McLemore Resort
As the winter quickly approaches, half of the country starts to prepare for colder weather to settle in and golf trips to the sunbelt of the United States all the sudden come to the forefront of the mind of many golfers.
While there are a plethora of great options available throughout this corridor, we wanted to focus on some of the best options in the Southeastern United States for your consideration that provide world-class golf, exceptional amenities, and most importantly, balmy weather.
Streamsong Resort – Bowling Green, Florida
A modern marvel in central Florida, Streamsong is unlike anything else you will find in the Southeast. Built on reclaimed phosphate mining land, it features three award-winning courses with the Red course by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, the Blue course by Tom Doak, and the Black course by Gil Hanse as well as the exciting new short course known as The Chain and an exciting new 18-hole layout coming soon under the watchful eye of David McLay Kidd. Minimalist design meets maximalist experience with a luxe lodge, gourmet dining, and a spa that’s just as memorable as the golf.
TPC Sawgrass – Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
Home of THE PLAYERS Championship, TPC Sawgrass is where golf fans come to walk the same fairways as the best players on the PGA TOUR. The Stadium Course, designed by Pete Dye, is the star of the show here and is best known for the terrifying-but-iconic par-3 17th “Island Green.” The property also features the Dye’s Valley Course for 36 holes of great golf all under one roof, and we also highly suggest adding in a day or two of golf at the nearby World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Florida if you’re looking for an extended stay-and-play getaway.
Cabot Citrus Farms – Brooksville, Florida
Newly reimagined by the global golf minds of the Cabot Collection, Cabot Citrus Farms is bringing fresh energy to Florida with the reimagining of a piece of property that used to be home to World Woods. With a collection of bold new courses including two 18-hole layouts with Karoo and The Roost, this 1,200-acre property is becoming a magnet for golfers who love creativity and craftsmanship that give you the vibes of the sandhills of the Carolinas but in the warm weather of the greater Central Florida area.
PGA National Resort – Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
The longtime host of the Honda Classic has undergone a stunning multi-million-dollar renovation, and PGA National has leveled up both on the course and throughout the resort. The infamous Champion Course features the gauntlet known as the Bear Trap, remains the main draw at the resort but the five other layouts give golfers plenty of variety. Now a part of the Salamander Resort collection, this resort is a great option if you are targeting a trip to South Florida.
Sea Island Resort – Sea Island, Georgia
Blending Southern elegance with top-tier golf, Sea Island is one of the few resorts in the world to host both PGA TOUR events and provide Forbes Five-Star accommodations. The Seaside and Plantation courses are breathtaking, and the Retreat Course offers a more fun and friendly layout to balance out your golf vacation. We highly recommend staying at either The Lodge or The Cloister here, or if you are looking for a larger space there are also some great home rentals available for larger groups to enjoy. When it comes to service and details, their exceptional team doesn’t miss anything and it’s one of the most elevated experiences in all of golf.
Reynolds Lake Oconee – Greensboro, Georgia
Located between Atlanta and Augusta, Reynolds Lake Oconee boasts six golf courses by legendary designers like Jack Nicklaus, Rees Jones, and Tom Fazio. This 12,000-acre community offers everything from lakefront homes to a Ritz-Carlton, plus boating, tennis, and spa options for non-golfers. It’s a full-on lifestyle retreat with a golf soul. Our favorite way to enjoy Reynolds Lake Oconee is staying in some of their condo lodging options such as the National Club Cottages which are perfect for golf groups. You’ll quickly realize why so many visitors end up making Reynolds Lake Oconee a primary or secondary residence as the lake life vibes are intoxicating and make it very tough to leave!
Great Waters Course at Reynolds Lake Oconee
The Sea Pines Resort – Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Located in Hilton Head Island which is one of the best locations for golf in the country, The Sea Pines Resort was made famous by Harbour Town Golf Links and its iconic candy-striped lighthouse that can be seen coming down the 18th hole. This legendary design put two of the best modern golf architects on the map: Jack Nicklaus and Pete Dye. But it’s not just the RBC Heritage host course that shines here as Heron Point and Atlantic Dunes are strong supporting acts. Add in a stay at the elegant Inn & Club at Harbour Town, and you’re all set.
Harbour Town Golf Links at The Sea Pines Resort
Kiawah Island Golf Resort – Kiawah Island, South Carolina
There’s “bucket list,” and then there’s The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort. Host of multiple PGA Championships and the infamous “War on the Shore” at the 1991 Ryder Cup, it offers windswept drama and will test every facet of your game. Yet Kiawah is more than a single course as the resort features five wonderful golf courses, luxury villas, and the spectacular Sanctuary Hotel. Nature lovers will appreciate its marshes, beaches, and quiet luxury, and it consistently delivers one of the best experiences in the game of golf.
The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort
McLemore Resort – Rising Fawn, Georgia
One of the most asked about resorts we hear about these days is the beautiful McLemore Resort in Rising Fawn, Georgia very near the Tennessee border. This incredible property sits atop Lookout Mountain in Northwest Georgia and provides golfers with two unique layouts with The Highlands Course which features dramatic elevation changes and one of the most stunning finishing holes that you’ve likely seen on our social media channels that hangs over a cliff, and the new course known as The Keep which is a links style design combined with the same cliffside views to create a one-of-a-kind experience.
The Keep at McLemore Resort
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort – Miramar Beach, Florida
Located in the greater Destin, Florida area, this incredible resort is home to some of the best value golf in the country. You’ll find plenty of waterside holes throughout the four courses and 73-holes (yes, you read that right) here, and the resort boasts a wonderful myriad of lodging options that can fit any budget and any group size. The beaches are pristine, and the area has a great collection of shops both on and off property for you to enjoy. If your group is looking for a great deal on some fantastic golf, Sandestin is a must for you to check out.
The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa – Asheville, North Carolina
With its arts & crafts galore, beautiful architecture, mountain vistas, and a Donald Ross-designed golf course, The Omni Grove Park Inn offers a unique golf experience in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Pair your round with craft brews, spa time, and Asheville’s foodie culture, and you’ll find yourself lingering longer than planned.
The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa
Beau Rivage Resort & Casino – Biloxi, Mississippi
When it comes to exceptional golf and a little bit of gambling, it’s tough to beat a stay at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi. The resort features a wonderful variety of gaming options, a slew of live entertainment including great musical and comedian acts, top-notch dining, pools, and nightlife for you to enjoy. From a golf perspective, guests can enjoy the Tom Fazio masterpiece known as Fallen Oak. This is one of the best golf courses in the state, and it has played host to the PGA TOUR Champions in previous years. It’s a great layout and an exceptional value for what you receive here.
Fallen Oak at Beau Rivage Resort & Casino
Recommendation
The southeastern United States is more than a warm-weather golf haven. It’s a collection of golf stories waiting to be lived, and these 12 exceptional resorts will offer you some of the best experiences that the game has to offer. For larger groups, you should get on booking your trip as soon as possible as the demand at these facilities are at an all-time high so act fast before you miss out on your chance for a bucket-list golf trip.