For many seasoned golfers, much of the sport’s allure lies in its sense of place. While you can play a round on every continent, no two courses are quite the same. The finest iterations are masterpieces of landscape architecture, complete with backdrops of snowcapped mountains, crashing ocean waves, or other dazzling scenery. North America boasts an incredible array of world-class golf courses, as well as the perfect hotels and resorts in which to relax when you’re not working on your long drive.
Whether you’re an elite player aiming to hone your skills on championship courses, a family looking to enjoy scenic fairways followed by premium clubhouse dining with the kids, or a group of longtime pals eager to relax with friendly banter and bets, the following resorts provide exemplary escapes. Expert instructors and award-winning golf academies help you elevate your game, while sumptuous spas, restaurants, and rooms take you to new heights of comfort.
Here are some of the best golf resorts in the United States, from Hawaii to Florida, as well as the best golf resorts in Canada, from British Columbia to New Brunswick. Filtering by “Golf” on the Marriott Bonvoy App makes finding golf resorts and planning a cinch.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
United States
Whether it’s the evocative, sagebrush-speckled landscapes of the Sonoran Desert or the volcanic landscapes of Hawaii, a golf vacation in the United States can take you to some truly remarkable places.
Arizona
It seems that you can golf nearly every day in Arizona — just make sure to tee off early in the morning during the warmer months. With nearly 300 days of sunshine and stunning desert landscapes, golf resorts in Arizona attract some of the most discriminating golfers.
The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort, Scottsdale
The magic of teeing off on The Phoenician Golf Course amid the Sonoran Desert’s warmth, with saguaro cactuses and red-tinged Camelback Mountain in the background, is something avid golfers need to experience.
This immaculate par-71, 18-hole golf course offers four sets of tees and PGA-certified coaches to help you improve your stroke. Après golf, enjoy cocktails at the Thirsty Camel and filet mignon at J&G Steakhouse.
The Westin Kierland Villas, Scottsdale
Natural beauty combines with golfing variety and gracious villa-style living here. Play three nine-hole championship golf courses — Acacia, Mesquite, and Ironwood — with elevation changes of up to 75 feet and more than 300 bunkers. The courses are adorned by lakes and glorious Arizona mountain vistas.
Seeking more diversions? Lounge by the pools, play pickleball, or simply relax on the balcony at your kitchen-equipped villa.
The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain
Located in the scenic foothills of the Tortolita Mountains near Tucson, The Golf Club at Dove Mountain belongs on every golfer’s bucket list. This 27-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Course comes laden with tactical challenges worthy of top pros. The 45,000-square-foot clubhouse beckons with a well-equipped golf shop, fitness center, and steam room. At Cayton’s Restaurant, dig into mesquite smoked chicken or a Southwestern Cobb salad. This is desert golfing at its finest.
At the end of a long day on the green, retire to this luxe retreat in the Sonoran Desert, where the stargazing, hiking trails, and holistic spa treatments are exceptional.
Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass
Palo verde and cottonwood trees line the beautifully maintained fairways at the Whirlwind Golf Club, home to the Devil’s Claw and Cattail courses. Designed by renowned golf architect Gary Panks, each 18-hole course is a par-72 masterpiece spanning more than 7,000 yards. The club resides in the scenic foothills of the Sierra Estrella Mountains and offers Class A PGA instructors to help you perfect your swing.
Between rounds, lunch at Sivlik Grill on dishes like hot honey chicken or Baja fish tacos. This luxury golf resort also features contemporary Native American–inspired cuisine that helps tell the story of the Akimal O’otham and Pee Posh peoples at KAI and revitalizing massages at Aji Spa.
California
From the breathtaking natural scenery of the Northern California coast to the sun-soaked shores of the south, California offers a truly remarkable backdrop for a round of golf.
The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
Well-appointed rooms and suites, fire pits, and wine-tasting opportunities add to the ambience at one of California’s best golf resorts, famed for its amazing coastal views.
At the Half Moon Bay Golf Links, the last three holes of the 18-hole, Scottish-inspired Ocean Course are worth a trip in and of themselves. The 17th hole reaps comparisons to Pebble Beach’s iconic seventh hole. Water hazards and tricky doglegs enhance the challenges of the 18-hole, Arnold Palmer–designed Old Course.
Marriott’s Shadow Ridge I-The Villages
Featuring villa-style accommodations, Shadow Ridge offers one of the best golf courses with hotel stays in Southern California. Shadow Ridge’s peaceful setting in the Coachella Valley, framed by the Santa Rosa Mountains, gives this 18-hole, Nick Faldo–designed course its distinctive character. Generous fairways and heavily bunkered greens challenge golfers of all levels.
Check into the family-friendly Villages section with easy access to outdoor swimming pools, or enjoy the Enclaves’ upscale modern amenities. You can feast at Giuseppes Restaurant & Pizzeria or take a day trip to nearby Joshua Tree National Park.
Nevada
There’s much more to Las Vegas than the action along The Strip. A short trip out of the center leads to sprawling, manicured greens where you can tee off in the near infinite Nevada sunshine.
