Summer location to live for golf?

[Dewdman42]

What are some recommendations for places to live (preferably USA) and play golf all summer from April-November?

 

1. Must not be overly hot and humid in summer
2. Must be below 6000 feet.
3. Decent variety of golf courses to choose from of decent quality.

[Pnwpingi210]

17 minutes ago, Dewdman42 said:

What are some recommendations for places to live (preferably USA) and play golf all summer from April-November?

 

1. Must not be overly hot and humid in summer
2. Must be below 6000 feet.
3. Decent variety of golf courses to choose from of decent quality.

You’ve ruled out the southeast, most of the Midwest, deserts, and high deserts.

 

Id say coastal California is your best bet based on your reqs.  Maybe the northeast as well?

[596]

Arizona. Access to Sedona, Flagstaff,  Phoenix.  I lived in Sedona for years. Easy drive to a number of courses in those areas.  Sedona is central to any of them. And it's the most beautiful place in the US.  It's hot in the summer at 4200 ft but dry! Like if you see 15% humidity it would be high.  Temps will be 102 but feel like temps are low to mid 90s.  And you never get rained out!  I used to pray to see a cloud in the sky.  It was 100% sunny every friggin day.

 

[scott_Donald]

you said preferable US but Scotland would have my vote.

[ColdOkieGolf]

I suppose it depends on your definition of hot and humid,  but I'd say Minnesota and Wisconsin fit.    Specifically in MN, near the Red Wing, Lake City area.    Really pretty area with 6 or so golf courses in a 10-15 min radius.  A little over an hour away and you get into the cities with a some of the best golf courses in the state.



 

[ShortGolfer]

In the Northeast locations near the ocean rarely get as hot and humid as it gets inland.  But the cost of housing goes up with better climate.  Tourist traffic is a big issue to consider as well.

 

Another option is going not only going far North, but living on a 3000ft mountain, which will drop temperatures by 10 degrees compared to sea level.

I used to vacation at the Inn on Mt Equinox, which no longer exists.  Great summer weather when everyone else is suffering from the heat and humidity.

[BombinJim]

Denver is below 6000 ft in some areas. Great place for summer. No bugs, low humidity, and the ball goes far!

[StoutKing]

Northern Michigan.  More public golf courses than any state and nice summer weather.  Plus it has all the lakes.  Getting more expensive though. 

[klebs01]

Wisconsin or Michigan seem like the clear answers. 

[Hawkeye77]

3 hours ago, scott_Donald said:

you said preferable US but Scotland would have my vote.

If it was possible I'd move there for May-September every darn year.  Maybe someday. 

[caniac6]

Check out High Meadows in Roaring Gap, NC.

[mizuno player]

Look in part of Pennsylvania. Upper East Coast. Mod Atlantic is tough late June through July but to me it's bearable. Yes, I love there but I think it's doable. 

 

There are probably places in the upper Midwest/West that got the bill. I'm just not very knowledgeable about those areas.  

[ChaosTheory]

My first thought was upper Midwest but you’ll be weathered out by mid to late October.  Which almost meets your criteria.  You’ve basically described the northern US golf season, so you’ve got a big area there and in Canada.

 

 

[Dewdman42]

Please be sure to mention specific communities where there are a decent number of decent quality public golf

courses within 45 min drive. 

 

Michigan is definitely looking like a strong candidate though  it does sound like it’s probably a may-October golf season.

 

bonus points if there is decent mountain biking within same area and if the area is just generally a nice place to live for culture, people, healthcare, shopping, entertainment, etc

 

I agree the southeast is probably out for summer no good for me and probably also southwest if we are focusing on summer months.  California would be ok   But lots of places in California you have to drive a long way through traffic to get to a mediocre and expensive public golf course.  Pacific nw I have lived before and their summers are hit and miss in terms of weather.  
 

I’ve never actually been to northern Midwest  but it’s in my list to check it out but I have no idea which areas to go check out.

 

east coast is most likely out also because it’s far away from everyone I know.  South Carolina is too hot.  Asheville might be ok.  
 

Last summer I spent some time driving around Montana playing golf and it was pretty good!  Missoula, whitefish, etc.  also want to check out Cordelaine Idaho area.

Edited April 6 by Dewdman42

[klebs01]

53 minutes ago, ChaosTheory said:

My first thought was upper Midwest but you’ll be weathered out by mid to late October.  Which almost meets your criteria.  You’ve basically described the northern US golf season, so you’ve got a big area there and in Canada.

