Scotland Golf Trip for First-Timers: Complete Planning Guide

Is a Scotland Golf Trip Worth It for First-Timers?

If you care about golf history and want to play some of the best courses in the world, Scotland is absolutely worth the trip. You're playing links golf on the land where the game was invented, walking fairways that have hosted Open Championships, and experiencing golf in its purest form.

That said, Scotland requires more planning than domestic trips. You're dealing with international flights, foreign currency, driving on the left, unpredictable weather, and a booking system that varies wildly by course. Some courses are easy to access, others require advance planning or ballot entries.

The trip makes sense if you're comfortable with logistical complexity and weather volatility. If you need guaranteed sunshine and simple booking, consider other destinations first.

What a Scotland Golf Trip Actually Costs

I've broken down realistic costs for a week-long Scotland golf trip based on current pricing and typical itineraries.

A few important notes on these ranges:

Flights are the biggest variable and depend heavily on your departure city and booking timing. East Coast flights are typically cheaper than West Coast. Book at least three to four months in advance for better rates.

Green fees vary dramatically by course. St Andrews Old Course is around £300 in peak season. Carnoustie and Muirfield are similarly expensive. But excellent courses like Crail, Lundin Links, and Elie cost £60-£100. You can control costs significantly by mixing marquee courses with hidden gems.

Lodging ranges from budget B&Bs at £80 per night to upscale hotels at £250+ per night. Self-catering apartments offer good value for groups and give you the option to cook some meals.

Caddies are recommended for your first time on iconic courses like St Andrews, but they're not required everywhere. Budget £80-£100 per bag plus tip if you're hiring caddies.

Which Courses Should First-Timers Play?

Scotland has hundreds of excellent courses. Here's how to prioritize as a first-timer.

The Must-Play Courses

St Andrews Old Course is the one course you absolutely cannot skip. It's the Home of Golf, and playing it is a bucket-list experience for any serious golfer. Access requires entering a ballot or booking through a tour operator well in advance.

Carnoustie is a brutally difficult Open Championship venue with no weak holes. It's accessible and worth the high green fee if you want to test yourself on a true championship links.

Royal Dornoch is consistently ranked among the top courses in the world. It's remote but absolutely worth the drive if you can fit it into your itinerary. Far less crowded than St Andrews and equally spectacular.

Excellent Supporting Courses

Crail Balcomie is a hidden gem near St Andrews with stunning views and classic links golf at a fraction of the cost. This is where locals play.

Kingsbarns is a modern links near St Andrews with spectacular ocean views. It's expensive but beautifully maintained and very playable.

North Berwick is quirky, fun, and historic. It's an easy day trip from Edinburgh and offers a completely different style of links golf.

Prestwick is the birthplace of the Open Championship and full of golf history. The course is eccentric and fascinating.

Courses to Skip on a First Trip

Avoid overpacking your itinerary with too many marquee courses. Playing St Andrews, Carnoustie, Muirfield, and Royal Troon back-to-back sounds impressive but leads to burnout and massive costs. Mix in affordable courses that are still excellent.

Also skip courses that require long detours unless they're bucket-list priorities. Royal Dornoch is worth the drive, but chasing every famous name will wreck your schedule.

Sample Scotland Golf Trip Itinerary (7 Days)

This itinerary focuses on the East Coast and avoids overextending. It assumes you're flying into Edinburgh and prioritizing St Andrews.

Day 1: Arrive Edinburgh, pick up rental car, drive to St Andrews (1.5 hours). Play the New Course or Jubilee Course to shake off jet lag. Stay in St Andrews.

Day 2: Play St Andrews Old Course (if you won your ballot slot). If not, play the Castle Course or Kingsbarns. Stay in St Andrews.

Day 3: Play Crail Balcomie in the morning, then Elie or Lundin Links in the afternoon. Stay in St Andrews or move to nearby Crail.

Day 4: Drive to Carnoustie (1 hour). Play Carnoustie Championship Course. Stay in Carnoustie or return to St Andrews.

Day 5: Play North Berwick (1.5 hours from St Andrews). Excellent course and charming town. Return to St Andrews or stay in North Berwick.

Day 6: Play one more St Andrews course (Castle, Jubilee, or Eden). Alternatively, drive to Prestwick or Troon if you want to see the Ayrshire coast. Stay in St Andrews.

Day 7: Depart. If you have time, stop at a course near Edinburgh like Gullane or Dunbar on your way to the airport.

This itinerary gives you 6-7 rounds, avoids excessive driving, and balances iconic courses with affordable options. You can adjust based on ballot results and personal priorities.

How to Book St Andrews Old Course

St Andrews Old Course uses a daily ballot system for individual golfers. Here's how it works:

You enter the ballot online by 2 PM (UK time) two days before you want to play. Winners are announced by 4 PM that same day. If you win, you must book and pay immediately or you forfeit your spot.

The ballot is competitive, especially in summer. Your odds improve in shoulder season (April, May, September, October) and on weekdays. Sundays are closed for rest.

If you don't want to risk the ballot, book through a tour operator or stay at the Old Course Hotel, which guarantees tee times. Both options are expensive but eliminate uncertainty.

