The PGA Championship returns May 14 through May 17 at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, highlighting a busy stretch of the PGA Tour schedule.

Scottie Scheffler enters the tournament after winning the 2025 PGA Championship and remains one of the sport’s dominant players. He narrowly missed adding another major earlier this season, finishing one stroke behind Rory McIlroy at the Masters.

McIlroy heads into the PGA Championship with momentum following his Masters victory, while many of golf’s top-ranked players are expected to compete in the season’s second major.

2026 PGA Championship TV schedule

Golf fans can watch the 2026 PGA Championship across ESPN, CBS and several streaming platforms throughout the four-day tournament.

Coverage begins Thursday, May 14 and continues through the final round on Sunday, May 17.

CBS coverage times

CBS Sports will air the main weekend coverage during the final two rounds:

● Saturday, May 16: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET

● Sunday, May 17: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET

ESPN will carry early coverage on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET before CBS takes over. Fans can stream the CBS broadcast live through Paramount+ with the Paramount+ Premium plan.

Where to stream the PGA Championship

If you plan to stream the tournament instead of watching on cable, several services will carry live PGA Championship coverage throughout the week, including early-round feeds and weekend broadcasts.

ESPN+

ESPN+ offers the most comprehensive coverage of the tournament, including:

• Early-round coverage on Thursday and Friday
• Featured groups
• Featured holes
• Additional live feeds throughout the tournament

Paramount+

Paramount+ will stream the live CBS weekend broadcast during the third and final rounds.

Cord-cutters can also watch through live TV streaming platforms that carry ESPN and CBS, including:

Prices listed reflect standard monthly price ranges and may not include limited-time offers or new customer promotions. Check each streaming provider for current free trials, discounts and bundle deals.

How to watch the PGA Championship while traveling

If you're traveling during the PGA Championship, you may still be able to stream coverage through your existing subscriptions. However, some streaming services may limit access based on your location, meaning your usual coverage could look different while you're away from home.

In those situations, some viewers use a virtual private network (VPN) to access their streaming accounts while traveling. A VPN encrypts your internet connection and routes it through a server in another location, which may help you securely sign in to your streaming services while on the go.

New to VPNs? Getting started is relatively simple:

• Choose a VPN service, such as NordVPN, and follow the setup instructions
• Select a server location that matches your home country
• Open your streaming app and log in as usual

Don't miss the PGA Championship this weekend

Whether you're watching on ESPN, CBS, Paramount+ or streaming on the go, there are several ways to follow the 2026 PGA Championship live from Aronimink Golf Club.

With top players like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy in the field, golf fans will have plenty of storylines to follow throughout the tournament weekend.

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We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

It’s all very well to pop down to the club for a game and a catch-up with friends, but for real golf fans, there’s little more exciting than exploring a trip to somewhere new and very different. The research, the organizing, the anticipation are all part of the package.

If you’re thinking of booking a golf vacation in 2026, consider these four brilliant and very different golfing destinations.

Each resort is perfect on its own but has plenty of other courses, visitor attractions and nearby activities to make it a worthwhile trip.

1. BOULDERS RESORT & SPA, Scottsdale, Arizona

Scottsdale is an oasis of golf in the Sonoran Desert that's home to an incredible variety of fascinating and very different golf experiences.

Towards its northern reaches, Boulders Resort & Spa is blessed with two remarkable courses. Each was designed by Jay Morrish, an architect who worked with some of the industry’s greatest, including Robert Trent Jones and Jack Nicklaus. While the North is kept for members and their guests, the South is arguably more thrilling and creates a beautiful safari through the rocks that's open to all.

Benefitting from full bunker and greens renovations in recent times, the course runs through some prime real estate that is largely so far from the playing lines and so well screened by nature that you would hardly know it was there.

What you very much do get to see are the amazing rock formations that give the resort its name and the course its unique character. They're beautiful to behold and breathtaking in their stature.

The star of the show is the brilliant par-5 fifth with its split fairway, which plays to a green towered over by Boulder Pile, but there’s actually endless invention, intrigue and fun all the way.

Coupled with excellent accommodation, fine dining, the spa and other sport and recreation activities, this is a brilliant place to stay. While it can and does get super-hot in the height of summer, it’s still playable, though clearly a lot more comfortable the rest of the year.

Greens fees range from $289 to $329 per person, including cart. Full details, including golf-inclusive packages, are available at www.theboulders.com.

2. ROYAL PORTRUSH, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland has three world-class links, with plenty of golfing enthusiasts rating the Dunluce Course at Royal Portrush as the best in Ireland. It was originally designed by the godfather of golf course design, Harry Colt, and the links received a major upgrade prior to hosting the 2019 Open Championship.

So successful was the event, that it was awarded an early return last summer when world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler cruised to a 4-shot win en route to claiming his fourth Major.

This more recent work included the creation of two excellent new holes, the par-5 seventh and the two-shotter that follows, out in the dunes. These replaced a less remarkable finishing pair, resulting in a course that has no weaknesses. It’s a masterpiece in strategic design with the additional benefit of being an absolute picture.

Two of the many highlights are the dogleg 5th, which is played over the dunes and down to the beach, and the perfectly named par-3 16th, Calamity Corner. Luck out with a day of gentle breezes and it’s even possible to score well.

The second course here, the Valley, has been significantly improved and now is one of the best in the country. With the recent opening of the Rosses, a luxurious eight-room property overlooking the fourth fairway of the Dunluce, Royal Portrush has cemented its place as one of the finest clubs in the UK and Ireland.

Playing this historic Open Championship venue in 2026 will cost $550, with the excellent Valley Course less than half that. See www.royalportrushgolfclub.com for full details, including accommodation. Oh, and the other two top-class links are at Royal County Down, a two-hour drive, and Portstewart, just 10 minutes away along the coast.

3. FANCOURT ESTATE, Western Cape, South Africa

There are not one but three fine courses at Fancourt, a superb golf hotel midway along the Garden Route, which runs along South Africa’s spectacular southern coastline. The Montagu and Outeniqua designs are both extremely good and rank among the best in the country, but it is Gary Player’s remarkable links that attracts keen golfers from far and wide.

This is one of the most unlikely but brilliant transformations you'll find anywhere — a wild and rugged, modern, inland links that runs over very natural-looking marshland but is still different from anything you will have played before.

You could never guess that it has been created over a plot of land that, before its opening in 2000, was an airfield. With five par 5s and four varied short holes, there is variety and drama all the way. The course hosted the 2003 Presidents Cup, the only time that this prestigious event resulted in a tie.

Slightly less demanding, but arguably prettier, the Montagu is the oldest of the three courses, opening for play in 1990. It's enormous fun, has plenty of water, and is guaranteed to keep a smile on your face. It's been regularly upgraded and improved in recent years, and as the Outeniqua, it's kept in excellent shape.

Other than scoring an invite from a member, the only way to play the sensational Links course is to book a three-night package, which includes Fancourt’s two other very beautiful courses. This is strongly recommended. A visit to www.fancourt.co.za shows the options available for this friendly and all-encompassing experience.

