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The 23 best summertime buddies trip golf destinations

If you’re looking for information on some of the top golf destinations in the world to help plan your next golf trip, we’ve got you covered. Below is a ranking of the Best Summertime Buddies Destinations in the United States and overseas, as selected by Golf Digest’s Course Ranking panelists and members of our Places to Play Facebook group. In conjunction with our primer on how to plan the best summer golf trip you and your buddies will ever take and our tips on how to make the most of your buddies trip , you’ll be all set to have the time of your life at any of these great golf spots.

UNITED STATES

1. Oregon Coast

Bandon Dunes exerts a stronger gravitational pull than almost any place in golf not named St. Andrews. Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes, Bandon Trails and Old Macdonald all rank among Golf Digest’s 100 Greatest Courses in America, and the Sheep Ranch, opening in June, could be the best of them all.

2. Carmel/Monterey Peninsula, Calif.

Before Bandon Dunes, the Monterey Peninsula was the king of public American destination golf. Pebble Beach is No. 7 on our list of America’s 100 Greatest. Spyglass Hill, the Links at Spanish Bay, Poppy Hills and even modest Pacific Grove highlight a deep bench that gets better with age.

3. Pinehurst / Southern Pines, N.C.

The “home of American golf” has experienced a major revitalization with upgrades to No. 2, the addition of the Cradle short course and a total reconstruction of No. 4. Mid Pines & Pine Needles, in Southern Pines, have also been masterfully reworked, and nearby Tobacco Road adds a theatrical element to the mix.

4. Kohler, Wis.

There’s plenty to explore among four resort courses spread across two sites. Whistling Straits (Straits Course) is the most raucous and typically gets top billing as a PGA Championship and Ryder Cup (2020) venue, but many visitors prefer Blackwolf Run’s quieter, more idyllic River Course.

5. Sand Valley / Green Lake, Wis.

Evan Schiller

Sand Valley, the latest chapter in Mike Keiser’s destination golf opus, features three stunning options cut from sandy pine forests in central Wisconsin—the original Sand Valley course, Mammoth Dunes and the quirky Sandbox. A side-trip to the Links Course at Lawsonia, a playground of 1920s architecture, is a no-brainer.

6. San Francisco / Half Moon Bay

Public golf in San Francisco runs the gamut from modest, beloved city courses like Sharp Park and Lincoln Park to the once modest but now rebranded TPC Harding Park, site of this year’s PGA Championship. Half Moon Bay, 30 miles south, brings a more luxurious approach plus golf holes peering out to the Pacific Ocean.

7. Hilton Head Island / Savannah, Ga.

Options begin with Sea pines’ classic Low Country courses (Pete Dye’s Harbour Town and Heron Point, and the remodeled Atlantic Dunes), or Palmetto Dunes’ tour of the architectural past with courses by Robert Trent Jones (’60s), George Fazio (’70s) and Arthur Hills (’80s). May River, meanwhile, is modern and mesmerizing.

8. Sea Island, Ga.

Sea Island’s Seaside course remains one of the Southeast’s grand courses, but residents Mark and Davis Love III have been busy with classical retrofits of the resort’s Retreat and Plantation layouts (reopened in 2019). They’ve also restored Brunswick Country Club (Donald Ross, 1939) and added Sanctuary Golf Club, a Seth Raynorinspired public option.

9. Milwaukee

Buddies golf trips passing through Milwaukee are likely headed to Erin Hills, the vast, heaving site of the 2017 U.S. Open just 45 minutes northwest. They also might stop at one of the area’s strong public facilities like Brown Deer Park, where Tiger Woods played his first PGA Tour event as a professional, or The Bog, a countryside Arnold Palmer design with 118 bunkers.

Given Maui’s idyllic setting, bad places to play. Yet there’s only one must-play venue, the Plantation Course at Kapalua, recently revamped by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. The Gold and Emerald courses at Wailea deserve consideration as well, as does King Kamehameha rising 750 feet above the island’s north shore.

11. San Diego / Carlsbad, Calif.

No golf trip to San Diego is complete without a visit to the city-owned North and South Courses at Torrey Pines, host of the 2021 U.S. Open. But more gold awaits in SoCal’s crinkled hills in the form of Omni La Costa Resort, Tom Fazio’s Rams Hill, and Barona Creek, reopening this summer after a comprehensive renovation.

12. Traverse City, Mich.

Traverse City is central to an abundance of fine resort golf. Arcadia Bluffs (Bluffs and South courses) is an hour southwest. Forest Dunes (Forest Dunes and The Loop, plus a new 10-hole short course) is 90 minutes east. And Boyne Highlands, with four 18-hole courses, is within a two-hour drive north.

13. Phoenix / Scottsdale

The biggest challenge facing participants on a buddies trip to the Phoenix area is how to narrow the choices, and how to fit it all in. The Valley of the Sun offers endless combinations of multi-round golf days, including We-Ko-Pa, Troon North, Grayhawk, Talking Stick, Wickenburg Ranch, TPC Scottsdale and the remodeled Papago Municipal.

14. Napa Valley, Calif.

Mornings swinging clubs at Silverado Resort, Chardonnay Golf Club, Eagle Vines or nearby Hiddenbrooke can lead to afternoons swirling wine at dozens of tasting rooms throughout Napa Valley, where the moderate climate and off-course attractions are as much of a reason to come as the golf.

A trip here can go several directions: Innisbrook Golf Resort and the famed Copperhead Course are 45 minutes north of the Tampa airport; Tom Fazio’s World Woods is another 30 minutes north, and Black Diamond Ranch is just beyond that; an hour southeast are the Red, Blue and Black at Streamsong, all among Golf Digest’s top-rated public courses.

INTERNATIONAL

1. St. Andrews, Scotland

A pilgrimage to the Home of Golf could simply consist of playing the seven courses of the St. Andrews Links Trust (the Old Course, the Castle Course, the New, etc.). However, short excursions to nearby authentic links like Crail, Elie and Lundin should be on any itinerary, and Gleneagles and Carnoustie are each about an hour’s drive away.

2. Republic of Ireland / Northern Ireland

Portrush’s popularity is soaring after the 2019 Open Championship, bookending a Northern Ireland trip opposite Golf Digest World No. 1 Royal County Down. Ballybunion, Lahinch and Waterville highlight Ireland’s southwest coast, and Carne, Enniscrone and Rosapenna await in the wild dunes of the northwest.

3. Aberdeen / Inverness, Scotland

Golf in Northeast Scotland, beginning above Inverness at Brora and Royal Dornoch, is great and wonderfully uncrowded. Castle Stuart, just south, kicks off a stellar road trip of new and old links that stretches through Nairn, south to the incomparable Cruden Bay, then onto Royal Aberdeen and its neighbor Murcar.

4. East Lothian, Scotland

North Berwick and Muirfield headline the golf-centric region surrounding Edinburgh, but other venerable links abound, including Dunbar, Kilspindie, Luffness, the three courses at Gullane, and the original nine holes inside the Musselburgh racetrack, among the oldest courses in the world.

5. Ayrshire, Scotland

Ayrshire—Scotland’s southwest coast—is home to bucket-list courses like Royal Troon, Turnberry and Prestwick, where the first 11 Open Championships were played. It can also be the launching point for more far-flung excursions out to Machrihanish, The Machrie, Shiskine and, for the most adventurous, the Outer Hebrides and Askernish.

6. Nova Scotia, Canada

It might be odd to suggest an add-on drive two and a half hours beyond the destination, but travelers to Cabot Links (home of Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs, both in Golf Digest’s World top 35, and a new short course opening this summer) would be remiss not to visit Cape Breton Highlands Links, one of the great scenic walks in golf.

7. New Zealand

Most of the golf that international groups play is located on the North Island, notably Cape Kidnappers, Kauri Cliffs, Jack Nicklaus’ Kinloch Club, Alister MacKenzie’s redesign at Titarangi and Paraparaumu Beach. While here, why not take a shot at getting on Tara Iti, the private retreat ranked Golf Digest’s second-best international course?

Brian Krehbiel

8. Australia

Melbourne’s Sand Belt courses (Royal Melbourne, Kingston Heath, Metropolitan, Victoria, etc.) deserve their own special trip, but so do places like St. Andrews Beach and the National Golf Club. And other top 100 courses, including Cape Wickham and Barnbougle Dunes, are just a short plane ride away.

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The Golfer’s Bucket List: The Best Golf Trips you need to Book Now

Are you looking for the best golf trips but have no clue where to start searching? One of the many amazing things about the great game of golf is that you can play it worldwide and meet new people around the globe. There are hundreds of thousands of courses around the world for you and your golfing buddies to tee it up.

But figuring out where to start planning your next golf trip is pretty overwhelming. Depending on your location, you might only be a short drive to an incredible golf destination. Or, you might be hours away and need to catch a flight to make it happen. 

Either way, traveling to play new golf courses is almost always worth it. I suggest making a list with some of your frequented buddies and start planning 1-2 a year. Once you read this post, you’ll know exactly which trip you should tackle next.

Planning Golf Trips

Before we dive into booking these amazing golf trips, let’s talk about planning them. This way you can easily compare golf destinations and figure out which is next up for your vacation. 

Destination 

The first thing to start thinking about when planning your golf is planning where you want to go. Do you want to travel somewhere close? Or, take a flight over the pond to the home of golf for an unforgettable golf experience? Planning the two are very different tasks as you need to figure out flights, hotels, golf reservations, and a lot more. 

The first step is brainstorming with your buddies about where you want to play in the world. Is it a stop on the PGA Tour? Do you want to play a true bucket list course like Pebble Beach or St. Andrews? Or, is it just a fun trip that is solely focused on golf? 

Once you’ve narrowed your choices down, the next thing to consider is budget.

As you know, golf is not a cheap sport. From golf clubs, gadgets, and tee times, it all adds up fast. Traveling to play epic courses only adds to it (but it’s more than worth it of course).

Once you have a few selections for your next destination, do some research on the budget that is required for each golfer to go. Think about things like:

• Tee times : Do they have more than course with different green fees? Package deals? Stay-n-play?
• Transportation : Will you need to book flights ( read here on tips to flying with golf clubs )? Will you need to rent a car? Take a train? The farther you are from your destination, the more costly it is for round trip transportation.
• Lodging : How much will it cost to stay per night? Does the course require you to stay on premise to book tee times in advance? How many people per room? Are there houses nearby to rent? 
• Other costs : These might include dining (is any included), other activities like sporting events, non-golf excursions (fishing, sailing, etc.). 

This step is crucial in planning an awesome golf getaway. Ideally, you’ll want to price out the trip per person or per couple so you can start pitching people on the idea and give them a ballpark price range. 

Length of Trip 

Another important factor is the length of time your golf trip will take. While longer is more fun and has more time to hit bombs and make birdies, it has downsides as well. 

First off, longer trips mean a higher budget which might not work for everyone in your group. Second, the longer the trip means more time off of work as well. While 2-3 days might be enough for some trips that are close in proximity, others (like Ireland) might mean 10-11 days to get the full experience. 

Number of People 

Finally, don’t forget to factor in the number of golfers joining you as well. While more golfers is more fun and makes for better gambling games, it is also more complicated to plan as well.

But, sometimes certain resorts and golf courses will have packages for bigger groups (like birthday parties, bachelor parties, etc.). Now that you have a better understanding of what to think about for your next trip, let’s dive into the nearly endless possibilities. 

Best Golf Destinations in US 

While the home of golf might have originated from over the pond, there are some amazing golf vacations here in the United States as well. Here are some of our top picks:

Monterey, CA 

Monterey is such an awesome place for golfers as it has some of the most iconic courses with epic views that are rich with history. Think of Tom Watson chipping in on the 71st hole of the 1982 U.S. Open. Or, Tiger Woods pouncing on the field in the 2000 U.S. Open and beating them by 15 shots in arguably the best performance of his career! 

You can relive all of those memories and create your own at some of these amazing venues. 

Places to Play in Pebble Beach

Pebble beach.

When you think of bucket list trips in golf, it’s impossible to not add Pebble Beach to the list. The course isn’t cheap to play (one of the highest green fees on Earth) but it’s a piece of golfing history. Each hole has a ton of character, stunning views, and perfect playing conditions to make for an amazing round of golf. 

Spyglass Hills

While Spyglass isn’t as world renowned, a lot of people actually consider it better than Pebble Beach! I know it’s hard to believe but it’s a truly iconic course that has a few ocean holes before turning back inward with tree-laced fairways. I like to think of Spyglass as the West Coast Augusta National- slick greens, tight fairways, and amazing course conditions.  

Spanish Bay

The third place to paly at the resort is Spanish Bay which isn’t as famous as the previous two but still a great track. Several holes ride the Pacific Ocean and are the easiest of the three tracks. Plus, it’s a few hundred bucks cheaper than Spyglass or Pebble which makes it more cost effective for the everyday golfer. 

Poppy Hills

Another popular option in the Carmel area is Poppy Hills. This club is a stop for the PGA Tour Champions and is a Golf Digest Top 100 Public Golf Course. Rates are around $200 per player and still provide a great golfing experience in Pebble Beach. 

Golf History . As soon as you arrive at the resort, you can feel the golf history instantly.

When you walk through the clubhouse, pro shop, and the grounds, you can’t forget about all the iconic tournaments that have taken place at Pebble. Plus, they have all kinds of golf memorabilia, trophies, and more to remind of the truly historic events that have happened over the years.

Iconic Views . Perhaps the best part of the Monterey area are the incredible views. The first few holes of Spyglass are near the Pacific Ocean and a large stretch of Holes on Pebble are right on the ocean as well. 

Hole #7 at Pebble Beach is the short par-3 that is only 100 yards away but can play double the distance with wind. Hole #8 requires your approach to carry the ocean, and the next two holes have the ocean on your right. Make sure to hire a caddy so someone can document the trip and get some pictures with the Pacific Ocean as a truly iconic backdrop. 

