Destination golf courses are a special breed. They offer an experience that can’t be found at your local public course. And they will give you a lifetime of stories and “yeah I’ve played there” moments. Be warned though, these are expensive trips, and courses, and the weekend can get away from you quickly if you aren’t careful!

If you’re looking for a memorable golfing experience, check out one of these top three destination courses. You won’t regret it!

1. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Oregon

Bandon Dunes is located on the Oregon coast and features four championship golf courses, each with its own unique character. The resort also offers a variety of other activities, such as hiking, fishing, and bird watching. Visitors to Bandon Dunes make their way to McKee’s Pub during their stay. Many will think that it honors a magical watering hole somewhere in Scotland or Ireland – and therefore is a fitting tribute to the birthplace of the game. But it is actually named for the man who pioneered much of what is seen at the resort today – Howard McKee.

2. Pebble Beach Golf Links, California

Pebble Beach is one of the most famous golf courses in the world and is located on the Monterey Peninsula in California. The course has stunning ocean views and is a challenging test for even the most experienced golfers. Did you know that Pebble Beach wasn’t even supposed to be a golf course? Resort Founder Samuel F.B. Morse was charged with selling the holdings of the Pacific Improvement Company, which included the land where Pebble Beach Golf Links is located. His first idea was to divide the land into residential lots. Thank you Sam for seeing the light and creating the majestic wonder that is Pebble Beach.

3. Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club, Michigan

Arcadia Bluffs is located on the shores of Lake Michigan in the town of Arcadia. The course features 18 holes that wind their way through dunes and forests. The views from the course are truly breathtaking and make it one of the most enjoyable places to play golf in the Midwest. The course was designed by Warren Henderson and Rick Smith, and was founded in 1999 in Arcadia, Michigan. The course is built on the bluffs above the shore of Lake Michigan on approximately 245 acres. The course drops 225 feet from its highest point down to the bluff, 180 feet above lake level, and has 3,100 feet of lake frontage. The golf course was designed to resemble seaside Irish links, with rolling terrain and windswept natural fescues throughout.