Golf Travel Continues Its Upward Climb — Here’s Where U.S. Players Are Going

New data from golf tech company Arccos Golf shows that an increasing number of U.S.-based golfers are teeing off while traveling.

Using smart sensors and AI-powered game-tracking tools, Arccos tracks players’ movements (including where in the world they’re playing), swings taken, club-specific performance and much more. According to Quarter 1 data, international travel among users has gone up 15% year over year, and the total number of international golf rounds played by those travelers is up 9%.

Because golfers must input a specific golf course each time they use an Arccos product, the company is able to gather real-time, verifiable travel data. And it’s compelling to watch — in fact, at company headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, a visual digital tracker shows every shot hit with an Arccos-connected device around the globe as it happens.

“Arccos is a unique platform that certainly suits a global golfer,” said Darren Feeney, vice president of brand marketing for Arccos. “When we looked at what golfers were doing as far as travel, we started to identify where golfers are playing and how much travel they're actually taking.”

Here’s where today’s U.S. golfers are going for a vacation that can include a great round.

Icons and Hidden Gems

Unsurprisingly, iconic courses such as the Old Course atSt. Andrews in Scotland, Bandon Dunes in Oregon and Pebble Beach in California continue to see strong traffic from U.S.-based golfers. North Carolina’s Pinehurst No. 2 rounds out the top three courses domestically. Feeney notes that tee times at these courses are best reserved a year out.

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For travel advisors wanting to book a trip for a client before a destination gets too popular, Arccos data also shows which golf courses are rising stars. Internationally, United Kingdom courses jumping in popularity among U.S. golfers include South Winchester Golf Club, Cams Hall Golf Club and Camberley Heath Golf Club. Domestically, East Potomac Golf Links (Washington D.C.) and French Lick Resort (Indiana) have seen an uptick in rounds played. The Ledges in St. George, Utah, is another hot destination for golfers, and it’s surrounded by plenty of other fantastic options.

Surprising Growth

Arccos user data also shows an uptick in golfing in the Caribbean. The most notable growth was recorded in Bermuda, which saw 62% more golfers year over year, Aruba (37%) and Costa Rica (24%).

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In Bermuda, course options include Port Royal Golf Course and Mid Ocean Club. Aruba is home to two golf courses: Tierra Del Sol Golf Course by Iberostar, an 18-hole championship course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., and The Links at Divi Aruba, a 9-hole course. In Costa Rica, clients might tee off at Four Seasons Resort Papagayo with its dramatic ocean views or Reserva Conchal Golf Club, managed by golf hospitality giant Troon.

In Asia, Japan was a leader for U.S. golfers. According to Arccos user data, golfers traveling to Japan played an average of seven rounds per trip. Visitors heading to Tokyo have 20 courses to choose from, while Kyoto has 29 courses in its vicinity. Of course, no trip to Japan would be complete without teeing off with a view of Mt. Fuji, and Fujizakura Country Club is a great pick for that.