Price . Don’t get me wrong, I expect bucket list trips to cost more than a normal round of golf but Pebble doesn’t make it easy for the average golfer to make it happen. Rounds are between $300 at Spanish Bay, $400 at Spyglass, and $500+ at Pebble Beach. 

Not to mention, you have to stay at the resort to make a tee time in advance. Did I mention the starting room at the resort (2-night minimum) is about $600 for a pretty standard hotel room? 

Plus, caddy fees (optional but encouraged), flights, and possibly renting a car to get to the resort. The experience costs a pretty penny but if you’re going to go, splurge and play Spyglass and Pebble to make it worth it. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed. 

Weather . While the weather is more consistent than some destinations, you could still face some weird weather as it’s located right on the ocean. Plan accordingly and expect some rain in the winter months . 

Bandon, OR 

One of the premiere golf destination on the West Coast is Bandon Dunes. Bandon has a total of five full size 18 holes, a par 3 (Bandon Preserve) and a 100,000 square feet putting green known as the Punchbowl. 

While it’s not easy to play all five in a single golf trip, it’s worth returning to for a second visit to play the rest and repeat your favorites. The best way to book this trip is through Bandon Dunes website directly so you can incorporate transportation, lodging, and golf with a single package. Plus, they are used to handling large groups of people which makes it easier for the person in charge of booking everything. 

Another place to play in Oregon is the Bend/Sunriver area. They have incredible options from great designers like Tom Fazio and other top designers.

Places to Play

The six options for your next golfing vacation at Bandon Dunes are:

Bandon Dunes

The original, Bandon Dunes, was founded in 1999 and received the highest of praise ever since from everyone in the golfing community. It’s consistently made top 50 golf courses (and public courses) in the world by Golf Digest and is a truly iconic links layout that isn’t very common in the US. 

Pacific Dunes

Pacific Dunes opened two years after the original design and is a very different feel than Bandon. Pacific Dunes blends beautifully with the terrain to produce firm fairways, lots of wind, and 60-foot sand dunes. Get your game ready for this course as it’s a true test of your skills! 

Bandon Trails

The third course at the resort is Bandon Trails which has more a meadow feel than a traditional dunes layout. It is built into the coastal forest and ends with a stretch of holes in a normal, links style.

Old Macdonald

The fourth option on the property is Old Macdonald. These 18 holes have massive greens and deep bunkers in a very traditional, old-school design. 

Sheep Ranch

This final full-size track at Bandon is Sheep Ranch. It just opened in June 2020 and is only a mile from the ocean with several shots directly over the water.

It was originally intended to be a private course but after sitting for nearly a decade, it is the latest design to open at Bandon. No carts allowed on this course so get ready to walk! 

Bandon Preserve

If you need a break from full-length tracks, have some fun at the Bandon Preserve. This is a stellar par-3 course that will challenge you more than most executive style courses and is in perfect condition. 

Huge selection of golf. With five full 18 holes, a par-3, and a fun putting course, you will not get bored at this spectacular resort. Not to mention, the courses are in fantastic shape year round. Since they have so many courses, even if an 18 is closed for seasonal maintenance, you can always play the other four as well. 

Caddies. There are no shortages of caddies available at Bandon and highly suggest taking advantage of them to make the round more enjoyable. With so much terrain, wind, and weather, caddies will make the experience a lot more fun. Plus, you’ll likely play better with their local knowledge as well. 

Lodging. If you’re going with a big group of guys, Bandon has exceptional lodging options right on the resort. They have five accommodations for all your lodging needs including spacious four-bedroom cottages at the Grove.

Weather : While Bandon might have some of the best courses in the United States it also has some of the most inconsistent weather ever. Locals say the best time of year to visit is in September but it’s also peak season rates. Allegedly, February is the other secret time to visit and get to play at off-season rates. Plan accordingly!

Location : Aside from a lot of wind and rain, getting to Bandon isn’t easy. The closest major airport is Portland which is still a 90-minute drive from the resort. Unless you fly in on a small private jet to the Bandon airport, expect a little bit of a drive after you take a flight to Portland.

The third destination on our list of amazing golfing vacations is moving coasts to sunny South Florida. If you want to tee it up where the PGA Tour pros live, South Florida might be the destination for you and your buddies. There are tons of great golf clubs and amazing weather to make it a great place to cure your winter blues. 

Best Public Golf Courses in Florida

For the sake of this article, we’ll keep it public options that anyone can book a tee time on (even if it’s cheap). Otherwise, we’d include places like Seminole (Tiger’s home club) and others.

TPC Sawgrass

Perhaps one of the most iconic holes in the world is the island green 17th at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, located in northeast Florida. Wedged between the difficult par-5 16th and long par-4 18th, it’s one of the best closing stretches ever. Pete Dye outdid himself here!

Not to mention, the other 15 holes are incredible as well and host the PGA Tour’s 5th Major (The Players Championship) each year. Overall, it’s an amazing golfing experience with other world-class facilities close by. Let’s get real, who doesn’t want a crack at the island green? 

You can also play the other option, Dye’s Valley, which hosts a Korn Ferry event and is also highly recommended. Plus, it’s only a fraction of the price. Book these directly through the TPC site for vacation packages and the “ Tour Player Experience ” as well. 

Streamsong  

Another great place to tee it up in Florida is the luxury Streamsong Resort near Tampa. This golf resort offers three stellar courses (the red, white, and blue) so you can play a ton of golf without much travel. In fact, they make it easy to stay at the resort and play with amazing accommodations and packages.

Some of their offerings include a Stay and Play 18 package, the Tour package, and more. Plus, there’s tons of non golf activities that are fun too including a spa, bass fishing, archery and more. Book this directly through Streamsong so you don’t have to find a hotel, rent a car or Uber, and can have everything you need in a single place.

Trump Doral

Another gem of Florida is the Trump Doral Golf Club in Miami Florida. While most golfers know “The Blue Monster” there are three other courses there that you can play for even cheaper! 

Plus, you can stay at the stunning resort and not have to rent a car or Uber to each course. They also have fine dining, a spa and other amenities to make it an awesome experience for a moderate price. I suggest booking this directly through the website to take advantage of any offers they’re running. 

Pros of Florida Golf 

Huge amount of options. There are more than 1,200 courses in the state of Florida! Are you kidding me? This is more than other state and makes it impossible to ever get bored playing the same place. Find an area you want to go to (Tampa, Miami, etc.) and start booking ones around you! 

Weather . They don’t call it the Sunshine state for nothing! Florida has amazing beaches and consistently good weather compared to the rest of the country. But be warned, the humidity and tropical temperatures will make summer golf more challenging.

Cons of Florida Golf

I really can’t think of many since there is such a massive amount of courses it’s pretty much paradise for every golfer! 

Prices . Prices aren’t all bad but it’s worth noting there are some expensive green fees in Florida. However, with over 1,000 options, there is a budget for everyone. But more famous courses like Doral and others will set you back more than others on this list.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Moving north from Florida is another iconic destination in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. If you’re on the east coast and looking for an ultimate golfing experience, look no further than Myrtle Beach. 

With over 100 options in the area, you will have more options than you have time. Not to mention, it’s close to the beach, has plenty of nightlife, and amazing resorts to stay at. Since there are so many places to play, I suggest booking through Myrtle Beach Golf as they have a lot more details on each venue, packages, and provide instant quotes for your trip.

With over 100 different venues, it’s hard to narrow down just a few but here are some of the top rated by Golf Digest and Golf Magazine. 

Dunes Golf and Beach Club

The Dunes Golf and Beach Club was ranked #54 in America’s Top 100 Greatest public courses in 2019. Originally launched by Robert Trent Jones in 1992, it’s had several multi-million dollar renovations to give you an unbelievable experience. If you play this one, enjoy the hole named “Waterloo” where Lake Shingleton comes into play and received numerous awards as one of the greatest golf holes ever.  

Caledonia Golf and Fish Club 

Another top pick and highly acclaimed option is the Caledonia Golf and Fish Club. It’s been featured in top publications and magazines for it’s classic design, rich history, and amazing conditions.

Go here to read our full article on Golf Course Design.

True Blue Golf Club 

The final “must play” course in the Myrtle Beach area is the True Blue Golf Club. It was ranked in Golf Magazine as a top resort for you and your golfing buddies in 2019. It’s huge fairways and undulating greens paired with elevation make for a spectacular day of golf! 

Tons of places to play. With more than 100 tracks in the Myrtle Beach area, you will have no shortage of golf options in a very short distance. 

Price . Compared to some of the other destinations, the full Myrtle Beach experience is a smaller price tag. 

Inconsistent weather. While you can get some good weather in December even, it’s pretty spotty at times. Plus, with a ton of humid conditions, it’s not an ideal fit for a lot of golfers.

Pinehurst, North Carolina

While Myrtle Beach has 100 courses, North Carolina has some great venues as well. But the crown jewel of them all is Pinehurst Resort. 

If you’re like most golfers, when you think of Pinehurst golf resort you probably think of the late Payne Stewart and his heroic showing in the 1999 US Open. His legendary performance topped Phil Mickelson in one of his many crushing major defeats.  

When booking, I suggest going through the official Pinehurst website as they have different accommodations including the Donald Ross golf package, Bed & Breakfast, and custom packages. 

Places to Play at Pinehurst 

There are nine full-length (yes, nine) courses at Pinehurst (named Pinehurst #1, #2, etc.). They also have “The Cradle Short Course” which is a nine hole par-3 as well. All of them have gotten rave reviews from golfers and media but make sure that you play: 

Pinehurst #1

This is the original design from 1898 that will test your game despite being more than a century old. 

Pinehurst #2

Pinehurst #2 allows you to play where tons of majors have been hosted and see championship golf first hand. According to the website , “Pinehurst #2 has served as the site of more single golf championships than any course in America and hosted back-to-back U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open Championships for the first time in 2014. The U.S. Open will return in 2024.”

Amazing venues. All nine options live up to the high standard of Pinehurst #1 from the late 1800s. They’ve created such a great experience for golfers who truly love the history of the game.

All-in-one. With nine options available and amazing lodging, you can book it all together for an unbelievable golfing package .

Price. While it’s less than Pebble Beach, rates are still between $300-$400 per player per round (on #1-5). Booking as a package does save some money but overall, this trip won’t be a cheap one.

Mesquite, Nevada 

Moving back West, let’s not forget about the scenic views in Mesquite, Nevada. Less than an hour from Las Vegas, you have tons of amazing places to paly at very affordable prices. Plus, you’re not far from Sin City so you can hit the tables and have more fun on the strip as well. When booking, look for package details on Mesquite Golf Courses . 

Places to Play in Nevada

The top palce to play in Mesquite, Nevada is Wolf Creek. The course has received a ton of accolades and is considered the ultimate golf experience. It’s incredibly scenic and provides some of the best views you’ll ever have with elevated tee shots and beautiful scenery.

Coyote Springs

Another great options in the desert of Nevada is Coyote Springs which was ranked a top course in the state and is a Jack Nickalus design. 

Conestoga 

Conestoga is another place I’d highly recommend as it has tons of scenic views, fast greens, and gorgeous scenery. 

Price. For a bucket list experience, it’s a fraction of the price of playing Pebble or Pinehurst. Plus, the other venues aside from Wolf Creek are even less expensive and usually can find tons of great deals.

Location . Getting to Las Vegas is easy and having regular shuttles from Vegas to Mesquite make it wildly convenient.  

Weather. Being that it is a desert, you will have some extreme low temperatures in the winter and temperatures of 100 degrees or more in the summer. 

Southern California

It’s hard to beat Southern California. Beaches, amazing courses, tons of activities, and perfect weather year round. Southern California is home to some of the best players ever and where Tiger Woods and Phil Mickeslon got their start in the game. 

Not to mention, Tiger had his iconic win at the 2008 US Open where he beat Rocco Mediate in an 18-hole Monday playoff. Somehow, Tiger played through a torn ACL to win the major before his drought that finally ended at the 2019 Masters. 

If you do want to play Torrey with a tee time in advance, you’ll want to book and stay directly at “The Lodge.” These are amazing accommodations right on the course and will ensure you can book a tee time more than a day in advance.

Places to Play in San Diego

Torrey pines (north and south).

Torrey Pines has two championship courses that play host to a PGA Tour event every year as part of the West Coast swing. Players compete a round on the North and three rounds on the more challenging, South. The North was recently updated and has made it nearly as good as the South 18 holes. 

La Costa Resort and Spa

While not as iconic as Torrey Pines, La Costa is another amazing experience and has hosted PGA & LPGA Tour events. Plus, they have two 18 holes, an amazing spa, and incredible lodge to enhance your stay. 

Cost . Compared to Pebble Beach, this place is a bargain! While it might not be quite as iconic as Pebble, it’s still incredible golf and an amazing destination year round. 

Not as many options. While there are some gems like Torrey Pines and La Costa, overall it’s not like Pinehurst, South Florida, or Scottsdale.  It’s harder to book a golf vacation as you’ll have more driving and commuting to play great tracks.

Scottsdale, AZ

Scottsdale is another great place to play some golf with your buddies and make some awesome memories. First off, the Phoenix area gets more sun than pretty much anywhere in the world.

It’s either hot or hotter pretty much everyday of the year. Luckily, it’s a very dry heat so you don’t have to worry about tons of humidity like South Florida and other golfing destinations. 

Places to Play in Scottsdale/Phoenix

Tpc scottsdale.

Another fan favorite to watch every year is the Waste Management which is held at the TPC Scottsdale Stadium course. Thousands upon thousands of fans cheer, harass, and get rowdy with every single shot that’s played on the iconic par-3 16th hole. 

