Golf Breaks in Scotland

Golf in Scotland

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.

Our Guide to Playing the Old Course

Destinations for a short golf trip, golf weekend break or golf holiday in Scotland

Though lacking the international repute of the Open Championship rotation, Scotland is bursting with hidden gems - the Green Hotel and Dalmahoy are two hotels with golf courses that come highly recommended. Hundreds of years of golfing heritage are combined with the legendary Scottish hospitality, ensuring that for those fortunate enough to experience a golf break in Scotland, it will be an incredible experience.

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.

Best Golf Resorts for Scotland Golf Breaks

• Fairmont St Andrews (Fife, Scotland)
• Trump Turnberry, A Luxury Collection Resort 5* (Ayrshire, Scotland)
• Gleneagles (Auchterarder, Scotland)
• Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa (Fife, Scotland)
• Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club (Edinburgh, Scotland)
• Macdonald Cardrona Hotel, Golf & Spa (Peebles, Scotland)
• Roxburghe Hotel & Golf Course (Roxburgheshire, Scotland)
• Carnoustie Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa (Angus, Scotland)
• The Westerwood Hotel & Golf Resort (Glasgow, Scotland)
• Macdonald Spey Valley Championship Resort (Inverness-shire, Scotland)

Golf breaks in Scotland are a combination of impressive golf courses, scenic views and an abundance of luxury resorts like Trump Turnberry, the 2014 Ryder Cup host Gleneagles and the opulent Fairmont St Andrews. As well as these 5-star luxury hotels there are a number of other resorts with on-site courses, the Dalmahoy Hotel has a choce of 2 layouts while The Westerwood Hotel, Macdonald Cardrona and Roxburghe Hotel all have 18 holes of challenging golf to negotiate.

Quick Facts about Golf In Scotland

• Known as the home of golf with more than 550 courses
• Home to Musselburgh Golf Links - the world’s oldest golf course
• Play the Old Course at St Andrews - the world’s most famous course
• Flights 1 hour 15 minutes from London

Reasons to visit Scotland for a Golf Break

• The birthplace of the game of golf
• Five courses on the Open Championship rota
• St Andrews - the most famous golf course on the planet
• Unlimited golfing possibilities
• Enjoy the legendary Scottish hospitality

Flying time

• 1 hour 15 minutes direct from London to either Glasgow or Edinburgh

Golf Breaks in Scotland are Recommended for

Championship Golf in Scotland

Scotland boasts five current Open Championship venues: Turnberry, Royal Troon Golf Club, Carnoustie Golf Links, Muirfield and The Old Course at St Andrews. In 2015, the Open returned to the Old Course, where past winners have included Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Tiger Woods, and most recently Louis Oosthuizen in 2010. The Scottish Open was held at Loch Lomond Golf Club from 1996-2010, before switching to Castle Stuart Golf Links between 2011-2013 and most recently to Royal Aberdeen Golf Club in 2014, with Justin Rose winning the title.

Every October, Scotland plays host to the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. It’s a pro-am event and one of the richest golf tournaments on the European Tour. Many of the world’s leading players join a host of big name celebrities to battle it out over The Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns Golf Links. Previous winners include Lee Westwood, Colin Montgomerie, Padraig Harrington and Martin Kaymer.

Golfing Societies in Scotland

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.

Golf breaks for Couples in Scotland

For the perfect golf and spa break for two, Fairmont St Andrews has everything - from the stylish rooms, outstanding food options and true 5* service, to the European-style health spa and the hotel’s spectacular position overlooking the two championship golf courses and back towards St Andrews. You are also perfectly placed to explore the town’s historic castle and cathedral ruins. The Roxburghe Hotel, located in the picturesque Scottish Borders, is another great option for couples. Owned by the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe, the service here 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, you can ask for a room upgrade and 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.

Night Life in Scotland

The pick of Scotland’s nightlife is centred around Edinburgh and Glasgow, where a vast number of bars, clubs and atmospheric old pubs provide the perfect setting for some late night shenanigans while on a Scotland golf tour. Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club is located just 7 miles from Edinburgh and its popular evening haunts on George St and the Royal Mile. For easy access to Glasgow, the Westerwood Hotel and Golf Resort is just a short drive from both the city centre and 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 - one of world football’s fiercest rivalries. 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 Macdonald Rusacks Hotel, which backs onto the famous 18th hole of the Old Course.

Luxury Golf Hotels in Scotland

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 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.

Blog articles on Golf in Scotland

Visit Scotland - Scottish Golf Trails
5 things you didn’t know about Turnberry
The greatest courses to play in Scotland
10 reasons to play golf in Scotland this summer
The best Par 3's in Scotland

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time for a golf break in Scotland?

Summer is the peak season for golf in Scotland, when the warmer weather entices golfers of all degrees to hit the fairways. This demand results in higher green fees, so if you’re looking for value, the autumn and spring seasons may appeal. For a real bargain, we suggest taking advantage of our Sunday Specials with exceptional value to be had on overnight breaks.

Where to play golf in Scotland?

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 Old Course, St Andrews, Royal Dornoch, Muirfield, Kingsbarns,Trump Turnberry (Ailsa course), Carnoustie (Championship course), Royal Aberdeen (Balgownie), North Berwick (West course), Castle Stuart and Trump International Golf Links.

How many golf courses are there in Scotland?

There are 550 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.