As golf participation continues to grow across North America, a noticeable shift is happening. More American and Canadian golfers are developing a deeper appreciation for the heritage, craft, and character of the game. And that’s led to unprecedented demand for the most storied courses in Scotland and Ireland.
Golfers want to walk the fairways where the game was created. Courses carved by nature married with some modern masterpieces. To feel the wind that shaped the shot selections of Old Tom Morris. To play Linksland that’s been hosting matches since before the Civil War. For many golfers, it’s an annual pilgrimage;e for others it’s a lifelong dream.
This new wave of golf travel is more sophisticated. A generation raised on high-end wine, tailored travel, and immersive experiences now sees a trip to Royal Dornoch or Lahinch the same way a sommelier sees a rare Bordeaux—complex, historical, worthy of reverence. It’s not about ticking boxes. It’s about tasting something rare and real.
That mindset is fuelling demand for the best of the best. Not just Old Course tee times, but full itineraries: helicopter hops between Muirfield and Royal County Down, castle suites and single malt tastings, caddies who know the history as well as the yardages.
As a result, 2026 bookings are ahead of anything seen before. The top links are filling up fast, and many operators are already running waitlists.
This isn’t golf as leisure. It’s golf as pilgrimage. And for those with the means – and the passion – Scotland and Ireland remain the game’s true holy ground.