You can play there and experience the shot as well (minus the 50,000+ screaming fans). Sadly, they do take the grandstands down after the event but if you time it right, you might get to play with them. They also have another 18 hole championship course that won’t dissapoint.

Quintero is tucked away slightly north of Phoenix but worth the drive. It has tons of elevation changes which create some memorable but challenging holes. 

Lots of activities. Not only is Scottsdale home to some great golf tracks, but there are tons of events going on year round. Arguably the best time to visit is in February-March where they have spring training for the half the MLB. Plus, hockey, football, and tons of other entertainment (like TopGolf, casinos, etc).

Weather . Unlike most golfing destinations on this list you don’t have to worry about weather when visiting the Phoenix area. It’s pretty much always sunny year round with a very dry heat. 

Convenient . Phoenix Sky Harbor airport is positioned perfectly and only a short Taxi, Uber or drive to Scottsdale. With direct routes to every major airport, this makes it a huge perk of visiting Scottsdale.

Prices . Sometimes the valley of the sun does get a little pricey in peak season. Since most of the world is freezing cold, Scottsdale charges a pretty penny for lodging and golf November – March.  

Weather . That’s right, weather is a pro and a con for golf in Scottsdale. If you struggle with intense heat, I would recommend skipping May – September as it’s insanely hot. Sometimes the temperatures crack 110 degrees in the summer without ever cooling down below 85 degrees. Paired with the monsoon season in July-August, it’s not always the most ideal golfing conditions. 

Europe Golf Trips

While the US has tons of golf trips around the country, we can’t forget over the pond. The UK is the home of the great sport that we all love. There are hundreds of link style venues that will help you create a bucket list trip that you’ll never forget. 

Scotland & Ireland 

Scotland has over 100 iconic courses so I can’t list them all but here are some of the best ones that we highly recommend. When booking, I suggest finding a company to help you sync it all together. Since you’re traveling internationally, there are a lot more moving pieces (time difference, transportation, lodging, etc.). This way you make sure everything gets booked properly and have the best experience possible.

Trump Turnberry

Trump Turnberry is one of the most iconic places to play in the world. It’s consistently ranked as a top top course in Scotland and will test your game unlike any other. 

St. Andrews

Known as “The Home of Golf” you won’t want to miss this amazing, old school links golf course . The Old Course at St. Andrews has hosted 29 Open Championships and featured some of the most amazing shots in golf history. Not to mention, amazing holes like the Roadhole bunker and an iconic 18th will create memories that will last a lifetime. 

According to golf historians, Murfield is the oldest golf course in the world and founded in 1744! If you’re looking for a golf course that is rich with golf history, this is the one for you. 

Carnoustie 

Carnoustie has four courses and hosted the Open Championship eight times, senior Open Championship, and the Women’s British Open in 2011. This course was founded in 1842 and is the scene of the infamous meltdown by Jean Van De Velde in the 199 Open Championship. 

Ireland Golf

If you want to venture to Ireland instead of Scotland, you’ll have no shortage including:

• Lahinch 
• Ballybunion
• European Club
• Portmarnock Championship
• Trump International Golf Links 

And hundreds more!

Historic. These old school courses have been around for hundreds of years and have a rich history for anyone who appreciates the game.

Links style. This style isn’t for everyone but it’s fun to play the game like they did in the old days. 

Weather. Golf over the pond doesn’t tend to bring sunshine and good weather, quite the opposite. This will tend to yield lots of wind, rain , and cold harsh conditions. 

Costs. Traveling to Europe isn’t cheap but if you do make the journey, go for a long enough time to make the most of it. 

Other Notable Venues

While the destinations above will provide truly amazing golf trips, there are some one off golf courses that I had to add to this list as well.

Whistling Straits

Whistling Straits is one of two luxury golf courses in Wisconsin. It’s hosted several major championships and set to host the 2020 Ryder Cup. There are nearly 1,000 bunkers so you’re in for some entertaining shots during your round. Plus, the other course, Blackwolf Run, is also a highly acclaimed golf course too.

Wynn Golf Course – Las Vegas, NV

The Wynn Golf Course is located right on the strip and provides an experience unlike anything else. It’s always been a gem for high rollers but was closed for nearly two years as the resort was planning on building a new entertainment center. Things changed and the course reopened in 2019 giving guests a chance to tee it up steps from Las Vegas Blvd. 

Fair warning, this course isn’t easy to get a tee time on. You need to stay at the Wynn resort or have a connection to make it happen. Not to mention, the green fees are ridiculously high at around $550 per round (when in Vegas right?). But, you do get a caddy, full service locker rooms, carts stocked with beverages, and an amazing facility. 

Calusa Pines Golf Club

Another top course in Florida is the Calusa Pines Golf Club. This course regularly earns a spot in the top five courses in the state and is only a short 2 hour drive from Miami and Fort Lauderdale. They have some of the fastest fairways and greens in the state so it makes for some fun golf! 

Final Thoughts

As you can tell, there is no shortage of amazing golf trips around the globe. It really depends on what your budget is, how many days you want to spend, and who you want to make the journey with. Some trips will be easy to book while others will require a little more planning on your end.

At the end of the day, while some of these might seem like a small fortune to play, go ahead and purchase a travel bag , buy plane ticket, and start working on your golf trip packing list because these trips will create memories you will cherish forever. Whether you’re going with golfing buddies or family, I don’t think you will be disappointed with any of these destinations.

Our Expert Picks: 5 Best Golf Trips for Guys

Golf trips for guys are some of the most cherished pastimes in the sport. After all, there’s nothing like playing the world’s best courses with some of your closest buddies. The best golf trips for guys offer incredible cuisine, lively nightlife, world-class golf, and plenty of activities for days spent off the fairways. These top five locations deliver on all counts.

The Best Golf Trips for Guys You Should Consider

1. kohler, wisconsin.

As one of the best golf trips for guys, Kohler offers some of the most incredible golf, all at Destination Kohler. 

Number of available courses: 4

Signature courses: The River Course

Best nearby hotel/resort: The American Club

The resort boasts the only Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond rated resort-hotel in Wisconsin. More than a dozen dining options are also available as one of the best golf trips for guys along with world-class golf at Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run. Whistling Straits boasts a links-inspired design with windswept fairways, incredible views of Lake Michigan, deep bunkers, and natural grasses. Blackwolf Run is also a celebrated track and features glacier-carved terrain and flowing rivers.

2. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

With 60 miles of uninterrupted coastline and some of the best golf in the low-country, Myrtle Beach is sure to make for one of the best golf trips for guys.

Number of available courses: 90+

Signature courses: Dunes Golf & Beach Club, Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, True Blue Golf Club

Best nearby hotel/resort: Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes

While Myrtle Beach offers almost a hundred incredible golf courses, the post-round activities are what make this city one of the best golf trips for guys. A variety of restaurants, bars, shopping, and sightseeing activities are just a few things you can enjoy on your golf vacation. The city also boasts dozens of mini-golf courses for more golf after sundown.

3. Pinehurst, North Carolina

Recently announced as the U.S. Open’s First Anchor Site at Pinehurst No. 2, there is always something new to enjoy at Pinehurst Resort. As the “Cradle of American Golf,” it doesn’t take long to see why Pinehurst is one of the best golf trips for guys. 

Number of available courses: 9

Signature courses: No. 2, No. 4

Best nearby hotel/resort: The Carolina Hotel, The Holly Inn

Nine golf courses are available to experience at Pinehurst along with The Cradle, a 789-yard short course. Off the course, enjoy a craft beer at the Pinehurst Brewing Co. or a day spent at the on-site spa.

4. St. Andrews, Scotland

With fairways that have endured 600 years of golf, St. Andrews is one of the best golf trips for guys. The course boasts some of the game’s most iconic landmarks including the infamous “Hell Bunker” on the 14th Hole and the Swilcan Bridge where every golfer that passes must pause for a photo.

Number of available courses : 7

Signature courses: The Old Course

Best nearby hotel/resort: The Old Course Hotel

St. Andrews is the largest public golf complex in Scotland, making it a popular spot on golf trips for guys. An array of pubs and restaurants in town are the perfect spot to end the day reminiscing on the best (and worst) shots of the day or meeting some of the locals.

5. Bandon, Oregon

Opened in 1999, Bandon Dunes has long been one of the most celebrated golf destinations on the west coast and in the world. It’s also one of the best golf trips for guys to experience “golf as it was meant to be.”

Number of available courses: 6

Signature courses: Pacific Dunes

Best nearby hotel/resort: The Lodge at Bandon Dunes

Located on the rugged coast of Oregon, golf at Bandon Dunes is meant to reside in harmony with the natural landscape. With the addition of Sheep Ranch in 2020, six distinctly unique courses are all available on your golf trip for guys.

To ensure your whole group travels hassle-free on the best golf trips for guys, fill out our Group Shipping Request Form for a potential shipping discount.

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The 6 Best Golf Trips For Guys – Let Us Guide Your Tour!

After traveling to more than 60 countries in my short life, I have had the privilege of playing some stellar golf courses in epic destinations. As a result, I have gone ahead and put together my 8 best golf trips for guys.

Socializing is potentially the best part of golf. Getting out on the course to shoot the breeze and enjoy the sport with your buddies is time well spent. There is only one thing that beats a round with your mates, and that is a fully-fledged tour.

I have included a mix of local and international destinations, to offer a variety for golfers on all budgets, and schedules. Off we go…

1. Cape Town, South Africa

2. myrtle beach, south carolina, 3. las vegas, 4. honolulu, hi, 5. st andrews, scotland, 6. mauritius, 1. west palm beach, fl, 2. milwaukee, wi, final thoughts, related articles, best golf trips and tours for guys.

Cape Town, South Africa may not be a destination that pops into your head when you think about golf vacations, but it tops my list. Here is why. They have a trove of world-class golf courses, a variety of activities, quality accommodation and it is super affordable.

The country’s official currency is South African Rands, and US$ 1 will get you ZAR 14. To put it into perspective, 18 holes at one of the best courses in the area will only set you back $66.

Courses: 27

Must-Play Courses: Erinvale Golf Club, Royal Cape Town, Atlantic Beach, Pearl Valley

Best Hotels/Resorts: Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Grace, De Zalze Lodge. Pearl Valley Hotel

Other Activities: Wine Tours, Beaches, Diving, Surfing, Restaurants, Bars, Museums, Hiking

Best Time To Visit: November – April

Golf Courses Around Cape Town

Cape Town is privileged to have 27 golf courses around the metropolitan, ranging from parkland to links and championship courses. It is suggested that you kick off your trip with a round at Royal Cape , South Africa’s oldest golf course founded in 1885. From there you should move away from the City and into the Winelands to play a round at the Gary Player-designed Erinvale Golf Club.

After Erinvale, head over to Gary’s mate’s course, Pearl Valley. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, the course was ranked number 2 in the 2021 edition of South Africa’s top 100. Finally, it’s worth capping off your tour with a round at either Atlantic Beach or Milnerton Golf Club, which give you a clear view of the Cape Town city bowl and the iconic Table Mountain .

Activities Around Cape Town

Besides quality golf courses in the Cape Town metropolitan, there are a host of other activities to undertake on your tour. Taste some of South Africa’s world-class wines, surf the Indian and Atlantic ocean waves on the same day and savor the taste of an array of dining experiences.

The biggest downside of a golf tour to Cape Town is the lengthy flight, but it is well worth it. You can fly directly to Cape Town from a variety of European and Middle East airports. Currently United is the only one flying direct from the US to Cape Town, but you also have the option of flying on Delta from Atlanta to Johannesburg, and then onto Cape Town.

If you have the time, it is worth taking a three-day safari in the East of South Africa , before making your way home. Sighting the big five after playing some quality courses, is the right way to cap off a golf trip with the guys. As far as bang for your buck goes, Cape Town not only offers one of the best golf trips in the world. But, one of the best golf trips on a budget.

As far as golfing vacations in the continental US go, there are few better destinations than Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The vacation resort town boasts 90 golf courses, making it the destination on this list, with the most options. The area is also home to 60-miles of pristine beaches offering a wide variety of watersport activities, eateries, bars, and fishing spots.

There is no doubt that Myrtle Beach is one of the best golf trips east coast side that you can get.

Courses: 90

Must-Play Courses: Dunes Golf and Beach Club, Tidewater Golf Club, Caledonia Golf and Fish Club

Best Hotels/Resorts: Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort and Spa, Wyndham Dye Villas

Other Activities: Watersports, Miniature Golf, Fishing, Beaches, Museums

Best Time To Visit: March – June (Courses are overflowing with golfers due to the peak holiday season, so you will need to be patient.)

Golf Courses Around Myrtle Beach

The South Carolina resort town is home to an impressive 90 courses, many of which are designed by golf royalty. The course you absolutely have to book a tee time at is the Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed, Dunes Golf and Beach Club. To make it easy on you and the crew, you can stay on the premises at the Marriott Resort and Spa. Dunes are the top-ranked Myrtle Beach golf course by your favorite PGA Professionals .

Next, it is worth trying a course designed by a local and consistently ranks in the top 5 courses in the area. I am talking about Tidewater, which is one of the most scenic courses in the County. Finally, if you can, sneak in 18 at TPC Myrtle Beach, which happens to be the home course of current world number 1, Dustin Johnson. Maybe a round at DJ’s home base will do wonders for your game.

Activities Around Myrtle Beach

With 60-miles of pristine coastline to enjoy, most vacationers will spend their time on the beach. After a round of golf in warm conditions, one can’t be blamed for opting to float in the Atlantic ocean for the rest of the day. For the more sophisticated travelers, there are parks, gardens, and a variety of museums to visit.

If you are looking for a feed and a bit of fun at night, Myrtle Beach offers a diverse selection of restaurants and bars.

