UK and Ireland Cruise July 2024 + Scotland Trip

karlos923 · January 24

Looking for advice and insights as I complete my golf trip planning. I will taking a Carnival Cruise in late July, but they do not appear to offer any golf excursions. I will have 8-10 hours in port each day, and as a single golfer I have flexibility in my plans.

I am not familiar with port locations or areas and would appreciate any recommendations regarding day tour operator or golf course recommendations near these city ports: Holyhead, Greenock/Glasgow, Belfast, Liverpool, Dun Laoghaire/Dublin and Cobh/Cork. My biggest concern is reliable transportation to/from port and I do not need to play in every port.

After the cruise, I am planning to stay another 7-10 days exploring the golf from Inverness to Aberdeen to St Andrews and departing from Edinburgh. I have read many trip reviews and plans on this board and so I have a very deep course roster. Since I will be traveling as a single, I have a lot of leg work to do contacting courses, etc. to secure tee times in advance at the major courses. I would appreciate any recommendations people have from past trips as a single, hidden gems that can serve as course back-ups and even lodging recommendations. A pint, a bed and my clubs are about all I require on a golf trip.

I plan so stay 2-3 nights in each city/region and play 36 most days. On days I reposition to the next city I plan to play 18 to break up the 2-4 hour drives. I look forward to sharing itinerary updates as plans are finalized but currently planning on: 3 nights Inverness Region, 2 nights Aberdeen region, 3 nights St Andrews.

puttnforthe8 · January 24

59 minutes ago, karlos923 said:

Looking for advice and insights as I complete my golf trip planning. I will taking a Carnival Cruise in late July, but they do not appear to offer any golf excursions. I will have 8-10 hours in port each day, and as a single golfer I have flexibility in my plans.

I am not familiar with port locations or areas and would appreciate any recommendations regarding day tour operator or golf course recommendations near these city ports: Holyhead, Greenock/Glasgow, Belfast, Liverpool, Dun Laoghaire/Dublin and Cobh/Cork. My biggest concern is reliable transportation to/from port and I do not need to play in every port.

After the cruise, I am planning to stay another 7-10 days exploring the golf from Inverness to Aberdeen to St Andrews and departing from Edinburgh. I have read many trip reviews and plans on this board and so I have a very deep course roster. Since I will be traveling as a single, I have a lot of leg work to do contacting courses, etc. to secure tee times in advance at the major courses. I would appreciate any recommendations people have from past trips as a single, hidden gems that can serve as course back-ups and even lodging recommendations. A pint, a bed and my clubs are about all I require on a golf trip.

I plan so stay 2-3 nights in each city/region and play 36 most days. On days I reposition to the next city I plan to play 18 to break up the 2-4 hour drives. I look forward to sharing itinerary updates as plans are finalized but currently planning on: 3 nights Inverness Region, 2 nights Aberdeen region, 3 nights St Andrews.

For the most part transport won't be too challenging. But you will have (and need to plan) for an hour each way in most cases. Here are my opinions

Holyhead,

Greenock/Glasgow,- Western Gailes, Gailes Links, Troon, Prestwick > Long trips

Belfast - County Down of course

Liverpool,

Dun Laoghaire/Dublin: Portmarnock, Druids Heath/Glen; European Club

Cobh/Cork. Fota Island; Old Head might be too far...but obviously most want to play there.

hammergolf · January 24

2 hours ago, karlos923 said:

Looking for advice and insights as I complete my golf trip planning. I will taking a Carnival Cruise in late July, but they do not appear to offer any golf excursions. I will have 8-10 hours in port each day, and as a single golfer I have flexibility in my plans.

I am not familiar with port locations or areas and would appreciate any recommendations regarding day tour operator or golf course recommendations near these city ports: Holyhead, Greenock/Glasgow, Belfast, Liverpool, Dun Laoghaire/Dublin and Cobh/Cork. My biggest concern is reliable transportation to/from port and I do not need to play in every port.

After the cruise, I am planning to stay another 7-10 days exploring the golf from Inverness to Aberdeen to St Andrews and departing from Edinburgh. I have read many trip reviews and plans on this board and so I have a very deep course roster. Since I will be traveling as a single, I have a lot of leg work to do contacting courses, etc. to secure tee times in advance at the major courses. I would appreciate any recommendations people have from past trips as a single, hidden gems that can serve as course back-ups and even lodging recommendations. A pint, a bed and my clubs are about all I require on a golf trip.

