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The East Coast is packed full of must-see tourist attractions, but more importantly, it’s home to some of the best golf courses in the world, many of which are frequented by top players the world over. You too can perfect your swing on the greens the pros have played on; but why only visit one? There are so many extraordinary courses to visit on the East Coast, you can make a road trip out of it!
Whether you’re setting up your caravan for the first time in anticipation of hitting the road (and the fairway), or if you prefer the luxury of a fully serviced hotel, the number one thing you need to pack is your clubs and your camera. These three golf courses are not only some of the best, they’re also some of the most scenic.
Ocean Course, South Carolina
Home of the PGA championship in 2012, Ocean Course at Kiawah Island in South Carolina is set to once again accommodate the best players in the world at the 2021 PGA championship. Overlooking a beautiful oceanfront view, the course has been both designed and frequented by professional players for years.
Consistently ranked in the Top 100 courses in the world by GOLF, Ocean Course is certainly a challenging course but a must see for all golf enthusiasts. There are a number of golf packages to choose from if you want to stay at the resort, including the Kiawah Women’s Golf Getaway. After a hard day on the course, there’s a fully fledged spa for you to unwind and relax.
Sea Island, Georgia
Placed parallel to the Atlantic Ocean, Sea Island Seaside Course has been a go-to golf location on the East Coast since 1929. Ranked in the top 100 courses in the USA regularly, Seaside Course and its neighboring Plantation Course play host to the RSM Classic FedEx cup on the PGA Tour. The winds that scale the course and rustle the native wildflowers make it a tricky course to navigate, but one that is well worth the challenge.
The course was resigned in 1999 by Rees Jones and Tom Fazio and nine holes were masterfully turned into 18 as the Plantation and Seaside merged. If you want to stay on the course, the five star accommodation and inclusive golf packages will see you through your stay in comfort after a long day on the green. This is definitely a must-see on your East Coast golf course tour.
Bethpage State Park Golf Course, New York
If your holiday takes you to the big apple, it’s well worth a visit to one of Golf Digest’s 100 greatest public courses in America. Bethpage is a public course that received acclaim at the US Open Championship in 2002 which saw Tiger Woods crowned the winner. Since then, the US Open has returned once more in 2009, as well as the Barclays PGA Tour in 2012 and 2016, the PGA Championship in 2019 and it is set to host the Ryder Cup in 2024. A tricky course to navigate, Bethpage was announced as the sixth toughest golf course in America, and that alone means it’s worth a visit to Long Island (even if you don’t make par).
A public golf course, Bethpage is considerably cheaper than the other courses mentioned which makes it an attainable game for players of all backgrounds.
Pack Your Bags
There are so many more courses you can frequent on the East Coast, including Pinehurst, Harbour Town and The Homestead. Whichever you choose, it’s set to be a challenge and well worth the travelling for the golfing holiday of a lifetime.