4. REAL VALDERRAMA, Costa del Sol, Spain

While one of the most expensive courses in Europe, Real Valderrama also deservedly and consistently tops the continental course rankings. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1974, for many years it hosted the Volvo Masters, a flagship European Tour event. It has hosted other top-level events, such as the Spanish Open, and, most importantly, the dramatic 1997 Ryder Cup. The course was granted royal status — hence the ‘Real’ in its name — in 2014.

The fairways are lined with trees, many of them cork oak, and the immaculate greens are unusually small. The bunkers are deep and filled with a coarse, grainy sand that is uniform throughout.

Perhaps the most memorable holes are the two par fives at the fourth and 17th. The former is played on a beautifully sited and elevated green that is surrounded by rocks, waterfalls and a pond.

Just as dramatic, the penultimate hole has had a huge influence one way or the other on many important tournaments. It works its way from left to right, to a green that is protected by a dangerous, shaved slope. Anything not quite long enough will roll back into the water.

By limiting access, the course is almost never busy, and this both enhances the visitor experience while keeping the course in immaculate condition. Visitors are welcome from Monday to Thursday from noon to 1 p.m., and the course is open all year with the standard greens fee approximately $640 plus the requirement of one forecaddie per group at $70 plus tip. Full details are available at www.valderrama.com.

Note: This item first appeared in Kiplinger Retirement Report, our popular monthly periodical that covers key concerns of affluent older Americans who are retired or preparing for retirement. Subscribe for retirement advice that's right on the money.

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For us golfers, winter represents two options. If you live in a climate that gets cold, winter means the end of the golf season. It usually hits right when you've finally gotten your swing in a groove, then the cold snaps come and the clubs — and your swing — go into hibernation.

You can also follow the path well-worn by clever snowbirds: Go somewhere warm, whether for a short vacation, a season or to live out your life without ever having to wait out a snowstorm to go back to the greens.

If you love someone who daydreams of reorganizing their life around the golf course (and believe me, they're not alone), these gift ideas should be high on your shopping list for the holidays.

I included a mix of price points here, and, as someone who makes a living, in part, playing two to three times a week, traveling to see new golf courses and seeing one to two Top 100 courses a year, I can tell you that each option will improve their games and enjoyment of it.

An indoor golf simulator

If you have the space, money and time, this might be the best moment to invest in a simulator for your home.

There are many brands to consider, so don't just default to Trackman or Full Swing because you see their names the most (though those are great options).

There are also many ways to set up a simulator to get the most bang for your buck and make the best use of your space. To narrow down these options, talk to the pros at The Indoor Golf Shop to find a setup that will fit your budget.

The best advice I can offer is that camera-based systems are often better than radar-based systems, but the technology is getting better each year, along with the graphics. Don't skimp on a projector and get a high-quality hitting mat. Expect to spend at least $7,500 on a quality setup.

Top option: The Indoor Golf Shop

Seriously great irons

You don't have to be a golf equipment nerd to pick out great irons. All the manufacturers ensure you have great clubs in your hands these days. Similar to cars, there aren't many lemons anymore. You just need to pick an iron that performs well for you.

The new T series irons by Titleist are this year's winner for me. My shots have never flown farther or higher than with these irons. The key is that somehow Titleist keeps finding ways to lower the center of gravity in their irons, which creates launch conditions that make even a moderate swinger like me launch the ball fast and high. These come in at $1,500 per set.

Top option: Titleist T-250

An epic driver

Aside from hitting a home run in Little League baseball, nothing has ever felt better in sports than a well-struck drive. That feeling happens more often than not with TaylorMade's latest driver, the Qi-35, which is now $100 off.

In terms of gifting, you might want to make have them unwrap a photo of the gift, then you both go in person to pick out the physical gift from the store. The driver comes in three different models to suit your game, but a good fitter can help you find the right combination of head and shaft that works for your game and swing. Don't buy one off the rack. Make sure you get it fit.

Top option: TaylorMade Qi-35

A lightweight golf bag for walkers

I'm a walking golfer and believe the game is best played on foot. I prefer hoofing it with my clubs thrown over my back to putting on a weighted vest and walking through my neighborhood. If you walk, you want a lightweight bag.

At only 4.3 pounds and about $339, the Lux Air is my bag these days. It has plentiful pockets to stow balls, tees and some sunscreen, as well as a nice full-length pocket to accommodate a sweater or vest. The bag comes in a six- or 14-way top. Its kickstand legs are carbon fiber, and its backpack mechanism is self-balancing.

Top option: Lux Air from Vessel Golf

Golf shoes that don't pinch

One of the fastest-growing brands in golf is Payntr Golf Shoes. One reason they've taken off is that they're incredibly comfortable and some of the best shoes on the market. The new Sport Classic LE, a spikeless shoe, is so comfortable that a recent madcap scramble in Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson (is there any other kind of transfer at that airport?) was as comfortable as walking in house shoes — on carpet.

The entire lineup of shoes is worth checking out. The underlying technology is designed to let golfers utilize ground forces more efficiently, which translates into faster swings and more power when hitting the golf ball.

An ortholite footbed provides great cushioning, and the waterproof uppers mean early morning rounds won't leave your socks steeping in dew or someone's spilled coffee on the commuter train. A pair costs $160.

Top option: Payntr Golf Shoes

Refined athleisure to outfit your golfer

Sun Mountain is known for creating the modern-day golf stand bag (and the Eclipse is a good choice), and they've recently stepped into apparel and improved their waterproof rain jackets.

My picks this year from Sun Mountain include: For women, the Teigan Quarter-Zip ($99), a soft fleece that feels like one of my kids' stuffed animals. For men, I like the Knockdown Vest ($199), which I can't seem to stop wearing even once I'm inside the house. And to battle the rain, go with a Monsoon Jacket ($99).

Top option: Sun Mountain

Sweaters for cooler days on the course

More golf apparel companies are including women's lines. This year, my wife and I liked the new releases from Turtleson, including the Maeve Extra Fine Merino and the Asymmetrical Funnel Collar. Both are soft and perfect for layering under a jacket or vest for fall golf rounds or when the evening chill comes out in warmer climates.

For men, the Ace Birdseye Crewneck Sweater is a handsome choice with old school flair on and off the course. Prices begin at $155.

Top option: Turtleson

A simple but effective piece of training equipment

I'm not one to go into deep rabbit holes of Instagram or YouTube videos on improving my swing, but the TRS Slider is a sound piece of training equipment.

One thing I know from lessons over the years is that golfers need to be forced into feeling the proper swing positions. The TRS Slider won't allow you to raise your right arm, and keeping the right arm close to your body makes it harder (though not impossible) to come over the top on your swing.

By helping you ingrain that feeling in your swing, the hope is that when you take off the aid, you're still hitting with the same proper mechanics. This is a thoughtful gift that your golfer will be impressed you thought of – and they'll use it often.

