Arranging your golf trip to Scotland

Playing golf in Scotland is an experience unlike any other, a pilgrimage to the birthplace of the game. With its rolling landscapes, historical significance, and legendary courses, Scotland offers golfers a chance to walk in the footsteps of champions. Here, the blend of tradition, natural beauty, and the challenge of the courses creates a compelling destination for any golfer. However, planning such a trip can be complex, making it beneficial to book through a tour operator.

Scotland is home to some of the most iconic golf courses in the world, including St. Andrews, known as the "Home of Golf." Playing the Old Course at St. Andrews, with its centuries-old history and the famous Swilcan Bridge, is a bucket-list experience for any golfer. Other notable courses include Royal Dornoch, Turnberry, and Muirfield, each offering unique challenges and stunning scenery. The diversity of the courses means you can experience links golf, parkland courses, and everything in between, each with its own quirks and intricacies.

The landscape itself adds to the allure. Scotland’s rugged coastlines, rolling dunes, and lush greenery create a picturesque backdrop for the game. The weather, often unpredictable, adds another layer of challenge and authenticity, with wind and rain often becoming part of the experience. This variability requires adaptability and skill, enhancing the overall thrill of the game.

Booking your golf trip through a tour operator has several advantages. Firstly, tour operators have extensive local knowledge and can provide insider tips and recommendations. They understand the nuances of each course, the best times to play, and how to navigate booking systems that can be complex for outsiders. Their expertise ensures that you secure tee times at the most sought-after courses, which can be difficult due to high demand and specific booking windows.

Tour operators also offer comprehensive packages that include accommodation, transportation, and sometimes even dining arrangements. This all-inclusive approach simplifies the planning process and allows you to focus solely on enjoying your golf. Staying in charming local hotels or luxurious resorts adds to the overall experience, with many accommodations offering stunning views and top-notch amenities.

Transportation is another critical aspect where tour operators excel. They arrange for convenient transfers between courses, accommodations, and other points of interest, which is particularly valuable given Scotland’s sometimes remote and spread-out locations. This seamless coordination ensures you spend less time worrying about logistics and more time on the fairways.

Additionally, tour operators often provide added value through exclusive access to courses or events, enhanced experiences like guided tours of golf museums, whisky tastings, or historical site visits, and the comfort of having a point of contact for any issues or special requests. These bespoke services can transform a standard trip into a truly memorable adventure.

In summary, playing golf in Scotland offers a unique blend of tradition, challenge, and beauty that every golfer should experience. The rich history, iconic courses, and breathtaking landscapes make it a dream destination. Booking through a tour operator enhances this experience by providing expert knowledge, convenience, and exclusive opportunities, ensuring that your golf pilgrimage is as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. Whether you're navigating the ancient fairways of St. Andrews or discovering hidden gems along the coast, a well-organized tour can make your Scottish golf adventure truly unforgettable.

Golf Cruise Shore Excursions

Introduction:

The cruise business is currently experiencing an extraordinary growth period after years in the doldrums, when during COVID 19 the majority of cruise ships were mothballed, and unable to operate.

However, the bounce back has been immediate and recent years have been some of the best on record and with good reason. What better way to see the world with top class accommodation, food and service on most cruise lines coming as standard.

The round Britain Cruise itinerary has become a firm favourite and is now featured by most major cruise lines including P & O Cruises, Fred Olsen Lines, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas and Silversea to mention just a few. The majority will have port days in the itinerary in Edinburgh Glasgow and Aberdeen.

While life aboard these floating hotels is wonderful, keen golfers visiting Scotland, the acknowledged Home of Golf, will feel they have missed out on a great opportunity to experience golf on the links where it has been played for more than 400 years. Our golf cruise excursions in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen are the answer and so easy to organise. Play private clubs, some of which are amongst the oldest links anywhere in the world.

So how do you organise a golf cruise excursion in Scotland?

1)        Contact us with your date in port, ship name, cruise port and timings of disembarkation and embarkation. Ideally you will need a minimum of 9 hours in port.

2)        We will reply promptly with suggested courses to play with suitable tee times available, prices and information on what’s included.

3)        Once you have decided on the course, we will ask you for the club types you require (right/left hand, ladies, men’s, shaft type – senior, regular, stiff) and a contact cell number.

4)        Transport is typically in 6-seater V Class Mercedes, and you will be met on the quayside by your uniformed driver.  

5)        Everything you will need for your golf cruise excursion is included (except golf shoes and glove): so club hire, a sleeve of balls , manual trolley and where available a token to warm up on the practice range is even included.

6)        Your confirmation will be sent for payment online by any major credit or debit card and a detailed itinerary sent 4 weeks prior to your date of play.

Contact us for golf cruise excursions in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen or for bespoke golf trips in Scotland.   https://www.gbgolftrip.com/cruise-excursions

Welcome to GB Golf

A warm welcome to GB Golf, a long-established DMC (destination management company) specialising in golf and UK golf excursions and longer trips.

The range of services we offer extends from hotel bookings – simple B & Bs to 5-star resorts, reserved tee times, caddie services, dinners, day excursions from cruise ships to formal gala dinners for small and large groups alike, not to mention private distillery visits, local guides, and attractions.

Golf courses in Scotland are renowned worldwide, with more links courses than anywhere else in the world, it is home to more than a third of the total links courses worldwide estimated at 247 by the Links Association.

The cost of golf in Scotland is as varied as the courses available for visitors, a local course where golfers deposit their green fee in an “honesty box” can be as little as £10 while championship courses such as St Andrews Old Course, Kingsbarns, Turnberry and Carnoustie green fees can run to in excess of £300-£450.

Our cruise excursion programme is popular with cruise passengers arriving at Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen.

Most cruise passengers wishing to enjoy a golf excursion are short on time, so we pick guests up from their ship, typically around 8 am and after 18 holes and some relaxation after golf they are returned to their cruise ship by 5 pm. Club hire, balls and trolleys are all included and we even through in a sleeve of balls to get you off the first tee.

From Edinburgh play the courses of the Lothians, great links that line the coast from Royal Musselburgh to Dunbar, within the city and within striking distance you will find nearly 50 courses to choose from. This is why we call it Scotland Golf Coast.

Arriving in Glasgow (Greenock), world class courses such as Royal Troon, Turnberry Ailsa and Old Prestwick are less than a one-hour drive.

Aberdeen is a lesser-known golf mecca, but your Scottish golf excursion can take you to Royal Aberdeen, Murcar Links or the breath-taking Cruden Bay, a firm favourite amongst those who know Scottish golf.

If you are looking for a longer golf break, we can help you plan your route with an escorted driver or self-drive for maximum flexibility.