Why Scotland should be your next golf holiday destination
A destination where golfers dream of playing, Scotland is the ultimate golf holiday location. The most northerly country in the United Kingdom, there are over 570 golf clubs for golfers to play. Not only is Scotland home to the oldest golf course in the world, it is also where the sport began in the 15th Century. Combining its rugged landscape and impressive history, Scotland should be your next holiday destination.
How did golf start in Scotland?
Whilst the origins of golf are hotly debated, it is certain that golf, as the sport we know and love, first emerged in Scotland. In fact, by 1457, golf was so popular that King James II of Scotland issued a ban on playing golf because it distracted the military from practising archery.
It wasn’t until 1744 when the first-known rules of golf were written down in Edinburgh and golf began to grow in popularity.
When to play golf in Scotland
Scottish Golfing Season
Generally, all golf courses in Scotland are open from the first weekend in April to October/November, with some remaining open all year.
Weather
There is a possibility of rain in nearly every month, but temperatures do vary.
Thanks to its northerly location, Scotland often experiences lower temperatures than the rest of the UK, with the east generally being colder than the west.
We recommend golfing holidays in Scotland from May to October, with temperatures generally between 10C and 15C.
If you do visit during the shoulder season, avoid early tee times as frost delays are common.
Light
Most golfers forget to take the length of the days into account when deciding when to play golf in Scotland.
Thanks to its high latitude, Scotland experiences very short days in the winter and very long days in the summer.
Although short days might mean fewer rounds per day or fewer tee times available, courses are much quieter. If you want to enter the Old Course ballot or play at Muirfield, winter or shoulder seasons may be much more successful.
Rates
Like at most golf course, tee time rates in March to April and September to October can see a discount of up to 50% off peak rates.
Conditions
Golfers should be aware that mats are used on some courses during the shoulder season when hitting from the fairway to avoid creating divots that won’t heal in winter.
Whilst most courses are in excellent condition all year round, some carry out course maintenance during the winter month such as using winter greens or cutting down the rough.
Where to play golf in Scotland
The home of golf, a visit to Scotland gives golfers the chance to play at some of the most iconic golf courses in the world and numerous championship courses.
Golf Courses near Edinburgh Airport
The capital city of Scotland, Edinburgh is a great destination for a golf holiday. Home to the famous Edinburgh Castle, the city is the location of the magnificent peak of Arthur’s Seat and the grand Holyrood Palace.
A transfer from Edinburgh Airport to Edinburgh takes approximately 40 minutes and there are lots of great golf courses in the nearby areas.
Our top 5 golf courses near Edinburgh are:
1 – Muirfield Golf
Transfer time from Edinburgh Airport to Muirfield Golf is approx. 25 minutes.
The world’s oldest golf club, Muirfield Golf has an incredible international reputation and has hosted 11 Amateur Championships and 16 Open Championships.
2 – Gleneagles Golf Club
Transfer time from Edinburgh Airport to Gleneagles Golf Course is approx. 1 hour.
Gleneagles Golf Club boasts 63 holes spread across 4 different layouts and offers two 19th hole options.
3 – St Andrews Golf Course
Transfer time from Edinburgh Airport to St Andrews Golf Course is approx. 1 hour 10 minutes.
Considered to be the worlds most famous Links course, St. Andrews Golf Course has staged 29 Open Championships.
4 – The Renaissance Club
Transfer time from Edinburgh Airport to The Renaissance Club is approx. 55 minutes.
Stretching over 7300 yards, The Renaissance Club features a variety of tees that allow players to mix and match teeing grounds on a hole-by-hole basis.
5 – North Berwick Golf Club
Transfer time from Edinburgh Airport to North Berwick Golf Club is approx. 1 hour.
Founded in the 17th Century, North Berwick Golf Club offers spectacular views of the Firth of Forth and islands of Bass Rock, Craigleith, Lamb and Firda as well as the town of North Berwick.
Golf Courses near Glasgow Airport
The largest city in Scotland and third largest in the United Kingdom, Glasgow is a national cultural hub and is famous for its lively nightlife. Located to the west of Edinburgh, the city acts as a great gateway for Atlantic-facing links golf courses.
Transfers from Glasgow Airport to Glasgow take approximately 30 minutes.
Our top 5 golf courses near Glasgow are:
1 – Loch Lomond Golf Club
Transfer from Glasgow Airport to Loch Lomond Golf Club is approximately 35 minutes.
Featuring rugged, mountainous backdrops and spectacular panoramas, Loch Lomond Golf Club blends natural Scottish beauty with technical excellence.
2 – Western Gailes Golf Club
Transfer from Glasgow Airport to Western Gailes Golf Club is approximately 50 minutes.
Said to be one of the best golf courses by golf legends such as Tony Jacklin, Rory McIlroy and Bubba Watson, Western Gales Golf Club is a classic Ayrshire seaside links course that is consistently tested by the wind.
3 – Royal Troon Golf Club
Transfer from Glasgow Airport to Royal Troon Golf Club is approximately 50 minutes
The nine-time host of the Open, Royal Troon Golf Course was established in 1878 and boasts two exceptional links courses with views of the incredible mountains on the Isle of Arran.
4 – Prestwick Golf Club
Transfer from Glasgow Airport to Prestwick Golf Club is approximately 50 minutes
The Birthplace of the Open Championships, Prestwick Golf Club is a must-visit whilst in Scotland. An extremely traditional course, features included cavernous sleepered bunkers and notoriously fast greens.
5 – Trump Turnberry
Transfer from Glasgow Airport to Trump Turnberry Golf Club is approximately 1 hour 20 minutes.
Located in a spectacular coastal setting, Trump Turnberry boats 2 golf courses, with the iconic ‘Ailsa’ course hosting the Open Championship four times. Featuring some of the finest holes of golf in the world, the courses look over the Ayrshire coastline, with Arran and Ailsa Craig as its backdrop.
Can’t decide between playing golf in Edinburgh or Glasgow? Why not play both?!
Transfers between Edinburgh and Glasgow take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
Golf Competitions in Scotland
With four stages of the European Tour held in Scotland this year, there has never been a better time to visit the country on a golf holiday.
Apart from the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open, all events are located close to Edinburgh, making it the perfect location for a golf holiday to Scotland.
Golf tournaments in Scotland in 2018 include:
- 12th July – 15th July 2018 – Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open – Gullane Golf Course
- 19th July – 22nd July – 147th Open Championship – Carnoustie Golf Links
- 8th August – 12th August – European Golf Team Championships – Gleneagles
- 4th October – 7th October – Alfred Dunhill Links Championship – Old Course at St. Andrews
If we have inspired you to choose Scotland as the destination for your next golf holiday, make sure you get a quote for all your golf holiday travel needs. Golf-Drives provides hassle-free and reliable transfers from Edinburgh Airport or Glasgow Airport to your hotel, hotel to the course, and back again!