Alternatively, play the New Course, Jubilee, or Castle Course at St Andrews. They're excellent courses in their own right and much easier to book.

Where to Stay in Scotland

Base yourself in St Andrews for most of your trip. It's centrally located, has excellent lodging options, and you can day-trip to most major courses from there. Book accommodations well in advance—St Andrews fills up during golf season.

If you're playing Royal Dornoch, plan to stay overnight in Dornoch. The drive from St Andrews is 3.5 hours, so a day trip isn't realistic.

Edinburgh is a good option if you want a city base with more dining and nightlife. It's 1.5 hours from St Andrews and makes a convenient bookend to your trip.

Avoid moving accommodations every night. Pick one or two bases and day-trip from there. Constant packing and unpacking wastes time and energy.

Best Time to Go to Scotland

May and September are the sweet spot. Weather is relatively mild, daylight hours are long, and courses are less crowded than peak summer. Green fees are also slightly lower than July and August.

June through August is peak season. Longest days, warmest temperatures, and highest demand. Expect crowds and premium pricing. Book everything months in advance.

April and October are shoulder season. More affordable and less crowded, but weather becomes unpredictable. You'll likely encounter rain and wind. Good for experienced golfers who don't mind tough conditions.

November through March is off-season. Courses are open, but daylight is limited, weather is harsh, and many accommodations close. Only consider this if you're comfortable playing in challenging conditions and want rock-bottom pricing.

Common Mistakes First-Timers Make

The biggest mistake is trying to play too many famous courses in one trip. St Andrews, Carnoustie, Muirfield, Turnberry, Royal Troon, and Royal Dornoch all in one week sounds great on paper but leads to exhaustion, massive costs, and constant driving. Pick three or four marquee courses and fill in with excellent but less famous options.

Another common error is underestimating the weather. Bring rain gear, layers, and wind-resistant clothing even in summer. Scottish weather changes constantly, and you'll play in rain at some point. Accept it and prepare accordingly.

Many first-timers also skip the ballot for St Andrews and assume they'll just show up and play. The Old Course requires advance planning. Enter the ballot or book through a tour operator—don't leave it to chance.

Finally, some golfers overpack their days with 36 holes. Links golf is physically demanding, especially in wind. One good round per day is plenty for most groups. Use afternoons to explore towns, rest, or play short courses.

Do You Need a Tour Operator?

Tour operators simplify logistics and guarantee access to difficult-to-book courses like St Andrews Old Course, Muirfield, and Royal Dornoch. They handle tee times, accommodations, transportation, and caddies. This is valuable if you want a turnkey experience and don't mind paying a premium.

Self-planning is cheaper and offers more flexibility. If you're comfortable booking accommodations, entering ballots, and driving yourself, you can build an excellent trip independently. The tradeoff is time spent researching and coordinating logistics.

For first-timers, self-planning makes sense if you have at least six months to prepare and enjoy the research process. Tour operators make sense if you want guaranteed access to premium courses without the hassle.

Scotland vs. Ireland: Which Should You Choose?

Scotland and Ireland both offer world-class links golf, but they're different experiences.

Scotland has more history, more famous courses, and better infrastructure for golf tourism. If you want to play St Andrews and walk in the footsteps of Open Champions, Scotland is the clear choice. Courses are generally more accessible and easier to book independently.

Ireland is more remote, more dramatic, and slightly less expensive. Courses like Ballybunion, Lahinch, and Old Head are spectacular but require more driving between destinations. Ireland also has a more relaxed, pub-centric culture that some groups prefer.

For first-timers, Scotland is usually the better choice. It's easier to navigate, more courses are clustered together, and the golf history is unmatched. Save Ireland for a second trip once you've experienced links golf in Scotland.

How Far in Advance Should You Plan?

For a peak season trip in June, July, or August, start planning at least nine to twelve months in advance. Accommodations in St Andrews and tee times at premium courses book up early.

Shoulder season trips in May or September can be planned six to eight months ahead, though earlier is always better for securing preferred lodging.

If you're flexible and traveling in April or October, you can often book successfully three to four months out. Off-season trips can be planned even closer to departure, but options will be limited.

Regardless of timing, book flights and accommodations first. Then enter the St Andrews ballot or arrange tee times at other courses.

Who This Trip Is Best For (and Who It's Not)

Scotland is ideal for golfers who appreciate history, enjoy links golf, and are comfortable with logistical complexity and weather unpredictability. If you've wanted to play St Andrews since you started playing golf, this trip is worth the effort.

It's best suited for experienced golfers who can handle firm, fast conditions and wind. Links golf is difficult, and courses like Carnoustie will expose weaknesses in your game. If you're a beginner or high-handicap player, you may find some courses frustrating.

Scotland is not ideal if you need guaranteed sunshine, resort amenities, or simple logistics. If you want a golf vacation where everything is easy and weather is predictable, consider destinations like Arizona or Florida instead.

It's also not a great choice if your group includes non-golfers. While Edinburgh and St Andrews have charm, there's limited to do beyond golf. Bring only serious golfers who are committed to the experience.