October 10, 2026

California

Why shovel snow when you could be sinking birdies? This winter, chase warmer weather instead – and use ShipSticks to get you (and your clubs) there without the usual travel headaches.

Just pack your clubs like you would for a flight, and ShipSticks will pick them up from your home, office – even the golf course – and deliver them just about anywhere in the world. No lugging, no lines, and no “your bag didn’t make it on the plane.” Just stress-free travel to your winter golf getaways.

And here’s a little something extra – enjoy 20% off your order at checkout for a limited time. Click here to claim your exclusive offer.

So grab your golf bag, pack up your luggage, and extend your golf season at these top winter getaways – from sunny Florida to the deserts of Arizona, and everywhere in between. Your dream golf trip is waiting.

 

1. Florida

With more than 1,200 golf courses stretched across the Sunshine State, Florida may be the ultimate winter golf escape. The variety alone is staggering – links-style layouts carved into rolling dunes, coastal tracks where sea breezes shape every shot, and championship venues that test the very best in the game. Add in the enviable winter weather – highs in the low 60s up north and mid-70s in the Keys – and you’ll see why golfers migrate south in droves when the rest of the country is stuck under snow.

A few can’t-miss destinations include:

  • TPC Sawgrass – Famed for its island-green 17th hole, Sawgrass isn’t just for the pros. Every round here feels like a brush with history, and the course’s mix of risk and reward makes it unforgettable.
  • Streamsong Resort – A world away from the theme parks and crowds, Streamsong’s trio of courses (Red, Blue, and Black) play across dramatic sand dunes and rolling terrain that feels more like Scotland than Central Florida.
  • Hammock Beach Resort – Hugging the Atlantic coastline, Hammock Beach delivers sweeping ocean views and two championship layouts – one designed by Jack Nicklaus, the other by Tom Watson.

 

2. South Carolina

South Carolina winters are a different kind of magic. Think crisp mornings that give way to sun-splashed afternoons, fairways without the crowds, and a rhythm that feels effortlessly relaxed. 

And when you step off the course? The experience only gets better. Wander quiet beaches where the only footprints may be your own, lose yourself in the charm of historic seaside towns, or linger over a plate of freshly caught shrimp at a waterfront café as the sun dips below the horizon.

Here’s where to tee it up first:

  • Myrtle Beach – With more than 90 courses lining the Grand Strand, you’ll find a golfer’s playground offering mild temperatures, wide-open tee sheets, and designs that range from classic parkland layouts to modern coastal challenges.
  • Sea Pines Resort – Palmetto-lined fairways, postcard-worthy views, and a touch of Southern hospitality make this a winter favorite. All three courses, including the legendary Harbour Town Golf Links, balance challenge with coastal beauty – leaving you equal parts tested and inspired.
  • Kiawah Island Golf Resort – Home to the legendary Ocean Course, one of the nation’s top public tracks, Kiawah delivers world-class golf against a backdrop of sweeping dunes, salt marshes, and endless ocean views.

 

3. Arizona

While much of the country shivers under snow, Arizona glows with sunshine – more than 300 days a year – making it one of the most dependable winter golf escapes in America. Picture yourself teeing off on wide desert fairways lined with towering saguaro cacti, taking in uninterrupted vistas of red rock canyons, and wrapping up your round just as the sun sets behind the mountains.

If that sounds like paradise, here’s where to start:

  • Troon North Golf Club – Consistently ranked among the top public courses in the U.S., Troon North is desert golf in its purest form. The club’s two courses weave through giant granite boulders and arroyos.
  • Grayhawk Golf Club – The Raptor course delivers tour-level strategy, while Talon tempts you with risk-reward drama and elevated tee shots that show off the McDowell Mountains. 
  • TPC Scottsdale – The Stadium Course at TPC is home to the raucous 16th hole, golf’s most famous par 3, where you can picture the grandstands roaring around you. Even away from tournament week, the blend of tour-tested design and desert scenery makes this a bucket-list stop.

 

4. California

Here, golf isn’t just a game – it’s an experience shaped by bold landscapes, iconic courses, and endless variety. Each round offers a new adventure: the roar of the Pacific at your back, the quiet elegance of lush coastal greens, or the rugged beauty of desert terrain framed by palms.

  • Pebble Beach Golf Links – America’s most celebrated public course, Pebble Beach is a must-play for many golfers. Teeing off along cliffside fairways with the Pacific crashing below – it doesn’t get much better than this.
  • La Quinta Resort & Club – Nestled in the sun-drenched Coachella Valley, La Quinta offers multiple championship-caliber courses. It’s the perfect winter retreat: play world-class golf by day, then unwind with spa treatments, fine dining, or a sunset stroll through the resort’s stunning grounds.
  • PGA West – A desert powerhouse, PGA West is famous for its daring layouts, strategically demanding holes, and breathtaking scenery – particularly on the Stadium Course.

 

5. Texas

Winter in Texas isn’t just mild – it’s big, bold, and wide open. Picture fairways stretching across the Hill Country, desert-style layouts with striking rock formations, and endless blue skies overhead. This is a state where every round feels expansive, and the landscape itself becomes part of the challenge.

