Golf breaks in Scotland

We get it. Deciding where to play golf in Scotland can be overwhelming. The temptation to drive all over the country ticking off every possible course can be big, but you can easily maximise the time on the course and minimise your time on the road.

WHY CHOOSE A DIY SELF-DRIVE GOLF BREAK?

Choose where to play, where to stay, how to travel, how much to spend and what to do all day. Organising your own golf break in Scotland is a fun and convenient way to experience all the country has to offer. Allowing you flexibility and independence to explore Scotland's golf, helping you get under the skin of our rich golfing heritage and the sport itself, as well as it being a great way to save some money too. Planning your own DIY trip also gives you the choice to book golf breaks in the UK last minute - nothing like a spontaneous trip away!

 Check out these golfing trails on the Scotland Where Golf Began website

PRACTICAL ADVICE AROUND GOLF BREAKS IN SCOTLAND

Although Scotland isn't the biggest country in the world, it's worth knowing what is and what isn't possible for your golf holiday. Find our practical advice for driving distances, best time to visit, availability and prices below:

• Identify a 'hub' in a particular region from where you can travel to a number of other wonderful courses with ease. It's easy to visit two to three regions on a week-long golf break, e.g. the Highlands and Aberdeenshire, or Perthshire, Dundee & Angus and St Andrews pair very well; or East Lothian and the Scottish Borders is another good match. Dumfries & Galloway with Ayrshire & Arran or Glasgow & Clyde Valley also works well together, although driving distances are slightly greater than other pairings.
• The Scottish golf season starts at the beginning of April and runs through October, with April and May being usually the driest months and offering the best value, along with September.
• It's worth checking tee time availability in advance, especially if you're looking to play golf in Scotland between April and October, or year-round on some of the busiest championship courses. However, each course will vary, and some will be happy for you to turn up and play on the day.
• Remember to always check with each course and accommodation provider what their cancellation policy is, in case of a delay or a cancellation.
• Golfing in Scotland can be as luxurious or budget-friendly as you choose to make it. The green fees are typically a lot cheaper in the spring or autumn, or to manage the cost of your trip, you could pick up one of the many great value golf passes available to visiting golfers, or consider golfing in Scotland outside of the peak spring and summer seasons.

Learn more about driving in Scotland

It might sound like a cliché, but a golf vacation in Scotland really is a bucket list experience for many.

It's not just the prestige of playing in The Home of Golf, and the chance to tee off on some of the world's most revered courses, but the opportunity to put your golfing prowess to the test in the same conditions faced by the sport's greatest players. Throw in world-class tournaments, luxurious accommodation options, fine-dining and fantastic off-the-course entertainment options and you're looking at the ultimate golf holiday in the UK.

WHY CHOOSE AN ALL-INCLUSIVE PACKAGE DEAL?

An all-inclusive deal is a no-fuss golf package vacation where all your accommodation, ground transportation, drinks and meals are pre-paid, and tee times are pre-booked to suit your preferences. Simply turn up and leave the planning and booking in the capable hands of the experts!

WHY BOOK WITH A TOUR OPERATOR?

Hook up with a specialist golf tour operator and choose from a range of offers and deals to create the golf vacation of your dreams.

• Draw on their extensive local knowledge and key contacts in all the right places;
• Save time by having an experienced professional research your break for you;
• Book tee times at courses which are usually oversubscribed such as the Old Course, Muirfield and Royal Troon;
• Cater for all kinds of budgets - from organising helicopter transfers in between venues and luxury coach transfers to creating itineraries for those on a tighter budget including self-drive options;
• Provide peace of mind - should anything go wrong, they will help you resolve any problem.

A good place to start is www.sigtoa.com which is an association of golf tour operators based in Scotland. Remember - often you'll be protected if you've booked through a tour operator in the case of cancellation or postponement of your trip, but it's advisable to always check what guarantees and insurance policies are in place when booking.

Whether you’re planning a DIY golf holiday or you’re looking to book a golf vacation package, playing golf in St Andrews is an unmissable golfing experience.

In St Andrews itself you’ll find 10 fantastic courses to play, including the world-famous Old Course, as well as plenty of other, equally delightful, golf courses just a short drive away.

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

From five-star luxury living and on-site golf accommodation, to quaint little B&Bs or golf spa breaks in Scotland, there are plenty of accommodation options on offer to suit every taste and budget.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO BEYOND THE GOLF COURSE

Even if golf is the reason for you to visit Scotland, that doesn't mean that this should be the only thing you do during your stay.

Explore what Scotland has to offer away from the golf courses