It’s dew-sweeping at sunrise. Shades on by the back nine. Golden hour rounds that stretch until you’re squinting to see the flagstick. It’s a cold drink, a warm breeze, and maybe – just maybe – a career-low on the scorecard. That’s summer golf. And it’s pure magic.
From the sparkling shores of Lake Michigan to the rolling Nebraskan Sandhills, to California’s lush wine country and beyond, these are the best summer golf destinations worth traveling for.
Best Summer Golf Destinations
1. BOYNE Golf
Petoskey, Michigan
There’s summer golf, and then there’s Northern Michigan summer golf: crisp mornings, sun-soaked afternoons, and temps that hover in that sweet spot between sweater weather and short sleeves. BOYNE Golf sits right in the middle of it all, with 11 championship courses spread across three resort properties: Boyne Highlands, Boyne Mountain, and the lakefront gem, Inn at Bay Harbor. Stay on property and you’re never more than a few steps from your next tee time.
There’s real variety here, too. Start with an early loop on The Alpine, a playable layout with forgiving greens, to shake the rust off. Then head to Bay Harbor along the rocky shores of Lake Michigan – the course everyone talks about. And if there’s daylight left (there usually is), grab nine at Crooked Tree, where the views over Little Traverse Bay are just as good as the golf.
More daylight, more courses, more ways to play – if you’re planning a summer golf trip, start with BOYNE.
2. Gamble Sands Golf Resort
Brewster, Washington
With the upcoming opening of Scarecrow, Gamble Sands’ highly anticipated second 18-hole course, golfers have yet another reason to head west for their summer golf getaway. Set against sweeping vistas of the Columbia River, Scarecrow promises to be one of the most visually striking courses anywhere in North America.
It arrives just over a decade after the original Gamble Sands course, which is celebrated for its wide fairways framed by sandy soil and native fescue grasses.
But the fun at Gamble Sands goes beyond the big courses. QuickSands, the resort’s 14-hole par-3 course, is carved into a 25-acre stretch of rolling dunes. Each hole ranges from 60 to 160 yards and comes with a name as playful as its design, like Crater, Donut, and Boomerang. It’s safe to say this course doesn’t take itself too seriously – and neither should you.
3. The Prairie Club
Valentine, Nebraska
You’ve heard of the Sandhills of North Carolina, home to the world-famous Pinehurst Resort. But the lesser-known Sandhills of Nebraska offer something entirely different, and equally as special, in store for your summer golf trip.
The Prairie Club has three courses that reflect a thoughtful dialogue between design and environment: the Dunes Course, the Pine Course, and the Horse Course. Golf didn’t carve this land; it answers to it. So much so that visitors often struggle to pick just one favorite.
The Dunes is as close to true links golf as you’ll find this side of the Atlantic – wide-open, windswept, with fescue thick enough to punish any errant shot. In contrast, the Pines Course channels classic parkland elegance with its traditional design and stately pine-lined fairways.
And then there’s the Horse Course – a wild 10-hole short course inspired by the childhood game of “H.O.R.S.E.,” but for golfers. No tee boxes. No mercy. Win a hole, you call the next shot. Fast, fun, and fiercely competitive, it’s the perfect way to cap off your day.
4. Silverado Resort
Napa, California
Morning rounds, afternoon wine flights – now that’s how you summer. Tucked into the heart of Napa Valley’s wine country, Silverado Resort pairs championship golf with vineyard views and all the perks of a luxury resort. It’s home to two 18-hole layouts, both redesigned by PGA Hall-of-Famer Johnny Miller, that wind through massive oaks and gently rolling terrain. The North Course, host of the PGA Tour’s Procore Championship, is the more challenging of the two, while the South Course offers a slightly more relaxed, yet equally scenic, experience.
From your first swing to your last sip, Silverado strikes the perfect balance between competitive golf and carefree wine country living. Just be sure to leave a little extra room in your bag for a bottle (or two) of something local.
5. Chambers Bay Golf Course
University Place, Washington
The Pacific Northwest has its fair share of notable courses, but none quite compare to the scale and soul of Chambers Bay. Set just outside Tacoma, Washington, this Scottish-inspired stunner is built right into the dramatic coastline of Puget Sound. Wide fairways, towering dunes, and firm, fast conditions define the experience here, all complemented by sweeping water views and the distant, snow-dusted peaks of the Olympic Mountains. It’s no wonder Chambers Bay was tapped to host the 2015 U.S. Open – this place is big, bold, and built for the game.
But don’t let the tournament pedigree scare you off. Chambers Bay is as much about the journey as it is the scorecard. Designed with walking at its core, it’s a pure golf experience: no houses, no noise, just you, your caddie (if you choose), and some of the most cinematic terrain in American golf. The long daylight hours of a Washington summer only add to the allure, giving you plenty of time to savor every inch of its sprawling 249 acres.
What’s even more remarkable? This prime piece of real estate previously operated as a rock quarry, a paper mill, a bus barn, and even a regional wastewater treatment facility (yes, really). But millennia before all that, glaciers sculpted the terrain, leaving behind the sandy soil that defines a genuine links experience. It’s a course that, by all accounts, shouldn’t exist – but thankfully, it does.
6. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort
Bandon, Oregon
For golfers who crave substance over style, soul over status, Bandon Dunes is the place to be. There’s no splashy resort pool or over-the-top luxury here. What you’ll find instead is golf in its purest form: shaped by nature and ruled by the elements. Come summer, with long days and steady coastal breezes, it’s hard to imagine a better place to be.
Bandon boasts seven distinct courses, each wildly different, yet united by one thing: a commitment to authentic, links-style golf. From the timeless seaside charm of Bandon Dunes to the bold, strategic challenge of Pacific Dunes, these courses demand creativity, imagination, and a steady hand against the wind. You’ll encounter everything from expansive fairways framed by rugged bunkers to forested stretches – even a lively short course for squeezing in a few more swings after 18.
Each course is designed for walking. Not because it’s trendy, but because it’s right. You feel the land underfoot, see the game differently, and lose yourself in the rhythm of the round. And when the last putt drops, there’s no nightclub or swim-up bar waiting. Just a cold pint, a crackling fire pit, and hopefully some good company.
7. Tetherow Golf Club
Bend, Oregon
The same visionary behind Bandon Dunes, David McLay Kidd, returned to Oregon about a decade later to craft another standout course: Tetherow Golf Club. While Bandon’s wild, windswept coastline set the tone for pure, links-style golf, Tetherow occupies a very different setting – nestled beneath the imposing peaks of the Cascade Mountains on land that had once been ravaged by forest fire.
While Kidd’s signature fescue remains, Tetherow’s landscape is richly wooded, dotted with lakes, and carved by dramatic elevation changes. But this beauty has some serious bite. Blind shots lurk around nearly every corner, bunkers and hazards lie in wait for any misstep, and the heavily contoured greens demand nothing less than pinpoint precision. It’s a demanding, sometimes merciless test, built for the true golf masochist but endlessly rewarding for those willing to take on the challenge.
8. The Coeur d’Alene Resort
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
If the custom mahogany shuttle boats taking you from The Coeur d’Alene Resort to the golf course weren’t impressive enough, perhaps the over-water practice facility with floating golf balls will win you over (or the luxury golf carts). Needless to say, The Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course offers a summer golf experience like no other.
Prepare to be even further dazzled by the 14th Hole. It’s home to the world’s only floating, movable island green. This 22,000-ton behemoth operates on an underwater cable system, playing as short as 95 yards and stretching up to 220 from the tips. It’s claimed countless golf balls – and bruised just as many egos.
9. Destination Kohler
Kohler, Wisconsin
The grandiosity of the Lake Michigan shoreline, the wide windswept fairways, the towering dunes – no matter where your eyes wander at Destination Kohler, you’re sure to be mesmerized by the sheer beauty of any of the resort’s five courses.
Anchored by the world-renowned Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a collection of golf courses of this caliber anywhere else in the world. At Whistling Straits, you’ll experience golf on a grand scale, including the championship-tested Straits Course and the equally bold Irish Course – both of which stretch along the edge of Lake Michigan, defined by fescue, bluff-top vistas.
Further inland lies Blackwolf Run, named for Chief Blackwolf of the Winnebago tribe – a tribute to the land’s heritage and spirit. Here, the River Course flows through a forested valley, its layout demanding precision and rewarding boldness. Its sibling, Meadow Valleys, was added soon after to meet demand, bringing a more forgiving, yet still compelling test. And then there’s The Baths: a fresh take on resort golf, with a 10-hole par-3 course and a sprawling two-acre putting green.
10. Pebble Beach
Pebble Beach, California
There are few places in the world where the line between nature and golf blurs so beautifully. Perched on the edge of the Pacific along California’s Monterey Peninsula, Pebble Beach Resort is one of the most awe-inspiring settings in the game.
Here, the drama of the landscape is matched only by the drama of the golf. Clifftop fairways hug the weathered coastline. Greens perch above crashing surf. And yet, for all its championship pedigree, Pebble Beach isn’t just for the pros. As one of the best public golf courses in the country, it welcomes anyone with a love for the game.
Between rounds, you can explore miles of coastal trails, dine with a view of Stillwater Cove, or unwind at the five-star spa. The rhythm of the day feels unhurried. Intentional. Mornings might start with an espresso on the terrace. Evenings end with bagpipes echoing across the dunes – a ritual born from the game’s beginnings on Scottish soil.
11. The Greenbrier
White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia
Long before its fairways drew the game’s greats, The Greenbrier was already woven into the fabric of American history. This sanctuary, established in 1778 in the lush Allegheny mountains, first served as a place of healing, where travelers came to take the waters from the natural springs said to possess restorative powers. But that peaceful role changed during World War II.
The grand hotel was converted into a military hospital, its ornate ballrooms transformed into wards, its halls lined with wounded soldiers instead of well-heeled guests. Decades later, beneath the very grounds where golf now unfolds, a secret Cold War-era bunker was constructed and remained classified for 30 years. Today, it’s golf that defines the rhythm of summer at America’s Resort.
