The Best Family Golf Vacations for Teeing Off in Style

Originating in 15th-century Scotland, golf has gone from a windswept pastime to a high-stakes game with global reach. It’s also a lot of fun, and an estimated 66 million people worldwide play the sport across more than 38,000 courses. But what if your 18 holes came with 5-star service, soothing spas and stylish accommodations in destinations worth their weight in wanderlust? It turns out family golf vacations make for an extraordinary excuse to explore the world.

“When you set out on a golf trip, you’re not just chasing great courses, but you’re moving through a destination, meeting its people, hearing its stories and becoming a small part of its history,” says Ciao Bambino golf travel partner Robert Barrow.

Age is barely a handicap, unless we’re talking actual handicaps, and that’s good news for multigenerational families and golf fans traveling with both silver-haired legends and teens taking their first swings. Plus, walking an 18-hole course, breathing fresh air and competing for bragging rights with friends and family is good for you.

So polish your putters and dust off your drivers. We’ve rounded up 10 of the best family golf vacations worldwide, where the sport is worth playing and the stay is well above par … because if you’re going to chase a tiny white ball across acres of land, it might as well be somewhere spectacular.

Best Family Golf Vacations Around the World

Fota Island Hotel & Spa, County Cork, Ireland

If you’ve dreamed of golfing on your own Irish isle, this resort in the middle of Cork Harbor, just a 15-minute drive from the lively city center, feels like a lucky find. Fota Island has been a three-time host to the Irish Open, and all three of its courses are maintained for year-round play. Need a day off the greens? Check out the golf academy to improve swing and putting techniques.

Choose from 131 elegant rooms, suites and spacious self-catering two-, three- and four-bedroom lodges, ideal for both large and small families. Chill out post-round in the hydrotherapy pool and heated mosaic loungers. FYI: The Jameson Distillery is nearby, should you wish to dabble in the finer points of Irish whiskey.

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA

If there’s such a thing as a “golf headquarters” hotel, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess wears the badge with honor. With more than 750 rooms and suites, the resort is staggeringly large yet somehow manages to feel intimate, thanks to dramatic views of the McDowell Mountains, palm-lined lagoons and winding trails that create the sense of a luxurious desert oasis. Family members of all ages will enjoy the resort’s six pools (including one with waterslides), multiple dining spots (from fine dining to flip-flop friendly) and a 44,000-square-foot spa that’s a little slice of heaven on earth.

For golfers, the resort’s address in the heart of Arizona golf country sets it apart, with more than 200 courses within driving distance. But why drive when TPC Scottsdale, host of the legendary PGA Tour WM Phoenix Open, is just next door (with two championship courses and a golf school) — meaning you can easily walk from breakfast to tee time in minutes?

Kawana Hotel, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan

Head to the Kawana Hotel on the Izu Peninsula, about 2.5 hours southwest of Tokyo, and you’ll be rewarded with stunning sea and Mount Fuji views from the appropriately named 18-hole Fuji Course, perched cliffside. Caddies are mandatory and carts are not allowed, keeping the game traditional and scenic. Just think of it as golf with a dash of Zen.

Most of the hotel’s 100 rooms and suites have views of Sagami Bay or the lush garden surroundings. For a more traditional experience, book one of the Japanese-style tatami rooms with futons and low tables for tea. The hotel also has a gym and hot spring baths (onsen), a must for sore muscles.

Pueblo Bonito Golf & Spa Resort, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Jack Nicklaus designed the 18-hole marvel known as Quivira, consistently ranked among the best resort golf courses in the world. Novices and pros appreciate the desert dunes, rocky cliffs, oceanfront bluffs and holes perched high above the crashing Pacific. But golfers in the know remember Quivira for its legendary comfort stations serving mid-round gourmet snacks and cocktails, such as tacos and margaritas. Olé!

Two properties give guests access to Quivira Golf Club: Pueblo Bonito Pacifica, where guests aged 18 and up are welcome, and Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach, open to travelers of all ages. Off the links, stretch out muscles with yoga on the beach, book holistic spa rituals and therapies or read Golf Digest next to oceanfront swimming pools. For a luxe upgrade, book the Towers at Pacifica, which include personal butler service and private check-in.

