Stop running your golf trip. Start playing it.

4 Days of High Desert Golf in Bend, Oregon

Bend, OR, USA

Eight golfers discovered why Bend is becoming the Pacific Northwest's must-play destination on this perfectly curated 4-day loop through Central Oregon's finest layouts. Starting at Tetherow Resort as home base, the group tackled four exceptional courses: Tetherow's rugged lava rock terrain, Pronghorn's legendary Nicklaus Course with its sweeping high desert views, the dramatic canyon settings of Brasada, and Pronghorn's pristine Fazio Course. As one player put it: "The weather was incredible - mid to high 70's, not a cloud in the sky - some of the best courses I've played." The competitive group maintained a brisk pace across all four rounds, then refueled at Rancher Butcher Chef, Bend's acclaimed farm-to-table steakhouse. What sets this trip apart is the combination of championship-caliber golf with Bend's relaxed resort atmosphere and stunning Cascade Mountain backdrop. At just over $2,000 per person (including lodging at Tetherow, Alaska Airlines flights from Phoenix, and resort shuttles), it's an incredible value for this level of golf. The verdict from first-timers? "I can't wait to go back. Honestly, with the quality of golf and proximity to snowsports close by, I would love to own property up there one day." Perfect for competitive groups who want fast play, world-class courses, and an effortlessly cool mountain town vibe.

5 Days Playing Wisconsin's Major Championship Courses

Milwaukee, WI, USA

Wisconsin's golf scene punches well above its weight, and this 5-day Milwaukee-based adventure proves it. You'll tackle three bucket-list layouts that have hosted professional golf's biggest stages: the brutally beautiful Erin Hills (2017 U.S. Open), the dramatic Irish course at Whistling Straits overlooking Lake Michigan, and historic Brown Deer Park—where a teenage Tiger Woods made his PGA Tour debut. Erin Hills will test every club in your bag with its rolling fescue-lined fairways and strategic bunkering that tormented the world's best. The Irish at Whistling Straits delivers the links experience Pete Dye envisioned, with stunning lake views and tactical shotmaking. Brown Deer Park rounds out the trip with a classic parkland test steeped in Tour history. June is ideal for Wisconsin golf—long daylight hours, lush conditions, and comfortable temperatures make for perfect playing weather. This is a trip that balances championship-caliber golf with Midwestern value and hospitality. Many who make this pilgrimage immediately start planning their return to explore Kohler's other legendary layouts like the Straits course and Blackwolf Run. If you're serious about playing courses where majors have been won and golf history has been made, Wisconsin deserves a spot on your calendar.

Pinehurst, NC

Top courses: Pinehurst No. 2, Pinehurst No. 4, The Cradle (Short Course)

5 Days in the Ozarks: Tiger's Payne's Valley & Big Cedar Golf

Springfield, MO

Big Cedar Lodge has quietly become one of America's premier golf destinations, and spending five days here in October reveals exactly why. Tucked into the Ozark Mountains near Springfield, Missouri, this is Johnny Morris's golf paradise—where you'll play three wildly different courses that showcase what happens when visionary design meets dramatic terrain. Payne's Valley Golf Course is Tiger Woods' first public design and an instant modern classic, featuring his signature risk-reward strategy alongside jaw-dropping rock outcroppings and a finishing hole amphitheater unlike anything else in golf. Ozarks National, crafted by minimalist masters Coore & Crenshaw, routes naturally through ancient limestone formations and feels like golf the way it was meant to be played. Then there's Mountain Top Course, where elevation changes and sweeping vistas across Table Rock Lake make you pause between shots just to take it all in. Staying at Big Cedar Lodge itself is half the appeal—this isn't just a place to sleep between rounds. The rustic luxury accommodations, multiple on-site restaurants, and resort amenities mean you never need to leave the property, though you'll have five full days to explore it all. October in the Ozarks delivers ideal golf weather: crisp mornings that warm into comfortable afternoons, fall foliage adding extra color to already stunning views, and that perfect light for evening rounds. At $1,500 per person for five days of championship golf and accommodations, the value is remarkable for courses of this caliber. This is the buddies trip that has it all—three completely different golf experiences that'll spark debates about which course was best, resort convenience that makes the logistics effortless, and enough time to actually enjoy everything Big Cedar offers. You'll leave planning your next visit before you've even checked out.

6-Day Pinehurst Pilgrimage: No. 2, Tobacco Road & More

Pinehurst, NC, USA

This is the Pinehurst experience every serious golfer dreams about. Six days in the Sandhills means time to truly savor golf's most storied village, playing a perfect mix of legendary championship courses and hidden gems. You'll tee it up on Pinehurst No. 2's iconic turtleback greens, tackle the wild imagination of Tobacco Road, and test yourself on Pine Needles, No. 4, and the spectacular No. 10. Between rounds, unwind with Par 3 perfection at The Cradle — where aces happen and memories are made — then retreat to The Manor for classic North Carolina hospitality. Dinners at The Deuce, the elegant Carolina Dining Room, and Drum & Quill round out the days perfectly. October in Pinehurst is pure magic: cooler temperatures, stunning fall colors, and the courses in pristine condition after summer's heat. With caddies who know every break and bounce, you're not just playing golf — you're experiencing it the way it was meant to be. At around $5,500 per person for six days of bucket-list golf, accommodations at The Manor, and unforgettable meals, this trip delivers exceptional value for a once-in-a-lifetime golf journey. Whether it's your first pilgrimage or a long-awaited return, Pinehurst in autumn never disappoints.

Scotland: The Home of Golf

St Andrews, UK

Walk the Old Course where golf began over 600 years ago. Then venture to Kingsbarns, Carnoustie, and the hidden gem of Crail. Stay in town, walk to the first tee, and soak in centuries of golfing tradition at every pub and links.

Pinehurst Village: The Cradle of American Golf

Pinehurst, NC

Play where legends have walked. Pinehurst No. 2 is a bucket-list must — pair it with No. 4 and the par-3 Cradle for the ultimate Carolina sandhills experience. Stay at the historic Carolina Hotel and enjoy southern cuisine between rounds.

Bandon Dunes: Links Golf Mecca

Bandon, OR

The pilgrimage every golfer needs to make. Five world-class links courses on the rugged Oregon coast. Walk the windswept bluffs, take in Pacific sunsets, and play some of the best golf in the world — all in one remote, magical resort.