The world may be getting smaller, but its collection of top-shelf golf resorts remains vast. From the American Heartland and the shimmering coasts of the Caribbean to the peaks of Europe and the majesty of Asia and the South Pacific, virtually every region on the planet is home to a sampling of the game’s finest stay-and-play experiences. To learn about the best golf resorts in North America and Canada, keep reading below.
To browse GOLF’s complete 2023-24 list of the Top 100 Golf Resorts in the World, click here.
For summaries of the best resorts in other regions, browse: Best in Mexico | Best in the Caribbean/Americas | Best in Ireland | Best in Scotland, England & Wales | Best in Continental Europe | Best in Middle East & Africa | Best in Asia | Best in Australia, New Zealand & Fiji
Browse all of GOLF’s course rankings: Top 100 Courses in the World | Top 100 Courses in the U.S. | Top 100 Courses You Can Play | Top 100 Value Courses in the U.S. | America’s Best Municipal Courses | Top 100 in the U.K. and Ireland | Top 100 Short Courses in the World
The best golf resorts in the United States and Canada (2023-24)
Bandon Dunes Golf Resort
Bandon, Ore.
When Bandon Dunes opened in 1999, it was unlike anything golfers had experienced in America — the walking-only directive, the embrace of wind-whipped coastal weather and rugged imperfections were a slap in the face to the cushy frameworks of traditional resorts. The remoteness of the Oregon property also raised eyebrows: Would it succeed, let alone survive? Nearly 25 years and thousands of additional course acres later, any doubts have been resoundingly resolved. Bandon Dunes has long since become a mecca in the game, a must for golfers who want nothing more than to tee it up from dawn to dusk. Over that same time, Bandon has inspired resorts around the world, both new and established, to rethink what it means to lure avid golfers. Accommodations, which range from single-occupancy lodge rooms to four-bedroom cottages, offer the comfortable basics. And while there is a massage center and a spa, the latter consists of just a sauna and hot tub, simple, soothing balms for all the golf you play. [LEARN MORE HERE]
Big Cedar Lodge
Ridgedale, Mo.
In the heart of the Missouri Ozarks where he was raised, Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris created Big Cedar Lodge as a portal to the great outdoors. He dreamed of helping guests connect with nature, and he looked to golf to help achieve that goal. In the decades since Morris first conceived it, Big Cedar has emerged as one of the country’s fastest-growing destinations in the game, home to five courses by marquee designers and host to an annual stop on the Champions Tour. Billed as a “wilderness resort” for good reason, the property blends seamlessly into an unspoiled landscape of piney forests and limestone caverns as well as rivers, creeks and lakes that make up some of the country’s most prized fishing waters. [LEARN MORE HERE]
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The Broadmoor
Colorado Springs, Colo.
It says something about the majesty of the Colorado mountains that a destination as sprawling as the Broadmoor can still feel like a hideaway. Tucked into the foothills of Cheyenne Mountain, the 101-year-old, five-star resort pulls off other tricks as well. It somehow feels homey and high-class. Rugged Pikes Peak is within reach, but at every turn is polished marble and pampering service. With its 10 restaurants, indoor and outdoor pools, spa, bowling alley, s’mores-friendly fire pits and two gorgeously maintained courses, there’s no reason to leave the Broadmoor’s comforts. But the pull of the peaks is strong, and the resort offers many dusty adventures. Most alluring are the “wilderness experiences” at three luxe lodging outposts: Cloud Camp, Fly Fishing Camp and the Ranch at Emerald Valley. On the dastardly Ross and RTJ greens, everything runs away from the mountains. At the Broadmoor, where they get everything just right, you’ll bask in them. [LEARN MORE HERE]
Cabot Cape Breton
Inverness, Nova Scotia, Canada
The Cabot brand ranks among the fastest-growing names in golf-course development, with outposts spanning from Scotland to St. Lucia and beyond. But it all began here in Nova Scotia, on the rolling coastal land of a former fishing village. The original course, Cabot Links, is an understated layout of exceptional grace, with a front nine that skirts an ocean inlet in a setting as quaint as any in the game. The Links’ younger sibling, Cabot Cliffs, provides an eye-popping counterpart that lives up to its name with a routing that runs along majestic bluffs. Cabot was co-developed by Bandon Dunes founder Mike Keiser, and there are elements of Bandon here in the emphasis on throwback, elemental golf. But other aspects of the experience, from the cuisine and the coastline to the accents of the caddies, have a distinctly Nova Scotian lilt to them, lending Cabot a vivid sense of place. [LEARN MORE HERE]
Destination Kohler
Kohler, Wis.
