Luxury Golf Escapes to Explore
By JD Latorre
August is National Golf Month, making it the perfect time to spotlight standout golf destinations that pair exceptional courses with memorable resort experiences. From oceanfront fairways and mountain escapes to exciting new course debuts and iconic championship layouts, these properties offer something for every type of golfer.
Kohanaiki • Kona Coast, Island of Hawaii
Located on the Kona Coast of Hawaii’s Big Island, Kohanaiki is redefining the private golf club experience through a combination of championship golf, sustainability and innovation. The 450-acre residential club features a Rees Jones-designed golf course that was the first in Hawaii to earn Audubon International Gold Signature Sanctuary Certification, recognizing its commitment to environmental stewardship and responsible course management. Recent advancements, including autonomous electric maintenance technology and TrackMan Range, highlight Kohanaiki’s investment in the future of the game. With programming designed to welcome women, families and newer golfers, the club offers a forward-thinking approach to luxury golf in Hawaii.
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel & Mauna Kea Residences • Kohala Coast, Island of Hawaii
Golfers can experience two championship courses in one unforgettable destination at Mauna Kea Resort on Hawaii’s Kohala Coast. The recently redesigned Mauna Kea Golf Course by Robert Trent Jones Jr. is famed for its spectacular oceanfront setting and legendary third hole, a par-3 that plays over a crashing Pacific Ocean inlet to a cliffside green. Complementing the experience, the Hapuna Golf Course, designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay, climbs from sea level to more than 700 feet in elevation, offering a dramatically different round with panoramic mountain and coastline views. Guests staying at the newly renovated Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort, or Mauna Kea Residences enjoy access to both courses, as well as the resort’s beaches, spa, dining, tennis, and ocean activities.
East West Hospitality’s Old Greenwood • Lake Tahoe, California
For golfers seeking a mountain escape that combines championship play with year-round recreation, Old Greenwood Townhomes offers an elevated retreat in North Lake Tahoe. Set within a 600-acre forested community, the residences are centered around a Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course and feature spacious 2- to 4-bedroom layouts designed for relaxed group and family stays. Beyond the course, guests can enjoy access to resort-style amenities including The Pavilion with a heated pool, hot tub, fitness center and dining, as well as seasonal activities such as tennis, hiking, cycling and nearby ski access. Blending world-class golf with the natural beauty and adventure of the Sierra Nevada, Old Greenwood showcases the future of mountain golf destinations.
La Quinta Resort & Club • La Quinta, California
As golfers look ahead to fall and winter escapes, La Quinta Resort & Club offers an iconic desert destination with access to five championship-caliber courses across the greater Palm Springs area. Through the resort’s Stay and Play package, guests receive a complimentary tee time per night booked, including a golf cart, making it easy to experience some of the region’s most celebrated courses. Highlights include The Stadium Course at PGA West, designed by Pete Dye, the Mountain Course at La Quinta Resort & Club, and the Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course at PGA West. With its legendary golf history, resort-style amenities and year-round desert setting, La Quinta continues to be a premier destination for golfers seeking both recreation and relaxation.
Keswick Hall • Charlottesville, Virginia
Set in the heart of Virginia’s picturesque Piedmont region just outside Charlottesville, Keswick Hall is a historic luxury resort that pairs Southern charm with world-class amenities, surrounded by rolling hills, award-winning wineries, and sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. A standout for golf enthusiasts, Full Cry Golf Course is consistently ranked among the top resort courses in the U.S. by Golfweek, and is a Pete Dye-designed 18-hole championship course that artfully weaves through the region’s natural topography. With wide fairways, dramatic green complexes, and views of the surrounding mountains, the course accommodates both novices and seasoned players. As one of the final courses designed by the legendary Pete Dye, Full Cry blends modern design with classic character and is playable year-round. On-course comforts include a luxury beverage cart with craft cocktails and refreshments, as well as the option for guests to pre-order lunch in insulated bags for convenient dining while on the course. Beyond the course, guests can relax at the infinity pool, indulge in a treatment at the spa, or dine at Marigold by Jean-Georges, the resort’s signature restaurant. Keswick Hall’s Golf Package includes daily breakfast at Marigold by Jean-Georges and one round of golf with cart on Full Cry, offering the perfect combination of luxury accommodations, exceptional dining, and championship golf.
Firefly • Nashville, Tennessee
Firefly is a private, high-end 700-acre luxury golf and residential community located in Spring Hill, Tennessee, approximately 30 miles south of Nashville and 15 miles south of Franklin. Developed by Storied Development (known for Boot Ranch and Talisker Club) and Wheelock Street Capital the community will feature a blend of championship golf, luxury living, and world-class amenities in the heart of Middle Tennessee’s rolling countryside. Firefly’s 18-hole championship course designed by acclaimed golf course architect Andrew Green is slated to open for member play this fall. Best known for his acclaimed restorations of East Lake, Oak Hill, Scioto, and Interlachen, Firefly marks Green’s first original golf course design. Firefly will also tout a nine-hole short course, also designed by Green and opening this fall. The community, which is anticipated for move-ins in 2028, is designed for the comfort and joy of families of all ages. Firefly is home to a variety of activities and programming including curated F&B options, a full-service clubhouse, pickleball and tennis courts, an interactive game room, bowling, a learning center, and more.
