If it feels like more golfers you know are planning trips to Bandon, Pinehurst, Scotland, or even just the next town over for a weekend of 36-a-day, you’re not imagining things. Golf trips have exploded in popularity and it’s not just for the scratch crowd or bucket-list chasers anymore.
Whether it’s a big international itinerary or a casual buddies’ getaway, golf travel has become one of the most exciting parts of the modern game. So what’s driving the surge?
Let’s take a closer look.
It’s about more than just golf
Yes, the golf is great. But what people love most about golf trips is everything around the rounds. The shared meals, the bad jokes, the late-night putting contests, the quiet early morning drives to the course.
A golf trip gives you permission to block out life for a few days and live in a simple, joyful rhythm: eat, play, relax, repeat. You’re not rushing to fit in nine after work. You’re there to soak it all in.
Everyone’s looking for connection
In an increasingly digital and fast-paced world, people are craving real connection. A few days on the road with your closest friends or family members, all with the same goal of playing as much golf as possible, creates a bond that lasts far beyond the trip.
It’s not about perfect swings. It’s about shared memories, inside jokes, and those rare moments where life feels refreshingly uncomplicated.
The game has become more accessible
Thanks to the rise of public golf destinations, online booking tools and better travel options, it’s never been easier to plan a trip. You don’t need a private club invite or deep industry connections anymore.
Resorts and golf destinations are creating packages designed specifically for groups. From stay-and-play deals to shuttle services and club rentals, they’re making it simple for anyone to show up and play.
Social media and word-of-mouth are fueling inspiration
If you’ve spent any time scrolling through Instagram or TikTok lately, you’ve probably seen someone walking a misty links course or teeing off at sunrise in the mountains. The visuals are stunning and they make people want to experience it for themselves.
Add in content creators, travel vloggers, and buddies posting their own trips, and suddenly, taking a golf trip doesn’t feel like a luxury. It feels like a rite of passage.
The game is younger and more adventurous
Golf’s demographic has shifted. More younger players are getting into the game and they’re bringing an adventurous mindset with them. They want to play the hidden gems, the rugged courses, the wild weather, the dramatic views.
For many, the golf trip is less about chasing birdies and more about chasing experiences. Hitting a perfect 3-iron into the wind on a cliffside par 3? That’s the memory they want to carry home.
There’s always another course to play
Even if you’ve played your home course a hundred times, there’s something electric about teeing it up somewhere new. New challenges, new landscapes, new greens to read.
Golf trips reignite your love for the game. They challenge you to adapt, to strategize, to appreciate the variety golf has to offer. Every course has its own personality, and seeing how your game travels is half the fun.
Not sure where to go next?
There’s no shortage of destinations worth adding to your list. Looking for iconic views and rugged links-style golf? Bandon Dunes in Oregon and Cabot Cape Breton in Nova Scotia should be high on your radar.
Want a classic American experience with southern charm? Pinehurst, Sea Island, and Streamsong each offer great golf with full-service resorts.
For budget-conscious groups, check out Northern Michigan, Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Trail, or the Wisconsin trifecta of Sand Valley, Erin Hills, and Whistling Straits. And if you’re dreaming bigger, Scotland and Ireland still deliver the kind of golf memories that last a lifetime.
The best trip isn’t always the most expensive or farthest from home. It’s the one with great company, a well-packed trunk, and a few tee times that you’ll be talking about for years.
Final thoughts
Golf trips have become more than just vacations. They’re experiences. They’re opportunities to connect with others, play great golf, and create stories that get retold for years.
Whether it’s a once-in-a-lifetime overseas adventure or a quick weekend at a nearby course, taking a golf trip is one of the best ways to deepen your love for the game and the people you share it with.
Let’s hear from you
Have you taken a golf trip recently? Where did you go, who did you play with, and what was the highlight of the trip? Share your stories and inspire someone else to plan their next getaway.
1 Comment
I enjoyed your golf travel article very much. In 2011, I played Pebble Beach for the first time; solo and paired with three other golfers. I was 66 at the time. Then the next year with two friends, and 12 other times as part of The Duke at Pebble Beach, an annual tournament held every August. In 2012, I traveled alone to St. Andrews and stood in line in driving rain at 4:00 AM to get a tee time on the Old Course. Played it twice that week, once in terrible weather and the next day in the best. I have also played Carnoustie and Kingsbarns as well. I was hooked and have played the Old Course five more times in the past four years, once with a friend, once with my son and the others paired up solo with strangers from all over the world. These two courses were at the top of my bucket list for a “once in a lifetime experience”. I will be 80 in a week and plan to go back to Scotland next year if I can get an OC tee time. Unfortunately, most of my friends don’t like, or want, or can’t afford to travel to play golf. I have found that meeting complete strangers on a golf course to be an exciting and exhilarating experience. Don’t wait 30 years like I did for someone to go with you to fulfill your golf, or for that matter, any of your lifelong dreams. Besides, when you travel solo “all decisions are unanimous”.