The most popular courses in Ireland are on the west coast or in the North. Make sure you have plenty of time for the Guinness tour. St. Andrew's should be booked for May but you can check on your chances of walking on as a single. There are plenty of options within 60 miles of Edinburgh. In either country, just note rentals are driven on the left side of the road. St. Andrew's and other popular courses often do require an official handicap. Verify any restrictions.

I've nothing to contribute but my enviousness. So go out there and have a blast- make the best of each day and you be sure to marry your keeper girl and not to forget a big rock on her finger.

Best.

You should play Dunbar golf club it's 5 miles east of North Berwick but is a far better course it just dosnt have the same history. Hope you enjoy your trip

Enjoy your trip! Not sure you will get rental clubs at either the Old Course or Kingsbarns as I have never seen any at either place. I have not played Berwick so I can't give you any info.

Kingsbarns is a great track, lots of elevation change. Not your typical links course. The Ladies Open is being played there this summer. It is also pretty easy to get tee times.

The best bet as a single for the Old Course is to enter the lottery the day before you wish to play. You can also show up and register with the starter the morning (like at 5 AM!) you want to play and he will try to fit you in. You could wait quite a few hours but they try to fill every tee spot. Take a caddie!

Rental cars are pretty much all manual transmission, although you can get an auto if you reserve it early enough and pay the premium. Driving is on the left, takes a bit of getting used to but as long as you pay attention it isn't bad. Mind the round-abouts! Kingsbarns/St Andrews is about 90 minutes from Edinburgh, if you don't get lost.

Good for you!!!

One of my neighbors has been to Ireland a few times and he's never had a bad experience playing there. And I've heard from other people that have played both that Ireland is just as nice as Scotland and cheaper... However, I like this thread and curious to see what other people say....

Have a great trip!

Hi Chris,
I only know courses in Scotland, never played Ireland.

Depends where you are staying and how much travelling you wish to do. Lots a great courses along Clyde valley, like the Carrick and down into Ayrshire for Championship links or East Coast from Dundee, like Carnoustie all the way up to Aberdeen for Trumps course. Highlands around Inverness for Castle Stuart.

Way too many to pick from. Better to find a base area and look on web for courses.

Enjoy your trip when it comes.

Stu

I was fortunate enough to play North Berwick on my trip to Scotland in 2007. And to this day, my round there was the most "magical" round of my life. Hard to describe, but a round I'll never forget.

Hey, If you are going for a trip to remember 36 in Scotland in St. Andrews and Old Course and Kingsbarns. As for Ireland Old Head, Waterville and Tralee would be options......

I have to agree with Eric about Old Head, Waterville and Tralee, they were awesome. I played them last summer along with others (BallyBunnion, Dooks, Dingle) and those three (Old Head, Waterville and Tralee) were my favorites. Also really enjoyed Killarney. I have not played in Scotland yet, but hopefully that trip is next!

I agree with Eric. I played Old Head, Waterville and Tralee along with Dooks, Dingle and Ballybunnion last summer and Old Head, Waterville and Tralee were my favorite. Killarney was alot of fun too. Enjoy your trip I don't think you can go wrong with any choice!

Additionally, you might want to inquire about appliance voltage such as for your phone battery charging. It isn't golf, but you might want to prepare for that detail, but I'm sure it will add to your travel & leisure pleasures.

Good luck.

Hey there, I'm a scot living in Canada. You got to remember that Scotland is not a big place - the west coast is only 1.5 hrs from Edinburgh. There are so many great courses there that you will never have heard of. Aside from the big ones (Turnberry, Troon, Prestwick, etc) there are some beauties for a fraction of the price (Dundonald Links, Prestwick St Nicholas, Western Gailes). Feel free to give me a message if you want to know more!

Also - Kingsbarns is pricey, but I think worth the money. Rare to play a true links course with a modern layout.

I've made this trip multiple times and played in/around Dublin and Edinburgh. Many of the suggestion you seen are spot on. North Berwick is a great course and a can't go wrong option. Secondly, being in St. Andrews is a bucket list item. Do the lottery to try and get your spot on the Old Course. If you can spend a Sunday afternoon there, try the lottery for a Monday tee time, The Old Course is closed Sunday, but you can walk the course, take picture, and savor the moment. Play the Himalayas putting course and walk the town. There are plenty of shops to rent clubs in town. Kingsbarns is nice and a great track, but expensive enough. If it were me, I'd go all out for the Old and add North Berwick.

And yes, caddies are a must to really enjoy your first rounds,

Try and get Lundin Golf Club in if you can. They had the best greens out of the five courses we played. Old Course definitely and get a caddie. If you are a decent golfer at all I would suggest you take your own clubs with you.

Thank you all very much for the advice and recommendations! I locked up a tee time for Carnoustie in the afternoon and will attempt to get a walk-up spot for the Old Course at St. Andrews that morning. I am beyond excited for what could be an epic day of golf. Thanks again for sharing and wish me luck!

Loads of great course around Dublin....too many to choose from. You could try Portmarnock, Royal Dublin, Sutton GC, The Island etc which would be links

There are also loads of parkland courses on the inland side of Dublin. All are easy to get to and likely to be less expensive than Scotland.

Enjoy your stay