Scotland Golf - Scottish Golf Vacations

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Scotland Golf Vacations - golf & whisky
No country is more closely associated with golf than Scotland. In fact, the game was invented here! Scotland has over 550 golf courses, with some sources specifying up to 614. This includes a variety of layouts such as championship links, parkland, and 9-hole courses, and gives Scotland the most golf courses per capita in the world. The courses range from iconic, historic links and championship venues to more remote and scenic layouts. Choose from including world famous championship golf courses such as The Old Course St Andrews, Royal Troon, Carnoustie, Muirfield, Turnberry and Gleneagles (two Scotland golf resorts). We will be happy to plan any other itinerary for you to complete your golf package in Scotland. Here is what we recommend.

British Open:

2026: Royal Birkdale (England)

2027: The Old Course at St Andrews (Scotland)

Beyond 2027 While The R&A maintains a core rota, future sites aren't always announced far in advance. Speculative picks for later years often include Muirfield, Royal St George's, and Carnoustie, as they are part of the traditional rotation. Please Email Us For Information

Recommendation: When golfing at resort owned golf courses, such as Turnberry, Gleneagles, or St Andrews Dukes (Old Course Hotel), we recommend staying at the hotel. Despite the extra expense of staying at a 5 star hotel, you will save substantially by paying resident green fees.

Call 1-800-221-2474 9AM - 5PM or Please Email Us For Information

St. Andrews - the town where a century old golf course is called "new". The links never belonged to a golf club, but were and are still public courses, administered today by St Andrews Links Trust. The Old Course (600 years old) was known simply as St Andrews Links until 1895 when the opening of the New Course meant that its predecessor became known as the Old Course. Until 1764 a round on the Old Course consisted of 22 holes with eleven holes out and eleven holes in with only the 11th and 22nd not played twice. In that year the first four holes were reduced to two, which meant that a round was reduced to eighteen holes. As the prestige of St Andrews grew this came to be recognized as the standard for courses the world over.

Scotland: The Ultimate Golf Pilgrimage – St Andrews & Championship Links

The Home of Golf: St Andrews Links (Fife)

Welcome to the Old Course, the true Home of Golf, where the game was first played 600 years ago. Despite its unrivaled reputation, this course remains a challenging and relevant test for today's champions—and it is still a public course, administered by the St Andrews Links Trust.

Old Course Access: Your Guaranteed Tee Time

Playing a round on the Old Course is the holy grail for every golfer. Traditionally, access is granted via a daily ballot (lottery) for highly coveted tee times, confirmed the night before play.

The Ballot: Golfers enter a daily ballot for the highly coveted tee times (except Saturday for Monday play).
The Walk-Up: Single players or those who missed the ballot can wait at the Starter's Box, often starting as early as 4 AM, in hopes of joining a twosome or threesome.

🔥 THE PREMIUM OPTION: We understand the value of your time. We can arrange guaranteed tee times at the Old Course! Call 1-800-221-2474 (9 AM - 5 PM EST) or Email Us for private access information.

The St Andrews Links Legacy: Six Public Courses

The prestige of St Andrews is enormous, yet the links have always been, and remain, public. The Old Course (600 years old) was simply "St Andrews Links" until the opening of the New Course in 1895. The historical reduction of the course from 22 holes to 18 holes in 1764 set the standard for golf courses worldwide!

St Andrews New Course (Par 71, 6625 yds): Don't let the name fool you—opened in 1895, this Tom Morris design sits right in the shadow of the Old Course.
St Andrews Jubilee Course (Par 72, 6742 yds): The third championship course, named for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, offering a demanding links challenge.
St Andrews Eden Course (Par 70, 6250 yds): Built in 1914, this course is slightly more forgiving but features cunning bunkers and emphasizes iron accuracy.
St Andrews Strathtyrum (Par 69, 5620 yds): Opened in 1993, a fantastic layout that complements the championship courses, testing accuracy and putting skills.
St Andrews Castle Course (Par 72, 7200 yds): The newest addition (2008), set on a rugged cliff-top with spectacular views, offering a truly memorable golfing experience.

The Championship Coastline: West Coast Icons

Experience the legendary links of Scotland's rugged West Coast, home to some of the game's greatest moments.

Trump Turnberry: The Pebble Beach of the British Isles

The Ailsa Course (Par 70, 6976 yds): A golfing jewel set alongside the glorious Ayrshire coastline. Home to four Open Championships, the Ailsa has shaped remarkable moments in golf history, with the stunning backdrop of Arran and Ailsa Craig.
King Robert the Bruce Course (Par 72): Turnberry’s newest course, offering exciting challenges with distinctive bunkering and visually attractive wetland areas.

Royal Troon: The Challenging Out-and-In

Old Course (Par 71, 6641 yds): One of Scotland’s greatest links courses. Players must make their score on the outward nine, as the prevailing north-westerly wind makes the back nine extremely difficult. (Note: Visitor tee times are highly restricted and require a handicap certificate: 20 men / 30 ladies).
Portland Course (Par 71, 6289 yds): A more sheltered, shorter links course, featuring generous gorse, five Par 3s, and four Par 5s.

Historic & Enduring Challenges

Prestwick (Par 71, 6544 yds): The Birthplace of the British Open Championship, having hosted the first twelve Opens and 24 in total. Designed by Old Tom Morris, this course is famous for its narrow fairways, small greens, and interesting blind shots.
Western Gailes (Par 71, 6639 yds): A Championship links recognized as one of Scotland's finest, requiring accurate tee shots to hit the narrow fairways positioned between the railway and the sea.

Inland Prestige: The Gleneagles Resort

Gleneagles offers three championship inland courses, providing a majestic counterpoint to the coastal links.

The King's Course (Opened 1919): A masterpiece of James Braid's design, this course has challenged the game's elite, testing shot-making skills with cunning and craft.
The PGA Centenary Course (Par 72, 6558 yds): Designed by Jack Nicklaus and scheduled to host the Ryder Cup. At over 7,000 yards from the back tees, it is Scotland's longest inland course, offering a challenging test for the best.
The Duke's Course (Par 71, 7512 yds): Managed by the Old Course Hotel, this lush heathland course is noted in Golf World's Top 100 and appeals to all abilities with electric buggies and multiple tee boxes.

Other Noteworthy Gems

Kingsbarns Golf Course (Par 72, 7133 yds): A recent addition to Fife's coast, quickly earning a reputation as one of Scotland's finest, hosting the Dunhill Links Championship alongside Carnoustie and the Old Course.
Royal Dornoch (Highlands): A revered course in the remote Highlands, a true golf pilgrimage destination.
Nairn / Blairgowrie (Tayside): Highly regarded courses offering diverse challenges outside the main hubs.

Call 1-800-221-2474 9AM - 5PM or Please Email Us For Information

No golf on Sundays. No visitors on weekends.

A small number of rides on buggies (electric carts) may be reserved through the office although a medical certificate and driving licence is required for their use.

When is St. Andrew's Day? St. Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland and this is celebrated on 30 November. In St Andrews there are a number of events during St Andrew's Week including an 'Open Doors' day, usually on 30 November, when a number of local institutions including the Royal and Ancient Golf Club allow the public free access.

Questions? Contact Lynott Tours, your Scotland travel agents at 1 (800) 221-2474USA & Canada

Please Email Us For Information