Iconic Golf Destinations for Your Next Event
Golf aficionados travel great lengths to luxury golf resorts for a chance to play at revered golf courses around the world. What is it that makes one course stand out amongst a sea of greens? Most likely it is scenic views, well-maintained greens, a little peace and quiet. But dig in a little further and one will find that each course offers a unique blend of physical skill, mental strategy and natural beauty. Now layer on accommodations, dining options, excursions and local cultures and you can see why golf destinations can make for the perfect backdrop for both business and pleasure events.
So how do you choose? It starts with the courses themselves. There are a few key elements that differentiate courses and separate the best from the very best. First we have the terrain – from rolling hills to sand dunes and bodies of water, each creates a varied experience with unique challenges. This goes hand-in-hand with the design of the course. Renowned architects like Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus may opt to include tricky bunkers, narrow fairways, and undulating greens. Add weather into the mix (wind patterns can significantly affect the trajectory of the ball) and now it gets really interesting!
In honor of National Golf Month, we’re celebrating our hotel members that offer some of the most challenging courses around the world – from the Dominican Republic and Jamaica to Florida golf resorts and Arizona golf resorts.
More than a simple picturesque backdrop for your event, groups will have access to championship courses (including several where the pros play on the PGA Tour!), state-of-the-art facilities, pro golf instructors as well as activities to take advantage of during their downtime. And throw away your stereotype of golf as exclusively for c-suite executives – golf is a sport that is universally appealing and that base of consumers seeking out golf experiences is growing. In fact, since 2011 the golf industry’s revenue has ballooned to $84 billion (as of 2022) – that is a 22% increase! And Gen Z is a key demographic taking on golf – finding it especially effective in reducing stress.
Are you itching to take a swing at some of the most interesting courses around the world? Here are a few of our favorite picks of luxury golf resorts, perfect for planners to keep close at hand:
Casa de Campo
Golfers find their rhythm at Casa de Campo Resort & Villas’ masterfully designed golf courses crafted by the legendary Pete Dye, including the No. 1 ranked golf course in the Caribbean – Teeth of the Dog®. Train with the pros at their world-class Golf Learning Center to then play along the Caribbean shoreline on our three Pete Dye masterpieces: Teeth of the Dog®, Dye Fore, and The Links. The resort offers clinics and camps led by pro golf instructors, as well as the opportunity to practice with the TrackMan Simulator. Want to learn more about some of the best Caribbean golf resorts?
Planner Tip: Your attendees will love how a relaxing round can help form strong bonds and team spirit that can carry over from the club room into the boardroom. And for non-golfers, they also have a relaxing spa, and endless array of outdoor sports—including tennis, clay shooting, and equestrian activities—not to mention beautiful beaches, and guided off-site excursions.
Casa De Campo Golf Course
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
With 333 days of sunshine, Arizona offers the perfect backdrop for a day (or two) on the golf course. An iconic Scottsdale luxury hotel, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess offers lushly landscaped grounds on the Sonoran Desert filled with lagoons, blooms and wildlife. As a world-class golf destination, the resort offers access to some of the finest courses in the city, including the home of the PGA Tour Waste Management Phoenix Open, TPC Scottsdale. Dedicated golf concierges curate your day – whether it’s an informal setting or a formal corporate golf event with food and drinks, transportation, and scoring. Interested in Arizona golf resorts?
Planner Tip: Your attendees will love the wide variety of both golf-related and non-golf-related activities so everyone’s needs are met!
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
The American Club in Wisconsin
Located in the charming village of Kohler, Wisconsin, The American Club stands as a testament to luxury and world-class golf. This historic Four-Star hotel, part of the Kohler Company’s legacy, offers an unparalleled golfing experience combined with top-tier amenities and stunning natural surroundings. It includes Whistling Straits – a jewel in the crown, having hosted several major tournaments, including the 2021 Ryder Cup, where the U.S. team celebrated a historic victory. Known for its rugged, windswept terrain and stunning views of Lake Michigan, Whistling Straits offers a links-style golfing experience reminiscent of the coastal courses in Ireland and Scotland. It also has Blackwolf Run. Consisting of two 18-hole courses (The River and The Meadow Valleys), Blackwolf Run is acclaimed for its challenging layout and natural beauty. It has hosted numerous prestigious tournaments, including two U.S. Women’s Opens. Need more Wisconsin golf resorts?
Planner Tip: Your attendees will love playing where the pros go! This property is the ultimate playground for the “bleisure” experience where your guests will want to extend their trip to take advantage of the resort’s Kohler Swing Studio; Golf Digest’s Editor’s Choice Golf Academy or one of their many hosted tournaments available for players of all skill levels.
The American Club in Wisconsin Golf Course
Innisbrook Resort
Owned by Sheila Johnson and managed by Salamander Collection, Innisbrook Resort features four outstanding courses (Copperhead, Island, North and South). The renowned Copperhead Course has played host to a PGA TOUR event for 30 years – namely Valspar Championship each spring. Designed by the innovative and imaginative architect Lawrence “Larry” Packard, it feels more reminiscent of the Carolina Sandhills and Georgia Foothills than the typical Florida terrain, and consistently receives top accolades. The course is difficult, tight, but (as every top tour pro will tell you) fair. Striking in both beauty and challenge – The Copperhead Course is a lengthy challenge for even the longest hitters at more than 7,200 yards. It is also famed for the Snake Pit, the closing three-hole stretch, which is consistently ranked among the most difficult on the PGA TOUR. Groups can also opt for a round of glow-in-the-dark golf in the evening after their meetings. This is one of many luxury golf resorts in Florida.
Planner Tip: Your attendees will love how this property takes team building to the next level, all in the name of fun. From “Build Your Own Boat” regattas, “Corporate Olympics” to activities that give back like “Build a Bike Grand Prix” and “Fun Runs” teams will gain countless opportunities to bond, develop stronger relationships and grow together.
Innisbrook Resort
La Cantera Resort & Spa
This luscious greenery offers 18 holes of championship golf designed to challenge skill. No wonder it has been a PGA Tour stop for 15 years. La Cantera Golf was designed by noted golf course architect Jay Morrish and PGA Tour professional Tom Weiskopf. One look and you see that this course offers some of the most scenic vistas in the Texas Hill Country!
Planner Tip: After your tee time, your sports lovers can relax at the nearby GRILL254 for further team building with the best sports-viewing experience in the Hill Country, paired with made-from-scratch bar favorites, craft cocktails, and 24 beers on tap.
How many of these have you considered for an event? What courses would you add to the list?
La Cantera Resort & Spa
