There’s a bit of a love story unfolding on the fairways, and no, it’s not just about the love of the game.
Golfing couples are the latest trend hitting the greens, and they’re doing it in style.
According to the good folk over at Glencor Golf, they’ve been swamped—a whopping 157% increase in bookings from duos looking to hit the links together.
But why the surge? Well, everyone’s looking to stretch a pound or euro these days, and it seems couples are choosing to forego separate holiday adventures for a shared experience.
Corrie Renton, the top brass at Glencor, suggests this uptick is partly due to the spike in women taking up the sport.
“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 let’s not forget the glam of golfing WAGs gracing the sidelines at big tournaments.
It seems the game once known for solo runs is now scoring as a couple’s retreat.
Ehab Youssef, a mental maven at Mentalyc, adds a psychological spin to this trend. He’s seen a shift in his sessions, with couples finding common ground on the golf course.
It’s the game’s leisurely pace that lets lovebirds swap stories between swings, turning a game into good quality time.
So, what’s driving this adorable trend? Here are a few heartwarming insights:
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.
This swing towards shared experiences on the golf course could very well be the fresh twist the sport has been looking for.
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.
Ready to tee up with your other half? This trend is just getting started, and it’s proving to be a hole-in-one for love and sport alike.
Read the full story on why golf couples are booking more holidays.