Set your sights on these standouts:

  • TPC San Antonio – Designed by Pete Dye and Greg Norman, TPC San Antonio offers 36 holes of championship-caliber golf. Both courses rank among Golfweek’s top 15 “Best Courses You Can Play” in Texas.
  • Omni Barton Creek Resort – Four courses, each with its own personality, set against the rolling, oak-studded hills of central Texas – that’s Omni Barton Creek. Add in Austin’s vibrant music and food scene just minutes away, and you’ve got a winter trip that’s as lively off the course as it is on.
  • La Cantera Resort & Spa – A longtime PGA Tour stop, The Course at La Cantera winds through the Texas Hill Country, with fairways that rise and fall with the terrain and one unforgettable 80-foot drop from the 7th tee to the fairway below. 

No matter which winter golf getaway you choose, ShipSticks makes getting there a breeze. Forget the hassle of dragging your clubs through airports or cramming them in your car – just pack, schedule a pickup, and relax while we handle the rest.

And don’t forget, right now you can enjoy 20% off your order at checkout. So grab your clubs, hit the road (or the skies), and let ShipSticks make this winter your most unforgettable golf season yet.

Article by: Megan Dresser, Copywriter

Nestled in the heart of Northern California’s Sierra Nevada, Plumas County, known as “The Lost Sierra,” isn’t the kind of destination that boasts celebrity sightings or luxury mega-resorts selling themselves with glossy images of ocean views or desert sunsets. It doesn’t have to. What it prides itself on instead is much rarer in today’s golfing world – pure tranquility, genuineness without crowds or hype, rugged beauty, and a sense of timeless escape that only crisp mountain air and towering pines can provide.

Situated at 4,500-5,000 feet elevation a few hours’ drive from the San Francisco Bay Area, not only does Plumas County serve as base-camp for Lassen Volcanic National Park, it is one of the most underrated golf destinations in the West with a variety of uncrowded mountain courses sculpted into the landscape made up of 120,000 acres of wetlands, meadows, and forest. Toss in over 100 lakes and more than 1,000 miles of streams, creeks, and rivers, it is also a dream recreational area year-round for anglers and a treasure chest of outdoor activities.

With a diverse collection of ten public golf courses, from beginner-friendly nine-courses to 18-hole championship layouts, golf in Plumas County is about more than scorecards and where birdies are less important than the breeze through the trees. The bonus: they all provide top-tier conditions at a value half the price of green fees compared to nearby Lake Tahoe or the SF Bay Area. 

Bailey Creek Golf Course
  • Bailey Creek Golf Course

Located in the northern part of Plumas Co. near the shores of Lake Almanor with Lassen Peak in the view, this thoughtfully-designed (Homer Flint) 18-hole, 6,996-yard track features traditional mountain characteristics: pine-lined fairways, elevation changes, creeks, waterfalls, and four lakes integrated into play. In 2001, it was nominated “Best New Public Course in America” by Golf Digest and it still maintains that reputation. www.baileycreek.com

  • Plumas Pines Golf Resort

Another Homer Flint design, Plumas Pines GC (1980) planted along the Feather River in Graeagle treats golfers with a resort feel without the resort pricing. Often praised for its conditioning and hospitality, the 6,004-yard course blends open wetland play on the front nine with tight, forest-lined holes on the back nine with water hazards, wetlands, and elevation shifts to keep players engaged while favoring accuracy over power. www.plumaspinesgolf.com

  • Graeagle Meadows Golf Course

Only an hour away from Lake Tahoe or Reno but worlds apart from the crowds, this alpine gem located in the quaint town of Graeagle, is nestled in the Mohawk Valley near the Feather River where it meanders through meadows and pines. Designed by Ellis Van Gorder in 1969, the 18-hole, 6,572-yard course is enhanced with elevated tees offering dramatic views that make you pause before you swing. www.graeaglemeadows.com

  • Whitehawk Ranch Golf Club

Carved from nearly 1,000 acres of former cattle ranch land just outside Graeagle, this Dick Bailey design captures the essence of Plumas County golf. At 6,983 yards, the routing flows organically like a river through pines and meadows and is crisscrossed by seven streams that form ponds and waterfalls, making strategy and aesthetics inseparable. This serene Sierra retreat has always been hailed for its expert conditioning, a reflection of its planning sensitivity and preservation efforts. www.golfwhitehawk.com

  • Grizzly Ranch Golf Club

Framed by the evergreen vastness of the Plumas National Forest, Grizzly Ranch sits in a gated community in Portola with minimal homes on property, surrounded instead by protected meadow and forest land. Designed by Bob Cupp (2005) and acclaimed as one of the “Top 100 Public Courses in the U.S.” by Golf Digest, holes drift in and out of canyon folds and valleys with a 7,411-yard layout (forward tees at 5,374 yards) that rewards good shots rather than penalizing mistakes. www.grizzlyranchliving.com

