Ask anyone who has travelled for golf in Scotland, Ireland or England and they’ll tell you the same thing: the magic of a trip isn’t found in a single course or famous name. It’s in the pacing, the company, the towns you linger in, and the choices you make long before your clubs reach the carousel.
After years of helping groups build memorable overseas golf trips, a few principles tend to hold true.
Choose Your Group with Care
The people you travel with shape the whole experience. Some golfers love late nights and a final round at the bar; others prefer a slow dinner and an early bed after 18 holes. There’s no wrong approach, but it helps when everyone shares roughly the same rhythm.
It’s also worth being realistic about group size. Adding a couple of extra players is easy. Trying to fill empty spots at the last moment is rarely enjoyable.
Start Planning Early
If your plans include courses like Royal County Down, the Old Course at St Andrews or Muirfield, it’s wise to begin more than a year in advance. Tee times at the most iconic courses are limited, and demand stays high.
For most other destinations, starting in the spring of the year before travel works well. And if you’re open to alternatives, last-minute trips can occasionally come together surprisingly smoothly.
Don’t Try to Do It All
Many first-time visitors underestimate the distances and overestimate their own stamina. On a map, Scotland looks compact — until you try to cover the north, south, east and west in a single week. The result is usually more time on the road than anyone expected.
The same goes for stacking too many 36-hole days. One or two can be great fun, but a long run of them leaves even the keenest group running on fumes. A little restraint tends to make each course more enjoyable.
Mix the Icons with the Hidden Gems
The headliners are headliners for a reason, but the smaller, member-run clubs often leave the deepest impression. These are the places where you meet locals, see golf as it’s lived day to day, and come home with stories you didn’t expect.
And if you’ve already ticked off the classics, there’s a whole world beyond the familiar routes — from the dramatic coastlines of New Zealand to the sunlit fairways of Spain and Portugal.
Don’t Obsess Over the Weather
Travellers often ask for the “best month” to play golf in the UK or Ireland. The truth is simple: the weather doesn’t follow a script. A glorious April morning can feel like high summer, and a July afternoon can turn brisk without warning.
Packing well matters far more than timing. A few layers, good waterproofs and a willingness to adapt will carry you through just about anything.
Don’t Overpack!
Most golfers overpack their first time. Many end up buying shirts along the way and barely touch half of what they brought. A spare pair of shoes is a must, and even summer mornings can call for a warm layer.
Some travellers now tuck an Apple AirTag or similar into their luggage. It’s a small comfort knowing your clubs have landed before you even reach the carousel.
Make a Few Dinner Reservations — But Leave Room for the Unexpected
Booking a couple of restaurants ahead of time is smart, especially in popular golf towns or if you’re travelling as a large group. Beyond that, it’s worth keeping your evenings open.
Some of the best memories come from chance finds — following a caddie’s suggestion, stumbling into a lively pub, or discovering a place you’d never have chosen from a list.
A great golf trip overseas isn’t complicated, but it does reward a little care. Choose good company, plan just far enough ahead, give yourself room to breathe, and let the local character of each place guide the week. Do that, and the courses will take care of the rest.
