Golf Travel Survey 2026: Experienced golfers shift towards social connection rather than competition

Golfbreaks surveyed more than 2,500 golfers in 2026 to understand how golfing experience influences travel preferences. This analysis focuses on golfers who have been playing for more than five years, exploring how priorities evolve as players gain experience and take more golf holidays.

From course preferences to booking decisions, the findings reveal what experienced golfers value most when planning their next trip.

• Around 75% of experienced golfers said the best part of a golf holiday is spending time with friends and creating shared memories, while just 3.1% preferred competition-focused trips.
• Experienced golfers increasingly favour good food and quiet drinks over nightlife, suggesting the traditional "boys' weekend" is giving way to more experience-led golf trips.
• 60.9% rely on recommendations from friends and group chats when choosing where to book a golf holiday.
• Among golfers with 20+ years' experience, 66.2% prefer links or coastal courses, while 59.5% favour championship or iconic venues.
• More than 79% still rank value for money as an important booking factor, but memorable experiences increasingly outweigh luxury extras.

For experienced golfers, the perfect golf holiday starts with two essentials: exceptional golf and excellent value. Across every golfer segment with more than five years of playing experience, value for money ranked as the most important booking factor, while course quality remained the defining feature of a memorable trip.

Key findings

• More than 79% of experienced golfers ranked value for money as one of their top booking priorities.
• Around two-thirds selected incredible golf courses as one of their three most important booking factors.
• Around 60% said accommodation quality was important, although it consistently ranked behind the golf itself.
• 66% of golfers with more than 20 years' experience preferred links or coastal courses.
• Golfers with 5-10 years' experience showed a stronger preference for resort-style golf (56.2%).

The findings suggest experienced golfers are not necessarily chasing luxury. Instead, they are looking for authentic golfing experiences, iconic courses and destinations with genuine golfing heritage that they will want to return to year after year.

The findings suggest that golf travel has evolved beyond the traditional "boys' weekend" centred around late nights and packed itineraries. Instead, experienced golfers are increasingly looking for trips that balance exceptional golf with good food and quality time together.

Across golfers with more than five years' experience:

• 51.4% said their ideal evening involves a few quiet drinks, making it the most popular choice by some distance.
• 35.9% preferred a lively night, but still functional for the next day's golf.
• Just 8.6% opted for an early night ahead of the morning tee time.
• Only 4.1% chose late nights and big stories, making it the least popular option by a considerable margin.

These results suggest today's experienced golf traveller is looking for balance rather than excess. Relaxed evenings, good food and socialising with friends have become a much bigger part of the golf holiday experience than late-night partying, reflecting a shift towards experience-led trips that focus on both the golf and the time spent together.

The results suggest golf travel has evolved beyond traditional "boys' weekends". Instead, today's golfers are looking for memorable courses, good food and relaxed evenings that create lasting memories with friends.

The survey revealed a clear shift in what experienced golfers want once they leave the course.

Experienced golfers prefer

• Good food and memorable dining experiences
• A few quiet drinks after the round
• Relaxing with friends
• Comfortable, social evenings

Rather than

• Late-night parties
• Nightclubs
• Organised nightlife

Dining experiences consistently ranked as the most important off-course aspect of a golf holiday, second only to the golf itself. This trend became even stronger among golfers with more than 20 years' experience, who showed the greatest preference for quieter evenings and the least interest in nightlife-focused destinations.

The findings suggest today's golf traveller is looking for balance, combining exceptional golf with great food, relaxed evenings and quality time with friends.

The survey also revealed how heavily golfers rely on the opinions of fellow golfers when choosing where to travel.

• 60.9% said recommendations from people they know influence their booking decisions.
• 54.7% rely on group chats with friends or playing partners.
• 37.4% use reviews, articles and blogs when researching destinations.

The survey also showed that experienced golfers increasingly favour proven destinations, trusted resorts, and reliable travel brands. Rather than chasing completely untested experiences, many golfers prefer destinations known for delivering great courses, strong service, and memorable group trips year after year. Repeat visits and personal recommendations remain hugely influential, particularly among golfers with more than 20 years of playing experience.

