If you’ve ever looked into a trip to one of the big-name golf resorts, you’ve probably run into the same problem. Lodging fills up fast, packages are expensive, and the resort pushes you into booking their stay and play deals. Resorts like Bandon Dunes, Sand Valley, Streamsong, and Kohler make it seem like that’s the only way to get on their courses. The truth is, it’s not.
With the right planning, you can play the same bucket list golf without paying resort prices or fighting for a room that’s already sold out. The tee times are there. You just need someone who knows how to book them and how to build the rest of the trip around it.
Why Stay and Play Packages Sell Out So Fast
These resorts know demand is high, so they bundle golf and lodging together. It makes sense for them. It keeps everything on property and guarantees they fill their hotels. For you, it means higher costs and less flexibility. If you’ve ever tried booking Bandon or Sand Valley a year out and been told lodging is gone, you’ve seen this firsthand.
The truth is the tee sheet often has space, but if you don’t know the right timing or process, you get stuck thinking the trip is impossible. That’s where custom planning changes everything.
The Advantage of Going Off-Property
Choosing your own lodging opens up the whole trip. Instead of being forced into whatever rooms the resort has left, you can stay in nearby rentals, hotels, or smaller inns that fit your group. If you’re traveling with eight guys, a rental house is almost always better than four double rooms at a resort. If you’re bringing family, a condo by the lake or beach might make more sense than a resort hotel room.
You’re not giving up the golf. You’re getting the same tee times everyone else does. You’re just building the rest of the trip around what works best for you.
Real Examples
Bandon Dunes, Oregon: Lodging books up quickly, sometimes 12–18 months out. Tee times are still available if you know when to grab them. Staying in nearby rentals or small-town hotels solves the problem.
Sand Valley, Wisconsin: The resort fills fast, especially in summer. Group lodging on property is limited, but tee times can still be secured. Off-site lodging around central Wisconsin keeps the trip alive.
Kohler, Wisconsin: The American Club is great, but it’s pricey and often sold out. Sheboygan and nearby towns offer more lodging choices without losing access to Whistling Straits or Blackwolf Run.
Streamsong, Florida: The resort is isolated and the rooms come at a premium. Staying off-site and driving in gives you access to the same three courses with more flexibility on where you sleep and eat.
Why Custom Golf Planning Works Better
Booking these trips on your own can be overwhelming. Resorts don’t make it easy to separate tee times from lodging, and the timing matters. By working with a custom planner, you still play the same dream courses, but the trip is built around your group, your budget, and your schedule.
This is why I created my Stay and Play Alternative sample itinerary. It’s designed to show golfers exactly how a trip like this can work. You get the world-class golf without being boxed into resort lodging. You save money, gain flexibility, and make the trip your own.
Final Thoughts
Don’t let sold out resort lodging stop you from playing the courses you’ve always wanted. Tee times are there if you know how to find them, and there are always other ways to build the trip. With the right planning, you can play Bandon, Sand Valley, Kohler, Streamsong, or Pinehurst on your terms.
That’s what my Stay and Play Alternative is all about. If you want to experience the best courses in the country without the hassle and the resort markup, let’s build the trip the way it should be built: around the golf.