Even casual golfers are familiar with Whistling Straits, the architectural wonder along Lake Michigan, but there is so much more to Destination Kohler than Pete Dye’s iconic design. An hour drive from the Milwaukee airport, four 18-hole Dye courses await (the Straits, the Irish, the Meadow Valleys, the River), as well as a wildly entertaining facility called the Baths at Blackwolf Run, which features a 10-hole par-3 course and a two-acre putting course. The allure of Kohler isn’t limited to golf. The long list of off-course diversions ranges from kayaking on the lake and fly fishing on the salmon-rich Sheboygan River to pickleball and stand-up paddle-boarding. As you might expect from America’s plumbing experts, the Kohler Waters Spa is one of the nation’s finest. Dining options cover wide culinary ground, from first-rate pub grub to haute cuisine, and accommodations at the American Club are the pinnacle of luxury. [LEARN MORE HERE]
Fairmont Banff Springs
Banff, Alberta, Canada
Set in the heart of Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this elegant resort has been called Canada’s “Castle in the Rockies,” with a grand hotel that rises from the base of the mountains. Stretching just below, in a stunning alpine valley, is a Golden Age-design by Stanley Thompson, the Alister MacKenzie of the Great White North. His inspired routing, replete with gorgeous paw-print bunkers and beautifully undulating greens, makes the most of its breathtaking surrounds, winding along the Bow River, in the shadow of towering peaks. [LEARN MORE HERE]
Jacob Sjöman
Fairmont Grand Del Mar
San Diego, Calif.
What makes Grand Del Mar unique is its uncanny ability to be many things at once. It’s both tranquil and invigorating. Peaceful and enthralling. Expansive and intimate. The Mediterranean-style resort sprawls 400 acres (the golf course takes up 350 of that). Enjoy the expanse or tuck away somewhere quiet for a relaxation session and/or activity of your choosing. The Tom Fazio-designed course set against the rugged Los Peñasquitos Canyon landscape is a testament to what it means to play one hole at a time, because on most holes you can see only that hole. Fazio is known for moving dirt, but at Grand Del Mar (his only design in San Diego) he largely took what the land gave him. It’s a tough test from the back tees at more than 7,100 yards but far less bruising when played forward. [LEARN MORE HERE]
Four Seasons Resort Lana’i
Lana’i City, Hawaii
In 2012, the tech mogul Larry Ellison bought 98-percent of the island of Lanai for an estimated $300 million. His purchase included this idyllic resort, which sits on bluffs overlooking the Pacific and offers guests exclusive access to the Manele Golf Course, a dramatic Jack Nicklaus Signature course that was built on lava outcrops and employs the ocean as a hazard on three holes. You get what you pay for. In this case, that means unparalleled island luxury. [LEARN MORE HERE]
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
Wailea, Hawaii
Fans of prestige TV might be interested to know that this idyllic resort was used for the filming of season 1 of the hit HBO show “White Lotus.” Fans of golf travel will be thrilled to discover that the property is even prettier in person. Situated on Maui’s sunny, leeward coast, Wailea features three 18-hole courses that vary in their length and difficulty but share the finest qualities of tropical golf, lined with swaying palms and sweetly manicured fairways, with Pacific views at nearly every turn. The off-course appointments are equally alluring at a Four Seasons that lives up to the brand’s exacting standards, infused with island warmth and hospitality. [LEARN MORE HERE]
French Lick Resort
French Lick, Ind.
Golf, gambling, good times. Like a lot of great resorts, French Lick isn’t the easiest place to get to, but once you’ve given your GPS a workout, you will be glad you did. Historic and lavish lodging is offered at two hotels: West Baden Springs and French Lick Springs. Throw in a casino, and stellar golf. What’s not to like about that trifecta? If you’ve never played the Pete Dye Course, you’ll be hugely impressed by the site of the ’15 Senior PGA Championship. Truly great work by the Indiana native on this dramatic piece of Southern Indiana territory. The Donald Ross Course has been on the property for more than 100 years, and while it’s not as dramatic, it’s a stirring test by one of the game’s master architectures. [LEARN MORE HERE]
Brian Walers
The Greenbrier
White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.
