Your Custom-Designed Golf Holiday in Scotland
Here’s What to Expect and How to Prepare
Scottish Golf at a Glance
A golf holiday in Scotland is defined by historic links courses, walking the fairways and playing in ever-changing coastal conditions. Our custom-designed golf holidays combine iconic Open Championship venues with lesser-known links, expert local knowledge, seamless logistics and carefully selected accommodation. Each itinerary is built around your ability, interests and travel style, so you experience Scottish golf exactly as it should be played.
Many of our golfing guests choose to combine their time on the links with other classic Scottish country pursuits. It is easy to add a day or two of:
These can be included as a rest day between rounds or as part of a wider sporting journey
These combinations work particularly well for couples or groups with mixed interests
What Is Links Golf ?
Scottish golf is defined by its links courses, shaped over centuries by wind, sand, and coastal terrain. Famous Open Championship venues such as The Old Course at St Andrews, Muirfield, and Carnoustie sit alongside revered links including Royal Dornoch, Troon, Prestwick and Turnberry.
Scotland is also home to exceptional lesser‑known courses, often described as hidden gems, such as Cruden Bay, Brora, Nairn and Crail’s Balcomie Links. These courses deliver an authentic and often more relaxed links experience without compromising on quality.
Links golf is the original expression of the game. Built on sandy coastal land with natural dunes, firm running turf, and very few trees, links courses reward creativity and ground play. Successful golf here relies on imagination, controlled ball flight, and thoughtful shot selection rather than purely aerial play.
Do I Need an Official Handicap
In most cases, an official handicap certificate is not required. However, some Championship links courses do impose maximum handicap limits and may ask visiting golfers to produce proof of handicap.
This helps protect both safety and pace of play.
We therefore recommend bringing a copy of your handicap certificate with you, even if it is not requested in advance.
Walking the Course and Golf Carts
Walking the course is standard practice in Scotland:
- All courses provide pull trolleys
- Most also offer electric trolleys for hire
- Ride‑on carts are less common and typically reserved for players with medical or mobility needs
- Where carts are available, courses may require a medical certificate or doctor’s letter
Weather and Playing Conditions
Scottish weather is famously changeable, particularly on coastal links courses where wind plays a central role in how the game is played:
- Play generally continues in light rain and wind
- Proper preparation is essential: warm layers, quality waterproofs, and suitable footwear are strongly recommended
- Most clubs maintain traditional dress codes: jeans, collarless shirts, and trainers are usually not permitted on the course
Golf Clubs, Equipment, and Shipping
Golf club hire is widely available throughout Scotland. If you would like us to arrange rental clubs, please let us know when booking.
If you are travelling with your own clubs, airlines must be notified in advance. We can also assist with shipping your clubs directly from your home or golf club to Scotland and returning them after your trip. All Scottish courses have professional shops where you can rent equipment and purchase essentials, gifts and souvenirs.
Caddies on Scottish Links Courses
Having a local caddy by your side can be of huge benefit, particularly on links courses and in testing conditions. A local caddy will be invaluable in steering you clear of trouble and helping ensure a reasonable pace of play, while adding a great deal to the overall enjoyment of your round.
Preparing for Your Scottish Golf Holiday
Recommended preparation includes:
- Practicing your short game and low running shots
- Bringing a valid handicap certificate
- Carrying a medical letter if a ride‑on cart is required
- Packing warm layers and waterproof clothing
- Arranging transport or shipping for your golf bag
- Letting us know if you would like us to book caddies
Combining Golf with Other Scottish Sporting Experiences
If you are travelling with non‑golfers, or would simply like to experience more of Scotland while you are here, we regularly design itineraries that blend world‑class golf with driven shooting, guided deer stalking, and exclusive fishing on Scotland’s great rivers and lochs. Activities are carefully scheduled to complement your golf rather than compete with it.
Our Approach to Bespoke Sporting Holidays
Golf in Scotland pairs naturally with the country’s wider sporting heritage. Alongside our custom golf holidays, we also specialise in curated shooting, stalking, and fishing experiences throughout Scotland, delivered to the same exacting standards.
If you would like us to create a multi‑activity sporting holiday, we are always happy to advise and build an itinerary around your interests.
