Ireland and Scotland golf trip

[Tsbs2012]

Hey guys I am going on my honeymoon this summer to Ireland and Scotland and was looking for some courses to play. I'm going during the Open championship and as you would have guessed all of the open courses are booked up the entire time I am there or they require two golfers and while I love my fiancé she struggles to break par on an easy course, I don't think throwing her to Royal Troon is fair for her or the course and it's greenskeeper. So looking for beautiful landscapes, maybe a castle or old lighthouse something. Something that makes it different from golf in America.

It doesn't have to be a tour quality course either, maybe a hidden gem you guys know about. I just can't not golf for a month when I am in the UK of all places!!!!!!!

[hollabachgt]

What does your itinerary look like? Ireland and Scotland are not that small and a suggestion like Carne or Royal Dornoch would be pointless if you have no plans to be in those areas. Most likely you'd be better off playing in Ireland, as Scotland would probably be swamped with Open golf tourist.

[puttnforthe8]

If you are near Dublin...Play Carton House - it is brilliant.

If in Scotland, go up and play the Kings Course at Gleneagles where they had the Ryder Cup.

[Emthree]

From my memory the ones that stand out are

Ireland :-

Royal county down is the obvious one in Ireland, probably the best links golf course in the world.

Druids glen - amazing place, its like playing in a flower garden.

Adrglass - Near royal county down, another stunning course by the sea, if you're staying in the area there are lots of quality golf courses in County Down.


Scotland :-

You can try you luck with Loch Lomond and call them up, they might make an allowance for an American tourist and squeeze you on somewhere. Generally green fees are not welcome.

The Carrick - It's not Loch Lomond but it's by the Loch and a nice track.

Spey valley - you've got mountains, moorland, forest and steam trains, one of the so called "hidden gems".

As puttnforthe8 above me said, Gleneagles but play the King's course instead of the PGA centenary. The latter is very American in it's design (done by Nicklaus) probably not the authentic experience you're looking for.

[drn92]

If you have an open day and your significant other does not mind, there is a good chance you can walk on as a single at a lot of courses.

drn92

[az2au]

My SO is about a 35 index and she's played Tralee, Doonbeg and Kingsbarns in the last year. She loved them all. She does know how to keep pace though and picks up if she exceeds 10 or is holding anyone up. It does help that the only two things she can do consistently is rip her driver 160-190 down the middle >90% of the time and putt. Irons are at best random and that's being generous. Still, she's a blast to play with and she loves links golf.

[gussie]

Gonna push Ireland on you
Fly into Shannon airport and you have lahinch doonbeg on your doorstep short hop to ballybunion and Tralee then you have Waterville and old head waiting for you
Mid west of Ireland has some of the best courses and nicest people in Ireland
Don't need to book a tour operator all courses have websites
If you did want all inclusive package try premier golf tours a new company based in Tralee owned and operated by a good guy

[ilovenewtech]

Lots of courses in Scotland!

Ladybank, Gullane, Glasgow Gailes, Western Gailes, Blairgowrie are tremendous courses - there is also a course in Fife which gives you hickory equipment to play with (great fun and a real learning experience).

As someone else said it really depends where you are staying throughout your trip.

[larzpdot]

Nice honeymoon! I'm possibly doing the same type of trip for my anniversary in September. I've got my eye on Royal Dornoch in Scotland and Royal County Down in Ireland Have a great trip and post pictures once you get back!

[dmc2015]

Hi mate if your in or near Glasgow and fancy a round on a cracking private course give me a shout I'll get you on my course. Check it here www.sandyhillsgolfclub.co.uk

[kencanuck]

[quote name='dmc2015' timestamp='1433193113' post='11669204']
Hi mate if your in or near Glasgow and fancy a round on a cracking private course give me a shout I'll get you on my course. Check it here www.sandyhillsgolfclub.co.uk
[/quote]

Wow! Gotta love golfwrx!! Nice touch dmc2015!

[HoffTTM]

My suggestion is to figure out where you are going to be and then go from there. Scotland might be smaller than most US states but its still too much travelling to throw random suggestions into the wind.

[vtnerf]

It might not be ideal, but some courses will allow her to walk with you. My wife walked Jubilee and the Old at St Andrews as well as Adare in Ireland. And she has the ability to take some pics that you wouldn't have time for if you are playing.

[prsgtrman]

if youre going to be in st andrews drive 45 south and play balcomie links at crail. very unpretentious and very good golf track.

