Which U.S. cities are best for a golf-centric last hurrah with the guys?
Ahead of the wedding season, LawnStarter ranked 2024’s Best Bachelor Party Destinations for Golfers.
We compared the 200 biggest U.S. cities based on three categories: Play, Stay, and Party. More specifically, we factored in golfer-friendliness, bachelor party-friendliness, and hangover cure index, among 12 total metrics.
Check out our leaderboard below. To learn how we ranked the cities, see our methodology.
Contents
City Rankings
See how each city fared in our ranking:
Top 5 Close Up
Check out the slideshow below for highlights on each of our top 5 cities.
Golfer-Friendliness Index: 3 | Rank: 3
Number of Night Golf Courses: 2 | Rank: 1
Bachelor Party-Friendliness Index: 4 | Rank: 4
Average Last Call Time for Bars and Pubs: 7 a.m. | Rank: 1 (tie)
Number of Golf Resorts: 3 | Rank: 5 (tie)
Wynn Golf Club and Shadow Creek Golf Course are two of the most premium golf courses in the country and can’t-miss experiences if you can swing it, but they sport the price tags to match. For something a touch more wallet-friendly, try the legendary Bali Hai Golf Club.
Las Vegas is also home to one of the most impressive Topgolf facilities you’ll ever visit, complete with two pools and a movie theater-sized screen for watching sports. Just outside the city, Angel Park is another loaded golf option with two 18-hole courses and a fully lighted par-3 course with tee times into the night.
Photo Credit: Julian Paefgen / Unsplash / Unsplash License
Golfer-Friendliness Index: 2 | Rank: 2
Number of Driving Ranges: 4 | Rank: 16 (tie)
Bachelor Party-Friendliness Index: 10 | Rank: 10
Number of Golf Resorts: 10 | Rank: 1
Number of Golfer-Friendly Hotels: 772 | Rank: 1
Orlando is loaded with courses to fit whatever golf experience you’re looking for — from the super premium Ritz Carlton Golf Course and Waldorf Astoria Golf Club to the walking-only, 9-hole Winter Park Golf Course. Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge — with two full-length courses, a short course, and one of the largest practice facilities you’ll ever see — is the perfect place for a full day of golf with the guys.
Once you’ve put the clubs away for the day, head out to Universal CityWalk or Disney Springs for a unique nightlife atmosphere. If the theme-park vibes aren’t your thing, you can keep the golf going into the late hours at Topgolf or The Greens Indoor Golf & Bar on International Drive.
Photo Credit: M-DESIGNZ / Pexels / Pexels License
Golfer-Friendliness Index: 13 | Rank: 13
Number of Driving Ranges: 16 | Rank: 1
Bachelor Party-Friendliness Index: 5 | Rank: 5
Hangover Cure Index: 25 | Rank: 25
Number of Golfer-Friendly Hotels: 583 | Rank: 2
Cypresswood Golf Club and Golf Club of Houston are stellar golf facilities, each with 36 holes apiece, and make for a surefire option for golf groups looking for a double dip. For something truly unique, check out Tour 18 Golf Course, which features 18 different replicas of some of the most famous holes from around the country. Houston also sports three different Topgolf locations and the lighted East River 9 for night golf.
After you swap your golf spikes for your party shoes, check out Downtown and Midtown for upscale hangs or Morningside Drive for your own pub crawl. Little Woodrow’s, Baileson Brewing Co., and Under The Volcano are highlights.
Photo Credit: CY / Unsplash / Unsplash License
Golfer-Friendliness Index: 7 | Rank: 7
Number of Night Golf Courses: 1 | Rank: 2 (tie)
Bachelor Party-Friendliness Index: 3 | Rank: 3
Hangover Cure Index: 12 | Rank: 12
Number of Golfer-Friendly Hotels: 519 | Rank: 5
While LA is great place for a golf-focused bachelor party, it’s also know for being very spread out and having terrible traffic. To avoid spending more time on the interstate than the fairway, try the golf facilities at Griffith Park (two 18-hole courses and two 9-hole courses) and Industry Hills Golf Club (two 18-hole courses and a premium practice facility).
Again, with efficiency in mind, it’s best to pick a neighborhood or two to focus your nightlife activities. Hollywood and Downtown are sure bets for a good time. Echo Park and the Sunset Strip are always hip. Redondo Beach and Venice are top choices for laidback vibes and ocean views, while Santa Monica has plenty of high-end options.
