The Best Golf Courses to Play Near Each Major Championship in 2026
A Curated List of Golf Courses
The majors are four competitions which spearhead the golfing season. They are:
The Masters
PGA Championship
U.S. Open
The Open
Together, the four majors form golf’s ultimate proving ground. Attending, at least one of, these competitions will be on the bucket list for an avid golf fan.
When our clients craft these once in a lifetime experiences, we recommend they fully immerse themselves in the location the major is taking place.
Whilst this includes fine dining and the best accommodation, we find that golfing enthusiasts want to get a taste of the competition they are watching by playing a few rounds of their own.
Naturally, they want to play the best courses available in the local area. This is where Blend Group can support.
The prestigious courses hosting the majors be off-limits (for the time being…) but these locations are home to some of the finest golf in the USA.
In this article we’ve curated a list of three exceptional courses which are nearby to each of the major competition locations in 2026.
The Masters
Competition Date
9 – 12 April, 2026
Location
Augusta National, Georgia, USA
The Masters is a tradition unlike any other. If you are a tennis fan, you can liken it to Wimbledon, where history, beauty, and prestige converge.
Separating itself from the other major competitions, The Masters takes place in the same location every year. Therefore, the surrounding area has become a hotbed for incredible courses.
Champions Retreat Golf Club
Distance from Augusta National
14 miles
Steeped in Greatness
27 holes designed by three of golf’s greats
About Champions Retreat Golf Club
This is the ultimate bucket-list pairing with The Masters.
Designed by Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player, three golf legends, the course delivers championship pedigree and exclusivity.
If you are looking for the closest course to Augusta, this is the best place you’ll find. For golf enthusiasts, this is a strong anchor any Masters-week itinerary.
It is best to organise this early, as the course is usually member-only and offers limited slots to non-members during Masters week.
The River Golf Club
Distance from Augusta National
7 miles
Hosting the Future of Golf
It hosted US Open qualifying in 2002
About The River Golf Club
Complemented by picturesque bodies of water, The River Golf Club is a classic Southern golf experience just minutes from Augusta National.
Strategically designed by Jim Fazio, this course strikes a balance between challenge and playability.
During Masters week The River Golf Club offers tee timeslots to non-members. Its proximity to the competition makes it a favourite with attendees.
Forest Hills Golf Course
Distance from Augusta National
4 miles
Award-Winning Credibility
Forest Hills Golf Course has been consistently voted “Best Public Golf Course” by Augusta Magazine.
About Forest Hills Golf Course
The closest course to The Masters, Forest Hills brings history and accessibility together.
It provides the most authentic perspective on golf in the city and has tee-time availability during Masters Week.
This is the more affordable course on our Masters list, but that doesn’t detract from the beauty of the course. Wide open fairways make for spectacular views and an opportunity to make a decent score!
PGA Championship
Competition Date
14 – 17 May, 2026
Location
Aronimink Golf Club, Pennsylvania, USA
Taking place in May, this competition brings together the strongest field in golf.
The reason it is dubbed ‘the strongest field in golf’ is because it is an event purely for professionals. Whilst the other majors allow spots for amateurs.
The PGA Championship feels contemporary compared to the other majors. It’s a tournament that rewards strength, precision, and composure.
Pennsylvania is a fantastic golfing state, widely regarded as one of the top golfing states in the country. Therefore, there is no shortage of options when heading to the PGA Championship in 2026.
Merion Golf Club (East Course)
Distance from Aronimink
7.5 miles
Words From a Legend
Jack Nicklaus once said, “Acre for acre, [Merion] may be the best test of golf in the world.”
About Merion Golf Club (East Course)
Golf Digest consistently ranks Merion Golf Club (East) among the very best courses in the United States. This ranking is supported by the club hosting plenty of competitions in the past.
The East Course has hosted more USGA Championships than any course in America.
A big testament to the grandeur of this course, the US Open returns to Merion in 2030.
Rolling Green Golf Club
Distance from Aronimink
8 miles
Golf Only!
Rolling Green has always proudly been a golf-only club, without the usual additions such as tennis or swimming.
About Rolling Green Golf Club
William Flynn designed this course, which opened in 1926, known for its challenging greens (exactly what every golfer wants to hear).
Much like other courses in this article, Rolling Green has hosted several competitions in the past. Notably two USGA national championships (1976 US Women’s Open, 2016 US Women’s Amateur).
The course is widely known for the 12th hole, a short par four which is widely regarded as one of the finest short par fours in the world. Something worth exploring in 2026!
Philadelphia Cricket Club
Distance from Aronimink
16 miles
A Proud History
Philadelphia Cricket Club is the nation’s oldest country club.
About Philadelphia Cricket Club
The club was founded in 1854 and has golf major history, The U.S. Open was held at The Philadelphia Cricket Club in 1907 and 1910.
