In the blink of an eye, the calendar has turned to September, which, of course, means the sun sets earlier, kids are heading back to school, and fantasy football drafts are underway. Labor Day weekend is upon us, marking the unofficial end of summer 2026.
Minus the pain of searching for golf balls among hundreds of fallen leaves, fall golf here in the Northeast offers scenery that simply isn’t experienced at any other time of year. In the back of our minds, we recognize that the beauty of these rounds softens the blow of knowing that the golf season is nearing its end.
It does not have to be all doom and gloom, though, as plenty of golfers start planning fall and winter golf trips to make the offseason a little more bearable. Last month we talked to our friends at Golfbreaks about visiting the links in Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Today we’re focusing on domestic fall and winter trips to help bridge the gap between the rapidly approaching holiday season and the 2027 opening day. To assist us with this venture, we chatted with Patrick Tarantino, Head of Sales at Golfbreaks and the leader of the sales team based in the Charleston, SC, office.
When Should You Book a Fall or Winter Golf Trip?
When we recently looked at booking a trip across the pond, Golfbreaks suggested that we enter the planning and booking phase 12-18 months out. While we don’t have to plan a fall or winter escape that far in advance, it is still advisable for golfers to get a good head start.
Patrick recommends booking six to eight months in advance. It might be difficult for some to look ahead to planning a February trip while enjoying the perfect summer weather in July, but it could certainly be advantageous to do so. The reason for the early planning is to help get those sought-after tee times in a heavily visited region.
Where to Go for Fall and Winter Golf Trips
If you are reading this, you probably have an idea of which locations I’m referring to. It’s no secret that during the fall season, many will consider packing up their clubs and traveling to the southeastern part of the country.
States such as North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama are ideal locations for golf. When winter rolls in, some areas within those states remain an enjoyable and viable option. However, Golfbreaks aims to encourage people to consider less risky options by traveling farther south to Florida or visiting the western part of the country by booking a trip to Arizona, Nevada, or California.
In recent months, we’ve discussed various aspects of Golfbreaks, and one significant advantage is the preferred supplier arrangements they have established with many courses and resorts. Those relationships can help when securing tee times or accommodating specific group requests because Golfbreaks delivers significant business to its partners throughout the year.
Even with those relationships, booking early remains the best way to secure preferred tee times. Golfbreaks’ expertise can also help groups understand demand patterns and identify periods of lower activity that travelers can take advantage of.
Can You Book a Last-Minute Golf Trip?
While Golfbreaks advises getting a head start on planning your fall or winter getaway, we all know that things don’t always go as planned. Patrick and the Golfbreaks team understand this well. He mentioned that they take pride in delivering exceptional service to their customers, even those who make their travel arrangements with as little as one week’s notice. As you might expect, when there is a tight turnaround between booking and traveling, the best locations to accommodate golfers on short notice are those with a higher volume of courses, such as Myrtle Beach, SC, or Orlando, FL.
Hidden Gems for Fall and Winter Golf Trips
Golfbreaks works closely with courses and resorts throughout the country, providing insights into hidden-gem locations. Finding these gems often depends on the season. In Patrick’s view, Alabama is the ultimate hidden gem during the fall, as golfers can enjoy incredible golfing conditions and pleasant weather at great value. Looking ahead to the winter months, while many people flock to the usual trio of California, Arizona, and Florida, Patrick suggests Texas as a well-rounded alternative, providing plenty of sunny days.
Finding the Best Value for a Golf Trip
From a purely value perspective, it’s hard to beat the sheer number of courses available in Myrtle Beach. Although finding affordable, high-quality courses has become more challenging in the post-COVID golf travel scene compared to before 2019, Myrtle Beach still offers plenty of options. As we’ve mentioned in other Golfbreaks articles, their representatives visit various regions for a closer inspection of the courses and accommodations.
Therefore, when looking for a more budget-friendly choice, Patrick suggests asking your Golfbreaks representative about their favorite 3-star courses. Many of these may have a 3-star rating, but given their conditions and layout, they could play more like 4- or 5-star venues. This insider knowledge is one of the benefits of booking with Golfbreaks, helping you plan the perfect trip without overspending.
Palm Springs: Patrick’s Pick for a Winter Golf Trips
Stepping away from the hidden gems and value propositions, we asked Patrick where he would choose to go if he were to plan his own winter getaway. His answer was one that I believe many THP readers would agree with: Palm Springs, California.
With all the locations available in the United States, Patrick chose Palm Springs for the combination of breathtaking desert mountain views and reasonable pricing for high-end golf.
For 12 years, THP forum members were able to spend a few days in December out in the greater Palm Springs area as part of The Granddaddy experience with Callaway Golf. Those of us who have been in that location or followed the live update thread from afar support Patrick’s decision here. The scenery is superb, and the weather yields comfortably cool mornings that warm nicely as the day goes on.
Weather vs. Value When Choosing a Destination
When booking fall and winter getaways, a typical rule of thumb is, like many things in life, you often get what you pay for. For instance, Patrick pointed out that Orlando, FL, offers great value for money when booking in January and February. However, Orlando can occasionally experience cold weather, which might dampen your golfing experience. So, sticking with the Florida example, it might be worth spending a little extra money to visit Miami, where chances of encountering cold weather are lower.
Combine a Golf Trip With a PGA Tour Event
Are you and your group looking for a unique way to make your winter getaway more exciting? Every year in early February, sports fans worldwide gather around their TVs for an unforgettable day of sports. While the Super Bowl steals the spotlight and dominates viewership year after year, the WM Phoenix Open serves as an exciting appetizer to the day’s festivities. It may not be everyone’s favorite event, but it represents the biggest party on the PGA Tour schedule.
In addition to golf packages across popular West Coast and Florida destinations, Golfbreaks offers tournament packages for travelers who want to watch the best players in the world compete. Imagine a trip to Scottsdale, splitting time between playing golf with your buddies and then having passes to sit with the crowd on the famous 16th hole. With the vibrant nightlife in Old Town Scottsdale, this winter trip could become your next yearly tradition.
Ready to Plan Your Fall and Winter Golf Trips?
September is here, but it’s not too late to plan your golf getaway with Golfbreaks. As a special incentive, they are currently offering an Odyssey Ai-Dual Mini Jailbird putter for anyone who books before the end of the month. This offer is available to one person in your group when you’ve booked at least two nights for two or more people. Wherever you decide to travel this fall or winter, Golfbreaks is committed to making sure your experience is exceptional from start to finish. Visit golfbreaks.com to take the first step in planning your next golf trip.
