Stuck for ideas on where to travel with your sticks in the new year? Our list of favourite golf destinations caters for all ages, tastes and budgets. Safe travels!
The golf landscape appears markedly different as 2026 dawns to that of a quarter of a century ago when we welcomed the start of the new millennium. Numerous courses, both here and abroad, didn’t exist in 2001 yet they draw legions of golfers today. So whatever ‘bucket list’ you’ve been compiling on paper or in your head during that time (keeping in mind that movie, and associated term, didn’t exist until 2007), it’s probably in need of a revision if you began devising your wish list in a year starting with a ‘1’.
That’s where we come in. As we welcome 2026, here are 26 places to take your clubs and best friends or loved ones this year and beyond.
EMBARK ON A GOLF CRUISE
If you think cruising had its moment post-COVID, think again. For golfers, 2026 is shaping as the year the game and the open seas finally collide in style. New ships, smarter itineraries and an explosion of golf-focused shore excursions mean there’s never been a better time to swap airport queues for ocean views. – Brad Clifton
Crystal Cruises
Set against some of the world’s most breathtaking seascapes, the idea of teeing off at sea transforms from fantasy to an unforgettable reality aboard Crystal. Onboard, refine your game with professional golf instructors through shared clinics or private lessons, perfecting your swing with dedicated nets and greens, while onshore, visit some of the world’s finest golf courses for a true once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Between swings, enjoy Crystal’s exceptional hospitality with endless opportunities for enrichment and entertainment, complemented by service that’s second to none. Refuel at nine distinct dining venues, from 24-hour in-suite dining to Beefbar, Umi Uma – the only Nobu concept at sea, and Osteria d’Ovidio, showcasing Italian fine-dining courtesy of the Michelin-rated Alajmo brothers.
The Crystal Explorer Fare rewards guests who plan ahead, giving you the option to save 10 percent on select voyages booked at least eight months in advance and paid upfront. Standard cancellation terms apply.
OUR PICK: 9 nights | New York City to San Juan | October 26 to November 4 | Crystal Symphony (from $5,760 per person)
See full itineraries at Crystalcruises.com
Imagine Cruising
Imagine Cruising has taken a slightly different tack to the standard hotel-and-transfers golf package. Rather than dropping you into one resort for a week, they stitch together rounds at marquee courses with genuinely interesting travel elements – think classic rail journeys, curated city tours or time spent exploring natural landmarks you’d otherwise fly straight past. It’s a more considered way to see the world with your clubs in tow, and a reminder that a golf trip doesn’t need to follow the same well-worn formula to be memorable.
OUR PICK: 24 nights | The Danube, Northern Lights & Europe’s Christmas Markets | Departs November 5 | Nieuw Statendam + Emerald Astra (from $11,499 per person)
See full itineraries at imaginecruising.com.au
Silversea
Silversea sits at the top end of the cruising spectrum, but what sets the line apart isn’t just the white-glove service, it’s the way their smaller ships get into places the big vessels can’t. With a 12-strong fleet of ships built for deeper exploration, they cover an enormous swathe of the globe, from marquee ports to out-of-the-way coastlines that reward travellers who like to go beyond the obvious. For golfers, that means access to a wider spread of courses and experiences, delivered with the sort of comfort and attention to detail that makes life between rounds feel just as memorable as the golf itself.
OUR PICK: 13 days | Nuuk (Godthab) to Reykjavik | July 1-14 | Silver Wind (from $19,600 per person)
See full itineraries at silversea.com
Uniworld
Take your passion for golf abroad on a luxurious Uniworld getaway. Sophistication meets active travel in this exclusive new experience. This company’s destination teams worked together with golfers to handpick breathtaking local courses in a seamless itinerary. On two separate occasions during your cruise, they’ll escort you and your fellow golfers to a top-rated regional course for an 18-hole round. At the end of your game, unwind with a meal at the clubhouse. You’re encouraged to bring your own clubs but will be hooked up with club rentals if that is your preference.
When you aren’t playing golf, you’ll be living the high life aboard one of Uniworld’s floating boutique hotels or heading ashore to immerse yourself in your destinations on memorable excursions with local guides.
