Preferred Winter Getaways

When you’ve had enough sweater and mitten days, take decisive action.

Getting in a round of winter golf in much of the U.S. is reserved for those who don’t mind frigid temperatures and thick outerwear … unless you have a simulator in your living room or an indoor bay nearby. On the other hand, a winter getaway to someplace warm and toasty may be an even better idea. Here are several Troon destinations we just know you’ll adore this winter, or anytime for that matter.

For serious pampering, a touch of culture, myriad activities, utter tranquility, and one-of-a-kind golf, the Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale is just what the doctor ordered. Tucked into the high Sonoran Desert foothills on the border of North Scottsdale and Carefree, the Boulders is both relaxed and refined — more mild west than wild west.

Patio stargazing? Check. The Boulders pulls the plug on light pollution at night. It’s just you and the heavens. Nature retreat? Check. You’ll share the outdoors with jackrabbits and javelina, roadrunners and coyotes, bobcats and chuckwallas, those silly Southwestern lizards that appear to do push-ups when approached. Creature comforts? The Spa at the Boulders rocks with every rejuvenating therapy known to man and woman.

Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale

Guest rooms feature wood-burning fireplaces — a rarity at Arizona resorts — accented by shaggy bark juniper wood, wonderfully fragrant even when not ignited. With every passing minute, any stress you brought with you to the Boulders melts away.

DRAMATIC DESERT GOLF

For four decades, the 36 holes at the Boulders have astounded and delighted tourists and purists alike. Designed by legendary architect Jay Morrish, both the North and South courses wind through forests of Saguaro cacti and twist in and among the ancient, gigantic granite rocks that give the resort its name.

Low-handicap players relish the shot-making demands that the 6,959-yard, par-72 North presents, with a consistency unmatched in the desert. Outstanding individual holes abound, including No. 5, a 425-yard par 4, cited by Director of Golf Operations David Benham for its supreme challenge and stellar vista of Black Mountain. Favor the right-center of the fairway on this dogleg left, which affords the best angle on the approach, especially with a lone mesquite tree guarding the left side, 30 yards short of the green.

The North course reopened October 13, 2025, following a multi-faceted refinement project that has enhanced playability. During the five-month project, crews restored green surfaces to their original shapes and sizes and resurfaced them with TifEagle turf, which offers improved speed, consistency, and durability, as well as smooth transitions during seasonal weather changes. All tee boxes were laser leveled and resurfaced as well. 

“These enhancements further illustrate our commitment to offering the very best golf course experience for our guests and members,” said General Manager John Maskovich.

The 6,917-yard, par-71 South course, which also was the beneficiary of recent upgrades, is drenched in drama, a golf fantasy calendar come to life. No. 1 sets the tone, a 447-yard par 4 that swings to the right with a green that sits at the base of a six-story-high boulder. The boulder backdrop theme is repeated at the par-5 fifth, the layout’s signature hole, but this wild ride is only gaining momentum.

Golfers tee off atop boulders at the par-4 sixth, and then again for good measure at the incredible par-3 seventh. “Number 7, called Rosie’s Rock, is particularly memorable,” Benham said. “You tee off right next to a huge boulder balancing on top of a very small boulder. It is a social media favorite.”

After another sizable plunge from tee to fairway at No. 8, the round eases into tamer terrain, though no less stimulating. With three par 3s and three par 5s on the back nine, you’ll have some scoring chances — providing you keep it straight.

DAZZLING AMENITIES

Accommodations consist of low-slung casitas and villas that melt into their desert surrounds, each with hand-hewn, wood-beam ceilings and fans, wet bars, private patios or decks, and those cozy, wood-burning fireplaces. You’re so cocooned in comfort you may not want to leave the room. Make the effort, however, because amazing opportunities await.

For starters, there are four swimming pools, five tennis courts and 12 pickleball courts. When the sun goes down, get moving on the Night Bike Tour. The trails are paved and your bike lights the way with a high-tech handlebar-mounted LED system.

