The FairwayPal Blog

The 6 Best Bachelor Party Golf Destinations (Ranked Honestly)

April 17, 2025·9 min read

The groom wants golf. The group wants a weekend they'll still be talking about in 10 years. Here's where to go — ranked by what actually matters: course quality, experience, partner options, and honest pricing.

Not sponsored by any of them. These are the rankings we'd give if we were planning our own trip.

How we ranked these

Four criteria, weighted in this order: course quality (most important), overall experience for a bachelor group, non-golfer viability, and value for money. A destination that scores 9/10 on courses but 2/10 on everything else doesn't make the top three. These are trips for groups of people, not solo golf pilgrimages.

1
Scottsdale, AZ

The default. Still the best all-rounder.

200+ courses, reliable weather, a resort infrastructure that handles large groups without drama. The 19th hole options are strong. The spa scene means partners aren't an afterthought. It's the default because it works.

Best for

Most groups — especially first-time organisers

Courses

TPC Scottsdale, Troon North, We-Ko-Pa

Partner options

World-class spas, Old Town, wine trail, hiking

Price range

$1,400–2,200/person (3 nights)

Watch out: Book courses and restaurants well in advance during October–March peak season.
2
Ireland

For the trip people talk about for 20 years.

The Old Head of Kinsale on a clear morning is one of the most dramatic golf experiences in the world. Pair it with Lahinch and Ballybunion and you have a golf trip that genuinely cannot be replicated anywhere else. Ireland as a country is spectacular — partners often come back happier than the golfers.

Best for

Groups where the groom has bucket-list links courses

Courses

Old Head of Kinsale, Lahinch, Ballybunion, Royal Portrush

Partner options

Galway, Cliffs of Moher, coastal villages, pubs

Price range

$2,500–4,000/person (5–6 nights)

Watch out: Weather is variable. Pack waterproofs even in summer. Book accommodation in popular areas (Dingle, Lahinch) months in advance.
3
Scotland

The birthplace of golf. Still earns the reverence.

Playing the Old Course at St Andrews is a rite of passage for any serious golfer. The St Andrews/Carnoustie/Kingsbarns loop is extraordinary. Scotland's culture — whisky, history, landscape — makes it a real trip, not just a golf junket. The cost is justified by the experience.

Best for

Golf-first groups; bucket-list St Andrews rounds

Courses

St Andrews Old Course, Carnoustie, Kingsbarns, Castle Stuart

Partner options

Edinburgh, castles, whisky distilleries, coastal walks

Price range

$2,500–4,000/person (5–6 nights)

Watch out: St Andrews Old Course ballot is competitive. Apply months in advance or use a tour operator for guaranteed tee times.
4
Bandon Dunes, OR

For the group that takes golf seriously.

Bandon Dunes is a golf resort with five world-class courses on dramatic Pacific coastline. It exists for golf. The communal dining and no-distraction remote setting makes it ideal for a group that wants to play golf, eat together, and talk about golf. Nothing else competes — because nothing else is there.

Best for

Pure golf groups — no non-golfers, no nightlife needs

Courses

Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes, Sheep Ranch, Old Macdonald

Partner options

Coastal walks, Coos Bay — limited options

Price range

$1,500–2,500/person (3 nights)

Watch out: Remote. 90 minutes from the nearest airport. Not suitable for mixed groups or anyone who needs entertainment beyond the golf itself.
5
Myrtle Beach, SC

Best value for money. Highest fun-per-dollar.

100+ courses, cheap green fees, beach access, and a party atmosphere that doesn't require effort. Caledonia is legitimately world-class. Myrtle Beach is the right call when the budget is real and volume of golf matters more than prestige of course names.

Best for

Budget-conscious groups; high-volume golf

Courses

Caledonia, TPC Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Plantation

Partner options

Atlantic beach, watersports, Broadway at the Beach

Price range

$900–1,500/person (3 nights)

Watch out: Course quality varies enormously. Research specific courses rather than booking whatever is available.
6
Pinehurst, NC

Classic American golf history.

Pinehurst No. 2 is one of the most important courses in American golf history. If the groom cares about that, it belongs in the conversation. The village is genuinely charming. But activity density is lower than Scottsdale or Myrtle Beach — best suited to groups that want quiet evenings rather than a party scene.

Best for

Golf history fans; quieter, more traditional vibe

Courses

Pinehurst No. 2, No. 4, No. 8, The Cradle

Partner options

Pinehurst Village, spa, Lake Tillery

Price range

$1,200–1,800/person (3 nights)

Watch out: Less suited to big groups looking for nightlife. The village closes early.

How to decide in three questions

Does the groom have a bucket-list course?

If yes, the decision is mostly made. Old Head of Kinsale → Ireland. St Andrews → Scotland. TPC Scottsdale Stadium → Scottsdale. Pinehurst No. 2 → Pinehurst. Build the trip around the one course that matters most.

What's the real budget?

Get an honest number before anyone has opinions about destinations. Then: under $1,000/person → Myrtle Beach. $1,200–2,000 → Scottsdale or Pinehurst. $2,000+ → Scotland, Ireland, or Bandon Dunes.

Are there non-golfers coming?

If yes, rule out Bandon Dunes unless all non-golfers are experienced outdoors people. The remaining five all work — Scottsdale and Ireland have the strongest partner activity options.

Destination picked. Now plan it.

5 questions. Golf and partner itinerary. One shareable link for the whole group.

Common Questions

Bachelor golf trip FAQ

What's the best US destination for a bachelor golf trip?+
Scottsdale is the default for a reason — 200+ courses, consistent weather, strong nightlife, and a resort scene that handles large groups well. But the best destination depends on your group: Bandon Dunes for serious golf only, Myrtle Beach for budget, Scotland or Ireland for a trip people talk about for 20 years.
How much does a bachelor golf weekend cost?+
Budget $900–2,500 per person for a 3-night domestic US trip. Myrtle Beach is cheapest at ~$900–1,500. Scottsdale runs $1,400–2,200. Bandon Dunes runs $1,500–2,500. International (Scotland, Ireland) typically runs $2,500–4,000 per person for a 5-night trip including flights.
Should we go domestic or international for a golf bachelor party?+
International trips deliver a completely different experience but are more expensive and logistically complex. If the groom has always wanted to play St Andrews or the Old Head of Kinsale, go international. If budget is tight or scheduling 5–7 days is difficult, domestic is the practical call.
How many rounds of golf should you plan for a bachelor golf weekend?+
2–3 rounds for a 3-night trip is standard. Two rounds (Friday and Saturday AM) is most common — leaves Sunday flexible. Three rounds is ambitious but doable if the group is committed. Four rounds in 3 nights is exhausting.
What if some guys in the group don't golf?+
Build the non-golf itinerary before you book. Most bachelor golf destinations have solid non-golf options — Scottsdale's Old Town and spa scene, Myrtle Beach's beach, Ireland's pubs and coastal villages. Book at least one activity for non-golfers in advance. FairwayPal generates both itineraries automatically.

Keep Reading

Related guides