10+ Best Places to Retire for Golf Lovers

Imagine waking up every morning, stepping outside your door, and having a world-class golf course right there at your fingertips.

Fortunately, this dream can become a reality! There are numerous golfing communities, country clubs, and resorts where golf is more than a game—it's a lifestyle.

They not only offer access to pristine golf courses but also provide delicious dining options, state-of-the-art fitness centers, swimming pools, tennis courts, and a variety of social events that keep you active and engaged.

So, if you're ready to swap the nine-to-five for tee times and fairways, here are 13 incredible retirement destinations with exceptional golf courses. Each one offers a little something different, from the climate to the cost, but they all have one thing in common: golfing heaven.

Haig Point, Daufuskie Island, South Carolina

Haig Point is an exclusive, member-owned community that covers 1,050 acres of this historic island. Accessible only by private ferry, Haig Point is a car-free zone where residents get around using golf carts, bicycles, or on foot via the many scenic trails. The community offers a range of amenities, including horseback riding facilities, tennis courts, a beach club, a fitness center, dining options, and boating opportunities. Golfers will appreciate the 29 holes designed by Rees Jones, featuring the unique 20-hole Signature course, which boasts two different layouts catering to both expert golfers and those who play for fun. Additionally, the nine-hole Osprey course is perfect for family outings or a quick game. With seven holes offering stunning ocean views, fairways lined with dense forest, and the chance to see curious deer watching from the sidelines, playing golf at Haig Point is an unforgettable experience.

Cabot Cape Breton, Inverness, Nova Scotia

You can take in breathtaking scenery while you play at Cabot Cape Breton. The two 18-hole courses, Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs, are designed to be walked, with carts available only for those with mobility issues. For a quicker game or to focus on short shots, the Nest provides a 10-hole, par-3 course. This smaller course is also set at the highest point of Cabot Cliffs, offering some of the most spectacular views on the entire property.

Suncadia, Cle Elum, Washington

Suncadia boasts the Prospector golf course, crafted by Palmer Course Design Company. This course weaves through a serene forest of pine and fir trees, adorned with charming lakes and ponds. For a more family-oriented experience, there's the Rope Rider course, which pays homage to the region's coal mining heritage. historical elements, including the remnants of two mines, are integrated into the course design. There's also the exclusive Tumble Creek golf course.

Just an 80-mile drive from Seattle, Suncadia is a resort community that offers activities for every season, including golf, fishing, rafting, and hiking and biking trails. Spanning 6,400 acres, Suncadia features a range of housing options and homesites, complemented by amenities such as golf, dining establishments, a dog park, a pool, a fitness center, a spa, and more, all encased in the majestic Cascade Mountains.

Destination Kohler, Wisconsin

Along the shores of Lake Michigan, lies Destination Kohler, a golfer's paradise with four courses designed by the legendary Pete Dye: Whistling Straits, the stage of the 2021 Ryder Cup; the Irish Course; The River; and Meadow Valleys. In June 2021, the resort added The Baths of Blackwolf Run, featuring a compact 10-hole, par-three course and an expansive two-acre putting course.

For those looking to spend their golden years on the greens, the Village of Kohler offers a variety of housing options. This planned community was envisioned by Walter J. Kohler, in collaboration with the esteemed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, and features extensive hiking trails, bike paths, gardens, and the meandering Sheboygan River.

Hokuli'a, Kona, Hawaii

Hokuli'a in Hawaii is a private and expansive residential community that stretches from the ocean's edge to a height of 1,250 feet. Nestled along the Kona coast, this community boasts a private golf course designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus, offering breathtaking ocean views and rolling fairways. Perched 400 feet above the coastline, the course benefits from refreshing ocean breezes and spectacular scenery on every hole.

DragonRidge Country Club, Henderson, Nevada

DragonRidge Country Club boasts an 18-hole, par-72 championship golf course set against the mountainside. The course, designed by Jay Morrish and David Druzisky, incorporates several water hazards and offers views of the iconic Las Vegas Strip from each tee box. The designers made use of the natural canyons and hillsides of the McCullough Range, creating a course with generous fairways, expansive greens, and a large practice area. The luxurious homesites lining the course also provide residents with stunning locations and picturesque views.

Hualālai, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Hualālai is home to an 18-hole championship golf course. This course stands out with its vibrant green fairways set against a backdrop of black lava flows, culminating in holes that hug the ocean's edge. The practice facility spans an impressive nine acres and includes a driving range, areas for chipping and working on the short game, two sand bunkers, and a putting green.

Coachella Valley, Greater Palm Springs, California

Coachella Valley is a mecca for golfers with over 110 courses to choose from. This includes a mix of public and private courses, golf resorts, and PGA Tour stops. The valley encompasses eleven cities, with Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Cathedral City, and Indio among them. Whether you're looking to settle in Palm Springs or Indio, there are 106 golf course properties available, each offering a range of housing options and prices to suit different tastes and budgets.

Mauna Kea Resort, Kohala Coast, Hawaii

Mauna Kea Resort, situated on the Kohala Coast of Hawaii, boasts two prestigious 18-hole golf courses. The first is the Mauna Kea Golf Course, crafted by Robert Trent Jones and known for its high ratings, which offers a challenging layout and spectacular views. The second is the Hapuna Golf Course, designed by Arnold Palmer in a links-style, also providing a thrilling golf experience with breathtaking scenery. The resort is further enhanced by two top-tier hotels, pristine white-sand beaches, and a range of luxurious amenities, making it a sought-after destination for both vacationers and residents.

Costa Palmas, East Cape, Mexico

Costa Palmas offers a unique blend of desert and ocean views, with sand dunes and carefully maintained fairways. The links-style course is designed to be walkable and also includes a shorter six-hole loop, perfect for practice or a relaxed game. Golfers can enjoy a meal at Lucha Libre or grab a quick bite at Bouchie's near the putting green before they start their round.

Danzante Bay, Loreto, Mexico

The breathtaking TPC Danzante Bay golf course is a creation of the renowned architect Rees Jones. This course was designed to offer an engaging golf experience while showcasing the region's natural splendor. To maintain the integrity of the views, the surrounding residential development was kept minimal.

Situated on the eastern shore of the Baja Peninsula, roughly 200 miles north of Cabo, the 741-acre resort community boasts spectacular sights of the Sierra de la Giganta mountains and the Sea of Cortez. Along with the golf course, the community boasts four dining establishments, five swimming pools, and the acclaimed Villa del Palmar Beach Resort & Spa.

Cove Club, Cabo del Sol, Mexico

Cove Club, at Cabo del Sol in Mexico, is home to a course originally designed by Jack Nicklaus, known as the Ocean Course and now ranked among Mexico's top 10. The course, recently renovated and upgraded with new features, is an exclusive domain for members and their guests. The enhanced golf experience includes lavish amenities and playful additions such as two chocitas (small huts) for refreshments and a classic Kombi van serving tequila cocktails as it roams the course.

Punta Mita, Nayarit, Mexico

Punta Mita offers its members the option to play on two exceptional championship courses: Pacifico and Bahia. Both courses boast stunning vistas of the Pacific Ocean and Banderas Bay. These Jack Nicklaus Signature designs are exclusively for the use of Club Punta Mita members and guests staying at the Four Seasons and St. Regis resorts. The courses are designed with a variety of tee boxes, making them enjoyable and accessible for golfers of all abilities.