Golf Trip to Scotland, or a Golf Trip to Ireland? Which one should you choose? Golf Experience Packages: UK

Planning a memorable golf journey often leads to a choice between Scotland and Ireland, two nations steeped in character, coastline, and sporting legacy. Each has its own rhythm, its own landscape, and its own way of welcoming visitors. Below, we explore in greater detail what makes both destinations exceptional—not only for golf but for culture, scenery, food, and the small, vivid experiences that stay with you long after you return home.

5 Reasons Scotland Is Great for a Golf Trip

1. The Home of Golf

Golf in Scotland is more than a sport; it is a thread woven through the country’s identity. Walking onto the turf of St Andrews or Carnoustie isn’t simply arriving at a golf course—it's stepping into the narrative of the game itself. Fairways here have witnessed centuries of competition, shaping the rules, traditions, and spirit that define golf today. Playing in Scotland allows you to sense this heritage in a very real way: the firmness of the links under your feet, the unpredictable coastal winds, the understated but unmistakable reverence locals hold for the game. Between rounds, the towns surrounding these iconic courses offer their own charm. St Andrews, with its cobbled lanes and medieval architecture, feels almost like an open-air museum. Local pubs buzz with stories from golfers who traveled the world to play here. Whether you're a seasoned golfer or fulfilling a lifelong dream to play the Old Course, Scotland provides the rare experience of connecting directly with the origins of the sport.

2. Iconic Links Courses at Every Turn

While other countries boast incredible golf, nowhere else offers Scotland’s density and variety of championship-level links. The landscape seems purpose-built for golf: rippling dunes, wiry fescue, and fast-running ground create conditions you cannot replicate elsewhere. Travel just a short distance and you shift from the dramatic coastal ridges of the Highlands to the understated elegance of East Lothian or the majestic seaside vistas of Western Scotland. Each region has its own golfing personality, shaped by geography and tradition. Courses like Royal Dornoch, North Berwick, and Turnberry feel worlds apart from one another, yet share a deep respect for natural terrain. Playing in Scotland teaches you to adapt—to wind that changes direction mid-hole, to bounces that seem mischievously unpredictable, and to the firm turf that encourages imaginative shot-making. This is links golf in its purest, most exhilarating form. It’s no wonder golfers return year after year: there is always another course, another challenge, and another unforgettable round waiting.

3. Rich Culture and Historic Sights

Scotland is a treasure trove of history and storytelling. Even a short journey between golf regions leads you past ancient castles clinging to hillsides, stone bridges over rushing rivers, and villages that seem lifted from a bygone era. Whether you explore Edinburgh’s medieval Old Town, immerse yourself in the folklore of the Highlands, or wander the fishing harbours of Fife, the country exudes a depth of character found in only a handful of places. After the final putt drops, Scotland offers endless opportunities to enrich your trip. Visit Stirling Castle, hike a portion of the famed West Highland Way, or take in the dramatic landscapes of Glencoe. Museums, art galleries, and historic estates provide meaningful cultural experiences between rounds. Scotland invites you not just to play golf but to explore—making each day a balance of sport and discovery. The combination makes for a travel experience that lingers long after you’ve returned home.

4. Whisky Distilleries and Tastings

For many visitors, whisky is as much a part of the Scottish experience as the golf itself. The country’s distilleries are woven into its countryside like landmarks on a map of tradition. Each whisky region—Islay with its smoky, maritime character; Speyside with its layered sweetness; the Highlands with their bold complexity—offers flavours as distinct as the landscapes surrounding them. Taking a guided tour at a historic distillery adds texture to your journey. You learn how peat, water, and oak influence each dram, and tastings often take place in atmospheric vaults or cozy stone-walled rooms that feel untouched by time. Many golfers enjoy planning an afternoon visit after a morning round, embracing a different kind of sensory experience. Even if you aren’t a whisky devotee, the craft and care that go into the spirit reveal much about Scottish culture—patient, meticulous, passionate. It’s an ideal complement to the rhythm of a golf trip, blending relaxation with tradition.

5. Efficient Travel Between Regions

One of Scotland’s great strengths as a golf destination is its compact scale. World-renowned golfing regions sit surprisingly close to one another, allowing you to play several legendary courses within a short window. You might spend a morning in St Andrews and, after a scenic coastal drive, enjoy dinner in Edinburgh without feeling rushed. The roads between regions wind through captivating landscapes—rolling farmland, rugged coastline, and moody glens—transforming even travel days into memorable experiences. The convenience also means you can tailor your itinerary to balance big-name championship courses with lesser-known gems that often become the highlight of the trip. Whether you’re traveling with a group or planning a more personal golf pilgrimage, Scotland’s accessibility enhances every aspect of your journey. It removes logistical stress and maximizes time on the course, ensuring your days feel full yet unhurried, rich yet effortless.

