The Inside Swing

Best Golf Destinations for March

March marks the start of spring golf in the Southeast. The Sandhills, Lowcountry, and Hill Country come alive while desert destinations remain perfect.

Top States for March Golf

Consider avoiding: Minnesota, Michigan — courses may be closed or in poor condition in March.

Top Accessible Courses for March

Pebble Beach, California · Jack Neville & Douglas Grant (1919) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 6,828 yards

Arguably the most famous golf course in America, Pebble Beach has hosted six U.S. Opens along the cliffs of the Monterey Peninsula. The iconic oceanfront holes from 4 through 10 and the dramatic finishing stretch at 17 and 18 deliver golf at its most spectacular and storied.

Six-time U.S. Open hostIconic Monterey Peninsula clifftop holesMost famous public-access course in the world
Green Fee: $575–$625 Rating: 5/5

Pinehurst, North Carolina · Donald Ross (1907) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,588 yards

The crown jewel of American golf, Pinehurst No. 2 is Donald Ross's masterpiece and has hosted more single championships than any course in America — including U.S. Opens, PGA Championships, and Ryder Cups. The restored wiregrass-and-sand landscape and legendary turtle-back greens define the Pinehurst experience.

Most championship-tested course in AmericaDonald Ross's crowning achievementRestored to original sand-and-wiregrass aesthetic
Green Fee: $350–$550 Rating: 5/5

Kiawah Island, South Carolina · Pete Dye (1991) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,356 yards

Host of the 1991 "War by the Shore" Ryder Cup and the 2012 and 2021 PGA Championships, Kiawah's Ocean Course is Pete Dye's windswept masterpiece. Built with every hole offering views of the Atlantic Ocean, it is the most challenging and exposed seaside course in the United States.

2021 PGA Championship and 1991 Ryder Cup hostEvery hole has Atlantic Ocean viewsPete Dye's most exposed seaside design
Green Fee: $250–$450 Rating: 4.9/5

Orlando, Florida · Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw (2012) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,148 yards

While technically south of Orlando in Polk County, Streamsong Red is the must-play course for any Florida golf trip. Built on a former phosphate mine, this Coore & Crenshaw links-inspired layout features towering sand ridges, rolling fairways, and a sense of isolation unique in the Sunshine State.

Links-style Florida golfFormer phosphate mine terrainTop 25 public course in America
Green Fee: $175–$300 Rating: 4.8/5

Tampa, Florida · Gil Hanse (2017) · 18 holes · Par 73 · 7,311 yards

The newest course at Streamsong Resort, Gil Hanse's Black routing is the most dramatic and photographed of the three courses. Built on the highest point of the property, it features vertigo-inducing elevation changes and bold, strategic design.

Gil Hanse's dramatic designHighest elevation on propertyFlorida's most photographed course
Green Fee: $175–$300 Rating: 4.8/5

Bowling Green, Florida · Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw (2012) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,050 yards

Built on a former phosphate mine south of Tampa, Streamsong Red is a Coore & Crenshaw masterpiece that transformed industrial wasteland into one of America's most acclaimed golf courses. The rolling sand dunes, native grasses, and treeless landscape create a uniquely links-like experience in the heart of Florida.

Coore & Crenshaw links masterpiece on former mineTop-50 ranked public course in AmericaRevolutionary Florida links landscape
Green Fee: $175–$325 Rating: 4.8/5

Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida · Pete Dye (1980) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,245 yards

Home of THE PLAYERS Championship — the PGA Tour's marquee event — TPC Sawgrass Stadium is Pete Dye's most famous creation. The iconic island-green 17th hole is the most recognizable par 3 in golf, and the demanding championship layout through Northeast Florida wetlands tests every facet of the game.

THE PLAYERS Championship host venueIconic island-green 17th holePete Dye's most famous design
Green Fee: $250–$500 Rating: 4.8/5

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina · Mike Strantz (1994) · 18 holes · Par 70 · 6,526 yards

Widely regarded as the crown jewel of Myrtle Beach golf, Caledonia is a Mike Strantz masterpiece routed through a former rice plantation along the Waccamaw River. The avenue of live oaks leading to the antebellum-style clubhouse sets the tone for one of America's most beautiful golf experiences.

Mike Strantz plantation masterpieceAvenue of live oaks and antebellum clubhouseConsistently ranked #1 in Myrtle Beach
Green Fee: $125–$225 Rating: 4.8/5

Hilton Head, South Carolina · Pete Dye & Jack Nicklaus (1969) · 18 holes · Par 71 · 7,099 yards

Home of the RBC Heritage on the PGA Tour, Harbour Town is one of the most iconic courses in America. Pete Dye's tight, tree-lined layout demands precision over power, and the lighthouse finish at the 18th green on Calibogue Sound is one of golf's most recognizable images.

RBC Heritage PGA Tour hostIconic lighthouse at 18th greenPete Dye & Jack Nicklaus collaboration
Green Fee: $200–$375 Rating: 4.8/5

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina · Pete Dye & Jack Nicklaus (1969) · 18 holes · Par 71 · 7,099 yards

Home of the RBC Heritage on the PGA Tour, Harbour Town is a Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus collaboration at Sea Pines Resort. The tight, strategic layout along Calibogue Sound features Dye's signature railroad-tie bulkheads, small greens, and the iconic lighthouse behind the 18th green.

