Why Golf Travel Is Booming and the Destinations To Consider for 2026

Golf travel has always had a loyal following, but the past few years have pushed it into a different league. What was once seen as a specialist holiday has become one of the fastest-growing niches in premium travel. Groups of friends, couples and even solo travellers are choosing golf breaks over traditional city weekends, and the trend shows no sign of slowing as we move into 2026.

Part of the appeal comes from a shift in how people want to spend their time away. Travellers are looking for meaningful experiences rather than ticking off landmarks. They want trips that offer a sense of place, a chance to unwind and something that feels worth investing in. Golf fits this perfectly. The courses are scenic, the pace is relaxed and every round has a bit of adventure built in. Add in the rise of flexible working, which makes mid-week or shoulder-season travel more accessible, and you have the perfect environment for golf tourism to thrive.

Below, we explore why golf travel is booming and the destinations that golfers are already booking for 2026.

Why Golf Travel Is Growing So Fast

A shift towards experience-led travel

Modern travellers want more than a quick escape. They want experiences that feel special, personalised and a step above the everyday. A golf trip does exactly that: it combines sport, scenery, and culture in a way that few other styles of holiday can match. Even non-golfers often enjoy the wider experience, from coastal walks and spa facilities to great food and sightseeing tours of local history.

Bucket-list courses are more accessible

Dream courses were once seen as out of reach for most golfers, but that’s no longer the case. Packages make it easier to secure tee times at iconic locations such as St Andrews or Ballybunion, while new flights and improved transport links have opened up destinations like northern Italy and the Middle East.

More inclusive trips

Golf holidays used to be marketed mainly at men’s groups, but the audience has widened dramatically. More women are playing, families are combining golf with sightseeing and many couples choose resorts where only one person plays. Modern golf travel is noticeably broader and more inclusive, which helps the sector grow year on year.

Destinations Worth Considering for 2026

Ireland

Ireland is one of the first countries on any golfer’s wish list, and for good reason. The West Coast is lined with rugged links courses that feel completely untouched by time. Ballybunion’s Old Course is a masterpiece of natural design, and Old Head offers cliff-top holes that you’ll remember long after your trip ends. Beyond the golf, the warm welcome and lively towns make Ireland an easy favourite.

Scotland

Scotland is the birthplace of the game and remains a fantastic location for golf vacations. St Andrews continues to dominate bucket lists, with Turnberry and Troon offering the same mix of history and championship pedigree. The country’s appeal goes well beyond the big names though. The Highlands are becoming increasingly popular thanks to courses such as Royal Dornoch and Castle Stuart, where the scenery feels almost unreal.

Italy

Italy has become a standout choice for 2026, thanks to Rome’s Ryder Cup legacy and the mix of great golf with classic Italian culture. Around Rome, Marco Simone Golf & Country Club is still a major draw, while Circolo del Golf Acquasanta offers one of the country’s most historic layouts, set against Roman hills and ancient aqueducts.

Further north, golfers are looking towards Florence and Tuscany. Ugolino Golf Club gives you sweeping views and a traditional feel, while resorts like Poggio dei Medici mix scenic, tree-lined holes with the food, wine and slower pace the region is known for. It’s an area that works well for both golfers and non-golfers, with easy access to Florence’s galleries, vineyards and hilltop towns.

Dubai

Dubai has positioned itself as one of the best winter-sun golf destinations in the world. Perfect weather from October to April, modern facilities and courses designed by the biggest names in golf all add to its appeal. Emirates Golf Club, Jumeirah Golf Estates and Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club offer championship-level golf paired with top-tier hospitality. For golfers who want sunshine, quality and convenience, Dubai is hard to beat.

What Makes a Great Golf Holiday

Booking the right destination is only part of the equation. A great golf trip balances good golf with the things that make a holiday enjoyable for everyone involved.

Course variety matters. Playing three or four very similar courses can start to feel repetitive, so mixing links, parkland, and modern designs keeps things interesting.

Location is also key. Stay somewhere close to the courses and travel becomes effortless, especially for early tee times.

And then there’s the wider experience. Many golfers now want trips that combine rounds with sightseeing, good food and unique local attractions. This is part of why destinations like Ireland and Italy continue to grow: they give golfers the sense of a rounded holiday, not just a sporting break.

Planning Your 2026 Golf Trip

With demand rising, especially for the most sought-after courses, planning ahead makes a big difference. Tee times at the most famous courses can book out months in advance, and hotels near the prime golfing areas fill quickly during peak periods.

This is where using a specialist helps. If you want to remove the guesswork, companies such as AGS Golf Vacations can handle the details for you. They put together tailored itineraries for Ireland, Scotland, Italy and Dubai, and more, arranging rounds, accommodation and logistics so you can focus on enjoying the trip rather than juggling bookings. For many golfers, this is the difference between a good holiday and an unforgettable one.