Many of the top golf resorts in the US are set in beautiful places that will tempt you to linger long after your golfing is done. To make the most of your time, the best option is to charter a private jet—we’ll explain why later!
Here’s our guide to the best golf resorts in the US, and their nearest airports for private flyers.
Luxury golf resorts in Florida
Florida is recognized as one of the best places to golf in the US, with more golf courses than any other US state (around 1,250!). It also offers the bonus of wonderful weather! Here are our top two luxury golf resorts in Florida.
Seminole Golf Club
Originally designed by Donald Ross in 1929, the Seminole course lies between two sand dune ridges abutting Juno Beach. This means there are super sea views but stiff coastal crosswinds! Holes are predominantly on small greens bordered by tricky bunkers and lakes. The Spanish-American-style pink stucco clubhouse retains some original 1920s features.
Seminole is famous for its exclusivity (and for turning away golfing legend Jack Nicklaus). Forbes lists it as the 10th Most Exclusive Golf and Country Club in America. It regularly features in ‘best golf course’ lists. It’s been in the top 20 of Golf Digest’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses since 1966 and has been named their Best in State every year since 1985. Quite an achievement! Seminole hosted the 48th Walker Cup Match in 2021.
Airports near Seminole Golf Club
The nearest airports are North Palm Beach County Airport, just 11 miles away, Palm Beach International Airport (14 miles), and William P Gwinn Airport (17 miles).
Key West Golf Club
The club’s current 18-hole, 6,500-yard, par-70 course was redesigned in the 1980s by Rees Jones. However, it’s part of the ‘Florida Historic Golf Trail’ and was originally developed in the 1920s by William Langford and Theodore Moreau. Today, it’s famous for its ‘Mangrove Hole’, a 143-yard par-3 with a solid wall of mangroves from tee to green.
The course lies on 200 acres of beautiful landscape at the entrance to Key West. This makes it the only Caribbean golf course in the United States and the most southerly! Golfers play their rounds just a few miles from the southern extreme of the continental US. It’s also the only public course in the Keys.
Airports near Key West Golf Club
There are two airports within five miles, making this club an ideal destination for private jet charters. Key West International Airport is just two miles away and Key West Nas Airport, 3 miles.
Best Golf Resorts in New York
Florida may dominate US golfing, but it can’t lay claim to all the top golf resorts in the US. Here’s our selection of the four best golf resorts in New York, starting with two in Southampton:
Shinnecock Hills Golf Club
Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, founded in 1891, is the oldest incorporated golf club and one of the five founding member clubs of the USGA. The original twelve-hole course was designed by Willie Davis. It was expanded to eighteen holes in 1895, and the most recent redesign is by William Flynn. Many important golf tournaments have been held here, including several US Opens, and the club is set to host the Open again in 2026.
The clubhouse was built in 1892, and while it has been extended and renovated, its original charm has been preserved.
National Golf Links of America
The National Golf Links course was founded in 1908 by Charles B. Macdonald. His aim was to build a first class course inspired by some of the best qualities and holes of British golf courses. The National has its own versions of the Road Hole and Eden from St. Andrews, Alps from Prestwick, Redan from North Berwick and Sahara from Sandwich.
The private course sits on 253 acres at Peconic Bay, offering fantastic sea views. The clubhouse is a treasure trove of American golf memorabilia.
Airports near Shinnecock Hills Golf Club and National Golf Links of America
The nearest airports are The Francis S Gabreski Airport and East Hampton Airport (both 10 or 11 miles) and Calverton Peconic Airport (18 miles).
Baltusrol Golf Club
Baltusrol Golf Club, at the base of Baltusrol Mountain in New Jersey, lies not far from New York City. Jack Nicklaus, the four-time winner of the U.S. Open, calls it “one of the finest golf courses in the world.” It’s famous for:
its huge Tudor-revival style clubhouse, which has been called “the second-best clubhouse in the world” after that of Scotland’s St. Andrews
its two 18-hole courses, designed by A. W. Tillinghast: the Upper Course and Lower Course
its history as a championship venue. The club has hosted the U.S. Open and U.S. Amateurs four times, and the U.S. Women's Opens, U.S. Women's Amateurs and PGA Championships twice. In June, it’s the venue for the 2023 KPMG Women's PGA Championship.