The entertainment capital of the world may have a reputation for its nightlife, and gambling establishments. But, it is also home to some immaculate golf courses, providing a perfect combination of golf and entertainment for a guys tour. With over 70 courses to choose from and a variety of accommodation, activities, and dining options, there is no shortage of options.

Courses: 70

Must-Play Courses: Chimera, Las Vegas National, Cascata Golf Club, Shadow Creek

Best Hotels/Resorts: Wynn Las Vegas, The Palazzo, JW Marriott Resort and Spa

Other Activities: Live Shows, Gambling, Fine Dining,

Best Time To Visit: March-May and September – November

Golf Courses Around Las Vegas

Sin City offers some incredible courses to test your skills in the desert. If you have the $500 budget for a round, it is worth getting a round in at the Tom Fazio-designed Shadow Creek. The course is no stranger to ranking in Golf Digest’s top 100 courses to play in the US.

Considering it is was the venue for Tiger Woods’ first PGA Tour victory, it is worth booking a tee time at the Las Vegas National Golf Club . The next course you should think about is the Rees Jones designed Rio Secco course, which is also the headquarters of the Butch Harmon School of Golf.

Finally, to cap off your best golf trip for guys to Las Vegas, I recommend a sneaky round at Chimera . The Ted Robinson Jr course offers an unparalleled view of the Vegas strip and Mount Charleston.

Activities Around Las Vegas

Vegas may be smack bang in the desert, but it is not short on activities. Besides the abundance of immaculate golf courses, the City of Sin offers live shows, a wealth of dining experiences, bars, and of course casinos. Lots and lots of casinos.

Honolulu is a true slice of paradise in the Pacific. Home to 40 courses , and offering an abundance of natural beauty, activities, and cocktails. Basically, heaven on earth. Honolulu may be renowned for its surfers, but there are more than enough well laid out courses to make this a paradise for golfers.

Courses: 40

Must-Play Courses: Ko Olina Golf Club, Turtle Bay Palmer Course, Hawaii Prince Golf Club, Waialae Country Club

Best Hotels/Resorts: Ko Olina Resort, Kahala Hotel, and Resort

Best Time To Visit: September – December

Golf Courses Around Honolulu

The tropical paradise of Oahu features 40 golf courses scattered across the island. The first course I recommend that you test is  Ko Olina golf club . Mesmerizing water features are found throughout the Ted Robinson designed layout. It features Golf Digest’s Top 75 resort courses in the United States. The next two rounds should see you and the crew take on Arnie Palmer’s designs.

First up is Turtle Bay’s Palmer Course . Be prepared to enter the wilderness as you navigate natural wetlands and dense Hawaiian jungle in search of par or birdie. Next, take on the Hawaii Prince Golf Club , which was created in collaboration with Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay. The course has 27 holes, with plenty of undulation, rapid greens, and water and sand traps.

Finally, end your tour by planning a round of 18 at Waialae Country Club , home to the Sony Open. A memorable way to cap off a few rounds of golf in paradise.

Activities Around Honolulu

Hawaii was made for outdoor adventurers. Hike on one of the 36 moderate trails, catch a wave at Waikiki beach or do a coral reef or shipwreck dive. If you prefer to take it easy after your round of golf, you can relax on one of the island’s 125 beaches.

When you are hungry, Honolulu offers a variety of Asian, Polynesian, and continental US cuisine to indulge. And, when your thirst kicks in, you can enjoy a May Tai, that the Hawaiians seem to have perfected.

No best golf trips for guys list would be complete without adding the place where the modern game was shaped. The town of St Andrews is a mecca for professional and amateur golfers, and if possible must be visited at least once in your life. The town is home to 7 iconic links-style courses and is Europe’s largest public golfing complex.

When you are not savouring the experience of playing at the home of golf. There is plenty of fly fishing to be done, whiskey to be tasted, and trails to be walked.

Must-Play Courses: The Old Course, The New Course, The Castle Course, The Jubilee Course

Best Hotels/Resorts: Fairmont St Andrews, Old Course Hotel

Other Activities: Whisky Tasting, Walking Trails, Museums

Best Time To Visit: March – June (This is low season, and the weather is mild.)

Golf Courses Around St Andrews

St Andrews is home to seven challenging links courses, with the most famous being the aptly named Old Course . Maybe this is the course you should end your stay with, in St Andrews, because it will leave you with a lasting impression. It is also necessary to be warmed up before you take on a course with hazards named “Hell Bunker.”

Other courses that are worth playing during your time in the land of whisky and quilts are the Castle Course , The New Course , and The Jubilee Course . It is recommended that you and the boys play the Castle Course first, as it is the newest in the St Andrew’s complex.

Then proceed to travel back in time and play the Jubilee Course that was built in 1897, followed by the Old Tom Morris designed New Course, opened in 1895. Finally, as I mentioned above cap off your trip by playing the oldest of them all.

Activities Around St Andrews

Other than golf, the Scottish seaside town is a place of culture. It is filled with museums, Cathedrals, walking trails, and some pubs and distilleries. Take the time to enjoy a whisky tasting, do a walking tour of the town, or grab a feed at one of the many gourmet pubs in the town.

This is a trip dedicated to culture, golf, and drinking.

Situated in the middle of the Indian Ocean, the island of Mauritius sits 703 miles off the coast of Madagascar. The breathtaking island offers visitors a wide variety of water sports, hiking, and beach activities. But, most importantly the Country which is seventeen times smaller than the New York metropolitan area, has 9 world-class golf courses .

Must-Play Courses: Ile aux Cerfs , Heritage Golf Club, Anahita, Tamarina

Best Hotels/Resorts: Anahita Golf Resort & Spa, Heritage Awali, Beachcomber Paradis Golf Resort & Spa, Tamarina, Belle Mare Plage (Legend).

Other Activities: Beaches, Watersports, Rum Tasting, Hiking Trails, Restaurants, Bars

Best Time To Visit: May – November

Golf Courses Around Mauritius

Mauritius offers some of the most spectacular views from a golf course in the world. Lush green fairways, ocean views, and quick manicured greens await you and your buddies. If you have the time it may be worth trying to fit in a round at all 7 courses on the island. If your time is limited I recommend booking a tee time at Anahita Golf Resort and Spa , Heritage Awali , Beachcomber Paradis , and Tamarina .

Activities Around Mauritius

The more mellow tourists can lounge around on white sandy beaches, sipping beers or cocktails, or venture out on a rum tasting. There are plenty of thrilling watersports and epic hiking trails to keep the adventurous kind satisfied.

Finally, Mauritius is renowned for incredible eating as it is home to a mix of cultures who brought their cuisines to the island. Enjoy a food tour through a market, or eat at one of the multiple restaurants on the island.

Honorable Mentions For Best Golf Trips For Guys

Courses: 100 (within a 20-mile radius)

Must-Play Courses: Osprey Point, North Palm Beach Country Club, PGA National, Abacoa Golf Club

Best Hotels/Resorts: The Breakers, PGA National Resort & Spa

Other Activities: Beaches, Watersports, Restaurants, Bars

Best Time To Visit: October – May

Courses: 46 (within a 20-mile radius)

Must-Play Courses: Brown Deer Park, Erin Hills, The Bog, Fire Ridge Golf Club

Best Hotels/Resorts: The Lodge at Erin Hills, Grand Geneva Resort and Spa

Other Activities: Beer Tasting, Art Galleries, Museums, Lake Sports, Nightlife

Best Time To Visit: June – September

So, there you have the six best golf trips for guys around the world. We have searched for destinations that offer a wide variety of courses to enjoy, combined with an array of options off the course. Based on the affordability, bang for your buck, and the abundance of alternative activities we believe Cape Town, South Africa offers you and your buddies one of the best golf trips in the world.

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Nick is the founder of GolfSpan and an avid golfer. He's not quite a pro but has over 15 years of experience playing and coaching golfers worldwide. His mission is to bring the golfing community a better experience when it comes to choosing the right golf gear and finding the right setup for your game.

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The Best Group Golf Getaways For Under $500

Round up the guys and play incredible courses for dirt-cheap prices

Golf getaways make for classic guy trips. But planning such an outing isn’t easy, especially when you have to ask a big group of people to agree on a weekend—and make the down payment.

It helps if you’re pitching great golf at rock-bottom prices.

Whether you and your buddies are looking for a quick overnighter or a three-night, 72-hole weekend jaunt with nearby nightlife, here are 10 of the best group golf trips for under $500. 

Barefoot Resort Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Myrtle Beach and “value golf” are practically synonymous, says Matt Ginella, travel insider for the Golf Channel’s Morning Drive .

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Sunriver Resort Sunriver, Oregon

Sunriver features four solid tracks—especially the Crosswater Club course—and is nestled close to Oregon’s Willamette National Forest, The resort’s stay-and-play golf packages are a steal at just $79 per guy, per night. 

Of course, you have to get there first. But the drive from either Eugene or Portland is a scenic 3 hours. Even Seattle is less than a day’s drive. ( Sunriver-resort.com )

Boyne Highlands  Harbor Springs, Michigan 

Michigan has more public golf courses than any other state. Along with plenty of greens and fairways, Boyne’s Northern Michigan location offers stunning views of Lake Michigan and the rolling, forested country that surrounds it. 

Starting around $350, you’ll get two nights lodging and four rounds at any of Boyne’s 10 award-winning courses. There’s not much nightlife, but shuttles from the resort can take you to nearby Odawa Casino—assuming you have any money left over from your day on the links. ( Boyne.com )

Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Alabama

With more than 20 courses spread among 11 resorts across Alabama, the “RTJ Golf Trail”—named for the prolific course architect Robert Trent Jones—is one of Ginella’s top destinations for value golf. 

If you’d rather roam free than stay at a single resort, combine the trail’s $90-per-day unlimited golf packages with various hotels. You’ll see more of the Cotton State while fitting in 36 holes a day on the cheap.  ( RTJgolf.com )

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Kingsmill Resort Williamsburg, Virginia

Golf, lodging, and breakfast starts at $169 per day. The rate isn’t bad—and neither is the golf at the resort’s two championship-level courses. 

Williamsburg isn’t the best spot if you want to get rowdy. (The city is big among Revolutionary War buffs, not Spring-Breakers.) But it’s an easy drive from D.C., Baltimore, and much of Virginia. ( Kingsmill.com )

Shanty Creek Resorts Bellaire, Michigan

Another Michigan gem, Shanty Creek’s four courses are more impressive than the resort’s folksy moniker would have you believe. With unlimited golf-plus-lodging packages starting at $129 per day, the price is about as low as you’ll find for quality golf and accommodations. ( Shantycreek.com )

Streamsong Resort  Streamsong, Florida 

Head south for the summer to score some seriously discounted golf at many of Florida’s nicest resorts. At Streamsong, summer stay-and-play packages start at $122 per night.

You and your friends can play on the resort’s two windswept links-style courses. ( Streamsongresort.com )

Talamore Golf Resort Southern Pines, North Carolina

Ginella says you could spend a lot more to play “some of the best golf in the world” at nearby Pinehurst No. 2—the site of multiple majors, including the 2014 U.S. Open. But the rates at Talamore are a lot friendlier, and the courses are still high quality. 

Three-night, four-round packages start at just $313 per person. ( Talamoregolfresort.com )

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French Lick Resort French Lick, Indiana

Recently rated one of the best resorts in the country by Golf Digest , French Lick offers one-night, two-round packages starting at $284 per person. 

If you live in Indianapolis, Louisville, or St. Louis, the course is an easy afternoon’s drive. Plus, you can say you visited Larry Bird’s hometown. ( Frenchlick.com )

Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort Palm Springs, California

With two courses ranked in Golf Week ’s “Best Courses You Can Play” in California, Indian Wells offers some of the finest open-to-the-public golf in the state. 

Packages for a lodging, breakfast, and 18 holes are around $200 per night, but call the resort and you’ll most likely land a better group price. http://indianwells.hyatt.com (Indianwells.hyatt.com) 

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Playing golf by yourself can be sublime—like when you’re sneaking in a few holes at sunset after work. Going out as a single with strangers can be rewarding, too, especially if you’ve queued from 5 a.m. to get out on the Old Course and exit the 18th green with three new friends.

But the best golf is the golf you get to play with old friends—or family members. Guys (or gals) you wish you could see more often—like my close friends Doug and Ray, with whom I’ve gone on a bunch of trips over the years. Even better are the too-infrequent opportunities to take a golf trip with your best pals to some far-flung bucket-list destination. You want to make the most of those chances.

Here’s a checklist to help you do that.

Traveling with others can be equal parts joy and stress. To avoid the latter, choose your fellow road warriors carefully. That guy who complains about everything may be tolerable in small doses, but a steady diet of him over the course of a week may not go down well. Large groups (more than eight) can also create logistical challenges. Confine your group to no more than one or two foursomes, and if you’re not sure whether a player can go the distance, consider leaving him or her off the invite list.

Any place can be special when you’re with good friends. But given the time and expense that goes into a buddies’ trip, you need to make sure the majority of the courses you’ll be playing are first-rate. At the end of the day, food is food. A hotel room is a hotel room. But every time you set foot on a new first tee, it’s like opening a present. Whether you’re staying in the U.S. or venturing overseas, play the best courses you can, with a lesser-known gem or two thrown in for variety.

It’s never easy to find a window that works for everyone. But I like to target the months of June and July. Why? There’s more daylight, which gives you the option of playing 36 without rushing—or to rejigger your tee times in case of bad weather. Shoulder seasons are normally cheaper, and winter golf down south is always welcome. But you gotta love those long summer days.

Once you’ve agreed on your dates and destination, pick an organizer—preferably someone who’s a stickler for details. Then, everyone else get out of the way. You’ll want consensus on details like how many rounds, how much you wish to spend, and other activities on top of golf. You can share info and opinions back and forth on a private Facebook page or Google doc, but planning a trip by committee usually ends in disaster—so don’t go there!