Shadow Creek Golf Course
For guests of ARIA Resort & Casino, Autograph Collection; Bellagio, a Luxury Collection Resort & Casino, Las Vegas; and other swanky MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy properties in Las Vegas, a day of golfing at Shadow Creek Golf Course is an unforgettable experience. A true oasis in the Nevada desert, this immaculately crafted 18-hole championship course has attracted big-name celebrity athletes since its 1990 opening.
Georgia
With its abundance of Southern charm, Georgia makes for a dreamy golf vacation. Tee off in the shadow of century-old trees dripping with Spanish moss.
The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee
In terms of golf vacations in North America, this one really shines. There are a jaw-dropping 90 holes of golf to play, spread over five lakeside championship golf courses amid majestic live oaks. The list of architects behind these masterpieces reads like a who’s who of golf landscaping masters: Rees Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, and Bob Cupp.
After tee time, there’s plenty more to do here. If you love water sports, go kayaking, jet-skiing, or bass fishing on Lake Oconee. Elevate your experience with mixology classes, invigorating Ritz-Carlton spa treatments, and more.
Florida
One of the premier golf destinations in the world, Florida is truly in a class of its own. And if you have the whole family in tow, what could be better than a vacation that includes theme parks and a round of 18 holes in one trip?
The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, Autograph Collection
Enjoy a world-class golf experience exclusively available to hotel guests and club members at this beautifully restored historic property on the St. Petersburg waterfront. The 18-hole, par-71 course designed by Ron Garl features a 1927-built, Mediterranean-inspired clubhouse.
Get your game together with tips from PGA-certified golf instructors. Afterward, relax in a swanky private cabana at the Sunset Pool with inventive Latin cuisine and colorful cocktails.
Orlando World Center Marriott
For parents looking to work on their putting after taking the kids to a theme park, it doesn’t get better than this welcoming retreat. Staying at this comfortable, family-friendly hotel, which is home to seven waterslides and eight dining outlets, is a metaphorical hole-in-one. Guests are within easy reach of Orlando’s top theme parks and Hawk’s Landing Golf Club, which has an 18-hole championship golf course with a par-70 layout, featuring more than 6,200 yards and water hazards on 15 holes.
Hawaii
When it comes to vacation destinations, Hawaii really needs no introduction. As if white sand beaches, active volcanoes, and lush jungles weren’t already enough reasons to visit, add world-class golf to the list.
Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
Three nine-hole loops — the Beach Nine, Lakes Nine, and Kings’ Nine — lure golfers to this gorgeous Hawaiian resort facing the glittering waters of Anaehoomalu Bay. Ease your muscles with massages or stone therapy at the upscale Mandara Spa. Helicopter tours, horseback riding, and zip lining are recommended area adventures.
The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua
At this elegant resort located on the former site of a 22,000-acre pineapple plantation, golfers are in for a treat with two magnificent 18-hole golf courses by the Pacific Ocean. The par-73 Plantation Course designed by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore is a hands-down highlight that’s welcomed past PGA Tour winners.
Fuel up at six different on-site restaurants, including The Banyan Tree, which serves sophisticated surf and turf with a view of the sea. Whale watching, snorkeling, and Hawaiian cultural experiences enrich your refreshing stay.
Canada
From coast to coast, Victoria to New Brunswick, Canada offers an incredible geographic diversity, as well as some of the finest golf a player could ask for.
The Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort & Spa, Victoria
Two enthralling and distinctive 18-hole courses designed by Jack Nicklaus await golfers at this spectacular resort west of downtown Victoria. The challenging, par-71 Mountain Course is highlighted by a unique 19th hole for a bit of fun after you finish the official 18. As you tee off, take a moment to admire the stunning views of the city skyline, Mount Baker, and the Salish Sea.
Après golf, sip handcrafted cocktails at SERIP Bar & Lounge or dig into Italian trattoria cuisine at Callisto before retiring to your spacious suite with a balcony and fireplace.
Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort
The lakefront downtown resort offers easy access to world-class British Columbia golfing. Surrounded by pine trees, vineyards, and mountains, Gallagher’s Canyon features a magnificent 18-hole, par-72 championship course. Cliffside golfing at Black Mountain Golf Club is a soul-stirring experience. Don’t miss the famous “island hole” here.
Back at Delta Hotels Grand Okanagan Resort, sip a craft cocktail with a view at OAK + CRU Social Kitchen & Wine Bar or take advantage of the 24/7 fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, and Damara Day Spa.
The Algonquin Resort St. Andrews by-the-Sea, Autograph Collection
This classic red-roofed Tudor Revival hotel in New Brunswick offers award-winning golf on Canada’s East Coast. The 18-hole, par-72 Algonquin Golf Course, which was originally launched in 1894 and recently refined by golf architect Rod Whitman, has received accolades from Golf Digest. Visit the driving range and golf academy to fine-tune your game.
At day’s end, dine on fish and chips and other classics at the Right Whale Pub or elevated dishes starring New Brunswick’s local seafood at Braxton’s Restaurant & Bar.
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