The iconic Greenbrier is steeped in historic charm and old-fashioned elegance. The guest list of VIPs, presidents and other dignitaries runs deep, as does the underground “Fallout Bunker” designed to keep the 1,100 members and staff of the U.S. Congress safe in the event of a catastrophe. There’s outdoor recreation, a casino, spa — the 11,000 acre Greenbrier contains multitudes. But the golf stands out, starting with the Greenbrier Course, host of the 1979 Ryder Cup and 1994 Solheim Cup. Jack Nicklaus revamped the original Seth Raynor design in 1977, creating a shot-shapers paradise that threads through densely wooded areas. The Old White TPC course opened in 1914, designed by C.B. Macdonald, the father of modern American course architecture. Many of its holes pay tribune to classic links from across the pond: the Redan green from North Berwick and the Eden green from St. Andrews. [LEARN MORE HERE]
Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Kiawah Island, S.C.
Kiawah Island, about 20 miles from Charleston, oozes with the atmospheric charm of South Carolina’s Lowcountry, its air kissed by coastal mist, its grounds fringed by Palmetto trees and Spanish moss. The oceanfront Sanctuary Hotel anchors five golf courses and a mix of villas and homes, with an endless supply of activities and adventures available to guests. The golf menu at Kiawah Island is an enticing smorgasbord: the Ocean Course by Pete Dye, Osprey Point by Tom Fazio, Turtle Point by Jack Nicklaus, Cougar Point by Gary Player and Oak Point by Clyde Johnson. The Ocean Course garners the lion’s share of attention, but the other four courses have grown more popular thanks to a slate of renovations and improvements. Play all five on your visit and you’ll bag enough memories to last a lifetime. [LEARN MORE HERE]
Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa
Austin, Texas
Four years ago, as part of a $150-million renovation, Omni added a third lodging tower and a huge new spa as well as four swimming pools to this Texas Hill Country Destination. Thankfully there have been no changes to the rolling scenery, the backdrop for first-rate resort golf. Both Tom Fazio courses — the original design next to the resort and the Canyons a mile away — have been ranked the Nos. 1 and 2 public courses in the state. The Ben Crenshaw course across the street from the resort, designed by the native son and longtime Barton Creek visitor, has Texas-sized greens and dramatic views. The fourth course, Barton Creek Lakeside, is 30 minutes from the resort, near Willie Nelson’s private layout. [LEARN MORE HERE]
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Omni Homestead Resort
Hot Springs, Va.
Staying at the Omni Homestead Resort is like walking through history. First opened in 1766, it has grown considerably in size and reputation. The Omni was designated a National Historical Landmark in 1991 and has hosted 23 U.S. Presidents, including Thomas Jefferson, who enjoyed the spa and its thermal hot springs, which remain in use today. Omni took over ownership in 2013 and pumped millions of dollars into restoring and renovating the facilities. The Old Course, which has six par-3s, six par-4s and six par-5s, dates to 1891 and was designed as an 18-hole facility by Donald Ross in the early 1900s. It is believed to be the longest continually operating first tee in the U.S. The Upper Cascades course designed by William Flynn was opened in 1923 and has hosted seven USGA national championships. [LEARN MORE HERE]
Omni PGA Frisco Resort
Frisco, Texas
One of the newest and most attention-grabbing properties in the golf world is the 500-room Omni PGA Frisco Resort, which opened in May of this year and, sitting just outside of Dallas, works as a superb fall destination with comfortable temps in the mid 70s to low 80s. For those who aren’t familiar with this spot, you will be soon. The PGA of America moved its headquarters here, and it has two sparkling new 18-hole courses in Fields Ranch West (designed by Beau Welling) and Fields Ranch East (Gil Hanse). The East is about to get plenty of TV time, too, as it hosted the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship in May and will host five more major championships (two Senior PGAs, two Women’s PGAs and two PGAs) over the next 12 years. A Ryder Cup will likely be in the future as well. PGA Frisco also offers the perfect family-friendly complement to the “big courses” with The Swing and The Dance Floor. The Swing is a 10-hole par-3 course, and The Dance Floor is a rollicking two-acre putting course. Both are lighted, so the games can continue when the sun goes down. Hungry? There’s 13 restaurants. Enough said. [LEARN MORE HERE]
Pebble Beach Resorts
Pebble Beach, Calif.
