Golf destination travel in the U.S. is thriving, with new developments at a 15-year peak and strong demand at established resorts like Bandon Dunes, Pinehurst, and Pebble Beach. While popular venues dominate the scene, several lesser-known regions offer multi-course golf experiences that deserve more national attention. These include the unspoiled Sandhills of western Nebraska, Southwest Utah’s dramatic red rock courses, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with its rugged landscapes, the diverse Pacific Northwest with high plains and forested gems, and Central Oregon’s sunny mountain vistas.

Western Nebraska’s Sandhills stand out as a hidden golf treasure with multiple exceptional courses such as The Prairie Club, which has two 18-hole championship layouts designed by Tom Lehman, Chris Brands, and Graham Marsh, as well as the innovative 10-hole Horse Course by Gil Hanse. Nearby, Dismal River features championship courses from Tom Doak and Jack Nicklaus paired with rustic lodging, while Wild Horse near North Platte offers a Dave Axland and Dan Proctor-designed course plus a free short course for juniors and guests. These settings provide remote beauty and top-tier golf framed by rolling sand dunes and wide open spaces.

Southwest Utah is rapidly earning a reputation as a golf destination, hosting visually stunning venues like Black Desert Resort, Tom Weiskopf’s last design, featuring black lava fields beside red rock mountains, and Sand Hollow, known for cliffside holes with breathtaking views. These resorts quickly attracted PGA Tour and LPGA events. The region also includes Copper Rock and The Ledges courses, enhancing Utah’s appeal for golf travelers. Meanwhile, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula features Island Resort & Casino with two 18-hole courses and a new nine-hole layout inspired by classic designs, and the Mike DeVries-designed Greywalls course, renowned for its rocky terrain and dramatic layout.

The Pacific Northwest’s Eastern Washington and Coeur d’Alene areas offer diverse golfing, with Gamble Sands’ new Scarecrow course and a world-class Cascade putting course by David McLay Kidd, alongside Coeur d’Alene Resort’s iconic floating green hole. Central Oregon’s Bend area is home to numerous public courses like Crosswater at Sunriver Resort, a recurring Top 100 course hosting USGA championships, and Pronghorn’s Jack Nicklaus Signature layout. Other gems around Bend include Tetherow and Black Butte Ranch, combining mountain scenery with extensive golf options. Lastly, Ocean City, Maryland, provides accessible golf with bay views, maritime forests, and more than 10 courses, including Lighthouse Sound and Pete Dye’s Rum Pointe, making it a strong East Coast value destination.