The 2026 men’s major golf season promises thrilling competition across four iconic venues, each with a rich history and challenging layout.

As is the tradition like no other, the Masters will be contested at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia in mid-April. Approximately one month later, in May, the PGA Championship will get underway at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Sq, PA, while the U.S. Open will tee it up about 30 days later at historic Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on Long Island (NY). And finally, The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England caps off the 2026 major season in July.

Augusta National Golf Club

The Timeless Home of the Masters

Nestled in Augusta, Georgia, Augusta National Golf Club stands as golf’s most revered venue, hosting the Masters every April since 1934. Founded in 1933 by Bobby Jones and designed alongside Alister MacKenzie, the course opened for play in 1932 on former fruitland terrain.

Its par-72 layout stretches to 7,555 yards from the championship tees, emphasizing strategic play over sheer power.

Over the decades, the course has seen extensive modifications by at least 15 architects, including Perry Maxwell’s 1937 changes and recent length additions to combat modern equipment.

As the only major fixed at one site, Augusta National continues to evolve, recently acquiring adjacent land for expansions like a new tunnel under Washington Road.

The Skinny
Name: Augusta National Golf Club
Major: The Masters
Dates: April 9-12, 2026
Location: Augusta, GA, USA
Year Opened: 1933
Architects: Bobby Jones and Alister MacKenzie
Par: 36-36-72
Yards: 7,555
Past Majors: Masters annually (since 1934)

Aronimink Golf Club

A Classic Donald Ross Test for the PGA

Aronimink Golf Club, located in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, will welcome the PGA Championship for the second time in 2026, having first hosted it in 1962 when Gary Player claimed victory.

Established in 1896 with its current course opening in 1928, the Donald Ross-designed par-70 track measures 7,237 yards from the back tees and is known for its panoramic views and strategic bunkering.

Renovations in 2003 by Ron Prichard restored Ross’s original greens and bunkers, while Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner’s 2018 updates further enhanced its classic features.

The club has a storied major resume, including the 1977 U.S. Amateur, 2003 Senior PGA, and 2020 Women’s PGA, making it the first venue to host all three PGA of America rotating majors.

The Skinny
Name: Aronimink Golf Club
Major: PGA Championship
Dates: May 14-17, 2026
Location: Newtown Sq, PA, USA
Year Opened: 1928
Architects: Donald Ross
Renovation: Ron Prichard (2003), Gil Hanse (2018)
Par: 35-35-70
Yards: 7,237
Past Majors: PGA Championship (1962)

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club

Links-Style Brutality for the U.S. Open

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York, one of America’s oldest courses founded in 1891, will stage its sixth U.S. Open in 2026.

The current William Flynn design opened in 1931, with a par-70 setup reaching 7,440 yards, as seen in the 2018 Open.

Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw’s 2010s restoration widened fairways, restored fescue roughs, and removed trees to recapture Flynn’s vision.

As a USGA founding member, Shinnecock hosted the second U.S. Open in 1896, notable for featuring the first African-American professional, John Shippen.

Its coastal winds and rugged terrain have produced dramatic wins, like Brooks Koepka’s second-straight U.S. Open title in 2018. The track is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Skinny
Name: Shinnecock Hills Golf Club
Major: U.S. Open
Dates: June 18-21, 2026
Location: Southampton, NY, USA
Year Opened: 1891
Architects: William Flynn (1931)
Renovation: Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw (2013)
Par: 35-35-70
Yards: 7,440
Past Majors: U.S. Open (1896, 1986, 1995, 2004, 2018)

Royal Birkdale Golf Club

Dunes and Drama for The Open

Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England, returns as The Open’s host in 2026, marking its 11th time since 1954.

Founded in 1889 and moved to its current site in 1894, the par-70 course spans 7,156 yards, designed primarily by Frederick G. Hawtree and J.H. Taylor with later Hawtree family updates.

Renovations in 1993 rebuilt all greens for better drainage, with minor bunker and tee additions before recent Opens.

Famous for its towering dunes and coastal winds, Birkdale has seen triumphs by legends like Arnold Palmer (1961) and Jordan Spieth (2017), plus the historic 62 by Branden Grace.

It also hosted Ryder Cup matches in 1965 and 1969, cementing its status as a premier links challenge.

The Skinny
Name: Royal Birkdale Golf Club
Major: The Open Championship
Dates: July 16-19, 2026
Location: Southport, England, UK
Year Opened: 1894
Architects: Frederick G. Hawtree & J.H. Taylor
Renovation: Frederick W. Hawtree (1960s), Martin Hawtree (1993)
Par: 35-35-70
Yards: 7,156
Past Majors: The Open (1954, 1961, 1965, 1971, 1976, 1983, 1991, 1998, 2008, 2017)