Golf getaways are truly catching fire, especially with the romantic crowd. Glencor Golf, the wizards of the holiday game, are reporting a whopping 157% spike in couple bookings.
Picture this: pairs ditching the usual dinner dates for the thrill of the greens and fairways. So, what’s got these smitten duos grabbing their clubs and heading for the courses together more than ever? Come on, let me spill the beans.
Apparently, “golf and spa breaks for couples” has gone from barely a whisper online to a full-blown shout.
Just last August, you’d have been hard-pressed to find more than a handful of searches—40, to be exact. But now? We’re talking 590 searches every month. That’s not just an uptick; that’s a proper explosion!
Corrie Renton, the top brass at Glencor, thinks it’s a sign of the times. Couples are tightening those purse strings but still fancy a jaunt together, choosing quality time over solo adventures or outings with the gang.
Also, let’s tip our caps to the rise of women in golf and the splash made by golfing WAGs at big tournaments. It’s stirring up quite the interest.
Renton dishes the dirt, “At Glencor Golf Holidays we have seen a significant increase in the number of enquiries and bookings for a couple’s golf break, both at resorts in the UK as well as various locations like Portugal, Spain and even Morrocco.
“This could be down to a number of reasons, including the fact that golf participation levels have dramatically increased since the COVID pandemic across both males and females.
“Taking a golf holiday together allows couples to reduce the number of trips they spend money on during a cost-of-living crisis without sacrificing their own hobbies and interests.”
And what’s the secret sauce making golf the go-to for couples? Ehab Youssef, a wise head on matters of the mind and a licensed clinical psychologist, notes that golf’s leisurely pace is like a couple’s therapy without the couch.
He shares, “I’ve had several clients share how golf has become a shared passion in their relationships.
“There’s something about the pace of golf that really draws couples in. Unlike more intense sports, golf allows for long stretches of time together, and many of my clients have said that it gives them a chance to talk in a low-pressure environment.
“The game’s slower rhythm leaves room for casual conversation, and for many couples, it becomes a way to reconnect outside of daily life stressors.”
And why not? When you can chase a little white ball into the great wide open, that’s a pretty splendid way to reconnect.
4 factors driving growth in popularity
There seems to be no single reason for the increased surge in golf and spa breaks for couples but, after doing some research, we boiled it down to a few factors.
Best of both worlds – while saving money
While the Cost-of-Living crisis hit holiday budgets, one way to save was to combine a hobby with a holiday.
Instead of having a golf holiday for one and another holiday together, some couples have been combining the holiday so the golfer gets time on the fairways and the non-golfer can still enjoy the surroundings of the Costa Del Sol or Albufeira.
Women’s golf on the rise
According to the National Golf Foundation, 800,000 American women took up the sport between 2020 and 2022.
Major female golf tournaments, such as the LPGA Tour, are also now being broadcast worldwide, drawing in global audiences and showcasing record-breaking prize pots. In 2024, the prize fund hit an all-time high of $2.2 million!.
Couples bonding
Nearly two thirds (63%) of people are most likely to book a UK holiday with their significant other – jumping up 5% from 2023 – according to Verdant Leisure’s 2024 Travel Trend Report.
Couples are looking for more meaningful connections, preferring to venture to spa and wellness retreats over drinking hotspots.
The WAG effect
The Open in Troon in July 2024, which corresponds to the rise in searches for golfing couples, saw Erica Stoll supporting her husband Rory McIlroy, while Colin Morikawa’s wife Katherine Zhu takes a more hands-on approach – she caddies for him.
Golf was often seen as a way for men to get away from the home – but this new breed of golfers show that it can be something you do as a couple.
Get. the full story on why golf couples are booking more holidays