 

 

I can only remember one recent year (2013) that was completely shut down in November. Most years we play well into November or December in Wisconsin. The bigger issue is the loss of daylight that ends after work rounds. 

[ShortGolfer]

If you lived in Hawaii you could have your friends come and visit you!

But, actually living there is tough if you have never lived on an island.

Most retirees don't last more than two or three years.

 

When we moved to Kauai we had our relatives stay with us to visit all the tourist sights.

Edited April 6 by ShortGolfer

[klebs01]

36 minutes ago, Dewdman42 said:

Please be sure to mention specific communities where there are a decent number of decent quality public golf

courses within 45 min drive. 

 

Michigan is definitely looking like a strong candidate though  it does sound like it’s probably a may-October golf season.

 

bonus points if there is decent mountain biking within same area and if the area is just generally a nice place to live for culture, people, healthcare, shopping, entertainment, etc

 

I agree the southeast is probably out for summer no good for me and probably also southwest if we are focusing on summer months.  California would be ok   But lots of places in California you have to drive a long way through traffic to get to a mediocre and expensive public golf course.  Pacific nw I have lived before and their summers are hit and miss in terms of weather.  
 

I’ve never actually been to northern Midwest  but it’s in my list to check it out but I have no idea which areas to go check out.

 

east coast is most likely out also because it’s far away from everyone I know.  South Carolina is too hot.  Asheville might be ok.  
 

Last summer I spent some time driving around Montana playing golf and it was pretty good!  Missoula, whitefish, etc.  also want to check out Cordelaine Idaho area.

are you looking to live somewhere for one year to ever summer for the next few years? 
 

I’m more familiar with Wisconsin, but there are nice areas to suit anyone. If you want some place with politics like Berkeley Madison is a good spot. If you want cute small towns that are more conservative then lake country or Cedarburg are good options. Plenty more but these are just a couple examples. 

[ChaosTheory]

1 hour ago, Dewdman42 said:

bonus points if there is decent mountain biking within same area and if the area is just generally a nice place to live for culture, people, healthcare, shopping, entertainment, etc

 

There are lots of forest service trails in upper lower peninsula Michigan.  And in parts of WI and MN.  You might get run over by ATVs though.  🙂

I don't know every locale in upper MI/WI/and MN, but for the most part it's rural woods with some resort areas where the larger lakes are located.   To fulfill your list you'll have to look near the bigger towns.  In Michigan, Traverse City is the place most likely to suit your list.   There are towns that look good on paper but really don't have much to offer for dining and entertainment.

 

Would you consider slinging a weighted dollar bill with a thumbtack into the ceiling of a tavern as entertainment?  I love those areas but they are definitely not cosmopolitan.    We are spending August in northern Michigan, a week at a time in VRBOs on lakes.   I've been up there before but not for golf, so this is an exploration of sorts.   Golf is not the number 1 priority but I will be playing.

 

There was a similar topic a couple of months ago, and upstate NY was mentioned.  I wouldn't sleep on that one either.  Beautiful area and maybe more likely to fulfill the above wishes.  Where exactly, I have no idea.

[ChaosTheory]

I think this is the recent thread:

 

 

[PNW]

1 hour ago, Dewdman42 said:

Please be sure to mention specific communities where there are a decent number of decent quality public golf

courses within 45 min drive. 

 

Michigan is definitely looking like a strong candidate though  it does sound like it’s probably a may-October golf season.

 

bonus points if there is decent mountain biking within same area and if the area is just generally a nice place to live for culture, people, healthcare, shopping, entertainment, etc

 

I agree the southeast is probably out for summer no good for me and probably also southwest if we are focusing on summer months.  California would be ok   But lots of places in California you have to drive a long way through traffic to get to a mediocre and expensive public golf course.  Pacific nw I have lived before and their summers are hit and miss in terms of weather.  
 

I’ve never actually been to northern Midwest  but it’s in my list to check it out but I have no idea which areas to go check out.

 

east coast is most likely out also because it’s far away from everyone I know.  South Carolina is too hot.  Asheville might be ok.  
 

Last summer I spent some time driving around Montana playing golf and it was pretty good!  Missoula, whitefish, etc.  also want to check out Cordelaine Idaho area.

Where in Pacific NW have you lived? I'm from the Seattle area and apart from the smoke season we are getting in recent years the summers here are amazing. Generally around high 70s-80 and not humid, plus long daylight hours. 

