Golf Course Boom 2026: Record Openings, Sky-High Demand & How to Secure Your Tee Time Now

South Florida’s Next Signature Golf Course Set To Rise At Former Sherbrooke Club The biggest storyline in golf-course development this week is unfolding in Palm Beach County, where Jack Nicklaus and his son Gary have broken ground on NOKOSI, a ground-up redesign of the long-shuttered Sherbrooke Golf & Country Club. The Nicklaus family and TWG Global acquired the 153-acre site for $15 million last year, and construction crews are already reshaping fairways to create a walking-friendly, strategy-driven layout aimed at a late-2026 debut. Branded “A Nicklaus Family Club,” NOKOSI will cap its limited-membership model with extensive practice grounds, wellness amenities and a “range house” bar that overlooks the driving range—elements designed to make the property as much a lifestyle hub as a championship-ready golf course. Why This Matters For Golf Travelers And Investors 1. Prime location: The course sits 20 minutes from Palm Beach International Airport, adding another high-end tee-time option to an already golf-rich corridor. 2. Design pedigree: Jack Nicklaus has logged more than 300 designs worldwide, and NOKOSI will be the inaugural project under his newly re-acquired Nicklaus Companies banner, signaling premium build quality. 3. Green-space revival: Sherbrooke closed in 2016 and nearly became a 282-home subdivision; its rebirth preserves 150-plus acres of open land while boosting local real-estate values. Wave Of 2026 Golf-Course Openings NOKOSI headlines a broader boom. Industry trackers list at least 26 brand-new public and resort golf courses slated to cut ribbons in 2026, from Wisconsin’s Wild Spring Dunes to The Commons at Sand Valley and multiple municipal revivals across the Sun Belt. Add in international projects—like the refresh at England’s Royal Birkdale ahead of the 2026 Open Championship—and travelers will enjoy an unprecedented menu of new golf-course experiences next season. Historic Courses Face Crossroads While some layouts debut, others fight for survival. In Washington, D.C., the 105-year-old East Potomac Golf Course is mired in legal uncertainty after its current lease was terminated, raising questions about future public access and potential environmental remediation. Similar preservation battles are heating up from Illinois to Australia as municipalities juggle housing demand with green-space protection. What Golfers Should Watch Now • Membership lists: NOKOSI and other private clubs opening in 2026 are already fielding inquiries; early deposits could lock in founder rates. • Tee-time demand: Resort destinations launching new golf courses frequently bundle preview-play packages—sign up for newsletters early to snag first-year slots. • Sustainability features: Many 2026 builds tout native-grasses, reduced-irrigation and solar-powered maintenance facilities; expect lower environmental footprints and faster playing surfaces. Bottom Line The phrase “new golf course” is trending because 2026 promises the busiest opening calendar in more than a decade. Whether you’re a destination golfer chasing fresh fairways, an investor eyeing amenity-driven real estate or a weekend player rooting for legacy muni renovations, the next 18 months will redefine the global golf-course landscape. Keep NOKOSI on your radar—it encapsulates the sport’s modern blend of championship design, family-focused amenities and environmental stewardship.