Golf Experiences - Blog

Unveiling the Secret: 10 Best Winter Golf Course Retreats That You Deserve

Written by Golf Experiences | Dec 18, 2023 3:59:55 PM

Finding hidden gems is always exciting, whether it's a hidden golf gem or a great nearby restaurant. Finding those lesser-known locations and hoping they stay under the radar is thrilling. We can help you choose a more serene and off-the-beaten-path winter golf getaway, even though well-known locations like Orlando, Scottsdale, Palm Springs, and Myrtle Beach are excellent options. 

Explore this carefully curated list of the best-underappreciated winter golf excursions for those hoping to get away from the crowds and discover undiscovered golfing gems this year.


                                                                                                            Alabama

Craft Farms Golf Course

Craft Farms Golf Course in Gulf Shores, Alabama, designed by Arnold Palmer, boasts 36 holes of championship golf. The Cotton Creek course offers a challenging yet friendly experience, while Cypress Bend, rated 4-1/2 stars by Golf Digest, features sprawling bunkers and coastal accents. Both courses embrace Baldwin County's natural beauty and invite golfers to relax at the plantation-style clubhouse after their game.


                                                                                          Golf in Gulf Shores, AL | Craft Farms Golf Resort | Arnold Palmer Course


                                                                                                              Arizona

Troon North Golf Club
Troon North Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, offers two 18-hole courses hidden in the natural landscape near Pinnacle Peak for a great desert golf experience. Troon North, Scottsdale's crown gem, sets the benchmark for outstanding golf with demanding courses, breathtaking scenery, and world-class customer service. Golfers can enjoy a traditional desert golf experience in sunny Arizona at the Monument and Pinnacle courses, which Tom Weiskopf has recently improved.


                                                                                          Troon North Golf Course


We-Ko-Pa Golf Club 
We-Ko-Pa Golf Club, just outside Scottsdale, Arizona, offers Arizona's Ultimate Golf Experience with two acclaimed courses: the Cholla, a dramatic test of golf in the Sonoran Desert, and the Saguaro, a links-style desert-golf course designed for walking. Unspoiled natural surroundings without residences, roads, or development distinguish these courses. They are among the best in the southwestern US, designed by Scott Miller and Coore/Crenshaw, and offer golfers an unrestricted view of nature.


                                                                                          We-Ko-Pa Golf Club: Saguaro Course


McCormick Ranch Golf Club
The Palm Course at McCormick Ranch Golf Club, designed by Desmond Muirhead in 1972, offers a classic golf experience with stunning mountain views and expansive lakes. A Canadian Tour stop, the course is known for its water features, including Golf Illustrated's Top 18 Water Holes of America's 9th hole. Golfers may play this top-rated Arizona course in Scottsdale year-round at McCormick Ranch Golf Club. Online reservations and twilight prices are available.


                                                                                          The Palm Course at McCormick Ranch Golf Club



                                                                                                               California

The Resort at Pelican Hill
Discover the 36 holes of stunning golf courses that have been expertly crafted to blend in with the surrounding environment and provide breathtaking views at every turn. Pelican Hill Golf Club has two courses - The Ocean North and The Ocean South. The Ocean North Course features expansive views of the ocean, and the breathtaking landscape may be equally alluring and demanding. Enjoy a tranquil backdrop for your game on the Ocean South Course, where sage and eucalyptus trees meet the sea. Each photo is a breathtaking experience, with the blue horizon juxtaposed against vibrant green fairways.


                                                                Pelican Hill Golf Course


Indian Wells Golf Resort
Discover Indian Wells Golf Resort, a premier 36-hole Palm Springs golf resort 20 minutes from Palm Springs International Airport. Famous for hosting Golf Channel's Big Break and the PGA's Skins Game, the Celebrity Course & Players Course, often known as "Beauty and the Beast," consistently ranks among Golfweek Magazine's Top 25 "Best Municipal Courses in the United States". The 53,000-square-foot clubhouse makes this resort ideal for golf tournaments, group outings, weddings, and family vacations. Enjoy stunning mountain views, water features, and a varied golf experience for all levels. Indian Wells Golf Resort is a great event venue and walking distance from luxury hotels.


