26 brand-new golf courses expected to open in 2026

January 8, 2026

By Tim Gravich, GolfPass

Those of you who read my roundup of hotly anticipated new golf courses for 2025 may have noticed I was already salivating for 2026. Avid golfers – from those who travel to find out what’s new and interesting around the architecture scene to those in the market for a new private club to join – are about to find out why.

With 21st-century golf course architecture now well into its third era, the post-pandemic surge in interest in the game feels like it’s only getting stronger, at least where new-build golf courses and notable renovations are concerned. Today’s name-brand architects have been producing some of the most interesting courses seen in a century. Meanwhile, waves of their collaborators, associates and apprentices are beginning to fan out into the world, hanging their own shingles and producing exciting new work as well, both with new builds and eye-catching renovation work.

For now, let’s focus on the new golf courses expected to fully open in 2026. This figures to be a big year for the expansion of the Keiser golf empire, begun by patriarch Mike at Bandon Dunes in the late 1990s and continued by his sons in recent years. While Bandon won’t see any new additions to its complement of courses in 2026, three other facilities – Sand Valley in Wisconsin, plus the new Rodeo Dunes project in Colorado and Wild Spring Dunes in Texas – will see new golf open to members and the public. Another exciting resort, Old Shores in the Florida Panhandle, is expected to embark on its first golf course soon, too.