The Best Spring Golf Trips
Spring is the connoisseur's golf season. Across the southern United States and the Mediterranean the courses are immaculate, the weather is warm and settled, and the trips land before the summer heat and the high season crowds. This is our ranking of the eight best spring golf trips, from the Donald Ross masterpieces of Pinehurst to the resort coast of the Algarve and the early links season in Scotland, with our verdict on where to play this spring.
Photo: Pinehurst No. 2, North Carolina, via Google.
Why spring is the season to travel
Spring catches more great golf at its peak than any other time of year. In the southern United States the courses are lush after the cooler months and the weather is warm but not yet brutal, so the desert of Arizona, the Sandhills of the Carolinas and the Monterey coast all play beautifully before their summers arrive. In Europe and North Africa, March to May is the sweet spot before the July and August high season, with the Mediterranean warm, the courses freshly conditioned and the rates and tee sheets gentler than peak. And in Scotland, May opens the links season on firm, fast turf. This ranking leans on the experience of the trip, the quality of the golf and how good the destination is in spring specifically. For the pure value angle, see our companion list of the best value spring breaks. Every fee is a guide only, always to be confirmed directly before booking.
The 8 best spring golf trips
Pinehurst and the Carolina Sandhills, United States
Spring is the perfect time in the Carolina Sandhills. From March to May the days are warm and the famous courses, led by the Donald Ross masterpiece of Pinehurst No.2, the 2024 US Open venue and a permanent anchor site for the championship, are in immaculate condition before the summer heat. The resort village and its nine courses, plus Pine Needles, Mid Pines and Tobacco Road nearby, make a self contained week of the best classic golf in America. It is the spring trip we send more golfers on than any other.
Verdict: the home of American golf at its immaculate spring best.The Algarve, Portugal
Europe's most complete golf holiday is at its best in spring, warm and dry with the courses, Monte Rei, the Dom Pedro layouts at Vilamoura, Quinta do Lago, San Lorenzo and Vale do Lobo, in flawless condition and the rates below the summer peak. A tight cluster of resort courses around Vilamoura and Quinta do Lago, short flights from across Europe, fine seafood and a beach on hand make it the easiest, most rounded spring week on the continent. Book ahead, as spring is the region's busiest golfing season for good reason.
Verdict: the best all round golf and coast week in Europe.Scottsdale and the Arizona desert, United States
Scottsdale is a spring golf machine, and March and April are the window to enjoy the desert before the summer furnace. The marquee is TPC Scottsdale, the Weiskopf and Morrish Stadium Course that hosts the raucous WM Phoenix Open, with Troon North, Grayhawk and the We-Ko-Pa courses spreading out across the Sonoran Desert. Reliable sunshine, dramatic target golf framed by saguaro and mountains, and a lively resort scene make it the best spring trip in the American West, with green and brown fading to brown only later in the heat.
Verdict: desert target golf at its prime before the summer heat.The Costa del Sol, Spain
The original Costa del Golf is at its finest in spring, warm and sunny with the courses freshly conditioned and the rates below the peak. The depth is the draw, from the great Valderrama around Sotogrande to Marbella's Los Naranjos, La Quinta and the spectacular Finca Cortesin, recent Solheim Cup host. Short flights to Malaga, dozens of courses within an hour and a lively coast make it a spring banker with more variety than anywhere else in Europe, ideal for a group that wants a different course every day.
Verdict: unrivaled depth of golf in warm, gentle spring.Pebble Beach and the Monterey Peninsula, United States
The most beautiful meeting of golf and ocean in America, and spring is a fine time to play it, after the February pro-am crowds and with the coast green from the winter rains. Pebble Beach is the headline, the public bucket list round along Carmel Bay, with Spyglass Hill, Spanish Bay and the wider Monterey Peninsula alongside. The weather is cool and can be foggy rather than guaranteed sun, but the scenery is unmatched and the spring shoulder gives a touch more room than the summer peak. A trip of a lifetime in any season.
