The journey begins as you touch down in Edinburgh, clubs in tow and excitement in the air. There’s always something special about that first breath of Scottish air—it carries with it a sense of history, of tradition, and of anticipation for the golf adventure to come. From the capital, the road west beckons, winding its way through rolling countryside before giving way to the dramatic Ayrshire coastline, where the first chapter of your Open Championship story unfolds.
On your very first day, you’ll tee it up at Turnberry’s Ailsa Course. Few settings in golf compare to this majestic links, where the iconic lighthouse stands sentinel over the 9th green and the waters of the Firth of Clyde stretch endlessly into the horizon. It was here in 1977 that Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson played out the legendary “Duel in the Sun,” and as you make your way down those same fairways, you’ll feel the echoes of their battle in every gust of sea breeze. After the round, a return to the comfort of the Trump Turnberry Resort feels like stepping into a grand tradition of hospitality—luxury with a distinctly Scottish soul.
The following morning, it’s time for Royal Troon, another Open Championship colossus. The course may begin with generous opening holes, but by the time you step onto the famed Postage Stamp, you understand why Troon has humbled so many champions. For us at Tweddell Golf Travel, there’s an extra layer of magic here. Our director, Gareth Lord, was on the bag for Henrik Stenson in 2016 when he edged Phil Mickelson in what many consider the greatest head-to-head battle in Open history. With special arrangement, Gareth can join you on these very fairways, sharing first-hand what it felt like to live through that epic contest. Hearing those stories while standing on the same turf will leave memories etched as deeply as the championship itself.
Day three takes you to Prestwick, where the very first Open Championship was played in 1860. The charm of Prestwick is undeniable—quirky holes, blind shots, and a sense that you are walking straight into golf’s past. Every bunker, every dune, seems to whisper stories of champions who came before. After your round, you’ll return to the Marine Troon Hotel, perfectly placed to soak in sea views and reflect on your west coast adventures.
With Ayrshire complete, the journey continues east across Scotland, towards the town that every golfer dreams of visiting: St Andrews. Your home here will be the Rusacks Hotel, where the windows look out directly onto the Old Course, and the buzz of golf fills every corner of town. The first round in Fife comes at Carnoustie, a course both feared and revered. Known as “Car-Nasty” for its unforgiving layout, it has witnessed triumph and heartbreak in equal measure. Walking its fairways, you can’t help but feel the weight of its history.