Golf Breaks in Scotland
✅ Play Open Championship, DP World Tour, Solhem & Ryder Cup courses
✅ Stay at a golf resorts or play multiple courses on a golf tour
✅ Play historical Bucket-List links courses
✅ Experience vibrant city centres & locally made whiskies
For any serious player, experiencing golf holidays & breaks in Scotland is absolutely essential. With around 560 courses within a relatively small area, it is understandable that golfers from all over the world make the pilgrimage to the home of golf.
Whether it is Ryder Cup venues (Muirfield - 1973 & Gleneagles PGA Centenary Course - 2014) or Open Championship venues (no less than 7 courses have hosted the event), a golf trip to Scotland is one that is sure to satisfy any Championship golf experience as well as providing a host of luxury 5 star resorts to base yourself in for both golf and spa breaks and relaxing Sunday Drivers.
St Andrews & Fife
Rated 9.8 by 9 golfers (Read reviews of Rusacks St Andrews)
1 Night, 2 Rounds
Glasgow & Ayrshire
Rated 9.6 by 207 golfers (Read reviews of Trump Turnberry Golf Resort 5*)
1 Night, 2 Rounds
Borders, Dumfries & Galloway
Rated 7.6 by 269 golfers (Read reviews of Macdonald Cardrona Hotel, Golf & Spa)
1 Night, 2 Rounds
Scotland's east and west coasts are littered with the spectacular links golf courses that are so inherently Scottish; famous names from Open Championship history such as St Andrews, Carnoustie and Turnberry offer golf breaks with a slice of history in golf's home, while Gleneagles' Perthshire landscape offers unrivalled beauty.
There is an abundance of impressive golf courses and scenic views. The Torrance & Kittokcs at Fairmont St Andrews along with the East & West courses at the Dalmahoy Hotel are great examples of multiple course resorts while The Westerwood Hotel, Macdonald Cardrona and Roxburghe Hotel all have 18 holes of challenging golf to negotiate.
A visit to Ayrshire can include multiple Open Championship courses supported by a number of hidden gems. A rich golfing history, magnificent coastline scenery combined with both resort and standalone hotel options makes the region perfect for a golf break.
What’s more, with Glasgow just a stone’s throw away, there’s a myriad of other courses and nightlife for golfing groups.
Famously known as Scotland’s golf coast, East Lothian contains no less than 22 outstanding courses dotted along its jaw-dropping coastline. A myriad of accommodation options accompany the golf meaning its very easy to fill up a week long break with golfing itinerary.
Scotland's vibrant capital provides historic courses scattered around its outskirts along with excellent pubs, bars and restaurants.
Situated in the very heart of Scotland, Perthshire lives and breathes golf. Boasting stuning courses, a former Ryder Cup host and luxurious resorts golfers are in for an absolute treat when on a golf break in this region of Scotland.
The region is also ideal for large groups and those who want to mix and match resorts on a golf tour.
St Andrews is the birth place of golf, a visit to this region will allow you to sample world class links courses, historic layouts and hidden gems. The magnificent courses of Fife certainly uphold their reputation of the truest forms of links golf in the UK.
Any serious golfer will find their life incomplete without a pilgrimage to experience fantastic Scottish links golf.
The home of golf & whiskey contains courses that some say could stage The Open. This area of Scotland is home to some gorgeous scenery and is more accessible than you might think with flights direct to Inverness airport.
If you love a fantastic view while playing your golf then this is the place for you.