If you can, use a tour operator. They do so much for so little upcharge, and they can recommend special experiences along the way that would never even occur to you. If you can’t use a tour op, at least hire a transportation provider. For groups of more than four, this is a must. But even when you’re just a foursome, if your trip will involve any appreciable amount of time on the road you should leave the driving to someone who isn’t just coming off a career round and eager to celebrate. Nothing beats the taste of a cold post-round beer when you’re relaxing in a comfortable coach. And in truth, no rental vehicle that supposedly seats four will ever be big enough for four players plus their clubs and luggage. Trust me on this.

You also need to give some thought to sleeping arrangements. Yes, sharing rooms is cheaper, but nobody wants to be kept up all night by a roommate’s buzz-saw snoring. Separate rooms give everyone privacy—and room to decompress.

Finally, whenever possible, try to take advantage of stay-and-play packages. Those kinds of discounts really add up when multiplied by a bunch of travelers.

5. MAKING IT SPECIAL

Just spending time with close friends is special. Add in golf, and it’s a can’t-miss situation. But it’s often the little things that everyone remembers most fondly. Consider a group gift—customized balls or a hat or shirt. Include some “tournament” rounds for prizes (flasks make good trophies). Bring glow-in-the-dark balls and see if you can squeeze in a couple holes of night golf or a postprandial putting contest.

Make sure to also leave time for non-golf adventures. Take in a historic site or natural wonder. Visit a winery or distillery. Make reservations at a few special restaurants. And when you get home, create a Dropbox file or Google page where everyone can upload their favorite photos and videos. Those memories will sustain you until the next time you can hit the road together.

Ever been on a buddies’ golf trip? Let us know your best tips in the comments section below.

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7 Best Golf Trips For Guys

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The buddies golf trip is probably as old as the game itself.

The best golf trips for guys require a location with a variety of great courses, plenty of fun bars and nightlife, and an assortment of other activities to pass the time when you aren’t playing golf.

I wonder if Old Tom Morris would gather some of his friends together and take a road trip to a faraway links course. Nowadays you don’t have to throw the clubs on the back of a horse like they did. The entire globe is fair game for destination golf.

Just make sure you check our guide on the Best Golf Bags For Travel . Don’t go anywhere without a good travel case to protect your clubs.

Here are some great destinations to try for some of the best golf trips for guys.

1. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (My Top Pick)

Myrtle Beach is the perfect buddies’ golf destination. It has everything you would want…a huge selection of courses, a wide range of difficulty, more bars and nightclubs than you can possibly visit in one trip, a nice beachfront to relax if you have some non-golf days, and a great selection of hotels and resorts ranging from budget rooms to luxury resorts.

Courses Available: 100+ Signature Course: The Dunes, Caledonia, Kings North, TPC Myrtle Beach (too many to pick one!) Best Resort/Hotel: Marriot Resort & Spa at Grand Dunes or Legends Resort Other Activities: Beach, Bars, Clubs, Mini-Golf, Restaurants, Arcade, Boardwalk

CLICK HERE to find a great hotel in Myrtle Beach .

The sheer number of golf courses in Myrtle beach makes it perfect for first-timers and repeat visits. You can find pristine courses that cater to all levels for the casual golfers including Myrtle Beach National courses or The Legends Heathlands Course. There are also some real tests of golf for the low handicappers such as Caledonia, Dunes Beach & Golf Club, and The Barefoot Resort.

Back in the 1960s, Dan Jenkins wrote in Sports Illustrated

“It has long been agreed among knowledgeable golfers along the Atlantic Coast that if a man plays the 13th hole at the Dunes Golf & Beach Club often enough he will eventually lose every ball he owns and perhaps perish by alligator bite.”

Some of my favorite Myrtle Beach courses are the unique ones. Some may call them gimmicky but if you play a lot of golf then it is kind of cool to see some unique setups. Probably the most famous one of these in Myrtle Beach is “The Gambler” Hole at Kings North.

The course is an Arnold Palmer design and Hole 16 is a par 5 with a choice at the tee. You can play the long way on a crescent-shaped fairway akin to the 18th at Pebble Beach or you can opt for the shortcut to a narrow island fairway that rewards two precisely aimed shots with an eagle attempt. Yep, that’s right, not an island green, an island fairway. Can you hit a 30-yard wide target at about 200-250?

The name is a tribute to the Kenny Rogers song of the same name. You’ve got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em, know when to walk away, know when to run.

You can find great courses anywhere around the world. What really makes an ideal guys golf destination is what else there is other than golf. This is where Myrtle beach really shines. Whether you want a relaxing pub, a bass-thumping nightclub, a great restaurant, or even some really fun mini-golf courses…they’re all here and there are so many options for each that you can visit a different place each day.

PRO TIP : Mini-golf rounds are much more fun when the loser has to buy the first few rounds at the bar.

2. St. Andrews, Scotland

Every golfer should visit St. Andrews at least once in their lives. In addition to being the birthplace of golf, it is also the largest public golf complex in Scotland with seven courses. The only reason I put this as #2 is because it’s really far (at least for me) and getting a group together for a trip of this magnitude is near impossible.

Courses Available: 7 Signature Course: The Old Course Best Resort/Hotel: The Old Course Hotel Golf Resort & Spa Other Activities: Pubs, Cathedrals, Castles, Shops, Restaurants, Spa (as if you need more than The Old Course and a pub)

CLICK HERE to find a hotel near the Old Course in St. Sndrews .

I have not had the opportunity to visit yet, but it most certainly belongs on this list.

This is for a group of guys that love the game of golf and all its history. Every step you’ll take on the Old Course is one that was probably taken by some of the greatest golfers of all time. Championship golf has been played here for over 600 years! Of course, there are plenty of restaurants and pubs in the town, but unlike some of the other entries on this list, a trip to St. Andrews is less about drinking and partying and more about a love of the game.

You can stay in a hotel that borders the famous 17th “Road Hole” as well as the incredible Scottish coastline. The town is a historic university town that is home to The University of St. Andrews.

If you want some perspective as to the age and history present on this resort, “The New Course” was built in 1895!

3. Torrey Pines, California

I am going to go out on a (pine) limb here and put this one above Pebble Beach on the list. They are both amazing courses located in magnificent settings on the California coastline. However, with downtown San Diego 20 minutes away (not to mention U.C. San Diego nearby for the younger guys), this is a much better overall destination for a guys golf trip than Pebble. It’s also less than half the price in greens fees compared to Pebble.

CLICK HERE to find hotels near Torrey Pines.

Courses Available: 2 at Torrey (North & South) with over 20 other nearby public courses. Signature Course: Torrey Pines South (hosted the 2008 U.S. Open won by Tiger) Best Resort/Hotel: The Lodge at Torrey Pines Other Activities: 

Local golfers will tell you that while the South Course gets all the hype from the U.S. Open (it is the harder test of golf), but the North Course has better views.

4. Pebble Beach (Monterey, California)

Of course no golf travel list would be complete without mentioning Pebble Beach. Set on the Monterey peninsula in California about 2 hours south of San Francisco, Pebble Beach is one of the most iconic courses in all the world and easily one of the top public courses in the world.

Courses Available: 4 (Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course, The Links at Spanish Bay & Del Monte Golf Course) Signature Course: Pebble Beach Best Resort/Hotel: Casa Palermo Other Activities:  Fisherman’s Wharf, historic Cannery Row, Monterey Bay Aquarium.

CLICK HERE to find great hotels in Pebble Beach, California .

If the quality of golf courses is the top priority on your list then you’ll have a tough time doing better than Pebble Beach. Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course and The Links at Spanish Bay are all on Golf Digest’s Top 50 Public Courses list AND they are all part of the Pebble Beach Resort. So any trip to Pebble Beach will probably include all three. This may be the closest proximity of three courses on that list (I didn’t do the research to confirm that) so it is a great way to check them off the bucket list. Just make sure to book early, they accept tee times for Pebble Beach up to 18 months in advance.

Nearby Carmel, is a village with a European feel, full of boutique shops, art galleries, artisan restaurants and tasting rooms from this acclaimed wine region. Just to the south in Big Sur is one of the most celebrated stretches of highway found anywhere. All this sounds great for a romantic getaway but not exactly a golf trip for guys. The Aquarium is cool, but not enough to satisfy groups of guys looking for a party at night.

Nearby Cypress Point Club is private and near impossible to get on unless you know a member, so don’t plan on making that one of your stops.

5. Las Vegas, Nevada

You can’t talk about a guy’s trip (golf or otherwise) and not mention Sin City. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Whether it’s the evening activities or one too many triple bogeys, that can be a very good thing.

Courses Available: 50+ Signature Course: Shadow Creek (No. 17 on Golf Digest’s Top 100 Courses You Can Play) Best Resort/Hotel: Other Activities:

CLICK HERE to find great hotels and casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada .

This is the guys’ golf trip for groups that want to drink, gamble, and partake in all of the assorted other activities that Vegas has to offer. This is not for a quiet group of golf traditionalists so if that’s you, skip to #6.

Vegas has always been the first choice destination of bachelor parties, but it can get overlooked for golf trips sometimes because golf certainly is not the primary attraction. But there are some world-class golf courses just a short drive from the Vegas Strip.

Check out Shadow Creek, once an exclusive private course, it is not open to the public. It is a beautiful Tom Fazio design located about 15 minutes from the strip and accessible to anyone staying at one of the 15 MGM properties (which include the MGM Grand and my favorite, the Bellagio).

Don’t miss out on night golf at Angel Park. Who says golf can’t be a part of the nightlife.

6. Pinehurst

Another classic collection of courses that is a haven for the purist golfer. You won’t find the bars, nightclubs, or gambling of some of the other entries on this list so Pinehurst is better suited for the group that is more focused on golf than nightlife.

Courses Available: 9 (and a short 9 hole course) Signature Course: No. 2 Best Resort/Hotel: Pinehurst Resort Other Activities: Tennis, Lawn Sports, Shopping, Spa, Shopping, Pool

CLICK HERE to find some great hotels and rental homes in Pinehurst .

Pinehurst No. 2 is one of the most famous courses in the world. It should be on the bucket list of every avid golfer. That being said, where Pinehurst falls short is in the “other activities for guys” department. Sure there are restaurants and bars, but not a lot of real nightlife per se. Of course, amazing golf and quiet evenings may be exactly what your group is looking for. In that case, Pinehurst is the perfect destination for you.

7. Ocean City, Maryland

Ocean City, MD is Myrtle Beach’s little brother to the north. For those of you that live in the Northeast US, this is a much closer alternative to Myrtle Beach that has a lot of the same characteristics.

Courses Available: 50+ Signature Course: Rum Pointe (My personal favorite) Best Resort/Hotel:  None really…it’s a beach town with a lot of average and some above-average hotels Other Activities:  Beach, Bars, Clubs, Mini-Golf, Restaurants, Arcade, Boardwalk

CLICK HERE to find some great hotels in Ocean City, MD .

While it doesn’t have quite the extensive list of courses, it is very similar in most other aspects. I can personally attest to the quality of the restaurants and the fun of the nightlife in OCMD. On the plus side, it can be a lot cheaper than it’s larger alternative to the south.

Don’t miss the chance to spend a day a Seacrets Bar floating on a raft in the bay while servers bring you drinks. It’s the perfect place to forget about your high scores on the course.

Honorable Mentions

There are so many great destinations around the world that I couldn’t possibly research and list them all. If the ones above don’t have what you’re looking for (or you’ve already been to all of them) then here are a few more destinations you may want to check out.

• Bandon Dunes, Oregon
• Palm Beach (PGA National)
• Hilton Head (Harbour Town)
• Orlando, FL (they do have more than just the mouse)
• Scottsdale, AZ (TPC Scottsdale)
• Williamsburg, VA (Kingsmill Resort)
• Kiawah Island Resort, South Carolina

What Do You Recommend?

Where was your best guys golf trip? What did I leave off the list? Let me know in the comments below and I may add some to the list.

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Summer Academy 2024 Topgolf Salt Lake City | 5-Days (Mon - Fri) | 920 Jordan River Blvd

Experience the ultimate Summer Academy 2024 at Topgolf Salt Lake City in Midvale. This five-day program, running from June 10th to June 14th, offers kids aged 6-12 an unforgettable blend of golf, fun, and learning. From mastering chipping, putting, and full swing techniques to understanding golf rules and etiquette, children will enhance their game in a supportive and engaging environment. The Academy features a low student-to-instructor ratio, ensuring personalized attention for each Junior Golfer. The daily schedule from Monday to Friday includes child drop-off, engaging golf lessons, lunch, and pick-up. For only $225, your child gains access to Topgolf Game Play, golf instruction, lunch, gifts, and a Certificate of Completion. All equipment is provided on-site, but children can bring their own clubs. Make sure your child is dressed comfortably for the weather and wears appropriate footwear. To learn more about health and safety measures, visit the Summer Academy website. Refunds for cancellations requested via 'Contact the Organizer' require a 48-hour notice before the program commences.

Provided by Orange_Pig | Published Apr 5, 2024

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10 Comfy Athleisure Sets From Amazon That Double As the Perfect Spring Travel Outfits — Starting at $19

Wear them to the gym, airport, and beyond.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Travel + Leisure / Reese Herrington

As someone who is always on the move, a versatile wardrobe is key for seamless travel. I need garments that can be worn in a variety of different ways and environments, providing functionality beyond just having a pair of pants that I just wear to the gym. That’s precisely why I love matching two-piece sets so much — particularly athleisure sets. I don't want my workout attire to be limited to just performance; I need it to provide support and comfort throughout my entire day, and, of course, have the style points to make it look like intentional, well-thought-out outfits. 

