Should you avoid spring break weeks for a golf trip in March?

Yes if you can. The third week of March is generally the worst week for golf trip prices and crowds in popular US destinations: Scottsdale, Florida, Myrtle Beach, and Kiawah all see peak family vacation traffic, peak prices, and longer course waits. Travel before March 10 or after March 25 if you want a calmer, cheaper trip. Pinehurst is less affected because it is not a family beach destination. The Algarve is mostly insulated from US spring break since it is a European destination.

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The Best Golf Destinations in March (2026 Honest Guide)

Q: What is the best place to play golf in March?

March is one of the great golf travel months: warm-weather destinations have shaken off winter, summer heat has not arrived, and several premium destinations are at absolute peak. Top picks: Scottsdale (peak season, 65 to 80°F), Pinehurst (spring blooms, peak conditions, 60 to 75°F), the Algarve (low humidity, 18 to 22°C), Florida (almost all bases at peak), and Kiawah Island (firm fairways, mild Atlantic). Scottsdale is the single best March pick on balance because the desert is genuinely at its best and Old Town is alive with shoulder-of-peak energy. Avoid Scotland and Ireland (still too cool); skip Bandon Dunes (wet).

Q: Is March a good time for a golf trip?

Yes, exceptionally good for the warm-weather US destinations and the Iberian Peninsula. The reasons: Northern Hemisphere desert and southeast destinations have come out of winter, summer heat has not arrived, schools are mostly still in session (apart from spring break weeks), and the courses are in beautiful early-season condition. The catch is that March is peak season for Scottsdale and Florida, so book 60 to 90 days out and expect peak-season prices. Spring break weeks (typically the third week of March, depending on region) drive prices and crowds higher; avoid those if possible.

Q: Is Scotland or Ireland playable in March?

Marginal. March in Scotland and Ireland averages 8 to 12°C (mid 40s to low 50s Fahrenheit), with frequent rain and unpredictable wind. Many courses operate on reduced winter hours into early April. Daylight is improving but not yet long. Most groups push to May or June. If you must travel in March, target the last week and be specific about the courses (the major links courses generally are open year-round). Pack proper waterproofs and accept that 1 to 2 of your rounds will be wet.

Q: Is March better than April for a golf trip?

Depends on the destination. For Scottsdale, March is peak; April is still very good but starts to warm into the 90s by late month. For Pinehurst, both are peak with March slightly warmer. For Scotland and Ireland, April is dramatically better than March (warmer, longer daylight). For the Algarve, both are excellent; April adds slightly warmer Atlantic. Florida is at peak in March; April is similar but starts to warm noticeably. Generally: warm-US in March, British Isles in April.

May 6, 2026·10 min read

By the FairwayPal Team — built by golfers who've organised too many trips across too many WhatsApp threads.

Last updated: May 6, 2026

March is genuinely one of the great golf travel months for warm-weather destinations. The desert is at peak, the Carolinas have come out of winter, the Algarve is in shoulder of its best, and Florida is at its absolute best. The catch: it is peak season everywhere, which means the right destination at the wrong week can be expensive and crowded. Here is the friendly ranked guide.

The cheat sheet

Top three March picks: Scottsdale (peak desert), Pinehurst (peak spring), the Algarve (peak shoulder).
Strong second tier: Florida, Kiawah Island, Myrtle Beach.
Skip in March: Scotland, Ireland (too cool, marginal daylight), Bandon Dunes (wet).
Avoid spring break week (typically the third week) for US destinations if possible.

1. Scottsdale (peak season, peak everything)

March is the heart of Scottsdale's peak season. Daytime temperatures of 65 to 80°F, mostly clear skies, courses in pristine condition, and Old Town alive in the evenings. The Waste Management Phoenix Open is in early February, so March traffic is the post-tournament crowd: a touch quieter than February peak but still busy.

Pricing reflects peak: TPC Scottsdale and Troon North run at the upper end of their ranges, hotel rates are 30 to 50% above shoulder season. Book 60 to 90 days out for any March weekend. See our Scottsdale destination guide.

Best for: bachelor parties, group trips with non-golfing partners (Old Town is at full strength), serious-golf groups who want the big desert names.

2. Pinehurst (peak spring, dogwoods and azaleas)

March in Pinehurst delivers the spring bloom: dogwoods through the village, azaleas around the resort, courses at peak condition. Temperatures land at 60 to 75°F daytime, cooler evenings. Less family-vacation traffic than Florida or Myrtle Beach during spring break weeks.

No. 2 is generally available in March without the difficulty of summer or fall booking. Stay-and-play packages are at peak attractiveness because the courses are in ideal shape. See our Pinehurst destination guide.

Best for: heritage-loving groups, father-son trips, spring-bloom partners.

