By Randy Lynn
When it comes to planning the perfect golf getaway, savvy travelers know that great golf is only part of the equation. Mississippi delivers all the essentials—beautiful and challenging courses and mild weather during the fall season. But it’s the extras that truly make a Mississippi golf trip memorable. The state’s exceptional cuisine, music heritage, and welcoming spirit are not to be overlooked.
Whether you’re pairing a coastal round with fresh seafood and nightlife, teeing off at a resort-style course in Central Mississippi, or capping off 18 holes with Delta blues and barbecue up north, you’ll find the state delivers a golf vacation that goes far beyond expectations.
Coastal Gems and Casino Excitement
Mississippi’s Gulf Coast is home to some of the state’s most celebrated courses, many available as part of casino resort stay-and-play packages that make planning your getaway virtually effortless.
Fallen Oak, the crown jewel of Coastal Mississippi courses, is a Tom Fazio–designed stunner exclusive to guests of the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi. Routinely ranked among the top 100 public courses in America, Fallen Oak provides a secluded, pristine golf experience complete with rolling terrain, natural wetlands, and centuries-old live oaks draped in Spanish moss.
Nearby, Grand Bear Golf Course, a Jack Nicklaus Signature design that borders the DeSoto National Forest, is open to the public as a standalone round or as part of a Harrah’s Gulf Coast package. With its serene setting and immaculate fairways, Grand Bear provides a retreat-like escape for golfers of all skill levels.
Another standout is The Preserve Golf Club in Vancleave. Designed by Jerry Pate, this course sits adjacent to the Mississippi Sandhill Crane Refuge and is certified through the Audubon International Signature Program for its environmental stewardship. Stay-and-play packages, including accommodations at Palace Casino Resort, are available.
Coastal Mississippi also boasts a wide range of entertainment and cultural experiences. Top picks include live music at Ground Zero Blues Club Biloxi, the elevated Southern cuisine at White Pillars, and two art museums dedicated to Mississippi coastal artists: the Walter Anderson Museum of Art and the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art.
Capital City Culture and Flavor
Central Mississippi, especially around the state capital of Jackson, delivers a well-rounded golf destination with excellent public courses and a vibrant mix of cultural and culinary attractions.
Within Jackson’s city limits, Pete Brown Golf Facility stands out. Named after a Jackson native who became the first Black golfer to win a PGA-sanctioned event, this well-maintained 18-hole municipal course combines great value with close proximity to the city’s top sites.
Be sure to explore the Two Mississippi Museums, encompassing the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and the Museum of Mississippi History, both located in a striking modern complex downtown. Together, they offer a powerful and immersive look at the people and events that shaped the state and the nation.
Jackson’s dining scene is also worth the trip. Top options include Elvie’s, Mayflower Café, Char, and Walker’s Drive-In. For a more casual night out, try Hal & Mal’s, known for live music and Southern pub fare, or grab barbecue and craft beer at The Pig & Pint.
Just east of Jackson in Flowood, The Refuge Golf Course is a recently renovated public course with fast Bermuda grass greens and a layout suited to players of varying skill levels. The course is adjacent to a hotel and conference center, making it an ideal option for business travel or stay-and-play family trips.
In Philadelphia, Dancing Rabbit Golf Club provides a true destination experience. Set on the lands of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and part of the Pearl River Resort, Dancing Rabbit features two championship-caliber courses, The Oaks and The Azaleas, along with casino gaming, dining, and live entertainment just steps away. Lodging options include two on-site casinos and a selection of clubhouse suites and cabins overlooking the courses.
Delta Blues and Campus Vibes
In North Mississippi, golf blends seamlessly with music, cuisine, and college-town fun. From the casino-linked fairways of Tunica to the collegiate energy of Oxford and Starkville, this region is filled with memorable rounds and rewarding off-the-course experiences.
Golfers looking to stay and play will find strong options in the Mississippi Delta town of Tunica, home to two notable courses. Tunica National Golf & Tennis is a championship-level public course featuring smooth greens, strategic bunkering, and a full practice facility. Just minutes away, River Bend Links provides a fun, links-style layout adjacent to several casino properties. While the course is technically private, packages through nearby casinos make access easy.
The Delta is, of course, the birthplace of the blues, and golfers can follow the music trail between rounds. Start at Tunica’s Gateway to the Blues Museum, then continue to Clarksdale’s Delta Blues Museum, Indianola’s B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center, and Cleveland’s GRAMMY Museum Mississippi. Along the way, seek out classic barbecue and tamale joints for an authentic taste of the region.To the east, the college towns of Oxford and Starkville offer golf experiences steeped in local culture. The Ole Miss Golf Course in Oxford is open to the public and known for its well-groomed fairways, challenging greens, and scenic wooded setting. The Mississippi State University Golf Course in Starkville serves as the home course for the Bulldog golf teams and welcomes public play year-round. Its walkable design provides a satisfying challenge for casual and competitive golfers alike.
These towns are also culinary and cultural hubs. In Oxford, visit Rowan Oak, the home of William Faulkner, or browse the University of Mississippi Museum. Then grab dinner at Saint Leo, a James Beard–nominated wood-fired Italian spot, or enjoy elevated Southern cuisine at City Grocery. In Starkville, explore the walkable Cotton District, where campus life and local flavor meet. Sample vino from around the world at L’uva Wine Room, or settle in for a farm-to-table meal at Restaurant Tyler, known for its upscale take on Southern classics like shrimp and grits and fried green tomatoes. Or head to Two Brothers Smoked Meats, a local favorite known for its casual atmosphere and seriously delicious food.
Plan Your Mississippi Golf Getaway
With easy access from cities like New Orleans, Memphis, Birmingham, and Atlanta, Mississippi is closer than you think—and more rewarding than you imagined. Whether you’re planning a guys’ golf weekend, a couples retreat, or a solo escape with plenty of green time, Mississippi has the courses, culture, and comfort to make it unforgettable.
To start planning your Mississippi golf getaway and explore all of the state’s public courses and attractions, visit VisitMississippi.org/Golf and view the 2025 Mississippi Golf Guide.
