Dog-Friendly Golf Courses: Tee Off With Fido (Updated for 2026)

There is something quietly appealing about the image: a leisurely round of golf on a beautiful course, your dog trotting alongside you on the cart path, pausing to sniff the rough while you line up your approach shot. For dog owners who love golf, this is not a fantasy — it is an increasingly available reality. A growing number of golf courses across the US and internationally have adopted dog-friendly policies that allow leashed, well-behaved dogs to accompany golfers on the course. This guide covers the best dog-friendly courses, the etiquette every dog-golfing owner must follow, which dog breeds tend to excel in this setting, and how to plan a combined golf and dog travel trip that works for both you and your four-legged caddie.

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Why Some Golf Courses Welcome Dogs

The golf industry is in the midst of a cultural evolution driven by a younger, more diverse player base that expects outdoor recreation spaces to accommodate their full lives — including their pets. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated golf’s growth significantly (course rounds increased 10-15% through 2020-2021), and many of those new golfers came with dogs. Progressive course operators recognized an opportunity to differentiate by welcoming dogs, and the results — in terms of membership satisfaction and driving-range visibility — have been largely positive.

Dog-friendly golf is also more common at certain course types: public daily-fee courses, resort courses, and rural or semi-rural member courses tend to be more accommodating than competitive private clubs with strict dress codes and formal cultures. If your home course has a no-pets policy, these destination courses offer a genuine alternative for traveling dog-owning golfers.

Key Takeaway: Dog-friendly golf courses are still a minority of total courses, but their number is growing. Always call ahead to confirm the current policy, as seasonal restrictions (particularly during tournament season) may limit dog access even at normally welcoming courses.

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Top Dog-Friendly Golf Courses in the United States

Gamble Sands Golf Course (Brewster, Washington)

Gamble Sands is widely considered one of the most extraordinary public golf courses in the American West — a links-style layout cut through rolling sagebrush terrain above the Columbia River in north-central Washington. The course’s remote, outdoor-adventure ethos extends to a genuine welcome for well-behaved leashed dogs. Dogs walk the course with their owners, staying on rough and cart paths rather than fairways and greens.

The Gamble Sands lodge and lodging accommodations nearby accept dogs, making this an ideal one-stop destination for a golf and dog travel weekend. The surrounding Okanogan Highlands offer excellent hiking terrain for pre- and post-round exercise. Course fees: $95-$175 depending on season.

Erin Hills Golf Course (Hartford, Wisconsin)

Host of the 2017 US Open, Erin Hills is a public course that allows leashed dogs to accompany walkers (cart riders excluded from dog access). The sprawling Wisconsin countryside course — 650 acres of restored native grasses and wildflower meadows — is a spectacular environment for dogs who enjoy wide-open spaces. Dogs must remain on cart paths and rough areas. The facility’s outdoor common areas and nearby accommodations in Hartford are dog-welcoming.

Pronghorn Resort (Bend, Oregon)

The Fazio and Nicklaus courses at Pronghorn Resort in Bend, Oregon, welcome dogs during non-tournament periods, particularly on the Fazio course’s early-morning and late-afternoon rounds. Bend is already one of the most dog-friendly cities in the United States, and Pronghorn fits naturally into that culture. The resort itself is pet-friendly in its accommodations, and the Deschutes River trail system runs nearby for dog walking between rounds.

Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club (Arcadia, Michigan)

Perched on the bluffs above Lake Michigan on the state’s northwest coast, Arcadia Bluffs is a dramatic links-style course with sweeping views of the lake. The club’s Walking Only policy (no motorized carts on the championship course) aligns naturally with dog-friendly walking rounds, and the club has accommodated leashed dogs on the course during non-tournament periods. Call ahead, as dog access is at the club’s discretion and may vary.

