Dreaming of your next golf vacation? Whether you’re a newbie picking up a club for the first time, a casual player looking for a scenic weekend round, or a seasoned pro chasing championship-level fairways, not all destinations are created equal.

To help golfers of all levels plan their perfect trip, data experts at The Action Network have unveiled the best and worst U.S. cities for golf getaways —ranked on course availability, accommodation costs, weather, and overall playability.

Key Takeaways

• Scottsdale, AZ is the undisputed champion, boasting 25 public courses per 100,000 residents, a five-day stay averaging $1,079, and an impressive getaway score of 92.5/100.
• South Bend, IN ranks as the worst golf destination, dragged down by sky-high lodging averaging $4,478 for five days and a getaway score of just 10.2/100.
• Despite its vibrant lifestyle, Santa Barbara, CA lands near the very bottom — with just one public course, five-day stays topping $3,158, and a getaway score of only 27.4/100.
• Florida dominates the top 20, with golf-friendly hubs like Fort Myers ($984 for five days, score 79.7), Kissimmee ($645, score 69.5), and Orlando ($697, score 58.2) all offering strong value for travelers.
• On a state level, California (84 golf getaway cities) leads by a wide margin, followed by Texas (47) and Florida (33) as the nation’s golf getaway giants.

The Best U.S. Cities for Golf Getaways

From desert retreats to coastal escapes, here are the top destinations for golfers of all levels looking to mix sunshine, tee times, and affordability.

Key Takeaways From the Top 10 Standouts

• Scottsdale, AZ (Score: 92.5/100) – The ultimate golf getaway. With year-round sunshine, 25 public courses per 100,000 residents, and five-day lodging averaging just $1,079, Scottsdale combines accessibility and value like no other city.
• Fort Myers, FL (79.7/100) – Sunshine State golfing at its finest. A strong balance of 20 public courses and lodging around $984 for five days makes Fort Myers one of the most affordable and well-rounded destinations on the list.
• Yuma, AZ (75.4/100) – A desert climate standout. With warm temperatures, minimal rainfall (just 3 inches annually), and wallet-friendly lodging around $801 for five days, Yuma is ideal for golfers chasing consistent sunshine.
• Indio, CA (70.8/100) – Nestled in the golf-rich Coachella Valley, Indio shines with 54 private courses within 20 miles. Lodging averages $1,246 for five days, but the sheer density of courses makes it a prime pick for serious golfers.
• Kissimmee, FL (69.5/100) – Just outside Orlando, Kissimmee is both accessible and budget-friendly. With 12 public courses and one of the lowest lodging costs on the list at just $646 for five days, it’s a go-to for golfers seeking value without sacrificing options.

Other Notable Mentions (Ranks 10–20)

• Mission, TX (59.2/100) – A true budget hotspot. With five-day lodging averaging just $639, Mission ranks as one of the most affordable golf getaways in the U.S., despite having fewer courses overall.
• Mesa, AZ (59.0/100) – A well-rounded desert destination. Golfers have access to four public courses and 16 private ones nearby, paired with a comfortable average annual high of 86°F and five-day stays around $918.
• Seattle, WA (56.3/100) – Proof that golf isn’t limited to sunny states. With nine public courses, mild summer highs near 59°F, and lodging around $1,210 for five days, Seattle cracks the top 20, though its 34 inches of annual rainfall may test a golfer’s patience.

The Worst Cities for Golf Getaways

Not every city is built for golfers. High lodging costs, limited course access, and poor playability drop these destinations to the very bottom of the list.

Key Takeaways From the 10 Worst Golf Getaways

• South Bend, IN (Score: 10.2/100) – Known for its rich sports history, but when it comes to golf, it falls flat. With hotel stays averaging over $4,478 for five days, affordability alone makes South Bend the least appealing golf getaway.
• Louisville, KY (22.6/100) – A city with a proud sporting tradition, but not for golfers. Despite a few available courses, lodging costs near $3,516 and higher-than-average rainfall push Louisville toward the bottom of the list.
• Santa Barbara, CA (27.4/100) – A beautiful coastal destination, but far from a golfer’s paradise. With just one public course and five-day stays topping $3,159, its charm comes at the expense of accessibility and affordability.
• Tuscaloosa, AL (27.7/100) – A lively college town with warm Southern weather, but that doesn’t translate to golf value. Limited course options and pricey lodging over $3,074 for five days keep it in the bottom tier.
• Napa, CA (29.2/100) – World-famous for wine and scenery, but golfers may want to look elsewhere. With five-day accommodations averaging $2,846, just one public course, and two private courses nearby, Napa’s appeal doesn’t extend to the fairways.

Top States for Golf Getaways

When it comes to golf destinations, some states stand out for the sheer number of options they provide. From sun-soaked desert retreats to coastal escapes and budget-friendly small towns, these states give golfers of all levels plenty of choice when planning their next getaway.

Key Takeaways From the Top 3 States

• California (84 golf getaway cities) – By far the national leader, California combines desert escapes, wine country, and coastal options. Its strongest performers include Indio (70.8/100) in the Coachella Valley, Pleasanton (54.8/100) in the Bay Area, and San Jose (54.3/100). Whether golfers are chasing sunshine, scenery, or sheer course density, the Golden State delivers it all.
• Texas (47 golf getaway cities) – The Lone Star State balances affordability and scale. Top destinations like Mission (59.2/100), Beaumont (56.9/100), and Edinburg (55.6/100) show the range of options, from budget-friendly border towns to larger metro areas. Texas offers plenty of choices for golfers of every style and budget.
• Florida (33 golf getaway cities) – A true golfer’s paradise. With year-round warmth and sunshine, Florida shines thanks to Fort Myers (79.7/100), Kissimmee (69.5/100), and Lakeland (67.2/100). From casual players to seasoned pros, the Sunshine State remains one of the nation’s most reliable golf vacation hubs.

At the Other End of the Spectrum

Not every state offers golfers the same range of choices. States like Hawaii, Mississippi, Washington D.C., Alaska, and New Hampshire each feature just one golf getaway city, highlighting how limited the options can be outside of the nation’s top golf destinations.

Full Breakdown: Best to Worst Golf Getaways

Curious how other cities stack up? Check out the full list of all 411 ranked destinations below.

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Methodology

City Selection

Only cities with at least one public golf course (accessible to the public anytime) were included in the analysis, since these represent realistic options for travelers. Cities without a publicly accessible course were filtered out entirely.

Private courses within a 20-mile radius were also identified, but because most require memberships or have restricted/limited access, they were not factored into the final score. Instead, they are shown in the tables as additional context for travelers who may wish to explore them.

Metrics & Weighting

Each city’s Golf Getaway Score (0–100) was based on three weighted factors:

• Public Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents (50%) – Course availability is the foundation of a golf getaway.
• Accommodation Costs (30%) – The average price of a five-day stay (hotels and vacation rentals), reflecting affordability.
• Climate (20%) – Average annual high/low temperatures and precipitation levels, measuring comfort and playability.
• The weighted totals were standardized to a 0–100 scale for easy comparison across all 411 cities.

State-Level Rankings

For the state breakdown, we simply counted how many cities from each state ranked within the 411 analyzed. This highlights which states offer the greatest number of golf-friendly destinations.