When Does Golf Season End

When does Golf Season Really End?

If you’re like most golfers you dread the off season!

Some players like to hang up the clubs for a few months and focus on hunting, fishing, or other activities but some golfers struggle in winter months. I don’t blame you – this game is addicting and taking a few months off isn’t easy.

While sometimes a golf break is okay, other times it can take a while to get your swing back. But if you’re one of the lucky few that live in places like Arizona, California, South Carolina, or Florida, the golf season never ends!

Keep reading to learn more about the golfing season in different states and what to do in those winter months to keep your game sharp. 

Golf Season – What You Need to Know 

So, when does golf season end anyway?

It depends on where you’re located! Some players can tee it up year round while others only get about half the year. And some other locations offer 8-9 months of a golf season but can come with some bad conditions. 

Here is a quick overview of golf season times based on geography.  

Northern States

The Northern part of the United States has a limited golf season. Most rounds of golf are played between April to October but some states allow golf until November as well. 

Southern States 

The Southern part of the United States has much better golf weather than the North. While they have to deal with rain and humidity at times, they can generally play more golf too. 

The golfing season in Southern states is more like March – November and sometimes even February.

Golf Season in Canada 

What about the Canadian golf season? Similar to the United States, it depends where you live as some places are much warmer than others. 

Like the Northern US States, most of Canada fits into the mid-April to October golf season. But for areas like Vancouver or British Columbia you may get a little larger window.

Needless to say, the cold climate isn’t year round golf conditions!

International Golf Season

The sport is becoming more and more popular around the world so here are the best times to play golf around the world.

Europe Golf Season 

We can’t forget to mention Europe and links golf! Playing golf over the pond is much different thanks to the terrain, weather, and old-school courses. But the weather is arguably the biggest change for most American golfers and not ideal year round conditions.

The European golf season is about the same (March – October) but they get occasional rounds if the weather is good. It also depends on the location as it differs in Northern vs. Southern countries. 

May to September will be the absolute best months to play European golf. You may get lucky both earlier than May and later than September but if an American planing a trip be careful with any dates outside of May to September.

Australia Golf Season 

Australia has some great golfers including Cam Smith and Greg Norman. So what about the season, is it year round good?

Here’s what Golf Tourism Australia said, “This will depend on which parts of Australia you intend visiting. If you are coming to Victoria (Melbourne Sandbelt and Mornington Peninsula) or NSW (Sydney) then September to May is the best time. 

If your trip is in the northern state of Queensland (Gold Coast/Sunshine Coast and Tropical North Queensland) then May to September is best (outside of these months it can be very warm and rainy).”

So if you need a bucket list trip, Australia might be a great time to visit when it’s cold and wet at home. 

South Africa Golf Season 

South Africa has another friendly season for golfers as it runs nearly year round. But the best time of the year is between September and May too. 

When is the Golf Season

PGA Tour Season 

Speaking of the seasons for golf, let’s not forget about the best golfers in the world. The PGA Tour events have shuffled its schedule since LIV Golf and has a wrap-around season for 2022-2023. They are year round golfers!

But there is a big change; starting in 2023, only 70 players will make it to the Playoffs, then 50 to the BMW Championship, and 30 players for the Tour Championship. This means that each week of a normal PGA Tour event plays a big role!

The season starts in October 2022 and goes through August, with the FedExCup Playoffs beginning in September. Things change even more heading into 2024. 

Here’s what the PGA Tour said about the significant changes, “The PGA TOUR will return to a calendar-year schedule in 2024, one of a series of changes announced Wednesday that also includes eight tournaments with greatly enhanced purses, revised field sizes for the FedEx Cup Playoffs, and a reimagined fall including up to three no-cut, limited-field international events.”

LIV Golf Season

One of the biggest reasons so many golfers jumped ship from the PGA Tour was the hectic schedule. Granted, a lot of people don’t feel too sorry for people getting paid millions to play golf, but the travel is exhausting. Not to mention if players miss the cut, they aren’t making anything and losing money on hotel, airfare, caddy, and food. 

The LIV golf season is much different than the PGA season. In 2023, LIV golf is scheduled to have events monthly in locations around the world. Some destinations include Mayakoba, Tucson, Singapore, Tulsa, and more. 

Their goal is to get more people involved in the game around the world by playing in spots that don’t normally have professional events. Only time will tell if the LIV Golf succeeds in the long run or if they can work together with other professional golf tours.

