Golf Courses Around the UK and Ireland

A sport that’s one of the most challenging, frustrating and rewarding you can take up, golf is a game like no other. Whether you’ve been battling the elements over winter, honing your skills during a warm weather break abroad, or dusting your clubs off for the first time in a few years, here’s our pick of the best UK and Irish spots for your summer golfing.

Carnoustie


Barry Burn, Carnoustie Golf Course cc-by-sa/2.0 - © JThomas - geograph.org.uk/p/3714444

The Open is the oldest major championship in golf, and it’s back at Carnoustie for the latest instalment in July 2018. With a stunning location on the east coast of Scotland, this links course is one of the most famous anywhere in the world - and in the top ten when it comes to the oldest. If you want to play the Championship course as a guest, you’ll have to shell out £200 for the privilege, although outside of the peak season there’s a 4-ball special which is £560.

Book a stay at Leonardo Hotel Aberdeen, and you can drive down to Carnoustie in less than an hour and a half. If you’re flying to Scotland, you may find a stay at Leonardo Hotel and Conference Venue Aberdeen Airport is wonderfully convenient.

Prestwick


Mary and Angus Hogg [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Sitting over on the west coast of Scotland, Prestwick held the first 12 iterations of the Open. Steeped in history, it’s another classic links course, built on the rolling sandy land next to the beach. Prices vary for visitors depending on when you want to play, and start from £100 over winter. During the peak summer season it’s £215 at the weekend, although any additional rounds you play in the same week will only cost £75.

Just a 45-minute drive from Prestwick Golf Club, Leonardo Hotel Glasgow is the perfect place to stay if you’re visiting this historic course.

St Andrews


paul birrell [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

The first course to hold the Open after Prestwick, St Andrews is known as the Home of Golf. The backdrop for countless dramatic moments in the tournament, the Old Course is instantly recognisable. In 2017, a poll voted the course’s 18th hole - where you can cross the iconic Swilken Bridge - as the best hole in Scotland. With the Open returning in 2021, get a first-hand experience in by paying £180 to play over summer, or around £90 when it’s quieter.

When you stay at Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh, you’ll be little more than hour away from the beautiful town of St Andrews.

Royal Portrush Golf Club


Dunes, Portrush cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Richard Webb - geograph.org.uk/p/4029580

In 1951, Royal Portrush became the first Open not to be held on mainland Britain. A second visit of the world’s top golfers has been quite some time coming, but Rory McIlroy will have the full force of the locals behind him next year. This Northern Irish course costs £205 at peak times, with the option of an additional round at £100. You can pay £120 for a round in April and October, while it’s just £70 from November to March.

Sitting on the beautiful northern coast of Ireland, it’s only an hour’s drive to Royal Portrush from Leonardo Hotel Belfast.

Royal St George's Golf Club


David Anstiss / Royal St George's Golf Course

Finally to England, and more specifically, Kent. Royal St George's became the first golf club outside Scotland to host the open, and will enjoy the honour for the 14th time in 2020. Pull your driver out of your golf bag and tee off on the par 4 first hole after paying as little as £100 for a round. It’s £210 over summer, but you can pay an extra £40 for a second round - although that has to be completed on the same day as the first.

Book one of our stylish, comfortable rooms at Leonardo Hotel London Croydon, and it’s just an hour and a half’s drive to Royal St George's from our hotel.