Retired and love to golf? Best cities for golfers

Photo by Gene Gallin | Unsplash.com

By Kathryn Pomroy
Posted on October 09, 2025

If you’re retired and golf is your game of choice, check out this list of the 2025 Best Cities for Golfers.

LawnStarter compared the number of public and private golf courses, PGA courses with public access, driving ranges, amateur competitions and average course consumer rating among 27 total metrics in the 500 largest U.S. cities.

Unsurprisingly, many of the best cities for golfers are in the Southwest or the Southeast, led by a pair of cities in Arizona.

Only three northern cities “chipped” into the top 25 — New York (No. 5), Chicago (No. 7), and Denver (No. 11). Chicago stands out with a wealth of municipal courses (open to all), plus tons of gear shops and indoor ranges.

Top 10 best golf courses for retirees

1. Scottsdale, Arizona
Overall Score: 55.29
No. of Public Golf Courses within 20 miles: 54 | Rank: 11
Number of Top 100 Golf Courses in the U.S. (Golf Digest): 1 | Rank: 3
Number of PGA Courses Available for Public Play: 1 | Rank: 1
Number of Golf Resorts: 8 | Rank: 2

Some of the finest courses in Scottsdale include Troon North Golf Club, known for its stunning desert landscapes and challenging fairways, or PopStroke Scottsdale, a course designed by Tiger Woods that combines two 18-hole mini-golf courses with a full restaurant and sports bar.

2. Phoenix, Arizona
Overall Score: 54.76
No. of Public Golf Courses within 20 miles: 74 | Rank: 6
Number of Golf Resorts: 7 | Rank: 3
Number of Driving Ranges: 12
Number of Amateur Golf Competitions and Tournaments: 12 | Rank: 4

On the other side of the Valley from Scottsdale, Phoenix offers an authentic desert golf experience with scenic mountain views and challenging greens at Papago Golf Club. Or visit the renovated Arizona Biltmore Golf Club, known for its manicured fairways and historic charm.

3. Los Angeles, California
Overall Score: 54.12
Number of Top 100 Golf Courses in the World (Golf Magazine): 2 | Rank: 1
Number of Top 100 Golf Courses in the U.S. (Golf Digest): 2 | Rank: 1
Number of Facilities Offering Golf Lessons: 42 | Rank: 1
Number of PGA Golf Coaches: 13
Number of Amateur Golf Competitions and Tournaments: 12 | Rank: 4

Play like the pros at the members-only Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, a favorite PGA Tour stop. For a more laidback game, try Rancho Park Golf Course, a classic public course that is affordable and full of local charm.

4. Orlando, Florida
Overall Score: 51.27
Number of Best Golf Courses for Public Access (Golfweek magazine): 1
Number of PGA Courses Available for Public Play: 1 | Rank: 1
Number of Golf Resorts: 10 | Rank: 1
Number of Driving Ranges: 15
Number of PGA Golf Coaches: 20

The Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando is renowned for hosting the Arnold Palmer Invitational and featuring challenging fairways. To practice your swing, visit Orange County National Golf Center, home to two championship courses and America’s largest driving range.

5. New York, New York
Overall Score: 50.20
No. of Private Golf Courses within 20 miles: 57 | Rank: 9
Number of Driving Ranges: 11
Number of Indoor and Virtual Golf Facilities: 7 | Rank: 1
Number of Facilities Offering Golf Lessons: 39 | Rank: 2

Hit the fairway at Bethpage State Park Golf Course in nearby Long Island, a public course that even hosted the U.S. Open. Or check out Pelham Bay & Split Rock Golf Course in the Bronx, where you can play 36 holes surrounded by parkland.

6. Las Vegas, Nevada
Overall Score: 49.21
Course Quality Rank: 43

Besides plenty of sunshine, casinos and entertainment galore, Las Vegas also offers some of the best golf in the country, coming in at number six.

Palm Valley Golf Course is located in the heart of the valley and boasts a mature layout that is neatly manicured with long fairways and rolling greens.

Or, check out Durango Hills Golf Club, a Lee Schmidt/Brian Curley-designed public 18-hole par 58 golf course.

7. Chicago, Illinois
Overall Score: 47.30
Course Quality Rank: 211

Although often overlooked as a mecca for golf, Chicago has its share of fabulous golf courses for retirees. Chicago Golf Club, a private golf club located just outside the city in Wheaton, ranks right up there with the top in the nation.

Shoreacres Golf Club also ranks as one of the best in the Chicago area.

8. Mesa, Arizona
Overall Score: 46.69
Course Quality Rank: 148

Mesa is located southeast of Phoenix. Like both Scottsdale and Phoenix, Mesa offers a number of golf courses where retirees can feel at least reasonably confident of making the putt.

One of the best is Painted Mountain Golf Resort — an 18-hole, par 70 course. Toka Sticks Golf Club also ranks high for its bent grass fairways and greens.

9. Houston, Texas
Overall Score: 46.00
Course Quality Rank: 187

Houston, Texas boasts 57 courses within a 15-mile radius of the city limits; 32 are public courses and 25 are private courses.

Houston’s Gus Wortham Municipal Course, just a few miles from downtown, has a scenic, rolling layout with greens that veer one way and then the other. Many of the game’s best professionals have tested their games at the vaunted Cypress Creek Course. Now, it’s your turn.

10. Dallas, Texas
Overall Score: 45.96
Course Quality Rank: 63

Coming in at number 10 is Dallas, with five courses within the city limits, including three public, five municipal, and 17 private golf courses.

Brook Hollow Golf Course is the oldest course in Dallas, Trinity Forest Golf Course is the longest, Brookhaven is the easiest, and if you’re up for a challenge, The Clubs of Prestonwood Hills Course is the hardest.

View the full list at lawnstarter.com/blog/studies/best-cities-for-golfers.