Verdict: the great American golf coast, quieter in spring.Belek and Antalya, Turkey
Belek, the resort strip on the Turkish Riviera near Antalya, is spectacular value and at its best in spring, warm and dry with the pine framed courses in peak trim. Play the Montgomerie Maxx Royal, the PGA Sultan at Antalya Golf Club, Carya and the Gloria layouts, almost all a few minutes apart and tied to all inclusive five star resorts. The package pricing is among the most generous in golf, and spring delivers the conditions without the summer heat, a short flight from much of Europe. A standout for a five star group trip.
Verdict: five star resort golf at its spring best value.Scotland, early links season
For links golf, late spring is a quiet treasure. By May the great courses of Scotland, St Andrews, East Lothian, Ayrshire and the Highlands, have dried and firmed from the winter wet, the days are long, and the tee sheets and rates are gentler than the July and August peak. The weather is less certain than high summer, so pack for wind and a shower, but the firm, fast ground and the room to book make May many golfers' favourite time to play the home of golf. Book the Old Course ballot and the marquee links early.
Verdict: firm, quiet links and better availability than summer.Marrakech, Morocco
Early spring, March and into April, is a lovely time in Marrakech, warm and dry before the summer heat, with the parkland courses, Royal Golf, Amelkis, Al Maaden and the Montgomerie at Samanah, set against the still snow capped Atlas Mountains. A short flight from Europe, fine value and the souks, riads and food a few minutes away make it a cultural golf break as much as a sporting one. It ranks last here only against stellar company; as a warm, characterful start to the season it is hard to fault.
Verdict: warm early spring value with culture built in.Indicative conditions and seasonal value for spring. Weather, green fees and tee sheets change, so always confirm directly before booking. Check spring tee time availability.
Plan your spring golf trip
Tell us where on this list appeals and we will match it to your dates, lock the marquee tee times and the spring value before they tighten, and sort the stay and the transfers. One concierge costs the whole trip to the head, with no obligation.
Spring golf trip questions
Where is the best place for a golf trip in spring?
Our pick is Pinehurst and the Carolina Sandhills, where spring brings warm days, immaculate Donald Ross courses led by the 2024 US Open venue of No.2, and the heart of classic American golf before the summer heat. The Algarve and the Costa del Sol offer the same spring sweet spot in Europe with short flights and great value, Scottsdale and Pebble Beach are at their best before their own busy seasons, and Scotland opens its links season in May. Always confirm current conditions and fees directly before booking.
Why is spring a good time for a golf trip?
Spring, roughly March to May, catches many of the best golf regions at their peak. After the winter the courses are lush and immaculate, the weather across the southern United States and the Mediterranean is warm and settled, and the daylight is long. In the desert and the southern states it arrives before the punishing summer heat, while in Europe it lands before the July and August high season, so conditions are excellent and the tee sheets are easier to book than at peak. Always confirm current fees directly before booking.
Is spring a good time to play links golf in Scotland?
Late spring, particularly May, is an excellent time for links golf in Scotland and Ireland. The turf has dried and firmed from the winter wet, the days are long, and the tee sheets and rates are gentler than the July and August peak. The weather is less certain than high summer, so pack for wind and a shower, but the firm, fast ground and the quiet courses make May many golfers' favourite time to play the great links. Always confirm current conditions directly before booking.
When should you book a spring golf trip?
Book the marquee tee times and resort rooms a few months ahead, because spring is peak or near peak at most of these destinations and the best dates and courses fill first. Pinehurst No.2, Pebble Beach, Monte Rei and the Old Course at St Andrews are the rounds to lock in early, with the rest of the trip arranged around them. Booking ahead also locks the spring value before summer rates arrive in Europe. Always confirm current availability and fees directly before booking.
Related
The Tee Sheet
Seasonal picks, course access changes and the trips worth taking. Every other week.
Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Seasonal conditions and destination notes verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.