bentonville, AR

Ozark golf and the country's best mountain biking, with a buzzing downtown

4 courses1 bucket-listXNA · 20min

Bucket-list courses

yellow ball on green grass field
1 bucket list

Bowling Green, KY

Corvettes, caves, bourbon, and a sneaky-good golf scene

4 courses1 bucket-listBNA · 70min

Bucket-list courses

A group of people playing a game of frisbee
1 bucket list

University Place, WA

Play the 2015 U.S. Open links on the shores of Puget Sound

4 courses1 bucket-listSEA · 40min

Bucket-list courses

silhouette of trees and mountain near body of water
1 bucket list

South Lake Tahoe, CA

Lakeside championship golf with casinos a short walk away

3 courses1 bucket-listRNO · 70min

Bucket-list courses

city buildings under blue sky during daytime
1 bucket list

San Francisco, CA

Major-championship muni golf with a world-class city behind it

4 courses1 bucket-listSFO · 25min

Bucket-list courses

a view of a mountain range with a lake in the foreground
1 bucket list

Aptos, CA

MacKenzie's finest work and beach-town golf above Monterey Bay

3 courses1 bucket-listSJC · 45min

Bucket-list courses

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