St Andrews is the natural anchor of a Scotland golf trip, but the country's great links lie in every direction. Here is how to think about the courses, tee times and logistics.
The links beyond St Andrews
Near St Andrews in Fife and Angus are Kingsbarns (a modern public links) and Carnoustie (a championship Open venue). West of Edinburgh, East Lothian is a dense golf coast: Muirfield, North Berwick, Gullane and the Renaissance Club. Far north lies Royal Dornoch, and in Ayrshire to the south-west are Turnberry and Prestwick, the original Open venue.
| Course or cluster | Region | Nearest airport | Access | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Course, St Andrews | Fife | Edinburgh | Public: ballot, advance or singles | Home of Golf |
| Kingsbarns | Fife | Edinburgh | Public, pay to play | Near St Andrews |
| Carnoustie | Angus | Edinburgh / Dundee | Visitor booking | Open venue |
| Muirfield, North Berwick, Gullane, Renaissance | East Lothian | Edinburgh | Mixed, private to public | Base near Edinburgh |
| Royal Dornoch | Highlands | Inverness | Members club, visitors welcome | Far north |
| Turnberry, Prestwick | Ayrshire | Glasgow / Prestwick | Resort or visitor times | South-west |
Getting on the Old Course
A classic Scottish links fairway among the dunes · Illustration generated with AI The Old Course is public, but tee times are prized. Options are the daily ballot (drawn two days ahead, no play on Sundays, groups of two to four, with a handicap limit), a singles daily draw for solo golfers, or advance booking through the St Andrews Links Trust, whose window opens roughly a year before play. A licensed golf-tour operator is another route to guaranteed times.
Trip logistics
Most visitors fly into Edinburgh or Glasgow, hire a larger vehicle to carry clubs, and base themselves by region rather than driving long distances every day.
Book an SUV or estate for the clubs
Standard rental fleets in Scotland are compact manuals. Secure an automatic AWD or SUV early if you are travelling with heavy luggage or golf clubs.
See our guides on travelling to the Scottish Open and car hire at Edinburgh Airport for golf.
Sources: St Andrews Links Trust Old Course ballot and booking; club and Open information. Access rules and host venues change; confirm current policies with each club before booking.