To wind down, indulge in the 33,000-square-foot Spa complete with the Labyrinth, a path to tranquility. Guests also enjoy the decked out fitness center, a movement studio and classroom for wellness lectures, Vichy treatment rooms, hydrotherapy tubs, a yoga studio, and a spa café.

Among the most popular feel-good options are the Hot Stone Massage, where smooth, heated stones are expertly placed and then guided across the body to melt away tension and restore balance; the Signature Desert Rose Ritual, an 80-minute oils treatment that rejuvenates the skin; and the Desert Nomad, that revolves around reflexology. 

After all that activity, you’re going to get hungry. With five on-site restaurants, variety rules. The resort’s signature restaurant is Palo Verde, which showcases contemporary Southwestern cuisine along with a private wine room. For classic Mexican fare, head next door to the Spotted Donkey at el Pedregal. Indoors or on the outdoor deck, everything is lively and tasty.

What makes the Boulders such a distinctive, bucket-list vacation experience? “Stunning boulder formations, striking sunsets, natural terrain with lots of wildlife,” says Benham. “Golf, tennis/pickleball, spa, and great restaurants. It’s got everything you could want.” —Joe Passov

www.TheBoulders.com

Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa

Televised golf tournaments draw viewers who are interested in seeing the best players in the world compete on championship-level venues that challenge their skills over multiple rounds, often resulting in dramatic moments and highlight-reel shots. When those tournaments are contested across scenic seaside courses at iconic resorts, the televised images can be just as compelling as the golf.

Such will be the case when the PGA TOUR Champions return to Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa in 2026, bringing championship golf back to Florida’s Palm Coast (30 minutes south of St. Augustine) for the first time since the 2008 season, when Bernhard Langer won the Ginn Championship on what was then called the PGA Champions Tour.

The 2026 event, the Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS presented by Circle K, will be played on the Jack Nicklaus Signature Ocean Course October 5-11 and televised on the Golf Channel. Players and spectators will be treated to one of the best seasons of the year on this delightful stretch of the Florida coast, when temperatures range from a low of 66 degrees to a high of 81, and skies are typically clear and blue.

No matter the time of year, miles of pristine beach and seemingly endless amenities await, including a Fantasy Pool Complex that serves as family central, with a water slide, Lazy River, pools for kids and adults, and a poolside bar. There’s also eight lit Har-Tru clay tennis courts and new pickleball courts.

Three restaurants deliver diverse culinary options: Loggerheads Sports Pub provides a low-key atmosphere to watch a game and grab a drink and dinner; Stix Authentic Sushi surprises with a variety of delicious Japanese cuisine and an extensive saké menu, and Delfinos Italian Chophouse offers expertly prepared pastas, steaks, and seafood choices and a Wine Spectator award-winning wine list.

Water is prominent on the Ocean Course — either lakes or the Atlantic Ocean — on 13 of the 18 holes. Six holes play hard against the shore: Nos. 8 and 9 on the front side, and 15, 16, 17, and 18.

The final four holes were monikered “The Bear Claw” by Nicklaus himself, as a way of delineating the quartet of daunting holes that precariously edge the sweeping coastline. 

With wall-to-wall paspalum grass blanketing the wide fairways — an acknowledgement of the wind that often blows off the water — the course is renowned for its extraordinary conditioning and playability … winter or any time of year.

www.HammockBeach.com

Thompson Golf Group

You’ve played the marquee courses in Arizona and posed for pictures on signature holes. This winter, it’s time to travel beyond the expected and discover three daily fee courses owned by Thompson Golf Group across the Valley of the Sun that combine elevated course conditions, genuine hospitality, and that unmistakable Sonoran vibe. These are the places golfers return to — not just for the layout, but for the way the day feels from the first tee to the last sip on the patio. Welcome to the Arizona experience as it was meant to be — refined, relaxed, and ready when you are.