Unbeknownst to most, Amazon is bursting with comfortable and affordable athleisure matching sets that are perfectly suited for busy individuals like you and me. I’ve taken the liberty to curate a list of my 10 favorite ones for travel, going to the gym, taking in the sights of a new city, and virtually anything else. Complete with a five-piece athletic set that’s just $45 and possibly the loungewear set of my dreams , these picks are easy to style and serve as hassle-free, one-and-done outfit options. What's even more exciting is that they're all under $50, so keep reading to stock up on these stellar travel outfits ahead of your next trip. 

Darong Women’s Lounge Two-piece Set

Although this lounge set may have just hit Amazon's virtual shelves , it's already received high praise from shoppers for its “soft and buttery” feel and “comfortable and stretchy" fit. I’m a comfort queen, so as you can imagine, I placed an order for one as soon as I saw it drop. I can’t wait to wear it for all of my low-impact workouts (think: Pilates and walking) and to the airport. Plus, each of the pieces in this set are super versatile, which means that you can wear the T-shirt with your favorite bottoms and the super-soft pants to bed, for running errands, and beyond. 

July’s Song Women’s Five-piece Athletic Set

There are plenty of excellent, top-rated choices in this round-up, but few are as good of a deal as this athletic set that comes with a sports bra, T-shirt, hoodie, leggings, and a pair of spandex shorts for a mere $45 (thanks to an on-site coupon that you need to clip before checkout). It's functional, comfortable, and grants you countless mixing-and-matching capabilities. Wear the hoodie and the leggings on the trails or the shorts and T-shirt to the hotel pool — with this set, the world is yours. 

Zesica Women’s Two-piece Lounge Set

The best athleisure sets are made with materials that move with you, not against you, and this duo has exactly that with its soft and flexible polyester-spandex blend. Beyond the gym, the simple jogger pants and cropped sweater combination lends itself well to an array of environments. Available in 19 different colors, there’s a shade (or two) for everyone, but if I were you, I’d go ahead and choose one sooner than later because it's on sale for just $35 this weekend. 

Glamaker Women’s Oversized Bike Shorts T-shirt Set

Considering how many pairs of spandex shorts that I have in my closet, I may as well be the president of the bike short fan club. They’re longer and more compressive than my running shorts, which means that I feel comfortable wearing them out in public, yet still short enough to keep me from overheating compared to a full-length pair of leggings. If you don’t already have a pair in your collection, consider shopping for this set that comes with a pair of bike shorts (that go just above your knee) and a breathable T-shirt that can be worn with or without them. It's the do-it-all athleisure set that doubles as a cute outfit for a laidback travel day. 

ToBeInStyle Women’s Velour Tracksuit 

Between its luxurious velvet feel and style that's reminiscent of the early 2000s, this velour tracksuit may just be the travel outfit of my dreams. Aside from its very obvious aesthetically pleasing look, it's “ great for traveling ," according to shoppers — especially "on planes [because the] fabric is not too heavy yet comfortable and functional.” And as an extra treat, it’ll only set you back $36. 

Coofandy Men’s Sweatsuit 

Amazon also has plenty of two-piece travel outfits for men as well, starting with this on-sale duo from Coofandy. Complete with a cozy zip-up hoodie and a pair of extra-soft sweatpants, it's the exact type of outfit that you want in your wardrobe if you prioritize comfort as much as I do. It's also made with a lightweight, breathable material, so although it’ll keep you warm, you can easily add or remove layers depending on the temperature of your destination or the plane cabin thermostat. 

Uni Clau Men’s Short Tracksuit

If you have your eyes set on something that can accommodate the warm weather a bit more, then this short-sleeve and shorts set is for you. It's made with a cotton-spandex-polyester blend that’s equally excellent for gym sessions, long travel days, and outdoor adventures. I also audibly laughed when I read this review appreciating that its matching look is “easy to wear, coordinated for those clothing challenged, and great for travel.”

Pinksavior Women’s Workout Set

When I read that one shopper urged other customers to “run to buy this” matching workout set, I knew that I had found a winner. That same reviewer went on to gush over its comfortable and stretchy yet secure fit, adding that they’re already planning on buying it in a few more colors. So, follow their lead and add a set (or two) to your cart especially while it's on sale for $27. 

Lingswallow Two-piece Shorts Lounge Set

If you really want to stretch your wardrobe, then you should add this matching shorts and tank set to your cart while it's $27 thanks to an on-site coupon). Hear me out, everyone needs a go-to pair of shorts for lounging around the house or outside in the summertime, and a racerback tank is a capsule wardrobe must that can be layered or worn as is.

Nova Active Women’s Athletic Set

One of my favorite, go-to travel outfits is a pair of comfy leggings, a well-fitted sports bra, and a relaxed hoodie. This particular set includes a majority of my airport outfit staples, and according to shoppers, it surpasses even pricier activewear options in terms of performance and comfort. Available in eight different colors — ranging from eye-catching green to neutral nudes —  you really can’t beat this deal. 

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The Best Crossbody Bags For Travel, Built With Storage And Style

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Roomy enough to carry everyday essentials, the best crossbody bags for travel give you the freedom to explore without having to lug your suitcase around. We researched the best crossbody bags for travel that offer both storage and style and selected the MZ Wallace Small Sutton Deluxe as our top pick. We also found other great options for different travel styles, like a spacious crescent bag for beach trips and a sleek sling bag for organization.

The best crossbody bags for travel give you the freedom to explore without having to lug your ... [+] suitcase around.

A solid crossbody bag is versatile and provides convenient hands-free storage for every situation. This 4-in-1 leather bag from Lo & Sons stylishly transitions from day to night, while Lululemon’s popular Everywhere Belt Bag can be worn on the hip or across the body. Meanwhile, active travelers will get great use out of the Nomatic Navigator Sling , which features a water bottle holder and a stabilizer strap. Below, the best crossbody bags for travel in a variety of price points, styles and materials.

• Best Crossbody Bag For Travel Overall: MZ Wallace Small Sutton Deluxe
• Best Affordable Crossbody Bag For Travel: Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Mini Shoulder Bag
• Best Crossbody Bag For Organization: Aer Day Sling 3
• Best Crossbody Bag For Parents: Hobo Sheila Large Satchel
• Best Crossbody Bag For Beach Trips: Baggu Large Nylon Crescent Bag
• Best Crossbody Bag For Active Trips: Nomatic Navigator Sling 6L
• Most Versatile Crossbody Bag For Travel: Lo & Sons Waverley 2 in Nappa Leather
• Best Belt Bag For Travel: Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag 1 L
• Best Crossbody Bag For Men: Cotopaxi Coso 2L Hip Pack
• Best Leather Crossbody Bag For Travel: Quince Italian Leather Triple Compartment Crossbody

Best Crossbody Bag For Travel Overall

Lightweight, stylish storage, mz wallace small sutton deluxe.

Dimensions: 9.8 × 5.5 × 10.20 inches | Weight: 1.08 pounds | Materials: Recycled oxford (polyester, nylon), leather

With a handy key ring strap and five interior pockets, this versatile bag is perfect for staying organized during travel. It can be worn as a crossbody or top handle tote and its water-resistant oxford fabric won’t weigh you down on your journey. There’s an easy-to-adjust nylon strap for a customized fit and the detachable interior pouch is big enough to hold a pair of shoes, plus the ample pockets provide plenty of space for your phone, keys, tickets and more. It weighs only a pound but can fit a surprising amount of items, plus its plush fabric folds down for packing.

Best Affordable Crossbody Bag For Travel

Security features plus many pockets, travelon anti-theft classic mini shoulder bag.

Dimensions: 8.5 x 8.5 x 2.25 inches | Weight: 0.7 pounds | Materials: Polyester, nylon

Travelon’s Anti-Theft Classic Mini Shoulder Bag packs an impressive punch for being so small. Its six pockets keep everything where you need it—including an RFID-blocking passport and card interior organizer—while a tethered key caddy with an LED light eliminates that dreaded “can’t-find-it-in-my-bag” feeling. The 5-Point Anti-Theft security system protects against theft threats with slash-resistant fabric, lockable straps and secure zipper pulls. Not only will you feel safe wearing this bag, but thanks to its 13 colors and prints, you’ll also look stylish anywhere your trip may take you.

Best Crossbody Bag For Organization

A compact sling bag with room to spare, aer day sling 3.

Dimensions: 11.5 x 6 x 3 inches | Weight: 0.8 pounds | Materials: Cordura nylon

With a ballistic nylon exterior and a unique design that zips open for easy access, Aer’s Day Sling 3 is one of the more durable crossbody options out there. It has a 3L capacity that fits a surprising amount of items and its 8 pockets ensure everything stays in its place. There are multiple loops for strapping onto your luggage or storage and a handy front pocket with a key leash and cool security features like a secret back pocket. There’s also a sneaky Fidlock clasp that makes it harder for a pickpocket to snatch your bag.

Best Crossbody Bag For Parents

Extra space and storage for the whole family, hobo sheila large satchel.

Dimensions: 13.5 x 14 x 5.5 inches | Weight: 1.6 pounds | Materials: Raffia, leather

For parents or travelers who need to tote a lot of stuff on the go, a larger bag might be in order. Hobo’s Sheila Large Satchel offers nice organizational features and high style points. It’s made of a lightweight woven raffia with leather trim for added durability, plus its six interior pockets, key lanyard and accessible side exterior pocket are perfect for storing smaller items you may need throughout the day. Its main compartment is quite roomy, easily fitting a laptop, kid’s tablet, diaper wipes, snacks, toys, a backup outfit and more. The flexibility of its 3-in-1 styling really stands out—the adjustable strap can be worn as a crossbody, shortened for a shoulder bag or simply removed to transform into a classy top handle bag for a night out after the kiddos go to sleep.

Best Crossbody Bag For Beach Trips

Large and easy to wear for sandy days in the sun.

Urban Outfitters

Baggu Large Nylon Crescent Bag

Dimensions: 10.5 × 19.5 × 5.25 inches | Weight: N/A (not listed) | Materials: 100% recycled nylon

A beach bag calls for some pretty specific features: it needs to be durable and water-resistant, it should be big enough to hold bulky towels and ideally, it has a simple shape so sand won’t get lodged in the nooks and crannies. After much research, the Baggu Crescent Bag fits the bill. Its adjustable strap can be worn across the chest or as a tighter-fitting shoulder bag, the large size is roomy enough for a couple towels and a change of clothes and the zippered interior pocket keeps your wallet and keys secure. The quick-drying ripstop nylon is not only recycled, it’s also durable enough to withstand the windiest—and wettest—of beach days. Consider adding a few of Baggu’s fun printed flat pouches for additional organization.

Best Crossbody Bag For Active Trips

A durable sling with no detail spared, nomatic navigator sling 6l.

Dimensions: 13.5 x 9 x 4 inches | Weight: 1.3 pounds | Materials: 80% nylon, 20% polyester

Whether you’re hiking, biking or riding the metro, the Navigator Sling from Nomatic offers durability, storage and some impressive features. There’s a water bottle holder that zips away when not in use, a molded EVA back panel for wearable comfort and breathability, a tamper-resistant zipper and tech features like built-in tablet storage, an RFID-blocking pocket for your cards and a cord-pass through for charging your devices in different pockets. If you’re running or moving around a lot, there’s also a stabilizer strap that clips on to keep the sling even more secure to your body. Unlike some sling styles, this bag has multiple zippered storage compartments, the main one opening extra wide for easier access.

Most Versatile Crossbody Bag For Travel

Four ways to wear it.

Lo & Sons

Lo & Sons Waverley 2 in Nappa Leather

Dimensions: 5.6 x 8 x 2 inches | Weight: 0.6 pounds | Materials: Nappa, Saffiano or cactus leather

When you’re on the go, sometimes the last thing you want is to ruin the flow of the day by making a pit stop at the hotel to change out a bag before dinner. We like the Lo & Sons Waverley for its inventive versatility that adapts to your needs. The minimal leather design has an adjustable strap that can be worn 4 ways: as a hands-free belt bag, a longer crossbody, a casual shoulder bag or an elevated clutch with (or without) a wristlet. The main compartment is large enough for the essentials and the zippered inner pocket keeps smaller items secure no matter where your day—or night—takes you.

Best Belt Bag For Travel

Hands-free storage in a slim profile, lululemon everywhere belt bag 1 l.

Dimensions: 7.5 x 2 x 5 inches | Weight: N/A (not listed) | Materials: Nylon, recycled polyester

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2024 Masters odds, picks, predictions: Tiger Woods projection from top golf model that nailed last 2 winners

Tiger woods, an 82-time pga tour champion, is expected to be part of the 2024 masters field at augusta national golf club.

Though he's a longshot to win this year, no player transforms the feel of Augusta National Golf Club like Tiger Woods. He came to the Masters in 2019 having not won a major since 2008, but he stunned the golf world with a win and fifth green jacket. Now in the later stages of his career, Woods enters the 2024 Masters just one win short of tying Jack Nicklaus's record of six. Woods is widely expected to be in the 2024 Masters field when play begins Thursday, April 11, so does he have one more run left in him?

The latest 2024 Masters odds list Woods at 160-1, the same odds as past winners Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia. Scottie Scheffler, already a two-time PGA winner this year, is the 2024 Masters favorite at 5-1, followed by Rory McIlroy (10-1) and defending Masters champion Jon Rahm (13-1). Before locking in your 2024 Masters picks or Tiger Woods props, be sure to see the golf predictions and projected leaderboard from the proven computer model at SportsLine .

SportsLine's proprietary model, built by DFS pro Mike McClure, has been red-hot since the PGA Tour resumed in June 2020. In fact, the model is up nearly $9,500 on its best bets since the restart, nailing tournament after tournament.

McClure's model predicted Scottie Scheffler would finish on top of the leaderboard at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship this season. McClure also included Hideki Matsuyama in his best bets to win the 2024 Genesis Invitational. That bet hit at +9000, and for the entire tournament, McClure's best bets returned nearly $1,000.

