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.
Next comes Kingsbarns, a modern masterpiece that has quickly become a global favourite. Host to a Women’s Open, it combines strategic links golf with breathtaking views of the North Sea from almost every hole. It’s the kind of course where you find yourself reaching for your camera as often as your club, and where the sheer beauty of Scotland’s coast becomes part of the experience.
Then, of course, there is the pinnacle: the Old Course at St Andrews. There are few moments in golf that compare to standing on the 1st tee, with the Swilcan Bridge in the distance and centuries of history.
Beneath your feet. For us, there’s also a personal connection—our namesake, Dr. Tweddell, served as Captain of the R&A from 1961 to 1962. To bring guests here is to honour that legacy, walking in the footsteps of great champions, from Old Tom Morris to Tiger Woods.
Guiding you along the way will be David Williams, an adopted local who knows every blade of grass on the Old Course. Having caddied in the Walker Cup here and in the 150th Open in 2022—where his player made the cut—David’s stories and insight make the course come alive in a way no yardage book ever could. He’ll show you the subtleties, the quirks, and the hidden strategies that define the Old Course, all while weaving in tales of what it feels like to be inside the ropes on golf’s most hallowed ground.
And after the golf? St Andrews itself offers an atmosphere unlike anywhere else. The pubs are alive with laughter, debate, and stories from golfers the world over. To cap off your experience, we’ll guide you on the Tweddell Golf Travel pub crawl, raising a pint in the same taverns where champions and dreamers alike have celebrated their rounds.
By the time you depart, you’ll have walked the fairways of Open legends, stood on tees where history was made, and shared moments with people who lived those stories first-hand. This isn’t just a golf trip—it’s a journey into the heart of the game, one that will stay with you long after the final putt drops.
Follow our Open Championship Venues itinerary through Scotland, playing Turnberry, Royal Troon, Prestwick, Carnoustie, Kingsbarns, and the Old Course at St Andrews. Stay at the Marine Troon Hotel, Trump Turnberry Resort, and Rusacks