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The Southeast holds more legendary golf real estate than any other region in the country. From the Donald Ross courses of Pinehurst to the Lowcountry classics of Hilton Head and Kiawah, private aviation makes the difference between a long, frustrating travel day and a stress-free trip that starts the moment you leave home. Most of the top Southeast golf resorts sit close to dedicated private jet airports, often within 15 to 30 minutes of the first tee.
Here are 10 of the best golf destinations in the Southeast for charter clients, with the airports we recommend, the kind of aircraft that fits each route, and what to know before you book. If you would rather skip ahead, get a quote here.
1. Pinehurst, North Carolina
Best for: Bucket-list American golf history
Pinehurst Resort is widely regarded as the home of American golf, with nine championship courses including the iconic Donald Ross-designed No. 2. Pinehurst is the inaugural Anchor Site for the U.S. Open and will host the championship in 2024, 2029, 2035, 2041, and 2047. The Pinehurst-Sandhills region holds more than 40 courses within a 25-mile radius.
Recommended airport: Moore County Airport (KSOP). The airport sits roughly 15 minutes from the resort with a 6,502-foot runway capable of handling aircraft up to a Boeing 737. The official Pinehurst site calls it the "Gateway to the Home of American Golf," and it is the right choice for any aircraft category from light jet through heavy jet.
2. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Best for: Family golf trips and the Lowcountry experience
Hilton Head Island packs more than 20 championship courses into 12 miles of barrier island, including Harbour Town Golf Links at Sea Pines, home of the RBC Heritage on the PGA Tour. The combination of golf, beach, and world-class restaurants makes it one of the most well-rounded destinations on this list.
Recommended airport: Hilton Head Island Airport (HXD). HXD is on-island and accommodates aircraft up to super midsize jets. For larger aircraft, Savannah/Hilton Head International (SAV) is roughly 45 minutes by car and handles any aircraft category.
3. Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Best for: Ocean Course golf and Lowcountry luxury
Kiawah Island Golf Resort is home to the Pete Dye-designed Ocean Course, host of the 1991 Ryder Cup, the 2012 PGA Championship, and the 2021 PGA Championship. Five courses across the resort make Kiawah a multi-day golf destination, and the surrounding island maintains a quiet, low-density feel that is hard to find on the East Coast.
Recommended airport: Charleston International (CHS), roughly 45 minutes from Kiawah, handles any aircraft category. Charleston Executive Airport (JZI) on Johns Island is a true private aviation airport closer to Kiawah and a great option when slots are available. See our Charleston destination guide for more.
4. Augusta, Georgia
Best for: Masters week and tournament-week travel
Augusta National needs no introduction. While the course itself is famously private, Augusta during Masters week is one of the most demanding charter weekends of the year. Lead times stretch, slots fill, and aircraft availability tightens significantly. For non-Masters trips, the surrounding Augusta region offers solid public golf and a worthwhile destination in its own right.
Recommended airport: Augusta Regional (AGS) handles any aircraft category but is heavily restricted during Masters week. Many charter clients fly into Daniel Field (DNL) or use Aiken Municipal (AIK) across the South Carolina border as alternates.
5. Sea Island, Georgia
Best for: Forbes Five-Star resort golf and family trips
Sea Island Resort is one of the few Forbes Five-Star resorts in the country and a perennial fixture on luxury travel rankings. The Seaside, Plantation, and Retreat courses make it a serious golf destination, and the surrounding island combines world-class accommodations with some of the best golf instruction in the country. The PGA Tour's RSM Classic is hosted here in November.
Recommended airport: Malcolm McKinnon Airport (SSI) on St. Simons Island is the most popular airport for Sea Island clients, handling aircraft up through heavy jets and sitting just minutes from the Cloister and The Lodge. Brunswick Golden Isles Airport (BQK), roughly 20 minutes from Sea Island, is a solid alternate and also handles up through heavy jets.
6. Streamsong Resort, Florida
Best for: Modern destination golf in central Florida
Streamsong is a relatively new addition to the destination golf conversation, but it has quickly become one of the most respected resorts in the Southeast. Its three main courses, Red, Blue, and Black, were designed by Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw, Tom Doak, and Gil Hanse respectively, on a former phosphate mining site that produces unusual, undulating terrain unlike anything else in Florida.
Recommended airport: Bartow Executive Airport (BOW) is the closest private aviation airport, roughly 30 minutes from the resort. Lakeland Linder International (LAL) is another solid option for larger aircraft. Both handle midsize and heavier jets comfortably.