Top option: TRS Slider

Better data for better scores

Given that we carry computers in our pockets all day, it makes sense to take advantage of that by installing Arccos sensors on our golf clubs. These allow you to know how far you hit each club by keeping track of your stats over time.

If you analyze the data right, you won't just know how many fairways you're missing (ahem, I mean, hitting), you'll know what your tendencies are under pressure and in heightened moments. Golf is complicated, but if you can use the data to get better at course management, you'll be able to play and practice smarter. Systems start at $99.

Top option: Arccos Golf

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Backyard wiffle ball might seem counterintuitive as an enticing amenity at a private resort community. It has little to do with high-end fitness equipment, cold plunges and infrared saunas — increasingly, must-have items at member clubs across the country — much less full-service pool areas and an emerald golf course.

Yet, at both The Abaco Club in the Bahamas and Old Edwards Reserve at Lake Keowee, in Sunset, South Carolina, wiffle ball fields are among their most utilized amenities. Decked out in astroturf, they sparkle just as much as the nearby golf courses.

At the Abaco Club, called the Wake Field in honor of the late Boston Red Sox pitcher and club member Tim Wakefield, they even have a replica of the Green Monster, the iconic left-field wall.

While private communities still lean on golf as their traditional draw for prospective members, wiffle ball presents a nontraditional offering in line with larger trends in the private club space. As members are getting younger and multigenerational communities are becoming the norm, country clubs have been adding offerings both expected and unexpected to entice new members and entertain existing ones.

With average initiation fees to join country clubs around $65,000 and monthly dues near $1,000, members are expecting more of the clubs they join. These are some of the additions that could be coming to a club near you, if they haven't already jazzed up their offerings.

Kid-friendly appeal for the whole family

Old Edwards Reserve’s general manager, Tim Boeve, says the wiffle ball field was packed every Sunday this past summer and “helped us stay competitive by showing that we’re committed to creating a vibrant, family-focused community."

"Typically, our market is parents and grandparents, and what the grandparents have learned is if they can find a place where grandkids want to come, they’ll always be connected to them," says Mark Yarborough of Storied Development, which is currently constructing the Firefly community outside Nashville and boasts existing clubs in Texas and Utah, as well as The Grove adjacent to Nashville.

That means along with amenities that appeal to a 45-to-75 demographic, they must also build out amenities that will appeal to teenagers. At their Talisker Club in Park City, Utah, this led to building a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) workshop and lab for kids. (As it turns out, retirees have been the biggest user of that facility, he says.)

To serve the younger demographic, the Abaco Club didn’t rely on wiffle ball alone. They’ve created a game and cinema room at their new Winding Bay Club, a beachfront clubhouse opening this October that’s part of a $350 million improvement to the private club in the Bahamas.

Winding Bay features full gaming systems that can be played on an LED wall, board games and shuffleboard, as well as a slate of old-school arcade games such as Pac-Man and NBA Jam.

“From the start,” says Tommy Southworth, president of Southworth Clubs, “we envisioned the Winding Bay Club to be the heart of our community — a place where members of all ages could come together, unwind, and make memories.”

Opportunities to bond and connect

The new facility at Southworth Clubs also boasts an infinity-edge pool and racquet facility, as has become common, but also e-foiling, a combo of surf and hydrofoil. Southworth says these improvements are rewarding in the connections they spark.

More and more, connectivity to the club is what drives both membership and new amenities. Clubs want members to stay longer, and to do that, they need more to do. At Phoenix Country Club, which sits downtown in the Arizona city, that’s a key emphasis behind the development and introduction of new programs and amenities, says General Manager Max Rascon.

"We renovated a portion of upstairs of the clubhouse to provide fitness classes, and we have also installed cold plunges and red-light therapy. as well. When I first started here 12 years ago, we were a golf club, but now we’re seeing a larger segment of our members are young families.”

To serve that population, they, too, have leaned on creating rec rooms with games as well as offering summer camps that span 10 weeks. The camps have different offerings each week, such as LEGO engineering, some of which will continue into the school year.

Food and wellness at the club

Scott Ferrell is an industry veteran who is helping lead the creation of Kawonu Golf Club outside Greenville, South Carolina. While they will feature golf only, Ferrell says the pressure to provide top-notch facilities away from the course is real and imminent.

Aside from golf simulators that can be used as teaching bays — a must-have in the market these days — the amenity Ferrell is focused on is food and beverage, as, he says, "historically private clubs have had mediocre dining outlets.” Because Kawonu will have a mix of local and national members traveling from afar, Ferrell says they will make dining a primary focus of the experience.

“I think it’s important to keep the menu simple. It’s part of the experience, for sure, but clubs make a mistake by overcomplicating their menu, and we’re not gonna do that.” They’ll focus on a premium menu that isn’t “exhaustive,” allowing them to deliver higher quality meals.

Rascon, of the Phoenix Country Club, also said meal quality has been a bigger focal point as more members are coming for dinner than ever before. Dining, he says, has been influenced by wellness trends: Farm-to-table is now an expectation at many places.

The concept of wellness for longevity has also influenced amenities at these clubs; CDA National Reserve in Idaho even created an entire membership to support it. The Premier Longevity membership is a personalized, data-driven health program developed in partnership with Clinic5C, in nearby Spokane, Washington.

In addition to red-light and ozone therapy, members have access to hyperbaric oxygen therapy, exclusive pricing on stem cell therapies, and monthly IV infusions. They’ve also built a climbing wall, another trend in the space, as well as a floating water park on the lake, something also utilized at Old Edwards Reserve’s club.

And of course: Upgrading the golf courses

Even with these flashier amenities, the backbone of country clubs is still golf. Across the region, you'll see many golf course renovations in addition to completely new courses and putting greens.

For the Kawonu Golf Club, that meant picking a popular and rising star in golf course architecture, Andrew Green, who has also been enlisted at Firefly — but also an award-winning clubhouse architect, too, in Joel Newman of the firm Thomas and Denzinger.

One of the fastest-growing trends in courses is short courses — giving members the ability to enjoy the game of golf without the commitment of a traditional 18-hole round.

At Old Edwards Reserve, the driving range is transformed into a short course on Mondays and Fridays, and you’re just as likely to see young men playing two-hand touch football as you are to see them hitting shots into their greens with irons.

The range is anchored by a food truck serving up barbecue and an 18-hole putting green with plenty of seating and firepits all around. Boeve says the range has become the most popular spot on the property as a result, with members wandering over to the social spot “after a simple stop to check their mail.”

Like other clubs, though, Old Edwards Reserve is not stopping there. Another short course is on the way and a major renovation to the existing pool will feature kids’ and teens’ pools with slides and a spray ground.

Boeve says what drives these upgrades is a desire “to deliver an elevated quality of life for a discerning audience.”

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Just as cooler temperatures signal that school is back in session, sometimes after a summer of golf, a reset might be in order. Fall marks the perfect time to start thinking about your game for next season.

Consider attending a golf school, where you can learn about your swing, improve your technique and perhaps find some new friends and playing companions.

