For Brandon Upah, an avid golf traveler and diligent trip planner, the true highlight of any golf trip isn't the stroke count; it's the camaraderie. Upah has mastered the art of planning golf trips. From Scotland to Mexico, Pebble Beach to Myrtle Beach, he shares his top destinations and lessons learned.
Brandon’s Planning Philosophy: I love planning trips to participate in my favorite pastime: golf. My planning philosophy includes de-emphasizing prestige. While there are some bucket-list destinations on this list, I’ve also played smaller, lesser-known courses and enjoyed them just as much. Keeping the group smaller, often 8 players or fewer, creates what I consider to be the best part of a golf trip: the time spent together off the course.
Brandon’s Top Golf Destinations & Key Takeaways
- Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
- The Place: One of the most versatile golf destinations in the country. Allows golfers to stay centrally, play 36-hole days, and still have access to Old Town nightlife and casinos. Courses range from $60 to $600 within a short drive. Played TPC Scottsdale, We-Ko-Pa, Grayhawk, Quintero, Gold Canyon, and Talking Stick across three trips.
- What to Know: Travel from October through March to avoid melting on the course. Travel during the shoulder season kept costs down, but meant temperatures of 105 degrees and nighttime “lows” of 92.
- Location: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- The Place: The group stayed at Barefoot Resort and played the Norman, Fazio, and Love courses, as well as the World Tour course. The World Tour course is a unique layout featuring recreations of iconic holes from Augusta, St. Andrews, Pebble Beach, and more.
- The Key Lesson: A budget-friendly, high-volume golf destination with a relaxed vibe. The trip was all about easy golf, good company, and a laid-back atmosphere.
- Location: Palm Springs, California
- The Place: Tahquitz Creek, TPC Stadium, Norman, Escena, Classic Club, Terra Lago, Big Rock, and Celebrity. A pure golf marathon, the group played 36 holes for three straight days. Big Rock was the surprise standout, where golfers cross city streets in their carts, wait at crosswalks with pedestrians, and finish the day at a clubhouse that turns into a live-music bar.
- The Key Lesson: The group landed at 11 a.m., drove straight to the course, played 18 holes, then played three straight days of 36 holes, and another 18 before heading to the airport. That is a lot of golf but worth it for our group.
- Location: Scotland (Edinburgh & St. Andrews)
- The Place: A true bucket-list experience. The group played the Old Course, Jubilee, Kingsbarns, Monifieth, Muirfield, North Berwick, Elie, and Scotscraig. The defining moment was standing on the first tee of the Old Course, looking out toward the Swilcan Bridge. It was a surreal feeling to know how many legends had stood in that exact spot.
- Key Lesson: Getting an Old Course tee time required months of planning and a bit of luck. Four people called to get into the lottery. Only one succeeded.
- Location: Mesquite, Nevada / St. George, Utah
- The Place: Mesquite: Wolf Creek and St. George: Copper Rock, Sky Mountain, Sunbrook, and Coral Canyon. COVID-era casino experience with 7-foot plexiglass dividers, and the discovery that Mesquite had exactly one Uber driver.
- What to Know: This trip delivered a huge lesson in planning. The group found a perfect Airbnb in Mesquite, only to discover that Wolf Creek was the only one still open, with the others closed for overseeding. The group couldn’t cancel, so they drove an hour each day to golf. Even though it was a logistical nightmare, the group still had off-course fun like nightly putting competitions on the backyard green.
Brandon’s Essential Planning Advice
- Secure Tee Times First: Research far in advance, as must-play courses often release tee times 6-12 months in advance. Securing tee times determines everything else: dates, lodging, and group size.
- Time Your Trip Carefully: Compare green fees by season. Prices can vary significantly, but avoid extreme weather seasons, which affect comfort and safety.
- Confirm Course Availability Before Lodging: Don’t book lodging until you confirm course availability to avoid logistical headaches.
- Prioritize Proximity Over Perfection: Select lodging based on the courses you will play. A great house in the wrong part of town can turn a trip into hours of driving, which drains energy and kills the vibe.
- Optimize Lodging Amenities: Choose accommodations that prioritize comfort and recovery. No one wants to share a bedroom, and amenities like a pool or hot tub are ideal for recovery.
- Keep Group Size Manageable: Compatible dynamics matter more than handicap or skill. So while eight golfers is ideal for tee times, rental cars, and reservations, you want to avoid filling extra spots with people who don’t mesh, even if it means bringing only six.
- Avoid Overscheduling: While some courses offer 36-hole options, too many back-to-back 36-hole days can leave the group exhausted and unable to enjoy evenings or the destination
- Customize Trip Length:
- Domestic Trips: Aim for 2 full days and 2 half days of golfing. For the Western U.S., travel on Thursday morning and return Sunday evening. For the Eastern Seaboard, travel on Wednesday morning to allow for the extra day of travel.
- International Trips: Plan for 8-9 days. This duration provides enough time for both golf and tourist activities, so you don’t miss the non-golf sights.
The true highlight of any golf trip isn't the stroke count; it's the camaraderie.