To hear original architect Jack Neville tell it, there wasn’t much to designing what would become the great American cathedral of public golf: “All we did was cut away a few trees, install a few sprinklers and sow a little seed.” The entire ethos of Pebble Beach Resorts follows Neville’s thinking: It’s a place built for enjoying incredible natural beauty. As a result, there’s a timeless quality to the resort — and far more than just golf. Spend any time at Pebble and you’ll notice that it’s the attention to detail that sets it apart — from the unforgettable links all the way down to the chocolate strawberries. [LEARN MORE HERE]
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Pinehurst Resort
Pinehurst, N.C.
It’s accepted that St. Andrews is the “Home of Golf.” If that’s the case, the home of American golf is Pinehurst. For some, a trip to the Sandhills is like leaving home for college — golf college. Everything you’d want — all nine courses (with a 10th on the way), housing, dining — is elaborately placed around weaving roads and paths on a sprawling campus, pine straw bordering every turn. The quad in this analogy is just as delightful as your alma mater’s grassy space. It’s made up of an 18-hole putting course named Thistle Dhu that abuts a 9-hole short course named The Cradle, with a grassy perch filled with lawn chairs overlooking it all. A true Pinehurst Day involves all of them — say, 18 on Gil Hanse’s wide-open redesign of No. 4, a wedges-only loop on the short course and settling bets on the putting course. To complete the syllabus, pop in for a pint in the Ryder Cup Lounge or the new Pinehurst Brewing Co. Or, if you made birdie on any of No. 2’s par threes, a free beverage awaits in its 19th hole, the Deuce. Congratulations, graduate. [LEARN MORE HERE]
Primland (Auberge Resorts Collection)
Meadows of Dan, Va.
Folks around Primland in bucolic southern Virginia refer to golf course architect Donald Steel simply as “The Donald.” The reserved, proper and humble Steel cuts a wonderfully ironic figure to his intended character foil. Yet, he offers no apologies for the Highland Course’s brash, unrelenting difficulty. The brawny circuit makes its way through the peaks and valleys of the Dan River Gorge and is framed by rough ridges offering no quarter for wayward shots. Its unique routing of five par 5s and five par 3s was dictated by the land. Tee times are in 15-minute intervals to allow golfers time to soak up the serene setting while also dealing with Highland’s overt difficulty. The resort overall has the unmistakable characteristics of owners who are heirs to a billion-dollar oil fortune: remote location, world-class golf, sport shooting, tomahawk throwing and (naturally) a silo observatory for stargazing. The Primat family ensures every detail is attended to at Primland. For example, groups who prefer to stay in a treehouse can stay in a treehouse. There are three available for rent with dramatic views south into North Carolina. [LEARN MORE HERE]
Pronghorn Resort
Bend, Ore.
Welcome to Bend, Ore., not to be confused with North Bend, Ore., the small coastal town you fly to on trips to Bandon Dunes. This is the high desert, a four-hour drive inland, and a proudly outdoorsy destination, with rivers running wild and mountains within easy striking distance. The juniper forest that spreads in all directions is the second largest in the world. What do people do here? What don’t they do here? For starters, there is hiking, fishing, biking, golf and more golf. Pronghorn’s two tracks are close siblings but not twins, with the Fazio course being more forgiving and the Nicklaus design asking plenty of your irons. Both extend their reach through rollicking terrain, their fairways intertwined with lava caves and outcrops that volcanoes shaped eons ago. In the backdrop looms Mt. Bachelor, one of several striking peaks that remain snow-dusted for much of the year. Winter might be coming, but golf season often lasts for weeks after the ski slopes open, and sometimes longer. Every guest room has a fireplace and beds with earthy linens, warm guards against the chill of an autumn evening. Pronghorn also unveiled the Huntington Lodge in April 2019 — a 104-room addition that overlooks the 18th hole of the Fazio-designed course. [LEARN MORE HERE]
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The Resort at Pelican Hill
Newport Beach, Calif.
