Golf Travel Trends Report 2026: What golfers really want from a golf trip

In 2026, Golfbreaks and Golfshake surveyed 2,500 UK golfers to understand how golf travel preferences differ by age, gender, and playing experience. The findings reveal how age, gender and playing experience influence every stage of the golf holiday, from destination choice and course preferences to accommodation, nightlife and booking behaviour.

• Women account for 52% of golfers with less than two years' playing experience, highlighting the changing demographics of the game.
• Golfers with less than one year's experience are more interested in food (73%) than playing incredible golf courses (29%).
• 79% of survey respondents were aged 55+, underlining the continued importance of established golfers to the golf travel market.
• Younger golfers are the most socially driven segment, with 82% preferring golf trips with friends.
• Value for money was the most important booking factor across every demographic segment.
• Golfers become increasingly interested in links and iconic courses as their playing experience grows.

Golf travel preferences change significantly based on age, gender and playing experience. Newer golfers prioritise value, convenience and resort-style experiences, while experienced golfers increasingly seek iconic courses and golfing heritage. Female golfers place greater emphasis on accommodation quality and relaxed social experiences, while younger golfers are the most socially driven segment. We dive into more detail below.

One of the clearest findings from the Golf Travel Survey is that newer golfers approach golf travel very differently from more experienced players. While seasoned golfers often prioritise bucket-list courses with heritage and championship venues, newer golfers are typically looking for a more complete holiday experience that balances golf with relaxation, entertainment and value for money.

New golfers value experiences off the course

Among golfers with less than one year of playing experience, food and drink emerged as one of the most important parts of the holiday experience, with 73% rating it important or very important. Culture and sightseeing also ranked strongly at 61%, while 44% said spa and leisure facilities were important considerations. Playing incredible courses was only an important booking factor for 29% of golfers with less than a year of playing experience.

In contrast, more experienced golfers (6+ years) placed less importance on non-golf activities. Only 18% ranked culture and sightseeing as an important part of their trip, while 19% said the same for spa and leisure activities. Playing incredible courses remains an important booking factor with 66% of the votes.

These findings highlight an important difference between newer and more experienced golfers. Rather than building a trip entirely around the golf, beginners are often looking for destinations that offer something for everyone.

Less than one year playing: The value-focused beginner

Golfers with less than two years of experience are the most value-conscious segment in the survey. More than eight in ten selected great price and value for money as one of their most important booking considerations.

At this stage, golfers are still building confidence both on and off the course. As a result, destinations that remove complexity and offer an easy, all-in-one experience tend to perform particularly well. Resort environments, convenient travel logistics and destinations with a wide range of facilities all appeal strongly to this group.

One to two years playing: the resort enthusiasts

As golfers gain confidence and begin taking more regular golf trips, stay & play resort-style experiences become increasingly attractive.

Golfers with one to two years of experience showed the strongest preference for resort golf, with 63% selecting resort courses as their preferred course type. These destinations offer a combination of convenience, variety and atmosphere that resonates strongly with developing golfers.

Multiple courses, quality accommodation, practice facilities and lively communal areas create an environment where golfers can enjoy both the game and the wider holiday experience.

Rather than travelling specifically for one or two famous courses, like 66% of the more seasoned players, these golfers are often looking for one single location that deliver the complete package.

Three to five years’ experience: the discerning golf traveller

By the time golfers reach three to five years of playing experience, many start developing stronger opinions about the types of courses and destinations they enjoy most. While resorts remain popular, there is growing interest in destinations that offer greater character, variety and golf heritage.

There is more variety in the results with this group identifying specific course types (links, heathland) or looking to playing championship/iconic courses. This group places increasing importance on playing great golf, with 67% looking to play incredible courses compared with just 41% of golfers with under 2 years of experience.

The survey also suggests this is a key transition point in a golfer's travel journey. Rather than simply looking for convenience and affordability, many golfers begin actively seeking experiences that feel more distinctive and memorable.