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Bandon, Oregon)

Bandon Dunes, home to five extraordinary links courses on the Oregon coast, has a documented tradition of golfers walking the courses with dogs. The resort’s walking-only culture on most courses, the wild coastal landscape, and the genuine outdoor-enthusiast ethos of the operation make it one of the most appealing dog-golf destinations in the country. The resort accommodations accept dogs (fees apply). The remote location also means the surrounding Bandon coast offers excellent dog-friendly beach access.

Sweetens Cove Golf Club (South Pittsburg, Tennessee)

Sweetens Cove’s 9-hole layout in the Tennessee mountains has become a cult favorite among golfers who prioritize experience over prestige — the course costs $50-$75 to play and regularly ranks among the best public courses in the United States. Dogs are welcome to walk the course with their owners, reflecting the unpretentious, outdoor-enthusiast culture that defines the club. The surrounding Sequatchie Valley is gorgeous and dog-friendly throughout.

Tobacco Road Golf Club (Sanford, North Carolina)

Mike Strantz’s maverick design through old tobacco sand hills in central North Carolina has a reputation for bold, unconventional golf and a relaxed, welcoming attitude toward golfers of all types — including those with dogs. The walking-focused culture and rural setting make it naturally accommodating for leashed dogs during non-peak periods. Call ahead for current policy.

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International Dog-Friendly Golf Destinations

Scottish Links Courses (Scotland, UK)

Scottish links golf is the historical foundation of the sport, and many of Scotland’s coastal links courses operate in environments where dogs are a natural presence. While the most prestigious clubs (Muirfield, Royal Troon) maintain strict no-pet policies, numerous Scottish public links courses welcome dogs:

• Brora Golf Club (Sutherland): A James Braid design in the Scottish Highlands where the cattle on the course are your primary competition for space, and dogs are entirely at home.
• Machrihanish Dunes (Kintyre Peninsula): A spectacular natural links where dogs walk freely and the setting is among the most dramatic in golf.
• Anstruther Golf Club (Fife): A short but characterful links course in East Neuk where dogs are common companions for local members and visitors alike.

Portugal

Portugal’s golf corridor in the Algarve and around Lisbon has developed into one of Europe’s premier golf destinations, and the country’s cultural warmth toward dogs extends to several courses:

• Royal Óbidos Spa & Golf Resort: A dog-welcoming resort north of Lisbon where golf, accommodation, and dog-friendliness combine effectively.
• Quinta do Peru (Setúbal region): A parkland course south of Lisbon where dogs are accommodated during weekday play.

Portugal’s broader dog-friendly travel infrastructure (see our dog-friendly Portugal travel guide) makes it an ideal destination for a golf-and-dog European trip.

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Dog-Friendly Golf Course Etiquette

Being permitted on a golf course with your dog is a privilege that can be lost quickly if owners do not exercise responsibility. Follow these rules without exception:

Essential golf course dog etiquette:

1. Keep your dog on a 6-foot leash at all times. Retractable leashes are dangerous on golf courses — they can trip other golfers and do not provide adequate control at distance. The USGA recommends checking individual course policies before arrival.

2. Never allow your dog on greens, tee boxes, or fairway sand bunkers. Dog paw prints in bunkers are deeply problematic for other players, and green damage is obvious. Stick to the rough and cart paths at all times.

3. Carry more poop bags than you think you need. Pick up immediately and carry waste until you reach a disposal bin. A missed pile in the rough creates a serious hazard for following players.

4. Keep your dog quiet during other players’ shots. A bark mid-backswing is the fastest way to end your dog’s golf course privileges permanently. Manage your dog’s attention and use high-value treats during shot sequences.

5. Ask permission before approaching other groups. Not all golfers are dog fans. Keep your dog away from adjacent groups unless explicitly invited.

6. Do not bring food or chews onto the course. Dogs who are focused on a chew toy rather than you create hazard management problems. Save treats for marked rest areas.

7. Yield to all other golfers. Groups without dogs have course priority. Wait until other groups have cleared the area before proceeding.

Pro Tip: Carry a large, clearly visible “DOG ON COURSE” flag or badge that course management has approved. Some dog-welcoming courses provide these at the pro shop, and their visibility reassures other golfers who see your group approaching.