Rosewood Cape Kidnappers, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand

Set atop 6,000 rolling acres of sheep-dotted cliffs, Rosewood Cape Kidnappers is also home to one of the world’s leading golf courses. Designed by the esteemed Tom Doak, the course teeters on dramatic ridgelines with views guaranteed to photobomb every scenic swing. Stay in spacious one-bedroom suites (approximately 600 to 700 square feet) with private balconies or terraces, fireplaces and deep soaking tubs for muscle-soothing relief. For a family golf vacation, the four-bedroom villa has a large living area, outdoor Jacuzzi, stone fireplace and wraparound porch. It’s like a country estate with full access to the resort’s services, such as gourmet dining and the working sheep farm. Hawke’s Bay is also New Zealand’s oldest wine region. Golf and Pinot? Yes, please.

The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island, South Carolina, USA

For serious swingers (of the golf variety), this barrier island resort boasts five championship courses, including the fearsome Ocean Course, a Ryder Cup and PGA venue. Make sure to drop by the Learning Center for private instruction and to sign up for family and junior programs.

Meanwhile, the 255-room Sanctuary Hotel is all about Southern charm and seaside elegance. Think wide verandas for sipping sweet tea, a decadent spa for midday pampering and a choice of a dozen restaurants across the grounds, including Jasmine Porch, where authentic Lowcountry cuisine is the star of the show.

Pinnacle Point Estate, Mosel Bay, Western Cape, South Africa

Carved into sea cliffs above the Indian Ocean, this award-winning 18-hole course was named as one of the 10 best new courses in the world soon after opening in 2006. It’s acclaimed for its rugged beauty and challenging holes, such as the par-3 7th — a fan favorite, a real test of skill and courage and, in winter, a viewpoint for passing whales.

Families will love the estate’s elegant villas and lodges, ranging from one to four bedrooms. Spend your mornings golfing and your afternoons exploring Mossel Bay’s marine life or the nearby caves rich in ancient human history.

The Lodge at Pebble Beach, Monterey, California, USA

Pebble Beach is synonymous with golf greatness and has hosted six U.S. Opens (and counting). With this kind of golf pedigree, and in a setting that also racks up the superlatives, playing here feels more like a rite of passage than a getaway.

The address on the iconic 17-mile drive is a draw whether you play or not, and the 100-plus-year-old Lodge at Pebble Beach is prime bucket list real estate. Choose from 161 rooms and suites, many of which feature fireplaces, soaking tubs and private patios or balconies offering stunning views of the rugged coastal landscape and the 18th hole. Feeling curious? Explore the art galleries and restaurants of quaint Carmel-by-the-Sea, four miles away, or book a whale watching tour and visit the world-famous aquarium in Monterey, just five miles from the lodge.

Rocco Forte Verdura Resort, Sicily, Italy

Dolce vita meets PGA pro amid olive groves and ancient ruins? Sign us up! With two 18-hole championship golf courses and one nine-hole par-3 course designed by Kyle Phillips, guests will enjoy variety, challenge and a setting that hugs Sicily’s sun-drenched southern coast. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to take things to the next level, drop by the resort’s performance center for expert coaching by two PGA professionals and state-of-the-art technology to improve all aspects of your game.

Guests can choose from 230 rooms, suites and private villas and enjoy resort amenities such as infinity pools, the holistic spa, tennis and exercise classes, local excursions and alfresco meals of fresh-caught seafood.

Sea Island Resort, Georgia, USA

Sea Island Resort on the south Georgia coast, a favorite among golfers, has three championship courses — Seaside, Plantation and Retreat — and has hosted multiple PGA Tour events. If you’re not planning to go pro (or you’d like to try), the resort boasts a 17,000-square-foot Golf Performance Center where you can sign up for professional instruction and fine-tune swing techniques. When you’re not golfing, a full slate of other activities ranges from fishing, tennis, and sailing to biking, kayaking, horseback riding or a day at the pool or spa.

When it comes to overnighting, options are as wide open as the spaces and experiences. Choose accommodations at The Cloister, an elegant Spanish-colonial retreat, or opt for The Lodge’s English country manor essence. Families can also book one of the dozens of privately owned cottages for more space and togetherness.

Relevant Links: 

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Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented.