Castle Stuart, the new "must play" on Scotland golf vacations, suffered landslides during its hosting of the Scottish Open. (Photo courtesty of Castle Stuart.)
I normally don’t follow the European Tour too closely, but this past weekend’s Scottish Open was played at Castle Stuart, which Golf Odyssey called in 2009, “the most important course opening in Great Britain and Ireland-and arguably the world.”
Unfortunately, if you tuned in like me, you saw a landslide, and I’m not talking about Luke Donald shooting a nine under par 63 in the final round to rocket him past the rest of the field.
No, there were actual landslides.
The area of Inverness, Scotland got so much rain, some ridges on the course gave way, spilling mud and debris across its fairways and marring what was to be the course’s internationally televised coming out party. Read more →
Recognize this golf course? It's one of the 10 best in the world...and has one of the hardest (but not impossible) tee times to secure
It doesn’t have nearly as much name recognition as the Old Course or say, Troon, but insiders know that Scotland’s Muirfield is one of the 10 best golf courses in the world.
Not ,”best in Scotland,” or “best in the UK and Ireland.” The entire world.
Insiders also know that, for a variety of reasons, a tee time at Muirfield is infinitely harder to obtain than at courses of similar standing.
How hard is it? Well, unless you take advantage of the secret we just uncovered, you may have to wait two years for a chance to play this gem. Read more →
Turnberry's Ailsa Course is part of a group of top-100 courses that is now faster and easier to play.
If you like playing the world’s best golf courses, you’re going to love today’s tip.
That’s because it explains how you can play no fewer than eight of golf’s greats in a single, efficient trip.
Sure, playing these courses together was possible in the past, but a new logistical twist has make it a heck of a lot faster and easier. Read more →
A upcoming change to the daily ballot procedure will likely increase opportunities to play the Old Course at St. Andrews.
You probably didn’t even notice, but when I reminded you about the September 1 deadline to apply for advanced tee times on St. Andrews’ Old Course, I mentioned the Links Trust was considering one very important rule change.
Well, they changed it.
This rule (or a version of it) dates back 116 years, but changing it will increase your chances of playing the Old Course on your Scotland golf vacation (and without paying a penny more than the posted rates). Read more →
Wales golf vacations would get a bigger boost if a links course like Royal Porthcawl (above) was hosting the Ryder Cup.
With worldwide TV coverage this week of Wales hosting the Ryder Cup, the country has a real chance at gaining mindshare among those considering UK and Ireland golf vacations.
Unfortunately, I think they already screwed it up.
Here’s why I think so, and your chance to tell me if you agree or not. Read more →
The Ryder Cup and Celtic Manor's Twenty Ten Course (above) is sure to increase interest in Wales golf vacations.
When the highly promoted and televised Ryder Cup is contested at Celtic Manor Resort in Wales just 10 days from now, it will surely raise interest in both as golf vacation destinations.
However, even among seasoned golf travelers like you, I’ve found there are many misconceptions about Wales and Celtic Manor.
So, in the interest in clearing them up, here are 10 things you should know: Read more →
Kingsbarns is one of the St. Andrews golf courses that must be played while on Scotland golf vacations.
Nothing increases interest in Scotland golf vacations quite like the hosting of the British Open on St. Andrews’ Old Course, which is exactly what’s happening tomorrow.
If you, too, think this could get you going (or going back) to the Home of Golf, you should know there are a bunch of “kick yourself” courses less than 30 minutes away from the Old Course, everybody’s first choice. Read more →
Greece's financial woes are creating discount golf vacations in the eurozone for Americans and Canadians.
We’re not seeing nearly the same level of Discount Golf Vacations, perks, or booking incentives as last year, so why have our savvy readers lately – and specifically — been seeking advice about golf vacations to places such as Ireland, Portugal and Spain?
Three words: the exchange rate. Read more →
