The Ultimate Guide to Winter Golf Trips for the Guys
It's that time of year when I put my golf clubs into cold storage. Living in the Northern Hemisphere, winter does cruel things to a golfer’s soul. By February, my swing feels as stiff as my frozen windshield wipers. So as I put my clubs away, I immediately start thinking about a golfing holiday and where to go. The annual migration to warmer climates isn't just a vacation—it's a necessity.
I try to escape twice in a winter for a week at a time. I'm not a pro, but I'm an avid golfer who plays every chance I get. The golf is great, but it’s really about getting away with the boys. I’ve taken trips with a tight foursome and with a group of 12 golfers at different skill levels. The camaraderie of a group golf getaway is pure male bonding; it's a lot of fun and banishes thoughts of snow, refreshing the soul. We normally plan our trips from January to March.
If you are starting to plan your escape and want to make it the memory of a lifetime, I've been researching some incredible options that go far beyond your standard weekend municipal rounds. Whether you want dramatic deserts or exotic jungles, here are four of the best winter golf trips you can take this year.
(Gearing up for your flight? Make sure your bag is actually ready—check out our recent breakdown of the 2026 Golf Gear Releases, including the PING G440 K Driver, before you pack!)
4 Bucket-List Winter Golf Trips
1. The North American Staple: Sewailo Golf Club in Tucson, Arizona.
The Scenery & Courses: While Scottsdale commands peak winter pricing and massive crowds, Tucson stays noticeably more affordable and laid-back. You get access to phenomenal tracks like Sewailo, Ventana Canyon, and Dove Mountain. Imagine teeing off at golden hour with massive, ancient saguaro cacti lining the fairways while the stark, rugged peaks of the Santa Catalina Mountains glow bright orange in the background. The contrast of the pristine, emerald-green grass against the raw desert floor is visually stunning.
Getting There (Airports):
Primary: Fly directly into Tucson International Airport (TUS). Most major resorts like Sewailo or Ventana Canyon are a quick 20- to 25-minute drive from the terminal.
Alternative: Fly into Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport (PHX). It’s a straight 1.5 to 2-hour drive down I-10, but Phoenix often has more non-stop flight options and cheaper direct routes from northern hubs.
Where you Stay
1. The Casino Del Sol Hotel: This is the main luxury tower attached directly to the casino floor, restaurants, and sports bars. If your group wants to step off the elevator and immediately join the action at blackjack, steakhouses, and nightlife after your round, book rooms here.
2. Estrella at Casino Del Sol: This is their newer, slightly more modern hotel tower located right next door on the same property. It has its own pool and a slightly more relaxed vibe. It's a great option if the guys want a quieter place to crash, still only a two-minute walk from the casino and the first tee.
The "Stay & Play" Advantage: Because the tribe owns both the hotels and the golf course, they offer massive bundled value. You can often book "Stay & Play" packages that include your room, unlimited golf at Sewailo, your carts, range balls, and even food, beverage, or casino credits thrown in for the tables.
It completely removes the hassle of calling Ubers or driving rental cars to the course every morning—you just wake up, grab a coffee, and walk to the clubhouse.
Average Jan-Mar Weather: A highly comfortable progression from roughly 65°F (18°C) in January up to 74°F (23°C) by March. Perfect sweater-weather mornings that turn into shorts-weather afternoons.
Rough Price & What You Get: Expect hotel nights to range from $150 to $300+ depending on the resort. The real value is in the pacing; you get premium desert tracks and a relaxed atmosphere where you won't feel rushed by thousands of tourists fighting for a tee time.
2. The Serious Golfer's Challenge: Abama Golf, Tenerife, Canary Islands
The Scenery & Courses: If your group’s handicaps actually command respect, you need a course that will test you. The crown jewel here is Abama Golf, widely considered one of the absolute best courses in Spain. Designed by Dave Thomas, this championship course rises directly up the face of the Teide volcano. It feels like a lush, subtropical balcony overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, with massive, uninterrupted views of the neighbouring island of La Gomera from almost every hole. You'll navigate dramatic elevation changes (over 300 meters above sea level), lightning-fast undulating greens, 22 lakes, and pristine white-sand bunkers surrounded by palm trees.
Getting There (Airports):
Primary: Fly into Tenerife South Airport (TFS - Reina Sofía Airport). From TFS, it’s a smooth 25-minute coastal drive to Abama Golf and Las Terrazas de Abama Suites, or just 15 minutes to Grand Muthu Golf Plaza.
Note: Avoid landing at Tenerife North Airport (TFN) unless necessary, as it mostly handles domestic inter-island traffic and sits an hour away on the cooler side of the island.
Average Jan-Mar Weather: Incredibly consistent, hovering around 70°F (21°C) throughout the winter.