As more people turn to adult camps to meet and make friends, they might find what those of us who have been playing golf have always known: Golf is a great equalizer and a game for camaraderie.

As the late teacher Harvey Penick, who coached Masters champion Ben Crenshaw, said, “If you play golf, you are my friend."

Here are the best golf schools in the country to improve your game and make some new friends and memories along the way.

Mid-Atlantic region

Nemacolin Golf Academy, Nemacolin Resort, Farmington, Pennsylvania

An hour southeast of Pittsburgh, Nemacolin is a luxury resort with large hotels, fine dining, ski lifts, pools and two outstanding golf courses anchored by one of the best golf learning centers I’ve ever seen.

Equipped with Trackman simulators, an industry leader, the bays have the ability to open up and let guests hit into the open air or into mats. Instructors will evaluate your swing and provide targeted mechanical exercises and drills to help you improve.

The resort offers a variety of programs, including several three-day sessions led by on-site staff and visiting instructors. There is even an option to customize your golf school experience.

After your school ends, you’ll still have access to your coach and drills via the CoachNow app, allowing the learning to continue. Three-day schools start at $1,795, excluding overnight lodging fees.

Gulf States

Horseshoe Bay Resort, Horseshoe Bay, Texas

One of the best things a golf school can offer is on-course lessons, and at Horseshoe Bay, participants in their two and three-day schools get just that.

Golf students get two hours of range time and instruction, a video breakdown of their swings and unlimited golf after their lessons.

Golf, more than most sports, is a mental game akin to chess on grass, with players needing a keen understanding of their skills and how to play each hole effectively.

At Horseshoe Bay, you get a chance to hone that insight by going on the course with a teaching pro for nine holes, where they'll show you swing mechanics and strategic golf, such as understanding how and when to attack holes — and when to back off.

The resort has a variety of full-day and half-day camps, including single-day offerings. An all-day three-day camp starts at $1,195, excluding accommodations, and there are also a variety of options for single lessons, including clinics that start at $50, as well as junior lessons to get your children involved.

Pacific Northwest

Make the Turn at Juniper Preserve, Bend, Oregon

The more beautiful the setting, the better to learn in. Add in a world-class instructor such as Jeff Ritter, who founded Make the Turn and has been featured numerous times on the Golf Channel and you’ve got the recipe for golf success — and relaxation.

Ritter emphasizes mental resilience in his teaching as well as properly training your body to move in the correct biomechanical way to be successful in the execution of a golf swing.

From half-day intensive clinics that focus on one aspect of your game, such as full swing or putting, to longer two-day schools, Ritter and his team emphasize the importance of impact, speed and control through their swing. Attendees who choose to stay at Juniper Reserve, which has two highly regarded courses, will receive 25% off the resort’s best available rate.

One-day schools start at $1,350 per day for six hours of one-on-one instruction. For a two-day school, expect to pay $5,500 per person and up. Make the Turn offers this option in collaboration with Performance Golf (PF), which handles all bookings.

For a more luxurious experience, consider booking a 2½-day "school" at Pebble Beach. You'll have instruction from a pro and time on the course, as well. That will set you back $10,250 per person, including lodging and meals.

West

PGA West, La Quinta, California

With two golf school options and five courses to choose from, PGA West in the Coachella Valley is an excellent candidate to chase the white ball around and find ways to improve your game.

The golf academy offers both two-day and three-day golf schools with nine and 15 hours of instruction, respectively.

In addition to on-course instruction, there is also a golf club evaluation and fitting to determine if your equipment is the best-performing for your game. As with other schools on our list, there is video instruction, a small student-to-teacher ratio (three to one), and ample time to focus on all aspects of your game from chipping and putting to driving the golf ball.

A new golf studio will open this winter, outfitted in the latest golf technology with a putting studio to analyze your stroke and roll, as well as moveable platforms to practice hitting off uneven lies, along with a number of other new innovations in golf instruction that utilize technology to dial in your best swing.

Rates start at $2,400 for the two-day school and $3,800 for the three-day program, with lunch provided for each, but excluding lodging costs.

Midwest

Destination Kohler, Kohler, Wisconsin

Of the original luxury resort golf destinations, Destination Kohler boasts one of the best golf schools in the country, offering options for one-, two-, three- or four-day golf schools.

Aside from feedback and instruction, students play in small groups and receive customized workout plans and workbooks to take home and continue honing their game.

Participants in golf schools also receive discounted golf rates at three of the resort's courses, which boast Whistling Straits, a major championship venue and host of the 2021 Ryder Cup.

Kohler is also known for its excellent junior program, serving local youth, as well as being the perfect place to expose or develop your child’s love for the game through sound technique that’s cloaked in fun (think water balloon fights on the range).

One-day schools start at $530 and last five hours, with four-day schools starting at $1,720.

South

Pinehurst Resort, Pinehurst, North Carolina

Perhaps no other resort in the country has as many different schools and programs as Pinehurst. Their large learning center near the famed No. 2 Course, along with its 10 golf courses on the property, make it an ideal landing spot to learn new techniques and test them.

The most innovative course is the Parent and Child School, which is only offered in the summer (when kids are out of school) and is designed for children ages 9 to 17. That program lasts four days and three nights.

The regular golf school for adults is intensive and runs throughout the year on select dates from Sunday to Thursday. Participants work on every aspect of their game, learning the nuances of putting and full swings, with discounts offered to the spa to relieve their aching backs or clear their minds.

Rates for the Parent and Child School start at $4,291 and $3,383 for double occupancy in the adult school for the fall. Weekend golf schools run from Thursday to Sunday in the fall and start at $2,848 per person for double occupancy.

Interested in golf course design?

If your game is in shape, consider taking your knowledge to the next level by attending Design Boot Camp.

This program teaches 12 people about the intricacies of golf course design. Since the mid-1990s, golf course design has undergone a complete makeover that has been more impactful than what Chip and Joanna Gaines did for shiplap.

Sandy soil, contoured greens, blind shots, and the benefits of moving as little dirt as possible have been “on trend” now for 30 years. It’s a style that hews toward working with the land rather than manipulating it, taking its cues from the earliest golf courses in Scotland.

The 2026 edition will take place at the Pinehurst Resort (the 2024 edition was at Erin Hills in Wisconsin).

Among all the sports, only golf's field of play isn’t regulated. In fact, the only constant from golf course to golf course is the diameter of the golf cup. Everything else is dependent on an architect’s imagination.

If you have (gulp), $20,000 and a desire to learn more about how golf courses are built, this is the school for you ($15,000 of your fees are tax-deductible).

Boot camp lasts five days. You’ll learn how to read a topographic map, conduct a site evaluation, and, yes, you’ll get to play golf on Pinehurst No. 2, site of the 2024 U.S. Open.

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Chances are, you’ve heard of the Trump megabill that was recently signed into law. The so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB) is garnering chatter and for good reason: A lot is included in the mega legislation.

But even though many provisions survived the bill’s initial proposal, several did not. For instance, under the originally proposed megabill, gym memberships — and therefore pickleball courts in gyms — could have been eligible expenses for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).