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Best Dog Breeds for Golf Course Companionship

Not all dogs are equally suited to golf course accompaniment. The ideal golf course dog is:

• Calm and easily managed on leash — not reactive to golfers’ swings, carts, or other animals
• Comfortable with long, slow walks — golf is a walking sport with frequent pauses, which suits calm breeds better than high-energy working dogs
• Non-destructive — a dog who digs in bunkers or chases birds through the rough is a problem
• Comfortable being quiet for extended periods — the hush culture of golf demands silent dogs during play

Breeds that tend to excel on golf courses:

• Golden Retrievers: natural walking companions, calm, easy to manage
• Labrador Retrievers: similar to Goldens, love the outdoors without excessive energy
• Bernese Mountain Dogs: calm, love long walks at a slow pace
• Standard Poodles: intelligent, quiet, responsive to training
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniels: perfectly sized, calm, gentle temperament
• Basset Hounds: slow-moving, not reactive, uninterested in chasing

Breeds that may struggle:

• Border Collies and other herding breeds: the movement of golfers and carts may trigger herding instincts
• High-energy sporting breeds (young Vizslas, Irish Setters): the slow pace may create frustration and behavioral issues
• Reactive or territorial breeds: cannot safely be managed around other golfers

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Planning a Combined Golf and Dog Travel Trip

The best golf-and-dog travel destinations share several characteristics: walkable courses with off-leash access nearby, dog-friendly on-site or nearby accommodation, and broader outdoor recreation infrastructure for non-golf days.

Sample Golf + Dog Weekend: Bend, Oregon

• Day 1: 18 holes at Pronghorn (morning), afternoon hike on the Deschutes River Trail
• Day 2: 9 holes at Juniper Golf Course (dog-welcoming public course), afternoon at Farewell Bend Dog Park
• Day 3: Drive the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway with stops at Tumalo State Park and Todd Lake (dogs on leash)
• Accommodation: McMenamins Old St. Francis School ($120-$180/night, pet fee applies) or private Airbnb near Old Mill District

Sample Golf + Dog Weekend: Bandon, Oregon

• Day 1: Walking round at Sheep Ranch course, afternoon at Beach Loop Road dog-friendly beach
• Day 2: 18 holes at Bandon Dunes (Pacific Dunes or Bandon Trails), evening at Bandon Dunes resort lodge
• Day 3: Cape Arago State Park hike, lighthouse trail, optional additional golf at Old Macdonald

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What to Pack for a Golf Day With Your Dog

Item	Purpose
32 oz water bottle	Golf courses have limited water stations
Collapsible bowl	Dog drinking breaks between holes
Poop bags (10+)	More than you expect to need
High-value treats	Attention management during shots
Short leash (6 ft max)	Retractable leashes are not appropriate
Cooling bandana	Summer courses can be hot
Dog first aid kit basics	Paw cuts from rough terrain are common
Dog ID tag with cell number	If separation occurs on a large course

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What If the Course Does Not Allow Dogs?

If your preferred golf destination does not allow dogs on the course itself, explore these alternatives:

• On-site kenneling: Some resort courses offer high-quality on-site dog day care during your round. Inquire at booking.
• Rover.com: Book a local sitter or dog walker for the hours you are on the course. Your dog can be walked and exercised while you play.
• Alternating days: Build the itinerary around golf days and dog days rather than combining them.

See our rover vs wag best pet care apps guide for booking trusted dog care at travel destinations.

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Final Thoughts

Dog-friendly golf is a genuinely growing phenomenon, driven by cultural shifts in how golfers define the outdoor recreation experience. The best dog-friendly courses share a commitment to the natural environment, a walking-focused culture, and an openness to the kind of relaxed, unpretentious golf experience that is more about the day than the scorecard. If you are a dog owner who loves golf, start calling ahead — you may be surprised how many courses are more welcoming than their websites suggest. And bring plenty of poop bags.

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