Contact Us
Client Reviews
Thanks so much for organizing another super fun adventure
Hi Alex:
Just back from Scotland and our trip was fantastic. The weather was absolutely amazing! Not a cloud in the sky for Saturday’s U of E graduation and you can see Monday’s shoot was beautiful as well. We saw what felt like 1 billion birds and Martin, Colin and the dogs were so great. We fell in love with Dunkeld House and want to go back to catch some of those 30lb Salmon in the River Tay . Thanks so much for organizing another super fun adventure. I hope you have a wonder Christmas and a very prosperous 2026!
Week at Gordon Castle
Our group had a wonderful week at Gordon Castle including fly fishing on the River Spey, distillery tour, golf and hiking. The Castle staff were exceptional. The catering was first class and the activities on the grounds were very memorable. The trip was everything that we had hoped for and the post trip feedback from the participants has been extremely positive.
The best holiday we could have asked for - Everything was perfect!!
I can’t say Thank You enough for the best holiday we could have asked for. Everything was perfect!! The properties were awesome and the hunt was great! We made memories that will carry us through until we come back, which we are already talking about. Thank You!!
Holiday in scotland with Highland stag hunt thrown in!
My wife and I recently returned from holiday in scotland And it was an amazing
experience! Scotland is an amazing place to visit but having our arrangements taken care of down to the smallest details made the trip that much more enjoyable. Alex combined an incredible itenerary with a few days hunting (stalking). A very large storm arrived the day before we did and wreaked some havoc on the west coast, Alex worked tirelessly to reroute and rebook and it was seamless! I cant thank alex enough for making a dream vacation a reality for the wife and myself! he was always a phone call away with help and advise. I dont think just any travel Agency could have provided all the excellent details and wonderful places we stayed like Alex and River and Green! Thank you sir for an unbelievable experience of a lifetime!
Sporting in Style
Thank you Alex for arranging an unforgettable sporting adventure in Scotland. The accommodations were everything we could have hoped for. The people were all first class. The keeper and the dog handlers were wonderful and knowledgeable. It was a joy to hunt over champion setters and the grouse were plentiful. We saw many stags on our stalking day though we were a little early in the roar.
Can’t wait to return!
A perfect few days of sport, scenery, good food and great company!
Hi Alex, just wanted to say thank you for arranging a great grouse shoot and stay for us this week! Young James, the guide for the shoot, was terrific and super nice, the views and experience were amazing, and we saw at least 12-15 birds which was great given how bad the past 2 breeding seasons have been for grouse.
I connected on my first 2 shots, missed 2 other long shot attempts, and passed up shots on several others that flushed farther away than I thought would be an ethical shot. But for me, getting those 2 was just perfect, and the chef was excited to cook them up for us that night, and they were delicious!”
Thanks again for a perfect outing!
Jim
We are already thinking about our next trip back to Scotland
Good morning Alex
I just wanted to thank you for all of the preparation and lining everything up
Everything went smoothly just had to deal with the weather
Neil and Paul were great and knowledgeable
Cheers 🥃
Wishing you all the best
Lew and Cindy
A seamless adventure from start to finish.
Dear Ian and Alex,
I just wanted to reach out and thank you both for organizing our trip to Scotland. Everything turned out absolutely perfect and we enjoyed it immensely. The whole itinerary, the tour flow, and the order of the different sites made complete sense, and it felt like a seamless adventure from start to finish.
The hotels you chose were fantastic—we absolutely loved them. They really added a touch of luxury and comfort to the whole experience.
And of course, the fishing guides—both Angus and Simon—were wonderful. Simon mentioned he’d taken some photos and videos and would be sending them along to you, so if it’s not too much trouble, I’d really appreciate it if you could forward those to me as well.
Thanks again for everything, and I hope we can get in touch in the future to plan another trip!
Best regards,
Jaime
Already planning the next trip to the River Tay
Hi Ian,
Thank you for stopping by and seeing us again, this time at Kinloch. We enjoyed our conversation so very much, especially catching up since the previous year.
I tremendously enjoyed all the beats that you selected for me. And thank you again for going out of your way for taking the time to select the “best of the best” beats.
We might try for a 3rd trip to Scotland in 2026; to land a salmon on the River Tay!
So far, I have been very fortunate to have you, Angus and all the other guides to thank, as well.
Joyce seemed to have a grand time in all the Hotel locations, even exceeding our first time in Scotland. She finds more and more places and people to enjoy during our Scottish vacation.
Having Colin again as our driver, highlighted the entire trip for us both.
Our best regards,
Gary & Joyce