This opulent resort is the essence of Mediterranean-style sophistication, with its limestone fireplaces and marble baths, private terraces, luxury cabanas, and stunning coastal views. The golf is equally as breathtaking, with not one but two Tom Fazio golf courses perched along the Pacific. The Ocean North Course stretches nearly 7,000 yards with several holes weaving their way along the cliff’s edge. The Ocean South Course features deep chasms and green complexes that look pretty from a distance but can be diabolical to navigate. The two 18s blend together beautifully, making it easy to play at least 36 holes in a day. And the views? Both courses have vistas that rival any coastal golf experience in California — yes, even those a few hours north on 17-Mile Drive. [LEARN MORE HERE]
The Retreat, Links & Spa at Silvies Valley Ranch
Seneca, Ore.
Don’t call it a dude ranch. It’s a working ranch, where the goats need herding, the horses need feeding and the cattle require someone to round them up. This being frontier Oregon, in the state’s eastern reaches, those duties fall to seasoned ranch hands, who are more than happy to have your help. Expect to get a little dusty if you saddle up for one of the resort’s immersive western-style adventures. Hixson’s ingenious reversible track is an adventure in itself, as are the pair of sweet par-3 tracks. You don’t need caddies on the latter, but you’ll want them, since those caddies are American Range Goats, born and raised on the property. With harnesses strapped across their backs to carry clubs and beer, these four-legged loopers make sure-footed and useful companions. Many of their siblings serve a different purpose at Silvies: In the lodge restaurant, they turn up on the menu. [LEARN MORE HERE]
The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain
Marana, Ariz.
The newly renovated Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain is in Marana, a small community on the northwest edge of Tucson that is inhabited largely by transplants seeking to soak up year-round rays. Designed with a modern Southwest motif, the resort has luxurious accommodations fit for everything from a romantic getaway, to a business retreat, to a family vacation. Take a hike on the 26 miles of trails in the shadows of the Tortolita Mountains, then relax in the spa with a gemstone-inspired therapy. The three nine-hole layouts at The Golf Club at Dove Mountain are all designed by Jack Nicklaus, each with a distinct character and aesthetic. Built at varying elevations, the layouts challenge the most seasoned professionals from the back tees, while also being manageable for lesser players from the more forgiving front and middle tees. [LEARN MORE HERE]
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The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay, Calif.
During Prohibition, the hidden coves and thick fog around Half Moon Bay provided cover for both Canadian rum runners and local moonshine bootleggers. Today, the town’s towering cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean house one of the most visually stunning course/hotel combos on the West Coast. Half Moon Bay Golf Links’ Ocean Course holds favor with resort golfers, beguiling players with ocean views from nearly every hole. Water use was cut in half a few years ago and the fescue was left to grow between and around holes. The resulting fast and firm playing conditions bring the ground game into play on numerous holes. In stark contrast, the neighboring Old Course is a traditional Northern California parkland design that demands an all-out aerial assault from tee to green. Its famed par-4 18th hole plays over a barranca into green snuggled just below the hotel’s firepit terrace. Half Moon Bay’s unofficial tagline is “fire and wine.” Guests in search of the full immersion splurge on an ocean-view terrace warmed by fire pits. [LEARN MORE HERE]
The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee
Greensboro, Ga.
There’s a reason that the Masters ignites a fire in most golfers, and Lake Oconee — about 85 miles west of Augusta — provides a taste of that same Georgia perfection. The resort combines warm Southern hospitality with the luxurious amenities associated with the Ritz-Carlton brand, all packaged into a sprawling retreat a short drive from Atlanta. There’s so much to see and do at Lake Oconee it’s difficult to know where to start. Five championship golf courses offer a wide variety as they wind through the woods and water, from Jack Nicklaus’s redesigned Great Waters to Rees Jones’ risk/reward lakeside design, The Oconee. Outdoor-lovers will earn their trips to the spa by trekking miles of hiking and walking trails, playing tennis, fishing or paying a visit to Sandy Creek Sporting Grounds, which has a deep selection of shooting challenges. The kids’ camp will keep your little ones entertained, while the handful of eateries will keep your belly happy. Indulge in Georgia’s home-cooked vibe; a prime cut at the Linger Longer Steakhouse; casual fare at Gaby’s by the Lake; or a romantic table for two at Chiminea Dining. At Lake Oconee, there’s something for every taste. [LEARN MORE HERE]
Sand Valley Golf Resort
Nekoosa, Wis.
