Golf is getting a new groove—and it’s showing up barefoot.

Once defined by formality, dress codes, and whispered etiquette, the sport is now being reimagined by a younger generation of players who value spontaneity, connection, and—most importantly—fun. According to Sports Illustrated, nearly a third of all on-course golfers in the U.S. are now under 35, and they’re leaning into shorter loops, walkable courses, par-3 challenges, and unconventional formats that prioritize leisure over leaderboard pressure.

Luxury resort communities have taken notice. Today’s most forward-thinking developments are moving beyond traditional championship courses, introducing immersive, low-pressure layouts that encourage guests to ditch their shoes, bring a drink, and embrace a more playful pace. Here, the game is less about perfect form and more about the joy of the swing.

Where Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus Meet Island Time

On the rugged southern coast of Eleuthera, Jack’s Bay is quietly redefining Caribbean golf culture. While its much-anticipated Jack Nicklaus Heritage™ Course is slated to open in Fall 2026, the spotlight this year is on the reopening of The Playground, a 10-hole short course designed by Tiger Woods, set to return in Fall 2025.

The cliffside layout ranges from 71 to 163 yards per hole and was built with intentional playfulness in mind. Here, barefoot rounds are the norm, cooler stations invite post-shot toasts, and guests can soak in panoramic sea views between swings. The Playground is proof that precision and pleasure aren’t mutually exclusive—and it’s setting the tone for a destination that’s now the only one in the world to feature courses by both Woods and Nicklaus.

Together, their designs offer duality: relaxed social golf and world-class championship play, giving Jack’s Bay the rare ability to cater to both the purist and the barefoot beginner.

Mexico’s East Cape Is Home to a Desert Links Playground

Tucked along the untouched East Cape of Los Cabos, Costa Palmas offers a Robert Trent Jones II-designed course that combines walkable, duneside design with unexpected moments of whimsy. While the full 18-hole links-style course offers technical depth and sweeping ocean views, much of the social action happens off the scorecard.

Golfers often gather at the six-hole short course or the sprawling 30,000-square-foot practice green, where the vibe is distinctly relaxed. There’s no dress code, no formality—just a chance to casually compete, play with kids, or enjoy a round with friends between drinks.

Dining options like Bouchie’s Café and Lucha Libre overlook the greens and dunes, creating a full-spectrum golf experience that blends gourmet food, architectural intrigue, and resort-style leisure in one of Baja’s most low-key luxury enclaves.

A Private Island Where Twilight Rounds Rule

At the soon-to-open Four Seasons Resort & Private Residences Caye Chapel, golf takes on a new rhythm—one aligned with the tides, sunsets, and barefoot energy of island living. Anchored by a Greg Norman-designed 10-hole course and a par-3 “nighttime” course, the Caye Chapel Golf & Ocean Club offers a different kind of round: spontaneous, social, and played under the stars.

Beyond the main course, a Golf Academy, practice range, and putting course add layers of variety. At night, the practice range morphs into a fully playable layout lit by soft, ambient light, encouraging members to swing freely and stay out as long as the conversation—and cocktails—last.

Membership is exclusively offered to owners of the Four Seasons Private Residences and Chapel Estates, ensuring that golf here remains not just elite, but intimate. The clubhouse and comfort stations reflect a commitment to hospitality and design, while the surrounding programming includes wellness, cultural immersion, and sustainability, reinforcing the idea that golf is part of a broader lifestyle—not just a sport.