As 2024 draws to a close, the golfing world is reflecting on what has been an incredible season, whilst looking forward to future years with anticipation. Excitement is building quickly ahead of 2025 and come spring, golfing enthusiasts will again enjoy the UK & Ireland’s finest golf courses at their best.
For 2026, time is very much of the essence when it comes to booking some of the most in-demand golf courses with restricted availability; particularly the St Andrews Old Course & Muirfield in Scotland, and Royal Portrush & Royal County Down in Ireland.
There are few irreplicable experiences in golf and two of them in Scotland are certainly at the St Andrews Old Course and Muirfield. In St Andrews it begins under the grandeur of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club, as the Starter of the St Andrews Old Course calls your tee time. A nerve-racking opening shot towards championship golf’s widest fairway, is followed by challenges at the Swilcan Burn, the famed par three 11th, Hell Bunker and eventually the Road Hole. Before returning to the same fairway where it all started, as you step on to the 18th Tee for one final drive. At Muirfield the anticipation begins as you approach the black gate, which conceals the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, and one of the worlds finest links.
Unless accompanied by a member, visitor play is only available on Tuesdays and Thursdays, when golfing tradition like no other can be experienced. The magic of playing as a fourball in the morning, followed by a legendary members-style lunch and then a foursomes match in the afternoon, makes for a truly unique day playing golf in Scotland.
Across the Irish Sea on the Emerald Isle, Royal Portrush and Royal County Down stand as shining examples of links golf at its finest. Positioned between the drama of Dundrum Bay and the Mourne Mountains, Royal County Down is widely regarded as one of, if not the best golf course in the world. Simply put, it is surely one of the most thrilling experiences in golf. With the correct planning, Royal County Down can feature in an itinerary alongside Royal Portrush, which resides amongst a truly incredible dune complex. Royal Portrush is the only Irish golf course to have hosted The Open and the world’s greatest players will compete here again in 2025, for the title; Champion Golfer of the Year. When it comes to links golf, it is hard to beat the combination of these two icons.
It is never too early to start planning a golf tour that includes magnet courses such as the St Andrews Old Course, Muirfield, Royal County Down and Royal Portrush. With demand reaching an all-time high, and restrictions to visitor availability, it is not uncommon to see tee sheets near full within days of opening reservations. We therefore encourage early booking to avoid disappointment and for the 2026 season, we would suggest settling on an itinerary by the end of February 2025.
A festive season filled with cheer, surrounded by your nearest and dearest, is the perfect time to start planning a 2026 golf tour. Our team of experienced Golf Travel Consultants are ready to assist in designing your dream itinerary – we would be delighted to hear from you.
Tel: +44 (0)1334 478639
Email: info@linksgolfstandrews.com www.linksgolfstandrews.com
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Situated to the south of Royal Dornoch, Tain is a heathland/links course with spectacular views. Designed originally by Old Tom Morris as a fifteen-hole course in 1890, it was extended to eighteen holes in 1894; eleven Morris holes are still in play today. This is an easy walking course with the river meandering through three of the holes. Always presented in beautiful condition, Tain is a good test of golf, with clever bunkering and natural water hazards. Tain is located 35 miles north of Inverness.