Dundee & Carnoustie
Edinburgh
East Lothian
Aberdeenshire
West Islands
Scottish Borders
St Andrews Links, Fife
• Most likely the most famous, historic and iconic course in the world
• Widely recognised as 'The Home of Golf'
• 29 time host of the Open Championship
• 5th ranked course in the world
Dornoch, Sutherland
• Ranked inside the top 10 courses in Scotland
• Royal status for over 100 years
• Tom Watson once quoted as saying "The most fun i've ever had on a golf course"
Gullane, East Lothian
• Ranked as the 3rd best course in Scotland and the 10th best in the world
• It is the world's oldest golf club formed in 1744
• Host to 16 Open Championships, the 3rd most used Open venue
• An illustrious group of Vardon, Hagen, Player, Nicklaus, Trevino, Watson, Faldo, Els and Mickelson have all won the Open here
St Andrews, Fife
• Top 50 course in the world
• Course opened in 2000
• Hosted European Tour events annually since 2001 and the Women's British Open in 2017
• 15 minutes drive from St Andrews
Girvan, Ayrshire
• Ranked 4th in Scotland, 14th in the world
• 90 minutes from Glasgow
• Last course to be added to The Open rota, host 4 times
• Dramatic coastline location with sensational views
• Host to the famous 1977 'Duel in the sun' between Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson
Angus
• Home to 3 courses; the Championship, Burnside and Buddon courses
• The Championship is the 5th ranked course in Scotland and within the World's top 30 courses
• Often dubbed as 'Carnastie' due to its extremely challenging nature
• An 8 time host of the Open; Hogan, Player and Watson have all won here
Scotland boasts five current Open Championship venues: Turnberry, Royal Troon, Carnoustie, Muirfield & The Old Course at St Andrews. The Scottish Open was held at Loch Lomond from 1996-2010, before switching to Castle Stuart between 2011-2013 and most recently to Royal Aberdeen in 2014, with Justin Rose winning the title.
Every Autumn, Scotland plays host to the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. A pro-am event on the European Tour with many of the world’s leading players joining a host of big name celebrities to battle it out over The Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns Golf Links.
There are plenty of venues scattered throughout Scotland which afford groups great value breaks on some terrific courses. Popular favourites include the Macdonald Cardrona Hotel, whose outstanding golf course has been earmarked as a potential future Tour venue. Murrayshall is one of few destinations in the country to offer two excellent 18-hole courses, plus it’s a convenient 25 minute drive from Dundee airport.
While the Championship Course is the obvious star at Carnoustie, there are two less brutal courses at the resort which will appeal to society golfers. After your round, you can share your tales of success and demise over a pint in the history soaked walls of Calder’s Bar, conveniently located in the hotel which overlooks the 18th green.
For the perfect golf and spa break, Fairmont St Andrews has everything - from the stylish rooms, outstanding food options, 5* service, European-style spa to a spectacular position overlooking the two championship golf courses. You are also perfectly placed to explore the town’s historic castle & cathedral ruins.
The Roxburghe Hotel, on the Scottish Borders, is another great option for couples. Owned by the Duke & Duchess of Roxburghe, the service is befitting of royalty; you’ll feel more like you’ve arrived at a luxurious family home than at a formal hotel. If it’s an extra special weekend ask for a room upgrade & cuddle up by your own log fire in the comfort of a four-poster bed.
For something closer to the major cities, Mar Hall is a popular luxury wedding venue with spectacular views - and it’s just 10 minutes from Glasgow airport.
The pick of Scotland’s nightlife is centred around Edinburgh & Glasgow, where a vast number of bars, clubs & atmospheric old pubs provide the perfect setting for some late night shenanigans.
Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club is located just 7 miles from Edinburgh & its popular evening haunts on George St & the Royal Mile. For easy access to Glasgow, the Westerwood Hotel & Golf Resort is just a short drive from both the city & international airport. You may like to time your trip with a visit to either Celtic Park or Ibrox Stadium to watch Rangers and Celtic in the Old Firm derby.
As a student town, St Andrews also offers a lively atmosphere most nights of the week. You won’t find many better bases than at the Rusacks Hotel, which backs onto the famous 18th hole of the Old Course.
There are several top-class golf hotels in Scotland of which Gleneagles, Trump Turnberry and The Old Course Hotel are perhaps the most famous. Besides being chosen to host the recent Ryder Cup, Gleneagles has been a venue of international repute since its inception as a member of The Leading Hotels of the World.