OUR PICK: 8 days | Brilliant Bordeaux | Multiple departures from March 29 | S.S. Bon Voyage (from $5,099 per person)
See full itineraries at uniworld.com
FIND A WAY TO GET TO KING ISLAND
The rock in Bass Strait is isolated yet worth the pilgrimage for two-and-a-half outstanding golf courses, two of which are truly world class. Cape Wickham is the top-ranked layout we have according to Australian Golf Digest, while Ocean Dunes ranks in the low teens. And don’t discount the island’s original course – King Island Golf & Bowling Club – where the nine-hole layout is easily augmented into an 18-hole excursion via alternate tees. But it’s the ‘big two’ that pull golfers in. The wild and adventurous designs are often matched by equally volatile weather. However, poor conditions rarely linger, as the Roaring Forties quickly propel squalls away. You, by contrast, should stay put. And for several days. – Steve Keipert
TOUR TASMANIA
Acknowledging here that King Island is part of Tasmania, we’re separating the two as an indication that both offer differing experiences as well as logistics to reach. The rest of Tasmania is a hive of activity, especially with the recent opening of 7 Mile Beach where the second course is already under construction. In 2026, work should begin on the long-awaited Arm End course that’s on a magnificent peninsula sticking into the River Derwent, while this year will see the re-opening of the Country Club of Tasmania course in Launceston after a four-year renovation. But perhaps Tassie’s real delights lie in the golf experiences to be found elsewhere – the charm of Ratho, Australia’s oldest golf course, the mighty Barnbougle trio and the myriad nine-holers across the state. – S.K.
SOAK UP SOUTH-EAST QUEENSLAND
I can’t wait to explore more of Queensland’s southern coastline and the Brisbane area. There are so many quality courses to play, like Brisbane’s Royal Queensland and Indooroopilly Golf club to the Sunshine Coast favourites like Twin Waters, Peregian Springs and hidden gems like Maleny Golf Club, which Adam Scott shone a light on by playing a nine-hole match there during COVID-19 and showing the game on Instagram live. Throw in the Gold Cast and there’s Sanctuary Cove, Hope Island, The Glades and more. It would be a marvellous 10 days of golf. – Evin Priest
REVEL IN A NEW ZEALAND ROAD TRIP
Our neighbour presents a far more driveable nation than our own, where so much ‘nothing’ consumes the centre of Australia. Even Cook Strait is no hurdle, with a car ferry to traverse the gap between New Zealand’s two main islands. From the quasi-tropical climes of the North Island’s northern regions to the frigid but fantastic southern tip of the South, the country is littered with diverse golf environments that match the varied terrain. One day you might play golf beside a picturesque lake then the next on a mesmerising layout bordered by a mountain range. So pack your clubs and hit the road for an experience you’ll never forget. Or regret. – S.K.
IMMERSE YOURSELF IN TE ARAI LINKS
I was fortunate enough to play Tara Iti in 2016, but haven’t returned to that incredible, sandy, coastal area of Mangawhai in New Zealand since. Now that neighbouring Te Arai Links has established itself in that time, it’s a great reason to return. I’ll be there for the 2026 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship at Te Arai and it’ll be really moving to see a young amateur have a putt on the 18th green at the South course to win that will send him to the 2027 Masters and 155th Open Championship at St Andrews. – E.P.
DIVE INTO QUEENSTOWN
Golf might not feel like enough of a white-knuckle pursuit to fit properly into the high-adrenaline landscape of activities in Queenstown. However, there are so many high-calibre golf courses there and in nearby Arrowtown that your blood is certain to get pumping in a manner befitting bungee-jumping, skiing, snowboarding, skydiving, jetboating and the town’s other famous pastimes. Time-honoured golf options like Millbrook, Jack’s Point, The Hills and Queenstown Golf Club will next summer be joined by the new Glendhu layout at nearby Wanaka and, in late 2027, by the Hogan Gully course at Arrowtown. It’s a perfect case of a great golf destination getting even better. – S.K.
FEEL THE HYPE OF SHIGARAKI
Shigaraki, tucked into misty valleys in Japan’s Shiga Prefecture, offers a rare blend of championship golf and timeless culture. Its courses – often threaded through pine forests and rolling hills – offer fairways framed by forest ridges and rock-cut valleys.
