With National Golf Month teeing off this August, there’s no better time to hit the links at destinations where world-class golf meets breathtaking coastal scenery. From dramatic cliffside fairways to oceanside greens framed by crashing waves, we’ve rounded up some of the most spectacular golf destinations, each offering sweeping ocean views and unforgettable rounds.
Bermuda
Spanning just 21 square miles, Bermuda is home to seven golf courses, giving visitors easy access to a variety of playing experiences. Whether teeing off on a championship course or fitting in a casual round between beach days, travelers can seamlessly combine passion, relaxation and exploration. At Port Royal Golf Course, players can take on one of Bermuda’s most iconic holes, the oceanfront 16th, offering a clear shot across the Atlantic to the green, perched on a coastal peninsula. Turtle Hill Golf Club pairs panoramic ocean views with a challenging par-3 layout that appeals to golfers of all levels. Nearby, Belmont Hills Golf Club is a picturesque, semi-private course known for its rigorous 18 holes designed by renowned golf course architect Algie M. Pulley Jr. With more golf courses per square mile than almost anywhere else in the world, Bermuda delivers an unparalleled experience for players seeking both world-class courses and breathtaking views.
Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara invites travelers to tee off where championship-worthy play meets California’s iconic coastline. Known as the “American Riviera,” Santa Barbara offers year-round golf thanks to its mild climate, with scenic public courses stretching from oceanfront fairways to rolling foothills. Standout courses include the Glen Annie Golf Club, a championship course framed by sweeping ocean and mountain views, and the historic 18-hole Santa Barbara Golf Club. Sandpiper Golf Club, the region’s crown jewel course, offers panoramic Pacific vistas from every hole, while the nearby Montecito Inn’s Stay & Play Golf Package makes it easy to experience the celebrated course with accommodations, green and cart fees, and driving range access included. Golfers visiting Sandpiper can also look forward to the course’s ongoing environmental enhancements and clubhouse redesign, further elevating the iconic coastal golfing experience.
Sensei Lanai, a Four Seasons Resort
For travelers seeking exceptional golf paired with transformative wellness, Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort combines Hawaii’s year-round warmth with access to the award-winning Manele Golf Course. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, the course winds along dramatic seaside cliffs and lava outcroppings overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Its five-tee system accommodates golfers of every skill level, while the island’s breathtaking setting makes every round as memorable as it is challenging. To complement time on the course with Sensei’s signature wellness offerings, the Golf Optimal Wellbeing Program is a five-night retreat for intermediate and advanced golfers that combines on-course assessments, Trackman-powered lessons with instant video feedback, guided nine-hole instruction rounds, fitness testing including VO₂ max and gait analysis, and private mindset and nutrition consultations.
Space Coast, FL
Florida’s Space Coast is known for rocket launches and as the birthplace of east coast surf culture but what many may not be aware of is the area is home to 18 public golf courses designed by legends such as Arnold Palmer and Gary Player offering year-round play for everyone from the beginner to the seasoned expert. Manatee Cove Golf Course, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., is an 18-hole, par 72 course located at Patrick Space Force Base with four sets of tees to challenge any player. Designed by the PGA’s famous “Black Knight” Gary Plater, Baytree is a course accented by 82 white sand bunkers and the unique red shale coquina waste areas. And then there’s Rockledge Country Club, part of The Florida Historic Golf Trail, a collection of over 50 golf courses across Florida built before 1950, with this one specifically being over 100 years old. This course offers five sets of tees making for a versatile course, and its unique-to-Florida Diamond Zoysia provides a consistent putting surface year-round.
