3 Tips for Your Next Scottish Golf Trip

Help make your next Scottish golf trip a truly memorable one by keeping these three simple tips in mind.

1. Stay in Town and Drink with the Locals

Coming to Scotland is as much about the people you meet as the golf you play. For your accommodation try to book up in the town at whatever level of accommodation your budget allows. It’s here you can drink with the locals, talk golf, and experience first-hand what we mean when we say:

“golf is in our culture.”

The finer elements of Scotland’s golfing culture are as equally rewarding when basing yourself in town. The senior gents talking golf over coffee, the junior kids walking to the course, or the Golden Labrador out golfing with its owner before the sun goes down.

Examples of great golf towns are Dornoch, St Andrews, North Berwick, and Troon.

2. Save on Caddies – Just Ask for One!

A caddie on these courses definitely adds to your experience so try to guarantee one caddie for the group.

Without a caddy pool onsite and based in rural locations, the majority of courses struggle to fulfil their caddy requests. With the exception of some, caddying is a side job for the members who are either retired or students. Needless to say, the likelihood of you getting one on the day you play without requesting one prior to your round is almost none.

Plan ahead and ask for a “fore-caddie.” The role of this single caddy is to offer advice to all players in the group while reading putts, pulling the pin and offering lines off the tee. Take a pull cart and enjoy the walk. Fore-caddie fees usually start at £20 per player plus gratuity.

3. Don’t take on Scotland – You Will Lose

The first time visitor typically sees Scotland’s landmass (similar in size to the State of Maine) and attempts to take on his entire bucket list in one trip. What he or she soon discovers is that Scotland’s road network, while very good, doesn’t always take you to the tips of the island where the links courses reside. The advice is therefore to focus on two of these destinations for a single trip (see map below). Each region will have a bucket list course together with a host of other great courses nearby.

With less driving you will leave yourself more time to play golf, and once you golf in Scotland you’ll be chomping at the bit to get back. Luckily for you, you’ll still have three regions left to visit!