Golf there isn’t just about the round. Expect elegant bentgrass greens, courteous caddies, and the tradition of a relaxed lunch or tea mid-round – all wrapped in serene mountain air. Beyond the turf, Shigaraki is Japan’s pottery heartland. After 18 holes you can wander the kiln-lined lanes, admire handmade ceramics and even craft your own piece.
For any golfer chasing something with soul, Shigaraki delivers tradition, texture and timeless charm – golf with a deep pulse of place. – B.C.
VENTURE BEYOND THE ‘BIG 4’ IN ADELAIDE
Adelaide has quietly built a reputation as one of Australia’s great golf cities, thanks largely to its “Big Four” – Royal Adelaide, Glenelg, Kooyonga and Grange golf clubs. Each offers a distinct test: Royal Adelaide’s sweeping dunes and sandy scrub provide the backdrop for multiple playing lines on every hole; Glenelg’s traditional links characteristics, with natural sand dunes and native vegetation have been thoughtfully restored to their former glory; Kooyonga’s classic championship feel will only improve with LIV Golf Adelaide heading its way next year; and The Grange’s polished dual layouts have never played better thanks to financial injection from hosting LIV Golf three years in a row. It’s a rare cluster of quality within minutes of the CBD. Off the course, Adelaide shines just as brightly. The city’s restaurant scene is booming, with laneway bars, modern Australian dining and fresh local produce at every turn. And less than an hour away lies the Barossa Valley, where iconic wineries, lengthy lunches and laid-back cellar doors offer the perfect post-round indulgence. – B.C.
ATTEND THE AUSSIE ‘MAJORS’
Did you feel a thrill while watching the Australian PGA Championship and Australian Open play out late last year? Did they inspire you to be on-course when the 2026 editions roll around? We don’t blame you. With the Australian Open heading to Kingston Heath in December, that championship is already shaping as a highlight of the year. And while we don’t yet know the host venue for the ’26 PGA, we do know that the Australian WPGA Championship is set for Sanctuary Cove Golf & Country Club from March 19-22. Might its ‘brother’ event join it on the Gold Coast later in the year? Time will tell. – S.K.
PLAY ALL YOU CAN IN MELBOURNE AND SURROUNDS
Confession: I’m one of those golfers who has been to Melbourne to play golf (mainly for work) more times than I can remember, but I’m a course repeater. I’m fortunate to have played Royal Melbourne, Kingston Heath, Victoria and others multiple times, but have yet to tee it up at Spring Valley and Woodlands, while I also have a few courses down towards the Mornington such as Flinders and The National’s Gunnamatta course that I want to tick off. That needs to happen in 2026. – E.P.
GET OFF THE BEATEN TRACK AND GO REGIONAL
I’m calling Yering in Victoria “regional”, as it’s far enough out of Melbourne to feel like a getaway but is still less than an hour from the CBD. There has been a revitalisation among golf courses on the doorstep of award-winning Yarra Valley wineries such as Eastern Golf Club. Eastern has undergone some wonderful work on the vegetation across its 27-hole course and it also has a brand-new clubhouse, while the on-site cottages present a great accommodation option. Across the road, Yering Meadows Golf Club has completed a major bunker renovation, and there’s also the two markedly different courses at The Heritage to play. – E.P.
TAKE IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S DIVERSITY
You’ll read about golf in Western Australia in more detail elsewhere this issue, yet we’ll take this opportunity to reinforce the delights of playing golf in WA, for they warrant emphasis. Within such a large space are a large variety of experiences, be they desert (think Kalgoorlie), linksy (Albany), coastal (Links Kennedy Bay or The Cut, among others), urban (take your pick!) or downright remote (Broome or Karratha, anyone?). Golf in WA is whatever you choose to make it, but if you truly wish to lift the lid on the entire state, you’d better set aside a good few weeks to cover it all. Maybe months. – S.K.
FILL YOUR CUP IN IRELAND
I can’t wait to return to my favourite country in the world in 2026. I want to explore more regions, but it’s worth emphasising how underrated the Dublin area is as a golf destination relative to its famous, far-flung counties (but visit them, too). Dublin is world-class and convenient: fly into Dublin Airport, drive 15 minutes to Malahide, stay at the recently rebranded Portmarnock Resort and play Jameson Golf Links’ historic course. Then tee up at The Island Golf Club, Portmarnock, Royal Dublin, Howth Golf Club and Corballis Links, which are all within a short drive. Dine out each night in the seaside town of Malahide and listen to traditional Irish music in the pubs. Next day, go into Dublin city and explore. – E.P.