This trend was reflected throughout the survey's most recommended golf destinations, where established favourites such as Portugal, Scotland, Spain and Turkey dominated golfers' responses. These destinations were repeatedly highlighted not only for their golf courses, but also for the consistency of the overall experience, from accommodation and hospitality to ease of travel and value for money.

For anyone booking a golf holiday, this highlights the importance of choosing a travel company with genuine expertise and a proven track record. Experienced golfers are not simply looking for the cheapest option, they want confidence that the courses, accommodation, and overall experience will live up to expectations.

Read the full analysis on how golf travel priorities change through the generations here.

The findings suggest that golfers are looking for reassurance from people who understand the game and have first-hand experience of the destinations they are considering. Whether choosing between golf resorts, links courses or long-haul bucket-list trips, trusted advice remains one of the most important factors in the decision-making process.

For that reason, many golfers choose to book through specialist golf travel companies. Unlike general travel providers, golf specialists can offer course recommendations, destination expertise and practical advice based on years of experience helping golfers plan successful trips.

At Golfbreaks, we have spent more than 25 years delivering golf holidays worldwide and have helped more than 3.5 million golfers book memorable trips. We have also earned more than 95,000 five-star reviews across Trustpilot, Feefo and Google, reflecting the importance golfers place on trusted recommendations and proven expertise.

Whether it is a first golf break abroad or an annual trip with friends, the survey suggests golfers increasingly value advice from people who understand what makes a golf holiday exceptional. In many cases, that means relying on fellow golfers, trusted reviews and specialist travel experts who know the destinations first-hand.

While there were clear similarities across all experienced golfers, the survey also revealed that priorities evolve significantly depending on how long someone has been playing the game. From golfers still building their ideal travel experiences to long-time players seeking traditional golf destinations, experience plays a major role in shaping what golfers want from a holiday.

6-10 years playing: The experience-led traveller

Golfers with 6-10 years of playing experience showed the strongest preference for resort-style golf, with 55.1% selecting resort courses as a preferred course type.

This group is also more likely to value the wider holiday experience, including accommodation, atmosphere and social opportunities. Compared to more experienced golfers, they are more open to lively evenings and destinations that combine golf with entertainment.

Recommended destinations according to Mark Bell, European Sales Manager at Golfbreaks:

• Portugal
• Turkey
• Marbella & Costa del Sol
• Morocco

These destinations offer a blend of great golf, resort facilities, nightlife and convenience that appeals to golfers still building their travel experiences.

11-20 years playing: The classic golf trip audience

Golfers with 11-20 years of experience emerged as the most balanced segment in the survey.

More than 55% selected both championship/iconic courses (55.8%) and links/coastal golf (55.6%), suggesting this group values both golfing pedigree and variety.

These golfers often combine competitive golf with social experiences and place a strong emphasis on travelling with friends.

Recommended destinations according to Mark Jenkins, Head of UK sales at Golfbreaks:

• Southport
• Dublin
• Bournemouth
• Le Touquet
• Costa del Sol

These destinations combine excellent golf with vibrant towns, good food and strong group appeal.

20+ years playing: The golf purists

Golfers with more than 20 years of experience showed the clearest preferences of any group.

• 66.2% selected links/coastal golf
• 59.5% selected championship/iconic courses
• Only 46.5% selected resort courses

This group showed the strongest preference for traditional golf experiences, iconic venues and destinations with established golfing reputations.

The survey also found that golfers become increasingly likely to favour quieter evenings as they gain experience, mirroring the wider trend seen among older golfers.

Recommended destinations according to Fabiana Oliveira, UK & Ireland Product Manager at Golfbreaks:

• St Andrews
• South West Ireland
• East Lothian
• Pebble Beach
• Royal Portrush

For many long-time golfers, the ideal trip centres around legendary courses, golfing heritage and the chance to experience some of the game's most revered destinations.

Read the full analysis on golfer's most recommended destinations here.

This survey was conducted among UK golfers in March 2026. Responses were collected via Crowd Signal from a sample size of 2,500 golfers with varying handicaps, ages, and travel habits. Segments were analysed by age, gender, and playing experiences to identify behavioural differences in golf travel preferences.