I plan so stay 2-3 nights in each city/region and play 36 most days. On days I reposition to the next city I plan to play 18 to break up the 2-4 hour drives. I look forward to sharing itinerary updates as plans are finalized but currently planning on: 3 nights Inverness Region, 2 nights Aberdeen region, 3 nights St Andrews.

Holyhead - Holyhead Golf Club

https://www.holyheadgolfclub.co.uk/course-flyovers

Greenock - Gourock Golf Club

https://www.gourockgolfclub.com/

West Kilbride (40 minute drive). This would be my choice.

https://www.westkilbridegolfclub.com/

Belfast - Royal County Down (45 min drive)

Ardglass (45 min drive) If RCD is booked this would be my choice

https://www.ardglassgolfclub.com/

Holywood Golf Club (Where Rory grew up)

https://holywoodgolfclub.co.uk/visitors/course-guide/hole-one

Liverpool - Royal Liverpool

https://www.royal-liverpool-golf.com/

Walessey Golf Club

https://www.wallaseygolfclub.com/

West Lancs

https://www.westlancashiregolf.co.uk/

Dublin - Portmarnock

https://www.portmarnockgolfclub.ie/

The Island

https://www.theislandgolfclub.com/

Corballis (best value in Ireland. It’s a par 66 but so much fun to play. At €30 it can’t be beat)

https://corballislinks.com/

Cork - Old Head (1hr drive, breathtaking scenery)

https://www.oldhead.com/

Cork Golf Club (Alister MacKenzie design)

https://www.corkgolfclub.ie/

Fota Island

https://www.fotaisland.ie/championship-cork-golf-club/

Inverness

Royal Dornoch

Castle Stuart

Nairn

Tain

Fortrose & Rosemarkie

Aberdeen

Royal Aberdeen

Cruden Bay

International Golf Links

Fraserburgh

Murcar

On the way to St. Andrews

Carnoustie

Panmure

Monifieth

St. Andrews

TOC

New

Kingsbarn

Castle

Jubilee

El Gringo · January 25

For Liverpool I think the dock is the city side of the Mersey. So best to go north toward West Lancs and Formby. Formby is outstanding. Of course Birkdale is just up the road.

backups/add ons

Inverness to Aberdeen

Covesea

Moray Old

St Olaf 9 at Cruden Bay

Aberdeen to Fife

Carnoustie Burnside

Kinghorn

Elie

Eden

karlos923 · February 14

Thank you all for the replies.

For the week I am on cruise I will be taking advantage of Holyhead Golf Club and then Cork Golf Club or Fota Island. Love that these are close to port.

I would love to venture out to the many other courses mentioned above but scheduling 2-3 hours for transport and a 4-5 hour round would almost have to be perfect timing it would seem.

My plans for Scotland the second week are coming together.

Arrive is St Andrews on a Sunday and will do Ballot Buddy for Mon-Wed. Thursday Cruden Bay. Friday will hopefully will get to Fraserburgh and/or Moray. And then Saturday thru Tuesday will be exploring the many courses around and north of Inverness.

Hotels and tee times are starting to be confirmed with a bit of flexibility to allow for the unexpected.

hammergolf · February 23

On 2/14/2024 at 11:35 AM, karlos923 said:

Thank you all for the replies.

For the week I am on cruise I will be taking advantage of Holyhead Golf Club and then Cork Golf Club or Fota Island. Love that these are close to port.

I would love to venture out to the many other courses mentioned above but scheduling 2-3 hours for transport and a 4-5 hour round would almost have to be perfect timing it would seem.

My plans for Scotland the second week are coming together.

Arrive is St Andrews on a Sunday and will do Ballot Buddy for Mon-Wed. Thursday Cruden Bay. Friday will hopefully will get to Fraserburgh and/or Moray. And then Saturday thru Tuesday will be exploring the many courses around and north of Inverness.

Hotels and tee times are starting to be confirmed with a bit of flexibility to allow for the unexpected.