First up, Longbow Golf Club in Mesa, where tournament tough meets laid-back luxury. East of Sky Harbor and just close enough to catch a desert sunrise, Longbow Golf Club delivers the kind of round that sneaks up on you. It’s not loud. It’s not flashy. But it’s unforgettable.

The layout unfolds with intention. Wide desert views, crisp edges, and a routing that rewards both precision and imagination. It’s the kind of course where both your swing and your course management matter. The back nine — a masterclass in risk and reward — tests your focus without stealing your fun.

Off the course, the experience continues at The Grille, one of the area’s most talked-about post-round patios. Open concept, views for days, and a menu that’s got both heat and heart.

www.LongbowGolf.com

Next stop, Dove Valley Ranch Golf Club in Cave Creek, which delivers mountain views and local vibes. Tucked in the scenic pocket where North Scottsdale and Cave Creek converge, Dove Valley Ranch is Arizona golf with a pulse. It’s where fairways roll toward Black Mountain, saguaros stretch skyward, and the layout plays like a desert storybook — open chapters up front, plot twists on the back.

Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., the course blends classic strategy with Sonoran flair. The front nine welcomes. The back nine demands your best. Tiered greens, desert transitions, and just enough elevation to keep you on your toes.

At the turn — or more likely, after a round — the Copper Bar & Lounge awaits. The menu is bold, the vibe is casual. It’s golf’s version of your favorite neighborhood spot, made better with mountain views and cold drinks.

Last but by no means least in this tantalizing trio is Power Ranch Golf Club in Gilbert, a playable, approachable, and unmistakably Arizona experience. Just southeast of the Phoenix metro, Power Ranch Golf Club plays like your favorite pair of broken-in golf shoes: comfortable, reliable, and still packed with style.

The fairways here are wide enough to let you swing freely but framed with enough subtlety to keep things interesting. Mountain views serve as your backdrop, and the round builds with rhythm, one hole leading to the next in a flow that feels … just right.

www.DoveValleyRanch.com
www.PowerRanchGolfClub.com

Monarch Beach Golf Links

There’s something fresh in the air at Monarch Beach Golf Links (MBGL) — and we mean that in every sense of the word. Maybe it’s the salt breeze rolling in from the Pacific, or the perpetually perfect weather that makes every round feel effortless. Maybe it’s the way the staff redefines what a day on the course can be: approachable luxury that’s as comfortable as it is unforgettable.

That energy carries new momentum nowadays under the ownership of Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, stewards of world-class properties like Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains near Highland, Calif., and Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. The Tribe’s vision honors the land, the people, and the spirit of hospitality — investing in experiences that bring warmth, connection, and a distinct sense of luxury to every stay.

At MBGL, the experience manifests in the sound of music drifting across the fairways, mingling with the ocean waves below. Flip-flops and resort wear replace blazers and ties. It’s golf, yes — but reimagined for a generation that values spontaneity and fun, as much as a great swing.

“We truly love what we do here,” said General Manager Eric Lohman, PGA. “Our team takes great pride in taking care of our guests — anticipating their needs, exceeding expectations, and creating moments that stay with them long after they’ve left. Every day, our goal is simple: to make Monarch Beach feel unforgettable.”

After a round, overnight guests of the Waldorf Astoria can head to the Monarch Bay Beach Club to paddleboard, sip cocktails, and soak in the golden-hour glow. The vibe? Effortless — beach hair, sandy feet, and smiles all around. Dinner follows at AVEO Table + Bar or Bourbon Steak, where the Pacific sunset becomes a backdrop for gourmet cuisine and clinking glasses.

The next morning begins with a rejuvenating treatment at Waldorf Astoria Spa, followed by a visit to the award-winning Golf & Lifestyle retail store. Far more than a pro shop, it’s a curated blend of resort chic and California casual, featuring premier brands such as Lululemon, Vuori, Varley, Peter Millar, TravisMathew, Nike, Callaway, and Municipal, alongside SoCal staples like Rainbow Sandals and Sand Cloud. From performance wear to polished leisure looks, the shop captures the relaxed vibe that defines Monarch Beach.

