Whistling Straits
Time flies. It’s as cliché a phrase as there is, but it doesn’t make it any less true.
And if you are anything like us, there is nothing better than having a big trip on the horizon to give you something to look forward to as summer will be here before we know it. There are many destinations that must fight the effects of winter harder than others, but the reward is that these peak in the summer months for us golfers to enjoy. We’ve highlighted a few of our favorite summer spots that you and your crew should investigate when you start planning your trip.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin has quickly become one of the best destinations for golf in the United States. You can’t talk about golf in this state without mentioning Destination Kohler which is recognized worldwide from the Straits Course at Whistling Straits that has served as home to multiple major championships as well as the Ryder Cup. With 5 great courses onsite, this resort is on the Mount Rushmore of top resorts in the country.
In addition to Kohler, Wisconsin also has some of the best 18-hole resort facilities in the country highlighted by Erin Hills and SentryWorld. These two experiences couldn’t be further apart in terms of what they deliver, and we love that about them. Erin Hills is this massive links-style experience that screams authenticity and is impossible not to love while SentryWorld delivers one of the most beautiful parkland golf experiences that you’ll find in the United States with perfectly manicured conditions and tree-lines fairways. We love variety on a golf trip, and these two resorts are great additions into any Wisconsin golf itinerary.
Another Wisconsin gem is Sand Valley. This iconic resort is run by the Keiser family and has been the first project by Mike Keiser’s sons Michael and Chris. Much like their father who created and built the vision for Bandon Dunes, Michael and Chris have created a masterpiece with Sand Valley that continues to grow with the highly anticipated opening of The Lido and the latest addition of Sedge Valley that is scheduled to open in 2024.
We could go on and on about golf in Wisconsin as we haven’t even discussed the courses and resorts in the Wisconsin Dells or around Lake Geneva, but needless to say Wisconsin is certainly worth a look when you start planning your next summer golf getaway.
Oregon
When it comes to golf in Oregon, you must lead with the legendary Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. The word unique gets thrown around a lot these days, but Bandon Dunes truly embodies the term as the development of this resort impacted the golf travel landscape in a major way when it burst onto the scene in 1999. In the 25 years since its opening date, the resort has exploded and now features five 18-hole golf courses that are all exceptional in their own way, and two short courses with the latest addition of Shorty’s coming soon which will be a 19-hole short course that is named to pay homage to Mike Keiser’s close friend, Shorty Dow.
In addition to this incredible resort, Oregon offers other great options for golf travelers especially if you focus on golf around Bend, Oregon. One of our favorites here is Sunriver Resort and its four courses, including Crosswater which is an absolute must-play. Other courses in this area that you should check out include Pronghorn, Tetherow, and Black Butte Ranch.
Bandon Dunes
Prince Edward Island
Oceanside golf at a value? Yes, it does exist! Without a doubt one of the best golf destinations when it comes to getting the most “bang for your buck,” Prince Edward Island in Northeastern Canada is one of the true hidden gems in the golfing world. With over 400 holes of golf to play on this small island, Prince Edward Island has some great courses for you to enjoy and some of our favorites here include Dundarave, Brudenell River, Crowbush Cove, and Green Gables. In addition to fantastic golf, the area is known for its exceptional seafood, variety of beaches, and some of the nicest people that you will ever meet.
Dundarave
Michigan
There are more than 650 public golf courses available to play in Michigan…650!!! It would take you years to enjoy all the golfing treasures that Michigan has to offer, but we wanted to highlight a few of our favorites here for you.
BOYNE Golf would be impossible not to mention when it comes to golf in Michigan as they account for 10, soon to be 11 with the upcoming Doon Brae Short Course, of these publicly accessible courses in Michigan. All the courses are fantastic and if you are coming here for the first time, then including a round at Bay Harbor Golf Club is a must. But we have quickly discovered that when we have referred groups here, they can’t wait to get back and play all 10.
Arcadia Bluffs is another exceptional golf experience as this beautiful resort features two 18-hole layouts that vary greatly and are both incredibly memorable and fun. The Bluffs Course gets a lot of the love here, as it should, as the views overlooking Lake Michigan are exceptional on this challenging links layout, but we also love The South Course as it gives you high-end private club vibes and features squared off greens that are reminiscent of the likes of elite courses like Chicago Golf Club.
If you’re looking for a resort with an incredible story, then check out Harbor Shores Resort as the story of how this property came to be was highlighted by Matt Ginella on Morning Drive a few years ago perfectly as you’ll see here. The course is fantastic, and The Inn is undergoing a renovation that will be completed in March 2024 to further enhance your experience.