7. Reynolds Lake Oconee, Georgia
Best for: Six-course resort golf and lakefront luxury
Reynolds Lake Oconee offers six championship courses spread across 12,000 acres of Lake Oconee shoreline, including The Oconee, The Landing, and the Jim Engh-designed Great Waters. The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee anchors the resort experience. Reynolds is one of the most under-the-radar premier golf destinations in the Southeast.
Recommended airport: Lake Oconee Regional Airport (19A) is on-property and handles light to midsize jets. For larger aircraft, Athens-Ben Epps Airport (AHN) is roughly 45 minutes away and handles up through heavy jets.
8. Palmetto Bluff, South Carolina
Best for: Private golf retreat and Lowcountry weddings
Palmetto Bluff is a 20,000-acre private community between Hilton Head and Savannah, anchored by the Montage Palmetto Bluff resort and the Jack Nicklaus Signature May River Golf Club. The course is widely regarded as one of the best modern Nicklaus designs in the country, and the surrounding Lowcountry experience makes it a frequent pick for golf-paired weddings, family retreats, and corporate outings.
Recommended airport: Hilton Head Island Airport (HXD) is roughly 30 minutes by car. Savannah/Hilton Head International (SAV) is about 35 minutes and handles any aircraft category.
9. PGA National Resort, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Best for: Tournament-grade golf and South Florida weather
PGA National is home to the iconic Champion Course and its famous "Bear Trap," host of the PGA Tour's Cognizant Classic. With five championship courses on property and South Florida's year-round weather, PGA National is one of the most accessible serious golf destinations in the Southeast for clients flying in from the Northeast or Midwest.
Recommended airport: Palm Beach International (PBI) is roughly 20 minutes away. For pure private aviation, North Palm Beach County General Aviation (F45) is closer and handles light to super midsize jets. Boca Raton Airport (BCT) is another solid option for slightly southern positioning.
10. TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
Best for: Players Championship pilgrimage
TPC Sawgrass and the Stadium Course host THE PLAYERS Championship every March, and the famous island green at the 17th hole is one of the most recognized in golf. The surrounding Ponte Vedra Beach area combines premier golf with quiet beach access and is consistently underrated as a multi-day destination.
Recommended airport: Jacksonville International (JAX) is roughly 30 minutes from TPC Sawgrass and handles any aircraft category. Northeast Florida Regional (SGJ) in St. Augustine is another good option, particularly for clients combining the trip with time in St. Augustine.
Quick Reference: Airport and Aircraft Pairings
Choosing the Right Aircraft for Golf Trips
A few practical notes on aircraft selection for golf trips, since golf bags add a real dimension to the conversation:
Group of 4 with bags: A light jet like the Phenom 300 or Citation CJ3 handles four golfers and four bags comfortably.
Group of 6-8 with bags: A midsize jet like the Citation Excel/XLS or Hawker 800XP gives you the cabin and baggage capacity for larger groups.
Larger groups (10+) for tournaments or corporate outings: Heavy jets like the Challenger 604/605 or group charter aircraft like the Embraer 145 (configured for 30 passengers) make sense for sponsor groups, corporate retreats, or large parties traveling together.
When you book with us, your Flight Desk advisor will confirm baggage capacity for your specific group and bag count, since golf bag dimensions vary and not every aircraft baggage compartment handles a full set of clubs the same way. Browse our complete aircraft fleet for category-by-category specifications.
Tournament-Week Planning Considerations
If your trip aligns with a major tournament, lead time matters more than usual. The events to plan around in the Southeast include:
- The Masters (Augusta, GA, April)
- The PLAYERS Championship (TPC Sawgrass, FL, March)
- RBC Heritage (Hilton Head, SC, April)
- Cognizant Classic (PGA National, FL, March)
- RSM Classic (Sea Island, GA, November)
Slots, hangar space, and FBO availability tighten meaningfully during these weeks. Booking 60 to 90 days out is the right window for tournament-week trips. Last-minute bookings during these periods often mean flying into an alternate airport and driving in.
Plan Your Golf Trip
How The Jet Guys Handle Golf Trips
We are a WYVERN Registered Broker working with vetted Part 135 operators. Golf trips are one of the most common reasons our clients fly private in the Southeast, and the patterns are consistent: smaller groups want efficient light or midsize jets to nearby private airports, larger groups want cabin space and baggage capacity, and tournament-week clients want experienced coordination from a broker who has done it before. We handle all of that, including FBO selection, ground transportation coordination, and confirming that your aircraft can actually accommodate your group's bags.
Learn more about how we vet every charter operator in our 7-Step Safety Process, or browse our destination pages for more on private jet travel to specific Southeast cities.