Top Picks for Golf Enthusiasts Seeking Retirement Destinations
Top 10 Best Golf Cities for Retirees in the U.S. (2025)
Scottsdale, Arizona, has claimed the title of the best golf city for retirees in the United States, according to a list compiled by LawnStarter and reported by Kiplinger on August 7, 2025. The ranking is based on overall scores that consider public course access, premium course access, training and equipment availability, and course quality.
Scottsdale boasts a number of notable courses, such as Troon North Golf Club and PopStroke Scottsdale, which offer a mix of challenging and recreational options tailored to retirees. The city features an overall score of 55.29.
Phoenix, Arizona, follows closely behind in second place, with a score of 54.91. Notable courses in Phoenix include Papago Golf Club, which offers an authentic desert golf experience with scenic mountain views and challenging greens.
Los Angeles, California, ranks third with a score of 54.53. The city's golf scene is diverse and includes courses like Riviera Country Club and Bel-Air Country Club, both of which have hosted major tournaments.
Orlando, Florida, comes in fourth with a score of 53.81. The Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando is renowned for hosting the Arnold Palmer Invitational and featuring challenging fairways.
New York, New York, unexpectedly claims the fifth spot with a score of 53.65. Pelham Bay & Split Rock Golf Course in the Bronx allows players to play 36 holes surrounded by parkland. New York is also home to Bethpage State Park Golf Course, a public course that even hosted the U.S. Open.
Las Vegas, Nevada, ranks sixth with a score of 53.28. The city offers some of the best golf in the country, with Palm Valley Golf Course and Durango Hills Golf Club being notable examples.
Chicago, Illinois, comes in seventh with a score of 53.17. The city stands out with a wealth of municipal courses, high search interest, and tons of gear shops and indoor ranges. Chicago Golf Club and Shoreacres Golf Club rank among the best for retirees.
Mesa, Arizona, holds the eighth spot with a score of 53.13. The city has a number of golf courses where retirees can feel at least reasonably confident of making the putt, with Painted Mountain Golf Resort and Toka Sticks Golf Club being notable examples.
Houston, Texas, ranks ninth with a score of 52.99. The city has 57 courses within a 15-mile radius of the city limits, with Gus Wortham Municipal Course being one of the notable public courses.
Dallas, Texas, rounds out the top 10 with a score of 52.95. The city has five courses within the city limits, including Brook Hollow Golf Course, Trinity Forest Golf Course, Brookhaven, and The Clubs of Prestonwood Hills Course.
The ranking of the top 10 best golf cities for retirees reflects the best golf courses for retirees in the U.S. in 2025. Many of the best cities for golfers are in the Southwest or the Southeast, with a pair of cities in Arizona leading the list.
In 2024, 47.2 million Americans played golf, with 15% of those players being older adults. Orange County National Golf Center in Florida is home to America's largest driving range.
These cities collectively represent the best environments for retirees who love golf in 2025, according to LawnStarter's data presented by Kiplinger.
- For those retirees who enjoy a challenging round of golf, Los Angeles, California, offers a diverse range of courses, including the renowned Riviera Country Club and Bel-Air Country Club, both of which have hosted major tournaments.
- If retirees prefer a mix of challenging and recreational golf options, they might find Scottsdale, Arizona, to be the perfect destination. Notable courses among the city's offerings include Troon North Golf Club and PopStroke Scottsdale, known for their mix of difficulty levels.