                                                                                          Celebrity Course at Indian Wells Golf Resort


Florida

PGA National Resort & Spa
PGA National Resort has five championship courses, including the Bear Trap, a PGA TOUR event, and new courses like The Match and The Staple 9-hole, totaling 99 holes. Golfers face tough winds and water hazards on the 7,045-yard Champion course, home to The Honda Classic. The Arnold Palmer course, named after him, blends forgiveness and entertainment for all ability levels. A monument to Walter Hagen, the Fazio course blends old and new. West of the resort, the estate is a hidden gem with hard and fun holes. The Match by Andy Staples delivers a unique golf experience, while The Staple 9-hole gives pure, rollicking fun with unique undulations and difficulties. In addition to championship golf, PGA National Resort offers flexible memberships and one of Florida's top golf schools.


                                                                                          Golf Courses at PGA National Resort

Trump National Doral Golf Club
Trump National Doral Golf Club in Miami's bustling core offers upscale public golf on four championship courses, including the Blue Monster. This tropical paradise offers members and resort guests luxurious accommodations, unrivaled personalized service, and many facilities. Famous celebrities, including PGA Tour and LIV Golf professionals, have played the club's fairways. Trump National Doral welcomes members, local visitors, and international guests to experience golf excellence and make memories at this historic club. 


                                                                                         Trump National Doral Miami: Golden Palm Course


Omni Amelia Island Resort
Omni Amelia Island Resort offers Top-Tier golf with a Pete Dye championship course, Beau Welling short course, and unique access to Tom Fazio's Long Point course. The resort has a pro store, personalized lessons, rentals, and accessories. Overlooking Oak Marsh's ninth hole, Marsh View Bar and Grill serves post-round cocktails and food. A new 10-hole short course for all skill levels, Oak Marsh by Pete Dye, will be renovated from March to October 2024, and Tom Fazio's members-only Long Point course is set in marshes and sand dunes.


                                                                                          Oak Marsh Golf Course at Omni Amelia Island Resort


Waldorf Astoria Orlando
Perfectly located in Bonnet Creek's nature preserve, Golf Magazine named The Waldorf Astoria Golf Club one of the "Top Courses You Can Play." Designed by renowned architect Rees Jones, an 18-hole championship course features towering cypress trees and a five-tee system for all skill levels. Inspired by great courses worldwide, the layout blends traditional character with subtle difficulties to provide an environmentally conscious and visually magnificent golf experience that blends into the natural terrain.


                                                                                         Waldorf Astoria Golf Club at Bonnet Creek


                                                                                                                Georgia

Sea Island Golf & Beach Resort
At Sea Island's Golf, three championship courses, knowledgeable instructors, large teeing areas, and a state-of-the-art Golf Performance Center come together to provide the perfect setting for a fun day on the greens. Come experience the essence of tradition. Set against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean, tidal creeks, dunes, and salt marshes, the Seaside Course delivers a classic Scottish links approach. Georgia longleaf pines, native oaks, and vibrant greens surround the Retreat Course, which Mark and Davis Love III renovated as a tribute to the course of their childhood. A year-round pre-dinner activity to end your day with loved ones is the 18-hole masterpiece of Mark and Davis Love III's Speedway Putting Course at The Lodge.


                                                                                          Seaside Golf Course at Sea Island Resort


Book a hassle-free golf holiday with Golf Experiences! With our "one-stop shop" service, you may choose your destination and let us book hotels, tee times, and more. Our golf-loving Experience Coordinators provide individualized service from booking to checkout. Trust us to meet your needs and simplify your planning. Discover exclusive courses and tee times and design stay-and-play and private lesson packages. Call (800) 766-7939 to start planning your amazing golf getaway! Provide 24 business hours for your unique Experience quote.