Golf Breaks in Scotland

Ayrshire

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.

Top golf courses & golf resorts for an Ayrshire golf break:

• Trump Turnberry Resort
• Westerwood Spa & Golf Resort
• Royal Troon
• Cameron House

The Lothians

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.

Top golf courses & golf resorts for a Lothians golf break:

• Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club
• Muirfield
• North Berwick Golf Club
• Gullane Golf Club

Perthshire

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.

Top golf courses & golf resorts for a Perthshire golf break:

• Gleneagles
• Murrayshall House Hotel & Golf Course
• The Green Hotel, Golf & Leisure Resort

St Andrews

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.

Top golf courses & golf resorts for a St Andrews golf break:

• St Andrews Old Course
• Fairmont St Andrews
• The Old Course Hotel
• Kingsbarns Golf Links
• Dumbarnie Links

Scottish Highlands

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.

Top golf courses & golf resorts for a Scottish Highlands golf break:

• Macdonald Spey Valley
• Royal Dornoch Golf Club
• Cabot Highlands - Castle Stuart Links
• Nairn Golf Club

Popular Golf Destinations in Scotland

Dundee & Carnoustie

Edinburgh

East Lothian

Aberdeenshire

West Islands

Scottish Borders

The Old Course

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

Royal Dornoch Golf Club

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"

Muirfield Golf Club

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

Kingsbarns Golf Links

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

The Ailsa Course, Turnberry

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

Carnoustie Golf Links

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

Championship Golf

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.

Societies

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.

Couples

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.

Nightlife

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.

Luxury Golf Hotels

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.

Matthew Allen

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.

Best Golf Resorts in Scotland

View some of the best hotels with golf courses in Scotland.

Best Golf Courses in Scotland

Take a look at some of the best golf layouts Scotland has to offer.

Links Golf

Wind, Rolling Dunes & Strategic Shot Making

Parkland Golf

Mature trees, Sculpted greens & mature trees

Heathland Golf

Heather, Gorse & firm fairways