*HSAs are tax-advantaged savings accounts that allow pre-tax contributions and tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses.

While the provision to make gym memberships HSA-eligible didn't make it into the final version of the OBBB, you may still be able to claim certain expenses for staying active in retirement.

Stay active in retirement with HSA-eligible expenses

Retirees may use HSAs to save on taxes while playing sports — or by participating in other exercises — in retirement.

For instance, as a pickleball player (or “pickler”) myself, I often put in contact lenses when I go out to play. Prescription contact lenses and glasses are HSA-eligible.

Here are a few other examples of HSA-eligible expenses for retirees who like to stay active:

• Allergy medications, for playing outdoor sports like golf or basketball.
• First aid kits are helpful for all occasions, but particularly for contact sports.
• Hearing aids — so you can properly hear if that tennis or pickleball was “out” or not!

But you may be wondering: Is sports equipment or facility usage HSA-eligible? Well, that depends.

If you meet the strict guidelines of having a “Letter of Medical Necessity” (LMN) from a doctor specifying that, say, “golf” is medically necessary for the specific condition you have, then your golf expenses might be HSA-eligible. However, that rarely happens and is often not the case.

And while you can use HSA funds for a non-qualified expense, like pickleball, without penalty after you reach 65 years old, the withdrawal would be considered taxable income.

But that shouldn’t stop you from reaping the health benefits of staying active in retirement.

Best sports for older adults may increase life span

Exercising is tough for all ages, but it can be particularly difficult as you get older. Human bodies don’t work the same at age ten as they do at age 70.

However, exercising in retirement can significantly improve your health. The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, suggests that 150 minutes of brisk walking or 75 minutes of running each week may help you live longer.

And according to AARP, ten types of exercise can help you achieve a longer lifespan. Here are the top five:

• Walking. Almost one-third of older adults report they do some type of brisk walk each day.
• Running. If you have a busy schedule, going for a run can cut down on the time spent exercising.
• Water aerobics and workouts. One study of 80,000 people found that swimmers were 41% less likely to die of a heart disease or stroke, per AARP.
• Dancing. Whether it’s swing, line dance, or ballroom, dancers may have stronger muscles, better balance, and a better mood, according to AARP.
• Weightlifting. For the seriously motivated, lifting weights is an excellent way to maintain physical strength in retirement, helping with tasks like climbing stairs or carrying heavy groceries, per the National Institute on Aging.

Other popular exercises in retirement include golf, tennis, and badminton. I tend to gravitate towards pickleball or aerobics classes myself (town or city-led community centers can have cheaper class rates and feature more older adults than maybe privately-led sessions). But it’s really a matter of personal preference.

Of course, as with all exercises, it’s important to take things slowly, ensure you have the proper form, and talk to a doctor if you’re unsure whether an exercise is right for you.

Fun retirement ideas that help your tax bill

If you’re looking for a way to save on taxes and are not so much into fitness, no biggie. There are plenty of fun activities to do in retirement with added tax benefits. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Volunteering. The Urban Institute reports that 60% of adults aged 55 and older volunteer. Certain volunteerism expenses, like meals, lodging, and gas, may be tax-deductible.
• Learning a new skill. Research shows education is strongly associated with health benefits. And if you’re interested in saving on tax, you can potentially do so through the lifetime learning credit.
• Picking up a hobby. Got a secret talent? Why not try it out with a hobby? Although hobby expenses aren’t tax-deductible, you won’t be subject to the self-employment tax, though you may still owe taxes on hobby income.

Whatever you choose to do in retirement, be sure it’s right for you. That can be trying a new activity while saving on tax, or reaping the health merits (and perhaps HSA benefits) by staying active. Either way, there are a plethora of ideas out there to help you get started.

And who knows? Maybe future changes on Capitol Hill will lead to an HSA-eligible gym membership, as initially proposed in the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill.” We can dream, right?

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The country club image seems to have been cemented in 1980, the year Caddyshack was released: Old money vs new, old school vs irreverent.

Clubs can seem stuffy with their rules and their exclusivity, and prior to 2020, they were struggling, with membership enrollments and golf participation both down.

Then the pandemic happened, and golf became a winner based on its ability to get people outside and socialize.

Last year, the National Golf Foundation reported 28.1 million people played golf on a course, including 3.3 million beginners, the fifth-straight year that number exceeded 3 million.

As a result of this boom in participation, country club rosters swelled, waitlists were formed, and, in some cases, it has taken years — not months — to matriculate through to full memberships.

Before the pandemic, attrition rates at U.S. country clubs averaged 8% to 10%, Jason Becker of Golf Life Navigators told Kiplinger. During the current boom, that slowed to 3% to 4%, he said, although there are signs we're returning to more normal patterns as those waitlists are thinning.

As clubs have grown, the industry has seen many changes. While golf itself continues to be a membership driver (no pun intended), clubs have diversified their offerings and amenities to appeal to the whole family — not just with pickleball, which grew at a clip of 4,000 new courts last year.

What amenities are becoming more common, and how can you figure out if a membership is worth the price?

New features coming to a golf club near you

Clubs now feature cold plunges, simulator rooms with golf and F1 racing, art studios and maker labs that provide hands-on exploration. There are even work lounges and dog parks at some clubs. All of this speaks to what David Pillsbury of Invited Clubs, one of the country's largest club operators, says is clubs' desire to capture the whole family.

"I've said for a long time, our real competition is the home. Our job is to get the whole family to say, 'Let's meet at the club,' and then we have enough to attract everybody to the club for them to do that," he told Kiplinger.

What country clubs are offering now goes well beyond better workout equipment and physical spaces. It includes increased programming offerings, as well. Ray Cronin of Club Benchmarking says clubs understand these changes are the key to both membership retention and growth.

"The arms race is very real, but it will come down to who has the vision to move beyond shiny objects to what truly moves people," he said.

Country clubs as 'third places'

What's moving people these days are clubs that serve as a member's "third place." If home is your "first place" and work is your "second," the third place serves as a location of social connection and informality, where community and connection are built.

That means adult social events with craft cocktails, group exercise classes buttressed by personal training sessions — and ensuring the kids are taken care of with specific kids' zone activities, such as on-site camping. Every facet of today's club is meant to increase one’s sense of belonging.

“The pandemic reminded every one of us that what’s most important is human connection,” says Pillsbury. “But it’s not just with your family, but with your microcommunity,” which country clubs are intentionally building.

He believes country club memberships offer a way for like-minded individuals to find one another as well, a shortcut for those moving to new places to make connections faster, playing into the newfound work mobility culture.

Cronin concurs, saying successful clubs focus on "purpose, presence and programming."

Becker adds that a lot of the shifts we're seeing in the private club space — and a definite departure from the Caddyshack world of yore — has been the influx of women members into club leadership roles.

In Florida, he knows of two private clubs where ladies' golf leagues, long an afterthought at many clubs, "completely dominate the men's league and men's programming."

