Top 13 Retirement Destinations for Golf Enthusiasts

From Florida to Hawaii, these destinations are home to the best golf courses.

Many golfers anticipate the moment when they can play any day – or even every day. Fortunately, a retirement filled with the friendly game can be achieved. Plenty of private and public courses, country clubs, and resorts offer golf, along with amenities like top-notch restaurants, fitness centers, pools, tennis, pickleball, and social events.

You can spend your golden years in a community or a neighborhood that’s within a short distance of a golf course. From Florida and Hawaii to Mexico and Canada, there’s a course and neighborhood to suit every retiree.

Here are 13 places to retire with the best golf courses, each one providing something different when it comes to the game, weather, location, and price.

Haig Point, Daufuskie Island, South Carolina

Haig Point is a private, member-owned community spanning 1,050 acres on historic Daufuskie Island, nestled between Hilton Head Island and Savannah, Georgia. It’s accessible exclusively by private ferry, and there are no cars on the island—just golf carts, bicycles, and ample picturesque walking paths. Additional amenities include an equestrian facility, tennis, a beach club, a fitness center, dining, and boating.

The challenging 29 holes of Rees Jones-designed golf include a unique 20-hole Signature course, accommodating both skilled and recreational players, as well as a nine-hole Osprey course ideal for family play or a quick round. Expect oceanfront views, lush forest-lined fairways, and playful deer as you play at Haig Point.

Available residences start at around $850,000, with homesites from approximately $95,000, offering the chance to join a captivating community that attracts members worldwide. Various membership programs provide different levels of amenities.

Cabot Cape Breton, Inverness, Nova Scotia

Golfers at Cabot Cape Breton can relish dramatic views along with a workout on two 18-hole courses: Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs. These courses are exclusively walking, with carts only available for mobility-impaired players. Additionally, the property features The Nest—a 10-hole, par-3 course—serving as a perfect option for a quick round or shot practice.

Set against majestic cliffs, the former mining town of Inverness boasts a 72-room ocean-view lodge, multiple dining options, and residences. The local real estate market is thriving, with high demand for properties.

Suncadia, Cle Elum, Washington

Featuring the Prospector golf course, designed by Palmer Course Design Company, Suncadia is located adjacent to the 18-room Inn at Suncadia. The picturesque setting includes pine and fir forests, along with lakes and ponds. The other course, the Rope Rider, is a family-friendly option incorporating remnants of past coal mines into its design.

Approximately 80 miles from Seattle, Suncadia serves as a year-round resort community featuring golf, fishing, rafting, and extensive hiking and biking trails, complemented by luxury accommodations. Ownership opportunities range from the different community options available.

At Suncadia, condos begin at around $329,000, with residences starting around $850,000, and homesites available from approximately $340,000. Within the exclusive Tumble Creek development, prices for homes start at about $1,425,000, while homesites are priced around $350,000.

Destination Kohler, Wisconsin

For unrivaled golf options, Destination Kohler is situated along the beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline and features four remarkable courses created by the renowned Pete Dye: Whistling Straits, Irish Course, The River, and Meadow Valleys. In June 2021, they introduced The Baths of Blackwolf Run, showcasing a 10-hole, par-three course, and a two-acre putting course.

Accommodation options at Destination Kohler range from the five-star American Club Resort Hotel to three-star lodgings and secluded cabins. Various homes can be found in the Village of Kohler, an innovative community developed by Walter J. Kohler.

Hokuli’a, Kona, Hawaii

Hokuli’a ranks among Hawaii’s most exclusive and expansive residential communities, sloping from sea level to 1,250 feet elevation. Home to a private Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, it offers stunning ocean views and gently sloping fairways, positioned uniquely 400 feet above the shoreline.

Generous lots range from one to two acres, complete with agricultural easements for sustainable living. Current home prices start around $4 million, with lots available from $375,000 to $8 million.

DragonRidge Country Club, Henderson, Nevada

The 18-hole, par-72 mountainside course features multiple water features and memorable views of the Las Vegas Strip. Designed by Jay Morrish and David Druzisky, this course integrates the stunning canyons and hillsides of the McCullough Range.

MacDonald Highlands hosts the DragonRidge Country Club, and the median home price in the area is around $2 million.

Hualālai, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

The 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature championship course showcases lush fairways, contrasting with black lava and culminating with spectacular oceanfront holes. Visitors can utilize the expansive nine-acre practice area, which includes various useful facilities.

The Four Seasons Resort Hualālai features guest rooms, suites, and lavish private villas that may have pools, spacious balconies, or terraces. Properties are available through Hualālai Realty, with home prices ranging from $5.5 million to $16.7 million.

Coachella Valley, Greater Palm Springs, California

This golf haven boasts over 110 courses, comprising public and private options, resort spots, and PGA venues. The area encompasses eleven cities including Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Cathedral City, and Indio.

According to RoseAnne Foxx, CRS, of Bennion Deville Homes, numerous golf course properties are available with prices varying widely based on location and home type, opening up an array of options for potential homeowners.

Mauna Kea Resort, Kohala Coast, Hawaii

Home to two exceptional 18-hole golf courses, the Mauna Kea Resort features the acclaimed Robert Trent Jones-designed Mauna Kea Golf Course and the Arnold Palmer-designed Hapuna Golf Course, both promising stunning scenery and challenging layouts. This luxuriant resort includes white-sand beaches and outstanding amenities.

Residential real estate includes a variety of options such as single-family homes, townhomes, and condos across multiple neighborhoods. Recent sales have been brisk, showing the immense popularity of this breathtaking area.

Costa Palmas, East Cape, Mexico

The world-class championship course, crafted by Robert Trent Jones II, boasts spectacular desert and ocean scenery, offering a remarkable golfing experience. With a walkable layout, a six-hole loop is available for practice or casual games.

Located just 45 minutes from Los Cabos International Airport, the 1,000-acre beachfront resort community of Costa Palmas features a two-mile stretch of swimmable beach and elegant accommodations. The Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos guarantees a premium experience, while Residences and villas offer luxurious living opportunities.

Danzante Bay, Loreto, Mexico

The stunning TPC Danzante Bay course, designed by the legendary Rees Jones, delivers an enjoyable golfing experience, seamlessly integrated within the region’s breathtaking landscape.

This 741-acre resort community, located on the Baja Peninsula’s eastern coast, features dramatic views and excellent amenities, including four restaurants and numerous pools combined with the renowned Villa del Palmar Beach Resort & Spa.

Cove Club, Cabo del Sol, Mexico

The Cove Club Course, previously known as the Ocean Course, ranks among the top 10 courses in Mexico. Recently revitalized, it offers a premier golfing experience to members and their guests.

The anticipated Four Seasons Resort and Residences at Cabo del Sol will feature luxury amenities nestled along 50 beachfront acres, expected to complete by early 2024, offering unmatched living and leisure options.

Punta Mita, Nayarit, Mexico

The members of this exclusive community can choose between two championship courses—Pacifico and Bahia—each offering breathtaking Pacific Ocean views and varied tee options suitable for all players.

The expansive 1,500-acre resort and residential community offers a rich lifestyle framed by glorious nature and features over 20 distinct communities, with single-family homes, villas, and condominiums starting around $1.5 million.