As a big fan of the Machrie course located onScotland’s west coast on the island of Islay, I was pleased to hear about a new golf course planned to open on the neighbouring island of Jura. Golf on the West Coast and Western Isles of Scotland offers a unique opportunity to play the game as it was done originally. There are some great courses to choose from too…there is the Machrie as mentioned, but also Askernish on South Uist and Shiskine onArran. On the Mull of Kintyre peninsula you can also choose from Machrihanish, Machrihanish Dunes and Dunaverty. Many of these courses are also conveniently located for those looking to do some whiskey distillery touring on a trip and you can visit great places like Lagavulin, Ardbeg, Bowmore, Isle of Arran and Springbank. This is the ideal option for anyone looking to do a Scotland golf trip that is a little bit different and play some real hidden gems. You can read more on the development on the course on Jura by clicking here.
By Alastair Niven. Alastair has been with PerryGolf for over 11 years and is one of our Golf Travel Specialists.
PerryGolf is an Authorized Provider of Guaranteed Old Course Tee Times
How can you get a tee time to play the Old Course, St Andrews?
PerryGolf is an Authorized Provider of Guaranteed Old Course Tee Times. PerryGolf President Gordon Dalgleish explains your options for getting a tee time on the Old Course, St Andrews. Read more “Old Course at St Andrews – How To Get A Tee Time”
The Open Championship is unique amongst the majors for a variety of reasons and attendance at one “Open” as she is correctly called should be on every golfers bucket list. Some tips for making the dream trip a reality;
1. You can always walk up on the day and buy a ticket to watch play that day. It is truly “open” to the public.
2. If you want to stay nearby, expect the hotel to require a 5 – 7 night minimum stay, as you move further from the venue, demand lessens and shorter stays are more likely.
3. Invariably there is an excellent public transportation system with dedicated trains to the event from major cities…a fine option compared to traffic and parking
4. The Tented Village is part of the Open lore, it encompasses retail, promotional displays and hospitality areas…see it, experience it and enjoy it.
5. Links courses by nature are flat, the R & A who conduct the Open provide many bleacher stands throughout the course. It is a good idea to find a location you like and position yourself there.
6. Given the changeable weather that the British Isles is known for, be sure to have with you layers of clothes and even rain gear…just in case. Nothing worse than sitting in a bleacher as a rain shower approaches with a handkerchief for protection!
7. If you try to combine a golf trip with attendance at the Open, you probably will find it easier to play your golf in another region of the British Isles as most of the notable courses around the Open venue will be under great demand for various events, corporate outings, etc.
8. Due to the fact golf is so woven into the British fabric of life, you will be surprised at how knowledgeable the crowd will be…good shots are acknowledged and bad shots are winced at…for most of the spectators play the game and experienced the same challenges. Rarely will the “you da man” laud be shouted, unless of course by a patron possibly leaving the famed Bollinger tent!
Of course, our 2013 British Open Cruise is the perfect solution to play golf in Ireland, Scotland AND attending the Open from your floating hotel room only 30 minutes or so from the course!
I hope that you make this special trip at least once.
About the Author: Gordon Dalgleish is the Co-Founding Director of PerryGolf, the leading provider of international golf vacations. You can find him onGoogle+
PerryGolf is delighted to introduce a sweepstakes which provides you with the opportunity to win a trip for yourself plus three golfing friends to travel to Scotland to enjoy six of the finest courses that the “Home of Golf” is famous for. Full details of the competition and and entry can be viewed here.
Win a Golf trip to Scotland with three friends
The courses included in this trip are some of Scotland’s finest; Castle Stuart, venue for the Scottish Open, Ailsa Course at Turnberry, multiple host to the Open Championship, Prestwick, venue for the first Open to be played, Centenary Course at Gleneagles, venue for 2014 Ryder Cup, Royal Dornoch, acclaimed links course where Donald Ross started his golf career and the Kintye Course at Turnberry, venue for a European PGA Tour event. While the golf is spectacular, the accommodations provided are at the luxurious and iconic Turnberry Hotel in Ayrshire and Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness.
Good luck. We look forward to welcoming you to Scotland.
About the Author: Gordon Dalgleish is the Co-Founding Director of PerryGolf, the leading provider of international golf vacations. You can find him onGoogle+
It has been announced by the Royal and Ancient that the 2016 British Open will be held at Royal Troon. The event was last held there in 2004 when Todd Hamilton shocked the golfing world to edge out Ernie Els in a playoff.
The 2016 Open is due to play a big part in four very high profile years for Scottish golf with the 2013 Open being held at Muirfield, the 2014 Ryder Cup being held at Gleneagles and the 2015 Open being held on the Old Course at St. Andrews.
For details on how to attend the 2013 British Open at Muirfield, onboard the fantastic Azamara Quest – including 5 rounds of fantastic golf in 3 different countries – please click here.