He added that these trends are implicitly saying, "We want our families to come here, and in order to do that, we need kid-friendly pools and dog parks."

How can you tell if a golf club membership is worth it?

When it comes to looking for a club to join and assessing its value, Jim Butler, CEO of Club Benchmarking, says you have to look beyond the numbers. The average initiation fee at a private country club these days is around $65,000, with monthly membership fees hovering around $1,000.

After those numbers, Butler emphasizes a couple of common-sense points that are often overlooked: "Make sure the club offers amenities you want to use and they're available when you want to use them."

If you like to work out in the morning and the facility is packed at that time, you're going to be frustrated.

If you want to play golf at certain times of day during the week, ensure those tee times are available.

Increasingly, men don't take the weekend to golf, choosing instead to keep family time a priority, and club programming and tee times are beginning to reflect this shift in behavior.

All the experts I spoke with say you need to investigate a club's financial model and plans for its physical plant and amenities.

Large club operators such as Invited will make high financial investments in their clubs and carry that burden, whereas member-owned equity clubs will likely see members get an assessment to carry those costs. Those assessments can often be significant four- and five-figure numbers.

A larger club management company such as Invited can carry the upfront costs for large-scale renovations without such assessments but will pass some of those costs on in the form of higher monthly dues, which is often more manageable for members, Pillsbury says.

He says any member or potential member needs "to ensure there is a capital plan that delivers on the quality and amenities you want."

Increasingly, we're seeing an odd juxtaposition in the marketplace with private clubs trying to become more like resorts, adding spas and larger pool complexes, and resorts trying to become more like private clubs, offering exclusive benefits.

As a result, to those that can afford either, there has been greater investment in the physical spaces that help drive demand and increase costs, both in initiation fees and monthly dues.

But it's often a price many are willing to pay. As Pillsbury says, "After all, joining a club is about improving your quality of life."

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Since 2020, when golf was one of the few activities that allowed for safe socializing, the game has continued to climb a growth curve of participation. In other words, country clubs and public courses across the country are packed.

Bandon Dunes in a remote enclave of coastal Oregon is fully booked two years out and has become so popular, a lottery is now held twice each year for the chance to book your trip. Pinehurst Resort, which hosted the U.S. Open last year on its No. 2 course, just announced the construction of its 12th course this fall.

The National Golf Foundation reports that in 2024, 28.1 million people played golf, the highest number of participants since 2008, when Tiger Woods' electric game and omnipresent ad campaigns flooded the game with beginners and newly converted zealots.

If you've fallen in love with the game, you know one of its pleasures is traveling to find more courses to play.

The appeal of golf is that no two courses are alike. Each offers a different set of challenges, and the setting often dictates those challenges. Golf along the ocean is different from golf in the mountains, not just what you see visually, but how you must play the course.

A slew of podcasts and websites have made the average golfer more educated about the principles of course design and the virtues of well-constructed courses — like how that Art Appreciation course changed your concept of shading freshmen year.

In some ways, that’s made it even harder to find great courses with great value as they’ve gotten more popular, but there are still plenty of greens to discover.

Here, you can find a mix of places to visit that offer excellent golf — and are tucked away enough to beat the crowds. These destinations will require you to gas up your car or rental and are definitely worth the trek, offering first-rate golf courses in unique environments.

1. Wild Horse Golf Club in Gothenburg, Nebraska

Three hours west of Omaha, Wild Horse is an unlikely golf course in what might seem like an unlikely landscape — the Sand Hills of Nebraska.

Yet the region is the locus for a golf travel movement that reshaped the industry when the eponymous Sand Hills Golf Club opened in Mullen in 1994. That private course proved golfers will travel to out-of-the-way locations to play spectacular golf.

Its success spurred the town of Gothenburg to enlist Dave Axland and Dan Proctor, who worked on the crew building Sand Hills, to construct its own course as a means to improve the town’s quality of life.

What they received is a course that moves through subtle, undulating ground, providing strategic shot-making decisions and one of the best deals in the country at a top rate of $80 per round on the weekend with onsite lodging as well.

2. Gamble Sands in Brewster, Washington

Hours from the Canadian border and 136 miles from Spokane, Gamble Sands has emerged as one of the most desirable and picturesque golf settings in America. Architect David McLay Kidd has fashioned a course that sits above the Columbia River, offering panoramic views of its winding path set against a mountain landscape.

The golf is as good as you’ll find anywhere, offering players of all levels challenges and loads of fun. For 2025, a second course, Scarecrow, opens August 1 and joins the original course, as well as a short course. Peak rates for hotel guests are $245 per round.

3. The Golf Courses of Lawsonia, Green Lake, Wisconsin

I drove to Green Lake last summer at night in a rainstorm across numbered roads sitting next to agricultural fields. One of them might have been dirt.

In the morning, I made my way to the Golf Courses of Lawsonia and was astounded by how good the golf was, particularly its Links Course, an architectural gem that flew under the radar for many years to all but the golf cognoscenti. What makes the Links so special are its greens, which are built into hillsides and perched above you with interesting contours.

The course is a wide-open affair you can look out over, but it also has enough movement in its land to provide several blind shots. Peak rates are $125 per round.

4. The Highlands, Harbor Springs, Michigan

Northern Michigan provides long days of sunlight, and you'll want to take advantage of that to play the four courses at The Highlands. Situated four hours north of Ann Arbor, The Highlands provides some of the best golf in a region rich with it.

The Heather is the oldest of the resort's courses but its best – and sternest. The par-5 fifth hole is framed by water and reaching pine trees, hallmarks indicative of the course’s beauty and the way it uses the land to draw out its challenges. Peak rates are $110 per round.

5. Barnsley Resort, Adairsville, Georgia

About an hour north of Atlanta, Barnsley feels much farther away. Its rustic setting is perfect for an extended weekend in one of its onsite cottages, which have recently been updated.

The golf course provides an excellent mix of challenge and ease off its tees and winds through a surprisingly hilly terrain. The greens are large and inviting and, like most resort courses, relatively flat. Still, there is some fire with moderately fast green speeds and challenging approach shots.

The closing hole is the toughest of the batch, but you can take the sting out of hitting into the water (as I did) by heading to the resort’s inn for a nightly bourbon tasting. An 18-hole Himalayas putting green course is to open in early fall. Peak rates are $130 per round.

6. Sand Valley Resort, Nekoosa, Wisconsin

The resort in middle Wisconsin sits on the ground Aldo Leopold made famous in his seminal work of environmental literature, A Sand County Almanac. That unique ecosystem and its plentiful sand makes for superb golfing ground and is also the Keiser family’s Midwest answer to Bandon Dunes, which they also founded.

With five courses (and more on the way), the resort has grown to become one of the most popular in the country despite being almost three hours from Milwaukee and two from Madison, its nearest airports for those not flying private.

Every course is a must-play at Sand Valley, but the original, Sand Valley, and the Lido are both striking examples of how golf courses can become thrilling theaters, providing as much unique visual pleasure as the golf they engender. Peak rates are $295 per round.