Whistler
There is so much to love about the golf experience in Whistler in British Columbia. This destination is known for famously hosting the Winter Olympic games, but you can’t sleep on the golf that the summers have to offer. With 4 courses to enjoy that include the Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club (as well as an incredible resort that would serve as the perfect home for your trip), Whistler Golf Club, Nicklaus North Golf Club, and Big Sky Golf Club which is well worth the short drive over to enjoy. The area offers a ton to enjoy both on and off the course, and there’s a lot to love about this destination.
Whistler Golf Club
Indiana
Is there a better town name than French Lick, Indiana? This small town in Indiana is known as the hometown of basketball Legend Larry Bird as well as the legendary French Lick Resort. If you’re a fan of Pete Dye designs, you absolutely must visit this resort as The Pete Dye Course at French Lick is one of the best courses in the country and one of Dye’s best designs. This course was the host of the 2015 Senior PGA Championship and starting in 2024 it will be the host of the Korn Ferry Tour Championship presented by United Leasing & Finance for the next 5 years. You don’t land the ultimate test for the next generation of PGA Tour players for that period of time unless your course is elite. In addition to The Pete Dye Course at French Lick, The Donald Ross Course is a timeless Ross design and is the perfect complement to the Dye Course experience.
Indiana is also home to the Pete Dye Golf Trail of which The Pete Dye Course at French Lick is a stop along this trial. Other courses along this Trail that are worth a look at The Fort Golf Course, The Ackerman-Allen Course at Purdue University, and the famous Brickyard Crossing that features a 4-hole stretch that is inside of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In addition to Brickyard Crossing, there is a ton of great golf to play in Hamilton County, Indiana such as Purgatory Golf Club and Prairie View Golf Club.
French Lick
South Carolina
When it comes to golf hubs in one state, it’s tough to beat what South Carolina has to offer. As the home of Myrtle Beach, Charleston, and Hilton Head Island, South Carolina has an incredible variety of top-notch golf that every golf traveler will love. It’s also incredibly convenient to get to most of the destinations here as most East Coast golfers can easily get in their car and be here in no time.
It’s pretty much impossible to talk about the world of golf travel without including Myrtle Beach. To be fully transparent, greater Myrtle beach does trickle into the southern tip of North Carolina, but most of the 90+ courses are in the great state of South Carolina. There is so much incredible golf here and it is a destination that is known for great value. When it comes to must-play golf in Myrtle Beach, you’ve got to check out Barefoot Resort as their four courses are always among the highest ranked in the area and are a blast to play. You also can’t go wrong with looking at True Blue and Caledonia as these two Mike Strantz designs are exceptional. We can literally go on and on about courses we love in Myrtle Beach such as TPC Myrtle Beach, The Dunes Golf & Beach Club, Tidewater Golf Club, Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club, and Myrtle Beach National just to name a few. If you haven’t been here, it’s a must see for any golfer.
If you’re looking for another great South Carolina spot with exceptional golf, then Hilton Head Island is about as good as it gets. With 26 golf courses to choose from, you’ll have plenty of options here to enjoy. You can’t talk about golf in Hilton Head Island without bringing up Harbour Town Golf Links. This is the course that put both Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus on the golf course architecture map, and without it who knows if we would have had their entire portfolios let alone the works of their disciples such as Tom Doak, Bill Coore, Tim Liddy, and Bobby Weed. There’s a reason why this course has been a mainstay on the PGA Tour year after year, and the resort also features the Love Brothers renovated Atlantic Dunes and Pete Dye-designed Heron Point. Also, be sure to check out the courses in The Heritage Collection such as Shipyard Golf Club and Oyster Reef Golf Club as well as Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort that features 3 exceptional courses highlighted by the Robert Trent Jones Course.
Charleston is another favorite destination for traveling golfers, but really the spot when it comes to this destination is about an hour away in the form of the iconic Kiawah Island Golf Resort. We’ve mentioned Pete Dye quite a bit at the resorts we’ve mentioned across these destinations, and The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island is without a doubt one of his greatest creations. This course is exceptional in every way, and the serene sounds of the waves crashing along the Atlantic Ocean typically brings a steady wind that will challenge every facet of your game on one of the best courses in the country. Kiawah Island Golf Resort features 4 additional 18-hole designs the team at Kiawah Island has done an exceptional job over the last several years of renovating to bring the experience up to a level that is complementary to what you get on The Ocean Course. Be sure to check out The Sanctuary as it is truly one of the best golf resort hotels in the country, and if you’ve got a buddies group in the mix also check out The Cottages at The Ocean Course.
Barefoot Resort