The Dragon – Hole #8 (Tee)
The Dragon – Hole #8 (Green)
  • The Dragon at Nakoma Resort

With a clubhouse situated inside a 23,000 square foot Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired lodge, The Dragon is a course that dares! Tucked into the forested ridges above Portola, architect Robin Nelson’s design has been tweaked to soften the initial fearsome reputation as an extremely difficult course when opened n 1998. The 6,908-yard layout can still be humbling with tight fairways, carries that are real, and fast greens full of subtle breaks. But it’s never unfair. It asks you to think. To adapt. www.nakomaresort.com

The Dragon at Nakoma

Where To Stay

Plumas County doesn’t have five-star resorts or matching nightlife but rather, lodging options that pair superbly with a golf getaway – from lakeside resorts to rustic riverside retreats and cozy mountain inns. Wherever you stay, authenticity is king and nature is the luxury.

The locally-owned and operated Antlers Inn is located in Chester close to Lake Almanor and Mt. Lassen and also just minutes away from Bailey Creek GC and Lake Almanor CC. With a 70-year history, the rustic boutique property was rebuilt in 2008 with all 20 rooms featuring a modern lodge theme and fireplaces. Just down Main St. (Hwy 36) is the Timber House Restaurant & Bar which still retains its vintage log-based architectural charm.

On the other end of the lodging vibe is The Inn at Nakoma, a 42-room boutique hotel adjacent The Dragon. Another option is the Taliesen-designed Villas (studio, 1- and 2-bedrooom) alongside the 10th fairway. At either place, resort guests have access to the Altitude Recreation Center to enjoy a heated outdoor pool and spa, fitness center, climbing wall, family game room, and a 20-seat theater.

 

California is a top vacation destination for golf enthusiasts being home to several top rated golf courses. With the 2021 US Open returning to California this June, at the Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, now is the perfect time to take a look at the championship’s history in the region and reminisce some of the most memorable moments.

 

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  1. California hosted 13 US Opens until the present

 

The US Open Golf Championship, the third of the four major championships in golf, takes place annually (except in 2020 when it was postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak), at a different golf course in the country. Without counting this year’s US Open there have been 13 US Opens in California in the past. Golf courses that hosted the championship over the years:

  • Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach – 2019, 2010, 2000, 1992, 1982, 1972.
  • Olympic Club, Lake Course in Daly City– 2012.
  • Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla – 2008.
  • Olympic Club, Lake Course in San Francisco – 1998, 1987, 1966, 1955.
  • Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades – 1948.

 

  1. The Pebble Beach Golf Links has been the most popular Californian location so far

 

The US Open first came to the famous Pebble Beach Golf Links in 1972 and returned five times afterward.

The Pebble Beach Golf Links is one of the top rated public golf courses in the country. Tee time here can be quite expensive but at least you can play in the footsteps of legends without being part of the golfing elite. Plus, the course offers some of the most stunning views.

But, before deciding upon Pebble Beach as your next golf vacation destination you should know that this course is not among the easy ones. The great Jack Nicklaus described the course as “playing as close to impossible as it can get” and Jeff Sluman, the 1992 runner-up said about the final round that it was “as much fun as a migraine.”

 

  1. Two out of the three double eagles in the championship’s history happened in California

 

There have been only three double eagles in the history of the US Open and two of them happened on a Californian course. The first was achieved by Shaun Micheel on the 6th hole of the Pebble Beach Golf Links in the fourth round in 2010. The second one was shot by Nick Watney on the 17th hole of the Olympic Club course in the first round in 2012.

The other double eagle was shot all the way back in 1985 by T.C. Chen on the 2nd hole of the Oakland Hills Country Club course.

 

  1. Tiger Woods won with the widest margin of victory at Pebble Beach

 

Tiger Woods still holds the record for the widest margin of victory with fifteen strokes. He achieved this record in the 2000 US Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links when he dominated the championship, finishing well clear of the runners-up Ernie Els and Miguel Angel Jimenez.

 

  1. The Torrey Pines Golf Course was home to Woods most impressive comeback in 2008

 

Every true golf fan surely remembers the improbable comeback Tiger Woods accomplished at the 2008 US Open when he won against Rocco Mediate in the playoff, with an injured knee that required surgery.

Tiger’s run was a bumpy one as he started out playing his opening hole at seven over par. It may be hard to believe but that is right, he made three double bogeys on the first hole. After the championship’s first day things were not looking too good for Woods who looked like he was going to be no threat for the lead.

But he made a magnificent recovery when coming off a bogey at the 12th hole, Woods proceeded to sink an eagle putt at the 13th hole, a birdie at the 17th hole, then another eagle putt on the 18th hole that surged him into the lead.

This was the most recent US Open playoff and the last of its kind (18-hole) with the change to a two-hole aggregate format in 2018.

Hopefully, the US Open will return strong to the Torrey Pines Golf Course and we will witness even more memorable moments that will live on throughout the ages.

About the author: Julio Sanchez is the proud owner of Cardiff Vacations, a luxury vacation rental business in Encinitas, California.

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