EXPERIENCE VIETNAM’S VITALITY
The buzz about Central Vietnam’s golf options has grown almost as loud as the motorbike horns that soundtrack daily life in Danang. Vietnam Golf Coast clubs such as Ba Na Hills Golf Club, laid out by Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald over rolling foothills, and Montgomerie Links, the work of Scottish legend Colin Montgomerie, are ranked among Asia’s best courses. Other highlights, meanwhile, include tracks designed by luminaries including Greg Norman, Nick Faldo, Robert Trent Jones Jnr and Jack Nicklaus. Central Vietnam is arguably Vietnam’s hub for golf tourism, offering luxury hotels alongside a range of attractions including wide beaches and the UNESCO-listed heritage sites in the ancient port of Hoi An. But for golfers, the evolving play options is the area’s most compelling drawcard. – B.C.
MEANDER ACROSS OUR CAPITAL
I have never played Royal Canberra and now that Ogilvy Cocking Mead have renovated it, the anticipation to tee it up there is high. I have family in Canberra who live near Federal Golf Club, although I’ve only ever played it once. I’d love to see those beautiful, sweeping tee shots at Federal again and the scenic views of the Brindabella Range in the distance. Add Yowani and Gold Creek country clubs, the fantastic food and wine in the ACT, and I’m targeting a winter weekend golf getaway. – E.P.
SAY ‘BULA!’ TO FIJI
I’ve only ever been to Fiji once, in 2015, and it was one of the most beautiful and enchanting countries I’ve ever been to. The people are so welcoming and hospitable. There’s a goodbye song the locals will sing to you when they know you’re flying out the following day and it’s quite moving. I really want to experience the ocean views from the Vijay Singh-designed Natadola Bay golf resort and stay at the unbelievably beautiful InterContinental. And, of course, see more of Fiji. Bula! – E.P.
HEAD OFF COURSE AND BRING YOUR FRIENDS
Make 2026 the year you take your game off the course – and bring your mates along for the ride. Off-course facilities like driving ranges, mini-golf courses and golf-entertainment hubs like simulators are perfect for honing your swing in a relaxed, non-intimidating setting. Many feature state-of-the-art technology, delicious food and drinks. According to the latest Golf Participation Report, 1.6 million Aussies played off-course facilities only last year. Join the trend, introduce friends to the game, and discover just how much fun golf can be beyond the fairways. – B.C.
GO ALL-IN ON LAS VEGAS
NRL Vegas combines things we all (at least NSW and Queensland folk) love: golf, rugby league and Las Vegas. I’d love to see how American fans and travelling/expat Australians receive the Bulldogs vs Dragons atmosphere and the Knights vs Cowboys. Las Vegas, apart from being resort and show heaven, is also packed full of great American desert courses well away from the pricey big names like Bali Hai and Shadow Creek. I can’t wait to get back and play great-value courses like Paiute and Primm Valley in California (which is just across the state border but still in the desert) – with some rugby league watching, too. – E.P.
UNCOVER A GEM ALONG THE LIMESTONE COAST
Haven’t heard of the Limestone Coast? Allow us to enlighten you. Home to courses such as Robe, Naracoorte, Millicent, Kingston, Blue Lake and Mount Gambier, the Limestone Coast occupies the south-eastern corner of South Australia and sits snugly between Adelaide and Melbourne. The region is rugged, exposed and could be the next undiscovered hotspot in Australian golf if the long-mooted, 36-hole layout at Nora Creina ever goes ahead. Veteran course architect Bob Harrison has penned a scintillating layout that will work in harmony with the remarkable dunescape near Robe. The project gained approval in 2019, but South Australian golfers continue to await further progress. Maybe this will be the year it finally happens. – S.K.
