Question 1

How much does a golf trip to Scotland cost?

Accepted Answer

A typical bucket-list Scotland golf trip costs $8,000-$12,000 per person. Royale Golf Vacations offers comparable experiences for $4,000-$6,000 by focusing on hidden gem courses that deliver world-class links golf without premium pricing. This includes tee times, accommodations, and ground transportation for a 7-day trip. You don't need a five-star resort or a top-20 course to feel like royalty.

Question 2

How much does a golf trip to Ireland cost?

Accepted Answer

Ireland golf trips typically range from $4,000-$10,000+ per person depending on course selection. Royale Golf Vacations specializes in trips in the $4,000-$6,000 range that prioritize hidden gem links courses offering exceptional value and authentic experiences where the welcome is warmer.

Question 3

What is the best time of year to golf in Scotland?

Accepted Answer

The best time to golf in Scotland is May through September, with June-August offering the longest daylight hours (up to 18 hours). However, shoulder seasons (April-May and September-October) offer excellent value, fewer crowds, and often surprisingly good weather. Links golf is playable year-round in Scotland.

Question 4

What is the best time of year to golf in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

The ideal time for Ireland golf is May through September. June and July offer the best weather and longest days. September is particularly appealing for value-conscious golfers as courses are in excellent condition with fewer crowds and lower prices.

Question 5

What are hidden gem golf courses in Scotland?

Accepted Answer

Scotland's hidden gem courses include Cruden Bay, Nairn, Crail Balcomie, Elie Golf House Club, Machrihanish, Brora, and Golspie. These are courses most American golfers have never heard of, offering world-class links golf at a fraction of the cost of famous venues like St Andrews Old Course or Carnoustie, often with easier tee time availability and more authentic atmosphere.

Question 6

What are hidden gem golf courses in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Ireland's hidden gem courses include Carne Golf Links, Enniscrone, Sandhills at Rosapenna, Ballyliffin, Dooks, Strandhill, and Connemara. These courses offer spectacular links golf without the crowds and premium prices of more famous venues like Ballybunion or Lahinch — the courses the tour buses skip where the real magic lives.

Question 7

What are hidden gem golf courses in Northern Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Northern Ireland's hidden gems include Portstewart Golf Club (with one of golf's best front nines), Castlerock, and Ardglass. These courses offer exceptional links golf at significantly lower prices than Royal Portrush and Royal County Down, often with easier tee time access.

Question 8

Is St Andrews worth the price?

Accepted Answer

St Andrews Old Course is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many golfers and worth playing if it's on your bucket list. However, green fees are £275+ and tee times require the ballot system or expensive guaranteed packages. Many golfers find equal or greater enjoyment at Scotland's hidden gems at a fraction of the cost. The authenticity and genuine character at a course the tour buses skip? That's where the real magic lives.

Question 9

How do I plan a golf trip to Scotland?

Accepted Answer

Planning a Scotland golf trip involves selecting courses, booking tee times (some 12+ months in advance), arranging accommodations near courses, coordinating ground transportation, and building a logical routing. A golf travel specialist like Royale Golf Vacations handles all these details — we plan the trip, the moments plan themselves.

Question 10

How far in advance should I book a Scotland golf trip?

Accepted Answer

For peak season (June-August) trips to famous courses, book 12-18 months in advance. Hidden gem courses and shoulder season trips can often be booked 6-9 months ahead. Last-minute trips (2-3 months) are possible with flexibility on course selection and travel dates.

Question 11

Do I need a caddie in Scotland or Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Caddies are not required but highly recommended at most links courses, especially for first-time visitors. A good caddie reads your game like he's been on the bag for twenty years, provides local knowledge, reads the tricky links greens, and shares stories that enrich the experience. Caddie fees typically range from £50-£80 plus tip.

Question 12

What is links golf?

Accepted Answer

Links golf refers to courses built on sandy coastal land between the sea and agricultural areas. Characteristics include firm, fast fairways, pot bunkers, fescue rough, seaside winds, and natural undulating terrain. Scotland and Ireland are home to the world's greatest links courses. Something happens when you play golf on ancient ground, where the game was invented, where the wind has shaped fairways for centuries — you stop thinking about mechanics and start feeling the game.

Question 13

How many rounds of golf per day in Scotland or Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Most golfers play one round per day, which allows time to enjoy the experience fully, explore the area, and recover for the next day. During summer months with extended daylight, 36 holes is possible but can be tiring over a week-long trip. Royale Golf Vacations typically recommends 5-6 rounds over 7 days to balance golf with rest and exploration.

