Your Guide to 2027 Golf Trips to Scotland, Ireland, and England
Planning and Destination Tips for 2027
With demand for international golf travel showing no signs of slowing, the time to begin planning your 2027 golf trip is already here.
Of course, the need to plan early is nothing new. Since 2020, tee sheets at the sought after courses in Scotland and Ireland have opened earlier each year – and filled faster.
For some, planning 18+ months in advance isn't just recommended. It's essential.
But between major events and evolving tee time policies, early action is even more imperative for 2027 golf trips across the pond.
Here's what to know for 2027, including where the opportunities lie, and where the clock is already ticking.
Key Destinations and 2027 Golf Trips
St. Andrews and The Old Course
Whenever The Open Championship returns to the Old Course, it brings excitement and – unfortunately for travelers – some extra challenges for planning.
In 2027, The Open will return to St. Andrews. And if history is a guide, The Old Course will likely close to visitor play for the entire month leading up to the tournament. That alone would cause a significant supply crunch. But there’s more to consider.
The process for securing guaranteed Old Course tee times may also see some changes in the coming year, adding an extra layer of uncertainty for those hoping to play in 2027.
The takeaways are clear:
- If playing The Old Course is a must for your 2027 trip, it's never been more important to have an expert in your corner.
- The time to get started has already arrived.
Southwest Ireland and the Ryder Cup
The Ryder Cup is set to take place at Adare Manor in 2027, and the impact is already being felt across Southwest Ireland.
The course itself will be closed to visitors for much of the season, and demand for marquee courses in the surrounding region – Lahinch, Ballybunion, Waterville, Tralee – is already spiking.
Travelers looking to play golf in Southwest Ireland in 2027 must come to the table early and with a great deal of flexibility, both in terms of dates of travel and courses played.
While H&B does not provide Ryder Cup ticket packages, many of our Members have already put their plans in motion for the early portion of the 2027 season.
If you're hoping to visit Southwest Ireland before the Ryder Cup, we suggest you join them.
Northern Ireland and the Afterglow of The Open
When Royal Portrush hosted The Open in 2025, it cast a spotlight on the great courses in Northern Ireland.
But before the first tee shot was struck, both Royal Portrush and Royal County Down were fully booked for visitors in 2026. That means the everyone inspired by The Open to play these greats shifted their sites to 2027.
Tee times for these courses typically become available in the early spring of the year prior to play. At risk of sounding like a broken record, if Northern Ireland is on your list, you'll want to have your plans in place shortly after the calendar turns to 2027.
The Expedition led by Matt Doherty from Country Club of the Carolinas and Providence Country Club at The Old Course.
Smart Plays for 2027 Golf Trips
Beyond the marquee venues, there are some notable regions for 2027 golf trips to Scotland, Ireland, and England that offer a great experience and a slightly more relaxed planning schedule.
England's Golf Coast
Just as The Open at Royal Portrush sparked a wave of interest in Northern Ireland, the 2026 Open at Royal Birkdale is likely to do the same for England’s Golf Coast. Which gives you a prime opportunity to get ahead of the crowd.
By planning your 2027 trip before that post-Open rush begins, you'll enjoy the best access to tee times at Royal Birkdale, Royal Liverpool, Royal Lytham & St Annes, and the exceptional supporting cast nearby.
The region is logistically simple, rich in Open Championship history, and offers perhaps the best concentration of great golf in the U.K.
The Highlands of Scotland
The opening of Old Petty at Cabot Highlands has added a new layer of excitement to this already beloved region. It's also made it even easier to play golf in The Highlands as a standalone destination.
Paired with Royal Dornoch, Brora, and Nairn, plus nearby jewels like Golspie, Tain, and Fortrose & Rosemarkie, The Highlands offers a complete itinerary without the need to shift regions. It’s possible to spend a full week here enjoying a mix of world-class and quietly spectacular golf.