[Delt2000]

Just got back from 6 rounds in golf in Ireland- and it was absolutely awesome, great time, and great golf courses
We stuck pretty close to the above recommendation but flew into Shannon. They way I see you either have to choose the west Ireland golf courses or the Northern Ireland/ East just hard to do it all unless you have the time

We played
Ballybunion - first game right of the plane. Played from the tips and birdied the first hole. Went down hill from there. Besides 4-6 fabulous golf course. They sit along the road and just some crummy housing takes away from the experience
Waterville- 15-20 mile hr consistent wind-- still very fair and I really liked the lay-out. Greens just aren't quite as nice as the others
Trahlee- we played in gale force winds-- kind you not if I could post the video- consistent 35-40 mph and gust around 50. Back is much better than the front- but simply a great golf course. Even with the wind could still find your ball and play
Lahinch- farther removed I get the more I liked this golf course. We played it the day after Trahlee- the wind was still blowing 20ish about 5 miles over normal. It settled down late and made it much more playable. This was definitely the most penal of all the golf courses. Need to be striping it well only negative a little too penal with the wind up and gorse pretty close to the fairways. We didn't have a very good caddy but if you could play it a couple of times I think its a course you would enjoy more and more. 2-17-18 are a little weak but besides that awesome awesome golf course
Also played Connemara Golf links twice- stayed in Clifden so really close. If you are in the area another solid track. The first 9 is a little week but second 9 for the price was really solid. There third nine is probably the most picturesque but shorter so its a little tricked up with 90 degree dog legs

all in all I would 100% go back and play any of the golf courses again and think that gives you a good indication they were all good. I got to play all 3 courses at The Greenbrier last year including The Old White- in comparison don't really have any urge to go back to any of those

Ireland- overall is more laid back than the Scottish golf courses/ food is a little better I think/ and with the current exchange rate very reasonable/ and can't beat a pint of guinesse after a round

Just wish the wind had laid down a bit

[3eagles18]

I was there two weeks ago. Played Lahinch, Ballybunion, Tralee, Old Head and Adare. Old Head is spectacular but the wind was 35-50; brutal.

[scott_Donald]

if i was only here and i could have taken you on to Royal Aberdeen...

where in Scotland are you going to be???

[Delt2000]

3eagles sounds like we played right around the same time primarily played golf 3-6th. The wind was blowing hardest for us on 5th and then about equal 4th and 6th. First day 10-15 and very playable. But you already paid got to suck it and go for it

However, never rained on us and then spent a week in Clifden and was sunny and high 60's all week

[crazy8golfer]

Hello, Purchase one of the books written by Mr. Ferguson. http://www.fergusongolf.com/

[Gem]

Boat of Garten, Blairgowrie (either course), Ladybank, Scotscraig, Ellie (bit expensive but unusual) are all nice courses and might be not too busy for a game.

[SS928]

Just got back Saturday from a two week trip to Ireland. Flew into Dublin with my wife, 15 year old son(high school golfer) and sister-in-law. We rented a car and I drove us around the entire Island. Put 1400 miles on the rental car. Being from the U.S. And driving there was an absolute trip! We planned a sightseeing trip for the ages that included all the major tourist spots, drinking Guinness, and 4 rounds of golf at Ballybunion, Lahinch, Royal Portrush, and Royal County Down. It was a lot of work doing the drive but I am glad I did it. Ireland is an amazing place with wonderful people whom all seem to collude to make tourists feel welcome! As several of the posters have mentioned, it really depends on where you are going to be and what you make time for. Going to the open sounds great. Since you will be in Scotland for sure I would take up DMC2015's gracious offer as I have learned that opertunities like this can make great memories.i have heard great things about Askernish, you should research it. Whatever you choose to do Links golf is the is the best that our great game has to offer. I was lucky enough to play it with my son, memories of a lifetime. Good luck and enjoy.

[krafa]

Hello guys I am planning to go on my honeymoon next month in Ireland. I want some courses of game can be played in this season. As golf would be perfect so I just want to enquire about this more. I know this season is visiting season all the courses are booked so if you guys have any idea or suggestions it will be quality tour.

Thanks in advance.

[3eagles18]

See my post #16 above. If you are driving give yourself time to get from Point A to Point B and have a GPS for sure.

[Ravi Bopara]

Although there is so many great golf courses in Scotland, but from my view I believe Glasgow Gailes is the best that I have tried while now it also depends your area, as it does not make sense to decide like that as it’s no small place.

[OpusX20]

I played Fota Island Resort (in Cork, Ireland) last year shortly after the Irish Open. Great resort and very interesting golf course. It's not a links course at all. So if that's what your looking for, it may not be the best. But the resort as a whole is great. Excellent restaurants. Nice spa. It also has a fantastic practice facility. I hope to be back there soon.