Golf trip recommendation?

[slicer79]

I'm off for a couple of weeks, mid to end of August. Have had a spur of the moment thought to maybe get the ferry over from Ireland to somewhere in the UK for a few days golf.
Maybe a 5/6 day trip to include approx 4 rounds of golf.
I'll be coming on my own but no issue playing solo, etc. I'm ok with that.

Where would anyone recommend? I'm open to any suggestions. Ideally I guess if I could base myself in one area that would be good in terms of travel, etc

As regards green fees, etc. Obviously I'm not going to be silly about it and throw money away but I'm open to paying a nice bit if it's for a quality course

 

[GreiginFife]

I’d head to East Lothian. Plenty of quality courses to choose from.

 

[KenL]

Good call Greig.
Close to Edinburgh too, but it will be VERY busy and expensive for accommodation due to the festival being on. Most of the courses are pricey unfortunately.

How about Northumberland? Nice looking courses that are great value. The people are about the friendliest in the UK in my opinion. Alnwick would be a good base.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Northumberland is a solid shout. Dunstanburgh, Bamburgh, Eyemouth, Alnmouth (Foxton), Arcot Hall, Whitley Bay, Hexham. Take your pick.

I'll also throw in the Harrogate area. Oakdale, Knaresbrough, Ripon, Harrogate as options.

 

[KenL]

Or Whitby/Scarborough.

 

[Mel Smooth]

If you're coming through Hollyhead then North Wales would definitely be worth looking at. Nefyn is terrific and not expensive, then there are plenty more courses to complete your week that won't disappoint you.

 

[IanM]

Similarly, if you get a ferry into south Wales you've got a good run of Pennard, Ashburnham, Clyne, Machynys, Porthcawl, Southerndown.... etc etc. within easy reach. Plenty of accommodation around Swansea, The Gower too.

 

[Backache]

Belfast Larne ferry gets you to South West Scotland.
Very good value courses.
Stranraer, Portpatrick,Southerness , Powfoot and some pleasant smaller lesser known ones.

 

[Neilds]

Is the Inverness/Moray area out of reach? Plenty of courses along the coast there.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Another option, one I did earlier this year. Stay in Richmond, N. Yorks, play Richmond, Catterick, Darlington. There are plenty of other friendly courses nearby in Co Durham and N. Yorks, if they don't float your boat. That was an inexpensive few days, good value.

 

[slicer79]

Is the Inverness/Moray area out of reach? Plenty of courses along the coast there.

Thanks, nothing is out of reach but obviously it would be a long journey as I'm from the south of Ireland. But I'm open to anything

 

[sunshine]

This is all about budget, and what sort of golf you want to play.

Ferry from Belfast to Stranraer, and play the Ayrshire links courses. Blow the budget on Turnberry, Troon etc, but also cheaper options available in the area.

Ferry from Dublin to Liverpool and play the links up the coast. Very pricey this year with Birkdale hosting the Open, but lots of choice and some cheaper options.

Ferry from Rosslare to Fishguard then play the south Wales links near Swansea, like Pennard, Porthcawl etc. This is much more wallet friendly than the 2 options above.

Or you could just fly somewhere, prob cost the same and lots of possible destinations.

 

[Bagger Vance]

This trip could easily cost well in advance of a grand and that’s before you look at any ‘name’ courses. Might be better to look for some open competitions and base your trip around those or consider a package stay and play deal.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Belfast Larne ferry gets you to South West Scotland.
Very good value courses.
Stranraer, Portpatrick,Southerness , Powfoot and some pleasant smaller lesser known ones.

I live in the area and SW Scotland offers great value for money. Life in the slow lane with classic towns and villages and really beautiful scenery.
It does surprise many that it is nearly 100 miles [2 hours] from Gretna to Stranrear. So ferry is a good option.
It is never as 'over busy' as the more central courses so weekend bookings are generally quite easy

 

[slicer79]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. First thing I need to do is actually decide on a particular area and narrow it down from there.
Need to get out a pen & paper later tonight and make a plan. Because I've said I'm open to anything it's probably keeping it too broad and I need to become more specific.

 

[IanM]

I live in the area and SW Scotland offers great value for money. Life in the slow lane with classic towns and villages and really beautiful scenery.
It does surprise many that it is nearly 100 miles [2 hours] from Gretna to Stranrear. So ferry is a good option.
It is never as 'over busy' as the more central courses so weekend bookings are generally quite easy

It suprised me! My wife booked accommodation near Dunragit. We had Wigtownshire GC, Portpatrick and Stranraer within a short hop.

We didn't play Powfoot and Southerness because they were too far away! It took the thick end of two hours to Gretna on the way back!

My mate who lives in Kilmarnock didn't come down for a game as "it was too far!"

But the three I mentioned are good.

Is Stranraer the most under rated course in Scotland? Hardly gets a mention.

 

[slicer79]

This trip could easily cost well in advance of a grand and that’s before you look at any ‘name’ courses. Might be better to look for some open competitions and base your trip around those or consider a package stay and play deal.

Good suggestion, is there a particular site that shows Open competitions? Or what's the quickest way to search

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Good suggestion, is there a particular site that shows Open competitions? Or what's the quickest way to search

Golf empire is your friend

 

[slicer79]

Golf empire is your friend

Super thanks, I'll get on there for a look

 

[Marshy77]

I was going to post a UK golf trip info but hope it's ok to jump in here rather than post another.

Is it possible to play courses within the Southport area for around £40-60pp? We'll be coming in from Bradford so could play a course on the way in or out but we're looking at staying in Southport, playing a course on the Sunday and Monday and it'll be next June.

Other options are basically within 2 hours of Bradford. Played Filey for the last 2 years and stayed in Scarborough (not again) and York. Looking at other options. Was maybe thinking Lincoln, Southport, Nottingham maybe.