PGA Tour RBC Heritage host since 1969Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus collaborationIconic lighthouse at 18th green on Calibogue Sound
Green Fee: $200–$400 Rating: 4.8/5

Scottsdale, Arizona · Tom Weiskopf & Jay Morrish (1986) · 18 holes · Par 71 · 7,261 yards

Home of the WM Phoenix Open — the most attended event in golf — TPC Scottsdale's Stadium Course is a desert classic. The iconic 16th hole's natural amphitheater is legendary, and the course delivers championship golf against a stunning Sonoran Desert backdrop.

WM Phoenix Open host venueIconic 16th hole stadiumPremier Scottsdale resort golf
Green Fee: $175–$350 Rating: 4.7/5

Scottsdale, Arizona · Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw (2006) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,225 yards

Built on Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation land, We-Ko-Pa's Saguaro Course is a Coore & Crenshaw gem set against the Four Peaks and Red Mountain. The minimalist design celebrates the raw beauty of the Sonoran Desert with wide playing corridors and creative green complexes.

Coore & Crenshaw minimalist desert designFour Peaks mountain backdropTop-rated public course in Arizona
Green Fee: $100–$225 Rating: 4.7/5

Phoenix, Arizona · Rees Jones (2000) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,232 yards

Set in a remote canyon northwest of Phoenix, Quintero is one of Arizona's hidden gems. The Rees Jones design navigates through rugged desert canyons with several jaw-dropping holes that emerge from the landscape.

Hidden canyon settingAmong Arizona's most scenic coursesDramatic desert canyon holes
Green Fee: $80–$200 Rating: 4.7/5

Orlando, Florida · Dick Wilson (1961) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,381 yards

Arnold Palmer's legendary home course and host of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Bay Hill is one of the most storied venues in American golf. The lakeside layout demands precision and course management, with the finishing stretch among the toughest on Tour.

Arnold Palmer's home courseArnold Palmer Invitational hostOne of PGA Tour's toughest finishes
Green Fee: $200–$350 Rating: 4.7/5

Bowling Green, Florida · Tom Doak (2012) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,077 yards

Tom Doak's companion course to Streamsong Red, the Blue features equally stunning sand-dune terrain with Doak's signature minimalist approach. The wide fairways and creative green complexes reward strategic thinking and ground-game creativity in a setting that rivals the great links of the British Isles.

Tom Doak minimalist links designWide fairways and creative green complexesFormer phosphate mine sand-dune terrain
Green Fee: $175–$325 Rating: 4.7/5

San Diego, California · William F. Bell / Rees Jones (1957) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,698 yards

Perched on the cliffs above the Pacific Ocean, Torrey Pines South is one of America's most famous municipal courses and host of the Farmers Insurance Open. Tiger Woods' legendary 2008 U.S. Open victory here cemented its place in golf history.

U.S. Open and PGA Tour venuePacific Ocean cliffside settingTiger Woods' 2008 U.S. Open on one leg
Green Fee: $80–$230 Rating: 4.7/5

San Francisco, California · Alister MacKenzie (1929) · 18 holes · Par 70 · 6,476 yards

Alister MacKenzie's personal favorite among his designs (he built a home on the 6th fairway), Pasatiempo in Santa Cruz is a bucket-list course for architecture aficionados. The rolling layout features MacKenzie's trademark contoured greens, strategic bunkering, and a dramatic barranca crossing.

Alister MacKenzie's personal favorite designMacKenzie built his home on the 6th fairwayBucket-list course for architecture lovers
Green Fee: $150–$300 Rating: 4.7/5

Palm Springs, California · Pete Dye (1986) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,300 yards

One of Pete Dye's most famous and fearsome designs, PGA West Stadium was built as the ultimate spectator-friendly desert course. The infamous island-green 17th, deep pot bunkers, and relentless challenge made it a PGA Tour venue and one of the toughest resort courses in the world.

Pete Dye's famous island-green 17thAmerican Express PGA Tour venueOne of the toughest resort courses in the world
Green Fee: $125–$275 Rating: 4.7/5

Pebble Beach, California · Robert Trent Jones Sr. (1966) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 6,960 yards

Robert Trent Jones Sr.'s Spyglass Hill begins with five stunning oceanfront holes through the sand dunes before ascending into the Del Monte Forest pines. Often considered the toughest test on the Monterey Peninsula, it combines coastal and forest golf in a single round.

RTJ Sr. design blending ocean and forestAmong the toughest courses on the Monterey PeninsulaAT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am rotation course
Green Fee: $395–$425 Rating: 4.7/5

San Martin, California · Robert Trent Jones Jr. (2000) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,360 yards

Host of the 2016 U.S. Women's Open at the Rosewood CordeValle resort, this RTJ Jr. design occupies a stunning valley floor in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains south of San Jose. The championship layout features dramatic elevation changes, native oak corridors, and impeccable conditioning that earned it top resort accolades.

2016 U.S. Women's Open host venueRTJ Jr. design at Rosewood luxury resortSanta Cruz Mountain foothill valley setting
Green Fee: $200–$350 Rating: 4.7/5

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best golf destinations in March?
The best states for golf in March are Arizona, Florida, California, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Texas. These destinations offer ideal weather and course conditions during this time of year.
Where should I avoid playing golf in March?
Minnesota, Michigan typically have poor golf conditions in March due to weather. Many courses in these areas may be closed or in poor condition.
Is March peak season or off-season for golf?
March is peak season for warm-weather destinations like Arizona and Florida, meaning higher green fees but perfect conditions. Northern destinations are typically in their off-season.

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