If you’re refreshing your scorecard apps or checking your local TV listings to find out where is the LPGA playing today, I have some news that might be a little frustrating: the pros aren't actually on the grass right now.
It’s January 17, 2026. While the PGA Tour is already deep into its West Coast swing and the fans in Hawaii are soaking up the Sony Open, the women’s tour is currently in that weird, quiet lull before the storm. It’s the off-season. Most of the top players like Nelly Korda and Rose Zhang are likely at home, grinding through gym sessions or working on swing changes in the privacy of their home clubs.
Honestly, the wait is almost over. We are exactly 12 days away from the first official tee time of the year.
The LPGA Tour Schedule: No Action Today, Big Start Coming Soon
The 2026 LPGA season officially kicks off on January 29 in Orlando, Florida. This is a bit of a tradition now. They start with the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at the Lake Nona Golf & Country Club. It’s a unique vibe. You don’t just see the best golfers; you see celebrities and athletes from other sports playing right alongside them in a modified Stableford format.
If you were hoping to see a leaderboard today, you’re just a couple of weeks early.
The tour is essentially catching its breath after a massive 2025. When things finally get moving at Lake Nona, we’re looking at a $2.1 million purse. That’s a decent chunk of change for the first week back at the office. For those who track the points, it’s also the first chance to start stacking up CME Globe points for the year-end finale in Naples.
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Why is there such a big gap in January?
Golf is global, but the LPGA is arguably the most "international" of the major tours. Logistically, moving a circus of hundreds of players, caddies, and equipment across continents is a nightmare. By starting late in January, the tour allows players to reset after the holidays before they head into a brutal travel schedule that will eventually take them through Thailand, Singapore, and China by late February.
Basically, today is the calm before the 31-tournament storm.
Where the LPGA is Headed: Key 2026 Venues
Since they aren't playing today, it’s a good time to look at where the road goes once the season starts. The 2026 schedule is packed with some heavy hitters. We’re talking about legendary courses that usually host the men’s majors.
One of the biggest stories for this year is the Chevron Championship. It’s the first major of the year, and it has officially moved to the Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston, Texas. That’s happening April 23–26. Moving to a municipal course like Memorial Park—which also hosts the PGA Tour—is a massive move for accessibility and visibility in a huge urban market.
Then you’ve got the heavyweights in June:
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- U.S. Women’s Open: They’re heading to Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades. If you know golf, you know "The Riv." It’s one of the most iconic layouts in California.
- KPMG Women’s PGA Championship: This one is set for Hazeltine National in Minnesota. Hazeltine has a history of hosting Ryde Cups and PGA Championships, so the setup is going to be incredibly difficult.
It’s a long way from today’s quiet January afternoon to the pressure cooker of a June major at Riviera.
What the Players are Doing While You Wait
Since you can't watch them play today, you might wonder what a pro golfer does during a three-week gap in January. They aren't just sitting on a beach.
Most of the elite field uses this time for equipment testing. If a player is switching from a Titleist driver to a Callaway, or trying out a new ball, they need thousands of reps before they trust it under tournament pressure. You’ll also see a lot of "social media training." Nelly Korda and other stars often post glimpses of their off-season prep, which usually involves a lot of early-morning gym sessions and trackman data.
There's also the TGL league factor. Tiger Woods’ and Rory McIlroy’s tech-infused golf league is currently in its second season at the SoFi Center in West Palm Beach. While that's primarily a men's venture, the buzz around televised indoor golf is keeping fans occupied while the LPGA prepares its own launch of similar initiatives later this winter.
How to keep track of the 2026 season
If you want to be ready when the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions starts on January 29, here is how the coverage usually breaks down:
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- Golf Channel: They usually handle the early-round coverage (Thursday and Friday).
- NBC/Peacock: Expect the weekend afternoon windows to live here, especially for the celebrity-pro hybrid events.
- LPGA Website: Honestly, their live leaderboard is still the fastest way to see who’s birdied the par-5 15th at Lake Nona before the TV broadcast catches up.
Misconceptions About the Off-Season
A lot of people think the "LPGA playing today" query is a mistake because they assume the tour never stops. In reality, the LPGA has one of the most defined off-seasons in professional sports. Unlike the PGA Tour, which formerly had a "wraparound" season that felt like it never ended, the ladies' tour has a very clear finish line in November and a clear starting block in late January.
This gap is vital for health. Traveling from Florida to Malaysia to France and back to Ohio takes a physical toll. By the time we get to the Solheim Cup in the Netherlands this coming September (September 11–13), these players will be wishing they had another January break.
Actionable Next Steps for Golf Fans
Since the LPGA isn't playing today, here is how you can stay ahead of the curve before the Orlando opener on January 29:
- Check the Entry List: Around January 22, the LPGA will release the official field for the Tournament of Champions. See which of your favorite celebrities are paired with the pros.
- Update Your Apps: Ensure your PGA/LPGA apps are updated. The 2026 schedule often requires a manual refresh or "sync to calendar" to see the new dates.
- Plan Your Travel: If you’re in Houston or Los Angeles, tickets for the Chevron at Memorial Park and the U.S. Open at Riviera are already on sale. These venues are expected to sell out faster than usual given their prestige.
- Watch Old Highlights: If you need a fix right now, the LPGA YouTube channel has been uploading "Season in Review" content from 2025. It’s a great way to remember who is actually coming into 2026 with momentum.
The wait for the 2026 season is almost over. Mark your calendars for January 29—that's when the silence finally ends.