Photo Credit: Roberto Nickson / Pexels / Pexels License
Number of Night Golf Courses: 1 | Rank: 2 (tie)
Number of Driving Ranges: 5 | Rank: 10 (tie)
Bachelor Party-Friendliness Index: 8 | Rank: 8
Number of Golf Resorts: 2 | Rank: 9 (tie)
Number of Golfer-Friendly Hotels: 242 | Rank: 16
Do not miss Torrey Pines Golf Course. This 36-hole golf facility is perched on the coastal cliffs of the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and offers some of the most incredible views you’ll ever see from a golf course. Host to two U.S. Open Championships, the annual Farmer’s Insurance Open, and your bachelor party weekend round of golf, this iconic coastal golf course will deliver a golf experience you and your buddies will never forget.
San Diego is also home to a thriving brewery scene, so you’ll have plenty of options in the evening when reminiscing on your round over a cold one. The Gaslamp Quarter is a nightlife hotspot for bar hopping, and Encinitas Ale House features an impressive 500 beers on draught.
Photo Credit: Lucas Fonseca / Pexels / Pexels License
The Upshot
You wouldn’t bet against Las Vegas coming in atop a list of the best bachelor party destinations — they don’t call it Sin City for nothing. However, you might not have expected it to be the best bachelor party destination for golf lovers.
The Entertainment Capital of the World scored an ace in our ranking after a winning finish in both the “Party” and “Play” categories, thanks to a thriving party scene surrounded by plenty of legendary courses.
Orlando, Florida, played runner-up due to a hole-in-one in the “Stay” category and a strong showing in “Play” — despite a “Party” score just outside the top 20.
Houston was no slouch and took home the bronze medal with solid scores across the board.
Two SoCal hotspots — Los Angeles and San Diego, home to some of the most iconic courses on Earth and nightlife to compete with the best — rounded out our top 5.
The bottom of our list was unsurprisingly filled with mostly smaller cities and suburbs like Pasadena, Texas, and Miramar, Florida. Despite decent “Stay” rankings — 8 of the bottom 25 cities had top-50 “Stay” scores — they offer little elsewhere.
Ask The Experts
When it comes to planning the perfect golf getaway for the bachelor and his crew, the devil really is in the details.
To make sure you have all the information you need to choose the right club, we asked the experts to play caddie and give you the lay of the land. Read their thoughts below.
- What are the three most essential items to bring on a bachelor party golf trip?
- How far in advance should a bachelor party group book their tee times?
- What are the three best ways to keep a golf bachelor party trip affordable?
- Are specials for bachelor party groups common at public golf courses? If not, what is a good alternative for group tee time?
- Is it better to check your own golf clubs on a plane or to rent them from a facility? Why?
What are the three most essential items to bring on a bachelor party golf trip?
1. A plan. Make sure that reservations are made for the group in advance and that all items needed are part of that reservation. Identify early how many are golfing, who needs to rent clubs, if a cart rental (or several carts) should be secured, and select who will be in which foursome prior to arriving at the course.
Determine in advance who is paying (is everyone covering their own expenses, is the bachelor paying for everyone, is everyone paying for themselves and then pitching in to cover the bachelor’s expense) and provide golfers in your party with any anticipated expenses they may be responsible for so that no one is surprised.
Prepare for how any other charges will be settled (like beverage expenses, tips for caddies, lunch) prior to arriving at the course. Having a clear plan will allow the group to enjoy the experience instead of someone being burdened with details and unanticipated expenses during the trip.
2. Presents! Think about ways to make the bachelor’s day on the course one that is special and unique to celebrate. Consider gifts or special experiences for those playing.
Custom balls are available but must be ordered with enough lead time. Find an award or prize to give to the person with the best (or worst) score. Arrange for a Bloody Mary bar (or the bachelor’s favorite spirit) to greet the crew before or after the round. Create themed t-shirts for all (or pick names for the different foursomes and make team shirts). Think about ways to engage the group and tie it to the wedding theme, destination, or the bachelor.
3. Patience. Be aware that your group may take longer on holes than other golfers on the course who aren’t there to celebrate. Encourage all in your group to be mindful of others on the course.
Also, you may have people in your party who are avid golfers and others who haven’t swung a club in quite a while. Think about ways to engage players of different skill levels. The outing will likely be different than your typical golf experience and you should be ready to adapt based on the size of your group and the course rules.
How far in advance should a bachelor party group book their tee times?
As early as possible. Make sure to contact the clubhouse with details about your group so they can plan accordingly. Explain to them the purpose of your visit and ask for suggestions on timing or how to get your group scheduled so it is a good experience for all.
What are the three best ways to keep a golf bachelor party trip affordable?
1. Find a course that matches your group and your budget. Do research to understand any costs and verify with your friends that the course matches your needs.
2. Think about the location of the golf course carefully. You can have as much fun at the local course as you can at a golf course in a destination city that requires everyone to pay for a flight and a hotel room. Decide where you want to spend money.
3. Decide how much golf you really want to play. Are the participants really golf lovers or is golf meant to be the activity that supports the social connection? You could decide to play 9 holes or 18 holes, or you could sign everyone up for the driving range. Find something that matches the interest level (and budget) of those invited.
Are specials for bachelor party groups common at public golf courses? If not, what is a good alternative for group tee time?
Different courses have different policies regarding specials. Contact the courses you are interested in and talk to them about options.
Some courses may be willing to provide options for their non-peak days and/or time periods. Others may have packages specifically built for bachelor parties. Some courses do not offer specials at all.
Is it better to check your own golf clubs on a plane or to rent them from a facility? Why?
Traveling with your own clubs can give you a nicer experience on the course, but be prepared to pay for the oversized luggage fee that the airline may charge and ensure you have transportation to get the clubs to and from the airport, hotel, and course.
Determine the cost of rental and compare it to the pros and cons of bringing your own to decide what might be best for you.
Behind the Ranking
First, we determined the factors (metrics) that are most relevant to rank the Best Bachelor Party Destinations for Golfers. We then assigned a weight to each factor based on its importance and grouped those factors into 3 categories: Play, Party, and Stay. The categories, factors, and their weights are listed in the table below.
For each of the 200 biggest U.S. cities, we then gathered data on each factor from the sources listed below the table.
Finally, we calculated scores (out of 100 points) for each city to determine its rank in each factor, each category, and overall. A city’s Overall Score is the average of its scores across all factors and categories. The highest Overall Score ranked “Best” (No. 1) and the lowest “Worst” (No. 200).
Notes:
- The “Worst” among individual factors may not be No. 200 due to ties.
- Although access to driving ranges is already factored in to LawnStarter’s “Best Cities for Golfers” ranking, we included that metric again in our “Best Bachelor Party Destinations for Golfers” ranking because many driving ranges offer a full-service bar, catering to bachelor party groups.
Sources: Expedia, Golf Cart Report, GolfLink, GolfPass, Lawn Love, other LawnStarter rankings, and VinePair
Final Thoughts
When it comes to planning a bachelor party, there are many different ways to play. If you’re a golfer, there’s no better way to celebrate than enjoying as much golf as you can manage by day before enjoying the local nightlife in the evening. It doesn’t hurt if you can combine the two with night golf or golf-forward bar experiences like Topgolf or golf simulators.
Even if your preferred destination has the climate to support year-round golf, most of the turf you’ll find on a golf course goes dormant in the winter (as does the nightlife in many cities) and won’t provide the best golf experience in the colder months. To enjoy the best golfing conditions and ensure the liveliest after-round atmosphere, plan to play in the spring, summer, or early fall.
With that in mind, winter is a great time to plan and book your outing. Don’t forget: You’ll need to book tee times and make sure the course is prepared to welcome a larger group long before you arrive at your destination.
The same can be said for many of the best travel and lodging deals, extracurricular events like concerts and sporting events, and even renting vehicles or booking transportation to get from course to course. Whether you’ll be bringing your own clubs or using rental sets when you arrive, make sure you have the details ironed out ahead of time.
Now, what are you waiting for? Don’t waste another minute cutting grass — let LawnStarter take care of your lawn care needs so you can get to planning the golf bachelor party of your dreams.
Media Resources
• Quotes from LawnStarter Editor-in-Chief Jeff Herman:
- “Scottsdale, Arizona, and Austin are always two of the most popular bachelor party destinations. Although they posted decent finishes at No. 12 and No. 13, respectively, many would expect to find both of them in the top 5. A relative lack of party options dragged Scottsdale down, while pricey golfer-friendly accommodations hurt Austin.”
- “Nashville and New Orleans were suspiciously absent from the top 25 due to relatively lower “Play” rankings, considering courses are fewer and farther between in those cities.”
- “Golfers in the know will see Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, as an egregious snub from this list, but it simply missed the cut for not being large enough.”
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