From the white columns of the main hotel to the elegance of the afternoon tea service, every detail feels intentional. And the courses are no exception. The Greenbrier Course, originally crafted by Seth Raynor and reimagined by Jack Nicklaus, is the only resort layout in the world to have hosted both the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup. But the Old White, opened in 1914 and recently restored, remains the soul of the resort’s golf offerings. It’s a classic in the truest sense – walkable, artfully routed, and endlessly compelling.
12. Sand Valley Golf Resort
Nekoosa, Wisconsin
Somewhat of a newcomer to the Midwest golf scene, Sand Valley Golf Resort has quickly established itself as a must-visit summer golf destination since its first course opened in 2017. In less than a decade, this once-hidden gem has blossomed into a sprawling resort with five epic courses united by the untamed beauty of 12,000 acres of prehistoric sand dunes.
It all began with Sand Valley, the original Coore & Crenshaw design. Fun and playable for all, but capable of baring its teeth, Sand Valley has rightly earned a place among Golfweek’s Top 20 Public Courses in the country. Then came Mammoth Dunes, where David McLay Kidd crafted an unforgettable journey through a surreal landscape of oversized features – enormous fairways, gigantic greens, and massive hillsides of raw, windswept sand.
Sedge Valley, designed by Tom Doak, brings the scale down while dialing up the nuance. Inspired by the great heathland courses outside London, this newer addition evokes the class and sophistication of golf’s Golden Age. And then there’s The Lido, perhaps the boldest project of them all. A full-scale, painstaking recreation of C.B. Macdonald’s legendary Long Island course lost to World War II, The Lido is a once-in-a-generation resurrection.
To round it out, The Sandbox offers a laid-back, 17-hole par-3 course where creativity reigns and fun is the only objective. It’s the perfect way to warm up, wind down, or sneak in a sunset loop with a drink in hand.
13. Erin Hills Golf Course
Hartford, Wisconsin
Before golf found its way to Erin Hills, the land was shaped by ancient glaciers that carved sweeping ridges, rolling hills, and kettle moraine features into the Wisconsin countryside. Left behind was a rare and rugged glacial soil, consisting of sand and small rock, that made this site feel destined for golf. As architects walked the property, they found that the holes almost revealed themselves, so naturally did the landscape lend itself to the game.
To honor that natural rhythm, the design embraced fine fescue grasses, allowing the contours of the earth to shine through. The result? A course that feels unearthed rather than built, where the round of golf flows as effortlessly as the land it sits on.
14. Forest Dunes
Roscommon, Michigan
Tucked away in the heart of northern Michigan, Forest Dunes Golf Club is a destination that blends beauty, variety, and bold design like few others. While all three of its courses are worth the trip, it’s the original Tom Weiskopf design that truly steals the show. Since opening in 2002, this 18-hole layout has earned its place not just among the best in Michigan, but on the shortlist of top public courses in the country.
Forest Dunes really is a tale of two nines. The front is pure elegance: lush, tree-lined fairways, gleaming white bunkers, and a manicured parkland feel that’s drawn comparisons to Augusta National. Then comes the back nine, where the tone shifts dramatically. Inspired by Pine Valley, this stretch is wild and raw, defined by rugged terrain, bold bunkering, and native grasses.
And just when you think you’ve seen it all, there’s The Loop – a true original in the world of golf architecture. Designed by Tom Doak, The Loop is a reversible course that plays in two distinct directions on alternating days: the Black Course (clockwise) and the Red Course (counter-clockwise). Each routing is a par-70, with five inventive par threes and a layout that challenges your mind as much as your swing. It’s strategic, cerebral golf at its finest.
15. Big Cedar Lodge
Ridgedale, Missouri
Golf at Big Cedar Lodge is exactly what you’d expect: BIG. Big views, big courses, and big challenges spread across five distinctive layouts that make it one of the most exciting summer golf destinations in the country.
At the heart of it all is Payne’s Valley, Tiger Woods’ first public design, most known for its epic 19th hole. A par 3 surrounded by limestone cliffs and cascading waterfalls, it’s one of the most memorable finishing holes in all of golf.
Other highlights at Big Cedar include Ozarks National by Coore & Crenshaw – a course that rewards smart play over pure power, making you think your way around each hole. Then there’s Buffalo Ridge Springs, where you might spot a buffalo or two casually watching from the rough, a reminder that this is golf played in harmony with nature. And you can’t miss Top of the Rock, Jack Nicklaus’ par-3 course perched high above Table Rock Lake, affording some of the most dramatic views you’ll find anywhere. Needless to say, there is much to be enjoyed at Big Cedar.
For a season filled with golf that challenges, inspires, and leaves you wanting more, these summer golf destinations are ready to welcome you.
And with ShipSticks, your journey there can be just as enjoyable as your stay. Ship your clubs and luggage ahead of time – no more wrestling gear through airports or cramming bags into rental cars. It’s convenient, reliable, and trusted by thousands of golfers worldwide.
