Golf continues to see a powerful renaissance, with players increasingly shaping travel plans around exceptional courses rather than destinations alone. In 2026, golf travel is defined by thoughtful restorations, long-anticipated openings, and layouts that emphasize strategy, walkability, and a strong sense of place. Today’s golfer is not simply chasing difficulty or prestige but meaningful experiences — courses that linger in memory long after the final putt drops.
This collection features 10 courses that embody modern golf travel. Each stands out for different reasons: some are carefully restored by trusted stewards; a few offer timeless designs; others showcase bold new designs that reshape their regions; and one even offers rare access to a private club willing to open its doors. Together, these courses offer memorable opportunities for players of all skill levels, encouraging golfers to plan trips that have it all.
A Rare Invitation to Play a Modern Minimalist Masterpiece
Broomsedge has quickly earned cult status among golf purists, not only for its quietly confident design but also for its rare willingness to welcome non-members onto the course. Set on rolling former farmland in South Carolina, the layout embraces a minimalist philosophy, letting natural contours, firm turf, and strategic angles define the experience. The course rewards thoughtful shot-making over brute force, making it engaging for players of all abilities. What makes Broomsedge truly special is access: non-members may request tee times on select weekdays, an opportunity almost unheard of at a club of this caliber. Securing a tee time feels intentional and earned, reinforcing the sense that this is golf played on the game’s purest terms. For 2026, Broomsedge stands as a reminder that great golf is always accessible.
The World’s Most Celebrated Oceanfront Restoration
Few courses are as instantly recognizable as Teeth of the Dog, Pete Dye’s iconic masterpiece hugging the Caribbean Sea. The recent restoration has returned the course to its original brilliance, sharpening its strategic intent while preserving the raw drama of holes that play directly along the water. Seven oceanfront holes define the experience, but it’s the balance of inland strategy and seaside spectacle that keeps golfers coming back. Greens play truer, angles feel more defined, and coastal winds once again factor meaningfully into decision-making. The renovation honors Dye’s vision with subtle refinements rather than reinvention, ensuring the course remains timeless rather than trendy. In 2026, Teeth of the Dog remains essential — not just as a bucket-list round, but as one of the purest expressions of resort golf anywhere in the world.
Iconic Scenery and the World’s Only Floating Green
Set along the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene, this celebrated course delivers one of golf’s most memorable sights: the floating island green. Beyond the famous par-3, the course offers a consistently enjoyable, well-paced round framed by water, forests, and mountain views. The layout is approachable and forgiving, ideal for mixed-ability groups while still offering strategic moments for accomplished players. Boat transportation to the course, immaculate conditioning, and attentive pacing elevate the experience to something closer to theater than a standard round of golf. For 2026, Coeur d’Alene remains a destination where atmosphere and playability coexist beautifully.
Pure Golf in a Natural, Unforced Setting
Copper Creek is a study in restraint and walkability, proving that great golf doesn’t require dramatic elevation or coastal exposure. Routed through natural terrain with minimal disruption, the course emphasizes strategic decisions, creativity in the ground game, and thoughtful green complexes. It’s the kind of place where subtleties reveal themselves over repeated play, rewarding patience and precision. The course encourages walking, reflection, and repeat rounds, appealing deeply to golfers who value architecture over theatrics. In 2026, Copper Creek stands out as an authentic, quietly compelling golf destination.
A Thoughtful Revival Along the Water’s Edge
Great Waters has emerged renewed, with a restoration that enhances both playability and visual drama along Lake Oconee. Originally designed by Jack Nicklaus, the course now feels more cohesive, with improved sightlines and strategic clarity throughout the routing. Water features frame holes without dictating play, creating balance rather than intimidation. The result is a course that feels calmer, more confident, and better suited to extended golf stays. For 2026, Great Waters represents modern restoration done right — respectful, refined, and rooted in place.
A Restored Classic with Timeless Strategy
Host to the PGA TOUR’s annual RBC Heritage, Harbour Town Golf Links holds a singular place in American golf. Fresh from a meticulous restoration led by Davis Love III, a five-time tournament winner and longtime steward of the course, the layout has reopened with renewed clarity and purpose. Originally designed by Pete Dye with his wife, Alice, with assistance from Jack Nicklaus, Harbour Town is widely regarded as one of Dye’s most iconic early masterpieces. Known for its narrow corridors, small greens, and emphasis on precision over power, the course rewards thoughtful play from the opening tee to the lighthouse-backed finish. The restoration modernized infrastructure to ensure championship-caliber conditions while carefully reintroducing elements of Dye’s original design. Harbour Town continues to resist modern distance trends, ensuring every club in the bag matters. In 2026, it stands as both a competitive test and a masterclass in restraint, strategy, and enduring relevance.
Desert Golf Reimagined Through Restoration
The Players Course at Indian Wells has undergone a thoughtful restoration, repositioning it among the desert’s most enjoyable public golf experiences. Wide fairways invite confident drives, while strategic bunkering and green complexes add interest without intimidation. The course flows naturally, supporting relaxed yet engaging rounds ideal for destination travel. Set against the Santa Rosa Mountains, it offers scenery that enhances rather than distracts. For 2026, Indian Wells exemplifies how accessibility and quality can coexist beautifully.
A Dramatic New Opening on the Edge of the World
Perched atop Lookout Mountain, The Keep at McLemore is among the most anticipated course openings in recent years. Designed to showcase sweeping vistas and dramatic elevation changes, the course offers a sense of scale rarely found in inland golf. Clifftop holes deliver breathtaking views, while interior holes emphasize thoughtful routing and playability. What elevates The Keep beyond its scenery is its emotional impact — standing on elevated tees, golfers gain a rare sense of perspective that lingers long after the round ends. In 2026, The Keep is poised to become one of the Southeast’s defining golf experiences.
Jack Nicklaus’ Epic Finale at Land’s End
Quivira is golf at its most cinematic, stretching across cliffs and desert terrain where the Pacific Ocean meets the Baja Peninsula. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, the course embraces elevation, ocean exposure, and bold visuals while maintaining strategic coherence. Wide landing areas let golfers go after their drives, while approach shots demand precision amid dramatic backdrops. Quivira excels in pacing and comfort, with thoughtfully placed viewpoints and rest areas that invite golfers to pause and take in the surroundings. In 2026, it remains one of the world’s most unforgettable resort golf experiences — bold, immersive, and impeccably executed.
Modern European Design in a Pristine Setting
Set along Portugal’s unspoiled Atlantic coast, the Torre Golf Course represents the future of European golf design. Routed through dunes and native vegetation, the course emphasizes natural flow, wind-driven strategy, and understated beauty. It is walking-friendly and rhythm-driven, rewarding creativity and restraint. Torre’s harmony with the land encourages golfers to slow down and fully engage with the experience. In 2026, it is essential for players looking for design-forward golf with a strong sense of place.