FEEL THE FLOW ON THE FLEURIEU PENINSULA
The region south of Adelaide will step into the golf spotlight even further when The Cliffs Kangaroo Island course opens later this year (more on that in a moment). As one of the entry ways to the island is via a car ferry that departs from Cape Jervis at the tip of the Fleurieu Peninsula, golfers are likely to find themselves using one golf haven as a means of reaching another. That’s if they don’t know about the Fleurieu Peninsula golf scene already. Highlighted by the exceptional Links Lady Bay course and ably backed by the Mount Compass and McCracken layouts, the peninsula is also home to Willunga and Victor Harbor golf clubs – the former of which is a PGA Tour of Australasia venue and the latter the original home of the popular ambrose format. – S.K.
MAKE THE HOP TO KANGAROO ISLAND
The Cliffs Kangaroo Island is set to become one of Australia’s most talked-about new golf destinations – a spectacular coastal offering carved into one of the country’s most dramatic landscapes. Perched atop soaring cliffs and overlooking the wild Southern Ocean, the course delivers a blend of raw beauty and strategy. Expect rugged, wind-shaped fairways, heroic carries across chasms and greens poised on cliff edges where every approach feels cinematic. Off the course, Kangaroo Island’s signature experiences – pristine beaches, wildlife encounters, world-class produce and boutique lodges – round out an unforgettable escape. The Cliffs isn’t just a new course; it will be a bucket-list pilgrimage for golfers who crave scenery, challenge and pure coastal theatre. – B.C.
FEED YOUR SOUL IN SCOTLAND
No journey in this game is complete without playing golf in Scotland. Yes, a lap of the Old Course at St Andrews is the ultimate touchstone in the country that gave us golf, but playing anywhere in Scotland feeds the soul. Whether along the east coast or west, amid the Highlands or in and around Edinburgh and Glasgow, there is simply no experience in the Home of Golf that won’t leave you feeling closer to its origins. And the beautiful thing about playing in Scotland? It’s the courses you haven’t heard of that often conjure the most memorable encounters, and offer the best value. – S.K.
PLAY ALL 140 HOLES AT BANDON
If you’re going to travel all the way to Oregon on America’s west coast, you’re going to want to fill your plate with golf. Fortunately, the mighty Bandon Dunes resort is a golf smorgasbord, with 90 full-length holes, 32 short holes and 18 ‘putting’ holes. If there’s a better week’s golf to be found in a single location, we haven’t discovered it. With 25 years spanning the original Bandon Dunes course (1999) and the most recent addition – the cool and quirky Shorty’s layout (2024) – your biggest issue will be containing yourself. Can you fit in all 140 holes in one trip? We’d certainly like to try. – S.K.
SEE ALL OF SYDNEY
Sydney offers a smorgasbord of golf experiences – from inner-city public courses to dramatic links along rugged coastline – meaning players of all standards can find a round to love.
Within minutes of the CBD, Moore Park Golf Course still delivers a full 18-hole public course (despite the best efforts of the NSW Government to slice it in half), a 60-bay all-weather driving range and a lively clubhouse bistro – perfect for a post-round feed or a quick hit after work.
For coastal links with real character, few rival New South Wales Golf Club, the iconic layout perched above Botany Bay and consistently ranked among Australia’s top five courses.
Elsewhere, spots such as Bondi Golf & Diggers Club and Long Reef Golf Club deliver scenic seaside rounds for golfers of all levels, while a cluster of driving ranges and indoor simulators scattered across the city – from traditional tees to high-tech bays – ensure you can keep swinging whatever the weather. For options within an hour’s drive of the CBD, try Camden Lakeside, Oak Point Golf Club (formerly Liverpool Golf Club) and, if you’re lucky enough to score a round there, Terrey Hills Golf & Country Club on the Northern Beaches. – B.C.
HUG THE COAST OF NEW SOUTH WALES
Play Australia’s nod to Augusta National at two of the country’s most picturesque coastal gems. Bonville Golf Resort, often dubbed “Australia’s Augusta”, delivers towering gums, immaculate conditioning and that same soothing sense of seclusion you feel driving down Magnolia Lane. Further south, Mollymook Golf Club’s Hilltop course offers a similarly awe-inspiring stroll through cathedral-like forest, its rolling fairways framed by eucalypts rather than Georgia pines. Both layouts blend beauty, challenge and serenity in a way that feels unmistakably Augusta-esque – yet also unmistakably Australian – making them essential stops on any 2026 golf itinerary. – B.C.
