Also considered
Four more
Palm Springs, Hilton Head, Pinehurst and Big Cedar were screened. None earned a full page, and here is why.
Each of these was checked against the same seven things as the ten cities. Here is the short version of why they lost.
A hotter, harder to reach Scottsdale. June and July average highs are 104 and 109 with about 115 days a year over 100. Summer rooms run under $150 to $250 and summer golf cards exist (Cimarron $69, Indian Wells $99), but Detroit has no nonstop (6.5 hours and $480 via Denver or Minneapolis) and Atlanta's lone Delta nonstop averages $648. About $1,560 blended for three nights, $1,600 to $1,700 for the Detroit and Atlanta guys. Loses to Scottsdale on access and nightlife, and to Vegas on everything.
A quieter, pricier Myrtle Beach. Harbour Town is $378 to $414 in June and July, far over the cap, and Heron Point's $195 afternoon rate is the only published number under it. Sea Pines and Palmetto Dunes hide group rates behind quote forms with a 9 plus player tournament surcharge warning. The island's own nightlife page describes sunset bars and cover bands; the real night out is an hour away in Savannah. About $1,635 for three nights. Loses to Myrtle Beach on cost and nightlife.
The only alternate that clears the budget (about $1,400 for three nights, near $1,200 for the Atlanta contingent) and the best pure golf value in the country: Tobacco Road $100 to $130, Mid Pines $80 to $95 in summer, Pinehurst No. 1, 3 and 5 at $100 to $135, nonstops to RDU from all three cities. But No. 2 is $470 plus caddie and resort guests only, No. 4 is $395, the resort amenities come at Pinehurst Resort prices, and there is no nightlife to speak of. Deserves a spot on the ballot only if the group wants a golf first option.
Arguably the best courses of the four (Payne's Valley, Ozarks National, Buffalo Ridge) and a real lake party scene at Backwater Jack's and Shady Gators. But Big Cedar's 2026 peak card prices Payne's Valley at $425 for guests and $525 public and the two Coore and Crenshaw courses at $275 to $350, lodge rooms are $267 plus a $50 fee, Detroit has no nonstop to Springfield, Dallas's hop averages $543, and the lake is a two hour drive from the lodge. About $1,835 to $2,125 for three nights. Dropped unless the greens fee cap is lifted to $400 to $500 for one round.