Why the Formula 1 races in the U.S. make for perfect golf trips

The explosion of Formula 1 popularity among American sports fans—thanks to the Drive to Survive series on Netflix—has led to three F1 races taking place in the United States this year for the first time (plus one in Canada). Avids will likely be booking trips to experience the booming sport first-hand, and the good news for travelers who have golf on their minds: The races are taking place in great golf destinations.

The first set of races are set for Miami starting May 5th in Miami Gardens. If you’re eager enough to hop on a plane to attend, it looks like there are currently tickets still available—and though hotels in the Miami area will cost you—availability at nearby golf resorts are the way we'd go to combine golf with the F1.

Here are a few ones we’d recommend:

Though it's about an hour and a half (depending on traffic) from Miami, PGA National might be a great option for golfers looking to add an extra day of golf after dabbling in a little F1:

There is still plenty of time to plan a trip to the other two American Formula 1 races this year, though we’d recommend acting fast. The others, Austin (weekend of Oct. 20-22) and Las Vegas (Nov. 17-18), can be paired with a few rounds to make for an ideal golf trip.

Austin has become an international event with downtown taken over by the influx of international crowds. The city’s old airport even opens up for the litany of private jets making their way into Austin.

Staying at a golf resort is a great way to make it a bougie experience for yourself. We hear the Omni Barton Creek resort’s lodging prices will be high, but with four courses on-site, you have everything you need. The resort has offered helicopter trips to the track in the past for circumventing traffic, though we're told that won't be offered this year.

For the everyman, or if you just appreciate good golf, The Muny, as locals call Lions Municipal, is also worth your time. Ben Crenshaw has devoted his resources to save The Muny from being developed, even offering his services along with design partner Bill Coore to preserve and restore the old municipal course.

Here’s the other Austin golf that’s well worth your time:

Our friends at Premier Golf can also arrange for a Texas Hill Country tour, including rounds at TPC San Antonio, for those interested. To combine a trip to the Grand Prix with unique golf packages, contact Premier Golf’s Golf Travel Specialists on 866 260 4409 or email infogolf@premiergolf.com

One of the best tickets in sports this fall will be the F1 races in Las Vegas. This will be an absolute spectacle with the track winding through the strip—creating opportunities to watch the race from some of Vegas’ iconic hotels. An experience at the Wynn is being marketed for a $1 million, and rooms at the Bellagio are going for $2,000 per night with opportunities to meet F1 racers going for more than $11,000 across three days. Vegas knows entertainment … but it also boasts some sneaky good golf options.

Saturday might be the ideal day for golf in Vegas. With the race starting at 10 p.m., there’s plenty of time to tee it up during the day before the evening festivities start.

Though we doubt getting onto Shadow Creek or the Wynn Golf Club will be options for most of our readers, here are some of our other favorite options:

To combine a trip to the Grand Prix with unique golf packages, contact Premier Golf’s Golf Travel Specialists on 866 260 4409 or email infogolf@premiergolf.com.