Golfers were recruited across Golfbreaks and Golfshake-owned channels across web, email and social media. 79% of the golfers surveyed were over 55 years old, so behavioural habits will be more reflective of this age range unless otherwise specified.

Due to rounding, percentages may not always total to 100%.

Understanding what experienced golfers value most can make planning your next golf holiday much easier. While every group is different, our survey of more than 2,500 golfers revealed some clear themes: prioritise great courses, look for strong value, choose destinations with proven reputations, and make sure there is plenty of time to enjoy the experience with friends both on and off the course.

Whether you are planning a bucket-list links tour, an all-inclusive resort escape, or an annual trip with your regular golf group, a little preparation can help ensure the holiday delivers everything you are looking for.

Booking tips from Adam Ward, Product Director at Golfbreaks

• Focus on course quality first. Experienced golfers consistently ranked great golf as the most important factor when choosing a destination.
• Book early for iconic venues and popular resorts, particularly in peak travel periods when demand is highest.
• Consider destinations with a strong golfing reputation and plenty of course variety to keep the trip interesting for golfers of different abilities.
• Balance championship courses with more relaxed rounds to create an enjoyable experience for the whole group.
• Research local restaurants, bars, and off-course attractions, as food and social experiences were among the most valued parts of any golf holiday.
• Listen to recommendations from friends and fellow golfers. Word-of-mouth remains one of the most trusted sources when choosing where to travel.
• Choose a specialist golf travel provider that understands the needs of golfers and can help create a seamless experience from start to finish.

Q: What matters most to experienced golfers when booking a golf holiday? A: Great golf and good value remain the two most important factors regardless of experience level. In our survey, golfers consistently ranked incredible courses and great price/value among the most important considerations when choosing a trip. Interestingly, as golfers gain experience, they also become increasingly focused on the overall holiday experience, with 43.8% of golfers aged 65+ identifying as "The Holiday Golfer" compared with 31.2% of golfers aged 25-34.

Q: Are golf holidays more about the golf or the social experience? A: Both matter, but the social side of golf travel is hugely important. Across every age group, playing with friends was the most popular type of golf trip. More than 70% of golfers in every age bracket selected playing with friends as their ideal golf holiday, including 81.8% of golfers aged 25-34 and 73.1% of golfers aged 65+. By comparison, only 3.1% of respondents chose playing in a competition or organised event.

Q: What type of golf courses do experienced golfers prefer? A: Golfers' preferences evolve as they gain experience. Newer golfers show the strongest interest in resort-style golf, with 54.9% of golfers playing for two years or less selecting resort courses as a preferred course type. As experience increases, golfers become more likely to favour traditional links and championship golf. Among golfers with more than 20 years' experience, 66.2% selected links/coastal courses and 59.5% selected championship or iconic courses, making them the two most popular course styles among the most experienced players.

Q: What do golfers look for after the round? A: Most golfers prefer relaxed evenings centred around good food, conversation and a few drinks rather than nightlife-focused experiences. While 52.9% of golfers aged 25-34 said they enjoy a lively night out, that figure falls to just 25.1% among golfers aged 65+. Meanwhile, the proportion who prefer a few quiet drinks rises from 23.5% among younger golfers to 60.2% among those aged 65+, suggesting many golfers prioritise relaxation and socialising over late nights.

Q: How do I book my next golf holiday? A: You can browse golf holiday packages online or speak directly with one of our Golf Travel Experts for personalised recommendations. Whether you are planning a quick European golf break, a resort stay with friends, or a bucket-list golfing adventure, we can help you find the right trip for your group and budget.

Learn more about how to book a golf holiday here.

If there is one clear takeaway from our survey, it is that experienced golfers know exactly what creates a memorable golf holiday. Great courses matter. Good value matters. But perhaps most importantly, the people you travel with matter just as much as the destination itself.

The best golf holidays are rarely defined by luxury extras or packed itineraries. Instead, they are built around unforgettable rounds, shared experiences, great food, and time spent with friends in places that golfers genuinely want to return to.

Whether you are still discovering your favourite destinations or planning your next annual trip with the group, understanding what experienced golfers value most can help you create a golf holiday that delivers long after the final putt has dropped.