Developer Mike Keiser already had Bandon Dunes and Cabot Links on his résumé when he cut the ribbon at Sand Valley in 2017, in the sand barrens of central Wisconsin. No ocean? No problem. Nearest major airport 2.5 hours away? They will come. Now operated by Keiser’s sons, Michael and Chris, who were deeply involved in its development, the resort has emerged as a remote bucket-lister on par with Bandon. The original course, Sand Valley, is beautiful and fair with shot values appealing to a broad swath of players. Mammoth Dunes, in contrast, defies the space-time continuum. Its scale is otherworldly, allowing for shot-making of boundless creativity. While the resort’s 17-hole short course doubles as an architecture lesson with its Biarritz, Lion’s Mouth and Redan greens, the greatest design wonder is the newly opened Lido, a faithful reproduction of a fabled lost course in Long Island. Though it’s a private course, it grants limited tee times to Sand Valley resort guests. As if that’s not enough, more is coming. Work is underway on Sedge Valley, a sub-6,000-yard design by Tom Doak inspired by the heathland courses of England. [LEARN MORE HERE]
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Sea Island Resort
Sea Island, Ga.
Davis Love III grew up on Sea Island, one of coastal Georgia’s golf-rich Golden Isles. He and brother Mark, of Love Golf Design, recently completed an 18-hole putting course here, and successfully pitched ownership on a full reno of the 1998 Rees Jones redesign of Plantation, which re-opened for play in 2019. If golf were a stock, Sea Island would be buying. The elegant Lodge recently wrapped a $30 million upgrade, and the new Golf Performance Center is peerlessly high-tech. Instruction has always been a major focus at Sea Island Resort. Little wonder, with resident Tour players including Zach Johnson, Matt Kuchar, Harris English and Brian Harman. [LEARN MORE HERE]
Sea Pines Resort
Hilton Head Island, S.C.
Hilton Head Island has long been one of the most in-demand golf destinations around, and no tee time is more sought after than Harbour Town, the Pete Dye/Jack Nicklaus collaboration and the crown jewel of Sea Pines Resort. The course has hosted the PGA Tour since 1969, when Arnold Palmer won the inaugural event, and it’s GOLF’s ninth-ranked public course in the U.S. With tight fairways, pesky overhanging branches and small greens, the charming course’s emphasis has always been on ball-striking. The dramatic 18th plays alongside the water and back toward the iconic red-and-white striped Harbour Town Lighthouse, a memorable way to end any round. The two other courses — Heron Point (Pete Dye) and Atlantic Dunes (Davis Love III) — are also a blast. [LEARN MORE HERE]
Streamsong Resort
Bowling Green, Fla.
You would be hard-pressed to find a greater gathering of elite course designers all working at the same property — let alone one that was built on a former mining site. Streamsong pulled it off. The jig about its Hanse (Black course), Coore & Crenshaw (Blue course) and Doak (Red course) trio is that most guests can’t bring themselves to choose a fave. Each course is that good, and different in its own way. And now there’s another choice: the Chain, an 18-hole short course by Crenshaw and Coore. With a top-shelf practice facility, this is a golf resort in every sense of the term. Be sure to maximize your HPT (holes per trip) by jumping out for six-hole loops on the three offerings: the courses were designed to include a six-hole stretch that runs outward and back to the clubhouse. This means when you’ve finished the first 18 (or 36) of the day, you can still squeeze in at least another half-dozen holes. Golfed out? Try your hand at bass fishing, clay shooting or even archery. The tres-modern guest rooms, designed by famed architect Alberto Alfonso, feature artwork from Alfonso that honor Streamsong’s dunes, lakes and woody surrounds. [LEARN MORE HERE]
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