Golf travel expert chooses 10 destinations you should visit in 2026

Golf holidays are booming despite rising green fees and the perilous state of world affairs. Here is my list of 10 destinations you should consider in 2026, from those near home to others to put on your bucket list - including a few unexpected places along the way.

Leeds, England 

You don’t have to fish out your passport to enjoy great golf trips. There are a number of course clusters in England that provide great golf and off course pleasures. And you don’t have to go to the famous links and Open Championship courses to find nirvana. Leeds is a perfect example; on the northern fringes of this Yorkshire city you will find a number of top class venues such as Alwoodley, Moortown, Sand Moor and Moor Allerton.

If you would like to know more, please visit Golfbreaks.

County Donegal, Ireland

The Emerald Isle is jam packed with fantastic courses and few areas capture the true spirit of laid-back Irish hospitality better than Donegal. Rugged and wild, the landscape offers an out-of-this world experience and the Atlantic coastline is breathtakingly glorious. It is also home to some fantastic courses such as three stunners at Rosapenna, home of the fabulous St Patrick’s Links. The county is also famed for two courses at Ballyliffin and another links favourite, Portsalon. Consider taking your car by ferry from the UK so you can take all of your equipment, including waterproofs!

Discover the best golf packages to Donegal on Golfbreaks.

Blue Coast, Portugal

Portugal is one of the favourite destinations for European travelling golfers heading to the Algarve, Lisbon and the Silver Coast in their thousands. Yet the Blue Coast, south of Lisbon in Alentejo, is now the place for those in the know. It has quietly emerged in the last few years providing some of the best golf in Europe. Based around the sleepy rice-growing town of Comporta, the new golfing cluster includes the Dunas and Torre courses at Terras da Comporta, Pinheirinho and Troia. Stay around the lovely Troia marina for well priced accommodation, bars and casino, or treat yourself to the height of luxury at the Quinta da Comporta Wellness Boutique Resort.

Visit Golfbreaks to choose your next golf trip to Portugal.

Landes, France

This was a surprise package to me when I visited in 2024. Tucked away in a huge coastal forest are three pristine golf courses within easy reach of each other. Make your base in the cities of Biarritz or Bayonne, or join the self catering set around the seaside village of Moliets. Golf at Moliets, Hossegor and particularly Seignosse in typically French laid back style, is a treat and a total bargain too. 

See what Golfbreaks has to offer in this popular region in France.

Turin, Italy

Perhaps better known for football and Fiats than golf courses, this majestic city nonetheless has much to offer when it comes to our preferred sport. Courses are fantastic and plentiful for a golf break and needless to say clubhouse food and wine is exemplary. Stay in the big city itself for culture and nightlife or venture into the countryside for a traditional dormy style accommodation at Le Betulle Golf Hotel or the luxurious Bogogno Golf Resort, home to a pair of stunning and challenging courses. Nearer to Turin are Royal Park I Roveri, Edoardo Molinari’s club, and Circolo Golf Torino, both of which are excellent.

Learn more about one of Europe's great city and golf breaks.

Mallorca, Spain

Less visited for golf than the Spanish mainland, the largest island of the Balearics offers top quality golf at a number of locations dotted around the landscape. The best courses are Alcanada, Son Gual and Son Muntaner, but there are numerous alternatives, such as Son Vida, Pula and the T Golf. The capital Palma is simply fabulous and the Castillo Hotel Son Vida, which has golf at three courses, is my favourite hotel anywhere.

Fancy experiencing this magical island? Click here!

Puntacana, Dominican Republic

Bathed all year round in tropical sunshine, the charms of this upscale gated residential and holiday venue are hard to resist. It is a perfect winter getaway for UK golfers. There are varied hotel and villa options to suit all budgets and its two golf courses, Corales and La Cana, are outstanding. It’s an easy drive to other acclaimed courses such as Teeth of the Dog, Dye Fore and Punta Espada. Beach life is terrific and dining options varied. You might like to try the sumptuous local rum, but don’t make my mistake of sampling it at a halfway house!

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Nova Scotia, Canada

Forget the US for now and head to Canada. Heathrow to Halifax, Nova Scotia, is the shortest transatlantic flight available from the UK, making it very appealing for a golf break. Golf is excellent and plentiful, food and wine fabulous and, of course, they speak English. 

Take time to explore Halifax on foot and enjoy a round or two before heading north to Northumberland Shore, home of the luxury Fox Harb’r Resort with its own course. From there drive to Inverness on Cape Breton, the jewel in the crown of Canadian seaside golf, where links-lovers will find favour at the acclaimed Cabot Links. Adjacent is the new Cabot Cliffs course which is even higher rated. Take to the road and explore the rest of the island following the circular Cabot Trail to Highland Links.

Costa Brava, Spain

Spain is bristling with quality golf courses and it’s a tough choice to select just one region. While Costa del Sol usually has the advantage of better weather, Costa Brava is a lovely golfing destination. Fly into Barcelona or, better still Girona, and you will soon be immersed in the Spanish way of life, untroubled by rowdy sangria-sodden tourists. Golfing is excellent, capped by the acclaimed Camiral Stadium course, formerly PGA Catalunya, but it has good rivals with the pair of courses at Emporda, the 45 holes at Real Club de Golf El Prat, and Golf de Pals. Away from the fairways some great beaches beckon, and exploring the medieval towns of Pals and Peratallada takes you back to another age.

You could book your golf break to Costa Brava today!

Garden Route, South Africa

The ultimate road trip for golf enthusiasts starts in Cape Town and ends in George for a flight home. Tours can be escorted or you can hire a car and create your own itinerary. After exploring Table Mountain and the V&A Waterfront at Cape Town it’s worth a detour to the Cape of Good Hope before heading off through the stunning winelands of Franschhoek and Stellenbosch, where you can sample the "Big Easy" wine at Ernie Els’ vineyard. The route to Knysna presents stunning scenery and if you are lucky you will see whales breaching off Hermanus. A detour to visit the penguin colony at Betty’s Bay is well worthwhile too. Golf is top drawer. There are so many courses to choose from, including the renowned three at Fancourt and also Pinnacle Point, Pearl Valley, De Zalze, Arabella, Pezula and Simola.

Here is everything you need to know about the Garden Route.

Which of these spectacular destinations most catches your attention?