Golf breaks in Scotland

A golf break in Scotland is hard to beat. It's the dream of many a golfer to play a few rounds of golf in Scotland and that dream can easily become reality. No matter how long you are visiting for or what your abilities and budget are, there is a Scottish golf break waiting for you.

Types of golf breaks in Scotland

Whether you want to travel with fellow golfers on an all-inclusive golf vacation package or prefer to take charge and travel independently on a DIY self-drive golf tour with complete control over your itinerary, in Scotland you can do both. You can even combine the two - consult an expert on your itinerary but book everything yourself!

Read more on:

• DIY self-drive golf holidays
• All-inclusive golf vacation packages
• Golf in St Andrews, booking accommodation and things to do beyond the fairways

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 really a fun and immersive experience if you're into research and logistics, and it helps you get under the skin of Scotland's rich golfing heritage and the sport itself as well as is a great way to save some money.

Practical advice on driving, distances, times and prices

The Roxburghe Golf Club, Scottish Borders

Scotland isn't the biggest country in the world, but it's good to know what is and what isn't possible in terms of driving distances and times.

• 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 and Dundee & Angus pair very well; St Andrews and East Lothian or the Scottish Borders is another good match; as is Dumfries & Galloway with Ayrshire & Arran or Glasgow & Clyde Valley.
• 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 the availability in advance, especially in the main season and on some of the busiest championship courses. However, there are courses where you can just turn up without a prior arrangement.
• Remember to always check with each course and accommodation provider what their cancellation policy is in case of a delay or a cancellation.
• The affordability of a golf break in Scotland is greater than you might think. The green fees are typically a lot cheaper in the spring or autumn, but you can also pick up one of the many great value golf passes available to visiting golfers.

Scotland's golfing regions

Boat of Garten Golf Club, Highlands

There is hardly a town in Scotland that doesn't have its own course, but you might be interested to learn that the highest concentration of courses are around Glasgow (94 courses) and Edinburgh (67 courses), while the other regions have about 40 courses each. In short, you're never far from a game of golf.

• Aberdeenshire has some of the best links land;
• The Highlands boasts many championship venues;
• Carnoustie Country brings together 34 courses within a 40 minutes drive;
• Fife is full of famous and historic courses;
• Scottish Borders is home to a golf hole that was once voted Britain's most extraordinary;
• Dumfries & Galloway enjoys over 200 miles of stunning coastline;
• Ayrshire & Arran is home to three venues for The Open;
• Perthshire boasts some superb inland courses;
• East Lothian has an abundance of great courses designed by legendary golfers.

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 golfing destination.

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 on great local courses. 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.

Visit the Home of Golf, St Andrews

The Old Course, St Andrews

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

Mar Hall Hotel, Bishopton near Glasgow © Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort

From five-star luxury living to on-site golf accommodation or a quaint little B&B, we have plenty of accommodation options to suit every taste and budget.

Things to see and do beyond the fairways

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. Put golf clubs down for an afternoon or two and explore what Scotland has to offer away from the golf courses.

Edinburgh's skyline from Salisbury Crags

Why not venture out into the great Scottish outdoors, sample a bit of culture in any of the fascinating museums and galleries in the country's seven cities or catch a bit of live sport or music? Take in an event, immerse yourself in our fantastic nightlife and enjoy some delicious local produce in any of our many fabulous restaurants. Discover our castles, tour whisky distilleries, and treat yourself to some retail therapy and spa therapies. Scotland has more than enough to keep you entertained throughout your visit.