There's nothing quite like major championship golf. The tension on every putt, the roars echoing through the galleries, and the drama that unfolds over four unforgettable days—it's what makes this sport so special. Whether you're setting your alarm for early morning coverage from across the Atlantic or planning your entire spring around The Masters, the 2026 major golf season promises to deliver moments we'll be talking about for years to come.
If you're anything like us here at Hole19, you probably start planning your golf viewing schedule months in advance. Which major will you watch every shot of? Which one might inspire you to hit the course yourself right after? And most importantly, which legendary venues will host the world's best players as they battle for golf's most coveted trophies?
This complete guide breaks down everything you need to know about the 2026 golf major schedule. We'll cover the dates, venues, defending champions, and what makes each championship unique. Plus, we'll share some ideas for how you can use the excitement of major championship week to fuel your own game improvement.
Let's dive in.
What Are the Four Major Golf Tournaments in 2026?
Golf's four major championships represent the pinnacle of professional golf. Winning even one of these events changes a player's career forever. Winning all four in a calendar year—the elusive Grand Slam—remains one of sport's greatest achievements.
The 2026 major golf calendar features the same four prestigious tournaments that have defined excellence in golf for generations.
The Masters Tournament kicks off major season every April at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. It's the only major played at the same venue each year, and that familiarity has created some of golf's most iconic moments.
The PGA Championship typically follows in May. Run by the PGA of America, this championship has a history of producing dramatic finishes and surprise winners.
The US Open arrives in June with its trademark brutal course setups. The USGA's national championship tests every aspect of a player's game and mental fortitude.
The Open Championship (often called the British Open) closes major season in July. As golf's oldest championship, dating back to 1860, The Open brings unique links golf challenges that separate it from every other tournament.
Each major carries its own traditions, its own type of drama, and its own place in golf history. And in 2026, some truly special venues will host these championships.
PGA Championship 2026: Dates, Venue, and What to Expect
Dates: May 14-17, 2026
Venue: Aronimink Golf Club, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania
The PGA Championship travels to the Philadelphia area in 2026, with Aronimink Golf Club hosting its first major championship. This Donald Ross-designed course has a rich history in championship golf, having hosted the 1962 PGA Championship (won by Gary Player) and numerous other prestigious events.
What makes the PGA Championship special?
The PGA Championship has reinvented itself in recent years, moving from August to May in 2019. This shift positioned the tournament as a crucial early-season major, often setting the tone for the summer's golf narrative.
The championship has a knack for producing surprising winners alongside established stars. Collin Morikawa won his first major at the 2020 PGA Championship. Y.E. Yang famously outdueled Tiger Woods at Hazeltine in 2009. The tournament rewards a complete game—players must drive it well, hit quality iron shots, and putt under pressure.
About Aronimink Golf Club:
Donald Ross designed Aronimink in 1928, and the course has been meticulously preserved while hosting numerous major championships and tour events. The course features Ross's trademark crowned greens, strategic bunkering, and holes that reward thoughtful course management over raw power.
Located just outside Philadelphia, Aronimink will provide a different test than the ocean-side venues or Augusta National's manicured perfection. The tree-lined fairways and undulating greens demand precision and creative shotmaking.
Why this matters for your game:
Watching how the pros navigate a Ross design can teach you a lot about course management. Notice how players position their drives to have the best angles into greens. Watch how they account for the crowned putting surfaces. These are lessons you can apply at your own home course.
US Open 2026: America's Toughest Test
Dates: June 18-21, 2026
Venue: Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, Southampton, New York
When golfers talk about the toughest test in golf, the US Open stands alone. The USGA sets up courses to identify the best player of the week—not the hottest putter or the longest driver, but the most complete golfer who can handle extreme pressure and brutal conditions.
Shinnecock Hills returns to host its sixth US Open in 2026, more than any other club except Oakmont.
What makes the US Open special?
The phrase "US Open tough" exists for a reason. Narrow fairways bordered by punishing rough. Lightning-fast greens with difficult pin positions. Course setups that push the world's best players to their limits. Winning the US Open requires patience, precision, and mental strength that separates champions from contenders.
Par matters at the US Open. While other majors might see winning scores of 15 or 20 under par, the US Open regularly crowns champions at even par or just a few under. Every shot matters. Every mistake is punished.
About Shinnecock Hills:
Shinnecock Hills is one of America's founding golf clubs and one of the most respected courses in the world. Its windswept Long Island terrain creates a links-like experience unique among American venues. The course's natural contours, fescue rough, and undulating greens have tested every generation of champions.
The 2018 US Open at Shinnecock produced memorable drama and controversy, with course conditions on Saturday pushing players and the USGA to the edge. Expect the setup in 2026 to challenge the field while remaining fair—that balance is what the USGA strives to achieve.
Key holes to watch:
The par-4 10th hole often determines championships. The par-3 7th, with its tiny green surrounded by trouble, tests precision under pressure. And the closing stretch from 14 through 18 has crushed many Sunday dreams.
The Open Championship 2026: Golf's Oldest Major Returns
Dates: July 16-19, 2026
Venue: Royal Portrush Golf Club, Portrush, Northern Ireland
Defending Champion: TBD (2025 winner)
The Open Championship—never call it the British Open to its faithful followers—returns to Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland for just the second time in the modern era. The 2019 Open at Portrush was a celebration of golf, with Shane Lowry's emotional victory capturing hearts worldwide.
What makes The Open Championship special?
