Stay-and-Play Golf Packages: How They Work and When They're Worth It

What a stay-and-play package includes

Most packages include a set number of nights and rounds, priced per person based on double occupancy. Many add breakfast, carts, range balls or discounted replay rounds. Some resorts include access to courses that aren't bookable without a stay.

• Lodging (priced per person, usually two per room)
• A set number of rounds, sometimes with course choices
• Carts or caddie fees — check which
• Extras like breakfast, practice balls or replay discounts

When packages are the best option

Packages win when tee-time access is tied to staying on property. At resorts like Pinehurst, Bandon Dunes, Kohler and Sea Island, the best times go to guests first. They also win in big package markets like Myrtle Beach, where lodging and golf providers compete hard on price — especially in the shoulder seasons.

When to build it yourself instead

For groups of eight or more who want to stay together, a large rental home plus public tee times is often cheaper and more social. It also gives you more flexibility to mix courses across a region rather than staying inside one resort's lineup.

Fine print to check

Group bookings usually come with specific deposit and cancellation rules. Before committing, confirm:

• Deposit amount and the date it becomes non-refundable
• Rain-check or weather policy
• Whether green-fee surcharges apply to premium courses or tee times
• Single-supplement pricing if someone wants their own room
• Taxes, resort fees and gratuities not included in the headline price