Icon Golf: Redefining Luxury Golf Travel and Exclusive Club Privileges

🎧 Listen In with the Icon Golf Deep Dive: An exclusive 19th Hole Magazine audio feature exploring how Icon delivers world-class course access, curated travel, and a true sense of community. Press play to go inside the story.

“Membership has its privileges” was a long-running American Express slogan, and Icon Golf has taken that concept to an entirely new level in the world of luxury golf and travel.

“I wanted to create something unlike anything in golf and travel—something that connects people authentically, lets them travel the world together, and feels genuine. That was the driving force behind Icon Golf,” said Jeff Goodsell, President of Icon Golf.

For more than a decade, Icon Golf has delivered on that promise: bringing people together in style, on and off some of the game’s most celebrated courses.

Courtesy: Icon Golf Club

Courtesy: Icon Golf Club

Membership at Its Core

Icon Golf is a non-equity membership granting “Guest of the Owner” privileges at a portfolio of private clubs, including Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club (Oregon), The Golf Club at Dove Mountain (Arizona), The International (Massachusetts), Kingsmill (Virginia), and now Canyata (Illinois), among others.

“Our members enjoy unparalleled access to a growing portfolio of the country’s finest private clubs,” said Goodsell. “We also open doors to legendary courses that are typically beyond reach—so you can play where the icons play.”

But Icon membership extends well beyond tee times. It’s about shared experiences, curated travel, and a sense of community that makes every trip memorable.

Courtesy: Cape Kidnappers | The Hills | Icon Golf

Global Travel and Lifestyle Journeys

Icon members can take part in an annual calendar of luxury lifestyle vacations designed for golfers and non-golfers alike. Recent highlights include an all-inclusive stay at the Four Seasons in Mexico, a seven-day trip to Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina, and the longest journey Icon has ever undertaken: a 20-day “Quest” across New Zealand.

That New Zealand trip alone included 11 rounds at some of the world’s top courses: The Hills, Jack’s Point (#62 in the world), Cape Kidnappers (#21), Kinloch Club (#66), Kauri Cliffs (#26), Tara Iti (#2), and Te Arai North and South (#85). Off the course, members enjoyed first-class accommodations, wine tastings, sightseeing, and cultural excursions.

Courtesy: Kiawah Ocean Course & The Sanctuary Spa

From championship courses to castle tours and spa days, Icon Golf designs journeys where every member—golfer or not—feels part of the experience.

At Kiawah, members played the same championship courses that have hosted Ryder Cups and PGA Championships, while also enjoying private excursions, chef-curated dinners, and beachfront luxury.

And for non-golfers? Fishing trips, castle tours, cooking classes, spa days, and private wine tours are always part of the itinerary. “On our recent two-week Ireland trip, we had nearly 60 people, including 18 non-golfers,” Goodsell said. “That tells you something—people want to be part of this community even if they don’t play the game.”

Courtesy: Icon Golf Club Members

Members share why joining Icon has been one of their best investments.

Longtime members say the value goes far beyond the golf itself.

“It’s the best investment I have ever made in myself. Golf is a big part of my life, and the fact that I can travel with this group and play these wonderful courses is just a bonus.”
— Leal Roberts, Member since 2016

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“The trips that have been put together and the opportunities to go to really cool places with now some close friends and our spouses are priceless. Everything is taken care of—it’s first class. That’s a plus for me as someone who likes to travel a lot.”
— Karl Overman, Member since 2014

Courtesy: Icon Golf Club Members

Unforgettable Experiences

Goodsell emphasizes that Icon is about more than destinations; it’s about creating moments that can’t be found anywhere else.

“Even at well-known places like Pebble Beach, Bandon Dunes, or St. Andrews, we create something special for our members,” he explained. “Maybe it’s a distinctive dining experience, a cool gifting moment, or a behind-the-scenes US Open preview. Here’s an example: after dinner one night at Pinehurst, we arranged for our members to putt from the exact spot where Payne Stewart defeated Phil Mickelson in the U.S. Open. After many attempts, one of our female members finally sank it. The crowd on the patio erupted in a roar. That kind of moment—where people feel part of history—makes me feel really good.”

Goodsell adds: “Maybe it’s getting guests into a pro-am tournament or accessing experiences that are usually unavailable to the public. My goal is for others to see us and say, ‘Wait a minute, who are those guys, and how did they get to do that?’”

Courtesy: Icon Golf Club | G/Fore

Partnerships and Community

Icon also partners with leading lifestyle brands, from Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons to G/FORE, Holderness & Bourne, Redvanly, and Club Glove. These collaborations bring members exclusive benefits across hospitality, fashion, travel, and more.

But what truly defines the Icon experience is connection.
“Creating a sense of community is at the core of everything we do,” Goodsell said. “Each event—whether a casual mixer or an elegant evening—is curated with intention: good food, great company, and genuine connection. Luxury, to me, is the absence of worry, and I want our members to feel special every step of the way.”

Interested in experiencing golf, travel, and connection at the highest level? Learn more about Icon Golf membership and discover upcoming opportunities by visiting Icon Golf’s website.