At the start of the planning process for an H&B golf tour of Scotland, one of the most common questions we receive focuses on the timing of the trip itself.
When is the best time of year to take my Scotland golf trip?
Generally speaking, the home and work obligations of the group itself will drive the dates of the trip more than anything else. There are several other things worth considering, however, when dialing in the timing of your golf trip to Scotland.
The Travel Season
The golf travel season in Scotland typically runs from April through October. This window should serve as the starting point for the dates of your trip. It’s certainly possible to travel outside of these months, but keep in mind that the frigid temperatures will make for a frosty experience. In addition, most courses require play off of fairway mats during the winter and some of the marquee names like Castle Stuart and Kingsbarns are closed altogether. For these reasons, our suggestion is to stick with the traditional travel season.
Don’t Brush off the Shoulders
In recent years, as the demand for golf travel has steadily increased, the cost of Scotland golf packages has followed suit. Those looking to capture a little value should give some consideration to the shoulder months of April and October. The temperatures may still be a little on the cool side, but the savings presented may make packing the stocking cap worthwhile.
Keep an Eye on The Open
When choosing the dates for your Scottish golf tour, there’s a fairly important event to consider: The Open. The arrival of the Claret Jug in Scotland brings with it a fair amount of disruption for golf travelers. Generally, the host course is closed 4-6 weeks before the tournament, and additional restrictions like fairway mats may also be in place. So if you’re visiting The Old Course, Muirfield, Carnoustie, Royal Troon, or Turnberry ahead of The Open’s arrival, the month of May is generally a safe choice. Of course, playing the host of The Open in the aftermath of the tournament is also quite a thrill.
Caution: September in St. Andrews
If you’re hoping to score Old Course tee times, September may not be the ideal month for your trip. The R&A and other St. Andrews golf clubs hold various events and meetings throughout the month of September. This, combined with preparations for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, usually means that The Old Course is unavailable for a significant number of days in September. This is not to say that the entire month is a loss in St. Andrews. Nor is The Old Course the only game in town. But for the best chance of landing a coveted slot on The Old Course tee sheet, it might be a good idea to consider another month. But for the sake of lodging availability, make sure that your alternative isn’t graduation week at the University of St. Andrews.
What Else is On
The Open is not the only big event that may influence when you choose to travel. The Women’s Open, the Senior Open, and the men’s and women’s Scottish Opens may also occupy some prime dates on your calendar. On the other hand, some events may draw you in as opposed to steering you away from certain dates. For example, if you’re hoping to take in the famous festivals or the Military Tattoo in Edinburgh, you’ll want to plan your trip for the month of August.
2025 May Be Your Year
The current unprecedented demand for overseas golf travel continues to strain availability at the marquee courses across the pond. As a result, the window for booking most courses has shifted significantly earlier in the calendar. For this reason, you may find that 2025 (or even beyond) is the year for you. Here’s a look at the best destinations for 2025 golf trips to Scotland and beyond.
Scotland Weather
It’s no coincidence that the golf travel season falls during the best time of year for weather in Scotland. But experiencing all four seasons during a single round of golf is still quite possible. Simply put.. When it comes to the weather in Scotland, you’ll need a little bit of luck on your side.
This chart offers a loose approximation of the weather at some of the most frequented destinations for golf in Scotland.
Naturally, your H&B Expedition Planning Manager will help you navigate all of these factors when narrowing down the dates of your trip. If you have specific courses you’d like to play, they can use their knowledge of availability to guide you to the right window of time. Likewise, if you have a specific set of dates already in mind, they’ll be able to share what courses and regions will be the best fit for your timeline.
Of course, choosing when to take your golf trip to Scotland is just one of many decisions that must be made during the planning process. Your Expedition Planning Manager will be there for every one of those decisions, but you can also get the ball rolling with some helpful insight at the links below.
Our free guide includes over 40 pages of valuable insight, plus links to nearly 50 additional resources, on Golf and the Good Life in Scotland.
To continue researching your golf trip to Scotland, visit the pages below, read our Scotland golf trip reviews, or have a look through our Yardage Book, where you’ll find answers to many of our most frequently asked questions.
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