There are nearly 10,000 golf courses in the United States alone, but not all of them offer breathtaking oceanfront views worth the extra green fees. If you’ve never played an oceanfront course, it’s time to change that.
The good news is not all oceanfront courses cost thousands of dollars for a round…many are only a few hundred, but others will require membership.
In this post, I’ve put together 9 of the top oceanfront courses in the United States to consider.
Boothbay Harbor Country Club—Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Boothbay Harbor Country Club has been a destination golf course for many in the Northeast since 1921. This 6,496-yard course offers challenging features in a forested layout, with frequent views of the pristine harbor through the trees and from tee boxes.
You can save some money by booking cottages at Boothbay, like these Golfside Villas that cost anywhere from $2,000 to $16,000 per week, depending on the size.
- Green Fees: Green fees at Boothbay vary. The club offers weekly and annual memberships, and the conjoining Boothbay Harbor Oceanside Resort has Stay-and-Play packages that let you access the course if you book lodging there.
- Public or Private: Private
- PGA Events: N/A
- Nearby Attractions: There are several beaches and state parks nearby, great for birding, swimming, hiking, and playing in the sand. You can relax on a sunset cruise, go on a working lobster boat, and kayak the craggy coastline.
Bay Point Golf Club—Panama City, Florida
Situated in sunny Northwest Florida, Panama City has several high-quality golf courses, but Bay Point stands out above the rest. The championship course hugs the lagoon’s shoreline, incorporating the scrub oaks, pines, and marshland that characterizes this part of the state.
Bay Point is a high-risk, high-reward course that won’t disappoint, with its undulating landscape will challenge novices and experts alike. If you can hit the long ball well, you will enjoy the chance to launch repeatedly on its 7,100-yard length.
- Green Fees: Green fees vary. Normal rates are around $105 per round, but you can $65 twilight rates if you’re willing to wait later in the day
- Public or Private: Public
- PGA Events: N/A
- Nearby Attractions: Panama City’s wide sandy beach attracts visitors from all over the area, and Pier Park is a central gathering place to shop, eat, and socialize. The Sky Wheel is an enormous Ferris wheel that is fun for the whole family, and you can visit Gulf World Marine Park to see sea creatures and shows.
The Dunes Golf & Beach Club—Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
This Robert Trent Jones-designed course is nestled in the coastal dunes and woodlands of Myrtle Beach. Its signature 13th hole stretches an impressive 590 yards, rewarding the big drive and requiring a long second shot over the water.
The greens and fairways are immaculately maintained, and there is a vintage ambiance to the club. The course will keep you on your A-game through the 18th hole, so you’ll need to be focused the entire round.
- Green Fees: Varies depending on the time of year. Players need to be members, guests of members, or stay at select local hotels to access the course.
- Public or Private: Semi-private
- PGA Events: The Dunes has held several PGA, LPGA, Senior PGA, and USGA tournaments. It is a leading candidate for the PGA to consider for future PGA events.
- Nearby Attractions: With 60 miles of beaches, Myrtle Beach has stretches of open sand for everyone. It is well-known for Southern cuisine, especially seafood, and you can shop at the many stores throughout the area. You can take in a live show or find fun rides at multiple entertainment centers and amusement parks.
The Plantation Course—Kapalua, Hawaii
Do you prefer warm trade winds, endless ocean vistas, and fantastic course design? If so, Kapalua checks all the boxes. You will feel the aloha as you navigate the wide, forgiving fairways and hit long, downhill tee shots. You will face challenges with persistent breezes, deep bunkers, and contoured greens, but the payoff is a round in paradise, sure to please any golfer.
- Green Fees: $395, with a $30 discount for Kapalua Resort guests
- Public or Private: Public
- PGA Events: Kapalua hosts the Sentry Tournament of Champions, pitting the top players on the PGA against each other.
- Nearby Attractions: You will find some of the most beautiful beaches in Hawaii right down the road, perfect for sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, and surfing. The former whaling town of Lahaina has many restaurants, shops, and nightlife for your post-golf celebrations.
Bandon Dunes Golf Resort—Bandon, Oregon
Bandon Dunes has a Scottish links feel, and it will seem like you’re on the other side of the Atlantic when you play a round here. Cool, foggy weather is typical, adding to the challenging layout, steep greenside bunkers, immense dunes, and sloping greens.
The dramatic Oregon coast is your playing companion, constantly in view, and the rolling waves are your soundtrack as you play the links.
