5 best states for a golf vacation
Golf's connection to the natural world has long been a major part of its appeal, but enthusiasm for the sport in the United States runs deeper than the scenic landscapes of its courses.
Thanks to its low physical impact on the body, it's an alluring sport for people of all ages and skill levels. It's also mentally challenging and offers a leisurely social component for those seeking interaction.
More recently, technology has helped the sport evolve from the links and the driving range to climate-controlled indoor spaces with entertainment amenities. Golf simulator businesses have grown since the COVID-19 pandemic, with approximately 6.2 million Americans hitting golf balls using a simulator in the past year, according to the National Golf Foundation. There's also a lower barrier to entry for those wanting to practice year-round as the competitive market for indoor simulators has considerably lowered the cost of playing the sport.
The sport's broad appeal can be felt nationwide. The NGF's 2023 Golf Impact Report revealed that golf generated more than $100 billion in annual economic impact and was one of the biggest sources of tourism dollars in some states.
PrimePutt compiled a list of the best states for golfing in the U.S. using data from My Baggage. States were ranked according to the distribution of golf courses, driving ranges, tournaments, and golf coaches per 100,000 residents, alongside the number of platinum clubs.
PRACTICE ANYTIME, ANYWHERE
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#5. Wyoming
- Golf score: 54.82
If it's outdoor respite you seek, few places in the country are more grand and serene than the Cowboy State. Beyond its majestic mountains, prairies, and varieties of wildlife, Wyoming is also home to golf courses with challenging terrain and breathtaking views.
Snake River Sporting Club in Jackson, the Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club, Three Crowns Golf Club in Casper, and Rochelle Ranch Golf Course in Rawlins are just a handful of the 60-plus courses in the state that offer stunning views of the mountains and wildlife like pronghorn antelope and mule deer in equal abundance. In 2022, the Bureau of Economic Analysis found that outdoor recreation accounted for 4.1% of the state's gross domestic product, nearly doubling the national average.
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#4. South Carolina
- Golf score: 57.33
South Carolina has long held the reputation as a golf resort haven, with beautiful ocean views providing an ideal backdrop for any golf getaway. Home to the "Golf Capital of the World," Myrtle Beach, the state boasts 80-plus award-winning courses. Among them include the Grand Strand, a 60-mile stretch of coast and golf tourist hot spot that attracts more than 14 million people annually. South Carolina Tourism reported that golf exceeded $3.3 billion in annual impact on the state's economy in 2021, generating more income than any other form of entertainment or recreation.
TOUR-QUALITY INDOOR/OUTDOOR PUTTING GREEN
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#3. Arizona
- Golf score: 59.79
If you like golfing on days with clear, sunny skies and reliable dry heat, look no further than Arizona. Several of its cities are ranked among the best in the country for golf, including Scottsdale, home to the famed The Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale, along with other golf destinations like Tucson, Phoenix, and Mesa.
Beyond some of its most popular courses like We-Ko-Pa Golf Club, The Estancia Club, Ak-Chin Southern Dunes, and Troon North, the state celebrates golf in all of its forms, offering multiple PopStroke locations where golfers can enjoy dining, entertainment, and two 18-hole mini golf putting courses. Per a 2020 Arizona Alliance for Golf report, golf tourism supports approximately 50,000 jobs in the state, generating around $4.6 billion in annual economic activity.
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#2. Colorado
- Golf score: 62.91
Beyond the elevation helping the ball travel further, Colorado's most prominent golf courses are known for their breathtaking backdrops. The state offers courses that emulate the Midwest's tree-lined sceneries and the desert's firm conditions while its mountainous settings are unmatched. It is also home to golf history, from Arnold Palmer's famed U.S. Open comeback at Cherry Hills to The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, where Jack Nicklaus captured his first U.S. Amateur title. CommonGround golf course in Aurora, home to the Colorado Golf Association, is consistently ranked among the best course values in the country.
PRACTICE LIKE A PRO - PLAY LIKE A PRO
Outdoor and indoor putting green of choice by top players, coaches, tournaments, and fans.
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#1. Florida
- Golf score: 64.42
With more golf courses than any other state, Florida has long held a reputation for being a golf destination, offering more than 1,200 public courses in addition to year-round playing conditions. The city of Jupiter alone is home to more than 30 PGA Tour members, making the Sunshine State perfect for the pros.
From TPC Sawgrass to Innisbrook to Bay Hill, many of the state's courses are regular hosts of PGA Tour events, while its private courses rank among the best in the country. Areas like Orlando, Palm Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, Naples, Port Saint Lucie, and Amelia Island offer varied geography and course layouts for golfers of all skill levels. A Tourism Economics study commissioned by the Florida Sports Foundation found that golf was the largest revenue generator of leisurely activities, contributing $44.2 billion in economic impact from 2019 to 2021.
Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Ania Antecka.
