Golf Travel Guide 2026
From Augusta's azaleas to the links of Royal Portrush — golf's Major calendar takes fans across four countries and some of the most storied venues in sport. Here's how to plan your trip.
2026 Golf Major Calendar
| Event | Date | Type | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
🇺🇸 The Masters Augusta National | Apr 9–12 | Major | Flights → Fly ATL, drive 2h |
🇺🇸 PGA Championship Quail Hollow Club | May 21–24 | Major | Flights → Charlotte Douglas Airport |
🇺🇸 US Open Oakmont CC | Jun 18–21 | Major | Flights → Pittsburgh International |
🇬🇧 The Open Championship Royal Portrush | Jul 16–19 | Major | Flights → Belfast + drive 1h |
🇺🇸 Ryder Cup Bethpage Black | Sep 25–27 | Team Event | Flights → JFK / LGA / EWR |
Ryder Cup 2026 — Bethpage Black, New York
September 25–27, 2026. USA vs Europe at one of America's toughest public courses. Bethpage Black in New York State will host a partisan home crowd. The Ryder Cup is unique in golf — team colours, flag waving, and an atmosphere unlike anything else in the sport. Accessible from NYC by LIRR train.
The Open Championship 2026 — Royal Portrush
July 16–19, 2026. The oldest Major returns to Royal Portrush on the Causeway Coastal Route of Northern Ireland. Links golf in its purest form — wind, rain, and the roar of the crowd on the clifftop fairways. Royal Portrush last hosted in 2019 with Shane Lowry's emotional victory in front of an Irish crowd.
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The Masters 2026 — Augusta National
The most coveted invitation in golf. Augusta in April, azaleas in bloom, and the greatest players in the world competing for the green jacket.
Asian Tour — International Series 2026
World-class golf across Asia — from Bangkok to Bangkok, Singapore to Saudi Arabia. The Asian Tour's International Series brings prize money and prestige to the region.
The Open Championship 2026 — Royal Portrush
The oldest Major in golf returns to Royal Portrush. Northern Ireland's dramatic coastline, links golf at its finest, and the Claret Jug.
Ryder Cup 2026 — Bethpage Black, New York
The Ryder Cup returns to America. Bethpage Black, a notoriously tough New York public course, hosts the most raucous team event in golf.
Golf Fan Travel Tips
Ballot vs General Sale vs Resale
The Masters: ballot for practice rounds (free application). The Open: general sale via R&A — buy day tickets are released each morning. Ryder Cup: ballot 12–18 months out. Secondary market exists for all Majors but prices are premium at Augusta and Ryder Cup.
Practice rounds vs tournament days
Practice rounds let you walk the course freely and see players up close on the range and fairways. Tournament days have roped gallery routes. For Augusta, practice rounds are often the most memorable — access to Amen Corner and Eisenhower's Cabin. The Open's links courses offer walking freedom tournament fans love.
Getting to remote venues
The Open at Royal Portrush: fly into Belfast (BFS or BHD) and drive 1 hour north. Augusta: fly into Atlanta (ATL) and drive 2 hours — rent a car as local taxis run out fast. Bethpage Black: from NYC, take the LIRR train to Farmingdale or Bethpage, then walk. Build in flexibility for traffic on tournament days.
Accommodation strategy
Augusta has limited hotels — book 12 months out or consider Columbia, SC (1h) or Atlanta (2h). Royal Portrush: Belfast hotels + day trips by car, or coastal B&Bs near Portrush. Bethpage: NYC hotels + LIRR train. Charlotte and Pittsburgh have plentiful downtown hotels within 30–45 min of course.
Hotels near Augusta National
Augusta hotels fill up 12 months in advance during Masters week — also consider Atlanta or Columbia.
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Golf Travel — FAQ
How do you get tickets for The Masters at Augusta National?
Masters practice round tickets are available via a lottery system — applications open each spring on masters.com. Tournament round (competition days) patron badges are extremely limited and are mainly held by badge holders who have attended for decades. A small number of practice round tickets are available. For tournament rounds, the secondary market is the main option, though prices are very high. Practice round tickets offer full course access and are often described as the best value in golf.
What makes the Ryder Cup special as a fan travel event?
The Ryder Cup is the most team-oriented event in golf — fans split between USA and Europe in a partisan atmosphere more like football than golf. It is held every two years, alternating between US and European venues. The 2026 edition at Bethpage Black, New York, will bring a home crowd atmosphere. Tickets are available via the official Ryder Cup ballot. The event is a long-weekend trip — many fans attend practice rounds to get closer to players.
Which golf Major is easiest to attend as a fan?
The Open Championship (The Open) is widely regarded as the most accessible Major for international fans. Tickets are available via the R&A website and daily sale. The Open is held at historic links courses around the UK and Ireland, with a unique festival atmosphere — camping, marquees, and a full fan village. 2026 is at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. The US Open and PGA Championship also have publicly available tickets through their respective associations.
When is the best time to book for a golf Major trip?
For The Masters, apply for the ticket ballot in spring (as soon as applications open). For The Open, tickets go on general sale several months before the event — buy as soon as they open. For the Ryder Cup, the ballot runs 12–18 months before the event. Book accommodation 6–12 months in advance for all Majors — nearby hotels fill up fast, especially for The Masters in Augusta (a small city) and The Open at links venues in smaller towns.
Golf in Asia — Asian Tour 2026
The Asian Tour's International Series brings world-class golf to Bangkok, Singapore, Malaysia, and beyond. Tickets are affordable, courses are spectacular, and you can combine golf with the best food and culture in Asia.
Golf Event Deep Dives
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