The model also predicted Jon Rahm would be victorious at the 2023 Sentry Tournament of Champions and The American Express. At the 2023 Masters, the model was all over Rahm's second career major victory heading into the weekend. Rahm was two strokes off the lead heading into the third round, but the model still projected him as the winner. It was the second straight Masters win for the model, which also nailed Scheffler winning in 2022.

In addition, McClure's best bets included Nick Taylor (70-1) winning the 2023 RBC Canadian Open, Jason Day (17-1) winning outright at the 2023 AT&T Byron Nelson, and Rickie Fowler (14-1) finishing on top of the leaderboard at the 2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic. 

This same model has also nailed a whopping 10 majors entering the weekend. Anyone who has followed it has seen massive returns. 

Now that the Masters 2024 field is set, SportsLine simulated the tournament 10,000 times, and the results were surprising. Head to SportsLine now to see the projected leaderboard.

Top 2024 Masters predictions 

One major surprise the model is calling for at the 2024 Masters: Patrick Cantlay, a 28-1 longshot, makes a strong run at the title. He's a target for anyone looking for a huge payday. With eight PGA Tour wins and at least one top-10 finish in three out of the four majors, the 32-year-old continues to knock on the doorstep of a major win.

After missing the cut in his first Masters as a professional in 2018, he's found his rhythm at Augusta National, finishing 17th or better in three of his last five appearances. He also finished 14th or better in three out of four major events in 2023. Finishes outside the top 30 at the Arnold Palmer and Players Championship have raised his odds, but he also has a recent 11th-place run at Pebble Beach and a fourth-place showing at the Genesis Invitational, so Cantlay brings strong value for 2024 Masters bets, according to the model.

The model has also examined where Tiger finishes. Since winning the 2019 Zozo Championship to tie Sam Snead's all-time record for PGA Tour wins (82), Woods has only made 17 worldwide starts because of his mounting injury issues. His schedule has been even more sparse of late, as he's only teed it up seven times since the start of the 2022 season and was forced to withdraw for injury or illness in three of those events.

However, we've seen Woods overcome long odds at Augusta National Golf Club before. He only played the Masters twice from 2014 to 2018 and finished 17th and 32nd in the two times he did play at Augusta. Still, he managed to use his mastery of the course to win a fifth green jacket at the 2019 Masters, holding off Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Xander Schauffele by a shot. If he can hold up physically for four rounds, it's hard to count the 15-time major winner out.  The model just locked in its Tiger Woods Masters picks here .

How to make 2024 Masters picks

The model is also targeting six golfers with Masters odds of 20-1 or longer to make a strong run at the title. Anyone who backs these longshots could hit it big. You can only see the model's PGA picks here .

Who will win the 2024 Masters, which longshots will stun the golfing world, and where will Tiger Woods finish? Check out the Masters 2024 odds below, then visit SportsLine to see the projected Masters leaderboard, all from the model that's nailed 10 golf majors, including the last two Masters winners .

2024 Masters odds, golfers, field

See the full Masters picks, best bets, and predictions here .

Scottie Scheffler +500 Rory McIlroy +1000 Jon Rahm +1300 Brooks Koepka +2100 Jordan Spieth +2100 Will Zalatoris +2100 Viktor Hovland +2100 Xander Schauffele +2400 Ludvig Aberg +2400 Patrick Cantlay +2800 Justin Thomas +2800 Cameron Smith +3100 Hideki Matsuyama +3100 Collin Morikawa +3100 Joaquin Niemann +3100 Wyndham Clark +3100 Matt Fitzpatrick +3600 Dustin Johnson +3600 Tony Finau +4400 Max Homa +4400 Brian Harman +4600 Shane Lowry +4600 Cameron Young +4600 Jason Day +4600 Bryson DeChambeau +4600 Sam Burns +5500 Min Woo Lee +5500 Sahith Theegala +5500 Tommy Fleetwood +5500 Sung-Jae Im +7500 Tyrrell Hatton +7500 Corey Conners +9000 Tom Kim +9000 Justin Rose +9000 Patrick Reed +9000 Russell Henley +12000 Adam Scott +12000 Rickie Fowler +12000 Jake Knapp +12000 Phil Mickelson +16000 Harris English +16000 Sergio Garcia +16000 Tiger Woods +16000 Gary Woodland +19000 Keegan Bradley +19000 Si Woo Kim +19000 Chris Kirk +19000 Ryan Fox +19000 J.T. Poston +19000 Nick Dunlap +19000 Cameron Davis +19000 Thorbjorn Olesen +19000 Adrian Meronk +19000 Sepp Straka +19000 Nick Taylor +19000 Eric Cole +19000 Matthieu Pavon +19000 Emiliano Grillo +19000 Nicolai Hojgaard +19000 Luke List +21000 Adam Hadwin +21000 Charl Schwartzel +28000 Kurt Kitayama +28000 Bubba Watson +28000 Ryo Hisatsune +28000 Erik van Rooyen +28000 Danny Willett +34000 Denny McCarthy +34000 Lee Hodges +34000 Taylor Moore +43000 Adam Schenk +43000 Lucas Glover +43000 Grayson Murray +55000 Christo Lamprecht +55000 Mike Weir +100000 Jose Maria Olazabal +100000 Fred Couples +100000 Vijay Singh +100000 Zach Johnson +100000 Stewart Hagestad +100000 Jasper Stubbs +100000 Santiago De La Fuente +100000 Neal Shipley +100000

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Israel’s Deadly Airstrike on the World Central Kitchen

The story behind the pioneering aid group and how it mistakenly came under attack..

From “The New York Times,” I’m Michael Barbaro. This is “The Daily.”

The Israeli airstrike that killed seven aid workers delivering food in Gaza has touched off outrage and condemnations from across the world. Today, Kim Severson on the pioneering relief crew at the center of the story, and Adam Rasgon on what we’re learning about the deadly attack on the group’s workers. It’s Thursday, April 4.

Kim, can you tell us about the World Central Kitchen?

World Central Kitchen started as a little idea in Chef José Andrés’ head. He was in Haiti with some other folks, trying to do earthquake relief in 2010. And his idea at that point was to teach Haitians to cook and to use solar stoves and ways for people to feed themselves, because the infrastructure was gone.

And he was cooking with some Haitians in one of the camps, and they were showing him how to cook beans the Haitian way. You sort of smash them and make them a little creamy. And it occurred to him that there was something so comforting for those folks to eat food that was from their culture that tasted good to them. You know, if you’re having a really hard time, what makes you feel good is comfort food, right? And warm comfort food.

So that moment in the camp really was the seed of this idea. It planted this notion in José Andrés’ mind, and that notion eventually became World Central Kitchen.

And for those who don’t know, Kim, who exactly is Chef José Andrés?

José Andrés is a Spanish chef who cooked under some of the Spanish molecular gastronomy greats, came to America, really made his bones in Washington, DC, with some avant-garde food, but also started to expand and cook tapas, cook Mexican food. He’s got about 40 restaurants now.

Yeah. And he’s got a great Spanish restaurant in New York. He’s got restaurants in DC, restaurants in Miami.

Come with me to the kitchen. Don’t be shy.

He’s also become a big TV personality.

Chef, are you going to put the lobster in the pot with the potatoes?

We’re going to leave the potatoes in.

Leave the potatoes in!

He’s one of the most charismatic people I’ve ever been around in the food world.

He’s very much the touchstone of what people want their celebrity chefs to be.

So how does he go from being all those things you just described, to being on the ground, making local comfort food for Haitians? And how does this all go from an idea that that would be a good idea, to this much bigger, full-fledged humanitarian organization?

So he started to realize that giving people food in disaster zones was a thing that was really powerful. He helped feed people after Hurricane Sandy, and he realized that he could get local chefs who all wanted to help and somehow harness that power. But the idea really became set when he went to Houston in 2017 to help after Hurricane Harvey.

And that’s when he saw that getting local chefs to tap into their resources, borrowing kitchens, using ingredients that chefs might have had on hand or are spoiling in the fridge because the power is out and all these restaurants needed something to do with all this food before it rotted — harnessing all that and putting it together and giving people well-cooked, delicious — at least as delicious as it can be in a disaster zone — that’s when World Central Kitchen as we know it today sort of emerged as a fully formed concept.

The first pictures now coming in from Puerto Rico after taking a direct hit — Hurricane Maria slamming into the island. And as you heard, one official saying the island is destroyed.

Shortly after that, he flew to Puerto Rico, where Hurricane Maria had pretty much left the entire island without water and in darkness.

He flew in on one of the first commercial jets that went back in. He got a couple of his chef buddies whose kitchens were closed, and they just decided to start cooking. They were basically just serving pots of stew, chicken stew, in front of the restaurants.

The lines got longer. And of course, chefs are a really specific kind of creature. They really like to help their community. They’re really about feeding people.

So all the people who were chefs or cooks on the ground in Puerto Rico who could wanted to help. And you had all these chefs in the States who wanted to fly down and help if they could, too. So you had this constant flow of chefs coming in and out. That’s when I went down and followed him around for about a week.

And what did you see?

Well, one of the most striking things was his ability to get food to remote places in ways the Salvation Army couldn’t and other government agencies that were on the ground couldn’t. You know, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, doesn’t deliver food. It contracts with people to deliver food.

So you have all these steps of bureaucracy you have to go through to get those contracts. And then, FEMA says you have to have a bottle of water and this and that in those boxes. There’s a lot of structure to be able to meet the rules and regulations of FEMA.

So José doesn’t really care about rules and regulations very much. So he just got his troops together and figured out where people needed food. He had this big paper map he’d carry around and lay out. And he had a Sharpie, and he’d circle villages where he’d heard people needed food or where a bridge was out.

And then he would dispatch people to get the food there. Now, how are you going to do that? He was staying in a hotel where some National Guard and military police were staying to go patrol areas to make sure they were safe. He would tuck his big aluminum pans of food into the back of those guys’ cars, and say, Could you stop and drop these off at this church?

During that time in Puerto Rico, he funded a lot of it off of his own credit cards or with cash. And then he’s on the phone with people like the president of Goya or his golf buddies who are well-connected, saying, hey, we need some money. Can you send some money for this? Can you send some money for that?

So he just developed this network, almost overnight. I mean, he is very much a general in the field. He wears this Orvis fishing vest, has cigars in one pocket, money in the other. And he just sets out to feed people.

And there were deliveries that were as simple as he and a couple of folks taking plastic bags with food and wading through a flooded parking lot to an apartment building where an older person had been stuck for a few days and couldn’t get out, to driving up to a community that had been cut off. There was a church that was trying to distribute food.

We drive through this little mountain road and get to this church. We start unloading the food, and the congregation is inside the church. José comes in, and the pastor thanks him so much. And the 20 people or so who are there gather around José, and they begin praying.

And he puts his head down. He’s a Catholic. He’s a man who prays. He puts his head down. He’s in the middle of these folks, and he starts to pray with them. And then, pulls out his map, circles another spot, and the group is off to the next place.

And when Russia invades Ukraine, he immediately decided it was time for World Central Kitchen to step into a war zone. You know, so many people needed to eat. So many Ukrainians were crossing the border into Poland.

There are refugees in several countries surrounding Ukraine. So a lot of the work that they did was feeding the refugees. They set up big operations around train stations, places where refugees were coming, and then they were able to get into cities.

One of their operations did get hit with some armaments early on. Nobody was hurt badly. But I think that was the first time that they realized this was an actually more dangerous situation than perhaps going in after there’s been an earthquake.

But the other thing that really made a difference here is, José Andrés and World Central Kitchen would broadcast on social media, live from the kitchens. In the beginning, he’d be holding up his phone and saying, we put out 3 million meals for the people of Puerto Rico, chefs for Puerto Rico. It was very infectious.

And now, one of the standard operating procedures for people who are in the World Central Kitchens is to hold up the phone like that — you can see the kitchen, busy in the back — and talk about how many meals they’ve served. They have these kind of wild meal counts, which one presumes are pretty accurate. But they’re like, we served 320,000 meals this morning to the people of Lviv.

I mean, that scale seems important to note. This is not the kind of work that feeds a few people and a few towns. When you’re talking about 300,000 meals in a morning, you’re talking about something that begins, it would seem, to rival the scope and the reach of the groups that we tend to think of as the most important in the disaster-relief world.

Absolutely. And the meals — there are lots and lots and lots of meals. But also, World Central Kitchen hires local cooks. They’ll hire food truck operators, who obviously have no work, and pay them to go out and deliver the meals. They’ll pay local cooks to come in and cook. That’s what they do with a lot of their donations, which is very different than other aid organizations. And this then helps the local economy. He’s trying to buy as much local food as he can. That keeps the economy going in the time of a disaster. So that’s a piece of his operation that is a little different than traditional aid operations.

So walk us up to October 7, when Hamas attacked Israel. What does Chef José Andrés and the World Kitchen do?

Well, he had had such impact in Ukraine. And I think the organization itself thought that they had the infrastructure to now take food into another war zone. Gaza, of course, was nothing like Ukraine. But World Central Kitchen shows up. They’re nimble. They start to connect with local chefs.

Right now, they have about 60 kitchens in the areas around Gaza, and they’ve hired about 400 Palestinians to help do that. But getting the food into Gaza became the difficulty.

How do you actually get the food into the Gaza Strip? Large amounts of food that require trucks? You’ve got to realize, getting food into Gaza right now requires going through Israeli checkpoints.

And that slows the operation down. You might get eight trucks a day in, and that is such a small amount of food. And this has been incredibly difficult for any aid operations.

So World Central Kitchen, playing on the experience that they had in a war zone and working with government entities and trying to coordinate permissions — they took that experience from Ukraine and were trying to apply it in the Gaza Strip. Now, they had worked for a long time with Israeli officials. They wanted to make sure that they could get their food in.