Where you Stay
Las Terrazas de Abama Suites
If you are travelling with a group of guys, this is usually the best option. Rather than booking individual hotel rooms, Las Terrazas offers luxury 2, 3, and 4-bedroom suites.
The Setup: Each guy gets a private bedroom and bathroom, but you all share a massive central living area, a full kitchen, and a huge outdoor terrace overlooking the fairways and the Atlantic Ocean. It gives you the privacy of a villa with the services of a 5-star hotel (including room service and multiple pools).
The Ritz-Carlton Tenerife, Abama
If you prefer a traditional luxury hotel experience, this iconic Moorish-style citadel sits right below the golf course, closer to the ocean.
The Setup: It operates as a classic 5-star Ritz-Carlton. It features standard luxury rooms and suites, a massive spa, multiple Michelin-starred restaurants (including M.B and Kabuki), and a funicular train that takes you down the cliffside directly to an exclusive, secluded beach club.
The Resort Advantage:
Because the course and the hotels are part of the same enclave, the service is incredibly dialed in. The golf staff can pick you up directly from your suite in a buggy, and your green fees usually include a GPS-equipped cart, fresh fruit, and water. After the 18th hole, you are just a short cart ride from the clubhouse bar or your private terrace.
Book Your Stay: Las Terrazas de Abama Suites (The Recommended Group Option)
This multi-bedroom suite layout lets the four of you share the space while keeping your own privacy.
Nightly Rate (Total): ~$759 CAD per night
7-Night Total: ~$5,315 CAD
The Split: That breaks down to roughly $1,328 CAD per guy for the entire week (or ~$190 CAD per guy, per night).
For a 5-star luxury property with a massive shared ocean-view terrace, that's an incredible value compared to peak-season Scottsdale or Florida.
3. The Private Villa Alternative: Katathong Golf Resort & Spa, Phang Nga, Thailand
The Scenery & Courses: Sometimes you don't want the hassle of a busy hotel lobby. You just want to play your round, head back to a private villa, crack a few beers, and fire up a BBQ. The Katathong course is built inside a dramatic, mist-shrouded valley on a historic iron mine. You'll be hitting approach shots surrounded by towering, sheer limestone karst mountains covered in a dense, lush green jungle canopy. The course creatively uses natural water features and cascades left over from the old mining operations, creating a backdrop that feels entirely wild and untamed.
Getting There (Airports):
Primary: Fly into Phuket International Airport (HKT). From Phuket Airport, Katathong Golf Resort is roughly a 1-hour drive north into Phang Nga province across the Sarasin Bridge. Most multi-night golf packages arrange private driver vans directly from HKT terminal doors.
Average Jan-Mar Weather: Hot and tropical. Expect daily highs to average around 88°F to 91°F (31°C - 33°C).
Rough Price & What You Get: A golf package runs roughly 5,150 to 6,750 THB per golfer (around $145 to $190 USD). This covers your green fees, your caddy fee, and your compulsory golf cart. Instead of standard hotel blocks, ask to split a Nai Muang Family Suite or Private Villa. All four guys get a completely private bedroom and en-suite bathroom while sharing a massive central lounge and patio.
4. The True Indian Ocean Bucket List: Ile aux Cerfs Golf Club, Mauritius
The Scenery & Courses: This is arguably one of the world's most unusual golf settings—an 18-hole Bernhard Langer-designed championship course set entirely on its own private tropical island. You can only get there by a scenic boat shuttle across a glowing turquoise lagoon. Once on the island, you'll play through volcanic rock outcrops, dense mangrove forests, and brilliant white sandy beaches right on the edge of the Indian Ocean.
Getting There (Airports):
Primary: Fly into Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU) on the island's southeast side. From MRU, it’s a scenic 50-minute drive up the east coast to Ambre Resort and Trou d'Eau Douce (the coastal town where the water taxi docks to cross over to Île aux Cerfs).
Average Jan-Mar Weather: Very hot, averaging 88°F to 90°F (31°C - 32°C). (Quick heads-up: January through March is cyclone season in this part of the Indian Ocean, so rain spells can occasionally hit.)
Rough Price & What You Get: Individual day-tripper green fees here are notoriously pricey. However, if you book a stay at their local partner, Ambre Resort Mauritius, a 7-night "Stay & Play" package runs roughly £649 to £769 per person. Your group stays in an adults-only, all-inclusive luxury resort with an open bar and beach dining, and your unlimited green fees (and the boat shuttle to the course) are completely complimentary.
Footnote: Before anyone asks—yes, these itineraries are aimed at the boys. Not because we don't love our significant others, because we do dearly, but because no one’s spouse should ever have to sit through four grown men debating a $5 Nassau bet for 45 minutes on the 18th green. It could leave us feeling pretty stupid!
If you enjoyed this post, check out: The Best Golf Courses in Scotland Every Gentleman Should Play,
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