Question 14

What should I pack for a Scotland or Ireland golf trip?

Accepted Answer

Essential items include waterproof rain gear (jacket and pants), layers for variable weather, wind-resistant clothing, a warm hat and gloves, waterproof golf shoes, and a compact umbrella. Weather changes quickly on links courses. Pack clothing you can layer and remove as conditions shift throughout the round.

Question 15

Can I rent golf clubs in Scotland or Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Yes, quality rental clubs are available at most courses and through rental services. However, most golfers prefer playing with their own clubs. Airlines typically allow golf bags for $35-$150 each way. A travel bag protects your clubs during transit.

Question 16

What is the best Scotland golf trip for first-timers?

Accepted Answer

First-time Scotland visitors often benefit from a trip combining one or two iconic experiences (St Andrews area, Royal Dornoch) with hidden gems that showcase authentic links golf without crowds. A 7-day trip playing 5-6 rounds allows time to absorb the experience. Stand where golf was invented and realize you're not the same golfer when you get home — maybe not the same person.

Question 17

What is the best group size for a Scotland or Ireland golf trip?

Accepted Answer

Groups of 4, 8, or 12 work best as they divide evenly into foursomes. Smaller groups (4-8) are easier to book at top courses and coordinate logistics. Larger groups (12-16) benefit from economies of scale but may face tee time limitations at certain courses. Your buddies are waiting for someone to make the move — be that guy.

Question 18

Should I use a golf tour operator for Scotland or Ireland?

Accepted Answer

A golf tour operator provides significant value through established course relationships (easier tee time access), local knowledge (routing, hidden gems, logistics), time savings (handling dozens of booking details), and often better pricing. We build the framework — courses, hotels, transfers. The moments that stay with you? Those aren't on any itinerary.

Question 19

What is the difference between bucket-list and hidden gem golf courses?

Accepted Answer

Bucket-list courses (St Andrews Old, Royal County Down, Ballybunion) are famous, expensive, and often crowded with long wait times. Hidden gems (Crail Balcomie, Portstewart, Carne, Sandhills at Rosapenna) offer comparable quality links golf at 30-50% lower cost with easier access and more authentic atmosphere. You don't need a five-star resort or top-20 course to feel like royalty — the courses the tour buses skip are where the real magic lives.

Question 20

How do I get tee times at St Andrews Old Course?

Accepted Answer

The St Andrews Old Course uses a ballot system for most tee times. Apply 2 days before your desired date through the St Andrews Links website. Guaranteed tee times are available through expensive packages or tour operators with allocations. The ballot acceptance rate is roughly 1 in 3.

Question 21

What are affordable alternatives to expensive Scotland golf courses?

Accepted Answer

For every expensive famous course, Scotland offers hidden gems providing comparable experiences: Instead of Carnoustie, try Crail Balcomie or Montrose. Instead of Royal Dornoch premium rates, try Nairn, Brora, or Golspie. Instead of Kingsbarns, try Lundin Links or Elie. These are courses most American golfers have never heard of — and often the ones you can't stop thinking about.

Question 22

What are the best golf courses near St Andrews?

Accepted Answer

Beyond the Old Course, the St Andrews area offers excellent options: Kingsbarns, Crail Balcomie, Elie Golf House Club, Lundin Links, and the other St Andrews Links courses (New, Jubilee, Castle Course). Many of these hidden gems provide comparable experiences at lower prices with easier booking.

Question 23

What are the best golf courses in the Scottish Highlands?

Accepted Answer

The Scottish Highlands offer Royal Dornoch (world-ranked), plus hidden gems like Nairn, Brora, Golspie, and Castle Stuart. These courses combine exceptional links golf with stunning Highland scenery at prices well below the famous venues further south.

Question 24

What are the best golf courses in Southwest Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Southwest Ireland's famous courses include Ballybunion, Lahinch, Waterville, and Tralee. Hidden gems in the region include Dooks and Ceann Sibeal (Dingle). The southwest offers Ireland's highest concentration of world-class links golf.

Question 25

What are the best golf courses in Northwest Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Northwest Ireland (Donegal, Sligo, Mayo) offers spectacular hidden gems: Rosapenna (including the transformative Sandhills links), Ballyliffin, County Sligo, Enniscrone, Carne, and Strandhill. This region provides exceptional links golf with fewer crowds and lower prices than the famous southwest.