How to Practice in the Off Season 

Depending on where you live, your golf season might not be as long as you want. Luckily, there are more ways than ever to keep your game sharp 365 days a year and improve your golf swing.

Read our full golf off season article here and grab a few ideas below: 

Use an Indoor Putting Green

Putting is one of the most important parts of the game. If your putter is off, it’s nearly impossible to score your best! Luckily, you don’t need a sunny, 70-degree weather day to work on the flat stick.

All you need is an indoor putting green. If you can practice putts from 3-8 feet a few times per week in the off season, it can have a huge impact on your game. Plus, make it even more effective with some of the training aids below:

  • Putting Gates: Challenge yourself in practice by narrowing the target. 
  • Putting Tutor by Dave Pelz: Dial in your start line with this putting aid from one of the most respected names in golf. 
  • Back to Basics Putting Mirror: This is one of the most effective training aids as it can help you with eye and shoulder alignment. Read our full review here. 

Dial in your putting fundamentals in the winter months to come back stronger than ever! 

Start Speed Training 

Rain or shine, it’s never a bad time to add more speed to your swing. Speed training is one of the best ways to start shooting lower scores by hitting it longer off the tee. The longer you are, the shorter your approach shots.

Check out our review of SuperSpeed Golf (the easiest way to start speed training) to learn more now. 

Work on Your Short Game

If you have a backyard, take advantage of those good weather days by honing your short game skills. Invest in a set of chipping buckets to keep your short game sharp even in the winter months. 

Or, if you are feeling ambitious, learn how to build your own putting green

Upgrade Your Mental Game 

Another great thing to do in the off season is work on your mental game! Since golf is such a mental sport, the more you can upgrade your mindset, the better. Here are some resources below to help you learn more now:

Build a Golf Simulator 

If you’re super committed, it might be time to invest in a golf simulator. While most golfers think they’re way too expensive, there are more options than ever. The biggest issue now is that many golfers don’t have the minimum golf simulator room dimensions.

You can get started with a TV, launch monitor, golf mat, and net. Then, work your way up and add on better pieces to your setup so you can play golf without leaving home.

Or, you can splurge for a custom all-in-one simulator in your garage, spare room, or man cave. This way you can play golf courses like Pebble Beach without leaving your home (or flying to California).

Click here to learn more about golf simulators now.

FAQs About the Golf Season

Do you have more questions about the golf season and how to improve in the off season? If so, then keep reading our frequently asked questions and answers below.

How late into the year can you golf?

Most places in the United States allow you to play golf up to September – November. While some warmer destinations have golf 365 days a year like Florida and Arizona. Even though you can play golf every day, expect some hot and humid weather in summer months. 

What is the golf season in New York? 

New York has a shorter season due to Mother Nature. According to the New York State Golf Association the season is April 15th – October 31st. 

Is golf season all year? When does golf season end?

Not for most golfers. But if you live in places like California, Florida, and Arizona, you can tee it up year round and have a longer golfing season than most. Not to mention, they have tons of golf courses too. 

Which state has the most golf courses?

According to the National Golf Foundation, Florida wins the race of most golf courses. Play in Florida said that, “Florida boasts over 1,100 golf courses that play host to over nearly 48 million rounds annually, with 33% by out of state visitors, 14% by non-local Florida residents, and 54% by local residents.”

This is why you can play year round and almost never play the same golf course twice!

When is the PGA Tour season?

For the past few years it’s been a wrap-around season and it’s close to 12 months of the year (which is why some golfers went to LIV). But in 2024 the schedule will change and go back to a calendar year system. 

What is the best state for golf? 

It depends on the golfer but some of the most popular states for year round golf include Arizona, Michigan, Texas, Florida, California, and others. While other states might not have long golf seasons but tend to have cheaper rates, more availability, and great courses too. 

Final Thoughts on Golfing Season

Your golfing season depends on your location but in general it’s April-November. Some golfers get to play year round while others only get 6–9 months and only a few in “prime” season.  Once you start getting frost delays you can pretty much bet you are near the end of the season.

If you want to live somewhere that has year round golf some of the best choices are California, Texas, Nevada, Arizona, South Carolina, and Florida. They have great weather year round so your golfing season won’t end (not to mention a ton of great golf courses too).

Regardless of how long or short your season is on the golf course, don’t forget you can work on your game at home too. Whether you’re speed training, putting with an indoor green, or improving your mental game, all of it helps when you’re able to get back out playing golf.

Set some golf goals in your off season so you can improve even if the weather doesn’t cooperate.