Read the full analysis: What beginner golfers want from a golf trip

Women accounted for 8% of survey respondents but 52% of golfers with less than two years' playing experience, highlighting their growing influence within the game.

The research suggests that women place a strong emphasis on the overall holiday experience, seeking a balance between great golf, comfort and affordability. Eight in ten (80%) cited value for money as a key booking consideration, while 67% said quality accommodation was one of the most important factors when choosing a destination. Female golfers were also more likely than other groups to favour resort-style experiences, with 50% selecting resort courses as their preferred course type.

The social side of the trip is equally important. Women were the most likely demographic to prefer quieter evenings, with 75% favouring relaxed dining and social experiences over nightlife-focused trips. By comparison, only 60% of male golfers preferred a quieter evening, while 40% actively sought lively nights out as part of their golf holiday.

Female golfers also demonstrated a stronger family focus than other segments. Almost three in ten (29%) said spending time with family was a key motivation for travel, while 76% of male golfers said they primarily preferred golf trips with friends.

Overall, the findings suggest that women are looking for well-rounded golf holidays where quality accommodation, value for money and enjoyable off-course experiences are just as important as the golf itself.

Read the full analysis: What female golfers want from golf travel

Golfers with more than five years of playing experience place a strong emphasis on course quality, value for money and travelling with friends, with more than 79% citing value as a key booking consideration and around two-thirds prioritising incredible golf courses.

As experience grows, preferences become increasingly course-focused: 66% of golfers with more than 20 years in the game preferred links and coastal courses, while almost 60% favoured championship and iconic venues. By comparison, golfers with 6–10 years' experience showed a stronger preference for resort-style golf, with 55% selecting resort courses as their preferred course type.

Overall, the findings suggest that experienced golfers are less motivated by luxury extras and more focused on authentic golf experiences, trusted destinations and quality time with friends, with golfing heritage and iconic courses becoming increasingly important as experience grows.

Read the full analysis: How experience golfers choose their golf holiday

The survey revealed a clear generational divide in golf travel preferences. Younger golfers were the most socially driven segment, with 82% of under-44s preferring trips with friends and 53% enjoying lively evenings, while also showing the strongest interest in championship and iconic courses.

In contrast, older golfers, who accounted for 79% of survey respondents, took a more traditional approach, placing greater emphasis on course quality, golfing heritage and trusted destinations, with a stronger preference for links and coastal golf and quieter evenings centred around good food, conversation and a few drinks.

Overall, the findings suggest that younger golfers are seeking experience-led, social golf holidays, while older golfers place greater emphasis on authenticity, tradition and the quality of the golf itself.

Read the full analysis: How golf holidays change by generation

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%.

The Golfbreaks Golf Travel Trends Survey highlights just how diverse today's golf travel market has become. While great value for money remains a universal priority, golfers are increasingly seeking different experiences depending on their age, playing experience and travel motivations.

Newer golfers are looking for well-rounded holidays that combine golf with great accommodation, food and destination experiences. Female golfers place greater emphasis on comfort, value and the overall quality of the trip, while younger golfers are more likely to seek social experiences centred around friends, group travel and memorable evenings away.

In contrast, experienced and older golfers continue to prioritise the golf itself, showing a stronger preference for iconic courses, golfing heritage and trusted destinations with proven reputations. For these golfers, memorable trips are built around exceptional golf, quality time with friends and experiences that feel authentic to the game.

Despite these differences, one theme remained remarkably consistent throughout the survey: golf holidays are about far more than just the golf. Whether travelling to a resort in the Algarve, a links layout in Scotland or a bucket-list course overseas, golfers value experiences that bring people together and create lasting memories both on and off the course.

As golf continues to evolve and attract new audiences, understanding these changing preferences will be key for destinations, resorts and travel providers looking to create golf holidays that appeal to the next generation of travelling golfers.