 

South Puget Sound maybe near Gig Harbor would be a good option if you're reconsidering the area. There are a number of good courses within an hour of each other at different rates including the following

- Gold Mountain

- Trophy Lake

- Chambers

- Home Course

- Salish Cliffs

- Mcormick Woods

- White Horse (a little further north but easy drive on the peninsula side)

[Dewdman42]

3 minutes ago, PNW said:

Where in Pacific NW have you lived?

 

I lived in or around Seattle for 10 years. 

[postfold]

3 hours ago, Dewdman42 said:

Please be sure to mention specific communities where there are a decent number of decent quality public golf

courses within 45 min drive. 

 

Michigan is definitely looking like a strong candidate though  it does sound like it’s probably a may-October golf season.

 

bonus points if there is decent mountain biking within same area and if the area is just generally a nice place to live for culture, people, healthcare, shopping, entertainment, etc

 

As upthread, northern Michigan, probably based on Traverse City, would be a strong contender, though yes April and November are dodgy.  Some of the courses won't be open those months.

 

You might consider Grand Rapids, which is not as far north but has plenty of good golf within 45 minutes while having typical urban amenities.  Also an easy drive to the beach towns of Lake Michigan and the forests for biking.  The golf season is notably longer than up north, though you still won't get consistent good weather on the ends.  You can daytrip to a lot of the northern MI courses.

[Pnwpingi210]

2 hours ago, Dewdman42 said:

 

I lived in or around Seattle for 10 years. 

I wouldn’t recommend it for summer golf.

 

in reality most of the public course on the western side of the state or in just OK condition relative to just about any other part of the country.  Top that off with  harder to book/ increased demand the last 5 years and “dynamic pricing” makes Seattle low on the value list for golf. 
 

Eastern Washington and Oregon’s a a little better.

 

Mid-northern California is better yet.

 

agree with others that upper Midwest (still can fight humidity) and northeast are going to be the best bets.

Edited April 6 by Pnwpingi210

[Springsteennut]

Western suburbs of Chicago. Think Batavia, Geneva, St Charles and Elgin. There are so many quality golf courses within an hour of these towns you might not be able to play them all. Lots of non golf activities for those days you’re not playing. Great restaurants and breweries in the area too.

[TheKitchenSink]

Wisconsin and Michigan's golf season is really May-September. Sure, some courses are usually open in April and October, but they are in poor condition and it is usually cold and windy. 

 

Indianapolis or Columbus would get you the April and October months, while still being <85 at peak summer. 

 

Other options could be Kansas City, Nashville, or Charlotte. These will get you better spring/fall weather, but the summers get hot. 

[Wardonation]

On 4/5/2025 at 12:59 PM, Dewdman42 said:

What are some recommendations for places to live (preferably USA) and play golf all summer from April-November?

 

1. Must not be overly hot and humid in summer
2. Must be below 6000 feet.
3. Decent variety of golf courses to choose from of decent quality.

May through October Bend OR

[ChaosTheory]

4 hours ago, Springsteennut said:

Western suburbs of Chicago. Think Batavia, Geneva, St Charles and Elgin. There are so many quality golf courses within an hour of these towns you might not be able to play them all. Lots of non golf activities for those days you’re not playing. Great restaurants and breweries in the area too.

A fair amount of heat and humidity though, in July and August.  It depends how badly the OP wants to avoid that, as he did mention it.

[Chanceman]

Not Canadian but you might like the Okanagan valley in BC. Some awesome courses within easy reach and you could easily drop down to the US to play Gamble Sands. 

[StudentGolfer4]

I’m a homer but Indianapolis would be a good option. You get definitely get some heat and humidity but I think that’s going to be the case everywhere. Id stay downtown Indy or on the north side in Fishers/Carmel. A lot of solid courses to play at different price points. You’re also not far from the courses at Purdue and IU, all are very good. Mountain biking is going to be limited though. 
 

If you told us what your definition of hot and humid is we may be able to help more. 
 

Traverse City would be great but April through November is going to be tough. We certainly play March through November in Indy, but November is hit or miss and the good weather days are 50 degrees and normally fairly wet. 
 

I wouldn’t recommend Nashville. It gets hot, humid, and to me the public golf scene isn’t very good. Plus tee times are really difficult. 

[mci711]

6 hours ago, Springsteennut said:

Western suburbs of Chicago. Think Batavia, Geneva, St Charles and Elgin. There are so many quality golf courses within an hour of these towns you might not be able to play them all. Lots of non golf activities for those days you’re not playing. Great restaurants and breweries in the area too.

 

I was going to say the same thing. In laws live in Geneva, I used to live in Naperville. So many courses, restaurants, literally everything you need. Great summer weather in Chicagoland.