Monarch Beach Golf Links has redefined what it means to stay and play by the coast.

Here, golf isn’t just a sport — it’s a lifestyle. Golf, unbuttoned.

www.WaldorfAstoriaMonarchBeach.com

AK-Chin Southern Dunes

Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club has been known as a premier destination for both local and visiting golfers since it opened for public play just south of Phoenix, Ariz., in 2010. Recipient of numerous top accolades, including Golfweek’s “Top 100 Resort Courses,” “Best Courses You Can Play,” and “Top Casino Courses,” as well as GOLF Magazine’s “Top 100 Courses You Can Play,” Ak-Chin’s Dunes Course presents a pure golf experience, with no surrounding homes or commercial development.

The introduction in 2024 of lighted night golf on the facility’s six-hole #miniDunes course has also been a resounding success. “It has created some additional opportunities for people to play golf,” said General Manager Brady Wilson. “Speakers pump out music (with a coordinated light show), there are portable bars, and there is a custom-built food truck. It has turned into just what we hoped that it would: a fun atmosphere and a cool place to hang out.” 

And while Ak-Chin Southern Dunes has expanded in creative ways to offer more players more choices, the original Dunes course remains a mainstay for traditional golfers in the region.

Graceful land sculpting, gorgeous vistas of the Estrella and South Mountains, and the harmonious transitioning of playable areas to the native desert are only parts of the success story.

Crafted in homage to the Australian Sandbelt style, the strategically placed, flashed-up bunkers provide the course’s boldest design feature. With their vast size, depth, and placement, they’re true hazards, in that they dictate play.

The idea is to avoid them on drives and approaches, yet the architects lure you closer to them than what’s typically comfortable, the reward being a better angle into the green on the approach, or in other cases, a legitimate birdie opportunity if you challenge the green-side traps.

Winter golf doesn’t get any better than this.

www.AkChinSouthernDunes.com

Princeville Makai Golf Club

The North Shore of Kauai claims bragging rights to some of the most dramatic scenery in Hawai‘i, particularly the Na Pali Coast where verdant cliffs run from craggy mountaintops to secluded beaches and crashing waves, and hidden sea caves reveal otherworldly light and nonstop awe.

Princeville Makai Golf Club is set against this stellar backdrop of mountains and ocean. Perennially on Golfweek’s “Best Courses You Can Play in Hawaii” list, Makai is one of Robert Trent Jones II’s earliest and best designs. The immaculately groomed course features several “signature” holes, starting with the par-3 third, which plunges 80 feet from tee to green, backdropped by Hanalei Bay and Makana Mountain (also known as Bali Hai, as it was called in 1958’s “South Pacific” that was filmed on the North Shore) in the distance.

Then there’s the par-3 seventh, set atop a bluff with a mesmerizing view of the seemingly endless Pacific Ocean to the right. The tee shot here plays over a lush ravine to a putting surface on the other side, with wind most often a factor in club selection. It’s the hole you’ll talk about for a long time after your round.

Finally, there’s the 14th, which also hugs the coastline and provides yet another breathtaking Pacific view.

In October 2024, Makai completed a $3 million course rejuvenation project that included bunker renovations, cart path upgrades, and agronomic enhancements that promise to maintain strong turf health for years to come.

In November, BoardRoom magazine, in partnership with Forbes Travel Guide, named Princeville Makai Golf Club a “Distinguished Golf Destination” with EXCEPTIONAL Designation, The Hallmark of Excellence for a golf course. This merit-based designation recognizes exceptional golf courses that exceed expectations in the quality of service and amenities, facilities, and most importantly the teamwork of the staff and management.

The dreamy scenery is not only enjoyed by golfers, but resort guests can opt for a sunrise yoga class, or a sunset tour by golf cart.

www.MakaiGolf.com