- Green Fees: Posted green fees are $105 to $295 for resort guests (depending on season), or $140- $345 for non-guests
- Public or Private: Public
- PGA Events: Bandon Dunes regularly hosts USGA events, but no PGA events are currently scheduled.
- Nearby Attractions: The rugged Oregon coast is full of recreational activities and scenic landscapes. You can rent a dune buggy, hike, and explore miles of beaches. There are many shops and restaurants in Old Town and several art galleries to enjoy.
Torrey Pines Golf Course—San Diego, California
Torrey Pines is a breathtaking setting for a day of golf, sure to please any level of player. It combines oceanside rolling fairways with cliffside greens that are tough to stick, creating a challenging and beautiful course.
The 13th hole has the unofficial honor of being the most difficult hole in the country, thanks to its astounding 612-yard length. Most days in the year are sunny in San Diego, so you’re likely to have nice weather, great golf, and a relaxing atmosphere.
- Green Fees: Green fees at Torrey Pines vary depending on the course. The famous South Course ranges from $63 for San Diego residents to $265 for non-residents, while the North Course costs between $45 and $168.
- Public or Private: Public
- PGA Events: Torrey Pines hosts the Farmers Insurance Open every year.
- Nearby Attractions: Torrey Pines’ neighborhood of La Jolla offers outstanding beaches for surfing, swimming, and snorkeling. There is a beachside amusement park nearby at Belmont Park, and the famous Sea World and San Diego Zoo are close, and you will find restaurants of all varieties around, with delicious Mexican food everywhere.
Chambers Bay—University Place, Washington
Chambers Bay is an oceanfront course modeled after the trusted links of Scotland and designed by Robert Trent Jones II. This layout gives golfers of all abilities carte blanche to choose whatever shot they want to take, with a high reward for taking risks.
The wide fairways let pros and beginners alike swing away, and you can attack the greens as aggressively as you prefer. With sweeping views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains throughout, this course is memorable.
- Green Fees: $140 – $260
- Public or Private: Public
- PGA Events: Chambers Bay hosted the 2015 U.S. Open Championship and often has USGA tourneys.
- Nearby Attractions: There are several museums near Chambers Bay, including the LeMay Car Museum and the Tacoma Art Museum. The city of Seattle is not far away, where you can find any cuisine you want, explore the Space Needle, and visit the Seattle Aquarium. If you want to see a pro team play, there are several sports venues nearby.
The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort—Kiawah Island, South Carolina
This resort boasts several championship courses designed by famous names such as Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye, Tom Fazio, and Gary Player. The Ocean Course, designed by Dye, is the quintessential oceanfront course, sure to challenge any player (just as the pros on tour would tell you). Its greens are well-guarded by sand, the area is notoriously windy, and the holes are long, but a round of golf here is one of those you’ll remember forever.
- Green Fees: Green fees at Kiawah vary for the Ocean Course; fees range from $234 with a Stay-and-Play package up to $600 in the high season. Discounts are given to resort guests.
- Public or Private: Public
- PGA Events: Kiawah Island has hosted the PGA Championship, the Ryder Cup, the Senior PGA Championship, and many qualifiers.
- Nearby Attractions: Kiawah Island is full of natural beauty, offering hiking and beachcombing opportunities galore. Renting a bike and exploring the area is another excellent choice, and you can find many boutique shops and art galleries.
Pebble Beach Golf Links—Pebble Beach, California
Arguably the most famous golf course in the world, Pebble Beach lives up to its reputation as one of the finest, most beautiful layouts around.
Its iconic holes hug steep cliffs and dramatic coastline, giving players jaw-dropping views, challenging setups, and chasm-spanning shots to make. If you are fortunate enough to play these links, you can savor every minute of golfing bliss.
- Green Fees: $595
- Public or Private: Public
- PGA Events: Pebble Beach is a coveted tournament destination and has hosted the U.S. Open six times. It is scheduled to host both women’s and men’s U.S. Opens and continues to hold the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am every year.
- Nearby Attractions: The area around Pebble Beach is incredibly scenic, offering hiking trails on coastal bluffs, the famous 17-Mile Drive, and kayaking and scuba diving. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is close and is one of the most well-known aquariums. You can visit Cannery Row to eat delicious food and stroll through shops along the wharf.
One final note
Most oceanfront courses will cost you around $300 -$500 to play simply for their beauty but are well worth the price of admission.
Be sure to check out my list of Top Lakes in the Southern U.S for Retirement and Top Beach Towns to Raise a Family if you’re looking for a warm place to retire or plan your next big golf outing!
What spots do you think I should add to the list? Let me know in the comments!