Add in the sightseeing, whisky distilleries, and Highlands hospitality, and you have a combination of Golf and the Good Life that's tough to beat.
Dublin and Ireland's East Coast
Dublin continues to grow in popularity among golf travelers, thanks to its easy logistics, plentiful nonstop flights between the U.S., and the ability to build a high-quality itinerary without ever leaving the region. Whether you’re planning a shorter trip or simply using the city as a jumping-off point for your Ireland itinerary, Dublin golf delivers.
By the time 2027 rolls around, Portmarnock may be the newest member of The Open rota. And just down the coast, The European Club is set to reopen following a yearlong reimagination, bringing fresh energy to one of Ireland’s most iconic modern links.
Combined with other standouts like The Island and County Louth, plus exceptional Good Life found in the city, Dublin's appeal for golf travelers speaks for itself.
Northwest Ireland
Still flying under the radar, Northwest Ireland remains a favorite for those in the know. St. Patrick’s Links continues to shine as the region's first Top 100 golf course, while Carne, Enniscrone, and County Sligo provide thrilling, scenic links experiences. Even the nine holes at Cruit Island are enough to anchor a day you’ll never forget.
Availability here is better than almost anywhere else, and the region rewards those looking for something both authentic and off the well-worn path.
Tom Gilbert, PGA with his Gulph Mills Golf Club members at County Sligo.
Key Dates to Note and Insight
Tee Sheets Will Open Earlier (Again)
The trend of earlier tee time releases continues, and in some cases, demand is arriving even faster.
Some notable venues are already accepting advance bookings for 2027 from select golf travel companies. But it’s not just the headliners to watch. Once tee times are secured at places like The Old Course, Muirfield, or Royal County Down, the ripple effect tends to fill nearby courses just as quickly.
If you have a few key rounds in mind, don’t delay in finalizing the rest of the itinerary. The booking window across the board is moving earlier every year.
2027 Old Course at St. Andrews Tee Times
As an Authorized Provider for The Old Course, Haversham & Baker would generally expect to receive a limited number of guaranteed 2027 tee times – but the specifics related to those times might be changing.
The St. Andrews Links Trust is currently reviewing its guaranteed tee time program, and no official details have been released about what the process may look like for 2027. You can read more about the study here.
What does this mean for golf travelers? It’s too early to say with certainty, but if playing The Old Course in 2027 is on your list, early planning – and having an expert in your corner – remains your best path forward.
And with The Open returning to St. Andrews that summer and closing the course to visitors for an extended period, the supply will likely be even more limited than usual.
We’ll share updates as soon as more details emerge, but for now, we recommend planning as early as possible to keep your options open.
St. Andrews in September
Regardless of what, if any, changes occur with the process for guaranteed Old Course tee times, one thing will remain constant:
It's probably a good idea to avoid the month of September in The Home of Golf, especially if you're relying on The Old Course Ballot or Singles Daily Draw to try and score a tee time.
The R&A holds a variety of meetings and competitions throughout September which closes The Old Course for numerous days during the month.
Muirfield and North Berwick Tee Times
Muirfield remains one of the toughest tee times in Scotland outside of The Old Course — and the West Links at North Berwick isn’t far behind.
Tee times for 2027 are expected to be released in early 2026. Based on recent years, summer dates at Muirfield are likely to book out within hours. Once available, North Berwick won't take much longer.
If you’re hoping to play both in a single itinerary, early planning is essential. This sought-after pairing continues to be reserved for those who act quickly.
Other Notable Dates & Closures
- 2027 Open Championship: The Old Course - July 12-18
- 2027 Ryder Cup: Adare Manor - September 13-19
- 2027 Scottish Open: The Renaissance Club - July 5-11
- 2027 Senior Open: Venue TBD - July 19-25
- 2027 Women's Open: Royal St. George's - July 26-August 1
- 2027 Dunhill Links: The Old Course, Carnoustie, Kingsbarns - September 27-October 3
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