And they decided that the best way to do it would be to take food off of ships, get it in a warehouse, and then get that food into Gaza. It took a long time to pull those permissions through, but they were able to get the permissions they needed and set this system up, so they could move the food fairly quickly into North Gaza.

And once they get those permissions, how big a player do they become in Gaza?

World Central Kitchen became a kind of a fulcrum point for getting food aid in to Gaza in a way that a larger and more established humanitarian aid operations couldn’t, in part because they were small and nimble in their way. So the amount of food they were moving maybe wasn’t as large as some of the more established humanitarian aid organizations, but they had so much goodwill. They had so much logistical knowledge.

They were working with local Palestinians who knew the food systems and who understood how to get things in and out. So they were able to find a way to use a humanitarian corridor to have permissions from the Israeli government, to be able to move this food back and forth. And that’s always been the secret to World Central Kitchen — is incredibly nimble. So —

Just like in Puerto Rico, they seemed to win over just about everybody and do the seemingly impossible.

Right. And World Central Kitchen says they delivered 43 million meals to Gazans since the start of the war. And I don’t think there was any other group that could have pulled this off.

Hey, this is Zomi and Chef Olivier. We’re at the Deir al-Balah kitchen. And we’ve got the mise en place. Tell us a little bit about it, Chef.

And then, this caravan, this fairly efficient caravan of armored vehicles, labeled with World Central Kitchen logo on the roof, on the sides — the idea was they head on — this humanitarian quarter, they head on this road. The seven people who went all in vests — three of whom are security people from Great Britain — you have another World Central Kitchen employee who has handled operations in Asia, in Central America. She’s quite a veteran of the World Central Kitchen operation.

And you have a young man who someone told me was like the Michael Jordan of humanitarian aid, who hooked up with World Central Kitchen in Poland. He was a hospitality student and had just become an indispensable make-it-happen guy. And you have a Palestinian guy who’s 25, a driver.

So this is the team. They have all the clearances. They have the well-marked vehicles. It seemed like a very simple, surgical kind of operation. And of course, now, as we know, it was anything but that.

After the break, my colleague Adam Rasgon on what happened to the World Central Kitchen workers in that caravan. We’ll be right back.

So Adam, what ends up happening to this convoy that our colleague Kim Severson just described from World Central Kitchen?

So what we know is that members of the World Central Kitchen had been at a warehouse in Deir al-Balah in the Central Gaza Strip. They had just unloaded about 100 tons of food aid that had been brought via a maritime route to the coast of the Gaza Strip. When they departed the warehouse, they were in three cars.

Two of the cars were armored cars, and one was a soft-skinned car, according to the organization. When the cars reached the coastal road, known as Al Rashid Street, they started to make their way south.

And what do we know about how much the World Central Kitchen would have told the Israeli military about their plans to be on this road?

Yeah. So the World Central Kitchen said that its movements were coordinated. And in military speak or in technical speak, people often refer to this as deconfliction. So basically, this process is something that not only the World Central Kitchen but the UN, telecommunications companies going out to repair damaged telecommunications infrastructure, others would use, where they basically provide the Israeli military with information about the people who are traveling — their ID numbers, their names, the license plate numbers of the cars they’ll be traveling in.

They’ll sort of explain where their destination is. And the general process is that the Israelis will then come back to them and say, you’re approved to travel from this time, and you can take this specific route.

And do we know if that happened? If the IDF said, you’re approved, use this route on this night?

So we heard from the World Central Kitchen that they did receive this approval. And the military hasn’t come out and said that it wasn’t approved. So I think it’s fair to assume that their movements were coordinated and de-conflicted.

OK. So what happens as this seemingly pre-approved and coordinated convoy trip is making this leg of the journey?

They started to make their way south towards Rafah. And the three cars suddenly came under fire. The Israeli army unleashes powerful and devastating strikes on the three cars in the convoy, most likely from a drone. The strikes rip through the cars, killing everyone inside.

Shortly thereafter, ambulances from the Palestine Red Crescent are dispatched to the location. They retrieve the dead bodies.

They bring those bodies to a hospital. And at the hospital, the bodies are laid out, and journalists start to report to the world that indeed, five members of the World Central Kitchen staff have been killed. And the Palestine Red Crescent teams were continuing to search for other bodies and eventually brought back two more bodies to the hospital for a total of seven people killed in these airstrikes.

And when the sun comes up, what does it end up looking like — the scene of these struck trucks from this convoy?

So early in the morning when the sun comes up, a number of Palestinian journalists headed out to the coastal road and started taking pictures and videos. And I received a series of videos from one of the reporters that I was in touch with, essentially showing three cars, all heavily damaged. One had a World Central Kitchen logo on top of it, with a gaping hole in the middle of the roof.

A second car was completely charred. You could barely recognize the structure of the car. The inside of it had been completely charred, and the front smashed.

And do we know if the strike on this convoy was the only strike happening in this area? In other words, is it possible that this convoy was caught in some kind of a crossfire or in the middle of a firefight, or does it appear that this was quite narrow, and was the Israeli army targeting these specific vehicles, whether or not they realized who was in it?

We don’t have any other indication that there was another strike on that road around that time.

What that suggests, of course, is that this convoy was targeted. Now, whether Israeli officials knew who was in it, whether they were aid workers, seems like a yet-unresolved question. But it does feel very clear that the trucks in this convoy were deliberately struck.

Yes. I do think the trucks in this convoy were deliberately struck.

What is the reaction to these airstrikes on this convoy and to the death of these aid workers?

Well, one of the first reactions is from the World Central kitchen’s founder, José Andrés.

Chef José Andrés, who founded World Central Kitchen, calling them angels.

He said he was heartbroken and grieving.

And adding the Israeli government needs to stop this indiscriminate killing.

And then, he accused Israel of using food as a weapon.

What I know is that we were targeted deliberately, nonstop, until everybody was dead in this convoy.

And he just seemed devastated and quite angry.

And so what is the reaction from not just World Central Kitchen, but from the rest of the world to this airstrike?

There’s, frankly, fury and outrage.

The White House says it is outraged by an Israeli airstrike that killed seven aid workers in Gaza, including one American.

President Biden, who has been becoming increasingly critical of Israel’s approach to this war — he came out and said that he was outraged and heartbroken.

Certainly sharper in tone than we have heard in the past. He says Israel has not done enough to protect aid workers trying to deliver desperately needed help to civilians. Incidents like yesterday’s simply should not happen. Israel also has not —

And we’re seeing similar outrage from foreign governments. The British Foreign Secretary David Cameron —

The dreadful events of the last two days are a moment when we should mourn the loss of these brave humanitarian workers.

— said that the airstrikes were completely unacceptable. And he called on Israel to explain how this happened and to make changes to ensure that aid workers could be safe.

So amid all this, what does Israel have to say about the attack — about how it happened, about why it happened?

The response from Israel this time was much different, compared to other controversial airstrikes on the Gaza Strip. Often, when we’re reporting on these issues, we’ll hear from the army that they’re investigating a given incident. It will take days, if not weeks, to receive updates on where that investigation stands.

There are instances where Israel does take responsibility for harming civilians, but it’s often rare. This time, the Prime Minister —

[NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

— Benjamin Netanyahu comes out with a video message —

— saying that Israel had unintentionally harmed innocent civilians. And that was the first indication or public indication that Israel was going to take responsibility for what had happened.

The IDF works together closely with the World Central Kitchen and greatly appreciates the important work that they do.

We later heard from the military’s chief of staff. Herzi Halevi issued a video statement in English.

I want to be very clear the strike was not carried out with the intention of harming aid workers. It was a mistake that followed a misidentification.

And he said this mistake had come after a misidentification. He said it was in the middle of a war, in a very complex condition. But —

This incident was a grave mistake. We are sorry for the unintentional harm to the members of WCK.

He was clear that this shouldn’t have happened.

I want to talk about that statement, because it seems to suggest — that word, “misidentification”— that the Israeli army believed that somebody else was in this convoy, that it wasn’t a bunch of aid workers.

That’s possible, although it’s extremely vague and cryptic language that genuinely is difficult to understand. And it’s a question that us in the Jerusalem Bureau have been asking ourselves.

I’m curious if the Israeli government has said anything in all of its statements so far about whether it noticed these markings on these three cars in the convoy. Because that, I think, for so many people, stands out as making misidentification hard to understand. It seems like perhaps a random pickup truck could be misidentified as perhaps a vehicle being used by a Hamas militant. But a group of World Central Kitchen trucks with their name all over it, driving down a known aid corridor — that becomes harder to understand as misidentification.

Yeah, it’s an important question. And at this moment, we don’t know exactly what the Israeli reconnaissance drones could see, and whether or not they were able to see, in the darkness of the night, the markings of the World Central Kitchen on the cars. But what is clear is that when the cars were found in the morning, right there was the big emblazoned logo of the World Central Kitchen.

Mm-hmm. I’m curious how you think about the speed with which Israel came out and said it was in the wrong here. Because as you said, that’s not how Israel typically reacts to many of these situations. And that makes me think that it might have something to do with the nature of the aid group that was the target of these airstrikes — the World Central Kitchen — and its story.

I think it does have to do with this particular group. This is a group that’s led by a celebrity chef, very high-profile, who is gone around the world to conflict zones, disaster areas, to provide food aid. And I also think it has to do with the people who were killed, most of who were Western foreign aid workers. Frankly, I don’t think we would be having this conversation if a group of Palestinian aid workers had been killed.

Nor, perhaps, would we be having the reaction that we have had so far from the Israeli government.

I would agree with that.

Adam, at the end of the day, what is going to be the fallout from all of this for the people of Gaza? How do we think that this attack on World Central Kitchen is going to impact how food, medicine, aid is distributed there?

So the World Central Kitchen has said that it’s suspending its operations across Gaza. Because it essentially seems that they don’t feel they can safely operate there right now. And several ships that carried aid for the organization, which were sort of just on the coast — those ships ended up turning back to Cyprus, carrying more than 200 tons of aid.

So aid that was supposed to reach the people of Gaza is now leaving Gaza because of this attack.

Yes. And it’s also had a chilling effect. Another aid group, named INARA, has also suspended its operations in Gaza. And it seems that there is concern among humanitarians that other aid groups could follow.

So in a place where people are already suffering from severe hunger, poor sanitation, the spread of dangerous disease, this is only going to make the humanitarian situation, which is already dire, even worse.

Well, Adam, thank you very much. We appreciate it.

Thanks so much for having me.

We’ll be right back.

Here’s what else you need to know today. The magnitude-7.4 earthquake that struck Taiwan on Wednesday has killed nine people, injured more than 1,000, and touched off several landslides. It was Taiwan’s strongest quake in the past 25 years. But in a blessing for the island’s biggest cities, its epicenter was off the island’s east coast, relatively far from population centers like Taipei.

And the first patient to receive a kidney transplant from a genetically modified pig has fared so well that he was discharged from a Massachusetts hospital on Wednesday just two weeks after surgery. Two previous transplants from genetically modified pigs both failed. Doctors say the success of the latest surgery represents a major moment in medicine that, if replicated, could usher in a new era of organ transplantation.

Today’s episode was produced by Lynsea Garrison, Olivia Natt, and Carlos Prieto, with help from Asthaa Chaturvedi. It was edited by Marc Georges, with help from Paige Cowett, contains original music by Marion Lozano and Dan Powell, and was engineered by Chris Wood. Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly.

That’s it for “The Daily.” I’m Michael Barbaro. See you tomorrow.

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• April 1, 2024   •   36:14 Ronna McDaniel, TV News and the Trump Problem
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• March 27, 2024   •   28:06 Democrats’ Plan to Save the Republican House Speaker
• March 26, 2024   •   29:13 The United States vs. the iPhone
• March 25, 2024   •   25:59 A Terrorist Attack in Russia
• March 24, 2024   •   21:39 The Sunday Read: ‘My Goldendoodle Spent a Week at Some Luxury Dog ‘Hotels.’ I Tagged Along.’
• March 22, 2024   •   35:30 Chuck Schumer on His Campaign to Oust Israel’s Leader

Hosted by Michael Barbaro

Featuring Kim Severson and Adam Rasgon

Produced by Lynsea Garrison ,  Olivia Natt ,  Carlos Prieto and Asthaa Chaturvedi

Edited by Marc Georges and Paige Cowett

Original music by Dan Powell and Marion Lozano

Engineered by Chris Wood

Listen and follow The Daily Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music

The Israeli airstrike that killed seven workers delivering food in Gaza has touched off global outrage and condemnation.

Kim Severson, who covers food culture for The Times, discusses the World Central Kitchen, the aid group at the center of the story; and Adam Rasgon, who reports from Israel, explains what we know about the tragedy so far.

On today’s episode

Kim Severson , a food correspondent for The New York Times.

Adam Rasgon , an Israel correspondent for The New York Times.

Background reading

The relief convoy was hit just after workers had delivered tons of food .

José Andrés, the Spanish chef who founded World Central Kitchen, and his corps of cooks have become leaders in disaster aid .

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The Daily is made by Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Young, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, M.J. Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Sydney Harper, Mike Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, John Ketchum, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Dan Farrell, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Summer Thomad, Olivia Natt, Daniel Ramirez and Brendan Klinkenberg.

Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly. Special thanks to Sam Dolnick, Paula Szuchman, Lisa Tobin, Larissa Anderson, Julia Simon, Sofia Milan, Mahima Chablani, Elizabeth Davis-Moorer, Jeffrey Miranda, Renan Borelli, Maddy Masiello, Isabella Anderson and Nina Lassam.

Kim Severson is an Atlanta-based reporter who covers the nation’s food culture and contributes to NYT Cooking . More about Kim Severson

Adam Rasgon reports from Israel for The Times's Jerusalem bureau. More about Adam Rasgon

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