A golf outing should start with good talk and end with a scorecard, not a long day in a crowded airport. Private charter can help a group leave closer to home, fly on its own schedule, and land nearer to the first tee.
That matters for golfers. Clubs, shoes, rain gear, and weekend bags take space. Tee times do not wait for a missed airline link. A private flight can keep the group and its gear on one plan.
Golf travel is also growing. A recent national study found that more than half of U.S. golfers take at least one golf trip each year. For players near Atlanta and Wilmington, many top golf areas are within a practical charter trip. Here are seven private jet golf trips from Atlanta and Wilmington worth planning.
1. Pinehurst, North Carolina
Best for: A classic golf weekend with many course choices
Private airport: Moore County Airport (SOP)
Pinehurst is known as the Cradle of American Golf. The resort has ten 18-hole courses, a short course called The Cradle, and a large putting course. That range makes it useful for mixed-skill groups. Strong players can take on a hard course while newer golfers still have a fun place to play.
Moore County Airport is about a 15-minute drive from the resort and welcomes private aircraft. That close airport makes Pinehurst one of the strongest charter golf choices from both PDK and ILM.
Book the resort before the flight. Many advance tee times are held for members and overnight guests, and access rules vary by course.
2. Sea Island, Georgia
Best for: A polished company outing or couples' golf trip
Private airport: St. Simons Island Airport (SSI)
Sea Island offers three championship courses: Seaside, Plantation, and Retreat. The resort also has a golf performance center, dining, beach time, and group outing support. It works well when some guests care as much about the full resort as they do about the round.
St. Simons Island Airport is about five minutes from The Lodge and ten minutes from The Cloister, based on Sea Island's travel guide. Brunswick Golden Isles Airport (BQK) is another nearby option. Your charter team can compare runway needs, weather, parking, and ground plans before the flight.
Sea Island is an easy coastal choice from Atlanta PDK. It also gives groups from Wilmington a full resort trip without a major airline hub.
3. Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Best for: Ocean views and a major test of golf
Airport plan: A Charleston-area airport chosen for the flight
Kiawah Island Golf Resort has five courses, led by the Ocean Course. The resort says spring and fall are its most popular golf seasons. Winter stays can also bring mild days, with normal high temperatures around 60 to 65 degrees from early December through early March.
The Ocean Course is a fine choice for a group that wants a course to remember. Other layouts can help build a longer trip with more than one style of play.
Airport choice needs care. Charleston International Airport (CHS) is about an hour from Kiawah under normal conditions, with more time needed to reach the Ocean Course. A charter advisor can also review suitable general aviation options based on the aircraft and the day's airport conditions.
4. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Best for: A social golf weekend with many places to stay and play
Private airport: Hilton Head Island Airport (HXD)
Hilton Head is built for a golf getaway. The island and nearby Lowcountry have many public, resort, and private courses. Harbour Town Golf Links is the best-known name, but groups can also look at Atlantic Dunes, Heron Point, and other area layouts based on access and tee times.
Hilton Head Island Airport can place the group on the island. That may cut a long ground transfer and help make a two-night trip feel less rushed.
This is a strong choice for groups that want golf, dinner, and time near the water. Confirm course access before you lock the flight, since some tee times depend on a resort stay.
5. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Best for: Large groups that want value and many course choices
Airport options: Grand Strand Airport (CRE) or Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR)
Myrtle Beach has one of the deepest sets of golf courses in the Southeast. That gives planners more ways to match budget, skill level, and group size. It is also close enough for a quick trip from ILM, yet charter can still add value when a group has a set tee time, a large amount of gear, or guests meeting from more than one city.
Grand Strand Airport can be useful for the north end of the golf area. MYR may fit plans closer to central Myrtle Beach. Choose courses first, then ask the charter team to compare airports against the hotel and daily drive times.
6. Streamsong, Florida
Best for: A golf-first trip with three bold courses in one place
Airport plan: A central Florida airport chosen for the aircraft and ground route
Streamsong Resort offers the Red, Blue, and Black courses, plus a short course and large putting course. It is a good fit for golfers who want to stay on site and play from morning to evening.
The resort sits away from Florida's largest cities. That sense of space is part of the appeal, but it makes the airport plan important. A private charter can use the best suitable airport for the group, then connect to reserved ground transport.
From Atlanta PDK, Streamsong can turn a hard driving day into a simple golf weekend. It is also a warm-weather option when courses farther north face frost or short winter days.
7. Scottsdale, Arizona
Best for: Winter sun, desert views, and a milestone trip
Private airport: Scottsdale Airport (SDL)
Scottsdale has a large choice of desert courses, resorts, dining, and group activities. It is a longer trip from PDK or ILM than the Southeast choices, but it fits groups that want a bigger winter event.
Popular winter tee times can fill early. Reserve the courses and rooms well ahead of the flight. A longer route may also change the aircraft choice based on winds, passenger weight, and baggage.
Which Golf Destination Fits Your Group?
Use the goal of the trip to narrow the list.
- Choose Pinehurst for golf history and the widest range of resort courses.
- Choose Sea Island for a high-touch company or client event.
- Choose Kiawah for coastal golf and a hard, memorable test.
- Choose Hilton Head for a social weekend with many off-course options.
- Choose Myrtle Beach for a larger group and more price points.
- Choose Streamsong for a golf-first resort stay.
- Choose Scottsdale for a warm winter trip that feels like a major event.
Plan the Clubs Before You Pick the Aircraft
Golf bags are long, heavy, and hard to stack. Eight golfers do not always fit on an eight-seat aircraft when each person brings clubs and a full travel bag. That is why a clear baggage list is a key part of a safe charter plan.
Aero Centers' Atlanta fleet includes Pilatus PC-12 aircraft with seating for up to eight passengers and limited luggage. The PC-12 has a large cargo door, but the crew must still stay within space and weight limits for the route. A smaller group, soft bags, or shipped clubs may help. For a larger outing, the charter team can review other aircraft or more than one flight.
Share this information before asking for a final quote:
- Number of golfers and other guests
- Number of full-size golf bags
- Size and type of travel covers
- Number of suitcases
- Course, hotel, and tee times
- Ground transport needs
- Any guests joining from another city
A Simple Two-Night Golf Trip Plan
Day one: Leave PDK or ILM in the morning, arrive near the resort, play a short course or afternoon round, and hold a group dinner.
Day two: Play the main course in the morning. Add a second round, lesson, spa visit, or client meeting in the afternoon.
Day three: Play an early final round, have lunch, and fly home before the workweek begins.
Private charter makes this plan easier because the return time can be built around the group. Weather, airport hours, and crew limits still matter, so leave room in the schedule.
Book a Private Charter Golf Trip with Aero Centers
The best golf outing is not always the farthest one. It is the trip that fits the players, the course, and the time you have. From Pinehurst to Scottsdale, Aero Centers can help groups compare airports, aircraft, baggage needs, and flight times.
Start at DeKalb-Peachtree Airport in Atlanta or Wilmington International Airport in North Carolina. Contact Aero Centers Private Charter to plan a golf trip built around your group.
