Golf Tours
Scotland is the undoubted Home of Golf. No matter what standard golfers are, they have to make the pilgrimage to Scotland, where there are almost 500 spectacular and beautiful courses, otherwise they feel they haven’t played the game at all. The most popular and famous, of course, are the links courses that have evolved on sandy coastal strips which, centuries ago, were beneath the sea. Here nature is the architect, the course being fashioned out of the natural terrain rather than having design imposed upon it. Then there are the magnificent inland courses, which provide just as challenging a test.
Be it St Andrews, where you can almost see the ghosts of the past marching down the wide, undulating fairways; or Prestwick, the birthplace of golf’s most prestigious prize, the Open Championship, which will celebrate its 150th anniversary at St Andrews in July 2010; or the great Open courses of Muirfield, Turnberry, Carnoustie and Royal Troon; or the splendour of Royal Dornoch and Loch Lomond, or some of the many hidden gems, there is no finer country in which to play golf.
With challenging courses and award-winning accommodation, when it comes to a golf break in Ireland, you’re spoilt for choice.
Truly, golf in Ireland is just too good to miss. Indeed, the country is home to two-thirds of the world’s total links courses, for a start. That’s why we would urge you to do yourself a real favour and make it the destination for your next golf break with your family, friends, society or club. We can guarantee that you won’t be disappointed in the slightest.
You’ll find all of the big names here, including Royal Portrush – the only golf course outside of mainland UK to have hosted The Open Championship, incidentally – Royal County Down, which staged the 2007 Walker Cup, Ballyliffin, the European Club, Carton House, St Margaret’s and, of course, The K Club. But as well as them, you’ll also find a whole host of ‘hidden gems’ tucked away just waiting to be discovered.
Golf in Wales may be overshadowed by the great success of golf in Ireland and Scotland. However Wales boasts a proud tradition in golf which endures to this day. One of the greatest Ryder Cup players to play for Europe was Welshman Dai Rees. In the modern era, Wales has given us Ian Woosnam - Masters Winner, top European PGA golfer and regular Ryder Cup member. Indeed the Welsh Golfing Union established in 1895 is the second oldest in the world (the Irish being older).
In terms of golf courses, Wales has more 150 to choose from; some of which have hosted national and international championships. Most notable of these is St Pierre, host to the 1996 Solheim Cup. Celtic Manor, Newport, a golf hotel and country club, is set to become of the most prestigious conference centres in Wales, indeed has now been officially selected to stage the 2010 Ryder Cup . There is a full calendar of amateur and professional golf organised by the Welsh Golfing Union and Welsh Ladies Golfing Union, ranging from boys to ladies and seniors championships. Among the participating courses are Tenby, Llandudno, Whitchurch (Cardiff), Monmouth, Vale OF Llangollen, Prestatyn, Creigiau, Borth & Ynyslas, St Deiniol , Padeswood & Buckley, Aberystwyth , Ashburnham, Aberdare, Wenvoe Castle, Royal Porthcawl, Cowny (Caernarvonshire), Pyle & Kenfig .
Sample Golf Tour (Ireland) - 7 days
Day 1: Flight to Dublin, Ireland
Day 2: Play The Royal Dublin Golf Club This famous links course has been drawn on the lines suggested by the surrounding nature reserve, and provides a test of golf that has been enjoyed by golfing greats and amateurs alike for over 100 years. Free time in Dublin. Dinner along with Irish Music and Dance tonight
Day 3: Play The Royal County Down Golf Club is located in one of the world’s most naturally beautiful links settings in the Murlough Nature Reserve. Against the magnificent backdrop of the Mountains of Mourne, the links stretches along the shores of Dundrum Bay, zigzagging back and forth to provide a different vista from virtually every hole. Tour of the Mountains of Mourne where CS Lewis got the inspiration to write the ‘Chronicles of Narnia.
Day 4: Play Royal Portrush Golf Club, it is home to one of the best and most challenging links golf courses in the world, the Dunluce Links, and the hidden gem, the Valley Links. The only club in Ireland to have hosted The Open Championship
Visit the The "Old Bushmills" Distillery is the world's Oldest Licensed Whisky Distillery and has been legally producing Irish Malt Whisky since 1608. From today you will be staying in a hotel with its own golf course.
Day 5: Play Portstewart Golf Club, founded in 1894 and redesigned by Willie Park jnr in the 1920’s this championship links course received its greatest makeover with the purchase of land known as “Thistly Hollow” in 1981. This enabled the club to build a stunning new seven holes through towering dunes and fabulous and natural links land. Visit the Giants Causeway and Dunluce Castle
Day 6: Play Ballyliffen Golf Club, it consists of two outstanding, contrasting links courses and 36 wonderful holes make up one of the finest golf resorts to be found anywhere in the world. We will visit the Famine Museum and hear about Ireland of old.
Day 7: Transfer to airport for your return flight.
While we endeavour to arrange the itinerary above, all Golf Courses are subject to availability on your chosen dates and we reserve the right to change to alternative courses. Courses will be confirmed when you book.