A Hole New Era: The Rise of Golf Travel (and Where to Go Next)

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Amateur golfer Bobby Jones once said, “Golf is the closest game to the game we call life. You get bad breaks from good shots; you get good breaks from bad shots — but you have to play the ball as it lies.” True, but these days, more people are choosing where they play that ball with a lot more intention.

With stunning courses scattered across the globe, it’s no wonder golf travel is booming. More players than ever are planning trips specifically around the game; however, they’re looking for more than perfectly cut fairways. The modern golfer wants the full experience, complete with thoughtful, beautiful courses designed by the biggest names in the sport.

Stroke of Genius

The idea of a “designer golf course” isn’t new, but it’s definitely evolved. Back in the early 1900s, legends like Donald Ross (who designed more than 400 courses, including the iconic Pinehurst No. 2) and Alister MacKenzie (one of the minds behind Augusta National) set the standard by shaping layouts that worked with the land, not against it. Then came figures like Robert Trent Jones Sr., who popularized the idea of golf course architecture as both sport and art (which, let's be honest, it is). Today, names like Tom Fazio, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Ben Crenshaw have elevated that legacy, creating layouts that have transformed golf courses into destinations in their own right.

A Hole-in-One Destination in Canada

And few places wholly encapsulate that vibe quite like Cabot Cape Breton in Nova Scotia, Canada. Set right along a very rugged stretch of the Atlantic, it’s redefining what golf travel looks like. Here, both golfers and non-golfers can enjoy incredible ocean views, refined luxury, and a getaway that’s equal parts active and relaxing.

Fairway to Heaven

At Cabot Cape Breton, the first thing that hits you is the view, and perhaps a bit of salty sea air. The resort sits on the western edge of Cape Breton Island – an underrated spot in northern Canada – where cliffs drop straight into the Atlantic and the wind is part of the experience. It’s home to two world-class courses: Cabot Links, designed by notable golf course architect Rod Whitman; and Cabot Cliffs, by golf course architect Bill Coore and two-time Masters champion Ben Crenshaw. Together, they’ve turned a quiet, little-known stretch of Nova Scotia into one of the world’s top golf destinations.

And, it’s easy to see why. What makes Cabot so special is how naturally the golf fits into the landscape. Coore and Crenshaw are known for making the course part of the land, and you see that everywhere. At Cabot Cliffs, fairways weave through dunes, greens sit right above the ocean, and every hole feels different, especially when there’s wind. (Spoiler alert: there often is.) Whether playing the Links, Cliffs, or the 11-hole Par 3 course, every tee box could basically double as a postcard.

Off Course, On Point

The resort’s rooms are just as impressive as the courses. The 72-room Lodge, designed by Nova Scotia architect Susan Fitzgerald and interior designer Alexandra Angle, is great for golfers who plan to spend most of their time on the greens. For a little more space, the two- and four-bedroom Golf Villas are just steps from the fairways, perfect for groups or families who want to be close to the action. The Cliffs Residences, Hillside Homes, and Dunes Cottages (each with two to five bedrooms) up the ante with ocean and course views, full kitchens, big decks, and outdoor fire pits. 

When it comes to dining, Cabot has a few restaurants that are relaxed but refined. Whit’s Public House, right between the Lodge and Main Street, is where everyone ends up — part pub, part hangout, with good food, live music, and fun energy. Cabot Bar, overlooking the 18th hole at Cabot Links, is ideal for that post-round drink while you watch the last golfers come in. Panorama Restaurant lives up to its name, serving fresh Atlantic seafood and Canadian beef with a side of ocean views. And for something more low-key (and very Nova Scotian), The Barn, also known as Coore’s Lobster Shack, serves lobster boils, smoked meats, and all the Maritime classics.

In Full Swing

That balance, between great golf and everything that happens off the course, is what’s fueling the golf travel trend right now. Players aren’t just chasing low scores; they’re after full-on experiences. The game might get them there, but it’s the location, the design, and the vibe that’ll keep them coming back.

At Cabot Cape Breton, the golf is obviously world-class, but the resort easily holds its own. The ocean-view rooms are sleek yet comfortable, the seafood comes straight from the Atlantic, and the atmosphere somehow manages to be both relaxed and refined, and never too formal for non-golfers. You could spend just as much time watching the breeze roll over the hills as you could out on the course — and both would feel equally worth the trip. When it comes to golf travel, Cabot Cape Breton is, quite literally, above par.