3. The Algarve (peak shoulder, no summer crowds)

March in the Algarve is genuinely lovely. Temperatures of 18 to 22°C (mid 60s to low 70s Fahrenheit), low humidity, and the summer crowds have not arrived. The almond and cherry blossoms are still showing through early March. Villa accommodation is at shoulder pricing (20 to 30% below summer peak).

For groups travelling with partners, March is one of the best months to visit because the cliff coast is dramatic but the beach is too cool to swim, which removes the temptation to ditch golf for a beach day. Everyone shows up at the course. See our Algarve destination guide.

Best for: European-based groups, partner trips, milestone-birthday groups looking for value.

4. Florida (Streamsong, TPC Sawgrass, Innisbrook all peak)

March is the absolute best month for a Florida golf trip. Temperatures land at 65 to 80°F with low humidity and minimal rain. Streamsong Resort is in pristine condition, TPC Sawgrass plays exceptionally well, and Innisbrook is at its busy peak.

The major caveat is The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass, typically the second week of March. Book around it: either the week before (early March) or after (late March). The whole Ponte Vedra area is sold out and prices spike during the tournament week itself. See our Florida destination guide.

Best for: partner trips with St. Augustine focus, value-conscious bucket-list trips (Streamsong), groups based in the Northeast US.

5. Kiawah Island (firm fairways, mild Atlantic)

March at Kiawah is excellent. The dry winter has firmed the fairways. Temperatures land at 60 to 75°F, water is still cool but the beach walks are perfect. Charleston is in its absolute prime: cool mornings, warm afternoons, the spring bloom in the historic district.

The Ocean Course plays harder in March than summer because of the firmness and the prevailing March wind. Pricing is at peak; The Sanctuary runs at the upper end of its range. Book 60 days out. See our Kiawah Island destination guide.

Best for: mixed-group trips with partners who want Charleston, milestone trips.

6. Myrtle Beach (great value, watch spring break)

March at Myrtle Beach is a value sweet spot for most of the month: temperatures of 60 to 75°F, low humidity, courses in good condition, hotel rates well below summer. The catch is spring break: traditionally the third week of March is genuinely chaotic with college and family vacation traffic. Avoid that specific week.

Outside spring break week, Myrtle Beach gives you the best per-round value of any March golf trip in the US. 4 to 5 rounds across 3 nights at $80 to $130 per round. See our Myrtle Beach destination guide.

Best for: bachelor parties (outside spring break week), value-conscious groups, easy East Coast access.

Destinations to skip in March

Scotland and Ireland: too cool, daylight not long enough, weather risk too high. Push to May or June.
Bandon Dunes: still in the wet season. The first good Bandon week is typically late April.
Northeast US (NYC, Boston, mid-Atlantic): still cold, courses just opening for the season.
Most European links courses outside the Algarve: still cool with reduced hours.
Pacific Northwest courses (outside the Pebble peninsula): wet through April.

Booking timing for March trips

March is peak season for most of the destinations on this list. Book aggressively early.

Scottsdale resorts: 90 to 120 days out for any March weekend.
Pinehurst No. 2: 60 to 90 days out for weekends; midweek easier.
TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course: avoid the second week (Players Championship). Other March weeks book up 60+ days out.
Algarve villas: 60 to 90 days out for high-bedroom-count villas.
Kiawah Ocean Course: 60 days out for weekends.

Our how to plan a golf trip guide has the full booking timeline.

Pick a destination. We'll plan the rest.

5 questions. Dual itinerary for golfers and partners. One link the whole group can vote on.

Start Planning

Common Questions

March golf destinations FAQ

What is the best place to play golf in March?+

Scottsdale (peak desert), Pinehurst (peak spring), the Algarve (peak shoulder), Florida, Kiawah, Myrtle Beach. Scottsdale is the single best balanced March pick.

Is March a good time for a golf trip?+

Yes, exceptional for warm-weather US and Iberian destinations. Avoid spring break week (typically the third week of March).

Should you avoid spring break weeks?+

Yes if possible. The third week of March is peak family/college vacation traffic for Scottsdale, Florida, Myrtle Beach, Kiawah. Travel before March 10 or after March 25.

Is Scotland or Ireland playable in March?+

Marginal. Push to May or June. If you must travel in March, target the last week and accept that 1-2 rounds will be wet.

Is March better than April for a golf trip?+

Depends. Warm-US (Scottsdale, Florida) is similar in March and April. British Isles is dramatically better in April. The Algarve is excellent in both.

Keep Reading

The Best Golf Destinations in March (2026 Honest Guide)

1. Scottsdale (peak season, peak everything)

2. Pinehurst (peak spring, dogwoods and azaleas)

3. The Algarve (peak shoulder, no summer crowds)

4. Florida (Streamsong, TPC Sawgrass, Innisbrook all peak)

5. Kiawah Island (firm fairways, mild Atlantic)

6. Myrtle Beach (great value, watch spring break)

Destinations to skip in March

Booking timing for March trips

Pick a destination. We'll plan the rest.

March golf destinations FAQ

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