Airports near Baltusrol Golf Club
The closest airports to Baltusrol are: Linden Airport (7 miles), and Morristown Municipal Airport or Newark Liberty International Airport, both 8 miles away.
Winged Foot Golf Club
The Winged Foot also has two by A. W. Tillinghast-designed courses: the East and the West. The West Course has hosted six U.S. Opens, plus a U.S. Amateur, a Walker Cup, and a PGA Championship, while the East has hosted two U.S. Women's Opens and the inaugural U.S. Senior Open. The 2004 U.S. Amateur was played over both courses.
Founded in 1921, the club is located in Mamaroneck.
Airports near Winged Foot Golf Club
The three closest airports are Westchester County Airport (8 miles), La Guardia Airport (14 miles), and Teterboro Airport (18 miles).
Best Golf Resorts in Pennsylvania
Last but not least: our choice of the best golf resorts in Pennsylvania.
Merion Golf Club
Designed by Hugh Wilson in 1910, the courses at Merion have been carefully preserved. The East course is a walking course, with golf carts only permitted when they’re necessary for a documented health condition. Both the club and courses are highly traditional.
While the golf club and its East Course are in Ardmore, near the Philadelphia border, the West course and its parking lie a short distance away in Haverford. The East course has hosted 19 USGA Championships.
Airports near Merion Golf Club
Wings Field Airport and Philadelphia International Airport are both only 10 miles away over the Philadelphia border, while Willow Grove Nas Jrb Airport is 16 miles.
Oakmont Country Club
Aside from Augusta National, Oakmont has hosted more major championships than any other US course. It’s also hosted the most US Opens—nine—but will break its own record by hosting the 10th US Open in 2025.
Designed by Henry C. Fownes and maintained by his son William, Oakmont has a reputation for presenting golfers with a challenge; many golfers claim it’s the hardest course in America. It’s consistently in the top five of Golf Digest’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses.
The course is hidden away in the hills near Pittsburgh. It consists of two loops, and it’s segregated by the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Airports near Oakmont Country Club
Closest airports are Allegheny County Airport (13 miles), and Butler Airport or Zelienople Municipal Airport, both 19 miles away.
The Best Way to Travel to US Luxury Golf Resorts: Private Jet
While you may not agree with our choice of best golf courses in the US, one thing’s for sure: private jet charter is the best way to travel to any of these luxury golf resorts. Book a private jet for your trip, and your relaxing golfing break begins the minute you leave home. Private flights mean you can:
Fly more directly to your destination. Private flyers have access to ten times the number of airports that commercial airlines serve, reducing transfers, increasing convenience and saving time.
Fly when you want to. Arrive a few days before an event if you want, or take off shortly after sinking your last ball. With private jet charter, you can do either or both – and designing your own multi-center trip, visiting several luxury gulf resorts if you wish.
Forget long waits, long queues, and crowded airport lounges and aircraft.
If you’re wondering how many golf bags you can fit on an aircraft, this depends on the aircraft and the bag style. Hard cases take up more space. It’s worth considering travelling with a soft temporary case; you can usually rent a more robust one at the golf club.
As a rough guide, if you’re travelling with five golfing friends, you’ll need six seats and space for six sets of clubs and luggage. A midsize jet would be the ideal choice. For maximum luggage capacity in this class, choose a Citation III, VI, or VII. If you’re travelling alone, most light jets will accommodate you and your golf clubs.
Book With Confidence with Paramount
Our expert team can help you plan your trip. Whether you need help choosing airports or the best aircraft for you and your golf clubs, they can assist. Just call +1-877-727-2538 ext. 1 or email charter@paramountbusinessjets.com. They will be happy to help.
