The 10 Most Overrated Places For A Golf Trip & 10 You Should Look At Instead
Skip The Hype, Tee Off Right
Everyone's got a golf bucket list, but not every dream course lives up to the hype. Some trips leave you wondering what all the fuss was about... and where all your money went. Still, there are great lesser-known gems that are just waiting to be discovered. Let’s take a look, starting with the overrated spots that may have you rethinking your next golf getaway.
1. Pebble Beach
The first glimpse of Pebble Beach's cliffs is unforgettable. Yet beyond the view, the experience can falter. Green fees have risen above $675, and tee times must be secured far in advance. Despite the setting, slow rounds and heavy crowds often leave players feeling underwhelmed.
2. St. Andrews
There is no disputing St. Andrews' historic significance. However, modern golfers often encounter long queues and courses overwhelmed by tourists. Playing the Old Course feels mandatory, but the romanticized expectations sometimes overshadow a course that demands patience and acceptance of conditions far from perfect.
3. TPC Sawgrass
Many dream of hitting the famed 17th island green, yet the reality is a far cry from the fantasy. Green fees frequently top $750, and course difficulty can frustrate rather than inspire. For many, the experience feels less about enjoying a round and more about surviving it.
4. Pinehurst
Walking onto Pinehurst's No. 2 feels like entering golf's hallowed ground. However, only a portion of the complex matches the hype. No. 2 shines, but several sister courses lack the same temptation. High costs and an overtly commercial atmosphere dilute what could be a more timeless experience.
Dan Perry from Atlanta, USA on Wikimedia
5. Kiawah Island
Few places present a more beautiful but punishing test than Kiawah's Ocean Course. The constant wind and narrow landing areas create a battlefield that even professionals struggle to conquer. For everyday players investing $463 or more, the round often becomes a lesson in survival.
Bill Showalter from Greeneville Tennessee, USA on Wikimedia
6. Mission Hills China
Owning the title of the world's largest golf facility, Mission Hills impresses with scale. Yet most of its twelve courses lack standout design features. What could have been a masterpiece collection instead offers convenience over character and leaves discerning golfers searching for a more soulful experience.
7. Whistling Straits
Every detail at Whistling Straits looks crafted for a postcard. But after trekking across miles of rugged terrain against unrelenting winds, admiration can give way to exhaustion. The relentless challenge combined with premium costs often overshadows the pure enjoyment of the game itself.
8. Augusta National
For most, Augusta remains an untouchable dream rather than a playable destination. Membership is famously exclusive, and tournament access is limited to viewing. Even spectators discover that Augusta's meticulously curated image leaves little room for a personal connection to the legendary grounds.
9. Dubai
Dubai’s golf scene feels more like a branding exercise than a golfer’s dream. High prices and heavily manufactured desert layouts create sterile rounds, missing any roots. Emirates Golf Club and Jumeirah Golf Estates stay in the spotlight, although many serious players feel the experience lacks character and genuine golf spirit.
PaddyBriggs at English Wikipedia on Wikimedia
10. Cabo San Lucas
Cabo's golf courses seem ideal in theory. In practice, heavy tourist demand and resort-style pacing dominate the scene. Although the views impress, many players walk away feeling the rounds lacked the personal and competitive edge they sought.
Fortunately, there are places where the game feels just right: challenging and worth every swing. These destinations deserve a closer look.
1. Streamsong Resort
At Streamsong Resort in Florida, the focus returns to pure golf. The courses (designed by Coore & Crenshaw, Doak, and Hanse) blend seamlessly into the natural scenery. Here, you won’t find houses or highways, just rolling terrain and creative challenges.
2. Cabot Cape Breton
Few locations in North America can match Cabot Cape Breton's rugged coastal beauty and pure golfing atmosphere. With Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs consistently ranked among the world's best, the resort combines authentic links golf with sweeping, unforgettable Atlantic vistas and a sense of raw, natural wonder.
Cabot Cliffs is Golf Heaven on Earth by Golficity
3. Bandon Preserve
Bandon Preserve (a 13-hole par-3 course in Oregon) proves shorter rounds can still deliver unforgettable golf. Designed by Coore & Crenshaw, the course showcases stunning ocean views without the time commitment of a full 18. Every hole offers strategy and a fresh way to experience Bandon.
4. Erin Hills
Erin Hills offers something rare: a U.S. Open venue accessible to the public without sacrificing its championship soul. Set in Wisconsin's glacial region, the course delivers wide fairways, challenging terrain, and an unforgettable sense of scale, making it a must-play for both amateurs and seasoned golfers alike.
EP07 ERIN HILLS by Gimme Golf Studio
5. Barnbougle Dunes
Tasmania's Barnbougle Dunes remains one of the purest expressions of links golf outside Scotland. Exposed to roaring coastal winds and sculpted by nature, its holes require creativity and precision. Here, the game returns to its roots and offers an experience that feels both ancient and exhilarating.
Barnbougle Dunes Cinematic 4K by Scott Campbell Photography
6. Sand Valley
Sand Valley in Wisconsin brings a minimalist philosophy to the American heartland. Built on ancient sand dunes, the courses by Coore & Crenshaw and David McLay Kidd favor natural movement over artificial design. Golfers find beauty and freedom on every wide, windswept fairway.
Sand Valley, Wisconsin in 4k by Contours Golf
7. Chambers Bay
Opened in 2007 near Seattle, Chambers Bay gained international attention, hosting the 2015 U.S. Open. Its bold layout stretches along Puget Sound to offer dramatic elevation changes and true link characteristics. The firm-and-fast conditions invite creative play, rewarding golfers who can think beyond traditional parkland strategies.
Atomic Taco from Seattle, WA, USA on Wikimedia
8. Royal County Down
Stepping onto Royal County Down in Northern Ireland feels like entering another era of golf. Laid out beneath the Mourne Mountains, the course features blind shots and breathtaking scenery. Regularly ranked among the world's finest, it challenges both imagination and execution.
9. Sheep Ranch
Sheep Ranch (part of the Bandon Dunes complex) opened in 2020 with no bunkers but cliff-edge drama on nearly every hole. Designed by Coore & Crenshaw, it brings an adventurous take on coastal golf. Flexibility in routing ensures that no two rounds feel the same.
Every Hole at Sheep Ranch in Bandon, Oregon | Golf Digest by Golf Digest
10. Pine Needles
Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club in North Carolina offers a classic Donald Ross design, restored to its original brilliance. Having hosted multiple U.S. Women's Opens, the course balances beauty and challenge with exceptional grace. This place is where tradition feels alive rather than museum-like.
Pine Needles, Site of the 2022 U.S. Women's Open by Fried Egg Golf
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