5 Reasons Ireland Is Great for a Golf Trip

1. World-Class Links with Wild Beauty

Irish links golf is defined by its untamed drama. The coastline carves rugged contours into courses like Ballybunion, Royal County Down, and Lahinch, creating some of the most visually striking holes in the world. These landscapes are shaped as much by Atlantic winds as by architects, delivering a kind of golf that feels organic, unpredictable, and exhilarating. What sets Ireland apart is the visceral connection you feel to the land. Fairways weave between towering dunes, greens perch above roaring surf, and tee boxes offer sweeping views that seem almost cinematic. The challenge is undeniable, yet the beauty softens every mis-hit—there’s something liberating about playing golf in such a raw, elemental environment. Irish links reward creativity, resilience, and a sense of adventure. Each round feels like a story unfolding against the rhythm of the sea. For many golfers, the emotional pull of Ireland’s landscapes becomes the reason they return again and again.

2. Warm, Welcoming Hospitality

Ireland’s hospitality is truly distinctive. The friendliness is not a marketing line but a cultural instinct—genuine, unforced, and ever-present. Walk into a pub after a round and you’ll likely be greeted with conversation from locals eager to hear where you’ve played and how the weather treated you. Staff at golf clubs often take pride in sharing stories about the course, offering advice with a smile rather than formality. This warmth extends to hotels, restaurants, and even roadside moments that become small but memorable parts of the journey. Whether someone helps you navigate a menu or shares directions with animated enthusiasm, the interactions feel personal. For groups, this atmosphere often becomes the highlight of the trip. Nights stretch into lively evenings filled with music, laughter, and stories told over a pint of Guinness. Ireland makes visitors feel not just welcome, but part of something—an easy camaraderie that elevates the entire experience.

3. Vibrant Cultural Experiences

Ireland’s cultural energy is unmistakable. Cities like Dublin, Galway, and Cork pulse with music, literature, and artistry, offering a refreshing contrast to the quiet solitude found on the links. In Dublin, you can step into a centuries-old library at Trinity College in the morning, wander through Georgian squares in the afternoon, and end the evening listening to traditional live music in Temple Bar. Smaller towns offer their own charm. Wander through Kinsale’s colourful harbour streets, explore the craft shops of Dingle, or visit local festivals that celebrate everything from food to folklore. Ireland’s storytelling tradition is alive everywhere you go. Whether you’re learning about poets and playwrights or hearing local legends from a tour guide on the Wild Atlantic Way, the country’s creative spirit is woven into daily life. This cultural richness complements the golf beautifully, providing meaningful depth to your travels and creating a sense of place that stays with you.

4. Whiskey and Guinness Experiences

Ireland’s whiskey heritage is flourishing, and visiting distilleries like Jameson, Bushmills, or Teeling provides insight into a craft that continues to evolve. Many tours blend history with sensory experience, guiding you through aging rooms filled with rich aromas and offering tastings that help you appreciate each subtle flavour. The storytelling here is exceptional—guides share anecdotes that make the spirit feel alive with personality. And then there’s Guinness. A visit to the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin is more than a brewery tour; it’s an interactive journey through one of Ireland’s most iconic symbols. Ending the experience with a pint in the Gravity Bar, overlooking the city’s rooftops, is a moment many travellers remember long after their trip. These experiences add flavour—literally and figuratively—to an Irish golf holiday. They provide a warm, convivial way to unwind after a round, deepening your understanding of the country’s traditions and craftsmanship.

5. Incredible Scenery Beyond the Courses

Ireland’s landscapes feel almost mythic. The Cliffs of Moher rise dramatically from the Atlantic, mist swirling around their edges. The Ring of Kerry weaves through emerald mountains and along turquoise bays, offering views that seem almost too perfect to be real. The Giant’s Causeway, with its geometric basalt stones, feels like something sculpted by imagination rather than geology. What makes these places so compelling is their accessibility. You can easily combine world-class golf in places like Lahinch, Waterville, or Portrush with days spent exploring extraordinary scenery. Each region has its own identity—Connemara’s quiet wilderness, the Dingle Peninsula’s rolling coastal hills, and Northern Ireland’s rugged cliffs all offer unforgettable stops. Exploring Ireland’s natural wonders adds balance to your journey, blending the focus of golf with the restorative beauty of wide-open landscapes. These scenic experiences create some of the most vivid memories of any trip.

So, Scotland or Ireland—Which Is Best?

There is simply no definitive answer. Scotland offers heritage, tradition, and the world’s most iconic links. Ireland delivers awe-inspiring landscapes, heartfelt hospitality, and courses that feel carved from nature’s own design. Both countries provide extraordinary golf, remarkable scenery, and cultural experiences that enrich every day of travel. Rather than choosing one over the other, embrace the idea of experiencing both. Each trip offers something different, something meaningful, and something unforgettable. At Tweddell Golf Travel, we believe your golfing story deserves chapters in both Scotland and Ireland—and we’d be delighted to help you craft each one.

Here are two of featured itineraries for both and you can decide!

Open Championship Venues in Scotland

Dublin & Northern Ireland Golf Experience