7. Rancho de los Caballeros, Wickenburg, Arizona

An hour outside the crowded Scottsdale golf market, Rancho de los Caballeros is a working dude ranch and resort.

Exceptional course conditioning is often the least important criteria for me when evaluating a course, but given the climate and location, Los Caballeros deserves some praise for how well maintained it is.

Greens are often unobstructed by obstacles, allowing golfers the option of running shots in on the ground or providing newer players a chance to still get on the green with mishit shots.

Then there are several elevated greens that add to the course's variety. Peak rates are $140 per round.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect Los Caballeros' peak rates.

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A family friend recently told me a funny story: Their wealth manager instructed them to spend more frivolously.

"You have enough saved for your kids to inherit happily," the adviser said. "Start flying first class or your kids will when you're dead."

Like many before them, the couple had become retirement millionaires too scared to spend. After years of frugality and careful saving, it can be difficult to realize you actually can — and maybe should — enjoy the fruits of your labor.

"Having a lot of money that you are reluctant to spend isn't a bad thing in and of itself, but if it prevents you from enjoying your retirement, it can be," Kiplinger retirement writer Donna Fuscaldo has advised.

If you're in the enviable position of having money to spend but don't know how to, we've got some ideas for you, including minor and major splurges, depending on your appetite.

Practical: The home upgrade you didn't know you needed

Ease into spending with a home upgrade you'll appreciate every day — and that will help your home appreciate in value.

When's the last time you thought about your front door? Chances are, it's been a while. If you've lived in your home for some time and plan to age in place there, it might be time for an update.

Replacing a front door was identified by Kiplinger as a home upgrade that pays off —not only by increasing the value of your home but by potentially saving you money in utility bills with better insulation. Plus, it's the first impression guests have of your abode — why not give it a refresh?

If your door has been in use for a while, it probably has some wear and tear, so this can also be an opportunity to upgrade your own safety and security. Consider getting a keyless deadbolt.

Minor splurge: Customizable fiberglass door from Home Depot, $910 (on sale)

Major splurge: Deco fiberglass door from Home Depot, $2,396 (on sale)

Nostalgic: Go see an old — or new — favorite

Did you miss seeing Rush when you were younger because you couldn't get tickets? Were you out of town during their last tour? Well, Rush is back on tour in 2026, with stops all across the U.S. (and some in Canada and Mexico City). You can see tour dates here.

Were you really more of an '80s metalhead? Mötley Crüe and AC/DC are also hitting the road.

And there's something for everyone, really. Bob Dylan is on the road now, and Ringo Starr is making the rounds this summer. Journey is circling the country, as is Earth, Wind & Fire, Bruce Springsteen and Miranda Lambert. Paul Simon is making his way to the U.S. for a series of shows after a leg in Europe, and Santana is traveling around the country after a few dates at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas in May.

If classic rock's not your style, there are plenty of other concerts to choose from in the pop realm, including Ariana Grande, who's touring before starring in London's Sunday in the Park with George next year, and Ed Sheeran.

Minor splurge: Concert ticket prices vary, but the average price for the top touring artists last year was $133, per Pollstar

Major splurge: Take a page from the "Swifties" who caused localized inflation during the epic "Eras" tour and turn a concert night into a vacation. Check out the tour dates of your favorite artist and see if they're playing in a locale you've always wanted to visit. (Like, say, the Harry Styles residency at Madison Square Garden)

You've got the time and money — go make a real trip out of it.

Grounded: Practice mindfulness and meditation

We all know we should prioritize our own well-being so we can be there for others — or put our own oxygen mask on first, to use a well-known analogy. But as any parent will tell you, that's not always possible. Whether you're taking care of a child, grandchild, parent or partner, you've got a lot on your plate.

Whenever time allows, practicing gratitude is a good way to start looking after our mental health. As Kiplinger writer Jacob Schroeder explained, studies have shown that people who count their blessings may have a more positive outlook on life. This can be as simple as taking five minutes a day to jot down grateful feelings in a journal, or using an app that teaches basic mindfulness techniques.

From there, the sky's the limit in terms of where your wellness journey can take you. According to the Global Wellness Institute, the U.S. is the largest wellness economy by far — there are more than 28,000 spas across the country, and luxury wellness resorts offering retreats are easier to find than ever.

Minor splurge: To learn more about the science behind gratitude and be taken through the practice step by step, try the Kurzgesagt Gratitude Journal ($29.90 plus shipping). A year-long subscription to Calm, one of the leading apps for relaxation, costs $79.99 and gives you access to stress relief programs and guided content from clinical experts and meditation teachers, as well as hundreds of sleep stories, sounds and music.

Major splurge: The Mindful Journey experience at Canyon Ranch resort in Tucson, Arizona, runs at about $1,350 per person, per night, on an all-inclusive basis. The program includes wellness sessions designed to look after your happiness, healing and mental wellbeing.

Energized: Barista-style coffee at home

Who doesn't need a jolt of caffeine to start the day? And who hasn't cringed at handing over hard-earned cash for overpriced and, let's admit it, ultimately disappointing coffee at a trendy coffee shop? It almost makes you long for the days of instant — only that's about to get more expensive too, as inflation and geopolitics affecting coffee growers start to bite.

Yes, these are first-world problems. And there's a first-world solution, too, for starting your day with the coffee you dream about — the delicious kind you get on vacation but can never quite find back home.

Enter the espresso machine. Armed with a few reviews from a site you trust (Tom's Guide lists the best espresso machines, for example), you'll be able to find one that suits you, whether that's a manual model that allows you to play barista at home, or a fully automated one that does it all for you at the touch of a button.

Of course, the beans are just as important as the machine itself. Next time you have a really great coffee, ask the barista for the name of their supplier and track them down online — they might offer a subscription service.

Overall, this may be no cheaper than getting your coffee to go — but at least you won't have to stand in line (or move to Italy) to get a decent caffeine fix.

Minor splurge: Tom's Guide's pick for "best budget" espresso machine is the De'Longhi Stilosa, which you can get on Amazon for $146.80.

Major splurge: Their best overall pick, meanwhile, is the De'Longhi La Specialista, which includes a grinder and milk frother and will put you back about $1,000 (or something like 140 lattes at your local coffee shop).

Want to step up your coffee game? Learn at the coffee capital of America. A three-hour class on espresso extraction and milk steaming fundamentals at the Seattle Barista Academy costs $195 per person.

Home wellness: Enjoy your very own sauna

There are some things Nordic countries do better than anyone — and you're bound to have at least one of them in your home already: Ikea furniture, Legos tucked away in a closet, some Gravlax in the refrigerator. Certainly an ABBA album tucked away somewhere, if you're of a certain vintage.

But how about making room for a sauna? Depending on where you live in the U.S., it may sound crazy to sit in a small, enclosed space that pumps out heat when you're used to sitting in an air-conditioned home.

