Golf Tourism Is on the Rise and These Are the Must-see Tournaments

Avid golfers have long flocked to pro tournaments, but lately an increasing number of casual fans are joining them at big-name competitions. Even if you’re a first-timer, there’s no reason to be intimidated, says Katherine Swafford, a SmartFlyer travel advisor who specializes in tourney trips. “The majors have a lot of hype, they’re in exciting places, and you can build an itinerary around them,” she notes. Here’s a cheat sheet for five top-end contests.

The Sentry

January 7–11, 2026

Also known as the Tournament of Champions, this is the first PGA contest of each calendar year. It’s held on the Plantation Course at Kapalua, the resort destination on Maui.

Where to Stay

The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua and Montage Kapalua Bay are both T+L reader favorites. Four Seasons Resort Lanai, a 90-minute ferry ride from Maui, is another option, and has its own Jack Nicklaus–designed course.

Insider Tip

The Cook Pine Club has views of the first tee, the 11th hole, and the 18th green, with a menu overseen by Maui-born chef Taylor Ponte.

AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am

February 9–15, 2026

This annual celebrity pro-am, played at Spyglass Hill Golf Course and Pebble Beach Golf Links on California’s Monterey Peninsula, distinguishes itself by pairing 80 professional golfers with 80 invited guests. Past notables have included Jason Bateman, Eric Church, Mia Hamm, Eli Manning, and Condoleezza Rice.

Where to Stay

The new Villa Mara Carmel, a 16-room boutique hotel in Carmel-by-the-Sea, is less than 15 minutes from the action.

Insider Tip

Get there early: though official tournament play runs Thursday to Sunday, celebrity guests only appear on the first two days, which tend to be less crowded.

The Masters

April 6–12, 2026

Rightly dubbed “a tradition unlike any other,” the annual event at Augusta National, about two hours east of Atlanta, is the holy grail for golf tourists—not least because tickets are so hard to come by. Some event-goers have friends of friends with tickets, whether through family connections or corporate partnerships, but many attendees get them through the annual lottery.

Where to Stay

Atlanta and Savannah both have numerous worthwhile options, while the popular Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee is less than 90 minutes’ drive from the course.

Insider Tip

Organizers prohibit phones, so be prepared to leave yours behind. The tournament’s garden-party fare has gone viral for its affordability—hello, $1.50 egg-salad sandwiches—but other hospitality options come with bigger price tags: both NetJets and Wheels Up offer their private-flying guests access to their branded suites near the course.

The Open

July 13–20, 2025

This annual tournament, sometimes called the British Open, rotates around courses in the U.K., inviting 156 of the world’s highest-ranked players each year. The upcoming edition will be at Royal Portrush Golf Club, 60 miles northwest of Belfast.

Where to Stay

This year’s course is very rural, so don’t shy away from high-end accommodations in Belfast, such as the Merchant Hotel, which can arrange for transfers to the event.

Insider Tip

The Champions VIP package includes admission, food, and drinks—plus a reserved seat next to the 18th green.

Ryder Cup

September 23–28, 2025

Held in odd-numbered years, this match-play tournament pits a U.S. team against one from Europe. This fall, it will be held at Bethpage State Park, in Long Island, New York, on the world-class Black Course, before moving to Ireland in 2027.

Where to Stay

You’ll have better choices in Manhattan, where top options include the Carlyle, a Rosewood Hotel, the Fifth Avenue Hotel, and the Twenty Two. From there, it’s easy to reach the tournament via the Long Island Rail Road—or have your concierge arrange for a car and driver.

Insider Tip

The company On Location can secure VIP grounds access, on-course food and drinks, and entry to a private “chalet” near the 16th hole.

A version of this story first appeared in the June 2025 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline “Tee Up Your Next Trip.”