Turnberry in Ayrshire, Rusacks and the Old Course in St Andrews boast magnificent hotels befitting the world-renowned championship golf courses on their doorstep, with guests assured of only the best in service, pampering and fine dining on their Scotland golf break.
I would encourage anyone who hasn’t visited Scotland for a golf trip to come up and experience a unique part of the golfing world. There is no better place with packages and tours to fit all abilities and budgets.
Give Matthew a call on 0800 043 6644 to arrange your next golf break to Scotland.
View some of the best hotels with golf courses in Scotland.
Take a look at some of the best golf layouts Scotland has to offer.
Wind, Rolling Dunes & Strategic Shot Making
Mature trees, Sculpted greens & mature trees
Heather, Gorse & firm fairways
Quick Facts
560
7 (5 on active rota)
2
The R&A (St Andrews)
Golf in Scotland is most popular during the warmer summer months with golfers flocking to enjoy the long days of sunlight with golf possible on certain days long into the evening. Whilst many golf courses will be at their most expensive during this period of time, there are some very good deals to be had for those travelling on less busy days such as Sunday afternoons and Mondays as part of a Sunday Driver package.
With many golf courses in Scotland having a lower level of grass growth in the winter months, golf is often played on mats to protect the fairways. Do take this into consideration when booking and planning your trip, especially when playing some of the well-known ones such as The Old Course or Ailsa at Turnberry.
When to visit Scotland for a Golf Break
May - September
April & October
May, June & September
November - March
Follow some of our golf travel specialists as the give you an insight into what it is like to experience likes of the Old Course St Andrews, Fairmont St Andrews courses, The Old Course Hotel, The Duke's Course and Kingsbarns.
We show exactly what you can expect when travelling to St Andrews on a golf break in Scotland.
Expert Tip: Guided Walks of The Old Course
The Old Course St Andrews is closed almost every Sunday, if you are on a tour in the St Andrews area why not book up a guided walk of The Old Course for a perfect Sunday stroll.
Scotland is home to numerous Top 100 Golf Courses, the best golf resorts in Scotland are Fairmont St Andrews (Fife), Trump Turnberry Resort (Ayrshire), Gleneagles (Auchterarder), Old Course Hotel (Fife), Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club (Edinburgh), Macdonald Cardrona Hotel, Golf & Spa (Peebles), Roxburghe Hotel & Golf Course (Roxburgheshire), Carnoustie Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa (Angus), The Westerwood Hotel & Golf Resort (Glasgow) and Macdonald Spey Valley Championship Resort (Inverness-shire).
Some of the best golf courses in Scotland include St Andrews Old Course, Royal Dornoch, Muirfield, Kingsbarns Golf Links, Trump Turnberry (Ailsa course), Carnoustie (Championship course), Royal Aberdeen (Balgownie), North Berwick (West course), Castle Stuart and Trump International Golf Links.
There are 560 golf courses in Scotland. Many of the most famous golf courses in Scotland are found on the East and West coast. These seaside courses are known as links golf courses and have been the capstone in the creation of golf as a sport that millions enjoy each year.
While it is the links golf courses in Scotland that draw the eye, there is a huge variety of layouts and challenges on offer. Classic parkland golf can be enjoyed at the famed Gleneagles Resort in Perthshire or the picturesque and private estates of Loch Lomond and Skibo Castle both feature within the Top 20 golf courses to play in Scotland. Heathland golf is enjoyed at many courses in Scotland but fine examples are enjoyed at The Duke's Course which is just 15 minutes from St Andrews and Blairgowrie Golf Club with it's fast-running sandy soil framed perfectly by heather and grand pine trees.
Scotland isn't just a place to visit for those who are championship golfers, there are lots of opportunities to learn the game as well with many excellent golf academies and tuition available at the vast majority of golf courses in Scotland.