For golfers looking to test themselves, there is a ‘great hazard’ on the 7th hole which creates tricky decisions for players.
Philadelphia Cricket Club is set within a tranquil, wooded landscape and its proximity to Aronimink makes it a natural choice for PGA Championship visitors.
US Open
Competition Date
18 – 21 June, 2026
Location
Shinnecock Hills Club, New York, USA
The U.S. Open is one of golf’s ultimate tests, often featuring fast greens, punishing roughs, and narrow fairways.
Courses are usually set up to reward accuracy, control, and mental resilience. With the winning score often sitting not far under-par, each shot is particularly vital.
In 2026, the US Open returns to New York, one of the world’s favourite destinations and an incredible location for golf fans.
Bethpage Black
Distance from Shinnecock Hills
60 miles
Recent History
Bethpage Black hosted the Ryder Cup in 2025.
About Bethpage
Bethpage Black may be over an hour away by car, but the experience would be well worth the travel.
The course is a self-proclaimed mecca for public golf and features five 18-hole courses.
This includes the world-renowned Black Course, where Europe won the Ryder Cup against their American counterparts in 2025.
Golf Digest consistently ranks Bethpage Black among the top 100 Greatest Golf Courses in America, it is a must-play for any golf enthusiasts.
National Golf Links of America
Distance from Shinnecock Hills
5 miles
A Complete Masterpiece
The National was designed by one of the best architects in the history of golf, Charles Blair Macdonald
About National Golf Links of America
Whilst the clubhouses are approximately 5 miles apart, the course borders Shinnecock Hills itself.
Our first links course on this list, National Golf Links of America sits second on the list of best courses in New York. Which course is named first? Shinnecock Hills.
The course was built to incorporate the best aspects of a British links course and is a member only course.
A clearly identifiable characteristic of this course are the huge and undulating greens which create a tough challenge for any level of golfer.
Friar’s Head
Distance from Shinnecock Hills
19 miles
Two’s a Crowd
Caddies must always be used on this course!
About Friar’s Head
A beautiful course which is very hard to play on for numerous reasons.
Firstly, it is a private members club. Secondly, it is a rugged course which has no yardage markers and encourages players to walk instead of using buggies.
These elements, paired with enormous greens surrounded by bunkers, makes for an extremely testing round of golf.
A view of the ocean only adds to this course’s allure. It is a fantastic option for those heading to the US Open in 2026.
The Open
Competition Date
16 – 19 July, 2026
Location
Royal Birkdale, Liverpool, United Kingdom
The Open, sometimes referred to as the British Open, is golf’s oldest major. In 2026, the 154th Open will take place at Royal Birkdale.
With its unpredictable weather, pot bunkers, rolling dunes, and the ever-present roar of the British crowd, The Open is a true test for any golfer.
Narrowing the options available down to only three has been tough, as there is a plethora of options in the Northwest of England.
Royal Liverpool Golf Club
Distance from Royal Birkdale
32 miles
Home of The Open
Royal Liverpool has hosted The Open 13 times.
About Royal Liverpool Golf Club
This is another course which is over an hour away from the host course. However, Royal Liverpool is a natural companion course during championship week, offering both gravitas and variety.
It is undoubtedly one of the toughest Links courses, making for a compelling challenge for golfers.
Rory McIlroy won his first Open Championship on this course in 2014. It truly is a course mastered by the best in the world, with challenging winds and an unusually flat layout.
Hillside Golf Club
Distance from Royal Birkdale
0.3 miles
Recently Upgraded
Hillside underwent renovations to the course between 2019 and 2021.
About Hillside Golf Club
Jack Nicklaus said the back nine of this course contains some of his favourite holes in golf.
Often described as having some of the best individual holes in Britain, Hillside sits directly next to Royal Birkdale.
Therefore, making it perfect for fans looking for the ultimate The Open experience. Speaking to Nicklaus’ sentiments above, the back nine is considered among the finest links holes in England.
Formby Golf Club
Distance from Royal Birkdale
7 miles
An Iconic Figure
Formby’s clubhouse was voted 12th most iconic clubhouse in the world.
About Formby Golf Club
Formby Golf Club blends classic links golf with a woodland setting, crafting a memorable experience.
The course layout makes for strategic play through beautiful dunes and pines.
Formby is ideal for guests looking to balance championship-level golf with an enjoyable, flowing round during Open week.
Challenge Yourself in 2026
The beauty of attending a major golf competition is the ability to immerse yourself in the rich golfing environment each location has to offer.
From the heritage of Augusta to the blustery links of Liverpool, these courses allow guests the closest possible experience to the competitions themselves.
By pairing a major week with rounds at nearby courses, the experience becomes more immersive, more memorable, and unique to you.
Bespoke Memorable Moments are our speciality. We have supported clients with their unique major experiences for almost a decade.
Enquire with our dedicated team and explore our access and opportunities.
