2026 Guide to Booking Golf Trips to Scotland & Ireland

Planning a golf trip to legendary destinations in the UK & Ireland is every golfer’s dream and international golf travel has been in such high demand over recent years. This increased popularity has seen a paradigm shift in terms of how early groups need to book their trip to secure these much desired tee times with courses such as Muirfield, Royal Portrush and Lahinch needing to be booked well over 12 months in advance.

Many golfers don’t realize that a significant number of these high-profile courses are semi-private clubs that only open a portion of their tee sheets to the visiting public each year. With the ever-increasing demand, this leads to inevitable availability issues much earlier than previously seen in this golf tourism industry.

With this in mind, we want to give you some insider knowledge on how to book these bucket-list trips to ensure you can secure those sought after tee times and premium accommodations.

Scotland is a bucket-list destination for golfers, offering legendary courses from St Andrews to the Highlands. This guide provides expert tips on booking tee times at iconic courses, navigating availability challenges, and planning an unforgettable golf trip to Scotland's most sought-after regions, including East Lothian and Troon. Whether you're aiming for famous links or hidden gems, early booking is key to securing your dream golf experience.

The Home of Golf remains the perennial favorite in Scotland for golfers worldwide offering iconic links such as The Old Course at St Andrews, Kingsbarns, Carnoustie and many others. Here are top tips for booking a St Andrews Golf Trip:

-Enter The Old Course Daily Ballot - Guaranteed Old Course tee time packages are very difficult to obtain and come at a premium cost, therefore entering the Daily Ballot is the best chance at playing on these iconic fairways.

-Book early - tee times for 2026 will fill up quickly and in some cases booking even 10-12 months out can be too late, especially at courses like Carnoustie Golf Links and Kingsbarns Golf Links. These courses will open their 2026 tee sheets over a year in advance so booking early is the key to securing prime tee times.

The East coast of Scotland is dotted with spectacular links courses make for an incredible trip! Names like Muirfield, Gullane, and North Berwick are some of the top courses in this area and tee times are rarely available a year in advance. Here are our top tips:

-Muirfield opens their 2026 tee sheets at the end of February 2025 and peak tee times will fill up within 48 hours so act FAST and book now!

-If you’re looking for an extended trip, “Scotland’s Golf Coast” is great to pair with a trip to Troon or St Andrews as they are both a short 2 hour-drive away.

Though this area of Scotland is generally less traveled than the others, the golf in this region is nothing short of spectacular. From Brora down to Nairn and over to Aberdeen, there are many magnificent links courses to choose from and even some on the World Top 100 list.

-Royal Dornoch & Castle Stuart Links – these are two of Scotland’s best and the most popular links courses in the Highlands. With the traditionally lesser travelled areas rising in popularity don’t hesitate to reach out and plan early.

-Aberdeen – if you’re looking for quality links courses, then Trump International, Cruden Bay and Royal Aberdeen are the top choices in the North East. With Trump International Golf Links adding a second 18-hole course, the North East now has plenty of golf to make it a great tour destination.

Ireland is a bucket-list destination for those seeking unforgettable rounds on some of the world's most iconic courses. With breathtaking landscapes and legendary links, the country offers a variety of experiences across its picturesque regions. From the famed courses along the Southwest coast to the historic fairways of Northern Ireland, each destination promises something special. As demand for tee times continues to rise, early planning is essential. Here's what you need to know to book your perfect Irish golf getaway.

Ireland’s answer to St Andrews in terms of popularity, the South West coast offers some of the world’s most stunning links courses, making it the most popular golf destination in the country. Here are our top tips about booking a SW Ireland golf trip:

• Demand for courses like Ballybunion, Tralee, and Lahinch is at an all-time high, so start planning ASAP. Lahinch has a busy schedule
• Consider doing a links tour by adding the Northwest region to your itinerary

The 2nd most popular region on the Emerald Isle, Northern Ireland offers golfers the chance to play an Open Championship venue as well as other world class courses such as Royal County Down and Portstewart Golf Club (Strand Course). The 2025 Open Championship will be held at Royal Portrush which will continue to attract golfers eager to follow in the footsteps of the world's best golfers.

• Royal Portrush opens their 2026 tee sheets in March 2025 and Royal County Down opens their 2026 tee sheets in April 2025. These tee times will fill up within hours so if you have these on your bucket list, book now! If you wait until May or beyond it will be too late...

Ireland’s capital city offers golfers fantastic links golf options as well as plenty to do off the course. Play classic links like Portmarnock Golf Club and The Island Club or cross off a Ryder Cup host at The K Club. Paired with a trip to Northern Ireland, you will enjoy a golf tour unlike any other.

• Choose from a wide range of golf courses including coastal links and Championship venues within short drive from the city center.
• Explore all the city of Dublin has to offer including the Guinness factory, traditional Irish pubs, sightseeing tours and so much more!

For those seeking rugged beauty and off-the-beaten-path experiences, Northwest Ireland delivers. Experience a golf and culture adventure like no other with some of the top hidden gem links in the world! Courses like St. Patrick’s Links at Rosapenna Resort, County Sligo, and Carne Golf Links offer spectacular golf without the crowds.

• Enjoy a more relaxed golf atmosphere without the crowds.
• Stunning coastal scenery and local Irish culture that rivals anywhere in the world.

Planning a golf trip to these overseas destinations takes time and expertise. Let our experts at Golfbreaks by PGA TOUR simplify the process by handling everything from tee times to lodging, transportation, and more.

1. Plan Early: Tee times at marquee courses are often booked 12–18 months in advance. We recommend booking your 2026 trip by late Spring 2025 at the latest to ensure you get all of your preferred courses included.
2. Be Flexible: Midweek rounds or shoulder-season trips can offer better availability and rates. Most of the courses are semi-private clubs that allow visitors on certain days, so flexibility is key to setting up the best trip possible.
3. Let Experts Help: Our team has decades of experience crafting golf vacations for players of all skill levels and different budgets. They have visited the destinations and played the courses so have the knowledge to put together the perfect trip for your group.
4. Consider escaping the crowds. Book a trip to the Scottish Highlands or North West Ireland to go ‘off the beaten path’ and play some magnificent hidden gems in the process.