The Open is golf's oldest major, with a history dating to 1860. The Claret Jug awarded to the champion is the most recognizable trophy in golf. And the links courses that host The Open present challenges found nowhere else in the sport.
Links golf is a different game. The ball bounces and rolls in unpredictable ways on firm, fast turf. Wind and weather can change a course's character from one hour to the next. Bump-and-run shots replace high-spinning wedges. Imagination and creativity matter as much as technical skill.
The Open rotation includes some of golf's most historic venues: St Andrews, Royal Troon, Royal Liverpool, Royal St George's, and Muirfield, among others. Each course tells its own story, shaped by centuries of wind, rain, and championship golf.
About Royal Portrush:
Royal Portrush's Dunluce Links is considered one of the world's great courses. Perched on the Antrim coast with views of the North Atlantic and the ruins of Dunluce Castle, the setting is as dramatic as the golf.
The course features several iconic holes, including the par-5 7th, the short par-4 8th (the famous "Postage Stamp" was actually at Royal Troon—Portrush has its own collection of memorable holes), and the demanding stretch along the coast. The 2019 Open saw the course play both fair and challenging, rewarding the best golf while punishing mistakes.
Weather and conditions:
Expect the unexpected at any Open Championship. Wind, rain, and even sunshine can all appear in the same round. Players who thrive at The Open learn to embrace the conditions rather than fight them. This adaptability separates links specialists from those who struggle on these ancient courses.
How to Watch the 2026 Golf Majors
Each major championship offers extensive television and streaming coverage, making it easier than ever to follow every shot.
The Masters: Coverage across ESPN+ (early rounds) and CBS (weekend coverage), with the Masters app providing featured group and featured hole streaming.
PGA Championship: ESPN and CBS share coverage, with ESPN+ providing additional streaming options.
US Open: Coverage typically spans multiple networks including NBC, USA Network, and Peacock streaming.
The Open Championship: Coverage in the US typically airs on NBC and USA Network, with streaming on Peacock. In the UK, Sky Sports and the BBC provide coverage.
Tips for following the majors:
Consider which holes or players you want to follow most closely. Featured group coverage lets you watch every shot from select pairings, while featured hole streaming captures all the action at signature holes throughout the day.
Set reminders for key moments—the early leaders heading to the back nine on Sunday, the final groups coming down the stretch, and the trophy presentation. These are the moments that create lasting memories.
Planning Your Golf Year Around the Majors
The major championship schedule provides natural markers for your own golf season. Here's how you can use major season to fuel your game improvement.
Pre-Masters Season (January-March):
This is the time to work on the fundamentals. The pros are sharpening their games during the Florida swing, and you should be too. Focus on your full swing and get your distances dialed in with each club. Use the Hole19 app to track your shots at the range and build reliable club data before the season really heats up.
Masters Week (April):
Watching The Masters often inspires golfers to hit the course themselves. The blooming spring weather makes this the perfect time to get serious about your game. After watching the pros navigate Amen Corner, head to your local course and work on your course management. Use course notes in the Hole19 app to build your own strategy guide for each hole.
PGA Championship Season (May):
The golf season is in full swing. This is when you should be playing your most competitive rounds and tracking your stats consistently. Monitor your fairways hit, greens in regulation, and putting stats using Hole19's Advanced Performance Stats to identify areas for improvement.
US Open Season (June):
The US Open reminds us that golf is a game of precision and patience. Use this time to work on your accuracy—not just distance. How many fairways are you hitting? What's your scrambling percentage when you miss greens? The Hole19 handicap calculator helps you see your progress objectively.
Open Championship Season (July):
Embrace creativity in your game. Try some bump-and-run shots around the greens. Experiment with lower trajectory approaches. Links golf rewards imagination, and developing a more creative short game will serve you well regardless of where you play.
Beyond the Majors: Other Key 2026 Golf Events
While the four majors command the most attention, the 2026 golf calendar features plenty of other events worth following.
The Players Championship (March) is often called the "fifth major" and features the strongest field outside the major championships. TPC Sawgrass's island green 17th hole produces drama year after year.
The Ryder Cup isn't scheduled for 2026 (it's held in odd years), but the Presidents Cup will take place, featuring USA against the International Team.
FedEx Cup Playoffs (August) determine the PGA Tour's season champion through three intense events. The pressure-packed format often produces thrilling finishes.
DP World Tour events including the BMW PGA Championship provide great golf content throughout the European season.
LPGA Majors offer five championship events featuring the best women's players in the world, including the US Women's Open, KPMG Women's PGA Championship, Chevron Championship, Amundi Evian Championship, and AIG Women's Open.
Get Ready for an Incredible 2026 Golf Season
The 2026 major golf season promises four weeks of unforgettable championship golf. From the azaleas of Augusta to the links of Northern Ireland, the world's best players will battle for golf's most prestigious trophies.
For fans, these tournaments offer entertainment, inspiration, and a reminder of why we love this game. For players, they provide motivation to work on our own games and chase our own goals, whether that's breaking 90 for the first time or finally beating your best friend in your regular match.
Use the excitement of major championship season to fuel your own golf journey. Track your progress with the Hole19 app. Celebrate your personal achievements and milestones. And remember—every champion started somewhere. Your journey to becoming a better golfer is just as valid as theirs.
The 2026 majors will deliver drama, heartbreak, and triumph. We can't wait to watch alongside you.
Download the Hole19 app today and start tracking your game. Because while you're watching the pros chase major glory, you can be building your own path to lower scores and more enjoyment on the course.
See you at the first tee.
Jorge Robalo