The country's most exclusive club? It might surprise you

Bandon Golf Club isn't snobby, but the membership is tiny, the waiting list is long and the criteria for admission strict.

Hotels We Love: Rancho Bernardo Inn

This sprawling 265-acre resort, set amongst the rolling hills just north of San Diego, is an intimate retreat for those looking to enjoy some time away. Take advantage of California's year-round fair weather and hit the links at the resort's 18-hole championship course. Designed in 1964 by William Francis Bell, the renowned golf course architect behind iconic courses like Torrey Pines, the Resort Course honors its history while sporting modern amenities and well-maintained features. Gather a group of friends to tee off or take golf lessons, available for beginners through advanced players, with private on-course clinics led by PGA professionals. Celebrate a successful round of 18 holes with a drink at the Golf Grill before ending the day with a seasonal, farm-fresh meal at the Forbes Four-Star restaurant AVANT. Pencil in a stop at the onsite spa for a restorative deep-tissue sports massage so you can tee off in top form.