The Best Golf Destinations for Summer

Summer golf in America involves a straightforward inversion of the winter playbook. The Sun Belt destinations that thrive from November through March become uncomfortable, expensive in a different way (courses discount aggressively to attract anyone willing to play in the heat), and often poorly conditioned. Meanwhile, the northern tier of American golf destinations enters its peak season. Courses that closed under snow in December are in their finest condition by late June. Daylight extends past 9 p.m. The air is dry or mild rather than suffocating. Summer golf, done right, means heading north.

Northern Michigan

The corridor from Traverse City to Petoskey to Gaylord contains a concentration of quality courses that rivals any region in America. Arcadia Bluffs sits 200 feet above Lake Michigan with links-style turf and sweeping water views. Forest Dunes in Roscommon offers Tom Doak's celebrated reversible course, The Loop, alongside the original Forest Dunes course. Crystal Downs, the Alister MacKenzie and Perry Maxwell design consistently ranked among the top courses in the world, is private but accepting of reciprocal play from certain clubs. Summer temperatures in the 70s and low 80s, combined with the lake-cooled breezes, make conditions close to ideal from June through September.

Northern Michigan is the strongest summer golf destination in the country, and the argument is not close.

Bandon Dunes, Oregon

Bandon Dunes plays year-round, but summer is prime season. The coastal fog that characterizes the Oregon coast lifts more reliably in July and August, and the firm fescue turf reaches peak condition. The resort offers five 18-hole courses and a par-3 course, all walkable, all maintained to a standard that justifies the travel. Summer is also the busiest season, and tee times at Pacific Dunes and Bandon Dunes should be booked months in advance. The remote location, four and a half hours from Portland, filters out casual visitors and creates an atmosphere of genuine golf immersion.

Sand Valley, Nekoosa, Wisconsin

Sand Valley has expanded rapidly since its opening and now offers multiple courses on glacial sand deposits in central Wisconsin. The Coore and Crenshaw original, the Mammoth Dunes course by David McLay Kidd, and the Lido, a recreation of the lost C.B. Macdonald course, provide three distinct links-style experiences. Summer in central Wisconsin is warm and pleasant, with temperatures typically in the 70s and 80s, and the sandy soil means the courses drain fast after summer thunderstorms. The resort infrastructure has matured to include quality lodging and dining, making Sand Valley a legitimate multi-day destination rather than a day trip from Madison or Milwaukee.

Kohler, Wisconsin

Kohler offers four courses operated by the Destination Kohler resort, including two Pete Dye designs that have hosted major championships. Whistling Straits, the Ryder Cup venue on the Lake Michigan shore, and Blackwolf Run's River Course are the headliners, and both are in peak condition during the summer months. The resort's broader amenities, including the American Club hotel, the spa, and a dining program that takes itself seriously, make Kohler a complete destination rather than a golf-only trip. Summer is peak season and pricing reflects that, but the quality justifies the spend.

Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada

Lake Tahoe offers summer golf at elevation in one of the most dramatic natural settings in the country. Edgewood Tahoe, host of the American Century Celebrity Championship, sits directly on the lake's south shore, and the combination of mountain views and alpine air produces a playing experience that feels entirely separate from the rest of American golf. Summer temperatures in the 70s and 80s at the lake's 6,200-foot elevation are comfortable, and the dry Sierra Nevada climate means rain rarely interrupts a round. The surrounding options for hiking, water sports, and dining make Tahoe a strong choice for mixed-interest travel groups.

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

The Coeur d'Alene Resort is known primarily for its floating green on the par-3 14th, but the course itself is a well-conditioned resort layout in a stunning lakeside setting. Summer in northern Idaho is dry, sunny, and mild, with temperatures in the 70s and 80s. The area is less developed than other golf destinations on this list, which is part of the appeal. It feels remote without being inaccessible.

The broader region includes Circling Raven Golf Club on the Coeur d'Alene Reservation, a Gene Bates design that regularly ranks among the best public courses in the Northwest.

Pinehurst, North Carolina

Pinehurst is playable year-round, but summer offers a window of lower demand and reduced pricing that savvy golfers exploit. The heat is genuine, with temperatures regularly reaching the 90s in July and August, but early morning tee times and the sandy, fast-draining soil mitigate the discomfort. Pinehurst No. 2, restored by Coore and Crenshaw to its original sandy, firm-and-fast character, is in strong condition through the summer, and the resort's nine-course inventory means variety is never a concern. The trade-off is the heat and humidity. Golfers who start at 7 a.m. and finish by noon find summer at Pinehurst entirely manageable.

French Lick, Indiana

French Lick Resort offers two Pete Dye designs on ridgetop terrain in southern Indiana, and the summer months present both courses in their best condition. The hilltop elevation provides some relief from the Midwest heat, and the resort's historic West Baden Springs Hotel adds architectural interest that extends beyond the golf. Summer temperatures are warm but not extreme, typically in the 80s, and the courses are less crowded than the marquee destinations on this list.

Making the Most of Summer Golf

The advantage of summer golf in northern destinations is time. Daylight hours from June through August stretch well past 8 p.m. in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Oregon, making 36-hole days not just feasible but comfortable. At Bandon Dunes and Sand Valley, groups regularly play dawn rounds, break for lunch, and return for an afternoon 18 with daylight to spare.