Top 10 Tips For Your Scotland Golf Tour

 

The birthplace of golf beckons! You’ve scored a dream tour teeing off on legendary Scottish courses. But before you pack your clubs and tartan trousers (optional, but encouraged!), good preparation can ensure your trip is a success. Here are the top 10 tips for your Scotland golf tour:

TIP 1: Plan Your Tour WELL in Advance

By far, the most important tip of the top 10 ten tips for your Scotland golf tour is to PLAN well in advance! Popular courses get booked up quickly, especially during peak season. We’re generally booking a year to two years in advance for tee times and the best hotels.  For courses like St. Andrews Old Course and Muirfield, you should assume this will be closer to the two-year mark.  The larger your group size, the more lead time you will need to plan a good tour.

If your desired timeline is shorter than the optimal times mentioned, do not fear!  Scotland has so many amazing courses, many of which are off the beaten path and not often included in the standard tours.  A few of my favorites are Brora Golf Club and Nairn Golf Club in the Highlands and Lundin Links,  just 20 minutes from St. Andrews.

TIP 2: Establish a Group Leader

This is especially important for larger groups.  We will handle your tour details but choosing one person to handle communication with our tour consultants can make things much easier for everyone involved.

TIP 3: Leave Time to Explore Beyond the Fairway

With so many amazing golf courses throughout Scotland, it is often tempting to want to play them all!  I strongly recommend resisting this temptation and building time into the schedule to take in Scotland’s breathtaking scenery, historic castles, and charming towns.   While our guests come for the golf, we believe it’s the people they meet, the sights they see and the foods/drinks of the local culture that make the tour a memorable experience!

Check out some of our curated itineraries for ideas on how to weave the Scotland experience into your tour.  Perhaps a day on a private yacht sailing the Western Isles exploring sun-drenched cliffs and hidden coves as you would on day five of our Ayrshire Coast Tour.  Or a private helicopter experience to a remote hilltop gourmet feast as you take in the panoramic views over Fife, the experience you would have on day 3 of the Open Venue Tour.

TIP 4: Master the Links Terrain

Scotland’s courses are famous for their links style – think rolling fairways, pot bunkers, and ever-present coastal winds. Brush up on your bump-and-run shots and practice strategizing for wind gusts.  For those of you who love to c

hip with your 60-degree wedge, the tight lies and firm soil will give you fits. On a trip to Kingsbarns, my son’s caddie handed him a putter when he asked for his 60-degree.  Of course, he had toprove the caddie wrong and went with his trusty wedge.  After chunking it 3 feet, he conceded and went with the putter!

There are some things though you just can’t prepare for like the coffin bunker on Muirfield’s 17th hole as one of our tour guests found out on a recent trip.

Another of our guests had a bit more luck from the beach at Kingsbarns as he knocked it on the green and made par on the par 5 12th hole.

Tip 5: Brush Up on Etiquette

Golf in Scotland has a rich tradition and a certain level of etiquette is expected. Familiarize yourself with the proper pace of play, repairing divots and pitch marks, and appropriate attire in the clubhouse.

Tip 6: Consider Using a Caddy

Local knowledge is priceless on Scottish courses. A caddy can be your secret weapon, offering insights into course strategy, wind direction, and even the occasional historical tidbit.

For me though, it goes beyond the course knowledge.  Caddies in Scotland bring so much to the entire experience.  First of all, their witty humor is legendary!  More than anything though, their knowledge goes well beyond the course.  I’ve found there’s no better way to learn about Scottish culture than to spend four hours chatting with my caddie.

Tip 7: Pack For The Elements

The saying goes, “There’s no bad weather, just bad clothing.” Be prepared for anything and often everything…in one day!  You may be lucky and avoid rain but the odds are at least one day it will be “blowing a hooly”.

Pack waterproofs – jacket, pants, and a hat – plus layers for fluctuating temperatures.  Bring multiple golf gloves including a pair of rain gloves which will often prove to be a good investment!  One tip I received years ago was to bring a couple of pairs of golf shoes, especially if you plan on playing multiple rounds in a day.  A quick shoe change after the first round does wonders for the feet in round two!

Tip 8: Purchase Travel Insurance

Black Sheep Golf Tours recommends that our clients secure comprehensive travel insurance for a worry-free experience.  Golf tours involve substantial upfront financial investments, including tee times, accommodation, and flight arrangements. Travel insurance provides financial protection in case of unexpected events, such as trip cancellations, delays, or medical emergencies and ensures you are covered for non-refundable expenses, offering peace of mind and safeguarding your investment.

There are several insurance carriers to choose from but two in particular have been popular with our clients, Travel Insured International and Travelers Med.  These companies offer personalized policies and are highly recommended.  Black Sheep Golf Tours has no relationship with any carrier and only provides recommendations for your convenience.  To secure a policy, please reach out to them directly for assistance.

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Tip 9: Pre-Ship Your Clubs

It’s very hard to have a successful Scotland golf trip without clubs! One of the mysteries of travel is why airlines have so much trouble getting golf clubs to the correct destination; it’s a little hard to enjoy a golf tour without clubs.  Unfortunately, I can attest to this from personal experience.  The good news is there’s a simple solution to this problem…pre-shipping your clubs.  Not only does this make the actual travel process easier, not having to lug your clubs around as you travel, it ensures your clubs will be available on day one of the tour when you need them.

There are a few options to get this accomplished.  The one we recommend is Ship Sticks.  Ship Sticks gives you a cost-effective, risk-free club shipping experience.  By shipping your clubs with Ship Sticks, your clubs will be waiting for you when you arrive at your destination.

 

Tip10: Pack Your Enthusiasm!

Most importantly, pack your love for the game! Scotland offers an unforgettable golfing experience. Embrace the challenge, the scenery, and the camaraderie – you’re in for a truly magnificent adventure.

 

With these tips in tow, you’re well on your way to conquering the fairways of Scotland. Now go forth, and make some unforgettable golfing memories.