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Golf in Scotland 2026

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DavidLeightonReid

DavidLeightonReid

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I am accompanying 3 other golfers on a golf trip to Scotland in July. This is definitely a bucket list trip for me and I am super excited about crossing the pond to play golf. Our current itinerary has us playing 10 consecutive days at Fortrose & Rosemarkie, Royal Dornach, the New Course at St. Andrews, Anstruther, Crail, Leven, Gullane, Kilspindie, and Glen. We are hoping to be selected in the daily lottery for the Old Course. For those of you that have played golf in Scotland, what are some things you would recommend to a person making their first trip?
 
Sorry, can't help on this one, but have fun, man
 
Get some good rain gear! And just have a great time.
 
I’ll be there after you - late August. Following 😀
 
That's awesome! I think you'll have an amazing trip.

We are headed there in 2027. Just a few things that I can offer based on planning our trip...on the Old Course - the odds of getting picked in the lottery for a single are usually decent. Nearly impossible to score a foursome, so if your group is ok with splitting up. Second, we have Cruden Bay and Kingsbarns on our list of course we are planning to play. If you haven't locked down all your courses yet, these might be worth looking at. Both in reasonable distance from St. Andrews.
 
Take an extra pair of shoes if you're playing that much.
I second Cruden Bay, incredible course. While up in Dornach area head 20 minutes north and play Golspie. Inexpensive, and a fun track.
 
Comfy shoes as I walked a lot of rounds
Rain gear that actually works. 💰
Layers as you dont know what you are gonna get
Walk now, walk around neighborhood. Get ready
 
rough dweller said:
That's awesome! I think you'll have an amazing trip.

We are headed there in 2027. Just a few things that I can offer based on planning our trip...on the Old Course - the odds of getting picked in the lottery for a single are usually decent. Nearly impossible to score a foursome, so if your group is ok with splitting up. Second, we have Cruden Bay and Kingsbarns on our list of course we are planning to play. If you haven't locked down all your courses yet, these might be worth looking at. Both in reasonable distance from St. Andrews.
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Thank you for your input, rough dweller!
 
El Rayo X said:
Take an extra pair of shoes if you're playing that much.
I second Cruden Bay, incredible course. While up in Dornach area head 20 minutes north and play Golspie. Inexpensive, and a fun track.
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Thanks El Rayo X!
 
echico said:
Comfy shoes as I walked a lot of rounds
Rain gear that actually works. 💰
Layers as you dont know what you are gonna get
Walk now, walk around neighborhood. Get ready
Click to expand...
Thank you, echico!
 
I'm going for 16 days in September, and playing 10 of them. It'll be my first time, but we're good friends with 2 Scottish pros and a caddie from Turnberry. They say to prepare for wind and cold, but also prepare for slow greens compared to what we're used to.

I was also surprised to learn that the caddies at some of the better courses are getting £100-£150 per loop. If that's true, I need to ramp up what I'm planning on saving for the trip! Plus, £1 = $1.34, so that isn't helping either...
 
Rain gear is critical as are really good walking shoes, not just for golf. If you are in Edinburgh and looking for non-golf things to do there is something called the Old Towne food and drink tour. well worth it. The underground ghost tour in Edinburgh scared the daylights out of my wife. It is also in Old Towne. There are few Scotch whiskey tours, just Google them. I'll be in Scotland in April, my wife is from Ireland and we make the trip up to Scotland just about every year.
 
DavidLeightonReid said:
I am accompanying 3 other golfers on a golf trip to Scotland in July. This is definitely a bucket list trip for me and I am super excited about crossing the pond to play golf. Our current itinerary has us playing 10 consecutive days at Fortrose & Rosemarkie, Royal Dornach, the New Course at St. Andrews, Anstruther, Crail, Leven, Gullane, Kilspindie, and Glen. We are hoping to be selected in the daily lottery for the Old Course. For those of you that have played golf in Scotland, what are some things you would recommend to a person making their first trip?
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Happy to assist - wife and I were visited last year for 12 days. What exactly are you looking for tips on? Happy to share my itinerary bc I visited some of those same places.
 
ChrisATL said:
Happy to assist - wife and I were visited last year for 12 days. What exactly are you looking for tips on? Happy to share my itinerary bc I visited some of those same places.
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Thanks Chris. I am just curious for any advice you would have for a first time visitor. The gentleman organizing our trip has played golf in Scotland several times, but this is all new to me.
 
DavidLeightonReid said:
Thanks Chris. I am just curious for any advice you would have for a first time visitor. The gentleman organizing our trip has played golf in Scotland several times, but this is all new to me.
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Will type up some advice / thoughts shorty! Pumped for you!!!
 
Rain and winter gloves (big fan of Mizuno RainFits and ThermaGrips), as well as a few extra of your regular glove. With that much walking, I’d take some blister bands.

I was there in August, 2025 and really want to go back.

Have fun and post some pics who you have the chance!
 
My list:
Rain Gear (Best you can afford) including a waterproof hat that stays on in the wind
Extra shoes
Wool Socks
Put ziplock bags in your golf bag to keep items dry
Trip to the Dunvegan
 
DavidLeightonReid said:
I am accompanying 3 other golfers on a golf trip to Scotland in July. This is definitely a bucket list trip for me and I am super excited about crossing the pond to play golf. Our current itinerary has us playing 10 consecutive days at Fortrose & Rosemarkie, Royal Dornach, the New Course at St. Andrews, Anstruther, Crail, Leven, Gullane, Kilspindie, and Glen. We are hoping to be selected in the daily lottery for the Old Course. For those of you that have played golf in Scotland, what are some things you would recommend to a person making their first trip?
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Wow, what an amazing trip. The online lottery for the Old course makes it so much easier over sleeping by the starter. :) It's not on your list, but I loved North Berwick. It is a fun unique course if you get a cancellation, and are looking to find a course. If you can get on.
 
Never golfed there but it’s definitely on my bucket list to go back but Scotland was one of the best countries I visited. The people are super friendly and the food and Guinness are superb as well as the scotch. Edinburgh was a blast! As others have said definitely have some rain gear just in case. Have a great trip!
 
Never been. But have fun!
 
DavidLeightonReid said:
I am accompanying 3 other golfers on a golf trip to Scotland in July. This is definitely a bucket list trip for me and I am super excited about crossing the pond to play golf. Our current itinerary has us playing 10 consecutive days at Fortrose & Rosemarkie, Royal Dornach, the New Course at St. Andrews, Anstruther, Crail, Leven, Gullane, Kilspindie, and Glen. We are hoping to be selected in the daily lottery for the Old Course. For those of you that have played golf in Scotland, what are some things you would recommend to a person making their first trip?
Click to expand...
Check for 36 hole or replay rates beforehand. Crail, for example had a killer deal to play both on the same day for something like $125 when I went 3 years ago. I’ll think of more. I wish I had packed more golf into the trip.
 
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