However, the dry heat created in a sauna is said to promote calm, relieve stress and relax tight muscles, and there's evidence to suggest it may also relieve minor pain and improve cardiovascular health. (Always consult a health care professional about using saunas, though, especially if you have any chronic health conditions.)

While you could easily use the sauna at the gym, there's something infinitely more appealing about having a private one that you don't have to share. And if you're in any doubt about the benefits of sauna culture, take a look at Sweden's entry into last year's Eurovision song contest — "Bara Bada Bastu," which translates roughly as "just take a sauna."

Minor splurge: If you want to try whole-body heat therapy but have limited space, the HeatPod Sauna Blanket 2 could be the answer. This infrared sauna blanket costs $599, and it is HSA/FSA eligible.

It's certainly cheaper than installing a sauna — you simply plug it in, select your setting and get in — and it packs away into a storage bag.

Major splurge: The sleek-looking Sun Home Equinox™ 2-Person Full-Spectrum Infrared Sauna was on sale for $6,099, HSA/FSA eligible, when we looked at prices. Check the electrical requirements before buying — any electrical work you'll need to have done before installation must be performed by a qualified and licensed electrician.

Active: Take your turn at-bat

How many parents invest time and money in sports lessons for their kids but would never consider stepping off the sidelines and on to the field themselves — even if they were keen players in their youth?

From a health perspective, it makes total sense to get back into the game as an adult — you'll be improving muscle strength, lowering the risk of disease and improving cardiovascular fitness. And while group activities will help you meet people and make new friends, which in turn can boost your mental health, even participating in solitary mode (at the driving range, for example) can improve your wellbeing.

And don't forget cognitive fitness — revisiting a foreign language, picking up an old musical instrument, or learning a completely new skill from scratch will keep your mind sharp and may help reduce the risk of dementia.

Minor splurge: Search online for local YMCAs that offer sports and recreation programs. Use Forte to find a music tutor who can offer online lessons (expect to pay between $60-$100 per hour for a professional teacher).

Or, try BBC Maestro for expert-led courses that fuel your creativity — you can learn how to write crime novels from none other than Agatha Christie, for example ($89 for one course or $120 per year for access to all courses).

Major splurge: Did you know Major League Baseball teams offer "fantasy camps," where adults can spend a week during the offseason training and playing like a professional?

All experience levels are encouraged, including no experience, and former players often are part of the camps. Men, women and children can don the pinstripes with the Yankees' fantasy camps, with prices starting around $3,000.

For all: Take care of your health

Finally, there's one vital (albeit perhaps less enjoyable) activity that we should definitely not scrimp on as we age: Taking care of our bodies. And no matter how privileged we are, we all need a reminder of the risks we face and the warning signs to look out for.

Even if you don't have a history of cancer in the family, for example, you should be taking a proactive approach to checking for changes in your body. Some checks (skin self exams, breast self exams and testicular self exams) should be carried out regularly at home.

You can find a free skin cancer check near you on the American Academy of Dermatology Association website, and the American Cancer Society lists cancer screening test recommendations by age. If you're worried, explore options with your physician sooner rather than later.

Minor splurge: Take advantage of what your insurance covers. Most cover preventative care, including annual check-ups and vaccinations. If you're on Medicare, it offers 14 services for free that fit the bill, including screenings and nutrition services.

Major splurge: If you have the means, you could consider concierge medicine, a model where you essentially pay for access to doctors and health care. Prices vary wildly, from a few thousand dollars a year and sky-high of that.

Options include MDVIP, where you pay an annual fee of around $2,000 for 24/7 physician access, health screenings and longer appointment times.

You could also see the experts with the Mayo Clinic Executive Health Program, which offers a comprehensive health evaluation done over one to three days at campuses in Phoenix, Jacksonville and Rochester, Minnesota, as well as in London. Costs vary depending on your evaluation specifications, but it's typically a few thousand dollars. While you can request an appointment yourself, if you're still employed, you could see if your company would join the program with a corporate enrollment.

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The dream of many retirees is a home in a golf course community, where connecting a shiny driver with a perfectly dimpled ball on a lush, green fairway is just another day in paradise.

But a golf club membership isn’t a given at these communities and sometimes comes with hefty fees.

It pays to understand just what exactly you’re getting. Some golf courses may be owned by the community, while others may operate as an entirely independent business. Because the attraction of these communities is often tied to the golf club, make sure your big green neighbor is financially healthy. If its business suffers, so could your home values.

Golf club membership scenarios run the gamut, says Cathy Harbin, president of OnCourse Operations, a golf management company based in Paris, Tex. “It can be a developer owns the club and pays your membership for you when you buy a home lot or, through a promotion, they buy your initiation fee and the first few years of your membership,” says Harbin, a former vice president of golf for ClubCorp, which operates private clubs. “Or it can even be an optional situation, where you are offered a discount if you want to buy a membership. Of course, it can just be you buy the home separately, and the membership doesn’t have anything to do with your purchase.”

Generally, homeowners association fees and club costs are higher for private clubs, says Harbin. At Desert Highlands, a private golf course community in Scottsdale, Ariz., every homeowner must become a club member, says Joan Sykora, director of sales and member relations. That membership cost is a $75,000 initiation fee, and monthly HOA dues are $1,325.

At Ridgeview Ranch in Plano, Tex., where the community’s golf club is public, members get unlimited range balls and discounts on rounds of golf at certain hours—with the amount of times expanding depending on the monthly membership fees, $49.95 or $69.95. There’s no initiation fee and the HOA fee is a semiannual $254 with an extra $107 for one community neighborhood. On the downside, crowded play is more likely at a public club, and the courses may not be as challenging as a private club’s.

Still, membership fees may be the least of your problems if the golf club has financial difficulties. When the Sanctuary Golf Club in Beaufort, S.C., shuttered its doors in January 2019 and went into foreclosure, homeowners in the nearby Cat Island community had reason to fear the worst. Home values for communities with shuttered golf clubs can fall by more than 20% in an average economy, says Jeff Pinckney, a Beaufort-based part-time commercial realtor.

Cat Island residents were lucky because although the golf club was closed for about a year, it eventually found a new buyer and has since partially reopened, he says. As a result, home prices weren’t as affected.

Realtor Susan Akagi of Lakefront Living, On the Lake Realty, in Loudon, Tenn., says prospective buyers can get a better idea of how a community golf club is doing by talking to the club’s chief financial officer. A golf course that’s been around a long time often “gives a greater sense of stability,” she adds. Plus, most communities also include other amenities for family members who don’t play golf, which can help real estate values if something happens to the golf club.

Are the communities worth it? To 60-something Janis Killion, they are, and she isn’t even an avid golfer. She makes her home in the Pine Mountain Lake community in Groveland, Calif., which along with a golf course also offers a pool, tennis and pickleball courts, hiking trails and a private lake for boating and fishing. A broker associate who sells real estate there and a former school district assistant, Killion finds the community’s connection to nature fits her personality.

“Our children love to play golf and it makes it even better when they come to visit,” she says. “Even though I don’t play, I want to. And living in a golf course community means it’s ready when I’m ready.”