YORK, U.K. - s4story -- Solo golf holidays are set to surge in popularity by 2026, alongside shorter trips and a growing reliance on AI-powered travel planning, according to a new survey of golf and travel professionals.

The research, commissioned by UK-based golf tour operator Glencor Golf Holidays, gathered predictions from experts across the golf and travel industries.

The findings are based on insights from golf professionals, tour operators and certified travel advisors across the UK, Europe and Australia.

The five big trends for 2026 are:

1.        Solo travel on the rise – golfers prioritising flexibility, personal challenge and self-paced experiences

2.       Micro-trips and closer-to-home holidays – shorter breaks that deliver value without long-haul travel

3.       The evolution of group travel – a shift from mates' trips to multi-generational and mixed-ability groups

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4.      AI + human expertise – AI for inspiration, experts for execution

5.      Experiential destinations – combining golf with culture, food and wellness

"Solo golf travel is no longer niche," said Corrie Renton, Co-director of Glencor Golf Holidays. "Golfers want the freedom to play world-class courses while travelling on their own terms — and that's fundamentally changing how golf holidays are designed."

Christina Gales, Certified Pro Travel Advisor and Founder of Christina Gales Travel, added: "There is a clear move towards independent golf trips that combine play with recovery time."

A full breakdown of the 2026 golf travel predictions, including expert commentary and destination insights, is available here: 2026 golf and travel predictions (https://www.glencorgolf.com/blog/golf-and-travel-2025-trends-and-2026-industry-predictions/).