9 Courses The Golf Monthly Team Are Hoping To Play In 2026
The Golf Monthly team are very fortunate to visit some of the most iconic tracks around the world, but what courses are they hoping to play this year?
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I can quite honestly say that one of the biggest perks of my job, and there are many, is getting the opportunity to play so many incredible golf courses.
Playing golf anywhere is a pleasure, but teeing it up at one of the top 100 golf courses helps to remind us why we love the game so much.
9 Courses The Golf Monthly Team Are Hoping To Play In 2026
Before we get into the thoughts of the rest of the team, I'll kick us off with my hopes and dreams for 2026.
I already have a trip lined up to Aphrodite Hills in Cyprus, which is a stunning coastal course that I have had the pleasure to play a couple of times before, and I can't wait to take my revenge on the penal par-3 7th – where players are forced to hit over a deep ravine which swallowed more than a couple of balls on my last visit.
However, aside from that, and at the risk of sounding cliche, I would love to play The Old Course at St. Andrews. I've never even visited the Home of Golf before, but it's been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember.
I'd love to experience the majesty of it all, take in the local area and immerse myself in the magic that every golfer dreams of embracing at least once in their lifetime.
I also had the pleasure of visiting Trump Turnberry in 2024 and I would do almost anything to get a round or two on the Ailsa this year. A couple of nights in the world-class hotel, a few meals in the spectacular restaurants and a night in the uber-luxurious spa wouldn't go a miss either.
The Old Course at St. Andrews is very high on my bucket list, as it is for many who love the game
Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, commissioning and feature writing.
I've been lucky enough to play some fabulous golf courses, from Sunningdale in England to Oitavos Dunes in Portugal and Valderrama in Spain.
I've also been fortunate enough to play Royal Lytham & St Annes, a 11-time host of the Open Championship, and Trump Turnberry.
This year, I'd love to play another Open venue, and while St Andrews is a dream for any golfer, I've always liked the look of Royal Birkdale, which hosts this year's tussle for the Claret Jug.
It's a supreme golf course and it's also situated in an incredible part of the country for links golf, so I'd love to combine a round there with 18 holes at Hillside, Southport & Ainsdale and others.
Liverpool isn't far away, either, so there would be plenty of fun to be had after golf.
Royal Birkdale is a spectacular Open Championship venue that consistently delivers
Alison Root has over 25 years experience working in media and events, predominantly dedicated to golf, in particular the women’s game. Until 2020, for over a decade Alison edited Women & Golf magazine and website, and is now the full-time Women's Editor for Golf Monthly. Alison is a respected and leading voice in the women's game, overseeing content that communicates to active golfers from grassroots through to the professional scene, and developing collaborative relationships to widen Golf Monthly's female audience across all platforms to elevate women's golf to a new level. She is a 16-handicap golfer (should be better) and despite having had the fantastic opportunity to play some of the best golf courses around the world, Kingsbarns in Scotland is her favourite.
I’ve been fortunate to play and stay at some of the best golf resorts in the world, but I believe 2026 is likely to be the best yet.
A holiday in South Carolina will include a day at the Masters, a bucket list experience that I’m sure will live up to all my expectations.
As for golf, I’m looking forward to playing at least two courses in Columbia and two in Myrtle Beach, both new destinations for me, and since researching both, I’m spoilt for choice, with over 80 courses in Myrtle Beach alone.
I just need to find the right mix of challenge and fun. Closer to home, it would be great to have an opportunity to play Royal Lytham & St Annes, host of this year’s AIG Women’s Open - I always appreciate how good the pros are once I’ve played a course yourself!
The stunning Royal Lytham & St. Annes will host the 2026 AIG Women's Open
Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
For 2026, I have golf trips lined up to Turkey and Morocco. Obviously, I'm very much looking forward to those but, in terms of what course I'm most hoping to play this year, that would be a very, very easy answer.
We're lucky to travel to the biggest golf events in the world with this job and, for this year, I will be attending The Masters, where there is an extremely slim chance that I might be able to play Augusta National...
Okay, this requires my name being pulled out in the Masters media ballot, but I'll be making sure to bring my four leaf clover and rabbit's foot to make it happen.
Some Golf Monthly colleagues have been pulled out of the ballot previously, so for that to happen would be an unbelievable experience, and one that would make me incredibly grateful and, most likely, insufferable.
Very few ever get the chance to play Augusta National, but perhaps Matt will join the exclusive club in 2026!
Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, X and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 and 2025 Masters from Augusta National and was there by the 18th green to watch Rory McIlroy complete the career grand slam. He has also covered five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews.
I have two one-week breaks booked this year for Mallorca and Cyprus, so of course I am going to try and get some golf in while I’m there!
I am hoping to play Alcanada in north-east Mallorca for the first time, as the regular HotelPlanner Tour Grand Final venue is rated as the island’s no.1 course.
The Robert Trent Jones II-design looks to have some stunning views so I am excited to tick that off.
Similarly to Baz, I am also hoping to return to Aphrodite Hills in Cyprus after playing that a few years ago. It was an amazing experience with some really memorable and dramatic holes as well as exceptional sea views throughout.
A coastal golf course has an unrivalled aura that elevates the experience
The List In Full
- Old Course at St. Andrews
- Trump Turnberry
- Aphrodite Hills
- Royal Birkdale
- Hillside
- Southport & Ainsdale
- Royal Lytham & St. Annes
- Augusta National
- Alcanada
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