From Pacific cliffs to Atlantic bluffs, 2026 will redefine golf travel with bold new layouts from the game's most revered architects.
After a wave of exceptional openings in 2025, the golf architecture world shows no signs of slowing down. This year promises an even more ambitious collection of courses, featuring iconic designers pushing creative boundaries on terrain that ranges from rugged coastlines to reclaimed mining sites. These ten projects stand out for their pedigree, settings, and potential to become must-play destinations.
10. The Commons at Sand Valley (Wisconsin)
Sand Valley's latest addition won't be a championship layout but a 12-hole short course designed to complement the resort's already stellar portfolio. Wide fairways and contoured greens accommodate all skill levels, embodying the property's inclusive ethos. Expected in summer 2026, this course extends Michael Keiser's vision of golf as a communal, approachable game rather than an exclusive pursuit.
9. Oleada Golf Links (Cabo San Lucas, Mexico)
Ernie Els adds another jewel to Cabo's burgeoning golf scene, situated between the Diamante and Solmar properties. While details remain scarce, Els's track record in the region and the prime coastal corridor suggest a layout balancing dramatic seaside holes with playable inland stretches. With over 20 courses already in Cabo, Oleada will need to deliver something distinctive to stand out, but the fall 2026 opening promises to draw attention nonetheless.
8. Jack's Bay Club, Jack Nicklaus Heritage Course (Eleuthera, Bahamas)
Delays have plagued this island project, but 2026 should finally bring the Nicklaus-designed centerpiece to the exclusive Bahamian retreat. The Heritage Course will anchor a broader resort development on Eleuthera, offering a mix of oceanfront and inland holes. Island logistics and construction timelines make exact opening dates uncertain, yet the Golden Bear's involvement and the property's remote allure keep anticipation high.
7. Rodeo Dunes (Colorado)
Coore & Crenshaw bring their minimalist prairie links philosophy to the high plains near Denver, marking the first phase of another ambitious Keiser project. Scheduled for a spring 2026 opening to members and a 2027 public debut, Rodeo Dunes offers a stark contrast to Keiser's coastal and sandy retreats. Expect wide fairways, tumbling terrain, and a design that celebrates the sweeping horizons of the American West.
6. Cap Cana, Las Iguanas (Dominican Republic)
Jack Nicklaus returns to the Dominican Republic with Las Iguanas, a course that complements the region's crown jewel, Punta Espada. Cliff-hugging seaside holes promise drama, while the inland routing should showcase Nicklaus's knack for strategic variety. Cap Cana's reputation as a Caribbean golf hub makes this a significant addition, likely to attract both resort guests and destination golfers.
5. Wild Spring Dunes (East Texas)
Tom Doak ventures into East Texas with a minimalist design sprawling across 2,400 acres of dunes, meadows, and creeks. Set for a fall 2026 opening, Wild Spring Dunes represents the first of two planned 18-hole courses on the property, with a future Coore & Crenshaw layout to follow. The sheer scale and Doak's reputation for routing genius suggest this could become a pilgrimage site for architecture enthusiasts.
4. Ponta do Pargo (Madeira, Portugal)
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After more than two decades of development, Nick Faldo's clifftop design on Madeira's Atlantic coast will finally debut in late 2026. Draped across arresting 300-foot bluffs, eight holes perch on the cliff's edge, offering comparisons to Ireland's Old Head. The tree-less, wind-swept site demands precision and nerve, and the sheer visual drama positions Ponta do Pargo as one of Europe's most spectacular golf experiences.
3. Old Petty (Cabot Highlands, Scotland)
Tom Doak brings his links mastery to the Moray Firth, crafting a course on heaving terrain that rolls toward the sea. Part of Cabot's Scottish expansion, Old Petty debuts in spring 2026 and promises to honor the rugged character of true links golf. Doak's minimalist philosophy pairs perfectly with the natural contours, likely producing a layout that feels timeless despite being brand new.
2. Streamsong Resort, Unnamed Fourth Course (Florida)
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Streamsong's next chapter features David McLay Kidd, completing a unique lineup that includes courses by Doak, Coore & Crenshaw, and Hanse & Wagner. The winter 2026 opening on a former mining site stretches to 7,300 yards, with drivable par-4s, reachable par-5s, and small, subtle greens. This marks the first property to feature designs from the four most prominent 21st-century architecture firms, solidifying Streamsong as a global must-visit.
1. Diamante Cabo San Lucas, Legacy Club (Mexico)
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Tiger Woods's first design in Mexico takes the top spot, and for good reason. Compared in scope to Las Vegas's Shadow Creek, the Legacy Club sits on dramatic Pacific coastline south of Cabo and is slated to host a PGA Tour event in 2027. Woods's meticulous attention to detail and the site's inherent drama promise a course that could redefine the region's golf identity. Expect lush conditioning, bold hazards, and routing that maximizes ocean views.
Closing Thoughts
These ten courses reflect a renaissance in golf architecture, blending visionary design with extraordinary landscapes. Whether it's Doak's multiple projects, Woods's debut in Cabo, or Streamsong's four-firm showcase, 2026 will offer something for every type of golfer. As these layouts open, they'll shape travel itineraries, inspire future designs, and remind us why golf's best moments often happen in the most unexpected places.
